Naruto: The Scientific Ninja

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Chapter 56: Ninjutsu Exchange

If the military budget isn't increased, how can the Daimyo of the Land of Fire give so much to Konoha Village? And if the "commission" isn't higher, how can common ninjas get the motivation to risk their lives on missions? How can they awaken their Ninja Will and continue to shine for the village without working themselves to the bone?

This policy, in the end, is quite beneficial for Konoha. The only ones who get hurt are the Daimyo and those common ninjas.

Unfortunately, the front-line officers saw the village doing this and followed suit, learning from the logistics department to demand commissions. Those who didn't understand the rules were reprimanded with death orders or sent to the mines and to disarm traps. Over time, low-level ninjas began to voluntarily offer these "guidance fees," often buying supplies for their superiors.

Thus, after each war, Konoha suffered countless casualties, but fattened a large group of rats, especially the youth from ninja clans with backgrounds. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, realized the problem, but the atmosphere had already formed and was difficult to reverse. Reforming it would be tantamount to revolutionizing his own life; he himself was part of the system.

However, Hiruzen was not helpless. His good companion, Shimura Danzo, was an expert in internal politics. Danzo had zero tolerance for corruption and was ruthless. With Danzo acting as the club and he himself offering the sweet date, Hiruzen found that governing was surprisingly easy. He saved many of those Danzo punished, earning their loyalty and consolidating his power. The title of the "strongest Hokage" spread like wildfire, a title forged as much in political skill as in strength.

"Sasuke, Elder Danzo will arrive at the front in a few days," Nara Shikaku told him. "It would be wise that, during this period, all your supplies have a clear provenance from your own merits."

"Yes, yes, Lord Shikaku is right," Sasuke replied, appearing flattered and nervous. He understood the hidden message: I know what you've been doing, and now the supervisor is coming.

Unfortunately for Shikaku, he was going to be disappointed. It was true that he used Tekudo's materials, but the Teku family was good at business; they had sent a purchase promissory note so that everything looked like a legitimate transaction and avoided problems.

After the subtle warning, Shikaku, a very busy man, dismissed him. Sasuke left the office and took his team to another, intending to redeem the merit points he had just obtained.

"Overnight, I've become rich," Sasuke exclaimed to himself.

The reward for the S-rank mission exceeded one million ryo; his 30% was more than 200,000. But the real prize was the mission record. In addition, the two A-rank missions he completed on his own, with the commissions waived by Shikaku, would bring him more than 1.5 million ryo. Millionaire overnight? Just half a month ago, he was counting his ration pills like a miser... No wonder everyone wanted to be a jonin.

Upon going up to the second floor, Sasuke and his team arrived at a luxurious office. He used his radar to check it. There was no danger, but there was a hidden presence in a secret room: Kagejiro.

"Hey, isn't that Sasuke? I'm Mitokado Takashi, a special jonin from the exchange class. Shinnosuke already told me about you. The summoning beast, the hawk, is ready for you."

The man, Takashi, was very enthusiastic, but Sasuke could perceive poorly disguised contempt in his eyes. He scoffed inwardly; it seemed that this Takashi and Kagejiro were in the same group, and they were not his friends.