Chapter 39: Succession and Preparation
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In the aftermath of the daimyo's passing, preparations for his funeral commenced, signaling deep respect for a Feudal Lord who had steered the Land of Fire to prosperity. Despite being unable to attend directly, Fumori Masaki and his companions paid their respects through other channels, honoring their duty as subjects of the realm.
Following the funeral, the capital remained in a state of flux, with numerous events unfolding one after another. From the new daimyo's decrees, Fumori Masaki sensed an undercurrent of ambition from the young ruler.
The late daimyo had set a high standard, casting a shadow over his son. To escape this legacy, the new daimyo needed to surpass his father's accomplishments. Masaki foresaw impending conflict, as many nations harbored expansionist ambitions. Despite efforts by elder statesmen to temper these desires, the new daimyo's stance differed.
As the saying goes, "like father, like son," but in this case, familiarity didn't breed friendship. The new daimyo viewed his father's advisors with skepticism, complicating governance.
Masaki learned from the elder priest that the new emperor treated his father's advisors, Hashirama and Tobirama, with respect but not yet trust. With the advisors' experience and the new daimyo's youth, tensions were inevitable.
In Masaki's experience from another world, such situations often led to unrest. He recognized the need for diplomacy, as Konoha Village's status remained uncertain under the new regime.
As affairs in the capital stabilized, Hashirama and Tobirama prepared to return to the Fire Temple to meet with disciples. Masaki and his group, safeguarding both old and new Hokage, would accompany them back to Konoha Village.
Despite their absence, Konoha Village continued to thrive under the stewardship of Anbu and security teams, fostering stability. With a decade of development, Konoha's governance structure solidified, integrating clan interests into village affairs.
Hashirama was pleased with these developments, advancing his plans for Konoha to serve as a national asset under the new regime's governance. Though war loomed, Hashirama believed it could be postponed while domestic matters were addressed.
Across the Land of Wind, despite its wealth and territorial gains, its barren lands hindered immediate power consolidation. Tobirama anticipated time to prepare, hoping war might be deferred until after the elder advisors' passing, sparing them from its ravages.
To gather intelligence, Anbu operatives were dispatched across neighboring nations, monitoring developments. Unexpectedly, news arrived not of war but of leadership changes in other ninja villages.
The Hidden Sand's saw the passing of the First Kazekage, Reto, succeeded by his aide, Shamon, at the Five Kage Summit. Similarly, the Kirigakure and Iwagakure mourned their respective Firsts, succeeded by the Hōzuki patriarch, Gengetsu as new Mizukage, and the Hidden Stone's new Tsuchikage, Mū .
Within a short span, four of the original Five Kage had changed, save those recuperating. Masaki found the swift succession unsurprising, given the era's harsh conditions. Unlike the modern era, where ninja enjoyed relative peace, the Warring States period exacted a daily toll.
Of the deceased, only the younger Kazekage was unexpected, while the others had aged significantly. Considering Sunagakure's harsh conditions, recurring old injuries were commonplace.
With the Raikage's longevity in question, Masaki recalled past history where such changes preceded policy shifts. Analyzing each leader's characteristics, Masaki feared the approaching conflict.
The Second Kazekage of the Sand Village, akin to Tobirama, focused on village development. Conversely, the Second Mizukage was a strategic leader who prioritized village interests over alliances. The Second Tsuchikage, a pragmatic ruler, emphasized realism over idealism.
The Second Raikage posed the greatest concern due to the Thunder Country's aggressive nature. Masaki recalled the historical conflict stemming from Thunder's militaristic tendencies, exacerbated by internal factions like the Golden Horn, Kinkaku, and Silver Horn, Ginkaku. Despite recent peace efforts, the Third Raikage's need for military readiness indicated looming trouble.
Masaki perspired at the realization that only Konoha Village advocated peace, contrasting with others' readiness for war. He resolved to alert Hashirama, though he believed Tobirama underestimated the urgency.
Normally, war preparations took time, but circumstances suggested a different reality. Masaki grappled with the complexities but remained convinced that conflict loomed.
After considerable thought, Masaki prepared a proposal for Hashirama, outlining mainland conditions and urging Konoha's swift war readiness.
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