If they didn't inflate the military budget reports, how else would the Fire Daimyo allocate more funds to Konoha? At worst, they'd face budget cuts.
If they didn't take a hefty cut from the lower ranks, what motivation would ordinary shinobi have to work harder?
Without desperation, how could they awaken their ninja willpower, grow stronger, and keep serving Konoha's glory?
This policy greatly benefited the village—only the Fire Daimyo and the lower-ranked shinobi suffered.
Unfortunately, frontline officers soon mimicked the Logistics Division, skimming profits from their subordinates. Those who didn't comply were given suicidal missions—minefield clearance, trap disarming, or bait duty. There was always a fitting "assignment."
Over time, lower-ranked shinobi didn't even wait to be asked. They voluntarily offered so-called "battlefield guidance fees," often disguised as purchasing explosive tags or tools for their superiors. Even Danzō couldn't find fault with that.
Thus, after every war, Konoha's casualties piled high, while a swarm of fattened rats thrived—especially the privileged clan heirs, who grew bolder with impunity.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, eventually recognized the problem and attempted reforms. But the corruption ran too deep, its roots entangled with the very system he relied on.
Reforming it would mean betraying his own power base—the Sarutobi clan, the biggest beneficiary of this graft. If he angered the military elite, his position as Hokage might not survive.
Yet, Hiruzen wasn't entirely helpless. His old comrade, Danzō Shimura, though ineffective abroad, excelled at internal purges. Corruption? Zero tolerance.
With Danzō's blade hanging overhead, Hiruzen gathered blackmail on countless shinobi. Carrot and stick in hand, he found this method oddly effective—consolidating his grip on Konoha's military and politics.
Soon, he grew addicted to this power play. Why reform when he could squeeze more funds from the Daimyo and tighten his control? As long as the village looked prosperous, who cared about the rot beneath?
Danzō, however, remained relentless. His ruthless crackdowns let Hiruzen play the merciful leader, "saving" offenders and winning loyalty.
Through this dance, Hiruzen—once a politically compromised Hokage—now overshadowed the clans. The title of "Strongest Hokage" spread, not for his combat prowess, but his political mastery.
"Yoru , Lord Danzō will inspect the front soon. Stop using your squad's supplies—exchange your mission merits for equipment instead."
Nara Shikazo, unlike Chōza, had clearly investigated Umino Yoru thoroughly.
"Y-Yes! Thank you for your guidance, Lord Shikazo!"
Yoru feigned nervous gratitude. He understood the subtext: I have dirt on you. Stay obedient.
Too bad for Shikazo.
Yes, Yoru had used Shukudō's supplies—but that didn't mean embezzlement. His Multiple Iron Prison Gates technique alone was worth millions, an A-rank defensive ninjutsu. If anything, the Shukudō family owed him. Their shrewd merchants had even prepared "repayment contracts" to cover their tracks.
After this perfunctory intimidation, Shikazo returned to his paperwork.
A Sudden Windfall
Exiting the office, Yoru headed to the Logistics Exchange with his team, eager to trade his hard-earned merits for ninjutsu.
"I'm rich overnight!" he marveled.
An S-rank mission's rewards exceeded 1 million ryō. After deductions (and sharing with Sarutobi Shinnosuke), he still pocketed 200,000+ ryō. The real prize, though, was the S-rank completion record, unlocking high-level jutsu access.
His two independent A-ranks were even better—only a 10% tax on merits, with the rest his to keep.
Standard A-rank pay ranged from 150,000 to 1 million ryō. Thanks to Shikazo's "high-risk" classification, each mission was worth 750,000+ ryō. Combined: 1.5 million ryō.
"A millionaire in a day?"
Two weeks ago, he'd been rationing low-grade soldier pills. Now? Financial freedom.
No wonder everyone wanted to be a jōnin. High-rank missions paid absurdly well—plus, jōnin had leverage. No more exploitation; they exploited others. Invest in land, build a clan… the dream.
The Trap Ahead
The Exchange Office's opulence reeked of corruption. Before entering, Yoru 's sensory jutsu detected a familiar chakra—Sarutobi Eijirō, hiding in a side room, eavesdropping.
**"Ah, Yoru ! I'm Koharu's subordinate, Mitokado Akira! Shinnosuke told me about your Sand Falcon summon—it's ready!"
The man's exaggerated warmth couldn't mask his disdain.
So, Eijirō and this guy are in cahoots.
Yoru smirked inwardly.
This won't end well… for them.
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