"An iron curtain is descending, slowly engulfing the Land of Fire!"
Inside the Hokage Tower office in Konoha, the Noble Envoy from the Daimyo's court passionately addressed Konoha's F4: "If we don't stop these ninja clans from growing out of control, both our nation and our village will face a crisis unlike anything before!"
"Their actions trample the dignity of the Daimyo, slaughter nobles mercilessly, destroy cherished traditions completely, and leave commoners drowning in misery, unable to escape their suffering!"
"This completely undermines the one-village, one-nation system established by Hashirama-sama—it's utterly unacceptable!"
"Hokage-sama, and you three esteemed Advisors, you must not continue with appeasement any longer!"
Though the Noble Envoy spoke with fierce passion, Konoha's F4 simply kept nodding along without giving a clear response.
"Konoha and the Land of Fire are a single entity with two aspects—unbreakable and interwoven, sharing both fortune and hardship. Together, we've always been the solid foundation for peace across the ninja world."
"But now, powerful clans like the Hyuga and Uchiha are openly undermining the very basis of peace. Their actions are even more brazen than the rogue ninja during the Warring Clans era!"
The Noble Envoy continued his relentless persuasion.
"Hmm!"
The F4 nodded again, yet still offered not a single meaningful reply.
Even Danzo, known for his hardline stance, looked impatient while reluctantly going along.
"Hokage-sama..."
The Noble Envoy finally sounded desperate after speaking nonstop.
Seeing the four top officials of Konoha remain completely unmoved, he felt increasingly hopeless inside.
"You've been going on for nearly four hours now, ever since this morning,"
Finally, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly, "And you've said the exact same thing over and over again. This is how nobles talk?"
"Eh..."
Sweat began forming on the envoy's forehead.
Truthfully, he couldn't determine the true attitudes of these four Konoha leaders.
Before this meeting, the Daimyo and his advisors had carefully crafted a strategy focusing on broader national interests, hoping to convince Hokage Sarutobi to intervene against the rapidly expanding ninja clan corporations led by influential families.
Yet throughout the envoy's elaborate verbal performance, he discovered that these supposed staunch opponents of rebellious ninja clans seemed unusually ambiguous, clearly not taking his words seriously.
"The village simply doesn't have the strength to handle this on its own,"
Danzo, who had been silent in the corner, finally spoke, "Please let the Daimyo and Nobles understand—it isn't that Konoha intends to allow ninja clans to grow unchecked, but rather that we lack the capacity to act, thus forced to tolerate their behavior."
Yeah right! Like I'd believe that!
The Noble Envoy inwardly cursed furiously.
Though the ruling Four Ninja Clans of Konoha didn't hold as much power in the ninja clan capital corporations compared to dominant families like the Hyuga and Uchiha, when combined with other Hokage-aligned factions such as Ino–Shika–Cho, they probably controlled about one-third of decision-making authority anyway—how dare they claim helplessness?
Besides, after expelling the ninja clans, the most outrageous behavior came from the territories controlled by the Central-Southern Border Forces under the leadership of the Four Ruling Ninja Clans. Several once-prosperous border cities in the Land of Fire had turned into literal hells after being seized by these ninja clans!
Even the cruelest nobles understood that although commoners were like leeks—cut one crop and new ones would grow—they also knew the importance of maintaining this "harvest" steadily. No one would ever choose to wipe them out completely and cut off their own future income.
Still, since Danzo had at least made a slight gesture of goodwill, the Noble Envoy still needed to feign agreement.
"The Daimyo has always actively supported Konoha's development," the Noble Envoy forced himself to flatter. "I believe Hokage-sama and the three elder advisors are well aware of this."
He continued reluctantly, "Furthermore, if the village faces any actual difficulties, as long as it submits a formal request to the Daimyo..."
He hesitated, then trailed off.
Because suddenly, another thought crossed his mind: Could it be that Danzo's words were just a setup—a prelude to extortion?
"The village is practically broke right now!"
Sure enough, Danzo immediately demanded an exorbitant sum: "We need a whopping 80 billion yen each year just to train loyal ninjas who can stand up to those rogue clans! We hope the Daimyo will kindly offer support!"
Upon hearing this, the Noble Envoy nearly fainted on the spot!
Eighty billion yen!
And he emphasized, every single year!
Imagine, back in the darkest days of the Great Ninja World War, when trying to break the deadlock between Konoha and other hidden villages, the Fire Daimyo could barely scrape together a mere hundred billion yen from the national treasury as special military funding!
