Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 190 A Person with More Power Than the Hokage

Rena Yamashiro went back. Neatly organized documents were left on the table.

Sosuke stood by the window, not sleepy at all.

From Kaori's summons to Aburame Ryoma's disappearance, he hadn't forgotten any of it.

This series of events shows that Danzo did not stop after the destruction of the Black Iron Mine. On the contrary, that old dog became even more insidious, and began to use methods within the rules to slowly erode Sousuke's living space.

"Boss."

In the darkness, Kaori entered, carrying a cup of hot tea.

"Still worried about Danzo?"

"I'm not worried about him."

Sousuke took the tea.

"I'm thinking about Hiruzen Sarutobi."

"The Third Hokage?" Kaori asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Yes."

Sosuke's eyes were deep and unfathomable.

"Danzo was able to use the management department and arbitrarily transfer Anbu personnel because the Hokage tacitly approved it."

"In Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, I am a useful businessman, but also an unstable factor. So he needs Danzo, that vicious dog, to keep an eye on me, bite me from time to time, and test my bottom line."

"As long as this balance of light and shadow remains, I will always be in a passive position."

Sosuke took a sip of tea.

"To retaliate, simply bombing a few mines won't be enough. We must make them feel the pain—"

dong dong.

There was a knock on the door downstairs.

"At this time?" Kaori asked warily.

"It's the chief priest."

Sosuke saw the powerful Yin Release chakra through the snake's eyes.

"Let him come up."

Uchiha Sōji walked in.

The young clan chief looked rather grim. He held an official document in his hand.

"Mr. Sosuke."

The chief clerk slammed the official document on the table, suppressing his anger.

"The village has increased taxes again."

"Oh?" Sosuke picked up the official document.

[Notice on Adjustments to Special Military Supplies Tax During Wartime].

Due to the intense fighting on the front lines and the village's financial difficulties, the village requested a 20% increase in taxes on the ninja tools produced by the Uchiha Armory.

"This is outrageous!"

Zongsi gritted his teeth.

"We provide manpower, land, and technology. The village does nothing, yet takes away most of the profits."

"Besides, I've checked."

A cold glint flashed in Zongsi's eyes.

"This extra tax was nominally deposited into the village's public account. But in reality, a large portion was allocated to special war preparedness departments."

"That is, the root."

Sosuke fell silent.

This is the ecology of Konoha.

They work hard to earn money, and the higher-ups exploit them through the rules, then use their money to support the dog that bites them.

This is an endless loop.

As long as you're in Konoha, you must abide by Konoha's tax laws. Unless the Uchiha rebel. But that's a last resort.

"Mr. Sosuke, what should we do? Should we refuse to pay?"

"No, we can't break the rules. This money must be paid."

Sousuke put down the official document.

"But since we have to pay money anyway, we'll decide who gets the money."

"To whom should we entrust it?" Souji asked, puzzled. Only the Hokage Building in Konoha was authorized to collect taxes; who else could it be entrusted to?

"Of course it's—someone with more power than the Hokage!"

Konoha Village, main gate.

Today, the atmosphere in the village is somewhat unusual.

The streets were swept clean, and the flags of the Land of Fire were hung on both sides.

The Uchiha members of the security force were fully armed.

At the main gate, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, accompanied by two advisors, personally greeted them.

This level of hospitality only occurs when welcoming a daimyo, a few ministers, or a foreign lord.

"They're here."

Hiruzen, with a pipe dangling from his lips, gazed into the distance.

A luxurious motorcade slowly drove up.

Sixteen pure white horses pulled a huge, lacquered, gold-painted carriage. Around the carriage followed hundreds of fully armed warriors.

These warriors wore red armor, with katana at their waists, and exuded a menacing aura.

This is the personal guard of the daimyo of the Land of Fire.

The convoy stopped at the main gate of Konoha.

A middle-aged man stepped down from the carriage. He was dressed in a silk hunting robe and wore a tall hat.

Fujiwara Taizo.

The Minister of Finance of the Land of Fire, a confidant of the Daimyo, and the special envoy for this inspection.

"Lord Fujiwara, welcome to Konoha."

Hiruzen greeted them with a smile.

"Lord Hokage, it's been a long time since I last greeted you."

Fujiwara Daizo waved a folding fan, a professional smile on his face, his eyes holding a condescending scrutiny.

As the financier, he had a natural sense of superiority over these mercenary leaders.

"The daimyo is very concerned about the battle at the front. He specially sent me to express his condolences."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency."

Hiruzen stepped aside to lead the way.

"Please, a feast has been prepared in the village."

Fujiwara no Taizo did not rush to move.

His gaze swept across the welcoming crowd, as if searching for someone.

He didn't see the person he wanted to see, and he frowned slightly, but quickly looked away.

"Let's go."

The welcome banquet was held in the banquet hall of the Hokage Building.

Delicacies abound, and the atmosphere is one of peace and prosperity.

