Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 247: The Coronation Ceremony

At this moment, outside the Hokage's office.

The Daimyo had been waiting in the reception hall for a long time. Despite multiple requests for Uchiha Haneda to appear, there was still no sign of him.

This was the first time since becoming the Daimyo that someone had dared to keep him waiting for so long.

Even the Third and Fourth Hokage would never have shown such disrespect.

His face was already filled with displeasure.

"Still not here? It's been half an hour! Even if he's constipated, half an hour should be enough!"

The Daimyo fanned himself, venting his frustration, even abandoning his usual decorum to utter such crude remarks.

The ANBU present braced themselves and tried to explain:

"Lord Daimyo, the Hokage is currently handling urgent matters. He'll be here shortly, very shortly."

The Daimyo, now impatient, snapped:

"How many times are you going to say the same thing? Either give me an exact time, or have the Fifth Hokage come out immediately!"

Asuma, who was in charge of welcoming the Daimyo, couldn't hold back and retorted:

"If Haneda-nii has urgent matters, you wait. What's with the temper tantrum?"

"I am the Daimyo of the Land of Fire!!"

"And Haneda-nii is the Hokage of Konoha! What are you so high and mighty about?"

Just as the Daimyo was about to lecture Hiruzen's son, Uchiha Haneda appeared with two others.

Haneda glanced at the Daimyo and said with a smile:

"Let's go. The coronation ceremony has already been arranged by Asuma."

"The ANBU have also informed the Konoha villagers and the envoys from other nations to attend."

"Shall we?"

Haneda bowed slightly. The Daimyo glanced at Haneda's still somewhat polite demeanor, snorted coldly, and remarked:

"Your elders lack manners. Where are Koharu and Homura?"

Haneda smiled faintly. "They've already resigned."

Suddenly, the sound of drums and cheering erupted outside the Hokage building. Haneda added:

"The timing is perfect. It's time for the coronation ceremony."

"Isn't it a bit early?" A minister behind the Daimyo frowned and questioned.

At that moment, envoys from other nations entered.

The Daimyo noticed that the Daimyo of the Wind Country had also arrived. Hiding his mouth behind his folding fan, he muttered:

"Never mind. Everyone's here. Let's proceed."

The minister's unease deepened, but with the Daimyo's consent and the gathering of the audience, he refrained from pursuing the matter further.

As they turned to head toward the rooftop, Haneda's lips curled into a subtle, imperceptible smirk.

...…

The coronation ceremony took place atop the Hokage building.

It was the center of Konoha, visible to everyone in the streets below.

Envoys from various nations stood on either side of the rooftop, leaving a wide aisle in the center.

Haneda and the Daimyo stood at opposite ends of this aisle.

Haneda donned the Hokage robes, while the Daimyo held the Hokage hat in his hands.

The Daimyo scanned the crowded spectators below and then glanced at the envoys in attendance.

He was very pleased with this ceremony.

The Daimyo, in front of such a large audience, was personally bestowing the title of Hokage upon Haneda.

What did this signify?

It signified that the Hokage's legitimacy required the Daimyo's approval!

In the Land of Fire, the Daimyo's authority was above that of the Hokage!

Finally, he could hold his head high before the Daimyo of the Wind Country!

The usually stoic Daimyo allowed his delight to show on his face.

As the ceremonial cannons fired, he watched Haneda walk toward him step by step under the gaze of the crowd.

His smile grew wider.

Suddenly, Haneda snatched the Hokage hat from the Daimyo's hands, as if taking something from a servant, and placed it directly on his head.

The Daimyo froze, and so did the entire audience.

Facing the envoys and Konoha's residents, Haneda declared:

"I am the Hokage, recognized by all the shinobi and people of Konoha!"

"I crown myself!!"

From the streets below, someone began cheering, and soon the entire crowd erupted in applause.

The Daimyo's smile stiffened completely.

The ministers behind him were furious, glaring angrily at Haneda.

The envoys on the rooftop immediately grasped the significance of the event.

Their mocking smiles were blatant and unrestrained as they stared at the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

In that moment, Haneda had publicly declared that the Hokage's appointment did not require the Daimyo's approval!

And with utter disdain, he had seized the Hokage hat, the very symbol of authority!

The ministers, brimming with anger, shouted:

"Fifth Hokage! What are you doing? How dare you be so disrespectful!!"

Asuma shot back without hesitation: "Haneda-nii's actions don't need your commentary!"

The Daimyo could no longer suppress his rage and turned to glare at Haneda.

But he was met with a pair of blood-red Sharingan.

In an instant, the Daimyo's vision turned crimson, and he saw countless corpses rising from the ground, baring their teeth and claws at him.

"Ahhh!!!"

The Daimyo screamed in terror and ran, but no matter where he fled, the undead continued to chase him.

"Guards! Guards!!"

"Useless fools, all of you! Are you just sitting around?!"

"Damn you, Uchiha Haneda!!!"

"When I return, I'll personally… ahhhh!!!"

A zombie bit the Daimyo's arm, and he let out a painful cry.

He fled in panic, cursing Haneda and the guards he had paid so much to hire.

However, all the guards outside had already been subdued by Haneda.

Those so-called elite shinobi, hyped as invincible, were nothing but ants before Haneda's overwhelming power.

In reality, outside the genjutsu, Haneda stood calmly, watching the Daimyo's panicked state with a faint smile.

This scene was clear not only to the envoys on the rooftop but also to the Konoha residents below.

The Daimyo had suddenly gone mad! He had lost his composure completely!

Haneda summoned ANBU and ordered:

"Escort the Daimyo inside to calm down. Don't let this embarrassment grow any further."

Afterward, Haneda turned to the assembled audience of envoys and offered an apologetic smile.

"My apologies for the spectacle. Please, return to your nations."

The Wind Country Daimyo laughed and said:

"The Fifth Hokage certainly has a strong personality. How pitiable for the Land of Fire's Daimyo!"

"Haha, this was quite a show today. Time to head back."

"Rest assured, I'll make sure to spread word of this remarkable event, Fifth Hokage."

Haneda smiled without replying.

Publicly humiliating the Daimyo of the Land of Fire was only the first step of his plan.

Once he gained full control of the Land of Fire, he would deal with all the Daimyo.

After the coronation ceremony, Haneda returned to his office.

Kakashi, Asuma, and Shikaku followed close behind.

As soon as the door closed, Kakashi, surprised and puzzled, asked:

"Haneda, are you planning to lead Konoha away from the Daimyo's authority?"

Haneda nodded and gestured for them to sit.

"Exactly. From today onward, the Hokage will no longer need the Daimyo's approval. What we need is the support of Konoha's people!"

Shikaku voiced his concern:

"Lord Hokage, without funding from the Daimyo's office, how will Konoha sustain its various departments?"

"You may not realize…"

Haneda waved a hand, cutting him off.

"It's simple. While others hoard grain, I hoard weapons. The neighboring nations are our granaries!"

"If we lack funds, Konoha can simply take them from the Daimyo's office."