Chapter 119: Chaos Within the Kingdom of Uruk

The sun rose over Uruk, its golden rays casting a warm glow over the vast city. From the outside, it appeared as if the Kingdom of Heroes was thriving under the rule of Gilgamesh. Yet beneath the surface, unrest bubbled, a direct result of the machinations of the five enraged Daimyos. The jealousy and fury over Gilgamesh's bold declaration of world dominance had sparked a fire of opposition, and each Daimyo had taken it upon themselves to ensure that this 'emperor' met resistance at every turn.

Despite the storm brewing around him, Gilgamesh sat upon his throne in his golden palace, his gaze steady, unbothered by the chaos swirling through his streets. He knew this day would come. In fact, he welcomed it.

The Fire Daimyo's Strategy – Sowing Rumors of Madness

In the Land of Fire, the Fire Daimyo had taken a more subtle approach. Rather than outright war, he believed undermining Gilgamesh's credibility from within would be more effective. His ministers, spurred on by his rage, had sent agents into Uruk. Their mission: to spread rumors and cause doubt among the citizens.

In taverns, marketplaces, and dark alleys, whispers began to circulate. "Have you heard?" one shady man muttered to a group of citizens huddled in the market. "They say Gilgamesh has lost his mind. Declaring himself emperor of the world? He's nothing more than a delusional tyrant, ready to plunge us all into war."

Another group of travelers spoke in hushed tones. "My cousin in the Land of Fire said that Gilgamesh's rule is already crumbling. His own people are planning to overthrow him."

Such rumors spread like wildfire, igniting suspicion and doubt. Some citizens began to question their loyalty to their king, and unrest began to ripple through Uruk. However, no one dared speak these thoughts openly. The mere presence of Gilgamesh's towering golden palace in the heart of the city served as a constant reminder of his power.

The Water Daimyo's Manipulation – Targeting the Economy

In the Land of Water, the Daimyo had chosen to attack Uruk's lifeblood: its economy. Merchants and traders from the Land of Water, previously doing brisk business in Uruk, were now quietly sabotaging the flow of goods. Ships carrying valuable resources bound for Uruk were mysteriously "lost at sea," while Water-affiliated merchants spread rumors of dwindling supplies and rising costs.

At the harbor, workers grumbled as they unloaded far fewer crates than usual. "We haven't seen a full shipment in weeks," one man complained, wiping sweat from his brow. "I heard the ports in the Land of Water are cutting us off. Gilgamesh must have made some enemies."

The merchants in the central markets hiked their prices, claiming that supplies were scarce due to "outside interference." Soon, the citizens of Uruk began to feel the pinch, and whispers of discontent grew louder.

But even with the economic disruption, the streets of Uruk remained calm—calmer than expected. There was no rioting, no looting. It was as if an invisible hand kept everything in check. In fact, behind the scenes, Yahiko and his team were working tirelessly to maintain order. Yahiko, with his charisma and leadership, kept the merchants calm, convincing them that things would soon stabilize. His silver tongue worked wonders, pacifying the people while ensuring trade didn't come to a complete halt.

The Earth Daimyo's Blunt Force Approach – Instigating Attacks

Unlike his more subtle counterparts, the Earth Daimyo chose brute force. His agents were instructed to cause as much destruction as possible. Small teams of rogue shinobi began launching coordinated attacks on supply caravans heading into Uruk. The plan was simple: starve the city into submission.

In the dead of night, a band of masked shinobi ambushed a caravan near the borders of Uruk. With swift strikes and powerful Earth-Style jutsu, they destroyed the wagons, leaving burning wreckage in their wake.

"We'll cut off their resources," one of the attackers smirked, standing amidst the debris. "Let's see how long this so-called emperor lasts without food and supplies."

But what the Earth Daimyo hadn't counted on was the resilience of the people of Uruk. As the attacks continued, Yahiko and his team worked tirelessly to restore the supply lines. They dispatched their own scouts to monitor incoming caravans, and under Yahiko's leadership, Uruk's supply network was quickly rerouted to avoid further ambushes.

Yahiko himself led several counter-raids, driving the Earth Daimyo's agents back with swift, precise strikes. His determination was unshakable, and the people began to see him as the protector of the kingdom.

The Lightning Daimyo's Tactics – Ninjutsu and Disruption

In the Land of Lightning, the Daimyo took a more tactical approach. He ordered his shinobi to infiltrate Uruk and sabotage its infrastructure using Lightning Release techniques. Power grids were targeted, causing blackouts throughout the city, while bursts of lightning scorched the ground, sowing panic among the people.

At night, the once-brightly lit streets of Uruk were plunged into darkness, and the citizens murmured in fear. "The gods are angry," one old woman whispered to her neighbor, her face pale. "Gilgamesh has angered the heavens with his arrogance."

Lightning crackled across the sky, a result of the Lightning Daimyo's shinobi manipulating the weather. The streets became chaotic as citizens rushed for shelter, unsure of whether the storms were natural or some kind of divine retribution.

However, even amidst the disruption, Konan's team worked in silence, restoring order. Konan, with her Paper Ninjutsu, was quick to respond. She and her team restored power to key areas of the city within hours, and her calm, measured presence reassured the people that they were safe. "Fear not," she told a group of worried citizens as they gathered in the marketplace. "Uruk will not fall. Not today, not ever."

