Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 206 The Connection with the Divine Tree, Departure to Daming Prefecture

"very good."

Sousuke signaled to Chiba to prepare.

"You don't need to do it in stages like I did."

"You already possess the power of Kaguya and Senju, and your physical foundation is already strong enough."

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"We will administer the injection intravenously directly."

Chiba skillfully drew the medicine into the syringe. The needle pierced a vein in Hyuga Katsu's thick arm, and the red inducing factor was injected into his body.

Hyuga Katsu's muscles tensed instantly.

He felt it; a surge of life force was flowing into his body.

His vitality was originally strong, a life force brought about by Hashirama cells. But this vitality was built on the foundation of overdrawing his lifespan.

Kaguya and the power of the Senju, though powerful, would more or less drain his life force.

Now, the Vortex Clan's genes are rapidly replenishing the depleted life force.

Furthermore, it begins to build new cycles within the meridian system.

"Gulp, gulp—"

Hyuga Masaru's heartbeat was slow and powerful, like a war drum.

With each pulsation, a large amount of high-quality chakra is pumped out.

In Sousuke's snake-eye vision, the amount of chakra within Hyuga Katsura's body was increasing at an alarming rate.

One time — two times — three times!

In the end, the chakra was so immense that it almost overflowed from his body, forming a layer of blue flames around him.

"This feeling—"

Hyuga Katsu clenched his fist.

There was no pain, only an unprecedented sense of fulfillment. He felt as if a tailed beast had been stuffed into his body.

"It's not over yet."

Sousuke reminded.

"Try to perceive."

"Use your white eye to perceive."

Hyuga Katsumi activated his Byakugan as instructed.

In that instant, the lights in the laboratory seemed to dim.

Those white eyes were so pure, they seemed to reflect the entire universe.

My horizons have broadened.

Hyuga Masaru was stunned.

In his field of vision, the air was filled with countless tiny, mycelium-like threads.

These threads are everywhere, penetrating walls and rocks. They connect every creature that possesses chakra.

He looked at Chiba.

Hundreds of these fine threads were wrapped around Chiba's body. They extended from Chiba's chakra points, drifted into the void, and went to an unknown place.

He then looked at Sosuke.

Sosuke has more and thicker lines on his body, but unlike Sosuke, he doesn't have these lines in his left eye.

"What...what is this...?"

Hyuga was terrified.

The visual impact is too strong.

What exactly are these lines?

"What's wrong? What did you see?"

Sousuke noticed Hyuga Masaru's unusual behavior.

"Lines — many lines —"

Tell me the specific details.

Hyuga Katsu described what he had seen.

Sosuke's pupils contracted slightly.

He probably guessed it.

This connection might be related to the Divine Tree. The ninjas' chakra extraction is, in effect, a connection to the Divine Tree.

"Turn it off."

Sosuke decisively gave the order.

"You're not used to this perspective yet; you need time to adapt."

Hyuga Katsu quickly shut down his Byakugan.

The world returned to normal. Those mycelial threads were gone.

But he was already drenched in cold sweat.

"Is that... the truth of the world?"

Hyuga Katsu looked at his hands.

He vaguely realized that all of this seemed to be related to the nature of chakra—

Forget about it.

Sosuke handed him a towel.

"That is the realm of gods. We are merely mortals now. We cannot yet grasp the truth of this world."

The next morning. Third-floor study.

Rena Yamashiro had already arrived.

"Splash!"

She turned the pages of documents, her pen circling the data.

This is the scene that greeted Sosuke when he pushed open the door.

This woman was like a precise machine, tireless and devoid of superfluous emotions. Since her brother's medical supplies were secured, she had devoted all her energy to this job, meticulously organizing the complex accounts of the Takaya Trading Company.

"Good morning, Takaya-sama."

Upon hearing footsteps, Rena immediately put down her pen, stood up, and bowed slightly.

"morning."

Sosuke walked behind the desk and sat down, taking a glass of warm water from Rena.

"Any special plans for today?"

"The routine allocation of supplies was checked last night. The production capacity of the Uchiha factory's No. 3 production line has decreased by 5% due to mold wear and tear, and I have approved the replacement funds."

Rena's voice was cool and clear.

