Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?-Chapter 280: The Four Daimyo’s: "Where’s My Fire Games Money?!"

Chapter 280 - 280: The Four Daimyo's: "Where's My Fire Games Money?!"

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Fire Games Closing Ceremony Banquet.

Glasses clinked, the air filled with boisterous chatter—the guests reveled.

The daimyo of the four great nations—Lightning, Wind, Earth, and Water—members of the Fire Games Organizing Committee, sat as honored guests. The Fire Daimyo occupied the seat of honor. Below them sat daimyo from smaller nations, along with prominent nobles and merchants from the great nations...

Seated at the forefront of these esteemed individuals, basking in their admiration, the Fire Daimyo had undoubtedly reached the pinnacle of overt power in the Shinobi World.

This peak, however, came at a cost—his life was constantly under threat from Konoha Shinobi, his every word and action monitored—Yet, considering the price paid to become the uncrowned king of the Shinobi World, it seemed a worthwhile bargain.

At least, on the surface, the Konoha Shinobi treated him with respect.

The entire Fire Games had proceeded smoothly, without causing him, the daimyo, any embarrassment.

After the meal, the plates were cleared. The banquet entered its second phase—mingling, networking, forging alliances, conducting business transactions.

The five daimyo retreated to a private chamber, dismissing their attendants.

Even the Lightning Daimyo, usually gruff and antagonistic towards the Fire Daimyo, wore a sycophantic smile. He rubbed his hands together. "Brother Fire Daimyo, Um—when can we expect the Fire Games payout?"

"Ah, that..." The Fire Daimyo leisurely poured tea for the five of them. "Work must follow protocol. I, as daimyo, cannot interfere with my subordinates' duties."

"However, I've heard that the advertising slots and such were paid for with deposits, the remainder to be collected later. And the merchandise sales—the market needs time to absorb them. I expect—it will take another month or so for all the funds to be collected and the dividends distributed."

Another month?!

The faces of the four daimyo fell.

Given their dire domestic economic situations, without external aid, in another month—the tulips would devour them whole!

Was the delay truly due to the time needed for funds to return, or was the Fire Daimyo deliberately withholding the money, seeking to profit further?

Just as they were about to voice their concerns, the Fire Daimyo raised his teacup, changing the subject.

"Our ancestors—stood shoulder to shoulder, ushering in a new era, establishing our current status as daimyo. But nowadays, I often lose sleep. I'm not as happy as I was before becoming daimyo."

The Lightning Daimyo instinctively asked, "Why is that?"

The Fire Daimyo smiled faintly. "I constantly worry that someone covets my position. After all, who wouldn't want to be daimyo? Or rather—who wouldn't want to enhance their own power and prestige?"

The Water Daimyo, the weakest among them, blanched, quickly offering reassurance. "Brother Fire Daimyo, why say such things? Destiny is set. Shinobi are but loyal dogs."

"Even amongst us daimyo, minor disagreements arise. We simply have the Shinobi fight it out. Who would dare challenge your authority?"

"Isn't that right?"

The Lightning, Wind, and Earth Daimyo nodded vigorously.

Flatter the Fire Daimyo first, then ask for financial aid.

The Fire Daimyo sighed. "One can never be too careful. While the Shinobi themselves may harbor no ill intentions, and you are all my dear comrades—what if, among your subordinates, there are ambitious individuals, seeking wealth and power? What if, one day, they present my daimyo seal before you? Even if you harbor no desire to usurp my authority, you might be forced..."

The Lightning Daimyo, alarmed by the Fire Daimyo's words, quickly offered more flattery, practically falling to his knees, ready to acknowledge the Fire Daimyo as his adoptive father in exchange for financial aid.

They understood the Fire Daimyo's underlying message:

"It's not that I don't trust you. But as daimyo, I must eliminate potential threats. While you yourselves pose no threat, your Shinobi subordinates do."

No wonder the Fire Daimyo was considered the most powerful man in the Shinobi World.

Such insight!

The daimyo felt a pang of guilt...

Before coming to Otogakure for the Fire Games, hadn't their respective Kage requested an audience, urging them to rescind the joint declaration?

