If one were to actually look at the power of the Five Kages and compare them to the rest of the nobles and samurai in their respective Daimyo's court where might you think they would land? No doubt many would expect the strongest ninja in the Hidden Village to be a Noble but this is not a case. Far from it in fact as the Hidden Village only exists due to the income given to them by their Daimyo while the proceeds from every mission would be sent to the Capital.
This is due to the fact that the Kage position ranks the same as that of a Samurai and this means not even the Hokage could judge their citizens. Instead they can only punish their own shinobi and all civilians must be judged by a Lord instead. In fact the title of Lord Hokage itself is merely a formality as the truth is in court every Noble knows where the ninja villages stand. Every Hidden Village serves as a deterrent against other countries, hence the need to show up their strengths as it were with the Chunin Exams and the like.
It's a way for each country to show off the strength and skills of their ninja without wasting actual soldiers loyal to the Daimyo. For when it comes right down to it ninjas are nothing more than mercenaries hiring their services out to the highest bidder. As such every Kage must be approved by their respected Daimyo least they overstep their authority.
This is shown in the Village Hidden in the Sand when the Third Kazekage went missing and the Suna Council in turn overstepped their authority and elected their new Kage without the authority or approval of the Wind Daimyo. A fact that did not please the Daimyo or the Royal Court, hence the reason for Suna's financial cut and of course the missions being sent to Konoha instead. For it serves as a reminder for the Hidden Ninja Villages to never step over their authority and the simple fact is even Konoha would quickly fall should their Daimyo choose to allow it.
Which is why when a Daimyo is prepared to step down for their son and heir the Hidden Ninja Village quickly summon their finest female ninja for a trip to the capital in order to woo their new Daimyo as it were.
The sad truth is this has happened many times before with the Hidden Leaf Village sending the Fourth Hokage's wife last time along with the mother of Sasuke Uchiha, and many others as well. All in order to keep favor with the new Daimyo as everyone knows shinobi are capable of things not even the finest courtesans could accomplish. In fact when the Fourth Hokage was to be chosen they needed the approval of the Daimyo instead and this was no easy feat as the Fire Daimyo was intent on appointing Orochimaru instead.
At least until Kushina Uzumaki was informed and gave the Daimyo a night he would never forget.
Now it appears time must repeat itself but the only question is which Era will we choose? Which country as there are many? But most importantly who will we follow?
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