Inside, there was a table with lavish food and fine wine, indicating that the level of service was better than at the previous banquet.
Before Hiruzen could speak, Prince Kōda Jin took the initiative, saying, "I've saved these things just for you. Since the quantity is limited, I was afraid others outside might eat them."
A strange expression appeared on Hiruzen's face, unsure of the other party's intentions.
Prince Kōda Jin sat on the floor and enthusiastically invited Hiruzen, "Don't just stand there, let's have a few drinks. You're the Hokage, and I'm the Daimyo's brother. In terms of status, we're equals."
"A favor given without reason suggests ulterior motives."
Prince Kōda Jin was focusing on their relationship to set the stage for the upcoming conversation. It was clear he was acting this way to imply to Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, that he wanted something from him, hoping that Hiruzen would understand.
Any ordinary ninja might not comprehend this, but Hiruzen, who grew up in the Sarutobi clan, wouldn't miss the implication. Otherwise, he would have learned very little from the elders of his clan.
Hiruzen understood and took the opportunity to sit down. "Then, I really should have a drink, otherwise, I wouldn't be worthy of Prince Huang Ren's kindness."
He then lifted a fine cup of wine and drank it in one go, unable to help but praise, "This is indeed excellent wine."
Prince Kōda Jin laughed and said, "If you like it, have more."
As the cups were exchanged, Hiruzen's face began to show signs of redness, as if he was starting to get drunk, though he wasn't really intoxicated. He was setting the mood for the next conversation, so he could cover any inappropriate words he might say later due to the effects of the alcohol.
At the same time, Prince Kōda Jin did the same, pretending to be drunk as well, nodding and saying, "Yes, yes, Lord Hokage, there's something I want to say."
"Hmm, speak."
"I heard that the Sarutobi clan was once the Daimyo of a nation, is that true?"
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen's pupils contracted slightly, but he continued to smile indifferently, saying, "That was a long time ago."
The Sarutobi clan differs from other ninja clans. They were once the Daimyo of a small country. But due to certain circumstances, their nation ended, leaving only one person and three ministers.
These three ministers are the ancestors of the Ino-Shika-Chō clans. Over time, each developed its own family strength. Although the relationship between the Ino-Shika-Chō clans and the Sarutobi clan is no longer what it was, due to historical ties, the Sarutobi clan plays the role of witness to strengthen the bonds between the three.
(Author's note: This is all just imagination since Masashi Kishimoto did not explain why these clans are so interconnected.)
Prince Kōda Jin drank another cup of wine, saying, "I didn't know it was true. Now that you've become Hokage, do you plan to revive the glory of your ancestors?"
Hiruzen shook his head, saying, "Those are things of the past. Now, I just want to fulfill my duty as Hokage to the village of Konoha."
Prince Kōda Jin nodded in satisfaction, and through this conversation, he understood Hiruzen's stance. He then said, "Then, we hope that the defense of the Land of Fire will rely on Konoha in the future."
"Of course, that's no problem. May I dare ask, what will be Konoha's budget allocation this time?"
Although the current world system is based on the system of one nation, one village, the ninja mission orders are not bound by this system. For example, mission orders from the Land of Fire can also be given to ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village, who will gladly accept them. Missions are always welcome.
But most often, missions are given to the nearest ninjas geographically.
The "Kage" is the highest leadership authority and the most powerful combat force in the village. Konoha has lost considerable strength with the death of the Hokage, which will affect its reputation internationally and lead to a reduction in the number of missions entrusted to it.
Ninjas do not produce, and all their income depends on missions and funding from the Daimyo.
The most important task for the new Hokage, Hiruzen, is to secure funding to ensure the livelihood of the ninjas in the village.
A look of embarrassment appeared on the prince's face as he gestured with his finger and then mentioned a meager amount.
When Hiruzen heard this, he gently requested, "That's very little. Can't it be increased a bit?"
Prince Kōda Jin sighed and said, "Recently, the farmers' crops haven't been good, and there's no surplus in the Daimyo's stores..."
"But..."
"Ah..."
"What's wrong, Your Highness?"
"It seems I've eaten something that upset my stomach. Wait for me a moment, I'll go take care of it."
Prince Kōda Jin got up and left the room, leaving Hiruzen puzzled, wondering what the prince was planning. Suddenly, two women in seductive clothing entered the room, and he realized they were the same dancers who had performed at the banquet earlier.