"In addition, the latest report on the Tea Country route shows that profits are 12% higher than expected. The main reason is that the Land of Lightning has increased its purchases of antidotes—it seems that the gas war on the front lines is very intense."

"very good."

Sosuke took a sip of water.

This is what he admires about Rena. Without him having to worry, she can understand the cruelty of the battlefield from the data and quickly turn it into profits for the business guild.

"However, there is something urgent."

Rena pulled out a letter.

It was a deep red envelope, sealed with the Flame Emblem of the Land of Fire, and sealed with gold lacquer.

"This was delivered from Daming Prefecture this morning."

Reina handed the letter to Sousuke with both hands.

Sosuke took the envelope. It felt heavy, and the paper was a special kind of silk paper.

Tear open the seal and pull out the letter.

The content inside is very brief.

To Konoha Village:

I am greatly relieved to hear that the fighting at the front has eased somewhat. However, the national treasury is empty and military expenses are enormous, which deeply worries me. I have specially invited our supplies advisor, Takaya Sōsuke, to come to Daimyo Prefecture in seven days to discuss next year's financial allocation and—the grand plan for the village's future.

Sosuke's gaze lingered on the last sentence, "The grand plan for the future of the village."

"Besides me, who else received an invitation?"

"The Third Hokage, the two advisors, and Nara Shikaku, the leader of the Jonin class."

Sosuke put down the letter and smiled.

"It's finally here."

"The next Hokage candidate."

Rena's body stiffened abruptly.

"Lord Takaya, this topic is beyond my authority. Please do not continue this discussion."

She was a graduate of the intelligence analysis program and was an informant planted by the advisor. She knew very well what could be heard and what could not be discussed.

"There are only the two of us here."

"7

Sosuke didn't care about her wariness.

"Besides, you're a smart man. You should be able to see that Lord Hiruzen is already at his limit. The Daimyo wants a new Hokage to end this war quickly."

Rena fell silent.

She thought of her younger brother. If the war had ended sooner—perhaps her brother wouldn't have ended up like that.

Whom would you like to recommend?

Rena asked the question almost without thinking. She immediately regretted it; it violated the Watcher's code.

"What do you think?" Sosuke asked in return.

Rena analyzed the situation rationally.

"Lord Jiraiya's whereabouts are uncertain, and he has no interest in politics. Lady Tsunade is still in the village, but she recently announced that she will serve as an advisor to Konoha, clearly showing she has no interest in the Hokage position. The rest—"

"Only Sakumo-sama and Orochimaru-sama."

Sousuke nodded.

"That's right. So who do you think I would choose?" Sousuke continued.

"It's obvious you'll choose Lord Orochimaru. Lord Sakumo is an upright man, and once he becomes Hokage, he'll undoubtedly clean up the gray areas of Konoha. That might not be in your best interest."

"A truly perfect analysis."

Sosuke gave her an appreciative look.

"Rena, you're smarter than I thought."

"Get ready."

"You're coming with me to Daming Prefecture this time."

Daming Prefecture was the political center, a huge arena of fame and fortune. He needed an assistant who could remember all the important figures and their backgrounds to accompany him, in order to ensure that nothing went wrong.

"I?"

Rena was taken aback.

"Lord Takaya, my duties are to assist you with resource allocation and taxation, not fieldwork. The advisor will not agree to that."

Sousuke smiled.

"You are my assistant, and I define your responsibilities. I'm taking you along, not asking for your opinion."

"As for applying to go out, you can handle that yourself. I'll allow you to use my name. If you can't even do this much, I'll have the village assign me another assistant, and you won't need to come anymore."

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"----I see."

Rena gave in. Sousuke had given her brother extremely expensive drugs, so correspondingly, she should obey even slightly disobeying orders.

"I will follow your instructions. I will go and complete the necessary travel procedures immediately—"

The next day, at the gates of Konoha.

The Takaya Trading Company's convoy is assembling.

In comparison, the Konoha official delegation gathered next to them, consisting of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, Shikaku Nara, and several ANBU squads, looked rather shabby.

It's not that the Hokage's crew was poor, but rather that the habits of ninjas made them maintain a low profile and simplicity even when traveling.

But the Takaya Trading Company's convoy was practically flaunting their wealth.

