Chapter 121

Toki put down his teacup and looked at everyone with a strange expression.

"What are you all looking at me for? I think Shikaku's suggestion is very reasonable."

Everyone's faces darkened.

Ever since the Uchiha clan suddenly made their move, spies from every village had been active nonstop.

Naturally, they knew all about the rumors surrounding Tsunade and a certain prodigal son of the Uchiha clan.

And now, Toki had the nerve to ask why they were looking at him?

Why do you think, you bastard?

Toki smiled and said, "As for the Nine-Tails… well—"

"We have no objections!"

The Daimyō of the Land of Lightning suddenly slapped the table and spoke decisively. "After all, there's no other option. I agree."

The structure of the daimyō system in the ninja world was, in the end, quite limited.

To put it bluntly, they were just a bunch of old men with no real ambition.

The main reason behind every ninja war had been economic crises caused by prolonged peace. Conflicts had to be directed somewhere.

Toki looked at the daimyō who had expressed their agreement and nodded in satisfaction.

"In that case, Konoha will begin preparations for the Fire Nation's succession ceremony. But rest assured, even with a new daimyō, Konoha will not restore the shinobi village system."

"In other words, the Fire Nation will no longer have an exclusive ninja village. All ninja villages will be able to accept missions within the Fire Nation."

"In the future, the Fire Nation will develop into a neutral country, similar to the Land of Iron. Shinobi, merchants, and nobles from all over the world will be welcome."

"Apart from the basic taxes needed to maintain governance, the daimyō will not interfere in other matters."

Everyone stared at Toki in shock.

The Fire Nation… undefended?

With no exclusive ninja village, wouldn't its borders become meaningless?

And if there were no borders, then what was the point of a nation?

They might as well just call it a bandit stronghold.

Their expressions were complicated, filled with confusion over Shiyu's decision.

But no one objected.

After all, this arrangement only benefited them—it didn't harm them in any way.

At that moment, Uchiha Inahiro entered the room, carrying a stack of invitations. He distributed them to the daimyō and high-ranking officials.

Ōnoki opened his invitation with a puzzled look.

Inside, a large red 囍 character (symbolizing double happiness, often used for weddings) stared back at him.

Toki coughed twice.

"Tsunade and I have already decided on our wedding. Since we're already organizing a major event, we figured we might as well hold it together with the daimyō succession ceremony."

Everyone: "..."

Ōnoki narrowed his eyes at Shiyu.

"…You're in quite a hurry, aren't you, Uchiha clan leader?"

Toki's smile faded slightly, and he replied calmly,

"Of course. After all, we're not exactly young anymore. Back in the Warring States period, we'd already be half-dead by now."

During the Warring States period, the average lifespan of a shinobi was barely 40 years.

Ōnoki gave Toki a long, deep look.

"…Then I have no objections."

The Fourth Raikage, A, suddenly reacted.

"What!? Marriage? Succession? Toki Uchiha! You were behind the attack on the daimyō's mansion, weren't you?!"

Everyone flinched.

This idiot… can you not say something like that out loud?!

Do you realize where you are right now?!

All eyes turned toward Toki.

At that moment, he slowly set down his teacup, lifted his gaze, and looked at the Fourth Raikage.

"When you speak, you should at least provide some evidence."

Before Raikage A could respond—

BOOM!

A massive wooden palm erupted from the ground and shot toward him!

Wood Release—A technique that suppresses everything!