[Naruto Grandfather] Chapter 116 - 120

Chapter 116

"If she finds out about Hikaru, she’ll definitely be thrilled!" Naruto exclaimed, his happiness for Tsunade shining brightly.

Uzumaki Chito observed Naruto’s uncontainable excitement and nodded with satisfaction.

Having lived for so long and achieved unparalleled strength, Chito no longer cared about many things. Yet, he cherished certain qualities deeply—like sincerity.

Naruto, who always considered the well-being of those around him, naturally earned Chito’s favor. Such an open heart was a rare treasure in a world often mired in intrigue.

Smiling, Chito replied, "I’ve already passed the news along to Tsunade. She should be here by tomorrow."

Then, his tone grew more serious. "Before she arrives, you need to handle the affairs of the Land of Fire and its capital. It wouldn’t do for Tsunade to arrive and find everything in chaos."

Naruto nodded earnestly, his determination evident. But soon, his expression turned into one of distress.

"Grandpa, I don’t want all these problems to trouble Tsunade-baa-chan," Naruto said hesitantly. "But I honestly don’t know where to start! You told me to round up the ministers earlier, but you never explained what to do after that!"

Chito sighed heavily, shaking his head. "Really, Naruto? The clues were right in front of you, and you still didn’t get it?"

Seeing Naruto’s sheepish grin, Chito waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. Subtlety and strategy aren’t your strong points anyway. I’ll take care of this myself."

With that, Chito stepped forward, exuding an overwhelming presence. A wave of incredible pressure swept through the room, causing the gathered ministers to tremble uncontrollably.

The weaker ones fell to their knees, their legs giving out beneath them. A few even released yellow puddles onto the floor, their fear palpable.

Chito’s gaze turned colder as he surveyed their cowardice. After a long pause, his voice rang out, calm but commanding:

"I am Uzumaki Chito, and this is my great-grandson, Naruto Uzumaki."

His eyes swept over the room, piercing each individual as he continued, "Naruto has come to the capital of the Land of Fire to secure recognition for Shin-Konoha’s legitimacy. However, before his arrival, Konoha ninjas disguised themselves as him and kidnapped the Daimyo, attempting to undermine our cause."

Chito’s voice grew sharper, each word carrying the weight of undeniable authority. "To ensure the stability of this nation, I have decided that the Daimyo’s son, Hikaru, will take his place as the new Daimyo."

His gaze hardened, and he delivered his final statement with icy clarity:

"Now, I ask—who here is for this decision, and who is against it?"

Though his tone was measured, it carried an undeniable menace. Every syllable reverberated through the hall, leaving no room for ambiguity.

The ministers exchanged uncertain glances, their faces pale and drawn. Many seemed too shocked to respond.

Finally, an elderly man with a white beard struggled to his feet, his body trembling with rage. His voice, though quivering, was filled with indignation as he pointed at Chito and bellowed:

"Against! I am against it! You’re just a lowly ninja—how dare you presume to dictate the affairs of the Land of Fire!"

The phrase lowly ninja caused Naruto’s face to darken. His blue eyes locked onto the old man with an intensity that made the air seem colder.

It wasn’t just a glare—it was a predatory gaze infused with the fierce aura of the Nine-Tails within him.

The old man suddenly gasped, his body freezing in place. In his mind, vivid and horrifying visions unfolded: endless rivers of blood, piles of corpses, and a suffocating sea of death. It was as though he had been submerged in a pool of blood, its sticky warmth clinging to every inch of his skin.

Overwhelmed by the terror, the old man collapsed, unconscious, onto the floor.

But his fall only emboldened others. A group of younger ministers, shaking with fury, began shouting insults at Naruto.

"You monsters think you can intimidate us?" one spat.

"You’re nothing but brutes! We are noble ministers—our dignity cannot be crushed by mere ninjas!" another added, his voice trembling but defiant.

Naruto clenched his fists, his frustration mounting. These ministers, bloated with self-importance and unable to walk without wheezing, dared to insult him repeatedly. Yet, he hesitated.

Should I fight them? he wondered. But they’re just ordinary people. Is it right to use my strength against them?

Lost in indecision, Naruto turned to Chito for guidance, his expression pleading for help.

Before Chito could respond, Hikaru, who had been quietly observing from his arms, leapt down and stood before the ministers.

"Brother Naruto is kind and strong!" Hikaru said boldly, his young voice cutting through the tension. "He would never—"

But Hikaru’s defense was interrupted by angry shouts from the ministers.

