Naruto: This Genius is Somewhat Ordinary-Chapter 400

The Fire Country daimyō chuckled softly.

"I imagine you already guessed," he said plainly. "Yes. I’m here to submit."

After their brief exchange, he had a rough grasp of Fujimoto Tōma’s temperament. There was no need for roundabout words.

Tōma raised an eyebrow. "You’re willing to give up the authority of a daimyō?"

"Authority means nothing if you’re dead," the daimyō replied calmly. "You ended the Fourth Shinobi War almost single-handedly. I don’t believe you’ll lose the next one."

He folded his fan with a snap.

"More importantly, Konoha lies within Fire Country. If you’re unifying the world, we’re the first stop. I don’t have the luxury of hesitation."

Tōma nodded. "Many people understand that logic. Few can act on it. Power is addictive, especially once you’ve sat at the top."

"That’s just fragile pride," the daimyō said lightly. "Those of us without absolute force never sat securely in the first place."

Then his eyes sharpened.

"And I doubt my influence will shrink after submission."

Tōma waited.

"You can’t rule the world with shinobi alone," the daimyō continued. "Most ninja are weapons, not administrators. When the war ends, you’ll need people who know governance."

A smile slipped through as he lifted his fan again.

"I happen to be good at that. With your backing, my authority may even expand. And my safety would be... unprecedented."

He looked directly at Tōma.

"And," he added quietly, "I assume the possibility of extended lifespan applies to allies as well?"

The honesty was refreshing.

Tōma studied him closely. Faced with temptation, the daimyō looked far more alive than before. The casual seniority he once carried was gone, replaced by sharp ambition.

It made sense.

Before, he had nothing left to chase. Now, the world had changed.

"Yes," Tōma said at last. "It’s possible."

The daimyō smiled openly.

"Then why wouldn’t I submit?" he said. "And being first matters. Fire Country isn’t small. I made sure the news spread before I arrived."

Tōma met his gaze, thoughtful.

The man was right. Governance was the real problem after conquest. And as the ruler of the largest nation, the daimyō’s decisiveness alone carried immense weight.

More importantly, his surrender would tilt the board violently.

Tōma wasn’t worried about being sidelined. This world still answered to strength. As long as he stood at the peak, no scheme mattered.

He smiled.

"Then...合作愉快," he said simply, extending his hand.

The daimyō laughed and clasped it firmly.

From that moment on, Fire Country’s future changed direction.

After the private meeting ended, Nara Shikaku entered the room. He had overheard enough to understand the significance.

"This went better than expected," Shikaku said with genuine relief. "We’ll need to plan the transition carefully. Especially his protection."

He paused. "Opposition will exist."

Tōma nodded. "Which is why Jiraiya is escorting him."

Shikaku blinked, then smiled. "That’s perfect."

Jiraiya would never refuse a mission tied to civilian lives. Even if he opposed unification, he would protect the daimyō with everything he had.

Watching Jiraiya depart with the daimyō, Tōma allowed himself a small smile.

Idealists didn’t need to be crushed.

They just needed the right place to stand.

Once Fire Country’s submission became public, the ripple effect was immediate.

Small nations that had been wavering made their decisions overnight. If the strongest had bowed, delaying only reduced their bargaining power.

Some hesitated, waiting on neighboring great nations.

Others clung to authority, hoping Konoha couldn’t truly stand against the world.

Tōma didn’t care.

When the deadline arrived, resistance would be erased.

Over the next two days, envoys flooded into Konoha. Tōma refused to see most of them. Only the daimyō of great nations and the Kage were worth his time.

And then, an unexpected guest arrived.

"The Fourth Raikage?" Tōma said, genuinely surprised. "I didn’t expect you to be the first Kage here."

The Raikage snorted, veins bulging. "Don’t misunderstand. I still want to tear you apart."

"You can’t," Tōma replied calmly.

The Raikage deflated with a harsh sigh. "Which is why I’m here."

Tōma tilted his head. "I thought the Fifth Kazekage might come first."

"Gaara’s young," the Raikage said bluntly. "His word doesn’t carry absolute weight in Suna yet."

"Fair enough."

The Raikage fell silent, then spoke heavily. "You still have the Eight-Tails."

Tōma looked at him. "You came because of your brother?"

"This wasn’t my decision alone," the Raikage growled. "But your power forced the issue."

His eyes burned. "Return the Eight-Tails to Killer B. The fragment inside him won’t last much longer."

"If I refuse?" Tōma asked mildly.

"Then Cloud becomes your biggest obstacle," the Raikage said firmly. "Kill me if you want. I already told them. If I don’t return, we prepare for war."

Tōma regarded him with interest. "That’s not a threat?"

"It’s resolve."

Tōma nodded. "I won’t return the tailed beasts before unification."

The Raikage’s shoulders slumped.

"But," Tōma continued, tossing him a golden sphere, "this will stabilize Killer B."

The Raikage caught it, eyes widening at the Eight-Tails’ chakra within.

"A partial reserve," Tōma said. "Enough to preserve his life."

Silence followed.

"And afterward?" the Raikage asked.

"After unification," Tōma replied, "the tailed beasts will choose their own hosts. No force. No coercion."

The Raikage exhaled slowly.

"With B... it’ll be a formality."

"Exactly."

Their aides began discussing logistics. The Raikage’s envoy, Mabui, quickly fell into step with Shikaku.

Watching it all, Tōma felt something rare.

Optimism.

Perhaps... the bloodshed would be less than he’d expected.

Power, when absolute, had a way of simplifying the world.

...

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