The atmosphere in the Daimyo Manor study was heavy.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was devoid of color.
Cold sweat soaked his undershirt, clinging to his back, a chill spreading.
All the arguments and contingency plans he had prepared were useless against this young Daimyo.
The other party didn't even bother with schemes.
He simply laid bare a problem Hiruzen had deliberately ignored, right in front of him.
Konoha or the Land of Fire, which is the main body?
Shinobi or civilians, which is the foundation?
He suddenly remembered something Danzo often said.
For Konoha... Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth, his throat dry, unable to utter a sound.
Refute?
What could he use to refute?
Was he to publicly declare that the lives of civilians were less important than Konoha's future?
If those words left his mouth, Hiruzen Sarutobi would be nailed to a pillar of shame.
Minato Namikaze stood behind him, silent, the warmth gone from his face.
He looked at the report on the table, then at the Third Hokage's ashen face.
The belief he had always held was shaken.
For the village, must he truly disregard other people?
The study was very quiet.
Everyone's breathing was clearly audible.
"Third Hokage, you are a smart man."
Shin stepped forward, steadying the tottering Hiruzen Sarutobi, and pressed him back into his chair.
"Sit down and speak."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stumbled into the chair, all strength drained from his body.
Shin turned, poured a cup of hot tea, and pushed it in front of him.
"Drink some tea."
This gesture, in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, was blatant humiliation.
But he had even lost the courage to refuse!
Minato Namikaze's lips moved, but he dared not say a word.
He understood now.
Why Yuhi Shinku had returned in such a state.
This Daimyo did not abide by shinobi rules.
He used an overt strategy, the way of kings.
"I know you feel bad."
Shin's tone was calm.
"You've dedicated your life to Konoha, wanting it to be better, I understand."
"But your vision is too narrow. You only see one village."
He raised a hand and pointed out the window.
"Look outside, this land, these tens of millions of people, are the true foundation of the Land of Fire."
"Konoha is the sword of the Land of Fire, its shield. A sword and shield are meant to protect the country, not to be above it."
"This principle, you, and the future Fourth Hokage, must all understand."
His last sentence was directed at Minato Namikaze.
Minato Namikaze's heart jolted, and he immediately bowed.
"Minato will engrave your teachings in his heart, my lord!"
Shin nodded in satisfaction.
He looked back at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"So, budget cuts are not a discussion, they are an order."
"Twenty percent is just the beginning."
"If Konoha can adapt quickly, learn to be frugal, and use its money wisely, this number will not change again."
"But..."
Shin paused.
"If Konoha continues to be extravagant as before, or even falls into disarray, then there is a problem with the village's management."
"At that time, it won't be a twenty percent cut."
"It will be forty percent, sixty percent, or even more."
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly looked up, his breathing rapid.
This was a stark warning.
The Daimyo Manor could not only decide how much money to give but also Konoha's very survival.
"This old man... understands."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was hoarse and dry.
He conceded defeat.
Indeed, how could the leader of a village compare to the ruler of a nation?
"I am glad you understand."
Shin smiled again, very gently.
"Third Hokage, though you have resigned as Hokage, Konoha still needs you as a senior to stabilize the situation."
"How about this?"
Shin feigned contemplation.
"The matter of budget cuts, you will personally return to the village to announce it."
Minato Namikaze's mind buzzed.
Have the Third Hokage announce it?
How was that different from making him publicly admit incompetence?
Minato was about to open his mouth when Shin looked over, a half-smile on his face, making him swallow his words.
"You, you..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi trembled violently, his lips quivering as he looked at Shin, unable to complete a single word.
"What? Are you unwilling?"
Shin's smile faded.
"You just said you would take full responsibility for the losses of the war."
"Now I ask you to convey an order, and you're unwilling?"
"Or are you just paying lip service to taking responsibility?"
"Do you want Minato to take the blame for you? To let him, the newly appointed Fourth Hokage, offend everyone in the village?"
"Third Hokage, as a senior, you cannot be so irresponsible."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was speechless.
The responsibility, he had taken it upon himself.
Now, the Daimyo was asking him to take charge. Could he refuse?
To refuse would be to break his word, to be irresponsible, to dump a mess on his junior.
Did he want to ruin his lifelong reputation?
But if he agreed... countless faces appeared in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind.
The shinobi who survived the battlefield, the families who lost loved ones, the orphans and widows living on pensions.
He, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, hailed as the God of Shinobi, how could he face them?
When he personally announced the reduction of their budgets, cutting off their livelihoods, what expressions would they have when they looked at him?
Disappointment?
Confusion?
Or... resentment?
His lifelong prestige would vanish in that instant.
Forward was a cliff.
Backward was an abyss.
Only then did Hiruzen Sarutobi realize that from the moment he stepped into this room, his right to choose had been stripped away.
His supposed game of chess.
In reality, he was just following the other party's script.
"I... as you widh, my lord."
After a long time, Hiruzen Sarutobi's cracked lips moved.
His entire being sagged, his body hunched, as if his bones had been removed.
"Very good."
Shin's face showed satisfaction.
He stood up and picked up a prepared document from behind the desk.
"This is the new fiscal budget proposal, and my official appointment letter for the Fourth Hokage."
"Take them back."
Minato Namikaze stepped forward and received them with both hands.
"The day after tomorrow is my coronation ceremony. At that time, I hope to see a united, stable Konoha that understands the nation's difficulties."
"You may leave!"
Shin waved his hand.
"Yes!"
Minato Namikaze bowed, helped Hiruzen Sarutobi, and slowly exited the study.
With a thud, the heavy door closed firmly.
The moment the door closed, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly went limp. If not for Minato Namikaze supporting him, he might have collapsed on the spot.
The two walked out of the Daimyo Manor, standing before its grand entrance.
The street was bustling with traffic, a scene of prosperity.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared blankly at everything, his mouth full of bitterness.
Inside the study.
Shin picked up the now cold tea in front of him and took a sip.
Kiyotsuki Saki immediately stepped forward to refill his cup with hot water.
Her movements were light, but she couldn't help but glance at Shin.
This man... had actually trampled the renowned God of Shinobi underfoot.
"Is it good to look at?"
Shin's voice suddenly broke the silence.
Kiyotsuki Saki's body trembled, and she quickly lowered her head.
"I... dare not."
Shin chuckled, pinching her chin, forcing her to look up.
"Look at me."
Kiyotsuki Saki was forced to meet his gaze, her eyes having nowhere to settle.
Shin enjoyed her bewilderment and slowly began:
"Remember, this is power."
"Whether it's a noble young miss famous throughout the land, or a Hokage who shakes the shinobi world, in front of me, they have no right to say no."
"And you, you are mine. You must learn to obey."
With that, he released her.
Kiyotsuki Saki instantly lost her support, collapsing to the ground, gasping for breath.
Shin no longer paid her any attention.
His consciousness sank, and a blue interface appeared before his eyes.
[Mission: Land of Fire Financial Reform (Phase One), Completion 80%...]