Chereads / Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo? / Chapter 103 - Chapter 103: The Forging of Cold and Hard Cash

Chapter 103 - Chapter 103: The Forging of Cold and Hard Cash

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"Eh... Are you sure you don't need my help?"

"I just feel that something might go wrong if you infiltrate Konohagakure alone~"

Black Zetsu spoke with mixed feelings.

He was pleased because Obito was straying further down the path of darkness. If he killed Konoha's advisor... no matter what excuse he had, there would be no turning back.

He was worried because if Gojo Kaigetsu were actually killed, it would definitely cause a huge commotion.

In other villages, even in Konoha itself, the death of an advisor might not be a big deal. But Gojo Kaigetsu was different.

According to Black Zetsu's observations, Konoha's recent bizarre development speed was almost inseparable from Gojo Kaigetsu. Even though he always tried to erase his traces behind each event.

Moreover, Gojo Kaigetsu had a very close relationship with the Fourth Hokage, almost to the point of sharing the same Hokage cloak.

If this guy died, who knows if Konohagakure would investigate to the very end.

The best strategy would be to redirect the blame, pinning the assassination of the advisor on Kumogakure or Iwagakure. Triggering the Fourth Shinobi World War as quickly as possible would allow Nagato's Akatsuki to profit from the chaos.

Obito seemed to sense Black Zetsu's thoughts and warned, "Don't interfere with me, Black Zetsu."

"I want them... to feel pain."

"You misunderstand me, Obito. Why would I stop you? Go ahead and do it boldly!"

...

...

*Kirigakure.*

"An invitation from Kumogakure?"

Elder Genji furrowed his brows. "Did those barbarians eat something wrong? Or is it... a trap?"

Not long ago, they had just allied with Konoha, giving Kumogakure a heavy slap in the face. And now they turn around seeking a ninja academy exchange?

"Elder Genji, do you think they might be setting a trap to hunt down our next generation of shinobi?"

"Hard to say."

"But from what I know of the Raikage, he wouldn't do such a thing."

Kumogakure's shinobi might be barbaric, but they possess ample warrior spirit. Judging from the consistent personalities of successive Raikage, they wouldn't resort to such luring and killing tactics.

If they want to fight, they do it head-on, fists meeting flesh on the battlefield.

"So, Kumogakure genuinely wants to have an exchange with our ninja academy... Unbelievable."

"Perhaps they've been provoked by Konoha."

Over the past few days, news that Konoha and Sunagakure announced themselves as commercial allies has spread throughout the ninja world. It's said that to promote friendship between the two villages, Konoha has sent Elder Mitokado Homura to Iwagakure for a long-term stay.

Moreover, Sunagakure has publicly announced that they will send ninja academy students to Konoha for in-depth exchange and learning.

It can be said that both sides have genuinely taken a step back for "peace."

Actually, deep down, Elder Genji felt a bit envious. Not to mention anything else, just the matter of sending an elder abroad...

Stationed in their Kirigakure is that troublesome guy, Danzo. The Konoha official ship docked at Kirigakure's harbor, painted entirely black, has unsettled the upper echelons of Kirigakure.

According to the ANBU's reports, Danzo has been trying to extend his influence into Kirigakure's internal affairs, doing things very covertly. The ANBU shinobi haven't been able to catch him in the act or gather evidence.

This is an external affair. If they don't want to tear their relationship apart, they can only handle it according to the rules.

They have to speak based on facts to send Danzo back to Konoha.

"Truly the 'Darkness of the Shinobi World'... His actions leave no traces. If only the elder stationed in our Kirigakure were Mitokado Homura, things would be much easier," Elder Genji sighed.

Gonbee stood by his side and tentatively asked, "So, Elder, should we accept Kumogakure's invitation?"

"How many students are currently in the ninja academy?"

"Approximately 1,000."

Elder Genji thought for a moment. "Go and propose a ninja academy exchange to Danzo. Select the 20 most talented students from the academy to go to Konoha. Since they've agreed to exchange with Sunagakure, they must grant us Kirigakure equal status."

"The matter with Sunagakure reminded me."

"The current ninja world is no longer the same as before. If we want to develop, we can't shut ourselves off; we must engage in external exchanges."

"Konoha is naturally the most suitable exchange partner."

Upon hearing this, Gonbee's eyes lit up. "Elder Genji, I am willing to serve as the team leader, leading this group of outstanding academy students to Konoha."

