章 230: Chapter 230
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In the Land of Dragons, Ryugakure.
A long convoy slowly entered the village gates, flanked by people standing quietly on both sides of the street. There were no cheers, no words, only the sound of breathing.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire, once an unapproachable figure to both ninjas and commoners, was now seen as ordinary and even looked down upon by the people of the Land of Dragons.
How could someone like him be fit to rule a nation? He couldn't even measure up to a fraction of Kyomu.
Creak.
The carriage stopped, and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire lifted the curtain, looking at the crowd on both sides. His heart skipped a beat.
Here, there was no royalty, only extreme personal reverence for Kyomu.
For some reason, the Daimyo's body felt weak as he shakily stepped out of the carriage.
Thud.
As soon as his feet touched the ground, his knees buckled, and he fell to the ground.
The first thing he saw upon looking up was a pair of ninja boots. Slowly lifting his gaze, he saw the face of the person he feared.
It was undoubtedly Kyomu.
"The Daimyo of the Land of Fire, paying respects to Lord Ryukage!" he shouted, performing the highest form of kowtow. (Don't think that this it too Chinese, this kind of words and behavior was practically used by all medieval societies, after all peasants kneeled to the kings and queens.)
Kyomu hadn't reacted yet, but the Ryunin and villagers on both sides of the street had their eyes glowing with excitement, their bodies trembling slightly.
Did you see that? That man standing there is our leader, the First Ryukage of Ryugakure!
Did you see that? The once-mighty Daimyo of the Land of Fire is kowtowing to our First Ryukage!
Lowering his head, Kyomu looked at the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, who was prostrate on the ground, showing no expression.
Without three bows and nine kowtows, how could this be considered respectful?
Trembling, the Daimyo repeated his kowtow and shouted again, "The Daimyo of the Land of Fire, paying respects to Lord Ryukage!"
After performing the kowtow to the extreme, the Daimyo had completely become a plaything at Kyomu's feet.
Raising his head, Kyomu looked at the high officials and nobles of the Land of Fire who were also kowtowing, and finally smiled.
"There's no need to be so formal, Daimyo."
"Please, Lord Ryukage, take control of the Land of Fire!" The Daimyo shouted, presenting a gift list and the seal of authority with both hands. "Please show mercy and protect us."
Kyomu didn't move, but Mei and Yugito stepped forward, taking the seal and the gift list from the Daimyo.
Without a response from Kyomu, the Daimyo could only keep his hands raised above his head, looking ridiculous and pathetic.
"Daimyo, this is no joke," Kyomu finally spoke. "This is the last time. Are you truly sincere? Is anyone coercing you?"
"Lord Ryukage, I know my abilities are limited. I cannot ensure the safety of the people of the Land of Fire. I willingly hand over the Land of Fire to your care."
Kyomu nodded. "If that's the case, then I... accept."
"Thank you, Lord Ryukage, for your mercy." The Daimyo kowtowed again before shakily standing up, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
"Do you have any other requests?" Kyomu asked with a smile.
"I only wish to serve Lord Ryukage, to change your shoes and clothes, and run errands."
"Is that your only request?" Kyomu was surprised by how low the Daimyo's expectations were.
"Yes, it's my only request."
"But I can't mistreat someone as understanding as you." Kyomu glanced at Yugito, who immediately understood.
"Lord Ryukage decrees: The former Daimyo of the Land of Fire, understanding the importance of the safety of his people, has willingly surrendered his position. Although he has relinquished his title, he shall still enjoy a life of wealth and comfort."
Yugito recited Kyomu's order, arranging for the Daimyo and several high officials and nobles of the Land of Fire to live on the most prosperous street in Ryugakure.
"Thank you, Lord Ryukage, for your grace!" The Daimyo kowtowed again.
"Yugito, show him to his new home and make sure he is well settled."
"Yes, Lord Ryukage."
Yugito led the Daimyo away, while Kyomu walked back, followed by a group of Ryunin and citizens of the Land of Dragons.
