Chapter 110: Konoha's Iron Wall
"Danzo-sama, the Dust Style ninjutsu has been tested. Indeed, it's an S-level forbidden jutsu, but it requires an enclosed space and a large amount of dust to be effective."
Aburame Ryoma handed the report to Shimura Danzo, who skimmed through it and nodded. "No wonder he could annihilate three hundred men. The power has reached S-level. The only drawback is its harsh usage conditions."
"Sasuke Umino is a true genius," Ryoma commented.
"Well, his personal strength is average, but his ideas are fantastic," Danzo conceded. He knew that developing such a costly, tool-based forbidden technique must have cost tens of millions of ryo.
"Danzo-sama, his merits are exceptional. He handed over a forbidden technique and annihilated an army corps. The Logistics Department cannot afford to pay him in merit points," Ryoma pointed out.
"We must not give him the points," Danzo decided. He foresaw that Sasuke would use that fortune to empty their arsenals of explosive tags and other materials, crippling their war effort. For a moment, he even considered sending Sasuke to his death to shirk the debt, but reason told him that such a useful blade, and one he himself had promoted, should not be abandoned.
"Give him all of Master Tobirama's Water Style inheritance."
He knew that the inheritance contained several S-level forbidden techniques. These were things that couldn't be bought with money. And most importantly, he knew that Sasuke had already received a part from Maru. If he didn't give him all of it, Hiruzen would do so later to look good. It was better for the boy's gratitude to be directed towards him.
"Forget it, give him everything," he said, waving his hand.
"Danzo-sama, Sasuke also proposes following Iwagakure's system and providing combined ninjutsu to ninjas for free," Ryoma reported.
"Nonsense!" Danzo slammed the report onto the table. "The exchange of merits for ninjutsu is a good policy established by Master Tobirama. If ninjutsu is offered for free, who will take missions seriously?"
Ryoma nodded, but then presented Sasuke's Plan B: combined ninjutsu at half price, interest-free loans to buy it, and the cancellation of the debt if the ninja died in combat. Danzo reviewed it. "Except for the half-price part, the rest must be done according to his plan," he decided.
After reporting, Ryoma left headquarters. As he exited, he heard many ninjas talking about "Konoha's Iron Wall." With just a few questions, he learned that this was Sasuke's new nickname.
The five hundred support ninjas led by Shikaku had returned to the main army and had praised Sasuke to the skies. They had been entertained with a feast and had obtained great loot. Now, the stories of his exploits were spreading throughout the entire Land of Rivers front: the most unyielding Will of Fire, the most generous commander, one man against an army, the heir to the Second Hokage's Water Style...
The news, carried by logistics teams, even began to spread throughout Konoha village.
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