#55

The shinobis and samurais felt their weapons tremble before breaking free—knives, swords, belt buckles, anything metal was pulled upward into the sky.

Katana and kunai.

Pots and pans.

Needles.

Coins.

Iron... crotch guards...

Like birds returning to their nests, like rivers converging into the sea, the metal swirled in the air, forming a massive, invisible vortex. It spun faster and faster, crackling with electric energy, the faint blue light flickering ominously.

Everyone in the town looked up in shock at the massive vortex above them, their hearts pounding at the sight. No one had ever seen anything like it.

"People of Sabakuto Town! Witness the power of your new Kazekage!"

Mufasa's voice echoed across the city.

The awe in the eyes of the people was unmistakable. To them, he wasn't just a ninja—he was a god of thunder and steel.

The vortex grew larger, absorbing more and more metal from the ground. Sparks flew as the storm of iron expanded. Mufasa focused, assessing the weight—over thirty tons.

That should be enough.

He pressed his hands together.

"Form!"

BOOM!

A brilliant flash of lightning burst from the vortex, bathing the entire city in blinding light. Cries of pain filled the air as those who dared to look suffered the temporary sting of blindness. Eyes watered, hands shielded faces, but when the light faded and they blinked their vision back, the vortex was gone.

In its place, a towering steel statue floated above the city.

A perfect image of Mufasa himself.

Wearing the Kazekage's hat, robed in flowing steel, its deep-set eyes exuded power. One hand was tucked into its cloak, while the other was raised forward—commanding, absolute. It radiated authority.

Mufasa gazed at his work with satisfaction.

Yes. This would do.

From now on, this statue would stand in Sabakuto Town as a symbol of his will and power.

"Move out."

With a simple push, the statue floated forward. Below, Sasuke led the ninja army further into the town, their target clear—Daimyo Castle.

No one dared stand in their way now.

The castle was in chaos. Guards, attendants, servants, and samurai all scrambled in a frenzied panic, desperate to escape. It was a futile effort. Mufasa moved unchallenged through the fortress, until he arrived at the tallest tower—where the daimyo, Hideman, had chosen to hide like an ostrich burying its head in the sand.

Mufasa pushed the door open.

Hideman cowered behind a silk screen, trembling, while Daichi—his trusted subordinate—stood over a woman's lifeless body, his sword still dripping with fresh blood.

The moment Daichi saw Mufasa enter, he dropped his weapon and fell to his knees.

"Kazekage-sama! I have already killed Heiru's sister!"

He bowed so low his forehead smacked against the wooden floor.

"I have also ransacked the homes of all the merchants who opposed Sunagakure! Every single one!"

"All of their wealth is yours! Please, spare us!"

Mufasa smirked.

"Even if you hadn't done it, I would have."

He took a step forward, watching Daichi's face lose all color.

"But since you've done all this for me... well, that just makes you useless now."

Daichi's breath hitched in his throat.

Before Mufasa could even raise a hand, Hideman threw himself out from behind the screen.

"No! Please!"

Tears streamed down his face as he groveled at Mufasa's feet.

"Don't kill me! Don't kill me! I was wrong! I was wrong!"

His body shook violently as he clutched at Mufasa's robes.

Mufasa arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Then tell me—what exactly did you do wrong?"

Hideman frantically nodded.

"I shouldn't have let my brother-in-law, Heiru, go against you, Lord Kazekage!"

"Mhm. What else?"

"I shouldn't have reduced Sunagakure's budget! I shouldn't have given missions to Konoha instead of you! I shouldn't have suppressed the Sand Ninjas! I have committed terrible crimes! I regret everything!"

Mufasa smirked. "So you regret it. And what exactly are you going to do about it?"

Hideman gulped.

"I will punish the merchants! I will provide Sunagakure with free food! I will give all my missions to Sunagakure! I will allocate the entire budget to you!"

He was practically throwing his country at Mufasa's feet.

Mufasa chuckled darkly.

"Heh. It seems you still don't understand Sunagakure at all."

Hideman blinked in confusion.

Mufasa took a slow step forward, his presence alone forcing Hideman to shrink back.

"First of all, we don't need your missions. Sunagakure doesn't take missions anymore. You can keep that garbage to yourself."

Hideman's mouth fell open, but Mufasa didn't stop.

"Secondly, Sunagakure does business fairly and justly. You think giving us food for free is a favor? What does 'free' even mean to you? That you'll just rob it from the farmers?"

Hideman's breath hitched.

Mufasa narrowed his eyes. "You want my people to eat food stained with blood? To make Sunagakure hated by the people of the Wind Country?"

Hideman could only stare, stunned.

"The Land of Wind is weak, its population small," Mufasa continued, voice steady, cutting. "If you keep ruling like this, your people will flee in a matter of days. And then what? Where will I find soldiers? Who will be left to tax? How will I build my empire?"