"Shut up, you mongrel!" one hissed.

"You’re nothing but the product of lowly blood!" another sneered, his voice dripping with malice.

"Why the Daimyo spared you, I’ll never understand. You don’t deserve to live, let alone claim a position of power!"

Fueled by their own hatred, one of the ministers—a stout, red-faced man—grabbed a decorative jade plate. With a savage snarl, he hurled it at Hikaru’s head.

"You’ll pay for your insolence, you little bastard!" he shouted.

The plate flew through the air with deadly intent.

Chito’s eyes narrowed, his voice low and cold: "Looking for death."

Chapter 117

Uzumaki Chito’s voice reverberated through the hall, deep and furious like a volcano on the brink of eruption.

The oppressive force of his presence crashed into the gathered ministers like an invisible hammer, crushing their spirits. Panic and despair filled the air, as though they were prey cornered by a natural predator.

"You... what are you going to do?"

The minister who had moments ago berated the seven-year-old Hikaru now stood trembling. His voice, once filled with bravado, cracked with terror as he pleaded, "Please, spare me!"

Chito regarded him with a cold, unrelenting gaze, a cruel smile curling on his lips.

"What am I going to do?" he echoed, his tone deceptively calm.

"Send. You. To. Hell."

With a simple motion, Chito raised his hand and clenched his fingers in the air.

The arrogant minister suddenly felt an immense pressure enveloping his body. It was as if an invisible vise had clamped down on him, squeezing tighter with every passing second. His bones creaked and cracked under the relentless force, pain searing through his entire being.

Click! Click!

The sickening sound of bones shattering echoed in the silent hall. The minister’s body was contorted beyond recognition, reduced to a grotesque mass suspended in midair.

"Ahhhh!"

A guttural scream of agony tore from his throat, filled with pain and despair. "Kill me!" he begged, his voice breaking.

Chito released his grip, and the broken minister crumpled to the floor like discarded garbage. But the punishment didn’t end there.

With a flick of Chito’s hand, several more ministers were dragged into the air by the same invisible force.

"No! Please, no!"

"You can’t do this! I’m a minister! You have no right!"

Their protests fell on deaf ears. Chito’s disdainful sneer deepened as he tightened his grip on the air.

"Ministers?" he scoffed. "You’re nothing but trash."

With a sharp gesture, Chito’s fists clenched tighter.

Boom!

A deafening explosion rocked the Daimyo’s mansion. Blood sprayed into the air, painting the room in crimson. The once-proud ministers, who had arrogantly berated Naruto and Hikaru, were now nothing but lifeless remains.

As the last of the defiant voices was silenced, Chito lowered his hand. The room fell into an eerie quiet, broken only by the sound of trembling ministers who had escaped his wrath.

Those still alive collapsed to their knees, burying their heads in their arms like frightened ostriches. They dared not meet Chito’s gaze, too terrified to even breathe loudly.

Chito surveyed the cowed ministers with a mixture of disdain and satisfaction. His voice, calm yet commanding, cut through the silence:

"I will make Hikaru the new Daimyo."

His words were like a wave crashing against the walls of the mansion. "Who is in favor, and who is against?"

No one dared to respond. Not a single voice rose in opposition, not even a murmur of dissent.

Naruto and Hikaru exchanged stunned glances. They couldn’t reconcile the sight of these ministers, who had been so vocal and defiant just moments ago, with their current state—cowering like frightened mice.

Chito noticed their confusion and addressed them with a faint smile.

"You’re both still too young," he said.

"Do you think their earlier bravado was true loyalty to the Daimyo? No. They acted that way because they believed ninjas—and children like you—wouldn’t dare harm them."

He gestured toward the quivering ministers. "Their so-called bravery was nothing but a hollow facade. But the moment I showed them the blood of their companions and proved I would kill them, that false courage vanished."

Naruto and Hikaru nodded as understanding dawned on their faces.

Naruto muttered, his tone dripping with disdain, "I thought these guys were something special. Turns out they’re not even as brave as the kids at the ninja academy."

He grinned wryly. "At least academy students will pick up a kunai and try to fight back when they’re scared."

Hikaru nodded in agreement, his expression resolute.

But Chito chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"You’re not entirely right, Naruto," he said.

"These people will find their courage—when they see an opportunity to benefit. At that moment, they’ll transform into ferocious wolves, willing to tear apart anyone in their way."

His voice grew sharper as he added, "In fact, I’ll show you what I mean right now."

