Usually, the Daimyos in Naruto have about as much presence as a cardboard cutout.
Aside from appearing in the Fourth Great Ninja War as five trembling old men, they're mostly just background decoration.
Maruichi Kyuu is the exception.
As the Fire Country Daimyo during the Boruto era, his presence is surprisingly significant.
Compared to his useless predecessors, Maruichi Kyuu can indeed be considered a "qualified" politician.
However, in the ninja world, being a "qualified politician" is practically useless.
Just look at Danzo.
During the Boruto era, Maruichi Kyuu succeeded his father and consistently branded himself as "The Best Friend of the Seventh Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto."
Just this point alone shows that this future Daimyo has some tricks up his sleeve.
He clearly understood how terrifying Naruto's combat power was at that time.
He also knew Naruto's personality perfectly—becoming his "most important person" (like Sasuke) was impossible, but becoming an "ordinary friend"? That couldn't be simpler.
How simple was it?
So simple that with his status, he only needed to say to Naruto, "Hey, let's be friends," and Naruto would basically say, "Okay, we're cool bro!"
That's right.
Naruto is essentially the male version of the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, Fuu.
He's way too trusting.
As for whether Maruichi Kyuu truly considered Naruto a friend? Obviously not.
He even deliberately concealed his own son's kidnapping incident just to use it as leverage to pressure Naruto, all to achieve his ultimate goal: "Cutting Konoha's funding."
That's right.
The classic "Budget Cut" jutsu was still the Daimyo's favorite weapon even in the Boruto era.
Naruto had no way to deal with this.
Faced with his "friend's" official business approach, Naruto could only sulk like a child, immaturely expressing his dissatisfaction by refusing to see Maruichi Kyuu off when he left the village.
He couldn't do anything else.
He was politically checkmated.
However, Maruichi Kyuu's method of "cutting funding" was much more sophisticated than the previous Wind Country Daimyo's blunt approach.
Maruichi Kyuu claimed he was cutting the ninja budget to allocate money to [Education], [Medical Care], as well as [Social Security], [Public Safety], and [Infrastructure].
It sounds wonderful on paper.
'Wow, Daimyo Maruichi Kyuu is such a saint!'
What Maruichi Kyuu is doing seems similar to the reforms Makoto implemented in the Earth, Water, and Wind Countries, right?
Wrong.
It's actually the complete opposite.
First of all, in a world where space aliens (Otsutsuki) exist and want to turn the planet into a raisin, cutting military funding is an utterly foolish suicide move.
Second, the reforms promoted by Makoto are centered on Ninjas as the core productive force.
Whereas Maruichi Kyuu's budget cuts are essentially an attempt to discard the ninja system entirely.
One achieves twice the result with half the effort; the other expends twice the effort for half the result.
Even if you want to promote education in math and science, aren't top-tier geniuses like Orochimaru and Amado still sitting right there in Konoha?
As for "Public Safety" and "Infrastructure"?
Those claims are even more absurd without ninjas to enforce and build them.
In short, this politician Maruichi Kyuu is spiritually identical to Danzo Shimura.
Both possess some political tactics and appear shrewd on the surface, but in reality, they're just performing "flashy moves with zero substance"—all style, no impact, resulting in entirely negative consequences for the world.
They claim to act for "the greater good," but in truth, it's all for themselves.
The Maruichi Kyuu from the Boruto era was like this, and the current Maruichi Kyuu in his twenties is no different.
Moreover, compared to the mature, sinister version of himself in the future, the current Maruichi is still inexperienced.
And it's precisely because Maruichi Kyuu resembles Danzo so much that Tobirama Senju—Danzo's own teacher—immediately saw through his petty schemes.
'He smells just like that little brat Danzo.'
After confirming that Maruichi Kyuu and the Daimyo's faction were birds of a feather, Tobirama Senju prepared some explosive tags, folded them into cute paper cranes, and sent them over.
However, Tobirama knew that not everyone could see through Maruichi Kyuu's true nature.
His previous speeches had earned him considerable popularity among the citizens.
So, Tobirama Senju thoughtfully helped forge a "Suicide Note" from Maruichi Kyuu.
The note stated:
I, Maruichi Kyuu, have witnessed the glorious reforms in other countries and feel deep remorse. I am fully aware of the corruption and filth within my own family's court.
To end this corrupt lineage, I have decided to emulate the hero Uchiha Itachi of Konoha by initiating a 'Night of the Massacre.'
Thus, I invited the mysterious ninja known as the 'Demolition Genius'—who previously wiped out the Earth Daimyo's family—to launch an attack on my own home.
But as the current Fire Country Daimyo's son, this act was both disloyal and unfilial.
Therefore, after completing this task, I have decided to commit suicide to atone for my sins.
From now on, all affairs of the Land of Fire will be managed by the Hokage.
I hope the people will support the Hokage, allowing my spirit to rest in peace.
May the sins I committed not be in vain.
After personally ensuring Maruichi Kyuu's "heartfelt suicide note" was disseminated to the press, Tobirama used the Flying Thunder God technique to pop back to Konoha.
He reported his actions to his elder brother and invited him to visit Tsunade together to drop the news.
Hashirama had been happily strolling through Konoha, enjoying the sights.
Zwoop.
Suddenly, his brother appeared via Flying Thunder God.
Hashirama grew alert and was about to ask, "Hey, where did you plant the Flying Thunder God mark on me this time?"
But his brother didn't give him time.
He directly told him that he had just slaughtered the entire Fire Country Royal Family and planned to centralize all political power under the Hokage.
"..."
Hashirama was completely stunned.
His brain short-circuited.
He remained in a daze, walking like a zombie, until they reached the hot spring inn's lobby, where he finally snapped out of it.
At that moment, Tsunade and Makoto had just walked out.
They had completed their experiment.
Tsunade had identified the precise Solar Natural Energy ratio required.
Even after deactivating the Strength of a Hundred Seal, when she tested it by slashing her own arm, it healed instantly.
This truly represented a return to an "innate state"—turning recovery into a passive ability like Wolverine.
Moreover, Tsunade could clearly sense that this regeneration didn't consume her lifespan or vitality.
Compared to this god-tier buff, the fact that she no longer needed to use the Yin Seal to maintain her youth became a minor side perk.
Tsunade walked out cheerfully, glowing with health.
"Oh? Grandpa! Second Grandpa! Hello! What brings you two here?" Tsunade greeted them happily.
"We came to inform you of something, Tsunade."
Tobirama stepped forward, his face stoic.
"The Fire Country Daimyo and his entire family have died tragically. Before his death, he entrusted all political authority of the Land of Fire to the Hokage. Therefore, your responsibilities will be significantly greater from now on. Congratulations."
"Ah? Alright then."
Tsunade was somewhat surprised by the "tragic death" of the Daimyo, but having just experienced a joyful breakthrough—and considering the Daimyo was just some rich guy not related to her anyway—she didn't feel particularly sad.
"Ah?! hiks hiks...!!!"
Suddenly, a heartbreaking wail echoed through the lobby.
Shizune, who was following behind Tsunade carrying the towels, felt as if she had been struck by lightning upon hearing the news.
She weakly fell to her knees, covering her face as she began to weep bitterly.
"Who is this?" Tobirama looked down at the crying woman.
"Does she have some familial relationship with the Daimyo's household?" Tobirama asked in genuine confusion.
'Why is Tsunade's little follower crying so bitterly over the Daimyo's death?'
(He didn't realize that Shizune was crying because she knew exactly who would have to do all the extra paperwork for ruling an entire country.)