Three enormous carriages, pulled by white horses, had carriages made of fine mahogany with exquisite carvings and silk curtains.

Especially the main vehicle in the middle, whose wheels were even wrapped in shock-absorbing rubber, and whose outer walls were inlaid with chakra metal plates to prevent spying and defend against ninjutsu.

This is a mobile fortress.

"Sousuke—are you going to war or to a parade?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, pipe in mouth, stared at the luxurious carriage, his lips twitching. He wore a sacred robe and a straw hat, looking like a simple old farmer.

"Lord Hokage, this is a business image."

Sousuke was wearing a black haori.

He smiled and walked up to Hiruzen, bowing in greeting.

"If you dress too poorly when you go to see the daimyo, those nobles will look down on you. This is related to next year's funding."

"Hmph, what a fallacy."

Xiaochun, who had just turned to her room, snorted coldly.

"Ninjas don't need to rely on their appearance to earn respect."

"Times have changed, Advisor."

Sosuke wasn't angry and made a "please" gesture.

"It's a long way, how about the adults ride in my car? I have chilled plum juice and the latest newspaper in my car."

Hiruzen glanced at his own hard wooden carriage, then at Sosuke's luxurious and comfortable ride.

"cough----"

Hiruzen cleared his throat.

"Since it's Sousuke's idea, then let's go along with it. We can also discuss our strategy on the way."

""

Although Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu looked unwell, their bodies betrayed them as they followed the Hokage into the car.

After all, as people get older, who wouldn't want to be more comfortable?

The interior of the carriage.

There is a lot of space.

A thick carpet covered the room, with a coffee table in the center. On the coffee table were chilled fruits and snacks.

Ice basins were placed in the four corners, dispelling the early summer heat.

Hiruzen, the two advisors, Shikaku, and Sousuke sat around the coffee table.

Meanwhile, Yamashiro Rena knelt at a small table in the corner, holding a pen and notebook, ready to take notes at any time.

Her presence was minimal, like a cog in the machine.

"Is this what you enjoy every day?"

Shikaku picked up a grape, popped it into his mouth, and exclaimed.

"This is so decadent."

"Captain Shikaku, this is respect for life."

Sousuke poured Hiruzen a cup of tea.

"Alright, let's get down to business."

Hiruzen took a sip of tea, his expression turning serious.

"The reason for this summons by the Daimyo is ostensibly to discuss funding, but in reality, it is to determine the candidate for the Fourth Hokage."

"Now, only Sakumo Hatake and Orochimaru remain as candidates. It is said that the daimyo prefers Orochimaru."

At this point, Hiruzen glanced at Sousuke.

"Sousuke, I know you're close to Orochimaru. And what about the Daimyo—are you involved too?"

The atmosphere in the carriage froze instantly.

Rena paused for a moment while holding the pen.

Zongjie remained unfazed.

"Lord Hokage, I'm just a businessman."

"I do have collaborations with Lord Orochimaru, but they are limited to technology development and the medical field."

"As for your name—"

Sousuke smiled.

"Daimyo admire strength. Lord Orochimaru's performance on the battlefield is evident to all. Moreover—"

"What Konoha needs now is a strong leader. This is not only my opinion, but also the Daimyo's opinion, and even more so—the villagers' opinion."

"Are you implying that we old bones have become weak?" Mitokado asked in an unfriendly tone.

"I wouldn't dare."

Sosuke said calmly.

"I just feel that a new era requires new methods."

"Take the ninja tool style for example."

"In the past, ninjas relied more on their own strength. Now, we can kill enemies just as effectively, and more efficiently, using a vast number of ninja tools."

"The same applies to the position of Hokage."

"Perhaps we need a Hokage who is not so traditional."

Silence fell over the carriage.

This man actually dared to openly discuss his political ideas in front of the Third Hokage and his two advisors.

Moreover, what he said seemed to make a lot of sense.

These unconventional yet insightful remarks gave Rena, a conventional and elite woman, a strange sense of shock.

"A less traditional Naruto style, huh?

Hiruzen gazed at the fleeting scenery outside the window and muttered to himself.

He remembered Orochimaru's golden snake eyes.

Perhaps, Sosuke was right.

It has reached a very critical moment.

Konoha really needs a venomous snake to kill the lurking wolves.

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