Seirengoku reported the situation in the capital to Makoto.
General Oda Isamu held military power and, under the pretense of protecting everyone, had stationed troops to surround the Daimyo's residence.
Not only that, Oda Isamu had privately contacted the Guardian Ninja, promising to keep them in their roles as protectors of the new Daimyo and offering various benefits to win them over.
It was normal for powerful ministers to emerge when a nation's ruler was replaced.
Clearly, Oda Isamu intended to turn the young Daimyo into a mere puppet.
Typically, the Hokage would not interfere in such matters—at least, an ordinary Hokage wouldn't.
During the Daimyo's funeral, a guard suddenly rushed in and whispered something into Oda Isamu's ear.
His expression immediately darkened.
After a long moment of contemplation, he approached Makoto and said, "Lord Hokage, may I have a word with you in private?"
The two moved to a quiet area outside the courtyard.
Oda Isamu spoke, "Lord Hokage, the nation is currently in a state of crisis due to internal rebellion. I humbly request your assistance in quelling the uprising."
Makoto sighed and said, "General Oda, those so-called rebels are just ordinary people who picked up weapons because they couldn't feed themselves. I really can't bring myself to strike them down."
Oda Isamu knew exactly what was going on.
It was one thing for Konoha to refuse to intervene, but the Hokage had also ordered all well-known mercenary groups within the country to stay out of the conflict.
Furthermore, when he tried to hire mercenary ninja from abroad, they were blocked at the borders and prevented from entering the Land of Fire.
What kind of move was this?
Despite cursing inwardly, Oda Isamu maintained a look of sincerity on his face.
"Lord Hokage, the rebel uprising is causing great harm to the nation. I am not asking Konoha's ninja to slaughter these civilians, only to use their strength to suppress them. Once the new ruler ascends the throne, he will surely work diligently to restore the Land of Fire!"
Makoto appeared to be deep in thought. "This... I need to carefully consider it."
Oda Isamu instantly grew anxious.
He had just received word that the largest rebel faction had captured two cities in succession and was now advancing straight toward the capital!
By the time the Hokage finished "considering," the Land of Fire would already be under a new regime!
"Lord Hokage—"
Just as Oda Isamu was about to continue, the young heir to the Daimyo approached them.
Unhappy at the interruption, Oda Isamu frowned and asked, "Your Highness, what is the matter?"
Makoto raised an eyebrow slightly.
Seeing Oda Isamu's blatant disrespect toward the future ruler of the Land of Fire was quite telling—despite the country being in turmoil both internally and externally, he still had the audacity to be so arrogant.
The young heir bowed politely and said, "Lord Hokage, my mother requests your presence."
Makoto suddenly smiled and patted the boy on the shoulder.
"By the way, you should also start considering candidates for your new Guardian Ninja."
The moment those words left his mouth, Oda Isamu's expression turned extremely grim, while the young heir's face lit up with excitement.
Having his own Guardian Ninja would give the young Daimyo the power to free himself from all constraints and grant him absolute authority.
If Oda Isamu still wished to act as a power-hungry minister, he would now have to gamble his own life on it.
Oda Isamu took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm.
He then bowed to the young heir and said, "Your Highness, I was just discussing the rebel crisis with Lord Hokage, hoping that Konoha would assist in suppressing the uprising."
Hearing this, the young heir seemed to be lost in thought.
Then, looking at Makoto with eager eyes, he asked, "Lord Hokage, if Konoha's ninja step in, they can wipe out all the rebels, right?"
Makoto: "…"
Oda Isamu's mouth twitched slightly at the boy's words.
He stole a glance at the Hokage's expression, noticing that he, too, had a rather dark look on his face.
Just then, a Konoha ninja suddenly appeared beside them, kneeling on one knee and presenting a letter.
"Lord Hokage, an urgent letter has arrived from the village."
Makoto, looking puzzled, took the letter, opened it, and after reading it, his face turned pale with shock. "This..."
Nearby, General Oda asked, "Lord Hokage, what has happened?"
Makoto handed the letter over and said, "There has been another disturbance at Iwagakure in the Land of Earth, on the northern border."
General Oda's expression visibly trembled.
With a solemn tone, Makoto continued, "General Oda, Your Highness, I must return to Konoha immediately to deal with this matter. If Iwagakure dares to strike again, we must prepare in advance to safeguard the Land of Fire!"
General Oda, looking anxious, asked, "Lord Hokage, what about suppressing the rebellion..."
