Chapter 89: New Daimyo

Gaara knew he had to get to Konoha and seek out Sasuke for help.

Without Sasuke's assistance, Gaara realized he didn't have the strength to defeat that enigmatic white-haired figure. After all, Gaara had no information on Hiruko and his dangerous abilities.

Meanwhile, in Konoha, within the ANBU headquarters...

Itachi sat calmly on a chair, his legs crossed, as he stared coldly at the figure kneeling before him. His gaze was as sharp as a blade.

"Lord Itachi, I failed my mission," the figure reported, his voice trembling with fear.

Itachi's eyes narrowed as he looked at the masked figure—it was Sai, a former member of Root who had been under Danzo's control from a young age.

After Danzo's death, Sai had joined ANBU and now served under Itachi's command.

Sai had been taught to complete his missions at any cost, even if it meant sacrificing his comrades. But this time, he had failed.

Itachi stood up and walked over to Sai. Placing a hand on Sai's shoulder, he said in a calm, yet firm voice, "From today onward, you are no longer a member of ANBU."

Sai's body tensed, fearing that he had lost his value.

But then, Itachi's tone softened. "You've endured too much. Go and live as a regular shinobi."

Day 1 at the Advanced Ninja Academy.

The academy was finally ready, and the students gathered for their first lesson. Yamanaka Inoichi, the father of Yamanaka Ino, stood at the front of the class, addressing them.

"You are the first students of the Advanced Ninja Academy," Yamanaka Inoichi began. "Here, we will teach you everything without holding back. Today's lesson will cover the basics of genjutsu—how to recognize and break the simplest illusions. I will also teach you the Yamanaka clan's Mind Transfer Technique. If you wish to learn it, I will teach it to you without reservation."

Inoichi scanned the room, his gaze falling on the assembled students: Rock Lee, Neji, Hinata, Naruto, Sakura, Ino, Shikamaru, Sasuke, and many others.

Nearly all the chunin who met the academy's requirements had enrolled in this first session.

Just as Inoichi was about to begin, the door opened, and Kakashi walked in with a new student.

"Sorry to interrupt," Kakashi said. "We have a new addition to the class—Sai."

Inoichi nodded and gestured for Sai to join the others.

Later that night, in the dormitory, Sai and Naruto were assigned to the same room. Naruto looked at Sai curiously and asked, "So, what's your story?"

Sai hesitated for a moment, then pointed to himself. "I was part of ANBU. But after failing my mission, I was demoted to chunin. Now, I'm here."

Naruto stared at Sai, noticing the scars and bandages covering his body. Just as Naruto was about to ask more questions, Kakashi entered the room.

Kakashi smiled at the two boys and handed Sai a stack of books. "Sai, I heard you like to read. I brought you some light reading material."

Sai took the books, which included a thick stack of comics. On top was "Icha Icha Paradise," and underneath was "Honji Rai: The Peerless Hero," a work on the Third Raikage's son.

Sai had never read these books before, so he thanked Kakashi, "Arigato."

Kakashi then handed Naruto two bells, slightly bent and worn from use. Naruto looked at them quizzically and asked, "Kakashi-sensei, what are these for?"

Kakashi grinned. "These are the same bells from our first training exercise. I'm passing them on to you. Maybe when you become a teacher, you can use them too."

Naruto stared at the bells, his mind filled with visions of his future as a mentor. A smile spread across his face as he imagined himself leading his own team one day.

"I'll tell my students that anyone who can't complete a mission is worthless," Naruto said with a grin. "But those who don't cherish their comrades are even worse than trash!"

Sai was startled by Naruto's words. The first part of Naruto's statement resonated with Sai, but the second half was completely foreign to him.

It contradicted everything Sai had been taught. For Sai, the mission had always been more important than anything—even his teammates.

Meanwhile, back in the ruins of the ancient castle in Sunagakure...

Kankuro and Temari were tied to two large crosses.

Their captors believed that by holding them hostage, they could lure Gaara back to save them.

Hiruko, the mastermind behind the attacks, was growing impatient. He suspected that neither Kankuro nor Temari possessed any valuable bloodline abilities.

"If only they had inherited their father Rasa's Gold Dust ability," Hiruko mused, clearly disappointed.

