Chapter 26: Shinobi Rules Cannot Be Changed

~/ Extra Chapter if we Reach 200 Power Stones!!

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"The village is currently facing financial difficulties."

"Even my meal allowance as a Hokage advisor is only enough for a bowl of jajangmyeon with garlic."

"And you, Gojo Kaigetsu, wants to use the funds meant for post-war reconstruction during this critical period to fund the enemy... Are you sucking the lifeblood out of Konoha, preparing a comfortable haven for yourself to defect as a missing-nin?"

Missing-nin-!

Such dangerous and weighty words tumbled out of Homura Mitokado's mouth.

Indeed, if blown out of proportion, this matter could be labeled as treason in the eyes of the uninformed.

If it truly happened, it would undoubtedly be a major blow to Konoha's prestige. A Hokage advisor becoming a missing-nin… It would be akin to Madara Uchiha's defection during the First Hokage's era.

The atmosphere in the Hokage's office instantly plummeted to freezing point.

"Also, the 'Konoha Headband Improvement Plan' submitted by the Fourth Hokage a few days ago was also your idea, wasn't it?"

"Gojo Kaigetsu, do you know that the design of the headband was personally approved by the First Hokage?!"

"Do you know that the Shinobu Rules cannot be changed?!"

Danzo Shimura, who had been silent and seemingly half-asleep, finally opened his eyes, a cold and dangerous glint flickering within them as he launched the second wave of his political attack against Gojo Kaigetsu.

"Three hundred and fifty million ryō…"

"I was aware of this matter, but I didn't expect you, Gojo Kaigetsu, to use this money to bribe nobles from the Four Nations."

"All for… this nonsensical magazine."

"Gojo Kaigetsu, give me an explanation."

*Slap*

A slightly worn copy of "Iki" was thrown onto the table by Danzo.

Gojo Kaigetsu's secret bribery of the Four Nations' nobles had been exposed.

With Danzo deliberately assigning Root ninjas to follow up on the matter, various details were presented to him.

But even with an open-book exam, Danzo still couldn't grasp the intricacies of the plan.

Bribing nobles from various nations with a "generous" sum of three hundred and fifty million ryō, just to have them carry this magazine in public?

Fine!

Even if that was the case, Danzo could tolerate it.

If the magazine's content promoted the strength of Konoha and its ninjas, it could be considered a worthwhile endeavor.

But what was written inside?!

Stories about shops, villagers paying, and anonymous ministers?

What was the point of it all?

Danzo Shimura, who had spent most of his life immersed in schemes and calculations, was enraged, feeling betrayed and manipulated.

If Gojo Kaigetsu didn't provide a reasonable explanation today, he would make him understand the true meaning of darkness in the shinobi world.

Not even the Fourth Hokage could protect him, Danzo vowed!

"Hmm… There are quite a few questions, so I won't answer them individually. Let's set aside Elder Homura's concerns about the headband plan for now."

"As for the issue of where the funds went, raised by Elder Danzo… It's a complicated matter, so I'll keep it brief."

"Gentlemen, do you know what advertising is?"

Unsurprisingly, an awkward silence followed. Even Minato looked at him with a mixture of understanding and confusion.

'Sigh, from this generation onwards, the Ninja Academy needs to add new subjects.'

'Future ninjas can't all be functionally illiterate with low education levels!'

With a sigh, Gojo Kaigetsu explained,

"In short, this is a legitimate expenditure. It will bring Konoha returns far exceeding three hundred and fifty million ryō."

"Everything I did was to increase Konoha's wealth~"

"Foolish!"

Homura Mitokado interjected. As the elder in charge of taxation, he had a say in this matter.

"What do you know?!"

"Increase Konoha's wealth? That money should be used to train exceptional ninjas to complete high-difficulty missions."

"Using the quality of our powerful ninjas as a draw, attracting capable merchants to issue commissions and invest in Konoha."

"Using the quantity of our powerful ninjas to secure more financial aid from the daimyo."

"You claim it's for Konoha's development? From the day you squandered that money until now, Konoha's wealth hasn't changed in the slightest. The number of foreign merchants hasn't increased or decreased. Is that your excuse?"

In Homura's old-fashioned and conservative mindset, this was the correct and sustainable "village policy" for a shinobi village.

Indeed, it was the norm in the shinobi world. Almost every hidden village followed this development model.

But-

"Just because it's always been done this way, does it mean it's right?"

The same tactic wouldn't work on a ninja twice. This time, Danzo didn't fall for Gojo Kaigetsu's claims.

He issued a stern warning:

"Gojo Kaigetsu, if today…"

"Report-"

Before Danzo could finish, Kakashi, clad in his ANBU uniform, barged into the Hokage's office with a sense of urgency.

"Fourth Hokage-sama, I have an important report."

"Kakashi, what is it?"

"During the village entry inspection, we discovered a group of merchants from the Land of Lightning." Kakashi's expression was grim. "Upon interrogation, they identified themselves as ninja tool shop merchants from Kumogakure."

"Hmm? Ninja tool shop?" Homura suggested, "They might be spies. Let's arrest them and have Root conduct an interrogation."

"What are you saying? How can we treat foreign guests like this!"

Gojo Kaigetsu, who had already received a system notification, immediately interrupted. "Let Kakashi finish."

Gojo Kaigetsu nodded, gesturing for Kakashi to continue.

"I initially suspected they were spies, but after examination by Byakugan users, we confirmed they were not ninjas."

"Moreover… they brought the deeds to properties in our new Konoha commercial district, along with a large sum of cash. They've also completed all the necessary paperwork and qualifications for opening a ninja tool shop."

"In my humble opinion, they are legitimate merchants."

Kakashi offered his assessment.

"Hmph, legitimate merchants?" Danzo scoffed. "How much cash did they bring?"

Generally, even high-level infiltrators carried limited amounts of cash.

In these times, every village's economy was devastated. Even a powerful village like Konoha was relying on their daimyo's financial support. Where would they find the extra funds to establish intelligence networks in other villages?

Just look at Mabui, who infiltrated Konoha with a fake identity and nothing else.

In the current climate, using funds solely for developing one's own village was the traditional mindset. Spending money in other villages… regardless of the purpose, was akin to self-harm.

Based on Danzo's preconceived notions, even for a village of Konoha's size, the financial support provided to a single infiltrator wouldn't exceed thirty million ryō. Any more than that would disrupt the normal operations of their own ANBU.

In other words, any amount within this range…

'…was worthy of suspicion~'

"Elder Danzo, the amount of money brought by the merchant is…"

Kakashi gulped, his relatively youthful Sharingan eye widening slightly.

"Three hundred million ryō."

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To Be Continued...

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