Chapter 267: Thunder Rises, Clouds Part (Finale)
When the first light of dawn touched the horizon, the capital finally returned to tranquility. A few wisps of black smoke rose from the city, making it look exceptionally dilapidated.
Most people had worried throughout the night. They didn't know the cause and effect, only that there was another riot coming from Asuka Castle. They hid under their beds, cursing Raihara Yukihiro all night long.
But when dawn broke, they still had to go out and work. Living another day meant struggling for another day—this was the reality for the vast majority.
Of those who participated in the riots last night, some were killed on the spot, and some went into hiding.
However, those hiding wouldn't last long. The Cloud had no intention of letting this slide and continued to search the city.
As for those detained the previous day—like the surviving princes of various nations and the guards who didn't resist—they remained in custody. Dana didn't plan to release them just yet.
Most people hadn't realized it yet, but the sky over the Land of Lightning had changed.
That evening, the Third Raikage arrived with reinforcements. He didn't use the Heavenly Transfer Technique, and he didn't bring many ninja. However, those who came were capable officers from various departments of the Cloud, as well as management specialists from the Yotsuki Clan. They entered the capital quietly.
Dana and the Third Raikage high-fived.
Dana smiled. "Old Man, how is it? Does everyone in the clan support this?"
"Support? They're practically dying of excitement!"
The personnel brought by the Third Raikage quickly filled the vacancies in the Daimyo's administration.
Early the next morning, the "Daimyo's Office" announced to the public that the former Daimyo, Raihara Yukihiro, had unfortunately passed away in the previous day's disaster, dying amidst the chaos.
The citizens of the capital instinctively wanted to cheer, but they quickly realized it was inappropriate and cursed him privately instead.
But immediately after, they fell into confusion.
The Daimyo is dead. Who is the next Daimyo?
Where do they go from here?
Simultaneously, the "Daimyo's Office" announced the cause of the previous day's chaos.
A dark force known as the "Zetsu Organization" intended to overthrow the Daimyo's rule and orchestrated the riots. They also released portraits and basic information about the "Zetsu Organization's" leader, which would be circulated throughout the ninja world.
In Dana's words: "He knows I know him, but he doesn't know how much I know him. So the best deception is to react normally based on what he thinks I know. That way, I can give him another surprise next time."
One can imagine that when this news spreads, half the ninja world will be utterly confused.
More and more Cloud ninja were deployed from Kumogakure to the capital, gradually taking over public security and daily management.
The Cloud actively helped citizens repair homes and maintain order, earning unanimous praise from the capital's populace.
On the third day after order was restored, led by the only remaining great noble family in the capital, the Yamazaki Family, and joined by other minor nobles who now looked somewhat decent because their rivals were all dead, a joint proposal was made. They recommended Natsu Raihara, the daughter of the previous Daimyo, as the new Daimyo of the Land of Lightning.
The position of Daimyo was always a compromise between noble factions. Now that the Daimyo's court and the noble circle were essentially empty shells, this recommendation logically became the final result.
No one objected. The retainers and nobles in the capital were mostly dead. The faction united by the Yamazaki family represented the only remaining noble power in the capital. Naturally, no one opposed their candidate.
If anyone did object, they certainly weren't in the capital but elsewhere in the Land of Lightning. By the time nobles and officials there received the news, Natsu Raihara would already be the Daimyo.
The very next day, Asuka Castle held the ascension ceremony for the new Daimyo. Asuka Castle welcomed its third master within a year.
Natsu was dizzyingly surrounded by people, being dressed and made up. Most of the original servants of Asuka Castle had fled, so Dana specifically brought back a few maids familiar with the castle's rules and filled the rest with servants from the Yotsuki clan to maintain the castle's former prestige.
"Daimyo-sama, please turn around."
Natsu stared blankly for a long while before realizing "Daimyo-sama" referred to her. She quickly turned around.
An old maid adjusted Natsu's collar. "Time is tight, but thankfully we made it. Daimyo-sama, does it fit?"
Natsu whispered, "It fits, but it's a bit heavy."
"Of course. It uses the finest materials, five layers inside and out."
When the maid brought out the fan-shaped hat unique to the Daimyo, Natsu's bottom line was thoroughly breached.
Dana knocked on the door frame, leaning there and looking at Natsu with amusement.
Natsu puffed her cheeks but was helpless. She had mocked that fan hat since childhood for being stupid, and now she was wearing it on her head.
The most hateful part was that even wearing it, she wasn't as tall as Yotsuki Dana.
"It fits well. I mean the clothes."
Natsu was nervous. "Do you think those nobles will cause trouble on the spot?"
"No. I'm here. Let's go."
Dana extended his large hand.
Dressed in full ceremonial Daimyo regalia, Natsu placed her hand—which looked petite in comparison—into Dana's palm.