He approached Kankuro, who was defiantly glaring at him. "Tell me where Gaara went," Hiruko demanded.

"Give up," Kankuro spat. "I won't tell you anything!"

Hiruko scowled and activated the electric currents running through the cross, sending jolts of pain through Kankuro's body. Kankuro gritted his teeth, his face contorted in pain.

"I won't say anything!" Kankuro yelled through the agony.

One of Hiruko's lackeys, with the number "Three" on his forehead, sauntered over and sneered, "Why waste time torturing him? We don't have any 'honey traps' to use on this one."

Kankuro's eyes widened in disbelief. This isn't how it's supposed to go, he thought. Aren't there supposed to be honey traps like in 'Icha Icha Paradise'?

But instead of the scenario he'd imagined, the torture continued. The current surged through him again, and Kankuro screamed, "Ahhhhhhh!!!"

Hiruko grew tired of the game. "Enough playing around. We have more important things to do. Soon, we'll declare war on the entire ninja world."

Hiruko gazed up at the sky with a sense of twisted purpose.

Hiruko had once been a ninja of Konoha, a peer of Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya.

But his talent had never matched theirs, and he had always been overshadowed by the legendary Sannin, who were the disciples of the Third Hokage.

Jealousy and frustration had driven Hiruko to study forbidden jutsu in secret.

He developed the Chimera Technique, which allowed him to steal the abilities of those with bloodline limits.

When his experiments were discovered, the Third Hokage ordered his execution, but Hiruko managed to escape.

Now, after years in hiding, Hiruko's technique was almost complete.

He had already stolen four bloodline limits: Steel Release, Swift Release, Dark Release, and Storm Release. The final one he needed was the Sharingan.

But with the Uchiha clan at its peak, Hiruko knew better than to challenge them directly. Instead, he had another target in mind—Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja who wielded a Sharingan.

Here's the revised version of the text with corrections, original Naruto names, more clarity, and added emotional depth:

---

As long as Kakashi's Sharingan is absorbed, wouldn't everything be fine?

This reflects the importance of intelligence.

But Kakashi no longer has the Sharingan. He returned it to Obito a long time ago.

Kakashi has been concealing his eyes, and Hiruko doesn't know…

Therefore, Hiruko's target is still Kakashi.

Hiruko has already collected four types of kekkei genkai.

If he obtains the last one, Hiruko will become immortal and achieve the perfect life!

Hiruko's projection appeared in the sky above all the villages, and he declared war on the entire ninja world.

He believes that once he gains immortality, he'll have the power to launch the Fourth Great Ninja War and dominate all life in the Shinobi World!

...

After the Hiruko incident, Tsunade found herself under immense pressure.

Because Hiruko was once a shinobi of Konoha, a rogue ninja, other nations have become hostile toward the village.

Despite the hostility, the Five Great Shinobi Villages—except for Kirigakure—have all signed peace agreements with Konoha. They didn't dare to be openly hostile to the Leaf Village.

However, the situation was different for the nations themselves.

The daimyo heard that Hiruko was planning to start a Great Ninja War and immediately pressured the daimyo of the Land of Fire.

The Fire Daimyo had no choice but to summon Tsunade.

When Sasuke heard of this, he decided to accompany Tsunade to the Fire Daimyo's mansion.

"Tsunade, why are you taking Sasuke with you?" asked Shizune with concern.

Tsunade glanced at Sasuke, who was standing nearby. "Because," Tsunade replied, "he insisted on coming."

As they rode in the carriage, Sasuke suddenly asked Tsunade, "Why did the First Hokage hold so much respect for the Fire Daimyo when the village was first established?"

Tsunade sighed, remembering her grandfather. "During the wars, the country existed, but the ninja clans fought each other for territory. My grandfather brought peace to the Land of Fire."

"He didn't just calm a country, but brought the ninjas together, forming the Leaf Village. The Daimyo of the Fire Country supported my grandfather."

"They provided funds and resources to help establish Konoha. That's why there has always been a peaceful relationship between the Hokage and the Daimyo."

Sasuke looked thoughtful, but then Tsunade caught him smirking. "What's that look for?" she demanded.

"Nothing," Sasuke replied, but the mischief in his eyes said otherwise.