What were the Kage planning? Some daimyo knew, others didn't.

But regardless of the Kage's intentions, faced with their dire economic situations, they had to suppress the warmongering factions, striving for peace and cooperation to heal the wounds inflicted by the tulip mania.

Otherwise, if they allowed the Kage free rein, let them seize power through force, while their own means of control—the nation's economy—collapsed...

What would be the outcome?

The Kage, leading their villages, would win the war against the Land of Fire. Starving, they would plunder the riches of the prosperous Land of Fire.

The Kage, controlling both the Shinobi and the nation's wealth—would they still submit to the daimyo's authority?

Viewed this way—would they have won the war, or lost?

For the Kage, for the nation, perhaps it was a victory. But for the daimyo—it was utter defeat.

The Kage handled military affairs; the daimyo managed civil and economic matters...

Financial matters could only be resolved by the daimyo! If they couldn't solve the problem, the Shinobi would simply have to starve! If they dared overstep their authority to seize wealth—that crossed a line. Better to let them starve than allow them to usurp power!

Seeing the daimyo's subservient expressions, the Fire Daimyo continued slowly, "Life is fleeting, like a galloping horse glimpsed through a crack in the wall. Those who pursue wealth and power simply wish to accumulate more money in their limited time, to enjoy life, to ensure their descendants don't suffer."

"We daimyo are no different. We simply want to enjoy life while we can, and pass on our power and privilege to our descendants."

His words resonated with the other daimyo.

The Fire Daimyo clasped his hands behind his back, revealing his true intentions.

"Gentlemen, why not relinquish control of your hidden villages? Enjoy the riches and comforts of your mansions. Acquire more land, build grander estates for your descendants. Purchase more singers and dancers, indulge in wine and festivities, live out your days in leisure. We can forge alliances through marriage. Without suspicion between us daimyo, wouldn't life be more—pleasant?"

He continued his persuasion.

"Think about it—the hidden village system, why did it arise? Wasn't it because of the instability of the past, the primitive technology, everyone vying for more territory?"

"Fifty years have passed. You see the result. Every year, the hidden villages consume our wealth, fighting endless wars with no resolution. Instead of funding them, letting them perpetuate death and destruction, why not leave that wealth to our descendants? Buy more land, build more palaces, acquire more entertainers. Live as carefree daimyo. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"We daimyo—trace our lineage back to common ancestors! We are relatives! I would never harm you. You can live out your days as wealthy, respected daimyo, without fearing for your lives."

The Fire Daimyo's message was clear: trade military power for wealth and security, or return home now and await the uncertain dividends. Dividends that would eventually arrive, but the timing was—uncertain.

Like justice, perhaps delayed, but never denied. The Fire Games dividends might be delayed, but they would eventually materialize.

The Water Daimyo asked hesitantly, "But the hidden villages have been established for fifty years. If we suddenly dissolve the 'One Nation, One Village' system—if we refuse to provide funding, the Shinobi will take matters into their own hands. If they don't, others within our nations will gladly offer them support."

"Furthermore—even if that doesn't happen, even if the Shinobi remain loyal out of respect for us daimyo—without the legal framework supporting them, the hidden villages will disband. Shinobi will operate individually, or as clans. Wouldn't the Shinobi World revert to the chaos of the Warring States Period?"

"Constant fighting, no resolution."

"Brother Fire Daimyo—I'm inclined to follow your suggestion, but wouldn't dissolving the hidden villages ultimately harm your own interests as well?"

Daimyo were pragmatic individuals; otherwise, they wouldn't have reached—or rather, maintained their positions.

But the fundamental problem remained: daimyo controlled the hidden villages through only two means—money and authority.

They had no direct control over the villages or the Shinobi. Daimyo were ordinary humans; faced with these superhumans, they relied on external leverage.

Withhold funding, and the villages could still survive, albeit precariously, on commissions from clients.

But strip away their authority...

The Kage required the daimyo's legitimacy; the daimyo required the Kage to command the Shinobi, to serve as their blades.

Disband the hidden villages, and those blades would become masterless.

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