Chapter 47: The Ninja Are Simple, Born Only to Serve Their Nation Faithfully

The next day, the capital of the Land of Fire.

Naruto Uzumaki’s Shadow Clone and Mizukado En were summoned by the Lord of the Land of Fire.

Although the Shadow Clone Technique is difficult to sustain for long, holding it for several days is more than sufficient.

Moreover, Naruto Uzumaki’s chakra had been fully transformed into senjutsu chakra, granting him far greater endurance, greatly extending the lifespan of his shadow clones.

Furthermore, senjutsu chakra endowed the shadow clones with enhanced resistance to physical damage.

Naruto Uzumaki had no concern that his shadow clone monitoring Mizukado En might encounter problems.

Besides, Mizukado En lacked the courage to act.

If he had such courage, he would have already fought Naruto Uzumaki to the death.

Inside the grand hall, the Lord of the Land of Fire sat upon his high throne, his gaze slowly sweeping over Naruto Uzumaki and Mizukado En.

He sighed lightly: “I never imagined the mastermind behind the Hidden Leaf’s collapse plan would be Elder Danzo.”

Mizukado En nodded slightly and replied solemnly: “The Hidden Leaf is now in turmoil. Though Danzo has been executed, many of his followers remain.”

“We humbly beg Your Lordship, in accordance with Hiruzen’s final decree, to appoint Naruto Uzumaki as the Fifth Hokage.”

The Lord of the Land of Fire listened to Mizukado En’s words, gently fanning himself, his eyes settling on Naruto Uzumaki seated beside him.

Naruto Uzumaki left a profound impression on the Lord of the Land of Fire.

After all, he had personally attended the Chunin Exams.

Though he had not witnessed Naruto Uzumaki single-handedly suppressing the One-Tail due to genjutsu interference,

Naruto Uzumaki’s counterfeit version of Tenketsu Shinku had left an indelible mark on him.

The scene of heaven collapsing and earth splitting still burned vividly in his mind, as if it had happened yesterday.

In the Lord of the Land of Fire’s eyes, the legendary Ninja God Hashirama Senju could not have been more impressive.

Yet, appointing Naruto Uzumaki as the Fifth Hokage filled him with hesitation.

“This… this seems to violate protocol. Shouldn’t there be a formal meeting and vote?”

“Moreover, isn’t Naruto Uzumaki too young? I recall he just took the Chunin Exams—he hasn’t even become a Jonin yet.”

The Lord of the Land of Fire’s tone brimmed with doubt, his eyes revealing caution.

Mizukado En was about to respond.

At that moment, Naruto Uzumaki raised his hand slightly.

Mizukado En immediately fell silent, sitting quietly to the side.

He had endured too much—he had learned how to be a proper soft target.

Naruto Uzumaki turned to the Lord of the Land of Fire.

“Your Lordship, this is the final decree of the Third Hokage.”

“Though I am not yet a Jonin, Itachi are well aware of my strength—I am fully capable of bearing the burden of village leader.”

“As for convening a formal meeting, the Hidden Leaf is in dire turmoil; the situation demands emergency measures.”

The Lord of the Land of Fire fell into thought, his face clouded with indecision, unsure how to respond.

At that moment, Naruto Uzumaki tapped the table, drawing the Lord’s attention.

“Your Lordship, ninja are simple creatures—born solely to serve their nation faithfully.”

“Without ninja risking their lives to protect Itachi, how could Itachi enjoy such peace and luxury?”

Here, Naruto Uzumaki’s tone shifted sharply, growing heavier.

“Moreover, Danzo’s remnants have not yet been fully eradicated. If we delay further, they may panic and act against your safety.”

The Lord of the Land of Fire shuddered at these words, fear flashing across his face—he clearly imagined something terrible.

That Danzo Shimura had repeatedly threatened him, using ruthless, merciless methods.

The Lord of the Land of Fire firmly believed that, given Danzo’s followers’ modus operandi, Naruto Uzumaki’s warning was entirely plausible.

Realizing this, the Lord of the Land of Fire could no longer sit still: “If this is the Third Hokage’s final decree, then I appoint Itachi as the Fifth Hokage.”

“Please, swiftly eliminate Danzo’s remnants and ensure my safety.”

Somehow, the Lord of the Land of Fire had begun addressing Naruto Uzumaki with honorifics.

After speaking, he turned to look at a servant beside him.

Soon, the attendant brought ink and brush.

The Lord of the Land of Fire took the brush and hastily penned an appointment decree.

Naruto Uzumaki reached out to take it, his eyes swiftly scanning the text, then smiling in satisfaction: “Thank Itachi, Your Lordship, for your trust. I assure Itachi I shall be your most loyal pillar.”

The Lord of the Land of Fire smiled warmly: “Naturally. The Fifth Hokage is young, gifted, wise, and courageous—surely Itachi will achieve great things.”

“Why not stay for dinner? It would be a fine chance to bond. The capital has many noble ladies of beauty and talent who have long admired Itachi.”

Naruto Uzumaki rose to his feet, his expression calm: “It is late. There are still Danzo’s remnants in the village awaiting action. We must take our leave.”

Without waiting for the Lord of the Land of Fire’s reply, he turned and walked straight out of the palace.

Mizukado En, seeing this, quickly offered a polite apology to the Lord, then hurried after him.

To Naruto Uzumaki, the Lord of the Land of Fire was no different from the Emperor of his past life—merely a ceremonial figurehead.

The village Hokage, by contrast, resembled the shogunate of his past life, replacing the samurai as the military class holding real power.

Though the extent of the Lord’s authority varied by country,

overall, the Lords of the Five Great Nations were largely symbolic, wielding little actual power.

Among the Five Great Nations, the Lord of the Land of Wind was the most assertive, always at odds with the Hidden Sand Village: cutting military budgets, slashing the village’s funding, and dumping most missions onto the Hidden Leaf.

This forced the Fourth Kazekage, Ro Sha , to seek another path—becoming a gold miner, using magnet release to collect sand gold and lead his village to prosperity.

Yet, in the original timeline, after the Fourth Kazekage Ro Sha died and before the Fifth Kazekage Gaara took power, the Lord of the Land of Wind died unexpectedly, replaced by a fat pig.

During the Fourth Great Ninja War, this new Lord had no opinions of his own, only echoing: “I agree.”

He had no ideas whatsoever—merely a puppet manipulated by others.

Clearly, the Lord was a figurehead. He had some power, but very little.

Yet, if one casually removed the Lord without sufficient strength, it would inevitably provoke hostility from other ninja villages and spark new war.

This was precisely why Naruto Uzumaki had temporarily kept that fool in the palace.

When the time is right, he can be cooked without delay.

Be grateful—across the entire ninja world, who else would show such mercy to a Lord as Naruto Uzumaki does?

(End of Chapter)