"Very well. Currently, in the village, you and Terumi Mei have had the most contact with Konoha." Elder Genji nodded, completely unaware that his most loyal subordinate's heart had already been corrupted by Konoha's sweet temptations.

Having achieved his desired result, Gonbee feigned concern and asked, "But... Elder Genji, should we ignore Kumogakure's request? Repeatedly slapping those barbarians in the face, I'm worried they might become desperate."

"Let me ask you, why can't we have both?"

"There's something off about this. I heard that Kumogakure has recently been forming a Shinobi Village Alliance led by them, already recruiting many small villages into their alliance."

"They've even invested large amounts of aid into small villages like Kumogakure, expressing their determination to the ninja world."

"But they've always lacked one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages to bolster their momentum, so they've been painstakingly trying to win over us and Sunagakure."

"Even after we issued statements condemning them, they shamelessly persist."

Elder Genji sneered, exposing Kumogakure's little schemes.

Shinobi have always admired strength.

If Konoha were the one launching the Greater Co-Prosperity Sphere Plan, Kirigakure might have reluctantly gone along.

Konoha's strength was proven through three Shinobi World Wars. Even when facing the combined attack of the Four Great Shinobi Villages, they still stood atop the ninja world.

A village like that, in terms of seniority and battle achievements, is qualified to lead an alliance.

But...

Who do you think you are, Kumogakure?

Your Third Raikage was tricked to death by Iwagakure's people, dying so disgracefully despite being a village leader.

Although in recent years, Kumogakure indeed shows a booming momentum, with the Fourth Raikage A and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer Bee making names for themselves.

They vaguely have the trend of replacing Konoha after the war and becoming the top shinobi village.

But such a thing isn't determined by appearances alone. It's like participating in the Ninja World Championship; even if you're popular and have strong momentum, you've never won a championship in the Shinobi World Wars.

Without a crown, you're just a 'shockwave'!

Even if Kirigakure had to bow down, they wouldn't submit to a 'shockwave.'

"Since they're so eager to have a major shinobi village support them, we should make good use of this opportunity and not miss it."

"Send the younger generation of the Elder faction to Kumogakure for a period of... thirty days. No, make it three months, or even three years. It would be best if they never return."

"Those useless guys have poor talent as shinobi, but when it comes to indulging in pleasures and grabbing benefits, no one does it better than them."

No village's Kage or grand elder is foolish.

They know their own village's situation better than anyone.

Elder Genji also understood that their Kirigakure's Elder faction had declined. The younger generation of shinobi faced a situation where the old and new didn't connect well, hanging on to the last bit of glory due to historical roots.

Those second-generation elders had already become corrupt, occupying village resources and hindering upward mobility.

If Kirigakure wants to be great, they must make a tough decision to cut ties.

Elder Genji had always been contemplating. Externally, Kirigakure should ally with Konoha, learn advanced technology, expand trade, boost economic growth, and empower politics. Internally, they needed a suitable 'knife'...

Now, Kumogakure had handed over the knife for internal reform.

Sending the Elder faction's younger generation to Kumogakure-if they push Kumogakure to the breaking point and get killed, that would be best. They could eliminate the village's tumors in one fell swoop and then appeal to Konoha for material support.

This is a plan that kills two birds with one stone!

If they don't get killed... then let those second-generation shinobi who only know how to indulge themselves ruthlessly demand benefits, becoming a financial burden on Kumogakure, thereby feeding Kirigakure.

No matter how you look at it, as long as Kumogakure doesn't change their 'Shinobi Village Alliance' plan, it's a big win for Kirigakure!

Elder Genji took a deep breath, sipped his tea, and continued, "You'll be responsible for arranging this matter later."

"What did Terumi Mei report?"

"How is the Fourth Mizukage's condition?"

"Three days ago, Terumi Mei reported that the Fourth Mizukage has completely escaped life-threatening danger. He can stay awake for about ten minutes a day but still cannot move or communicate with others."

"He just keeps saying 'Live on.'"

"'Live on'?"

Elder Genji's brows furrowed slightly but soon relaxed. "It seems Yagura is concerned about the village, knowing that as the Fourth Mizukage, he absolutely cannot die at this stage."

"That's the survival instinct a Kage should have."

"This is Konoha... The life-threatening crisis that left us helpless was so easily resolved when he reached Konoha. That Top Ward is miraculous, and Tsunade's medical skills are formidable."

Gonbee nodded repeatedly in agreement. He had firsthand experience of Konoha's prosperity.

