They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 9 The Threat of Konoha

After the Jonin meeting concluded that day, the numerous resolutions announced by the Third Mizukage spread throughout Kirigakure at lightning speed.

First, the genius of Kirigakure, the young head of the Hozuki clan, was appointed as the Foreign Affairs Officer. The general reaction to this was actually quite mild. After all, considering Hozuki Shingetsu's status, achievements, and strength, the position of Foreign Affairs Officer, a ministerial-level post, was more than suitable.

From this perspective, no one could find fault with what the Third Mizukage did.

As for Hozuki Shingetsu's previous role as the headmaster of the ninja academy, only a few people knew about it. Most people agreed that Ren had not followed Hozuki Shingetsu's wishes and instead gave him a nominal position to reflect on his experiences.

Although I don't know what you want to do, it's my instinct as an enemy to make you uncomfortable.

Judging from the fact that the daimyo's envoy spoke up for Hozuki Shingetsu at the end, Ren's wish to have the daimyo's envoy disgust Hozuki Shingetsu failed. But it doesn't matter. When it comes to the New Year's greetings, Hozuki Shingetsu can be the leader again. According to past practice, it would be abnormal if the Kirigakure envoys didn't get a severe scolding from the daimyo.

Moreover, Ren had learned from rumors that because the Land of Water had implemented a policy of national isolation, the daimyo, feeling much safer, was considering further reducing military funding for Kirigakure. Once Hozuki Shingetsu's New Year's shrine visit was over, they could easily spread the word and pin the blame on him, claiming that he had offended the daimyo, leading to the reduction in Kirigakure's military spending.

He'd like to see what kind of reputation the "Timely Rain" of Kirigakure would have left then!

The second resolution announced by Ren at the meeting—following the Daimyo's policy of tactfully sealing off and maintaining secrecy regarding Kirigakure—received a much stronger reaction from the lower classes. After all, as a military stronghold, the livelihoods of the civilians in Kirigakure depended entirely on the spending of the ninjas.

Now that we're in a closed-off area, supplies from the outside world can't get in, so what ninjas would come to spend money?

However, the voices of these commoners and low-ranking ninjas were not taken seriously. After all, even if the country was closed off from the world, powerful families could still access those resources. Under this policy, they actually became the monopolists. As beneficiaries, they naturally wouldn't oppose it, but of course, they still had to play along and wail on the surface.

However, despite this, the common people of Kirigakure were still able to make a living after the country closed itself off. However, the last decision, the fixed number of ninjas and the mechanism of promoting the capable and demoting the incompetent, was the one that truly aroused the dissatisfaction of the vast majority of common people in Kirigakure.

What does this resolution mean?

For ninja clans with a long and established tradition, this is easy to solve. If all else fails, they can simply create a "guaranteed job" and implement an inheritance system.

For ordinary people, this means that unless they hit the jackpot, their hopes of turning their lives around by becoming ninjas have been completely dashed.

Well, to use an academic term, it means that the common people of Kirigakure lost their upward mobility mechanism.

However, as the saying goes, in this world where extraordinary powers exist, and where special bloodlines do indeed provide a huge boost to combat strength, the opinions of ordinary people are sometimes truly worthless.

A few unwilling people even went to Hozuki Shingetsu, hoping that this "timely rain" of Kirigakure could bring some rain. However, unfortunately, our foreign affairs officer was forced to sign a pledge due to persecution by "traitors" and was studying foreign policy day and night at home, temporarily refusing all foreign guests.

So after a period of turmoil, the storm caused by this meeting of all Jonin gradually subsided in Kirigakure. In contrast, those who had calmed down turned their attention back to Hozuki Shingetsu, wondering what kind of method this genius of the Hozuki family would come up with to use the propaganda power of Kirigakure that he had obtained from the Mizukage to achieve his "continental balance policy".

"Hmm...that's about it. A little polishing and it'll be ready to be released!"

Looking at the manuscript he had painstakingly compiled over several sleepless nights, Hozuki Shingetsu smiled with satisfaction.

"The Konoha Threat Theory..."

"According to reliable intelligence, Konoha Village's military expenditure has been on the rise since its founding, especially since the First Shinobi World War, with military spending increasing by 1000% over the past decade. In addition, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, has spared no effort in supporting civilian ninjas, which has led to a situation where Konoha Village's ninjas are numerous, sweating profusely, and standing shoulder to shoulder. In terms of the number and quality of ninjas, they can overwhelm the four great ninja villages of Kumo, Iwa, Suna, and Mist..."

"According to statistics, Konoha Village has a population of one million, but it produces tens of millions of kunai, shuriken, and explosive tags every year. On average, each person has ten and there are still some left over. Such a large amount of weapons and equipment is probably not used for setting off fireworks or cutting wood."

"According to a Sharingan user who wished to remain anonymous, the Hokage, with the help of Danzo, even made arrogant remarks under the powerful military strength of Konoha Village, claiming that 'one tree is worth five ninjas,' and shouting the arrogant slogan that he would destroy Kumo in one month, Iwa in two months, Suna in three months, Kirigakure in four months, and sweep across the world in five months to establish a pan-Konoha sphere of co-prosperity."

"Through my in-depth investigation, I have found that there is a reason why this 'Dark Ninja' said such a thing. From the very beginning, Konoha has been inherently brutal. According to research, Mito Uzumaki, the current noblewoman of Uzushio Village in the Land of Whirlpools, was forcibly taken away by Hashirama Senju, the founder of Konoha, and is now being used as a prison to imprison monsters. It is truly infuriating."

Below are some figures listed by this editor.

What about the 50,000 standing ninjas, 5,000 Jonin, 3,000 Kekkei Genkai ninjas, Konoha's 33-year military expenditure of 50 billion, the dozens of countries secretly controlled by Konoha, and even rumors that Konoha still holds the power to depose and install the Daimyo of the Land of Fire? The current Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, even complains that the title of "Kage" doesn't reflect his prestige and wants to change it to "Fire Emperor"...

At the end of the article, the editor went so far as to declare that as long as Konoha is not eliminated, the world will not be at peace, calling Konoha the "original sin" of world turmoil.

In the end, this editor surnamed Gan, who wished to remain anonymous, even went so far as to write down a solemn vow: "If Konoha does not abandon its martial arts, I will fast for one day."

What stands out is its eloquent writing and passionate expression.

Meanwhile, Qing and Gui Deng Can Yue, who were standing to the side, had indescribable expressions on their faces after reading the document, especially its title and contents.

Well, it's hard to say.

"Hmm, Crescent Moon, is all the data in this document accurate?"

Ao was a little curious. Logically speaking, this data should be Konoha's most core secret. How did Hozuki Shingetsu, an outsider, know it?

Could it be that the spies planted in the village have already gained access to this level of classified information?

But that doesn't make sense either. Unless it was a spy planted by the Hozuki clan themselves, how could Ren possibly give such information to Hozuki Shingetsu?

"So you think Konoha is the root cause of the turmoil in the ninja world?"

Instead of answering him directly, Hozuki Shingetsu asked him a question.

"Of course not. Although Konoha has its flaws, they have absolutely nothing to do with the original sin of the ninja world's turmoil, right?"

"That settles it then!" Hozuki Shingetsu nodded, smiling meaningfully. "How can there be real numbers in something fake? If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext!"

(End of this chapter)