Inside the ceremonial hall, people filled the seats on both sides, witnessing the ascension of the new Daimyo.
However, unlike any time in the Land of Lightning's history, more than half of the people in the hall were ninja from Kumogakure.
Some minor nobles who previously wouldn't have qualified to enter sat on the right, led by Isao Yamazaki.
The Cloud ninja, led by the Third Raikage, sat on the left.
It was obvious that the ninja on the left were composed, even unable to hide their excitement, while the nobles on the right were cowering and timid.
At the Third Raikage's request, the Cloud ninja didn't change into formal court attire. Instead, they wore their standard ninja uniforms, just neater and newer. They looked solemn and elite, their sharpness piercing the sky, making the nobles beside them look like quails.
A transformation unseen in over 600 years of the Land of Lightning's history: Ninja witnessing the replacement of the Daimyo.
No, accurately speaking, it was ninja approving the replacement, leading the replacement, and controlling the replacement.
The meaning behind this, and the future it represented, made the blood of every Cloud ninja present boil.
"Presenting the new Daimyo, Natsu Raihara! Enter the hall!"
Amidst the announcements of the Yotsuki attendants, Dana led Natsu by her small hand, walking in from the side of the hall. Dana in front, Natsu behind.
The Cloud ninja's eyes lit up. The Third Raikage couldn't help but grin, showing his teeth.
Since the establishment of the Ninja Village system, it had always been the Kage's ascension that required the Daimyo's approval. Today, it was the exact opposite.
Dana led Natsu to the soft throne belonging to the Daimyo. He didn't leave but stood calmly by her side. His towering figure commanded a presence far exceeding Natsu's.
"Salute!"
Everyone in the hall bowed.
Interestingly, the nobles on the right, starting with Isao Yamazaki, chose to kneel and prostrate themselves on the ground, following centuries of tradition.
The Cloud ninja on the left, however, remained standing. They formed the Seal of Confrontation (Unison Sign) and bowed their heads slightly.
One kneeling, one standing. The distinction was clear.
Upon a new Daimyo's ascension, according to the rules, affairs of state should be discussed on the spot. But today, there was only one item on the agenda.
Next month would be the wedding date of Daimyo Natsu Raihara.
After the announcement, Natsu's face turned as red as an apple. Fortunately, there was a curtain in front of the throne, so those below couldn't see clearly.
The Third Raikage wore the smile of an old father.
The nobles left Asuka Castle, the setting sun stretching their shadows long.
A minor noble whispered something at the back of the group. Isao Yamazaki looked back with disdain. In the past, these guys wouldn't have been qualified to walk with him; they were just dragged here today to make up the numbers.
However, the minor noble seemed to misinterpret the glance. After making eye contact, he thought Yamazaki was asking for his opinion, so he said, "Yamazaki-sama, shouldn't the new Daimyo select retainers to form the court upon ascension? I wonder if we have a chance?"
Yamazaki looked at him like he was an idiot. No, this person was an idiot.
"Also, those ninja are so arrogant. We were all kneeling to the new Daimyo; why didn't they kneel? My Lord, should we go protest to the Daimyo together?"
Yamazaki felt like he had eaten sh*t. "Why don't you go find a piece of mochi and choke yourself to death?! Get the hell out of the capital! Don't ever come back! Are you trying to get us all killed?!"
Yamazaki kicked and punched the fool out of the group.
On the other side, after settling Natsu in, Dana walked alone through the corridors of Asuka Castle.
The moon was already high outside the window, its light shining on Dana's face.
Passing servants bowed low and retreated to the walls upon seeing Yotsuki Dana. Some were old staff of Asuka Castle, others were acquaintances from the Yotsuki clan.
At the end of the corridor, Dana stopped before a massive wooden door. Looking at it, he was momentarily lost in thought.
At age six, the first time he came to Asuka Castle for a gathering, he had seen this door. That was also when his engagement was set.
Later, when Raihara Toyotomi was in power and repeatedly provoked the Cloud, resulting in the deaths of two Nine Samurai of the Thundercloud, Dana had pushed open this door to deal with the matter. Inside was a banquet of nobles, filled with decadent music and ugly behavior.
A few days ago, when the capital was in chaos and the princes of various nations went mad, the blood-soaked banquet hall lay behind this very door.
But today, the scene behind this door was decidedly different.
Dana pushed open the heavy doors.
Candlelight flickered, momentarily dazzling his eyes.
What greeted him were countless Cloud ninja.
There were Cloud high command and village elites.
There were Yotsuki clan elders, and heavyweights like Blue Bee and Yoshitoki.
Men and women, young and old. What they had in common was the light in their eyes.
Everyone turned to look at Dana as he walked into the hall, breaking into smiles.
Those smiles contained the determination to do something big!
The Third Raikage laughed. "Is everything handled?"
"Yeah! Then let's begin! The New Era of Kumogakure!"
"OSU!!!!"