"Um... Elder Genji, Terumi Mei also mentioned that Konoha is requesting the second phase of medical fees, and we don't have enough funds."

"Not enough? Didn't we just give them 50 million ryō?"

"They said that Mizukage-sama now needs the Top Ward to maintain his vital signs and rehabilitation measures, which are extremely costly. Plus, Tsunade's consultation fees... Adding it all up, 50 million ryō is indeed not enough."

Elder Genji's face immediately fell.

The services are excellent, but they're just too expensive. How long has it been, and 50 million ryō has been burned up just like that.

"How much is the second phase of treatment?"

"Fifty..." The words reached his lips, but Gonbee stopped himself, his eyes shifting slyly, and he changed his words, "Sixty million ryō."

"What?! How is it ten million more than the first phase?"

"Well... They said that Mizukage-sama's subsequent rehabilitation requires more precious consumables, and they need to form an expert team to consult on the genjutsu he was under..."

Gonbee stammered, his heart rate uncontrollably accelerating. Cold sweat the size of soldier pills soaked his back.

He was crazy!

He actually... actually said it out loud!

Money is never enough to spend. No one understands better than him how much it costs to enjoy imperial-level treatment in Konoha's entertainment facilities.

A regular salary isn't enough to cover a day's expenses.

Kirigakure is too poor. Even though he holds the important position of the Grand Elder's secretary, the benefits he can skim are indeed limited. Especially after the dissolution of the Bloody Mist policies, the kickbacks he used to get from people seeking his influence have significantly decreased.

Various factors combined led to the result that his money was no longer enough to support his extravagant lifestyle in Konoha.

It's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but hard to go from extravagance to frugality.

Suddenly jumping from the impoverished Kirigakure to the international village of Konoha, his mentality inflated infinitely.

Gonbee could no longer leave that luxurious life.

Everything required money; everything could be solved with money... Especially that "Night Ninja Club" at No. 38, New Commercial Street in Konoha.

As long as you're willing to spend money, you can even have fallen princesses, noble ladies, and popular actresses from small countries like the Land of Hot Water, the Land of Flowers, and the Land of Hot Springs accompany you to drink and sing. If you spend a bit more, you can even book "the woman of a certain Daimyō."

Singing while hugging! Embracing while singing!

Traditionally, shinobi are merely subordinates of the Daimyō. No matter how high your position in the village, you're still a subordinate!

But now, as long as you spend money, you can hug the Daimyō's Mistresses and sing...

The desire to overthrow the higher-ups directly dominated Gonbee's mind.

It also made him bold enough to privately increase the medical fees by ten million ryō.

That's right.

What Gojo Kaigetsu and Terumi Mei mentioned about medical fees was just a gradual starting point-a mere 30 million ryō.

Terumi Mei had her own desire for revenge, so when she reported to Gonbee, it became 50 million ryō.

Gonbee had his own lifestyle, so when he informed Elder Genji, it became 60 million ryō.

Gonbee folded his hands over his abdomen, almost holding his breath, occasionally sneaking glances at Elder Genji.

He had to admit, there was an element of risk in this. If Elder Genji decided to investigate thoroughly, contact Danzo, then have Danzo verify back in the village... Or if they directly replaced the representative, the matter might be exposed.

Deceiving Elder Genji and taking kickbacks from Kirigakure would lead to extermination-definitely extermination!

But Gonbee simply couldn't refuse the extreme pleasures he enjoyed in Konoha.

After a long silence.

Elder Genji finally spoke, "Yagura... must be saved. No matter how much money it takes, we must save him. It concerns our village's development in the next five years; we absolutely cannot waver."

"However, this money cannot be paid from the village treasury."

"You mean...?"

"Later, you will convey my will to the representatives of the Elder faction, explaining that the Fourth Mizukage's treatment concerns our village's future."

"If they remain unmoved... then bring up the matter of Kumogakure exchange students, using the spots as bargaining chips. Those who are willing to pay, and pay more money, can be sent to Kumogakure as academy exchange students."

"Hiss-"

Gonbee gasped.

The older, the wiser. Not only did Elder Genji plan to "sell" the second-generation Elders to Kumogakure, but he also intended to squeeze money out of the Elder faction.

Making the most of everything.

However... being openly allowed to enjoy themselves in other villages, breathing air outside Kirigakure, would be quite tempting for those people.

Even the Elder faction needs permission to leave the village.

"How much in total should we collect?"

"Since it's a shared expense, we should collect more, and it can also enrich the village treasury."

"One hundred million ryō in cash!"

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