The Hokage quickly noticed that the daimyo had arrived with minimal protection—no weapons, and only a few guards. This was obviously due to some strange regulation that no one had explained, and Sarutobi Hiruzen suspected someone had manipulated the rules beforehand. It was clearly orchestrated, and the Third Hokage had a guess as to who.
Yan silently cursed the idiocy of Hashirama Senju's legacy. Only someone like the First Hokage would genuinely think the Hokage held too much power and could threaten the authority of the daimyo. Hashirama's idealism had far-reaching consequences.
The comparison between the Hokage's office building and the daimyo's palace was like comparing a village hut to a noble's estate. Even though Yan had braced himself, he couldn't help but be amazed. Wealth certainly brought with it an arrogant kind of extravagance.
They were escorted through the ornately decorated palace halls until they stood before the daimyo himself, whose face had the stiff expression of someone perpetually annoyed. His donkey-like features were taut with irritation.
The daimyo's mood was clearly foul.
Third Hokage took a step forward, nodding politely. "Daimyo-sama."
"Snort!"
The response was a cold snort, laced with open disdain.
The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow. Since when did the daimyo grow so bold? Danzo, who stood behind Sarutobi earlier, flinched noticeably. He was probably wondering if this public scolding was about him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was taken aback by the hostility. "Daimyo-sama, may I ask what this is about?"
"You still have the face to show up?" the daimyo snapped. "Sarutobi Hiruzen, aren't you ashamed of yourself?"
The title of "Hokage" was notably absent. The air in the hall chilled. Everyone understood this wasn't going to be a routine funding negotiation.
Sarutobi blinked. "I'm not sure I understand. Have I offended the daimyo without realizing it?"
The daimyo didn't waste time explaining. Instead, he flung a tightly sealed scroll to the floor in front of the Hokage with a sneer. "Take a look for yourself!"
Yan stepped forward calmly, picked up the scroll, and respectfully handed it to the Third Hokage. Then he stepped back and watched like an uninvolved bystander, intrigued by the drama unfolding.
The contents of the scroll were the root of the tension. The daimyo had received a report that suggested Shimura Danzo had plotted to assassinate him, and that Root was working behind the scenes to manipulate the Fire Country's power structure.
The title on the first page read: "Chapter 29: Daimyo to Konoha—Choose: Danzo or Me!"
Sarutobi's face changed as he read. "Impossible… This is fabricated… This can't be true! Someone's trying to drive a wedge between Konoha and the daimyo!"
The accusation was serious. The document claimed Danzo had mobilized Root agents to monitor the daimyo's movements and considered removing him to consolidate power under Konoha's banner.
Sarutobi clenched the scroll. "Danzo would never do something so foolish. Even if he has ambitions, he understands the limits. He knows I wouldn't tolerate such betrayal."
The daimyo scoffed, unimpressed. "Don't pretend you're innocent. Years ago, when you asked for my support to help Namikaze Minato become Hokage instead of Danzo, I agreed. Do you remember how Danzo looked at me during that time? He looked like he wanted to kill me!"
"I asked for an explanation then, and you dismissed it."
Sarutobi's mouth opened slightly, remembering. Back then, he'd truly ignored the daimyo's complaint. With the war ending, priorities were scattered. Danzo's threatening expression didn't seem worth addressing.
"Do you understand the kind of pressure I've lived under because of your negligence?" the daimyo barked.
Sarutobi was speechless. So this whole storm started because the daimyo felt threatened by a look and was now believing half-truths from a scroll.
At that moment, the daimyo shifted his gaze to Hiko.
"Tell me, as a Uchiha, do you believe Danzo is trustworthy?"
Hiko froze.
This wasn't just a random question. It was a trap.
Sarutobi's eyes flicked toward him in warning. Don't say anything rash.
Danzo could be reckless, but a political explosion at this level could only be handled delicately.
Yan raised his hands slightly. "Danzo-sama? He's… a very principled man. Konoha's stability means a lot to him."
Lying through his teeth had never been so difficult.
"Lies!" the daimyo shouted, veins throbbing at his temple. "Do you take me for a fool?! I have agents everywhere. I know how Danzo treated the Uchiha. You yourself insulted him publicly at the police headquarters!"
The Third Hokage silently cursed everything.
This information was supposed to be secret. How did the daimyo get all of it?
Yan shrugged toward Sarutobi.
Don't look at me—I didn't give him this.
But the damage was done.
Sarutobi took a breath. "Daimyo-sama, Danzo and Uchiha do have a complicated past. But he would never act against you. These rumors are false, I assure you."
The daimyo leaned forward.
"Then explain this—how did commoners learn about the internal operations of Root? How did they get access to documents only Anbu and a few elders are supposed to know?"
Sarutobi was again speechless.
He didn't know. Root was meant to operate in shadows. Even inside the village, very few knew about its existence, let alone its function.
The daimyo huffed in frustration and sat down, gulping two cups of tea before calming slightly.
Then he dropped the bomb.
"I don't care whether Danzo has such thoughts or not. I simply no longer feel safe knowing he exists. I have no intention of continuing to fund Konoha if this threat remains."
Silence.
Everyone in the room felt the weight of that statement.
"I'd rather shift my support to the Land of Earth or the Land of Lightning. I'm sure Iwagakure and Kumogakure would gladly provide me protection—without threatening my life!"
Sarutobi's heart sank. Those were hostile nations. Their Kage had historically opposed Konoha.
This wasn't just about politics now—it was about survival.
A choice had to be made.
Either protect Danzo, or protect Konoha.
There was no in-between.
The Third Hokage bowed slightly.
"Daimyo-sama, I assure you, I will handle this matter personally."
The words came out through gritted teeth.
Because now, Sarutobi had no more room to defend Danzo.
He had been given a direct ultimatum—and the village's future depended on his next decision.