The birthday celebration.
Aside from Rinjin's clicking footsteps, the entire venue fell into deathly silence.
The Eighteen Seats and the forces behind them turned green with envy.
The Eighteen Seats meetings that occurred two to three times a year—just gone like that???
At this moment, Yōhei hiding in the crowd was trembling.
It was back—that feeling was back!
Everyone wasn't stupid. Ever since Danzō first failed to strictly follow Rinjin's plan, these people's probing and suspicion of Karza had begun.
Some thought Karza had grown old and senile.
Some thought Karza was being controlled by ninjutsu.
Some simply thought Karza had been killed...
However, at this moment, that long-lost feeling of being dominated appeared above their heads again, pressing down so they couldn't breathe.
The familiar formula, the familiar routine—just throwing down the burden and refusing to work.
Yet the people of Sunagakure fell for this move every time.
Everyone knew newspapers were a good thing—they could make money and control public opinion. Everyone wanted them, which led to a problem: no single faction could swallow it all alone.
The high-ranking officials wanted to run newspapers. They had money and channels, but lacked the technology. The middle and lower-tier forces also wanted a piece of the pie.
These Eighteen Seats were like Halloween children—if you didn't give them treats, they'd cause trouble.
Without the Municipal Department, the high-ranking officials might symbolically bestow a little, and the middle and lower-tier people might reluctantly accept it. But with the Eighteen Seats meetings, who cared about those measly profits? Not only were the earnings small, there were no guarantees either.
In the venue, people were already beginning to eye Yōhei with calculating looks.
Perhaps removing this woman and the forces behind her entirely would be a very good idea.
Undercurrents surged.
Rinjin's meaning was crystal clear: If you want the chef to continue cooking, it's simple—kill the pig and put it on the chopping block!
That pig was Yōhei and the people behind her.
This time, without bringing down at least one high-ranking advisor, Rinjin would never back down.
...
Returning to Karza's home, Rinjin removed his robes and quickly walked into the study.
In the study, Danzō had a dark expression, looking thoroughly displeased.
"Alright, the matter's settled. Now we just wait to see the results."
Hearing this, Danzō's expression twisted as he asked in confusion:
"Rinjin, tell me—when exactly was I exposed?"
"You were exposed long ago. With your level of skill, it would be strange if you weren't exposed!
I'm not trying to criticize you, but look at all the embarrassing things you did—obsessing over one broken newspaper, holding three meetings about it.
I told you, the more you stare at power, the more power looks down on you, didn't I? Don't be a simp!
Just wait and see. Within three days, these people will deliver Yōhei and whoever's pulling her strings right to my doorstep. And I'm still not going out until one of those three Sunagakure high-ranking officials is brought down."
Hearing this, Danzō let out a muffled grunt.
"This would be absolutely impossible in Konoha!"
Upon hearing this, Rinjin smiled and nodded.
"Konoha is indeed different—many clans, and each clan values strength quite highly. But Konoha has Konoha's weaknesses. Want me to teach you?"
Listening to Rinjin's casual words, Danzō was tempted.
However, the next second, the old man shook his head like a rattle drum.
He wanted to become Hokage, wanted to control Konoha, but he didn't want to turn Konoha into what Sunagakure was now—everyone only thinking about their own interests.
Seeing Danzō shake his head, Rinjin sighed helplessly and patted his shoulder.
"Since you don't want to know, forget it."
With that, he turned and left the study.
Danzō as a character was basically ruined...
However, adhering to the principle of making use of waste, Rinjin had discovered one advantage of Danzō: This guy was perfect as a lightning rod.
His perception of traps was truly unreasonable. Despite being blind to everything like he knew nothing, he could still clearly sense that 'troublemakers were out to get him.'
Simply incredible...
Compared to Danzō, his former little assistant Toda was actually quite useful.
While pondering, Rinjin suddenly sensed a clumsy little thief sneaking through a first-floor window into his house.
Going downstairs to look, Rinjin immediately smiled.
What perfect timing! Speak of the devil and he appears.
In the living room, Rinjin sat with his legs crossed, leisurely watching Toda behind the coffee table.
"Kid, what are you doing climbing through my window?"
As his words fell, Toda didn't speak, only carefully examined Rinjin from head to toe.
After a long while, Toda finally spoke quietly.
"Lord Karza?"
"Don't call me lord. You sold me out, and you're still calling me lord?"
Hearing this, Toda immediately broke into a sly grin.
"Lord, you switched people without telling me. I thought you'd been taken out, hehe~"
It had to be said, this kid had really learned a lot following Rinjin—his mind worked lightning fast.
"Alright, enough nonsense. If you have something to say, say it." Rinjin waved his hand impatiently.
Hearing this, Toda smiled and moved closer to Rinjin, whispering:
"Lord Karza, are you staying this time?"
"No, I'll be leaving after a while. If you have something to say, say it. Stop being so wishy-washy like a woman."
"Uh..." Toda scratched his head with an awkward smile.
"Do you think... my position could be... promoted a bit?"
Hearing this, Rinjin was immediately amused.
"There's definitely opportunity—it just depends on whether you can seize it. I need a stable, peaceful Sunagakure that doesn't fight wars. Can you manage that?"
Hearing this, Toda nodded vigorously:
"Yes, I can!"
Seeing this, Rinjin nodded with satisfaction.
"Good. Start with the Eighteen Seats—infiltrate and control them one by one. Go do it. Secretly control these seats, maintain the Municipal Department's authority, and you'll have everything you want."
With that, Rinjin tapped the low table in front of him, pulled out a scroll from his chest, and continued:
"This contains intelligence on the Eighteen Seats. The hardest nuts to crack—Yōhei and the few seats controlled by the high-ranking officials—have already been removed. The rest is up to you."
Finishing his words, Rinjin placed the scroll on the low table, patted Toda's shoulder, and stood to leave.
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