"Shiranui Genma." Standing in front of the Ryukage Tower, Kyomu commanded, "Lead 1,000 ninjas to quickly enter the Land of Fire and take over all its defenses. Prevent any opportunistic invaders."
Genma knelt on one knee, his eyes filled with excitement. "Yes, Lord Ryukage!"
Clatter.
As Genma stood up, the already-prepared ninjas turned and ran out of the village in perfect unison under his command.
"Ebisu." Kyomu's gaze fell on Ebisu. "Lead another 1,000 ninjas to quickly take over all towns and villages in the Land of Fire, implement the policies of the Land of Dragons, and calm the people's emotions."
Ebisu immediately knelt on one knee. "Yes, Lord Ryukage!"
Clatter.
Another 1,000 ninjas, who had also been prepared, stood straight and followed Ebisu out of the village in the most orderly formation.
Kyomu straightened his back and looked around. "Everyone, from now on, the Land of Dragons will become the greatest nation in the ninja world!
Ryugakure will become the greatest ninja village in the ninja world!"
"Long live Lord Ryukage!"
"Long live Lord Ryukage!"
"Long live Lord Ryukage!"
The deafening shouts echoed through the heavens and earth. Kyomu flicked his divine robe, raising his hand for silence.
The shouts stopped instantly.
At the same time, Kyomu looked into the distance and saw a figure in a red-and-white divine robe, wearing a matching hat, slowly approaching.
It was the Fourth Hokage, Minato.
The surrounding crowd followed Kyomu's gaze, also seeing Minato walking towards them.
Clatter.
Naturally, the crowd parted down the middle, making a path for Minato.
Kyomu and Minato locked eyes, the latter removing his Hokage hat with one hand.
"Namikaze Minato, paying respects to Lord Ryukage." He bowed deeply, his posture humble.
"Fourth Hokage, why are you here?"
"Lord Ryukage, there is no longer a Fourth Hokage, and Konoha no longer exists. There is only the First Ryukage and Ryugakure."
Minato straightened up, slowly removing his Hokage robe and Konoha forehead protector, carefully folding them and holding them out.
Three steps away from Kyomu, Minato bent deeply, offering the items representing his entire identity.
"On behalf of all Konoha ninjas, I respectfully request to join Ryugakure."
Kyomu didn't take the items but asked Minato a question.
"Minato, Ryugakure originated from Konoha. Isn't this inappropriate?"
"Lord Ryukage, Ryugakure is the rightful lineage. I am here to return to our roots."
"Returning to our roots!" Kyomu's voice boomed. "Ryugakure is the rightful lineage, correct?"
"Correct!"
"Konoha was a branch, correct?"
"Correct!"
"You must obey all my future arrangements, correct?"
"Correct!"
Satisfied, Kyomu took the Hokage hat, robe, and forehead protector from Minato and held them high above his head.
"Long live Lord Ryukage!"
"Long live Lord Ryukage!"
"Long live Lord Ryukage!"
The deafening cheers erupted again, with the onlookers shouting until their voices were hoarse, the sound waves seeming to pierce the sky.
Feeling it was enough, Kyomu lowered his hand, and the cheers ceased.
"Tsunade, Fugaku," Kyomu called.
Tsunade and Fugaku stepped forward, kneeling before Kyomu, awaiting his orders.
"I order the Senju and Uchiha clans to lead by Minato, quickly take over Konoha, rescue the survivors, and bring back those willing to return to their roots."
"Yes, Lord Ryukage." Tsunade and Fugaku stood up, leading their clans away.
Kyomu then turned to Minato. "Go quickly and return home soon."
Minato felt a mix of emotions, but he knelt on one knee, saluted, and stood up to follow Tsunade and Fugaku.
"Everyone, such a joyous occasion calls for a seven-day celebration in the Land of Dragons and Ryugakure!"
"Lord Ryukage!"
"Lord Ryukage!"
"Lord Ryukage!"
The cheers erupted again, but this time with less formality, as the people began to dance and celebrate.
Waving to the crowd, Kyomu turned and entered the Ryukage Tower.
"Put these away; these are my legitimate spoils of war, effortlessly obtained."
Entering the office, Kyomu tossed Minato's items to Mei.