But this is just appearance.

After a few rounds of drinks, Fujiwara Daizo put down his wine glass.

"Lord Hokage."

His voice wasn't loud, but the banquet hall fell silent instantly.

"The daimyo is somewhat perplexed by the recent financial expenditures."

"Oh?" Hiruzen said calmly.

"While the battle reports from the front lines keep saying there are frequent victories, isn't the rate at which supplies are being consumed too quickly?"

Fujiwara Daizo produced a bill.

"Especially the wear and tear on ninja tools."

"Last month, Konoha used up 30,000 kunai and 10,000 explosive tags."

"This number is ten times that of the same period last year."

"Have ninjas these days forgotten how to use ninjutsu? All they can do is throw things?"

This is a form of skepticism; the Daimyo believes that Konoha is cheating the village out of its funding.

Hiruzen sighed.

He knew the reason, of course. It was a result of the popularity of ninja tool techniques. Although the casualty rate had decreased, the rate at which money was being burned was simply too fast.

"Lord Fujiwara, this is necessary for a tactical adjustment."

Hiruzen explained.

"Faced with a pincer attack from Kumogakure and Iwagakure, we must maintain suppressive firepower—"

"Tactical adjustments?"

Fujiwara Daizo gave a cold laugh.

"I don't care about tactics. I only look at the ledger."

"The money from the Daimyo's detached palace has already been transferred to you. If this continues, the Land of Fire's treasury will be empty."

"I'm here not only to offer my condolences, but also for an audit. I want to see for myself where all this money has gone."

The atmosphere became tense.

Just then, a voice came from the doorway.

"If Lord Fujiwara wants to see where the money went, why don't you come to my factory tomorrow?"

Everyone turned around.

Sosuke walked in.

He was dressed in a well-tailored suit, and the eye patch over his left eye was particularly noticeable. He bowed slightly.

"Takaya Sosuke?"

Fujiwara Daizo's eyes lit up.

Of course he knew the name.

The Takaya Trading Company is now the largest taxpayer in the Land of Fire and the controller of that mysterious new shipping route.

Before coming, the daimyo had privately instructed him to make sure he met this young man.

"Exactly."

Sosuke walked to the table and poured himself a glass of wine.

"Lord Fujiwara, the numbers in the ledger are cold and impersonal."

"But if you saw those deadly weapons coming off the production line, you would understand that all the money has been turned into steel to protect the Land of Fire."

"and----"

Sosuke smiled meaningfully.

"I have also prepared a special gift for the Daimyo. A gift that will give even samurai the power to fight against top-tier ninjas."

Fujiwara Daizo's pupils suddenly contracted.

A samurai versus a top-tier ninja?

This is something that a great lord has always dreamed of.

As is well known, ninjas possess a three-in-one attack method combining ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu. High-level ninjas also possess bloodline limits, space-time ninjutsu, sealing techniques, and wide-range attack methods like "Susanoo."

Samurai, on the other hand, have relatively simple attack methods, mainly focusing on swordsmanship.

They imbue their blades with chakra to enhance their lethality, or unleash chakra sword energy. While their single-target burst damage is extremely high, samurai often lack the means to counter wide-range ninjutsu or unpredictable genjutsu.

Therefore, while samurai can suppress ordinary chunin and genin with their speed and swordsmanship, they are almost powerless against top-tier ninjas with diverse skills.

Now, Sousuke is actually saying that he can enable samurai to fight against top-tier ninjas?

"it is good."

Fujiwara Daizo stood up, ignoring the Hokage's expression.

"I'll go visit your factory tomorrow."

the next day.

Uchiha Armory.

Security is tight here today. The Uchiha police force has cordoned off an area within a five-kilometer radius.

Accompanied by Sousuke and Soushi, Fujiwara Daizo entered the core testing ground.

"Is this it?"

Fujiwara Daizo saw a huge machine in the center of the field.

That was an improved version of the "City-Breaking Crossbow".

Its all-metal structure, with its complex gear sets meshing together, exudes a cold, mechanical beauty.

The crossbow bolts were as thick as spears, with specially made armor-piercing projectiles and a huge explosive tag wrapped around the bolt body.

"This is an improved version of the city-breaking crossbow."

Sousuke introduced.

"No chakra required. Any strong adult can operate it simply by turning the winch. Range: 800 meters."

"Let me demonstrate."

Sosuke waved his hand.

A strong worker stepped forward, turned the winch, and wound up the winding mechanism.

Aim.

Eight hundred meters away, there stood a stone wall a meter thick. It was made using earth magic.

"put!"

collapse! ! !

The tremendous vibration of the bowstring was like thunder.

The crossbow bolt transformed into a streak of black light, instantly traversing a distance of eight hundred meters.

Boom!!!

The earthen wall was directly penetrated.

Immediately afterwards, the detonator on the arrow was triggered by the impact.

