Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 246: The Daimyo Arrives

The journey from Konoha to the Daimyo's residence covered a considerable distance.

By the time the ANBU delivered the letter, two and a half days had already passed.

Strictly speaking, the relationship between the Daimyo and the Kage was one of superior and subordinate.

However, in Konoha, the Daimyo and the Hokage were generally considered equals. When the Hokage was particularly strong, they could even overshadow the Daimyo.

The ANBU assigned to notify the Daimyo entered the lavish estate.

The grand hall was resplendent, with luxurious carpets adorning the floors and crimson columns supporting the ceiling.

The ANBU had expected extravagance from the Daimyo but was still momentarily stunned by the opulence. Quickly regaining composure, he proceeded inside.

After being announced and inspected, the ANBU handed the letter to a servant, who then passed it to the Daimyo.

"Lord Daimyo, the Third Hokage stepped down three days ago, and Uchiha Haneda has taken over as the Fifth Hokage," the ANBU reported.

"Uchiha Haneda? A member of the Uchiha clan, is he? What's his connection to the Third and Fourth Hokage?"

Hearing that an Uchiha had succeeded as Hokage piqued the Daimyo's interest. He curiously opened the letter.

The opening contained the customary, polite greetings. After a quick glance, he lost interest and set the letter aside.

The ANBU thought carefully and realized there wasn't a significant connection between the Fifth Hokage and the Third or Fourth Hokage.

He answered, "The Fifth Hokage received the Third Hokage's approval. As for the Fourth Hokage, their relationship resembles that of a master and apprentice."

The Daimyo opened his fan, his smiling face carrying a hint of darkness.

"Not quite a master and apprentice, huh? And he's taken the position without consulting me?"

Hearing the Daimyo's words, the ANBU immediately sensed dissatisfaction toward the new Hokage.

He quickly explained, "The Fifth Hokage assumed the position on the night three days ago.

However, on the second day after his succession, he sent you this letter, inviting you to Konoha to officiate his coronation."

The Daimyo picked up the letter again, rereading it more carefully. A smile returned to his face.

He understood that Uchiha Haneda, lacking a formal master-apprentice relationship, had a tenuous claim to the Hokage title.

Inviting him to Konoha signaled a plea for recognition of his legitimacy.

The Daimyo also vaguely suspected that Uchiha Haneda had risen to power through a coup.

After all, for an Uchiha to ascend to the Hokage position without extraordinary measures was nearly impossible.

With this in mind, the Daimyo considered emulating the Wind Country by tightening control over his shinobi village. He said,

"Very well, I'll take a trip to Konoha. It's been a while since I've visited."

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, honestly, couldn't you have given me a heads-up before choosing a new Hokage?"

...…

In Konoha,

After assuming the Hokage position, Haneda delegated village affairs to four elders.

As Hokage, he only needed to make final decisions and oversee the village's overall direction.

This setup resembled the cabinet system of the Ming Dynasty, where every decision made by the elders required his approval before implementation.

This arrangement spared Haneda from dealing with most administrative work.

He only needed to spend short periods in the morning, afternoon, and evening signing documents.

Haneda had no intention of adopting the Seventh Hokage's hands-on political style, which involved handling every small matter personally.

He still had his Kekkei Genkai Collection Plan and his preparations for advancing to the Sage of Six Paths.

Regarding reforms after taking office, Haneda first needed to address the aristocrats who had governed the Land of Fire for generations.

The mission system, Konoha's economic backbone, relied heavily on the country's nobles.

Missions required wealthy patrons, and shinobi needed funding to make a living.

This merely covered the livelihoods of ordinary shinobi.

Departments like the Academy, ANBU, and the Sealing Corps had no revenue streams and were major expenditures.

Even Konoha's cut from mission commissions only covered one or two departments.

Not to mention the expenses incurred during wars.

As a result, the village depended on annual funding from the Daimyo to keep various departments running.

Haneda's plans for reform required even more resources and would inevitably challenge the existing political structure.

This would harm the interests of the Daimyo and the nobles.

Naturally, their losses would translate into the gains of Haneda's reforms.

From the moment Haneda resolved to push for reform, the Daimyo and the nobles behind him became his adversaries.

The Daimyo's visit was part of Haneda's scheme.

He intended to declare to the world that the Hokage's authority in Konoha surpassed that of the Daimyo.

Half a month later, under Asuma's arrangements, Konoha was adorned with decorations, and the streets were cleaned to perfection.

Envoys from various countries and representatives from other shinobi villages gathered in Konoha.

A new Hokage had risen in Konoha—Uchiha Haneda, a figure of renown in the shinobi world.

These visitors sought to gather intelligence about Konoha's current situation.

Even Kumogakure, previously humiliated by Haneda, sent shinobi to investigate the leadership changes in Konoha.

In the Hokage's office,

Haneda sat with his legs crossed on the Hokage's chair, sipping tea while supervising Shikaku's work.

At that moment, Kakashi entered.

He glanced at the hard-working Shikaku and then at the leisurely Haneda, his mouth twitching slightly.

Haneda took a sip of tea and asked with a smile, "Kakashi, what's the matter?"

"The ANBU reported that the Daimyo is about to arrive. Will you meet him personally?" Kakashi asked.

"Let him wait outside. Tell him I'm handling important matters," Haneda replied.

Shikaku heard this and forcefully placed his pen on the document with a loud thud.

Haneda, not deaf, noticed Shikaku's resentful gaze. He chuckled internally but maintained a composed expression.

"Elder Shikaku, have you finished processing the documents? If so, place them on my desk," Haneda said.

"They're not done," Shikaku replied through gritted teeth.

Watching this, Kakashi couldn't help but turn away to stifle his laughter.

Recalling how he often dumped work on Shikaku himself, Kakashi laughed even harder.

Shikaku took a deep breath to calm himself.

After completing the document in hand, he looked up at Haneda and said,

"Lord Hokage, it's about time. Making the Daimyo wait any longer would leave a bad impression."

"Let him wait," Haneda said.

He glanced at the time—only a few minutes had passed—and continued sipping tea leisurely.

Haneda hoped the Daimyo would develop a strong dislike for him and become confrontational.

This would give Haneda a legitimate reason to retaliate.

Kakashi and Shikaku exchanged puzzled glances. They had initially thought Haneda was simply lazy and unwilling to move.

But now, it was clear Haneda had other motives.

Kakashi, familiar with Haneda's ways, immediately sensed his intent to suppress the Daimyo and gain the upper hand in the subtle power struggle between the Hokage and the Daimyo.

Shikaku, relying on his intellect, also deduced Haneda's desire to undermine the Daimyo.

The problem, however, was that Haneda had invited the Daimyo to Konoha to officiate his coronation before an audience of foreign dignitaries.

Yet his current actions contradicted the very purpose of the coronation.

What exactly was Haneda planning?

...…