The Game Merchant Who Started from the Ninja World

Chapter 14: This Is the Shinobi World's Revolution

"That's the situation."

Asuma knelt on one knee, his expression grave as he delivered his report.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, as always, puffed on his long-stemmed pipe, his face unreadable.

Sitting in the adjacent chairs were the two senior advisors. A situation with such far-reaching implications couldn't be decided by the Hokage alone.

"Hiruzen, you're being too soft!"

Bang.

The doors of the Hokage's office swung open.

Shimura Danzo, head of the Root Division, strode in with a cold expression. "All we need to do is locate the mastermind behind this and everything will be resolved."

Asuma remained in his kneeling position and challenged, "Our intel is too limited. We don't even know where this mysterious game merchant is hiding, or if they're even in the Shinobi World. How do you plan to drag them out?"

Danzo insisted, "I'm confident the mysterious merchant is hiding inside the game's Novice Village. A thorough search will—"

"Danzo!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed his hand on the desk, signaling him to stop.

The mysterious merchant possessed a host of unfathomable powers. Until they could properly assess the threat, it was best not to make an enemy of him.

Has Danzo been lurking in the dark so long that his brain's gone soft?

"Hiruzen!"

Danzo glared with his single exposed eye, his presence oppressive. But in the end, he backed down and sat beside the two advisors.

Homura Mitokado, with messy hair and glasses, remained calm. "Since the Hidden Mist has begun investing resources into the Reincarnation Game, we can't afford to lag behind. Let's start by allocating two hundred million."

"Not enough. I need one billion."

"I object!"

Koharu Utatane, dressed in traditional garb with her hair tied up neatly, shook her head. "The daimyo of the Land of Fire is already trying to reduce our influence. He's been cutting funding for years. We have no surplus left to squander."

Though the Land of Fire was wealthy, the Hidden Leaf Village did not engage in production. Most of their funds came from the country's allocations.

As head of the village's finances, Koharu was conservative. Even allocating two hundred million would require sacrifices. She believed the Reincarnation Game was likely a ploy by some unknown faction and didn't want to waste resources on it.

"In that case, we'll table this discussion for now."

Sarutobi Hiruzen knew this scene well. Though the debate wasn't too heated, it provided him with a way to delay without losing face.

He didn't want to make decisions with no clear answers. One wrong move could have disastrous consequences.

As Hokage, his priority was simply to handle what was directly in front of him.

By shinobi standards, he was already old. He could clearly feel his declining physical strength and fading stamina.

He no longer had the ambition of his youth—only a desire to retire peacefully and live out his days in peace.

If he made a major mistake now, his legacy as Hokage would be forever stained.

"No!"

Asuma's voice suddenly grew sharp. "As someone who's experienced it firsthand, I understand the mystery and power of the Reincarnation Game far better than any of you."

"Have you all forgotten?"

"There was a time when samurai ruled this world through might. Shinobi were nothing but rats scurrying in the gutters, performing shady jobs no one else would take."

"The appearance of the Sage of Six Paths changed everything. The era of the samurai ended. Only the Land of Iron still has remnants today."

"I have a strong feeling the Reincarnation Game will reshape the world in the same way!"

Asuma's eyes burned with determination. "This is a revolution in the Shinobi World. If the village misses this wave of massive change, we'll be left behind—just like the samurai."

"Enough!"

Danzo's tone was sharp and laced with malice as he stood. "You're questioning the judgment of the village's leadership over a few unfamiliar tricks, Sarutobi jōnin?"

Though his words were aimed at Asuma, his eyes slid toward Hiruzen, silent accusation implied.

Hiruzen's head throbbed. Looking at his son, he felt a complicated mix of emotions.

It was like seeing a younger version of himself.

Back then, surrounded by enemies, he too had been passionate and full of conviction, willing to give his life to protect the path behind him.

Have I really grown that old...?

Koharu kept her eyes closed and murmured softly, "He's just a merchant peddling a game, coveting our ninjutsu. How can he be compared to the Sage of Six Paths? Besides, even the Sage is just a legend."

Clunk.

Asuma opened his inventory and placed an item on the desk.

Ninja World History – 500 reward points.

It chronicled the origins of ninjas, including the appearance of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, the Divine Tree's fruit, and the birth of Ninshū.

The scroll was passed around, and everyone frowned after reading it. It sounded absurd.

Homura shook his head repeatedly. "Nonsense. That merchant's identity is unknown. How could the game's version of history be trusted? You're being foolish."

Aliens, chakra fruit, divine trees… are we all vegetables now?

Ridiculous.

Hiruzen fell silent for a long time, then finally spoke. "Asuma, the version of history you purchased from the shop is far too outlandish. We can't treat it as truth for now…"

Asuma stared at his slightly hunched father, eyes filled with disappointment.

"Thirty million."

"What?"

Hiruzen looked at him, confused.

Asuma replied calmly, "I used to be a guardian of the daimyo. My head was worth thirty million ryo. I'm willing to wager it on the Reincarnation Game."

According to standard procedures, collateral could be pledged at ten times its value—that would amount to three hundred million ryo.

"You've gone mad!"

Danzo scoffed, though his eyes gleamed with interest.

If it meant seeing Hiruzen struggle and squirm, it gave him perverse satisfaction.

The atmosphere in the Hokage's office grew stifling.

It had been a long time since a meeting this heated had taken place.

In the end, with Homura's support, Sarutobi Asuma secured one billion ryo in funding for the S-Rank mission [Reincarnation Game].

This was equivalent to 10,000 reward points.

As part of the deal, Asuma willingly gave up all personal assets from the Sarutobi clan as collateral.

Even Hiruzen was shocked—he couldn't believe his son would go this far for the Reincarnation Game.

Behind the screen,

Fang Yi was equally impressed by Asuma's resolve. As the heir of the Sarutobi Clan, he was willing to forfeit everything.

And that clan—during the Fourth Great Ninja War—had been capable of fielding a Fire Release unit 3,000 shinobi strong.

The Sarutobi Clan had no kekkei genkai. Compared to the Uchiha or Hyūga, their talent was unremarkable.

Their ability to produce so many shinobi was due to immense financial resources and logistical support.

They could have easily split off to become their own minor hidden village.

Even Terumi Mei, as the Fifth Mizukage, had only managed to commit two hundred million.

Fang Yi just made a fortune in one move.

"Yes, let's keep stirring the pot!"

"The Sand Village is broke, so forget them. What about Cloud and Stone?"

Fang Yi opened his system panel.

[Fang Yi]

Reincarnation Building: Novice Village (Level 1)

Corruption Sources: Sealed

Reward Points: 158,600

"With these reward points saved up, once the players breach the castle's outer perimeter, I'll roll out a game update to push their enthusiasm to the max!"

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