Hiruko couldn't help but wonder if that fellow Jiraiya was currently "scouting" for his research materials nearby. After a brief scan, he took Nonō to the Valley of the End to admire the majestic scenery.
The day's date concluded on a high note—reaching "second base" and experiencing the exquisite, porcelain-like smoothness of her skin.
The following morning, under Minato Namikaze's arrangement, Kakashi set out alongside the Third Hokage toward the capital of the Land of Fire. As Minato's star pupil—and effectively his only remaining student following the loss of the other two—Kakashi was the natural choice for such a high-profile mission. He was to be the vanguard of this operation, a task that would prove critical for their future blueprints.
Though Kakashi wasn't one to seek out such "honors," he had little choice in the matter. To save time, the group traveled light and fast, sleeping under the stars and pushing through the rugged terrain until the capital finally came into view.
Kakashi had never visited the capital before. Compared to the stories he'd heard from veteran shinobi, the city now felt heavier, tinged with a weary sense of history and the lingering shadow of the Third War. The conflict had left deep scars on the nation—not just material destruction, but a wound etched into the hearts of its people. Even here, in the heart of power, the trauma was palpable.
Wasting no time, the Third Hokage led them straight to the Ministry of Finance before they even had a chance to eat. After waiting nearly half an eye-opening hour in the reception room, they were finally greeted by a portly official whose face beamed with an air of pampered wealth.
Once seated in the drawing room and through the initial pleasantries, the Third Hokage reached into his robes and produced a thick envelope. "Konoha is a humble place," he said with a practiced smile. "We don't have much in the way of fine local specialties, but this 'Honeysuckle' is a unique product of our land. I hope you'll accept it as a small token of our appreciation."
The Finance Minister took the envelope, and as he felt its significant weight, his smile widened into a full-blown grin. "Honeysuckle! A treasure indeed. One needn't even consume it; just a whiff of its fragrance is enough to prolong one's life!"
The men shared a knowing chuckle. Only Kakashi felt a wave of nausea. As a shinobi with keen observation skills, he knew exactly what kind of "honeysuckle" was packed inside that envelope.
Sensing the atmosphere was ripe, the Third Hokage broached the subject. "Konoha is currently facing a bit of a financial squeeze, so we've devised a plan..."
With Konoha's resources, they could easily put up a massive sum of capital. To an ordinary tycoon, it would be an astronomical amount—more than enough to begin the acquisition and integration of the salt trade. Furthermore, in practice, the full payment wouldn't even need to be settled upfront.
The Finance Minister listened intently, nodding as he spoke. "I see. However, if you go through with this, you'll be taking on quite a bit of pressure."
"Why do you say that?" Hiruzen pressed.
The rotund official sighed. "What else? Years of non-stop war. There's been no real profit, and even a lord as wealthy as the Daimyo is feeling the strain. While tax revenues should be high, the market is plagued by black-market salt. Even some of the 'big players' are involved in illicit activities. Moving against the small-time peddlers is one thing, but dealing with those with connections is... messy."
He spat a curse. "Frankly, those fellows have gone too far. Relying on their protectors, they dodge taxes left and right and cook the books into such a mess it's enough to drive the Daimyo to madness. If you're willing to step up and stop them, the Daimyo would be relieved. He won't have to worry about being cheated by his own subordinates anymore."
It was the classic tale of deception. Some people were bold enough to steal from the very hands that protected them. While it sounded suicidal, it was a common reality—even in a modern industrial nation, corruption and fraud exist under various names. In the quasi-ancient society of the Land of Fire, the internal rot had likely hollowed out the foundations.
"Salt is expensive, yet the official revenue is less than what we get from basic farming," the minister added, shaking his head. "The reasons behind it are... complicated."
The Third Hokage nodded, realizing this task was far from a simple business deal. He offered a knowing smile and agreed to the terms.
"However," the official continued, his tone shifting into a formal cadence, "since this involves so many interests, we must ensure a 'steady' hand is in charge of the operation."
Hiruzen, a man who had seen everything, caught the hint instantly. "I understand. The brothers Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi will be personally overseeing this matter. I trust they will not disappoint."
"The King is easy to see, but the little ghosts are hard to deal with." Before leaving, Hiruko had specifically instructed them to cede a portion of the profits. Konoha didn't lack potential wealth; it lacked liquid capital. Giving up a slice of the pie to ensure the doors stayed open was a small price to pay.
Hearing the mention of the Hyuga, the Finance Minister's face lit up. "The Hyuga clan? Now that is a noble house of the old era. Trustworthy. Far more reliable than some nameless upstarts."
The meeting ended in mutual satisfaction. As they lingered, the conversation drifted toward the Land of Wind.
The official leaned in, dropping a piece of news. "By the way, the Land of Wind is planning to slash the budget for the Hidden Sand Village."
Cutting the budget of their own hidden village? The Third Hokage couldn't believe it. How foolish.
From the very beginning, shinobi were taught to obey and endure, but they still had families to feed. While mission rewards were decent, the overhead for a village was immense. Ninja tools, explosive tags, and medical supplies all cost money. Furthermore, providing for the families of the fallen and training new recruits required a fortune.
A village's combat power was directly proportional to its budget. Why had Konoha always been able to suppress the other four nations? Because Konoha had the deepest pockets. For the Land of Wind to slash their budget now was equivalent to voluntary disarmament. It was utterly incomprehensible.
But the most critical part was...
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The titles of two chapters!(🔥Spoiler🔥)
Chapter 28: The Salt and Iron Monopoly
Chapter 29: The God of Wealth!