Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 208 A Three-Way Deal Locks in Konoha's Upper Limit

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"

It was a heavy rock dragon, brimming with a massive amount of chakra, even drawing in the surrounding garden's landscape stones. Its head was ferocious as it lunged straight at the two people in the courtyard.

"There's no escaping it."

Rena made a decision instantly.

The earth dragon's coverage area is too large.

Sosuke stepped forward and quickly formed hand seals.

A sudden burst of silver light shone brightly from the palm of his right hand.

That's the physical luster produced by countless nano-sized silver powders rotating and rubbing at high speed in water.

"Water Release: Water Sand Cut!"

Sousuke waved.

A very fine silver line was cut out.

Zi—

A piercing noise.

The enormous rock dragon head had been neatly cut in two. The two halves slid off and crashed to the ground, sending shards of rock flying.

"What?!"

A startled gasp came from the shadows.

A bald man stepped out. He was burly, with bulging muscles, and a hideous scar running across his nose.

"You were able to cut through my earth dragon—well done."

"However, that's all for now."

He slammed his hands on the ground.

"Earth Release: Multiple Earth Flow Walls!"

Boom boom boom!

Three thick stone walls instantly rose from the ground, trapping Sosuke and Reina in the middle. This was to reduce their space to move around.

Rena clutched her injured arm.

"Lord Takaya is the Stone Demon of Iwagakure" — He is the Jonin captain of the Demolition Squad, specializing in Heavy Earth Release techniques.

As an intelligence agent, she recognized the face.

"A stone demon?"

Sosuke stood in the narrow circle of people, his expression grave.

"It seems that Onoki has devised some kind of plan to send a ninja of this caliber from Iwagakure to act as an assassin."

"Stop talking nonsense! Die!"

The Stone Golem gave them no chance to catch their breath.

"Earth Release·Earth Spear!"

His skin instantly turned dark brown, a result of the high-density hardening of chakra.

"Die!"

He charged at us.

"Master Takaya, be careful! Earth Release counters Water Release, your technique—" Reina warned urgently.

However, Sousuke still used Water Release.

"Water Release·Water Crush Wave."

A torrent of water rose from beneath his feet, sweeping up several broken swords and pebbles scattered on the ground, and crashing towards the stone demon.

"A trivial skill!"

The stone demon didn't dodge at all, letting the debris hit it without leaving a single white mark.

He rushed in front of Sosuke and aimed his iron fist straight for Sosuke's head.

"Go to hell!"

Sousuke smiled.

"Why do you Iwa ninja always prefer close combat?"

He loosely clenched his right hand.

The water flow didn't disperse; instead, it stuck to the stone demon.

In the flowing water, several yellow talismans glowed.

【Reverse Vortex - Golden Binding Talisman】.

hum!

The chakra within the Stone Demon's body instantly froze, and he found that his chakra had become uncontrollable.

"My body... I can't move..."

Those streams of water contained not only sealing talismans, but also—explosive talismans. They were densely packed all over his body.

At least thirty.

"Reina, stay away."

Sousuke and Reina jumped back.

"In your next life, remember not to engage in close combat with others casually."

"This is the second time I've said this to you."

Boom!!!

The flames engulfed the stone demon.

The explosion of thirty explosive tags would turn even someone made of iron into molten iron.

The battle was over, and the courtyard was a mess.

This powerful Earth Release Jonin was reduced to a pile of charred fragments.

Rena's eye twitched. She hadn't expected Sousuke to be this strong.

With that kind of destructive power, probably no one could survive.

"Go to the main house."

Sosuke did not delay.

After treating her wound, Rena quickly caught up.

They encountered no obstacles along the way.

Push open the main door of the house.

A strong, pungent smell of blood wafted over.

The banquet hall had become a scene of carnage. Screens collapsed, wine jugs shattered, and fine wine and blood flowed across the floor.

In the very center of the hall, a person lay sprawled.

Fujiwara Taizo.

The powerful finance minister was lying on the ground.

Three kunai were stuck in his back, and his fatal wound was on his neck, where a huge gash had been cut open with a sharp blade.

His eyes were still open, filled with fear and resentment.

Beside him lay the bodies of a dozen or so trusted warriors and several assassins dressed in black.

It seems that he fought a desperate battle before he died.

"He's dead."

Rena walked over, checked his breathing, and shook her head.

"The body was still warm. He had only recently died."