With a sly smile, Chito turned to the trembling ministers and raised his voice:

"All of you, heads up!"

The ministers hesitated, their fear palpable, but Chito’s tone left no room for disobedience. Slowly, one by one, they raised their heads, their eyes filled with dread.

Chito’s smile widened as he continued, "I have an announcement to make."

His words hung in the air like an electric charge.

"This is an opportunity—a chance to gain wealth, status, and power beyond your wildest dreams."

Naruto and Hikaru looked at each other, puzzled by Chito’s sudden change in tone.

But before they could process his words, the ministers’ reactions shocked them.

Chapter 118

The group of ministers, who had been cowering on the ground like frightened dogs moments ago, suddenly raised their heads. Their eyes gleamed with greed, like wild animals catching the scent of prey.

Their expressions all seemed to ask the same question: What’s the chance to get promoted and make a fortune?

Uzumaki Chito observed their reactions with calm detachment, as if he had anticipated every move. With a composed tone, he announced:

"Here’s the deal: whoever supports Hikaru becoming the new Daimyo will be rewarded."

He began listing the rewards in a steady voice:

"The first to pledge support will receive one million ryo and be promoted three ranks."

"The second, 900,000 ryo and two ranks."

"The third, 800,000 ryo and one rank."

"For the fourth to the tenth, 500,000 ryo each."

"The eleventh to the hundredth, 100,000 ryo each."

"And for those beyond the hundredth—"

Before Chito could finish, chaos erupted.

"I support it! I’m first!" one minister shouted, scrambling to his feet.

"No, I’m first!" another roared, shoving his way forward.

"The first position is mine!"

The ministers devolved into a frenzied mob, jostling and shouting to be heard, each vying for Chito’s favor like wild dogs fighting over scraps.

Naruto stood to the side, watching the scene unfold with a numb expression.

The dignified image of noble ministers, carefully crafted by the Konoha Ninja School’s education, had been utterly shattered in his mind.

It didn’t take long for a hundred ministers to pledge their support for Hikaru’s claim as Daimyo.

Chito, calm amidst the chaos, reached into the void and produced a long scroll. Unfurling it, he addressed the eager ministers:

"Sign your names here. Once you do, everything I promised will be delivered to you within half a day."

The ministers rushed forward, practically tripping over each other in their haste to sign the scroll.

Naruto watched the scene, shaking his head in disbelief. To him, it felt like a farce, a mockery of the ideals he had once believed in.

But as he observed the ministers scrawling their names, a thought suddenly struck him.

His grandpa had poured most of his resources into building Shin-Konoha. Where would the money for these promises come from?

His heart sank as a chilling possibility crossed his mind. Could Grandpa be planning to use the funds we took from the Land of Lightning?

Naruto’s face paled. That money was critical to Shin-Konoha’s recovery. If it were drained, the village would be plunged back into poverty.

Anxious, Naruto hesitated before carefully voicing his concern. "Grandpa, your method is effective, but... where’s the money going to come from?"

Chito turned to him with a sly smile.

"What’s the matter, Naruto? Worried I’ll drain your precious little stash?"

Naruto chuckled nervously. He wanted to say yes, but the truth was, everything he had came from Chito. Even his life was a debt he couldn’t repay. If Chito wanted to take it all, Naruto wouldn’t refuse.

Still, the thought of Shin-Konoha returning to destitution weighed heavily on him.

Hikaru, observing Naruto’s distress, gently tugged on his sleeve and whispered, "Brother Naruto, don’t worry about using the Daimyo’s money."

Naruto looked at Hikaru, confused.

Hikaru continued in a hushed tone, "I know where my father hid his wealth."

Naruto’s eyes widened, his initial surprise giving way to cautious hope. But then, glancing at Hikaru’s innocent seven-year-old face, he hesitated.

How could I ask for money from a child? Naruto thought, conflicted. It’s shameful for the leader of Shin-Konoha to rely on a kid’s help.

Chito, who had been watching the interaction with amusement, finally intervened. "Naruto," he began, his tone patient but firm, "you can’t rely on brute force alone. You need to use your brain."

Naruto blinked, confused. "What do you mean, Grandpa?"

Chito gestured toward the corpses of the ministers he had eliminated earlier.

"Do you see those?"

Naruto followed his grandpa’s gaze, his expression still puzzled. "I see them, but... they’re dead. They can’t come back to life to give us money."

