Chapter 142: Flying Thunder God

"What is the meaning of this, sir?"

Hearing the words, the expressions of the three figures changed. They struggled to interpret the casual, almost dismissive attitude.

"Don't understand?" he asked with a smirk, lounging lazily on his chair. "What does the Hokage's decision have to do with me, the Daimyo? Why ask me about it?"

He casually plucked a grape from the platter beside him and popped it into his mouth, chewing loudly and exaggeratedly.

Below him Kato Taku, the head of Konoha's stationed forces in the Land of Fire, couldn't help but glare at Fujiki's insolent demeanor.

"Now, now, that's not quite right," interjected the Earth Daimyo, raising a hand to stop the visibly angered Lightning Daimyo. His tone was calm, yet firm.

"We all know that a shinobi village represents the military strength of its nation. The Hokage, as the leader of Konoha, acts on behalf of the village. Therefore, Daimyo, it is your responsibility to account for military actions within your country."

"Precisely," the Wind Daimyo chimed in, rubbing his hands together. "You owe us a reasonable explanation!"

"Gentlemen, Hokage-sama—" Kato Taku tried to interject, hoping to mediate.

"Hm? And who do you think you are?" The Lightning Daimyo cut him off, his gaze sharp as it locked onto the Konoha forehead protector a ninja wore. His disdain deepened as he spoke.

"You, a mere Konoha shinobi, dare to act out of turn here? Is this the kind of behavior we can expect from all of Konoha's ninja?"

The ridicule made the ninja clench his fists, his lips pressing into a thin line. But ultimately, he said nothing further. He knew his place. Despite being the leader of the Fire Country's stationed Konoha forces, he held a rank far below these Daimyo.

Daimyo controlled the economic heart of their nations and held authority slightly above the "Kage" of shinobi villages. Even the Hokage had to bow his head in such circumstances. He, a mere shinobi, stood no chance of contending.

"Enough."

Fujiki's cold voice cut through the tension. Sitting upright now, his previously playful demeanor vanished as he fixed the three Daimyo with a frosty gaze.

"An explanation? And what exactly do you want me to explain? Perhaps… an apology?"

The three Daimyo exchanged glances, a glint of satisfaction passing between them. After a brief, silent exchange, the Earth Daimyo stepped forward with a smug smile.

"No need for an apology," he began, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "However, since shinobi villages are our nations' military assets, the Hokage's destruction of our villages has left us vulnerable. How are we to ensure our security now?"

He paused for effect before delivering the punchline.

"We propose that you to share Konoha's shinobi evenly among our three nations to compensate for our losses."

The room fell silent.

Meanwhile, Fujiki sat frozen in his chair, seemingly stunned.

Time itself seemed to halt.

Then, a burst of laughter erupted.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

He laughed so hard that he clutched his stomach, tears forming at the corners of his eyes.

The three Daimyo frowned, their faces darkening with confusion and anger.

"What's so funny?" the Wind Daimyo asked coldly.

Fujiki struggled to regain his composure, speaking between chuckles.

"I'm sorry… I just… couldn't hold it in…"

He catching his breath and leaned back with a sardonic grin.

"Oh, so you're aware that your shinobi villages are gone? And yet, you still dare to come here, pointing fingers at me?" His tone turned sharp. "Aren't you afraid the Hokage will wipe your nations off the map next?"

"You'd better go home and enjoy the last of your time as Daimyo while you still can."

With a wave of his hand, he dismissed them, signaling the end of the conversation.

He knew. He'd known ever since Tobirama Senju obliterated Iwagakure that the era of one nation, one village was coming to an end. The fall of Kumogakure only cemented his belief.

The Second Hokage was aiming to unify the shinobi world.

These three Daimyo were nothing more than obstacles soon to be removed.

"Ridiculous! As if he dares to act against us!" The Lightning Daimyo sneered, sparing a contemptuous glance. His disdain for Konoha and its ninja was palpable.

"If you refuse, don't blame us for what happens next," the Earth Daimyo warned, cracking his knuckles.

Their plan was clear: if the Fire Country didn't comply, the three nations would unite to impose economic sanctions.

The Fire Country might be vast and fertile, but it still relied heavily on imports from its neighbors. A coordinated embargo would cripple it.

As for the Hokage's supposed threat, they dismissed it outright.

From the start, shinobi villages had been nothing more than tools—dogs raised to fight at their masters' behest. After the Third Shinobi War, when the Wind Daimyo cut Suna's military budget, the Fourth Kazekage hadn't dared to object.

So why would the Hokage or Konoha challenge their Daimyo? Even if the Hokage had the audacity, each nation had its own reserve forces, including samurai and surviving ninja factions. If it came to a fight, the outcome wasn't as clear-cut .

At that moment, a figure entered the hall. Saito Shigemaru returned, carrying a peculiar kunai in his hands.

Fujiki, lost in thought, brightened visibly upon seeing the item. He rose from his chair immediately.

"Well then," he said with a smirk, "since you're so keen on an explanation, how about the Hokage himself gives you one?"

Kato Taku's eyes widened, his gaze darting between Fujiki and the kunai. He quickly pieced together what was about to happen.

The three Daimyo looked on in confusion as Fujiki injected a small amount of chakra into the kunai.

The kunai trembled slightly, and in an instant, two figures appeared in the grand hall.

"What the—?!" The three Daimyo staggered back in shock.

"I told you not to drag me into these things," said a man with sharp features and an annoyed expression. Uchiha Madara's crimson Sharingan scanned the room as he folded his arms impatiently. "Dealing with a few ordinary mortals hardly warrants my time. I should be training Sasuke."

"You'll thank me later for this," said Tobirama Senju, stepping forward with a faint smirk. His gaze settled on the three Daimyo, who now looked as though they'd seen ghosts.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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