Hideman frantically shook his head. "No, no! I—"

Mufasa's gaze was cold.

"I know. You didn't mean to. You just never thought about it. Feudal lords like you have never once considered the concepts of economy or market stability."

His hand lifted.

"That's why useless, outdated systems like yours... should just disappear."

Hideman screamed.

"No! Without me, how will you rule the Land of Wind? Without a daimyo, how will the people work?"

He clung desperately to life.

"I—I'll be your puppet! Please! Just let me live!"

He struggled to keep his thoughts together, grasping at any argument that might save his life. He was well-educated, raised as a daimyo, and trained in the art of ruling. Surely, he was still useful.

"Lord Kazekage!" he blurted out, desperate. "I can command the lords of all forty-six towns in the Land of Wind. They will obey me, and through me, they will obey you! If any resist, I will crush them in your name!"

His hands shook, but he forced himself to keep speaking. "For generations, my family has ruled this land. Our bloodline is the noblest in the Land of Wind. Only through me will the people truly surrender!"

Mufasa's expression remained cold, unimpressed. "Bloodline?"

He let out a sharp laugh, his voice laced with mockery. "You think YOUR blood makes you special in this world? In the world of Shinobis?"

Hideman's face went pale. He scrambled closer, hands shaking. "L-Lord Kazekage, I didn't mean— I was wrong!" He dropped his forehead to the floor.

Pathetic.

Hideman lunged forward, trying to clutch at Mufasa's robes, but Mufasa kicked him aside with a sneer.

"Except for me, no one in the Land of Wind has any real authority!" Hideman shrieked in despair. "Without me, everything will collapse!"

Mufasa chuckled, amused by his desperation. "Oh? Is that so?" His gaze shifted to Daichi, who stood silently nearby, gripping his sword. "Daichi. You do it."

Daichi's eyes widened in shock. "Ah—!"

Mufasa's expression darkened. "Ah? What? Are you going to disobey me?"

Daichi stiffened, then quickly bowed his head. "No, my lord. I will do it."

Hideman turned on him in fury. "You traitor!"

Daichi didn't respond. He simply lifted his sword.

A single slash.

Hideman's mouth opened in a silent scream. He never got to finish his words. From his left shoulder down to his abdomen, his body split apart in a gruesome arc. Blood splattered across the polished wooden floor.

He collapsed, lifeless.

Daichi dropped the sword immediately and fell to his knees. "Kazekage-sama, I will govern the Land of Wind in your name! I will bring order, punish those who oppose you, and ensure Sunagakure receives the resources it needs! Just give the order, and I will make it happen!"

Mufasa smirked. "Oh? You caught on quickly. Not bad."

Daichi raised his head eagerly. "My lord, what shall I do first?"

Mufasa tapped his chin. "Actually... I changed my mind. I don't want a daimyo at all."

Daichi froze. "W-What? But… the Land of Wind has always had a daimyo! Without one, the entire system—"

"Is outdated," Mufasa cut him off. "From now on, the Land of Wind will have no daimyo."

Daichi's face went slack, as if he'd just been struck by lightning. "But… but without a daimyo, how will the land be governed? Who will make the laws?"

Mufasa folded his arms. "Each of the forty-six towns will elect their own leader. These leaders will form a governing council. No more feudal lords hoarding power. No more dynasties clinging to their thrones. The people will decide."

Daichi's mind raced. "But my lord! That would cause chaos! Towns will become independent, cut off from each other. Trade will collapse! The economy will shrink! There will be endless wars between rival factions—"

Mufasa waved a hand dismissively. "Tch. Who said anything about letting them fight?"

Daichi hesitated. "I… I don't understand."

Mufasa's smirk widened. "They won't be independent. They will be unified—under my rule."

Daichi gulped as Mufasa continued.

"Each town will be required to sign a trade agreement. No tariffs. No restrictions. Goods will flow freely between them. Borders between towns will be abolished. People will move, work, and live anywhere they please."

Daichi listened in stunned silence as Mufasa laid out his vision.

"Every town will elect its own council. That council will elect a leader. These leaders will form a Grand Council to resolve disputes. If they can't agree, the matter will be brought to me. I will have the final say."

"A joint police force will be created to maintain order between towns. A border defense army will be formed to protect against external threats. And at the top of it all…"

Mufasa's grin was sharp as a blade.

"Me. The Kazekage."

Daichi's head spun. No feudal lords? No daimyo? A unified, organized government?

His entire worldview was being torn apart and rebuilt in an instant.

He swallowed hard, then slowly bowed his head.

"My lord… you are wise beyond all others. I am yours to command."

Mufasa chuckled. "That's more like it. Now, let's get to work."

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Word count: 1714