Chapter 220: Making the Fake Real
After asserting himself once and unexpectedly obtaining abundant results, Jiraiya seemed to have found the knack for dealing with shinobi clans.
In the following days, he acted with swift decisiveness, forcibly implementing one policy after another, compelling numerous shinobi clans to yield massive amounts of benefits to the lower-class citizens and shinobi.
Under sustained monetary investment, Konoha Village finally began showing some signs of recovery. The flow of people in the village slowly increased, and people's faces gradually showed hints of smiles.
But while he forged ahead with determination, he'd also offended massive numbers of shinobi clans.
Nara Shikaku had hinted and explicitly told him many times not to be too forceful—at appropriate times, he should also give shinobi clans some benefits.
But could the high-spirited Jiraiya listen to advice at this time?
He only saw the village recovering bit by bit, single-mindedly wanting the village to recover even faster. How could he possibly stop his pace of squeezing the shinobi clans?
So very quickly, the shinobi clans' backlash arrived.
On this day, Jiraiya was discussing matters with Nara Shikaku when suddenly a shinobi came to report.
"Lord Hokage, the daimyo's messenger has arrived."
"Good, I understand. I'll go greet them now."
Jiraiya hurriedly stopped the meeting, leading everyone out to welcome them.
Upon exiting, Jiraiya immediately recognized the lead daimyo messenger's identity—turned out to be a comrade he'd previously fought alongside.
Previously when Konoha Village's strength was depleted, the daimyo's side had dispatched the Guardian Shinobi Twelve and monks from the Fire Temple to support them, barely managing to withstand the other Four Nations' combined assault.
This messenger delegation's leader was precisely the Guardian Shinobi Twelve's leader at that time—Kazuma.
"Ah, so it's Kazuma. It's truly wonderful seeing you again."
Jiraiya laughed heartily, stepping forward to embrace Kazuma.
"Ah, so it's Lord Jiraiya. Indeed, it's been quite some days!"
Kazuma's face also showed several degrees of smile as he exchanged pleasantries with Jiraiya.
After the two spoke a few sentences, Kazuma stepped aside, introducing someone behind him dressed in noble attire:
"This lord is the daimyo's messenger, also of noble birth. His name is Sora Tani Shingo."
"Ah, so it's Lord Sora Tani. Very pleased to meet you." Jiraiya hurriedly led everyone in bowing.
That Sora Tani Shingo wore a kimono, face painted with powder and rouge, head held high, waving a folding fan in his hand to cover his mouth, speaking arrogantly:
"Alright, let's go inside to talk!"
"This hot summer—standing outside, my whole body's soaked with sweat."
Jiraiya hurriedly agreed, inviting the messenger group inside to sit in the great hall.
Upon sitting, that messenger immediately complained about the heat incessantly:
"This hot summer—why isn't the air conditioning on? It's sweltering!"
Jiraiya could only smile apologetically while explaining:
"Lord Sora Tani doesn't know—Konoha Village previously suffered war damage. Many infrastructure facilities in the village were destroyed."
"Though production has now resumed, we're prioritizing basic necessities first."
"Though electrical power has been restored, air conditioner production isn't that quick yet."
"Tch, how can this be!" Sora Tani Shingo frowned with disgust, waving his fan, urging:
"Then quickly find some Wind Release shinobi to blow some air! How can anyone live in this heat?"
Having witnessed plenty of noble behavior over the years, Jiraiya knew reasoning with such people was futile. With no choice, he exchanged a glance with the nearby ANBU. That ANBU quietly rose and left.
Moments later, two child-like shinobi walked in, each holding a massive folding fan. They stood on either side of the great hall and began vigorously waving.
With their waving, the air in the great hall immediately began flowing, carrying the indoor heat away.
Fortunately they didn't infuse chakra into it—otherwise this Lord Sora Tani would have been directly blown away.
"That's more like it."
Sora Tani Shingo nodded with satisfaction, picking up the tea offered before him, leisurely beginning to drink.
Seeing the messenger lord satisfied, only then did Kazuma turn around, first speaking with full regret:
"On my way here, I heard about Lord Hiruzen's matter. Never imagined that after parting with Lord Hiruzen last time, we'd be separated by death forever. Truly an extremely regrettable matter!"
Jiraiya also sighed along, speaking sorrowfully:
"Though shinobi inevitably die on the battlefield, my teacher's passing truly made me feel unexpected and heartbroken."
"Village reconstruction now should have proceeded under teacher's leadership. Instead, only I, a novice, can struggle to support it."
He reached up to scratch the messy hair on his head, smiling bitterly:
"How would I have known before how to be Hokage? Now it's truly completely like forcing a duck onto a perch!"
Who knew—his words had barely fallen when the nearby Lord Sora Tani slammed his tea bowl on the table, speaking with a cold expression:
"Hokage?"
"What Hokage?"
"Hasn't this position already been abolished?"
"Where will there be any Hokage in the future?"
"Henceforth all Konoha Village shinobi must pledge loyalty to the daimyo!"
"What?" Jiraiya was stunned, only now remembering—at the previous Five Kage Summit, his teacher had promised this matter.
When leaving the Land of Iron previously, Jiraiya had inquired about this matter with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had also carefully explained his thinking to him.
In a village, whether the leader was called Kage or some other name didn't matter.
Only those recognized by most people in the village could become leader.
Just because he, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wasn't called Hokage anymore—would village people stop listening to him?
The daimyo wanted all shinobi to pledge loyalty to him? No problem!
Everyone would just pledge loyalty!
But if the daimyo wanted to command Konoha Village, that wasn't so easy.
For Konoha Village, the daimyo's side would forever be outsiders. The daimyo's orders could only be realized through Konoha Village's leader—the Hokage.
If bypassing the Hokage, the daimyo's orders wouldn't be heeded by anyone.
So under these circumstances, so-called daimyo direct management fundamentally couldn't be realized.
In fact, the daimyo was also a veteran politician—certainly understood this principle. So this condition was merely giving the outside world an explanation, making the traitorous treaty signing's blame all fall on Sarutobi Hiruzen's head.
It was Sarutobi Hiruzen, this Hokage's incompetence that caused loss of sovereignty and national humiliation. The daimyo only learned of this matter afterward, flew into a rage over it, and even abolished the Hokage position.
This was tacit understanding between two veteran politicians.
Meaning this matter wouldn't actually be implemented.
But now, listening to this Lord Sora Tani's tone—did the daimyo's side want to make the fake real, truly abolishing the Hokage?
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