Namikaze Minato moved quickly. After all, this wasn't a particularly difficult task
The first step only required a lot of money.
As orders were issued one after another, the massive hidden village of Konohagakure started moving again.
Although ninjas didn't particularly enjoy construction work, the real reason wasn't the work itself—it was the low pay.
But once the money was right, ninjas began gathering around the outskirts of Konohagakure, expanding the village.
The surrounding forests were falling at a visible speed, and houses were rising almost in the blink of an eye.
At that moment, the efficiency of ninjas was on full display.
The sealing squad also got to work. As the village expanded, the protective barrier was extended accordingly.
And thanks to the expansion, newly developed sealing techniques were also put to use.
With more space to work with, the barrier's strength was also enhanced.
Meanwhile, many ninjas were sent out in different directions to guide refugees from the Land of Fire toward Konohagakure.
As all of this progressed, the money from the Konohagakure Merchant Association flowed out like a waterfall.
And then, the first real challenge from the village leadership to the Hokage arrived.
"Namikaze Minato! What the hell are you doing?! Tell me! Where's my money?! Where's my money?!"
The head of the Konohagakure Merchant Association—essentially the village's treasurer—Uchiha Tatsumi, kicked open the Hokage's office door.
Furious, Tatsumi pointed at Minato's face.
"Huh? You didn't know?"
Minato stood up, looking puzzled as he asked Uchiha Tatsumi.
"Know? Know my ass! You went and issued all these missions without a word—expanding the village, expanding the sealing barrier—what? Is Konohagakure not big enough for you anymore?!"
It was clear that Uchiha Tatsumi was truly enraged. The chubby Uchiha's face was flushed red.
If he were younger, at this level of emotional turmoil, he'd probably have awakened his Sharingan from one tomoe to three tomoe in an instant.
"Expanding the village? Fine, I'll accept that. No problem. The population is growing, so expansion makes sense."
Feeling that, as a member of the Uchiha clan, he shouldn't act so rudely, Tatsumi did his best to rein in his emotions.
Expanding the sealing barrier, I can understand that. But why are you sending people to guide the refugees?! Is that your job? Are you the Daimyo? As Hokage, can't you stop worrying about people outside the village so much?!
"This... this was a task given to me by the Second Hokage. He said it was the result of discussions between Lord Raijin and Madara-sama."
Upon hearing this, Namikaze Minato grabbed Uchiha Tatsumi's hand and spoke to him.
"Don't use Uchiha Raijin and Uchiha Madara to pressure me!"
Tatsumi's expression stiffened for a moment. After thinking about it, he directly shook off Namikaze Minato's hand.
"I fully support Raijin and Madara's ideas. But as Hokage, shouldn't you at least discuss it with me before spending such a huge amount of money? Do you have any idea how much of an impact your spending spree has on the Konohagakure business association? Do you know how many projects had to be put on hold because of this?
You're the Hokage now. Can you act a bit more responsibly? At least hold a high-level meeting and let everyone know about it.
It's not that I don't support what you're doing, but people have the right to know, don't they?
You can't just start something without any explanation!"
Unconsciously, Tatsumi's angry tone softened into a more serious one.
"Sorry, sorry. I didn't think it through. I really appreciate your guidance."
Minato chuckled lightly and spoke in a polite tone to Uchiha Tatsumi.
"Tell me, how much money are we talking about this time?"
Hearing this, Tatsumi nodded and asked Namikaze Minato.
Since it was the Uchihas who pushed for this, Tatsumi had nothing more to say. If the Konohagakure business association couldn't cover the costs, then the Uchiha would.
No matter what those two wanted to do—even if they wanted to burn money for fun or hire a bunch of ninjas to play hide-and-seek—
Uchiha Tatsumi gritted his teeth. He had to make sure it got done.
"Right now, the goal is to turn Konohagakure into something like Uzushio Village, but you know how much bigger the Land of Fire is compared to the Land of Whirlpools. Honestly, I have no idea how much money it will take."
Minato explained to Uchiha Tatsumi.
The amount was astronomical. They could only take it step by step based on available funds. Doing it all in one go? Impossible.
"I see... well, that's not too bad, then."
Tatsumi nodded and let out a sigh of relief. At least those two weren't just throwing money away.
Besides, this was only a short-term investment. The return on this would be huge in the long run.
"Slow down a bit on your plans. I'll give you a proposal in the next few days—just take your time."
With that, Uchiha Tatsumi spoke to Namikaze Minato.
"I know what you're going to say. Since this plan came from Raijin and Madara, of course, I won't deliberately slow it down. But you have to give the business association some breathing room, right?
You can't just decide something and immediately put it into action. Even a Fireball Jutsu requires hand seals first."
Seeing that Namikaze Minato wanted to say something, Uchiha Tatsumi cut him off.
"Alright, I get it. I'll wait for your proposal."
Minato smiled slightly and replied to Uchiha Tatsumi.
"Mm."
Tatsumi nodded and turned to leave.
"Oh? Hiruzen, you're here too?"
As soon as he stepped outside, Tatsumi saw Sarutobi Hiruzen approaching, looking just as furious.
"Yeah. What about you?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped when he saw Tatsumi and asked.
"Nothing major. Just handled something."
Tatsumi chuckled and replied.
"Same here. Just need to clarify a few things with the Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and said to Uchiha Tatsumi.
"Alright then, I'll leave you to it. I'm heading back."