Sosuke walked to the body and looked down at his ally who had been calling him brother not long ago.

"What a pity, Lord Ōkura. Our business has only just begun."

"Lord Takaya, look at this."

Rena discovered a word written in blood under Fujiwara Daizo's finger.

The handwriting was very messy, and only half of it was written.

【guard----】

"guard?"

Rena frowned.

"Are you planning to write about the Guardian Shinobi?"

A piece of information flashed through Sousuke's mind in an instant.

The daimyo of the Land of Fire has an elite force called the "Twelve Guardian Ninjas".

Within this force, there are some radicals who want to stage a coup, establish a military regime centered on the Daimyo, and abolish the Hokage system.

They argued that since the Daimyo controlled the finances, why couldn't they control the military? Why should they be subject to the Hokage?

"It seems someone within the Daimyo's domain has also made a move. Have they joined forces with Iwagakure?"

Sosuke quickly guessed the truth.

"Fujiwara Taizo advocated controlling Konoha with money. And the person who killed him probably felt that Konoha was being given too much money."

three days later.

The council chamber of the "Tenshukaku".

The daimyo of the Land of Fire sat behind the curtain at the head of the table, waving a folding fan painted with flame patterns, his expression obscured.

-

The person sitting in the lower seat was an old man with a gaunt face and high cheekbones.

Minister of the Right, Kujō Kaneshige.

He succeeded the deceased Fujiwara no Taizo and temporarily took charge of the Daimyo's finances.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the first seat of the guest section, his expression solemn.

Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shikaku sat next to him. Sousuke sat at the very end.

"Lord Fujiwara's death is a loss to the nation."

Kujo Kanesuke spoke, his voice high-pitched.

"He was murdered by treacherous people, but this also shows that Konoha, responsible for protecting national security—"

Kujo Kanesane's gaze swept over Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"It seems they haven't fulfilled their responsibilities."

Hiruzen lowered his head and did not refute.

This is a political setback. The Finance Minister died right under the Hokage's nose. Although such an assassination was unavoidable and had nothing to do with Konoha, the Hokage has to take the blame.

"This is outrageous."

Kujo Kanesuke continued.

"The war at the front is dragging on and military expenditures are running out. Now, even the high-ranking officials of Daming Prefecture are not immune."

"We need to give the people an explanation."

"Therefore, the Daimyo Prefecture Council has decided—"

"Konoha's military budget for the next fiscal year will be cut by 30%."

Hiruzen's eyelid twitched.

%.

This is a number that would cripple Konoha. It means that some Chunin would have to be laid off, or mission rewards reduced, or even—the pensions cut.

"Minister of the Right, although the situation on the front lines is relatively stable, other countries are still eyeing us covetously. If we cut funding, our defenses will collapse."

"Lord Hokage, please understand the difficulties the country is facing."

"Kujo Kanesane said coldly."

"The unfortunate passing of Lord Fujiwara has revealed to us that the national treasury is terribly empty."

"The repair costs of the detached palace, the salaries of the nobles, and the disaster relief funds generated by the war in various places—we simply can't afford to give you that much money to throw explosive tags."

"If you want more funding, produce some impressive results."

The conference room was deathly silent.

Even Hiruzen couldn't guarantee what results he would achieve.

Sosuke sat to the side, observing coldly.

Budget cuts were an expected form of pressure.

This was originally a plan devised by him and Fujiwara Taizo to force Hiruzen to step down through economic pressure.

"Given the financial difficulties—"

Sosuke suddenly spoke up.

All eyes were on him.

"So, is it possible to end this protracted war of attrition by replacing it with a more driven and decisive leader?"

Sousuke looked directly at Kujo Kanemitsu.

"Lord Hokage has made great contributions, but he is getting on in years. In times of war, swift and decisive measures are needed. I propose that we take this opportunity to elect the Fourth Hokage."

"Lord Orochimaru has a distinguished military record and is a master of tactics. If he succeeds, he will surely be able to end the war quickly and save the daimyo a huge amount of military expenses."

This is what Sousuke wanted.

Push Orochimaru to the position. Once Orochimaru becomes Hokage, the amount of funding becomes irrelevant; the Takaya Trading Company can advance the funds and then recoup their investment through spoils of war and new technologies.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent. He tacitly accepted Sousuke's proposal. He was also tired, and if the daimyo agreed, he was willing to abdicate.

however.

"No."

Kujo Kenji resolutely refused.