Chito sighed, exasperation flashing across his face. Before he could explain, Hikaru leaned closer to Naruto and whispered, "Brother Naruto, Grandpa means we can take the money from those dead ministers and use it to pay the others."

Naruto’s mouth fell open in realization. "Oh! That’s what you meant, Grandpa!"

Chapter 119

Naruto’s intelligence might not have been his strongest suit, but his execution was unparalleled.

He was the type to act first and figure out the rest later—a classic example of do it first, then explain.

With his exceptional drive and the support of his Shadow Clones, it took him less than half an hour to raid the estates of the deceased ministers.

The spoils were staggering. Excluding antiques, calligraphy, and paintings that were difficult to value, Naruto had amassed 30 million ryo in cash alone. After distributing the promised rewards to the ministers who supported Hikaru, he was left with a surplus of 15 million.

But what astonished Naruto even more were the granaries hidden within the ministers’ estates.

The sheer quantity of grain they had hoarded was enough to feed all the people of Shin-Konoha for an entire year—even if they ate to their heart’s content without worry.

For someone who had been plagued by concerns over money and food, this discovery was like a dream come true.

"Ha-ha-ha!" Naruto giggled as he hugged a pile of money, his face glowing with joy.

"I’m rich! I’m finally rich!"

Uzumaki Chito observed Naruto’s antics with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

"Yes, yes, you’re rich," Chito said with a smirk. "But, if you think about it, you’ve actually lost a lot more than you gained."

Naruto froze mid-laugh, confusion etched across his face.

"Lost?" he repeated. "How could I have lost? I don’t get it!"

Seeing Naruto’s bewildered expression, Chito chuckled and explained, "You’ve forgotten about what you did in the Land of Lightning."

Chito’s tone grew more pointed. "You killed their Daimyo but ignored their ministers."

He continued, "The Land of Lightning is the most industrialized nation. While its commoners may not be as prosperous as those in the Land of Fire, its daimyos, nobles, and merchants are just as wealthy, if not wealthier."

Pausing for effect, Chito added, "From that perspective, you’ve likely lost over 100 million ryo."

Naruto’s face turned ashen. He stood there, slack-jawed, as if the weight of Chito’s words had physically hit him.

Then, after a long silence, he let out a wail of despair, clutching his chest dramatically.

"My heart hurts!" he cried.

Chito laughed heartily at Naruto’s theatrics. Stepping into the void, he began to vanish from sight. His voice echoed back as he disappeared.

"Naruto, I’ve set everything in motion for you. The rest is up to you."

"Don’t neglect Konoha. Handle things carefully."

"And don’t let me leave only to have you beaten so badly by Konoha’s people that you come crawling back for help!"

Naruto straightened up, a flash of determination in his eyes. He shouted into the empty air, "Don’t worry, Grandpa! I won’t let you down this time!"

Thirty miles from the Land of Fire’s capital, in a hidden cave, several Konoha ANBU operatives lingered in silence.

The Land of Fire’s Daimyo, unconscious from a ninjutsu attack, lay on a clean bed in the corner.

Half a day had passed when one of the ANBU finally broke the silence. His voice was low and muffled.

"Shin," he said, addressing one of his comrades. "Our spies hasn’t sent word in so long. Something must have happened."

His words echoed through the cavern, the sound bouncing off the walls.

No one responded. The heavy silence was not from indifference, but fear.

Every ANBU present knew the terrifying possibility they might face: Uzumaki Chito.

A legend who could transcend life and death, Chito was a being of unparalleled power.

These operatives had witnessed his abilities firsthand during the Third Hokage’s encounter with Orochimaru. Chito had resurrected the fallen Hokage only to trap him in a small stone, allowing him out for only an hour or two each day.

The thought of such a fate—a punishment far worse than death—hung heavy in their minds. They had watched the once-proud Third Hokage become a broken shell, cowardly and despicable, under the weight of Chito’s cruel imprisonment.

The memory filled them with a deep sense of dread.

If a Hokage could be reduced to such a state, what hope did they have?

The cavern returned to its oppressive silence, each operative consumed by their own fears.

Then, a sudden psychic fluctuation broke the stillness.

Recognizing the familiar mental link of the Yamanaka clan, one of the ANBU lowered his guard and allowed the message to enter his mind.

"The mission has failed," the message began.

"Naruto Uzumaki has established the Daimyo’s son, Hikaru, as the new ruler in the capital of the Land of Fire. He has also publicly accused Konoha of kidnapping the previous Daimyo."