While Hiruzen was stunned, the dancers had already approached him and began serving him drinks. "Prince Huang Ren has an urgent matter, so we'll be serving you now..."
Hiruzen felt a surge of heat within him, unable to resist. At that moment, he began to lose control of himself.
"Wait, why are you taking off your clothes?"
...
Prince Kōda Jin didn't actually head to the restroom after leaving the room; instead, he went straight to another room.
In that room, a twelve-year-old boy with pale, flawless skin was waiting. When he saw Prince Kōda Jin, he asked directly, "Father, is it done?"
Prince Kōda Jin smiled and said, "Yes, ninety percent done."
Hiruzen is a smart man, and with his political wisdom, he would fully understand what this means: if he doesn't accept, how can I give him the money?
The boy responded with surprise, "Was it really necessary to go to such lengths? Couldn't we just offer the money directly?"
Prince Kōda Jin sighed and answered, "You don't understand, ninjas are very different from the old samurai class. This class is extremely powerful, and some strong ninjas alone can occupy an entire country. The only way we can control them is with money. If we lose this financial control, the ninjas will become an uncontrollable force, and they may even threaten our position as princes."
This threat was real. Prince Kōda Jin had previously encountered such a ninja and was unfortunate enough to witness it.
That ninja was capable of leveling many mountains with a single strike. Faced with such immense power, money and authority become meaningless.
Whenever he recalled those blood-red eyes, Prince Kōda Jin's body trembled with fear. He felt like an ant, his fate in the hands of that ninja.
However, what worried him even more was that there was another person more powerful than that ninja, and they both lived in Konoha.
With such power, how could Prince Kōda Jin not be cautious and plan to counter them?
Fortunately, those two ninjas are now dead, but the village they left behind still holds significant power. If those ninjas decided to overthrow the princes, it would be very easy.
Therefore, the ninjas must be controlled by any means necessary.
Prince Kōda Jin is not the only one thinking this way. In other countries, there are those who secretly control their lands, and they are also taking steps to contain their ninjas, looking for ways to weaken them and bring them under their control.
The one nation-one village system is something the princes never wanted to acknowledge. It is merely a forced compromise.
What they truly desire is to have the ninja's power completely under their control, not to allocate budgets to them every year.
Allowing a group of peasants to be on equal footing with nobles is merely a farce, and what the princes consider now is just a tactical move.
To better explain this concept to his son, Prince Kōda Jin decided to provide additional lessons: "Ranmaru, let me ask you, what makes a nation strong?"
Ranmaru responded without hesitation, "Strong people make a strong nation, and weak people make a weak nation."
He thought this answer was absolutely correct, but his father rejected it firmly.
"Wrong."
"Wrong?"
Prince Kōda Jin answered firmly, "Yes, and it's a big mistake."
"???"
Ranmaru remembered that his father had taught him this concept when he was younger, so why now was he speaking in a completely different way?
"Ranmaru, you're older now, and it's time to tell you some things. When you were younger, I didn't tell you because I was afraid you might talk about them openly and cause trouble. But now that you've grown and understand that some things shouldn't be spoken about, I'll explain it to you.
The concept 'strong people make a strong nation' is just a ruse we use to deceive the lower classes. If a nation wants to be strong, it must make its people sacrifice. And since sacrifice means giving more, the more people give, the weaker they become. From this, we conclude that strong people mean a weak nation, and weak people mean a strong nation. The foundation of ruling a nation lies in weakening its people."
Ranmaru listened to his father intently, but he couldn't fully understand.
Prince Kōda Jin continued his teaching, saying: "Secondly, you must make the people poor, exhausted, ignorant, humiliated, and oppressed."
These words were harsh even for Ranmaru, who was born and raised in a noble family.
While Hiruzen was playing with the two dancers, Prince Kōda Jin had plenty of time to educate his son well. This was because, afterward, he had to assign him a highly important task, and it was necessary to clarify some fundamental concepts beforehand. These matters were related to the interests of the elite in the Land of Fire in the future.
(Note from the author: In the original story, the prince was portrayed as stupid as a pig, which is a mistake by the writer. In reality, no true ruler is stupid. That's why I've enhanced his role a bit.)
(End of Chapter)
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