Chapter 283: "Caged Bird"
Chapter 283: "Caged Bird"
Tonari remained seated, his hands resting on the table, and simply turned his gaze toward the Daimyō of the Land of Fire.
Although the Daimyō's eyes reflected a hint of surprise, he remained relatively calm. This was likely due to his confidence in the Twelve Guardian Ninja surrounding him and his long-standing position of authority.
Even during times of war, Daimyōs across the nations remained untouchable, their status upheld by tradition and deep-seated beliefs.
If you were to ask an average citizen of the Land of Fire to choose between the Daimyō and the Hokage, nearly ninety percent would likely pick the Daimyō.
This was the result of generations of ingrained ideology—even though it was the Hokage and Konoha's shinobi who truly protected the people, many still clung to old loyalties toward the feudal system.
It was akin to the relationship between an emperor and his general. No matter how much the general accomplished, he could never surpass the emperor in the eyes of the people.
Any previous Hokage might have shown deference to the Daimyō.
But Tonari was different.
He wasn't a native of this world.
If the Daimyō spoke to him reasonably, Tonari might have humored him and played along.
After all, aside from controlling Konoha's budget, the Daimyō had no real power over him.
But if the Daimyō thought he could use his status to lord over Tonari…
Then he was gravely mistaken.
Tonari leaned back in his chair, a cold smile forming on his lips.
"Daimyō, it seems your minister doesn't respect you very much," he remarked lazily. "You haven't even spoken, yet he dares to decide matters on your behalf. Isn't this overstepping his authority?"
His words immediately shifted the atmosphere.
"Don't worry," Tonari continued. "I won't let him get away with it."
His Mangekyō Sharingan spun violently as he locked eyes with the Daimyō.
One of the Twelve Guardian Ninja immediately sensed the surge in chakra.
"Illusion technique!" the ninja shouted. "The Hokage dares to use Genjutsu on the Daimyō—seize him immediately!"
To the Twelve Guardian Ninja, this was a golden opportunity.
A Hokage using Genjutsu on the Daimyō?
That was treason.
If they could kill Tonari on the spot, even Konoha wouldn't dare to protest.
Weapons flashed. Kunai and jutsu were hurled toward Tonari.
A calm voice echoed in the ears of Ryōma and Terai, the two Root operatives accompanying him.
"Protect yourselves."
The moment they received Tonari's order, the two immediately retreated.
Ryōma's body was enveloped by Kikaichū insects, carrying him out of the room.
Terai slashed the door open with his blade and darted outside.
They knew full well—Tonari didn't need their protection.
Two Guardian Ninja followed them in pursuit.
This left ten elite jōnin, each possessing their own unique skills, facing Tonari.
But Tonari had no intention of engaging them in a direct fight.
He vanished in a blur.
When he reappeared, he was directly behind the Daimyō.
A ripple of distortion formed around them—and in the next instant, both disappeared from the room.
"A Space-Time Ninjutsu?!"
The ten remaining Guardian Ninja were stunned.
The group's leader—a silver-haired man named Kazukaze—turned his cold gaze to the trembling three surviving ministers.
"You all saw it, didn't you?" he said darkly. "The Hokage attacked the Daimyō."
The ministers exchanged glances before furiously nodding, like chickens pecking at grain.
"S-Saw it! We saw it!" they stammered.
A female Guardian Ninja—Kazukaze's younger sister, Kazuyori—stepped forward.
"Brother, what now?" she asked.
Kazukaze's expression darkened.
"We've been pressuring the Daimyō for years, urging him to seize control of Konoha while the village was locked in war with the other Hidden Villages.
"But that fool refused," Kazukaze spat. "Even after we manipulated the ministers into pushing for reduced funding, he still hesitated."
His eyes gleamed with ruthless ambition.
"But now… whether or not he was actually kidnapped doesn't matter."
Kazuyori's eyes brightened.
"You mean—?"
Kazukaze smirked.
"The Daimyō is dead."
"His eldest son will inherit the throne. The young lord has always wanted power, but his father's good health meant he'd have to wait decades to rule."
"Now, we can offer him an opportunity."
Meanwhile, inside a distorted dimension, the Daimyō remained composed despite the sudden shift in surroundings.
Tonari stood with his hands behind his back.
"Now you understand why they've been urging you to act against Konoha?" he said flatly.
"They don't need you," he continued. "If Konoha is weakened, you become their puppet."
The Daimyō's expression darkened.
His fingers absentmindedly stroked the pure-white cat resting in his arms.
"What's your solution?" he asked, his tone heavy.
Tonari's Mangekyō spun slowly.
"Kill them."
The Daimyō hesitated.
The white cat licked his hand gently.
The Sharingan continued spinning.
"Very well," the Daimyō finally said. "Handle it as you see fit. But once this is over, I expect you to provide me with a new security force.
"And I want proof of those ministers' corruption. If they really embezzled funds, then the money Konoha receives won't matter."
A smirk played on Tonari's lips.
"Consider it done."
With a ripple, the two reappeared in the conference room.
Kazukaze and his sister had already left, seeking the Daimyō's son.
"Tonari, they're still inside the palace," the voice of the Two-Tails whispered in his mind.
Tonari nodded.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
With a puff of smoke, his feline allies materialized—including the massive white battle-cat, Nekomata.
Then, he pressed a hand to the ground.
"Wood Release: Wood Clone Technique!"
Six Wood Clones sprouted beside him—each paired with a ninja cat.
With this, the battle began.
By dawn, the Twelve Guardian Ninja were no more.
The Daimyō's palace lay in ruins.
But in its place…
Tonari raised his hands.
"Wood Release: Grand Residence Creation!"
A magnificent new palace formed—one woven entirely from wood.
"A gift," Tonari said, smiling.
"Now, Daimyō—welcome to your new, gilded cage."
To be continued…
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