"You must bring the Daimyo back to Konoha immediately to refute these claims."

Relief washed over the ANBU upon hearing the news.

At least we don’t have to face Uzumaki Chito.

But their relief was short-lived, replaced by confusion.

One of the operatives murmured, "I’ve dealt with many nobles in the past. Most of them are so arrogant they can barely walk without wheezing. How could they possibly support a ninja like Naruto in appointing a new Daimyo?"

Chapter 120

After hearing the explanation, the Yamanaka clan member transmitting the information fell silent for a long time. Finally, in a tone of disbelief, he said to the minds of the Konoha ANBU operatives:

"They had to agree, because anyone who didn’t was killed by Uzumaki Chito."

He continued, his mental voice tinged with unease, "And those who chose to support were rewarded handsomely by Uzumaki Chito."

"Now, all the remaining ministers in the Land of Fire are supporters of the new Daimyo."

"That’s why the Third Hokage and Nara Shikaku are so desperate for you to return with the Daimyo."

The Konoha ANBU were stunned.

They hadn’t expected such a ruthless and decisive outcome.

"Killing everyone who disagrees... it’s so cold and calculated," one of them murmured to himself. "But those were nobles!"

The concept of nobles had always held an almost divine status in the minds of the ANBU. Though these aristocrats lacked strength, their titles and wealth gave them an untouchable aura.

In their eyes, nobles seemed born to possess everything, with even the Hokage requiring their approval to take office.

But Uzumaki Chito had ripped away that façade with ruthless efficiency, exposing the ugliness beneath.

The ANBU glanced at the unconscious Daimyo of the Land of Fire lying on a clean bed in the cave. Despite being taken prisoner, they had treated him with utmost care, providing clean accommodations and tending to his needs out of respect.

Now, seeing the reality, one of the ANBU couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly.

"So this is the Daimyo..." he muttered, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Without another word, the team lifted the unconscious Daimyo and set off at a breakneck pace toward Konoha.

After pushing themselves to their physical limits, the ANBU finally arrived in Konoha. Handing the Daimyo over to the Hokage Guard, they vanished into the shadows of the Hokage Building.

The Land of Fire Daimyo, still groggy from the effects of ninjutsu and exhaustion, had been unconscious for an entire day. Lying in a clean bed, he coughed incessantly, having caught a cold from the rough transport.

After a particularly harsh coughing fit, he opened his eyes groggily, his gaze settling on the unfamiliar ceiling. Blinking in confusion, he looked around and mumbled, "Where am I?"

His wandering eyes soon landed on three figures: Jiraiya, Nara Shikaku, and the spirit form of the Third Hokage.

"Hokage?" the Daimyo exclaimed, his confusion giving way to a semblance of composure.

Emboldened by their presence, he straightened himself as much as his bloated frame allowed and barked imperiously, "How dare you treat me like this! Do you know who I am?"

"And this is Konoha! Why haven’t you sent me back to the capital yet?"

Jiraiya, known for his patience, felt his restraint slipping. Years of enduring Tsunade’s devastating punches had honed his tolerance, but the Daimyo’s arrogant words pushed him to the brink.

If not for Nara Shikaku’s calming presence and the Third Hokage’s subtle cues, Jiraiya might have let his anger boil over.

Even so, he couldn’t resist a biting remark, his tone dripping with sarcasm:

"Heh, forgive us, Daimyo, but Konoha doesn’t have the luxuries you’re used to."

"As for why you haven’t been sent back to the capital..." Jiraiya smirked, his eyes narrowing. "It’s because the Land of Fire already has a new Daimyo."

The Daimyo’s eyes widened in shock, disbelief etched across his face. "A new Daimyo?"

"That’s impossible!" he sputtered. "Who could possibly replace me?"

He straightened further, his voice rising in indignation. "I killed all my brothers to secure this position! There’s no one left in the Land of Fire who can take my place!"

His revelation sent a wave of shock through the room.

Even Jiraiya, a seasoned warrior who had witnessed countless atrocities, felt a chill run down his spine. He had always assumed the stories of the Daimyo family’s trageduies were just that—stories. But now, hearing the truth from the Daimyo himself was horrifying.

He killed his own brothers...

The sheer ruthlessness of the act left Jiraiya momentarily speechless. Despite his experience on blood-soaked battlefields, the callousness of fratricide struck a nerve.

For a brief moment, fear flickered in Jiraiya’s eyes—fear not of the Daimyo’s power, but of the depths of his cruelty.