Tatsumi nodded, then disappeared.
"Namikaze Minato! What are you trying to do?! The war just ended, and now you want to start another one?!"
With a kick, Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed open the office door, leaving a footprint on it. Even before seeing Namikaze Minato, he was already shouting.
"Ah, Grandpa Hiruzen!"
Minato quickly stood up and greeted Sarutobi Hiruzen.
After all, as Jiraiya's student, Minato was technically a generation below him and had to call him "Grandpa."
"What were you thinking, interfering with the refugees? The Daimyo's people just came to me, asking what Konohagakure is trying to do. How am I supposed to explain this?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Namikaze Minato with a headache, but there was nothing he could do. Their relationship was too close for him to be too harsh.
"Konohagakure's intentions? Obviously, we just felt bad for the refugees and wanted to help as much as we could."
"Or do you want the Hokage to also be the Daimyo?"
Minato chuckled and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"You can joke around with me here, but do you think the Daimyo will believe that?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, clearly displeased as he stared at Namikaze Minato.
"Tell me, whose idea was this?"
With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen directly asked Minato.
He could tell right away—Minato had been exceptionally responsible ever since taking office.
There was no way he would suddenly pull off something this big without a word.
"It was the joint decision of Lord Tobirama, Lord Raijin, and Madara-sama."
Minato pressed his lips together and answered Hiruzen.
"I see."
Hiruzen nodded and immediately gave up trying to reason with Minato. Without another word, he turned and left the Hokage's office.
Watching Hiruzen's retreating figure, Minato let out a helpless sigh.
This was exactly why he avoided holding high-level meetings.
These people simply wouldn't take him seriously.
Among the current leadership in Konoha, nearly every one of them was his senior.
Even if he called a meeting, it wouldn't lead to any real results.
They wouldn't agree with his plans, but they wouldn't outright reject them either.
Instead, they'd give some vague response and then go discuss it with whoever they trusted more.
"Huh? Sensei, you're here?"
At the Raijin residence, Tsunade saw Sarutobi Hiruzen entering the courtyard. She set down the watering can and walked up to greet him.
"Yeah, I heard from Minato that Raijin is planning something big."
Hiruzen smiled slightly as he spoke to Tsunade.
Rather than handling this matter with Minato, he had come directly to Raijin and Tsunade.
Not only did he want to understand their intentions firsthand, but he also saw this as an opportunity to strengthen his relationship with them.
After all, relationships needed to be maintained, and this was the perfect chance to do so.
"Yeah, that's right. Didn't Minato tell you?"
Tsunade nodded and asked.
"He did, but I still don't know exactly what you're planning. Is this something that absolutely has to be done?"
Hiruzen nodded and asked Tsunade.
"Yes, there's no other option."
Tsunade answered without any hesitation.
"Sensei, you don't need to stress too much about this. If we can send the Daimyo's envoy back, that would be ideal. But if not, getting rid of him isn't a problem either."
Just then, Raijin, who had just finished his training, stepped out and spoke to Hiruzen.
"I understand. I didn't expect you to be this determined."
Hiruzen chuckled and nodded at Raijin.
"Since we've made up our minds, there's no turning back. The money the Daimyo gives us every year isn't all that important to Konoha anymore."
Raijin nodded, then sat down across from Hiruzen.
"Alright, in that case, I'll handle this. By the way, how's your training going?"
Hiruzen nodded, then changed the topic and asked Raijin.
"It's going well."
Raijin smiled and replied.
"By the way, which gate have you reached now?"
After answering, Raijin asked Hiruzen in return.
"Sigh… My talent isn't all that great. I've only just reached the Sixth Gate. Compared to you guys, I'm way behind."
Hiruzen let out a bitter laugh, waving his hand as if embarrassed.
"What are you talking about? The fact that you've made it this far without a bloodline limit is incredible. If that doesn't count as talent, then what does?"
Raijin shook his head with a smile and said to Hiruzen.
"Heh, compared to you young ones, I'm really falling behind."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up as he spoke to Raijin, walking toward the door.
"Alright, now that I understand the situation, I'll take care of it."
"If you're not in a hurry, why don't you stay for a meal before you go? It's been a while since you last came here."
Raijin said to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"No need. You finally have some time to train, so I won't disturb you. Come over to my place next time and have a meal—your teacher's wife will cook for you."
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled as he spoke to Raijin.
"Alright, when you have time, I'll come over with Tsunade."
Raijin smiled and nodded.
"Good."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in response, walking outside while speaking to Raijin.
"Take care."
Raijin said with a smile as he watched Sarutobi Hiruzen leave.
As Sarutobi Hiruzen's figure disappeared, Raijin casually sat down on a small stool.
"Raijin… I can't open the Eighth Gate..."
Now that Sarutobi Hiruzen had left, Tsunade's expression instantly fell. She clung to Raijin's arm, looking frustrated.
"That just means your body hasn't reached its limit yet. You just need to keep building up your strength."
Raijin chuckled and patted Tsunade on the back.
"This is actually a good thing. Once you truly open the Death Gate, the benefits will be beyond your expectations."
"But I want to open it now! Every time I try, I get this feeling that if I really do, I'll definitely die."
Tsunade sat up straight, sighed helplessly, and looked completely defeated.
"There's no way around it. The only option is to keep training. If you really want to speed up the process, you might consider Kumogakure."
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