The massive explosion pulverized the entire earthen wall.

Even a huge rock behind them was blasted apart.

Fujiwara Daizo's mouth dropped open, and the folding fan in his hand fell to the ground.

This power is comparable to an A-rank ninjutsu!

Moreover, it doesn't require hand seals or chakra; any ordinary person can operate it!

If a daimyo's samurai corps were equipped with a thousand of these crossbows—

What more ninjas do we need?!

"This—this thing—"

Fujiwara Taizo's voice trembled.

"Can you sell it?"

"certainly."

Sousuke smiled.

"This was specially developed for the Daming Prefecture."

"With this, the border of the Land of Fire will no longer need to rely entirely on Konoha for defense."

That statement is utterly devastating.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was standing to the side, had a slight change in expression.

He saw a dangerous sign in Sosuke's eyes.

The ninja villages are essentially the nation's military contractors. The appointment of the Hokage requires the approval of the Daimyo. Konoha's military budget primarily comes from appropriations from the Daimyo.

This is the so-called "one country, one village" system.

Legally and economically, the daimyo is the master of the country. At the same time, because ninjas possess extraordinary power, the daimyo cannot do without the support of the ninja villages.

Sosuke's actions are breaking the ninja village's monopoly on force and shaking the ninja village system!

"How much?!"

Fujiwara Daizo asked eagerly.

"It's quite expensive."

Sosuke gave a number.

"One unit, one million taels. Includes ten specially made crossbow bolts."

This is outright robbery.

But Fujiwara Taizo didn't even blink.

"Buy! Order two hundred units first!"

"The money will be deducted directly from the military budget allocated to Konoha!"

Hiruzen's eye twitched.

Good guy.

Using Konoha's funds to buy Sousuke's weapons to weaken Konoha?

That was a brilliant move.

But he couldn't object.

Because this is the daimyo's will. Moreover, this money ultimately flowed into Konoha's economic system—the Takaya Trading Company and the Uchiha clan—which is better than the daimyo using it to repair the palace.

"It's a pleasure working with you."

Sosuke and Fujiwara Taizo shake hands.

Sōji stood aside, his awe of Sōsuke deepening.

This man is not only using the Uchiha clan, but he is also manipulating the Daimyo and the Hokage.

After the visit.

Fujiwara no Taizo did not leave immediately.

He dismissed his entourage, leaving only Sosuke. The two entered a secret room.

"Mr. Sosuke."

Fujiwara Daizo dropped his arrogant bureaucratic demeanor, and his eyes became shrewd and sharp.

"Your Majesty asked me to pass on a message to you."

"Speaking."

"About that new air route."

Fujiwara Taizo lowered his voice.

"Daimyo knows it's your private property. But he doesn't mind."

"The lord hopes you can help him smuggle some smuggled goods."

"What personal agenda?"

"It's not goods."

Fujiwara Daizo pulled a list out of his pocket.

"It's a person."

"These people are either disloyal to the daimyo or know too much."

"The daimyo wishes they would disappear. Or be sent to a place they can never return to."

Sosuke looked at the list.

There are even the names of several nobles from the Land of Fire on it.

This is a political purge. The powerful figure is using others to do his dirty work.

Using the smuggling ships of the Takaya Trading Company, they disposed of these people without anyone noticing.

"Dirty work."

Sosuke smiled and put the list away.

"No problem. These people will disappear completely, as if they never existed."

He planned to send these people directly to Orochimaru, which was perfect timing, as Orochimaru's experimental subjects were being used up quite quickly recently.

"very good."

Fujiwara no Taizo pulled a scroll from his sleeve; it was a royal document with gold trim.

"Mr. Sosuke, I think the Daimyo will be very satisfied with you. However, your actions are quite bold. After I leave, you might be purged by the higher-ups of Konoha—"

"Therefore, I have prepared this for you in advance—the daimyo grants you permission to have a private armed force of no more than five hundred people."

Legalizing private armed forces!

This is what Sousuke wants most.

Previously, his bodyguards, gangsters, and wandering ninjas were all, in name only, illegal or skirting the law.

Now, with this document, they are officially recognized guards of the merchant guild by the daimyo. Even the Hokage would have to ask the daimyo's permission before he could touch them.

"Thank you, Lord Daizo."

Sosuke took the scroll and discreetly slipped a check to him.

"This is for the adults' tea money."

Fujiwara Daizo glanced at the numbers, and his smile widened.

"Of course, of course."

"By the way, Brother Sosuke."

Even the way Fujiwara Taizo was addressed changed.

"Since you have this research and development capability—I have one more small wish."

"What is your wish?"

"As you know, the daimyo is protected by the Twelve Guardian Ninjas and a samurai group, so he is safe and sound."

"We, as subjects, also hope to have some ability to protect ourselves. That city-breaking crossbow is good, but it's too big to carry around."

"Is there anything small enough to hide on your person that could save your life in a pinch?"