Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 195 Politics Always Compromises with the Living

The hidden team sealed off the scene and cleaned up any traces.

Kushina left, arm in arm with Sousuke.

Her body was still trembling slightly. It was the exhaustion after extreme anger, the emptiness after avenging a great grudge, and—a sense of helplessness.

"Mr. Sosuke————"

Kushina's voice was a little hoarse.

"If—the Hokage were to investigate—"

He won't pursue the matter.

Sosuke interrupted her.

"Danzo is dead. Although it is painful for Hiruzen, it also means one less troublesome person who could get out of control at any time."

"Besides, the dead have no value. But I, you, and the Uchiha—we are the value of the living."

"That's how politics is; it always compromises with the living."

Kushina didn't understand these intricacies.

But she believed him.

"Go home."

Sosuke led her through the rain and back to the detached villa in the center of Konoha.

"Click".

The door lock is engaged.

The room was dark, with a few embers still burning in the fireplace, emitting a faint red glow.

"I'm back."

Sosuke said softly.

He released Kushina's arm.

Only then did Kushina seem to suddenly lose her support, her body slumping against the shoe cabinet.

Her red hair was soaked, clinging tightly to her cheeks, and still dripping water.

She was somewhat dazed, somewhat empty, and somewhat lost.

"careful."

Sosuke firmly supported her shoulders. His hands were warm.

"Go take a shower."

Sosuke picked up the slippers and placed them beside her feet.

"First, get rid of the chill in your body."

Kushina nodded mechanically.

The sound of water came from the bathroom.

Sosuke took off his black trench coat and hung it on the hanger. Then he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and went into the kitchen.

For him, killing Danzo did not mean the end.

That was just getting rid of one piece of trash. Life goes on, and life is made up of countless trivial details.

For example, we need a bowl of ginger soup now.

He sliced ​​some ginger, smashed it, and threw it into the pot. He added water and sugar.

-

As the flames licked at the pot, bubbles rose and simmered, filling the room with a spicy and sweet aroma.

This flavor can bring peace of mind.

Sosuke leaned against the kitchen counter, staring blankly at the flames.

He was reviewing the situation.

Tonight's operation was risky, but the rewards were enormous.

With Danzo dead, Root was leaderless. A huge power vacuum emerged in the shadows of Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi has grown old, and his compromises mean he has lost the power to control everything.

This is Sosuke's chance.

"Next————"

"Click".

The bathroom door opened, interrupting Sosuke's thoughts.

Kushina came out.

She was wearing a white bathrobe, her hair wrapped in a towel. Her face was flushed pink from the steam.

She stood barefoot on the floor, somewhat awkwardly in the kitchen doorway, watching Sosuke stir the ginger soup.

This scene is so similar.

Back when Minato was still around, he would also be busy in the kitchen.

My eyes felt hot again.

"Are you done washing?"

Sosuke turned around and ladled out a bowl of ginger soup.

"Drink it while it's hot. It'll warm you up."

He handed the bowl over.

Kushina accepted the bowl with both hands. The warmth of the porcelain bowl spread throughout her body from her palms.

"Thanks----"

She sipped it slowly.

It's very spicy and very hot, but it leaves a warm feeling in your stomach after swallowing.

"Mr. Sosuke."

Kushina put down her bowl and looked down at her toes.

"Thank you—if you hadn't stopped me—I might really have never turned back."

If she really killed Danzo today.

Now, she will face an encirclement and suppression by the entire Hidden Leaf Village.

She would become a rogue ninja, be imprisoned in a dungeon, or even be executed. The Nine-Tails would be extracted and sealed into someone else's body.

It was this man who pulled her back from the edge of the cliff. And he took the blame for her murder.

"I'm always like this—impulsive, easily angered, and a troublemaker for others."

Sosuke looked at her.

This woman, known as "Bloody Red Pepper," is actually more fragile than anyone else inside.

She carried too much on her shoulders: the destruction of her nation and family, the strongest tailed beast sealed within her, and the death of her lover.