Smiling, Mei nodded, locking Kyomu's spoils in the office safe.
This was an honor.
An honor Kyomu had achieved without any bloodshed, just through careful planning and steps.
From now on, Kyomu would be the most powerful man in the ninja world, making it tremble before him.
"Lord Ryukage, when will you prepare for the coronation?" Mei asked after exiting the safe.
"Once we fully take over the Land of Fire's territory, we'll hold a ceremony."
Kyomu sat back in his chair, watching the jubilant villagers through the window with a bright smile.
This step was taken steadily and perfectly.
"Kyomu." Yugito entered. "The former Daimyo of the Land of Fire requests you grant him a new name."
"Hah, that Daimyo has a strong will to survive." Kyomu shook his head. "Grant him the name 'Arata Hino .' Tell him to live quietly as a rich man. I won't take his life, and he doesn't need to bow when he sees me."
"A strange name," Yugito muttered. "But surviving is his greatest gift. If it were me, I would've killed him."
"Do you think Kyomu is as foolish as you?" Mei rolled her eyes. "Use your brain more."
"Mei, you..."
"Enough," Kyomu interrupted, glaring at Mei. "You have nothing to do here, go handle your tasks."
"Understood." Mei lowered her gaze, and with a challenging look from Yugito, they both left the office.
After they left, Kyomu shook his head and looked at the gift list on his desk, his eyes shining.
"Really rich!" He sighed. "This is the way to get rich."
Flipping through the gift list, Kyomu closed it. "When Tsunade returns, we'll have no shortage of funds."
He then called out, "White Zetsu."
"Lord Ryukage, how did you know I was here?" White Zetsu's spore clone emerged from the floor.
"Tell Nagato to prepare to threaten the Land of Earth."
"Got it." White Zetsu nodded. "Anything else, Lord Ryukage?"
Kyomu didn't answer, just waved his hand, and White Zetsu obediently left.
...
The scene shifted.
At the Akatsuki base in the Land of Rain.
"Leader, Kyomu asked me to tell you to start threatening the Land of Earth."
"Understood."
Nagato nodded coldly, and White Zetsu quickly left, not wanting to anger him.
"Nagato..." Konan looked worriedly at Nagato. "Since you became the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, you haven't been yourself."
"The Nine-Tails told me that the Rinnegan shouldn't be in my possession under normal circumstances."
"Nagato, the Rinnegan has always been yours, don't..."
"Konan, I feel the Nine-Tails isn't lying." Nagato shook his head. "I can sense a deeper power in the Rinnegan rejecting me.
Moreover, the Sage of Six Paths' eyes shouldn't be this weak."
Suddenly, Nagato thought of Kyomu. "If I could fully harness the Rinnegan's power, Kyomu wouldn't have defeated me twice."
He paused, looking at the hesitant Konan. "I need to be alone to think."
Konan nodded and quietly left.
Once alone, Nagato focused his mind and entered the spiritual space, seeing the Nine-Tails in its cage.
The Nine-Tails' fur wasn't shiny but rather dull, characteristic of its yin attribute, distinct from its yang counterpart.
"Nine-Tails, stop hiding and tell me everything you know."
"Why should I cooperate with you?"
"Don't you want to kill Kyomu?" Nagato countered.
"Of course, but you..." The Nine-Tails sneered. "It's not that I underestimate you, but using the Rinnegan as a fraud."
"Then the true owner of these eyes..."
"I told you from the beginning, I sensed a familiar chakra in these eyes. I can never forget it."
"Is it really Madara?"
"Of course it is!" The Nine-Tails roared at Nagato. "I can never forget the humiliation he caused me!"
"Why did he do this?"
"Hah, I don't care." The Nine-Tails glared at Nagato. "If you take me to find my other half, maybe I can help you."
"Nine-Tails, we need to have a serious talk."
Nagato sat cross-legged, looking seriously at the Nine-Tails. "We have a common goal, don't we?"
The Nine-Tails rested its head on its paws, looking at Nagato with a playful gaze.
"Alright, let's talk."
(End of Chapter)
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