The young heir beside him interjected, "And what about my Guardian Ninja?"
After a moment of contemplation, Makoto replied gravely, "Rest assured, I will provide both of you with an answer shortly."
Before General Oda could say anything further, Makoto departed with his entourage.
Receiving Makoto's "assurance," the young heir's face lit up with joy, and he eagerly went off to share the good news with his mother.
Outside the capital of the Land of Fire.
The Hokage's carriage stopped here, and before long, Seirengoku brought nine people—these were the former Daimyo's Twelve Guardian Ninja.
"Greetings, Lord Hokage!" All of them knelt and saluted Makoto.
Makoto swept his gaze over them; most were middle-aged men.
"You have served the Daimyo for many years and have made great contributions. I will not ask about your past origins. Are you willing to join Konoha?"
The kneeling individuals exchanged glances, clearly seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
Seirengoku had not mentioned this when inviting them.
But after their initial surprise came excitement.
"We are willing!"
Makoto gave a slight nod. "I know you are all excellent ninja, but after joining Konoha, you will start as Chunin."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
All of them bowed deeply to the ground in gratitude.
Starting as Chunin was of no concern to them—being among the Twelve Guardian Ninja already proved their strength.
They could slowly rise to Jonin in the future.
Most of them had been wandering ninja, lacking formal education.
They had endured countless hardships to get where they were, so they understood better than anyone what an opportunity this was.
To be accepted into Konoha was nothing short of a divine blessing.
For experienced warriors like them, it was nearly impossible to be accepted into a major village.
Even mercenary groups would treat them with suspicion.
"Rise."
With a light wave of Makoto's hand, an invisible force helped the nine men to their feet.
Suppressing their astonishment, they all bowed respectfully once more.
"Let's go. Back to the village."
Makoto turned back into the carriage, leaving the nine Guardian Ninja somewhat surprised.
Were they really just leaving the future Daimyo behind like this?
The entire convoy slowly ascended into the sky, carrying the nine of them along as they swiftly flew toward Konoha.
They had long heard that the Hokage possessed the ability to fly, but they hadn't expected him to be able to bring so many people with him.
These seasoned warriors, all in their thirties, now looked down at the ground like curious children, marveling at the view from high above.
Soon, they quietly sighed to themselves—there was always someone stronger, and the world was vast.
Truly, the Hokage was extraordinary!
One of them, who was on good terms with Seirengoku, asked in a hushed voice, "So... does this mean Lord Chi no longer needs us?"
Seirengoku replied, "Lord Chi has already gathered new Guardian Ninja."
The group exchanged uneasy glances but did not dare to ask further questions.
Inside the carriage, Makoto was lying with his head resting on Tsunade's plump, smooth thighs, his eyes closed as he relaxed.
Tsunade gently massaged Makoto's head with her fingers, applying just the right amount of pressure.
As she gazed at him, she couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't Hakumen return with us?"
Makoto simply replied, "He has his own mission."
To Tsunade, Makoto's actions in the Daimyo's residence had been puzzling.
Why interfere in such political struggles?
No matter who ultimately held power in the Land of Fire, they would always have to rely on Konoha.
She continued questioning, "Why didn't you send people to help suppress the rebellion? Isn't that part of Konoha's duty?"
At that moment, Makoto opened his eyes—only to find that most of Tsunade's face was obscured by the two prominent curves of her chest.
"Are you teaching me how to do things?"
"...I'm sorry, I spoke out of turn," Tsunade apologized softly.
She only felt that with the rebels causing chaos, countless civilians across the land would suffer.
As a Konoha ninja, it didn't seem right to allow such a situation to unfold.
Makoto sat up, his expression emotionless as he looked at Tsunade.
Seeing his gaze, Tsunade instinctively knelt before him without a word.
"Lie down," Makoto commanded.
"..."
It was a humiliating order, but Tsunade barely reacted—perhaps she had already grown accustomed to it.
She lowered her eyes, pressing her lips together before ultimately complying.
She leaned forward, adopting a position similar to a formal prostration.
Her arms bent at the elbows, supporting her upper body as she lay down, her hips slightly raised.
The tight black skirt clung to her form, accentuating her alluring curves.
Makoto extended his legs, resting them straight atop Tsunade's back, using her as a footrest while he leaned back and closed his eyes to rest.
The carriage continued to fly steadily through the sky without a hint of turbulence.
Makoto, too, rested peacefully.
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