"Kushina."

Sosuke walked over and gently pressed her head down.

He placed his palm on the top of her head, as if comforting a child.

"Anger is not wrong. It's abnormal to remain calm when facing an enemy."

"You did nothing wrong. It's perfectly reasonable for you to want revenge."

"As for getting out of control—"

Sousuke smiled.

"Isn't the reason people need companions so that when things get out of control, someone can lend a helping hand?"

Kushina raised her head and stared at Sousuke's single eye.

That eye was full of rationality and tolerance.

This rational acceptance made her feel more at ease than emotional comfort. It meant that her existence was valuable and needed, not a burden.

"Just a companion, huh? —"

Kushina sniffed, managing a weak smile.

"How dishonest of you, Mr. Sosuke!"

Sosuke smiled and withdrew his hand.

"Sit down. Your hair isn't dry yet."

Kushina sat obediently on the sofa.

Sosuke took the towel from her head and stood behind her.

"It might hurt a little, because I have a strong grip."

"It's okay."

Sosuke helped her dry her hair.

His movements were not gentle, but they were swift.

His long red hair weaved through his fingers.

This hair is beautiful. It looks like it's alive.

"Mr. Sosuke."

"Um?

'

"Danzo is dead—what will happen to the village?"

Kushina was still somewhat worried. After all, he was the second most important person in Konoha.

"The sky won't fall."

Sosuke said calmly.

"The sun will rise as usual tomorrow. Everyone will eat as usual and do their tasks as usual."

"To ordinary villagers, Danzo is just a name. But for ninjas, it's a good thing that there's one less person stabbing them in the back."

"As for the higher-ups—"

"They'll be busy dealing with the aftermath, and besides, it's wartime, they won't have time to bother us."

"Moreover, we are the victims now."

"You are a helpless woman forced into this situation, while I am a righteous businessman who stood up for justice. Public opinion is on our side."

"A righteous merchant?"

Kushina couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"You really dare to say that."

"That's just a persona."

Sousuke also smiled.

My hair was half-dry.

Sosuke put down the towel.

"Okay, your hair's dry. Go to sleep."

"Are you leaving?"

Kushina asked softly.

Sosuke glanced out the window. The rain was still falling, showing no sign of stopping.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to stay the night. After all, Konoha's going to be chaotic tonight. I don't want to go out and cause trouble."

Kushina breathed a sigh of relief.

She gave a faint smile.

"The blankets in the guest room were freshly aired and very warm."

Goodnight, Kushina.

"Good night, Sousuke."

Sosuke went into the guest room and closed the door.

But he didn't sleep. He picked up the train of thought he had just been having.

Danzo is dead.

"But the legacy he left behind—"

"We can't let Hiruzen Sarutobi take it all back. Since I've put in the effort, I should get a share of the spoils."

Deep underground in Konoha.

This is the headquarters of the Roots. Dark, damp, and like a maze.

This place is usually heavily guarded, but today it's eerily silent. Because the master is dead.

The Root ninjas were thrown into chaos. They lost their minds, their commands. Brainwashed, they were like puppets with broken strings when no orders were given.

"Da, da, da."

Footsteps echoed in the empty corridor.

Two figures approached.

The man in front of me, dressed in a black kimono and wearing an eye patch, is Sousuke.

Orochimaru followed behind him.

"The air quality at Root's base is still so bad. No wonder that old man Danzo is so twisted."

Sosuke looked around.

"Hehehe————"

Orochimaru let out his signature laugh.

"Sousuke-kun, you're here early. Looks like you're trying to pick out all the good stuff before the old man does?"

"Of course. I killed people, so I have to take the spoils."

"Besides, if these things stay in Hiruzen's hands, they'll just end up gathering dust in a warehouse. What a waste."

They arrived at a huge iron gate.

This is the core archives of the root.

Four elite members of the Root stood at the entrance. They wore masks, held weapons, and blocked the way.

"Halt. This is forbidden territory."

Even after Danzo's death, they faithfully carried out his final orders.