...

The Fire Daimyo's mansion was as grand as one would expect from the supreme ruler of a country.

Tsunade and Sasuke passed through several layers of guards until they reached the innermost hall.

The hall was grand, with steps leading up to a throne draped in fine silk. At the top sat the Fire Daimyo, a rotund figure, surrounded by his twelve ninja guards—six on each side. Among them were used to be Asuma and Chiriku, their heads had already valued for bounties.

"Tsunade, other nations are growing increasingly dissatisfied with the Land of Fire. I hope you can resolve the matter of Hiruko swiftly, before it escalates further," the Daimyo said, his tone stern.

Tsunade bowed slightly. "Please, Daimyo, grant me more time."

"One week," the Daimyo replied coldly. "I can only give you one week. The Land of Fire is already facing hostility from other countries. If this matter with Hiruko is not resolved soon, it will severely damage the relationship between the Land of Fire and Konoha. Without the Daimyo's support, Konoha could cease to exist!"

Tsunade was silent, the weight of the situation heavy on her shoulders.

Sasuke, however, was furious. How dare this ordinary man speak to Tsunade like that?

"Are you afraid of Hiruko?" Sasuke asked, his voice laced with contempt.

The Daimyo hesitated. "It's not about fear. It's about avoiding unnecessary trouble."

Sasuke laughed bitterly. "Avoiding trouble? You're terrified, aren't you?"

In an instant, Sasuke appeared in front of the Daimyo, his hand gripping the man's throat. He dragged the Daimyo out of the silk canopy and threw him to the ground. "You're afraid of Hiruko, but you're not afraid of me?"

The Daimyo trembled with fear.

As he looked up at Sasuke, the Daimyo screamed, "Guards! Protect me!"

Ten ninjas rushed toward Sasuke, but with just a glance, Sasuke froze them all in place with his Sharingan, trapping them in a genjutsu.

To be honest, genjutsu wasn't Sasuke's strongest skill. But these guards were no match for him.

Seeing his bodyguards immobilized, the Daimyo's fear deepened.

"Do you know who I am?" Sasuke asked, his voice dangerously low.

The Daimyo nodded frantically. "Yes! Uchiha Sasuke!"

Sasuke slapped the Daimyo across the face. "Then how dare you speak to me like this?"

The Daimyo was petrified. He knew the Uchiha clan's reputation. During the Warring States period, if it hadn't been for Senju Hashirama, Madara Uchiha would have killed the Daimyo of that time.

When the Daimyo learned that Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were founding a village, he supported them, offering money and land for Konoha's establishment, because he knew that the Hokage would take orders from the Daimyo.

Madara wanted to kill the Daimyo then, but Hashirama stopped him. "Madara, we can't kill him. He's providing us with money and land..."

Madara was puzzled. "But if we kill him, won't those things still belong to us?"

From then on, Daimyo have always feared the Uchiha, viewing them as dangerous and unpredictable. The Uchiha clan's reputation as powerful and ruthless ninjas made them a force to be reckoned with.

But now, this Daimyo was swollen with pride, daring to order Sasuke around as if he were just another soldier.

Sasuke glanced at Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, let's just kill him."

Tsunade turned her head, feigning indifference.

Sasuke leaned closer to the Daimyo. "Did you know that the former ruler of Amegakure was killed by Hanzo, and Hanzo was then killed by the current ruler? Power shifts quickly, Daimyo."

The Daimyo was so terrified that he wet himself. "Please! Don't kill me!"

But it was too late.

With a swift motion, Sasuke beheaded the Daimyo. The lifeless head rolled across the floor.

Sasuke then selected a beggar from the streets and installed him as the new Daimyo.

In this world, there are no rules, no laws—only strength. Strength is everything. Strength is the rule. Strength is the law.

And with strength, Sasuke could do whatever he pleased.

The beggar, once a destitute man, was now the ruler of a nation, all because Sasuke willed it so.

Sasuke turned to Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, you don't need to worry about the Daimyo now. We no longer have a seven-day deadline."

Tsunade's heart was conflicted. She didn't know if the path she was on was right or wrong.

But what's done is done.

Even if it's the wrong path, she was prepared to walk it to the end.

...

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