Birth of a Prince (P.1)

The Fire Daimyo was being led by his attendants to take a video call from Konoha.

To be honest the Fire Daimyo hated taking these calls and would rather his attendants deal with these military idiots. The world feared these chakra users and saw them as bringers of death. The reality was they were nothing but his dogs that he threw money at to keep happy.

Sure he feared some of the killing machines that couldn't be controlled or those under the control of others. However those didn't manage to live long or ever reach him because of his own guard dogs that would protect him. The Twelve Guardian Ninja. A grand title for mere bodyguards but whatever made them happy. With this you could say his life was guaranteed, unlike the villagers he ruled over he had nothing to fear.

He controlled these gods of death, he had near limitless wealth, his very existence was more important than others! His life could be said to be perfect.

However his life wasn't completely perfect, you could actually say his life was a bit rough. He was called Lord Shijimi for so long that when they started calling him Lord Daimyo he hardly noticed the change. His birth name was Yoshi Shijimi, a name very few actually knew. Even his wife would no longer use his name and referred to him as "my lord". The only friend he actually had was one of the the guardian ninja that was assigned to his protection in his youth.

When he was younger he actually dreamed of becoming strong like the twelve guardian ninja. He actually sought training and managed to acquire it. He made friends with his guard who soon began training him. Unfortunately during his training one day he was accidentally left a wound.

That day his father showed him the truth. No matter how powerful the guard dogs were they still bowed down and begged at his feet. His friend was stronger than his father but still begged for forgiveness. The next day he was executed despite Yoshi's pleas. The other guardian ninja said nothing or did nothing. No matter their strength they merely watched on and did nothing. In front of his father they were nothing, powerless. He was replaced the following day like nothing happened. Yoshi learned who really had power that day and never forgot it.

As he grew he found this to be more and more of the case as some ninja "missions" were nothing more than running errands for his wife. What grand military affairs involve escorting that woman to the market? These dogs really would do anything for money.

That line of thinking however didn't apply to all shinobi but unless they held some form of power outside of just being a ninja. Yoshi would never acknowledge they were anything more than dogs.

On the note of his wife, he nearly had his dogs assassinate her a few times. Madam Shijimi was a great beauty when they married. Now she was nothing but a tub of lard overly concerned with their son, Tora. Last he heard the boy was made completely useless by her affection. Hell he hadn't even seen his so called son leave her villa in a few years.

Yoshi was soothed in the fact she never made a fuss about his many lovers. Yet whenever he was to take a new wife she would prevent it with all her might by any means necessary.

Before his death the Lightning Daimyo swore there was no greater pleasure in bed than his second wife, a kunoichi. His first wife likely couldn't kill one of those. Hmm.. maybe he'll really pick one of those up. There's one he's always had his eyes on. Maybe it was time to birth a new heir.

While the Daimyo was lost in his thoughts the video call had been going on for a while now. Per usual the Daimyos aides were actually the ones leading the conversation. In the idea of giving the boy named Ren the title of the Fire Daimyo's son, most were extremely reluctant. Particularly minister Madoka who was cultivating his daughter to become the Daimyo's second wife.

The only reason they were even considering the proposal was because it came from Lord Danzo.

The Shimura clan were well renowned in the Land of Fire and, unlike most ninja clans, had great financial power outside of the ninja village system. Most of the ministers present had business deals with the man himself or members of his clan. The man had vision and if given the question most would prefer he be the Hokage.

" Lord Danzo you realize you are asking a lot from the Daimyo to name some random child his own, correct? All for what, some sabotage attempt?

Not to mention the logistics of claiming this identity seem a bit messy.

Some random ninja claims to be the Daimyo's son and we corroborate the story to be true? Imitators will surely appear, not to mention what of the actual culprit?

The stability of the region is also at question here. If we claim this child is the Daimyo's son he would have to be legitimately recognized as such. It's not like we can hide the title from the people or that the Hozuki clan would even let us.

Last but not least what of the child's current position? It's not likely the Senju or the Hyuga would allow such a child to leave their purview. If everything in your report about him is true why would we even send such an asset to the Land of Water?"

The barrage of questions hit Danzo but seemed to have not even slightly deterred his position.

" Minister Madoka as the the head of commercial affairs you must know the shipping industry is not our greatest resource. It is a resource the land of water, waves, and sea monopolize. This could be our opportunity to seize them. Infiltration does not mean sabotage, what the boy Ren does is up to us.

Considering the current Mizukage is from the Hozuki clan what would happen if they decide to cultivate the boy? Would it not be possible to seize Kirigakure. Would it not be possible to assimilate the land of water? Would it not be simple for us to claim the land of waves and sea?

At worst this plan leads to an alliance that strengthens our lands commercial and military force. At best, it changes the lines of our borders!

As for the boys claim to the throne, the Daimyo already has a son. The fake one will never have the right to fight for succession.

The boys familial position is also now of little consequence. The Senju family fell at Uzushiogakure. Only he and Tsunade remain. The Hyuga portion of his heritage is even more pointless, he holds the Senju name not the Hyuga. The only one we have to consider is Lady Mito but we will not bring her into this proposal without your consent in place."

Yoshi only really paid attention when Tsunade was brought up. Would she not be perfect as his next wife? She did marry a youngster but he could have such things eliminated. Then the mention of Lady Mito completely brought him out of his stupor. Right that's why he couldn't force the marriage before, that woman was alive. If she was involved it was time to pay attention.

Their were only a few ninja alive he still considered human. Hiruzen Sarutobi and Mito Uzumaki were at the very top of his list. These two were to be actually feared. If they were not under control it could be disastrous. Especially Lady Mito who in her youth even brought fear to his father.

The fact he decided to pay attention though brought him into one of the strangest moments of his life. It turns out he was coveting his future sons wife.

Lord Danzo continued to rebuff Minister Madokas questions and clear attempts to stop this ploy. As both were businessmen, Yoshi assumed it was due to their rivalry in business. Personally the more he read Rens file the more he was intrigued. The fact such a child wasn't culled is likely due to Hiruzens softness.

Hiruzens renown as a teacher was even greater than his battle prowess. He must have seen something in this boy called Ren. Clearly such insight paid off as the boy was quite frankly a wonder. A medical genius capable of teleportation. The teleportation of not only himself but even others. What a magnificent tool. With such a tool would he even need the Twelve Guardian Ninja?

Yoshi actually liked Hiruzen and his management style. Hiruzen knew how to use the power of his position. He even managed to get an adviser like Danzo to basically do all the work for him. He and Hiruzen were very similar that way. That's why he took note specifically of his silence throughout the matter.

If he hadn't spoken it meant this was actually a good plan. Unlike Yoshi, Hiruzen actually paid attention to these proposals and his silence meant approval. He decide he would go along with this but first he needed to ask a question.

" Silence.

Before I make this official I would like to ask a question of you Hiruzen."

The room went silent. The Daimyo's words meant he was on board.

" Hiruzen what's written in the file makes me concerned. Can we really trust this boy?"