Sousuke turned to look at Orochimaru.

"Lord Orochimaru, I'm leaving you with this."

"It's nothing."

Orochimaru licked his lips.

A purple light flashed in his eyes, and an immense killing intent erupted instantly.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hand"

Several giant pythons instantly coiled around and strangled the four people, leaving them no chance to resist.

Faced with the three legendary Sannin, the Root ninjas, having lost their command structure, were utterly vulnerable.

Orochimaru pushed open the iron gate.

Inside were densely packed roll racks.

That was a collection of incriminating material, secrets, and intelligence from various countries that Danzo had gathered over decades.

"Pick whatever you like."

Orochimaru waved casually, as if this were his home.

"I'm not interested in this political garbage. I only want the experimental data."

He walked to the innermost compartment. There, research materials on Hashirama cells and the Sharingan were stored.

Sosuke then walked to the other side.

His goal was very clear.

A list of personnel. And asset accounts.

He picked up a scroll and quickly scanned it.

Map showing the distribution of outposts in the eastern part of the Land of Fire.

List of underground black market trading channels

Records of bribery by nobles in various countries

"really."

Sosuke's lips curled into a smile.

"That rat Danzo has hoarded quite a few good things."

These intelligence networks and illicit channels are intangible assets. With these, the Takaya Trading Company can extend its reach further, even infiltrating the inner workings of the Daimyo's domain.

He quickly pocketed these core reels.

A very fruitful harvest.

the next day.

Sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the leaves.

The bloodstains on the street had been washed away by the rain.

The official report on last night's battle came out quickly.

A black-and-white obituary was posted on the notice board in front of the Hokage Building.

[Deepest condolences: Shimura Danzo, an elder of Konoha and former advisor to the Hokage, was attacked last night by an S-class enemy spy while transporting strategic supplies. Lord Danzo sacrificed himself to protect the village's secrets, perishing alongside the enemy.]

Below is a long list of official praise.

The Uchiha clan was not mentioned, nor was Takaya Sousuke, nor was the large-scale private fight. Everything was covered up under the perfect scapegoat: "enemy country spy."

In front of the notice board, the villagers pointed and talked, their expressions varying.

Most of the ninjas kept it to themselves. Everyone knew Danzo was on trial yesterday; how could he possibly be delivering supplies in the middle of the night?

But no one pointed it out. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The "Darkness of the Ninja" that had loomed over Konoha like a shadow has finally disappeared.

The Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked out the window. He hadn't slept all night and looked even older.

"Hiruzen, is this really the end of it?"

Xiaochun, who was turning over a new room, stood to the side, her tone angry.

"Danzo is dead! He was openly murdered by that merchant! This is a trampling of the authority of the higher-ups! If we don't punish Takaya Sousuke, who will respect the village's rules in the future?"

"punish?"

Hiruzen smiled bitterly.

"What reason? To murder the village elder?"

"What about Danzo's betrayal of Minato and the Uchiha clan? If there's a public trial, Konoha's credibility will be completely destroyed."

"and----"

Hiruzen threw the latest supply list on the table.

"Take a look at this."

"This morning, the Takaya Trading Company donated a batch of medical equipment worth 20 million taels to the village, as well as enough specially made ration pills for the front line to use for a month."

Mitokado Yan remained silent.

Sosuke killed someone, but he gave money, supplies, and face. He silenced the higher-ups with huge profits.

"This is reality."

Hiruzen sighed and sat back down in his chair.

"Danzo is a thing of the past. The current Konoha cannot do without Takaya Sousuke."

"Pass down the order."

Hiruzen's voice became authoritative.

"Danzo's funeral was held with the highest honors."

"In addition, Special Jonin Takaya Sousuke has been appointed as the Strategic Resources Coordination Advisor for Konoha."

"Although he has no real power, he is equivalent to a Jonin class leader."

That's politics. The dead have no value. Only the living and wealthy are allies.

Moreover, Sosuke now has money and a private army, and is fully qualified to obtain the corresponding political status.

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