Zongsuke was stunned.

Kujo Kanesane stood up and bowed deeply in the direction of the daimyo.

"Your Highness! Changing commanders during wartime is a grave taboo!"

"If we change the Hokage now, it will make the countries think that Konoha is unstable, thus launching a larger-scale attack."

"Furthermore, Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi is highly respected. Although he has made some mistakes recently, he remains the pillar of Konoha. I believe it is the safest course of action for the Third Hokage to continue leading Konoha."

Sosuke's pupils contracted slightly.

Not right.

Something's really wrong.

Logically, if the employer is dissatisfied with the mercenary's performance, the most direct reaction is to replace him.

Especially after Fujiwara no Taizo's death, the Daimyo's distrust of Konoha reached its peak. At this time, some people suggested replacing him with a stronger and more capable Hokage, and the Daimyo should have gone along with it.

Why—do we need to protect Japan?

If you're going to protect him, why cut Konoha's military budget?

Sousuke looked at the daimyo behind the curtain. This was different from what Fujiwara no Taizo had said. Hadn't he said that the daimyo had long wanted to elect the Fourth Hokage?

Da Ming didn't say much.

"Since you say so, my dear Kujo—then so be it."

A lazy voice came from the daiming.

"Hiruzen, you must do your best. Don't let me down."

"----yes."

Hiruzen lowered his head.

A complex emotion flickered in his eyes. There was relief at keeping his position, but also worry about budget cuts.

The meeting has ended.

The result was: budget cuts, but the Hokage remained in his post.

Konoha was placed under an even tighter shackle.

On the return journey in the carriage.

The atmosphere was somber.

Hikari and his two advisors were discussing in hushed tones how to deal with the budget cuts.

-

Sosuke was not involved.

He leaned back on the cushions and closed his eyes to rest.

In my mind, countless clues are rapidly connecting.

Fujiwara no Taizo's dying words written in blood: 【Protect————】

Kujo Kanesato's unusual actions: cutting funding while desperately trying to save Japan.

The captain of the demolition squad from Iwagakure Village appeared at the Daimyo's villa.

"I see----"

Sosuke suddenly opened his eyes.

He figured it out.

This is a conspiracy against Konoha, a three-way deal.

The radical faction among the Twelve Guardian Ninja wants to abolish the ninja village and establish a centralized government centered on the daimyo.

But Konoha is too strong; they can't defeat them. Therefore, they need to weaken Konoha.

How to weaken it?

First, kill Fujiwara no Taizo, a moderate who advocates controlling the ninja village with money, support Kujo Kanesane, who advocates trapping Konoha, and incite the daimyo to cut military spending on Konoha.

Second, they set a ceiling for Konoha's power. They will not allow Orochimaru or hardliners like Sakumo Hatake to come to power.

Because hardliners might end the war quickly, further enhancing Konoha's prestige. This clashed with the political demands of the radical faction of the Guardian Shinobi.

Therefore, they need Hiruzen Sarutobi. Because Hiruzen is old, has many concerns, follows rules, and is easy to control.

As long as Hiruzen remains in power, Konoha will remain in this half-dead state, constantly bleeding on the front lines and having its funding constantly cut in the rear.

Until one day, Konoha became so weak that it could be swallowed whole by the radical faction of the Guardian Ninja.

This is an open conspiracy.

Onoki was probably involved as well. He sent Ishima to kill Fujiwara no Taizo as a pledge of loyalty.

As long as Konoha doesn't change its leader, Iwagakure will face much less pressure on the front lines. They can slowly erode the borders of the Land of Fire.

Take what you need.

Sosuke pondered his next move.

"It seems that the plan to promote Orochimaru to power will have to be put on hold for the time being."

As long as the Daimyo's government does not support him, and as long as Hiruzen himself does not retreat, Orochimaru will not be able to become Hokage.

If someone forces their way into power, it will be a coup. Konoha will instantly lose the daimyo's financial support and plunge into civil war. At that time, Sunagakure, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and even Kirigakure will be able to easily invade.

Konoha will perish.

Sosuke didn't want Konoha to perish. That was his base of operations.

"What a grand scheme of things!"

Zongsuke sneered in his heart.

"Looks like I need to find Orochimaru something new to do."

"Since he can't be Hokage, then let him go—to research that."

Human experimentation.

Since politics won't work, let's try biotechnology.

When power reaches a certain level, politics becomes a joke.