The Wind Daimyo's Chaos – Psychological Warfare

The Wind Daimyo, always one to prefer subtlety, focused on psychological warfare. His agents spread false reports of invasions and coups, whispering lies to sow paranoia among Uruk's population.

"They say an army is marching toward Uruk," one man muttered to a crowd of worried villagers. "The Wind Daimyo has sent his shinobi to topple Gilgamesh. They'll be here by morning."

Rumors of internal conspiracies began to spread, with some saying that Gilgamesh's own generals were planning to overthrow him. The chaos was palpable. But as the panic grew, Gilgamesh himself remained unfazed, almost as if he welcomed the unrest.

In the central square, Nagato stood tall, his Rinnegan glowing softly as he addressed the people. "You are being deceived," he said in a calm, authoritative voice. "There is no army coming. There is no rebellion. The only enemy we face is fear itself."

His words, combined with his immense presence, were enough to pacify the crowd. Nagato's leadership kept the citizens of Uruk focused, preventing the Wind Daimyo's psychological attacks from gaining traction.

Gilgamesh's Calm Amidst the Storm

As chaos swept through Uruk—rumors of madness, economic sabotage, coordinated attacks, and psychological warfare—Gilgamesh sat upon his golden throne, unmoved. His confidence was unshakable. He knew the Daimyos would come for him. He knew they would try to break his kingdom. And yet, not once did he lift a finger to quell the unrest.

He didn't need to.

The agents of the Daimyos failed to understand one simple truth: Uruk was not just a kingdom; it was a testament to Gilgamesh's might and wisdom. His people, his warriors, and his chosen leaders—Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan—were more than capable of maintaining order in his absence. They were extensions of his will, each one a reflection of his strength.

As the final fires of rebellion were put out, and the streets of Uruk once again buzzed with life, Gilgamesh smiled. His eyes, glowing with golden light, gazed out over his city from his throne.

"They think they can shake my rule with such petty tricks," he mused aloud, his voice soft but filled with disdain. "How amusing."

C.C., standing by his side, gave him a knowing look. "It seems the Daimyos underestimate you, as expected."

Gilgamesh chuckled, leaning back in his throne. "Let them play their little games. They are but insects buzzing around the foot of a giant."

He paused, his expression turning serious for a moment. "But when the time comes, I will remind them of their place. One by one, they will bow before me."

Order Restored

By the end of the week, the unrest in Uruk had been quelled. The rumors had been silenced, the supply lines restored, and the Lightning Daimyo's sabotage had been neutralized. The people of Uruk had seen the strength of their king—not through his direct action, but through the leadership of those he trusted.

Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan had each played their part, and in doing so, they had solidified the people's faith in the kingdom. Uruk remained strong, unbroken, and more unified than ever.

And Gilgamesh, ever the King of Heroes, watched over it all, his golden eyes gleaming with triumph.

---

As the chaos subsided and peace returned to Uruk, Gilgamesh remained seated on his throne, sipping wine from his golden goblet. The air of tension had dissipated, leaving the throne room unusually quiet. Konan stood nearby, her arms crossed as she glanced out a window, her usual stoic expression barely masking the fatigue from dealing with the unrest.

"Well," Konan said, breaking the silence, "That was almost… too easy, don't you think?"

Gilgamesh smirked, swirling the wine in his goblet. "Did you expect anything less from my kingdom? Only fools would believe they could shake Uruk with mere whispers and shinobi tricks."

Konan raised an eyebrow. "Maybe they thought you'd at least be slightly inconvenienced."

He leaned back, exuding confidence. "Inconvenience? For the likes of them? I do not trouble myself with such petty matters. The very air of this kingdom bends to my will."

Konan tilted her head, her voice deadpan. "So, the golden statues in the market are bending to your will too?"

Gilgamesh glanced at her, an amused smirk playing on his lips. "You must understand, Konan, it is only natural for the King of Heroes to shine brightest. The people merely wish to reflect my grandeur."

Konan blinked. "Right. And here I thought it was just an excessive amount of gold everywhere."

A sudden voice from the side interrupted them. "Excuse me, Your Majesty," Yahiko entered, looking somewhat sheepish. "There's, uh, another issue."

Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow. "Another group of rebels?"

Yahiko hesitated. "No… someone left a massive pile of golden armor in the town square. The citizens think it's… part of your wardrobe."

Gilgamesh's eyes lit up in amusement. "Ah, a tribute, perhaps? Clearly, they understand my aesthetic."

Yahiko scratched his head. "Uh, actually, it's blocking the main road. People can't get to the marketplace, and someone's grandma tripped over a shin guard. Twice."

Konan's usually composed face showed a brief flicker of amusement. "I suppose you'll be needing more storage for your tributes, then?"

Gilgamesh chuckled softly. "Very well. I shall graciously accept the tribute, but have them move it. I need my subjects to remain intact—especially their grandmothers."

Yahiko bowed, visibly relieved. "Right away, Your Majesty."

As he left, Konan gave Gilgamesh a sideways glance. "So, what's next? Building golden roads to match your 'aesthetic'?"

Gilgamesh raised his goblet and winked. "Konan, my kingdom is ever-expanding. There will always be room for more gold. After all, it is mine."

Konan simply shook her head, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. As Uruk continued to thrive, chaos once again quelled by the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh's larger-than-life presence continued to fill the halls—gold armor mishaps and all.