This astronomical sum went through countless layers of embezzlement. Even this Noble Envoy himself had taken a generous cut before the money ever reached Konoha—and only three billion yen remained when it finally arrived!
What's more, those initial three billion acted like timely rain, enough for Konoha to endure until victory shone through; despite later acquiring vast wealth from the Land of Lightning's surrender, nothing could diminish the critical importance and value of that original three billion yen!
So what kind of figure was eighty billion?!
"Of course, that's just the ideal scenario."
Quickly noticing the rising tension, Homura Mitokado stepped in to soften the blow: "In reality, if we could secure additional military funding of around five hundred billion yen annually, the village should be able to establish a relative advantage over rebellious clans within one or two years and achieve total unification of Konoha and the Land of Fire within five years!"
"Establishing real control takes time," Koharu Utatane added in agreement. "Moreover, ninjas aren't wild grass that grows on its own—they require careful cultivation and massive investments of resources to mature. This isn't something you can rush!"
As for the final decision-maker, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, he simply maintained a gentle smile without uttering a word.
The Noble Envoy shifted uneasily in his seat.
Whether it was eighty billion or five hundred billion, neither figure was something a mere envoy like him could decide alone.
And besides, even if the Daimyo was willing to play the fool and pay, did the national treasury and internal coffers actually have such a massive sum available?
It's not like we can ask the noble courtiers to sacrifice their own wealth and estates for the country's sake, right?
If even nobles have to dip into their own pockets to cover national deficiencies, what's the point of being noble at all?
"But—"
Though the Noble Envoy had a thousand arguments ready, he found himself completely tongue-tied.
"Village investments aren't something that can happen overnight. Five hundred billion or even eight hundred billion ryo are long-term ideal goals. However, if Lord Daimyo continues his previous low-investment policies, then the noble class can only watch helplessly as ninja clan powers expand, continuously eroding aristocratic interests."
Seeing the envoy practically on the verge of tears, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke: "Regardless, Lord Daimyo and all honorable courtiers must contribute their share to Konoha's development."
In short, money must be paid—but anything less than substantial would simply be meaningless. Yet determining exactly how much constituted 'enough' had become an almost mystical question.
In any case, this five-hundred-billion-ryo figure was completely unacceptable to both the Daimyo and the courtiers.
"Please allow me to report back to Lord Daimyo. Matters of such importance require deliberation by the imperial court."
With no alternative options remaining, the Noble Envoy could only apologize and request to withdraw temporarily.
"That's easily arranged."
Hiruzen Sarutobi showed no intention of pressing a mere messenger hard. His face maintained its characteristic amiable smile: "Since matters stand thus, I'll have Danzo accompany you back to the Daimyo's court."
Sweat began pouring uncontrollably from the envoy's forehead.
Everyone across the ninja world knew Danzo's personality and modus operandi. It was precisely because of the Shimura Clan's misconduct—his ancestral clan operating within the Central-Southern Border Forces controlled by the Hokage faction—that nobles lost their lands while commoners became displaced wanderers. Who knew what chaos this man might unleash if allowed into the Daimyo's court!
"Don't worry, Danzo isn't some man-eating demon!"
The Third Hokage added with distinctly sadistic humor.
At these words, the envoy nearly collapsed onto the floor.
Ninja Clan Capital Corporations, controlling economic lifelines across countless minor nations and extending their influence throughout the ninja world, were currently enjoying unparalleled dominance.
After establishing comprehensive open-door and free-trade agreements with smaller countries like the Land of Iron, the Coalition Force of Ninja Clans shifted focus toward the Land of Grass.
The various ninja clans that controlled the Northwest Border Defense Forces were also members of the capital corporations. Thus, upon uniting their forces, the number of ninja stationed inside the Land of Grass reached as high as four thousand strong—a military force sufficient to shake any major nation.
Indeed, during the Land of Grass contention three years earlier, when Konoha opposed Iwagakure, the several thousand-strong ninja coalition had successfully repelled Iwa's interventionary forces, demonstrating formidable wartime capabilities.
Therefore, after Hyuga Soushu formally established his base in the Land of Grass, diplomatic envoys from both the Land of Earth and Iwagakure swiftly arrived at the military camp seeking negotiations for peace.
War has never been a matter of poetic beauty or romantic glory.
Nowhere was this truer than in modern-day Iwagakure.
Although Tsuchikage Onoki pioneered the innovative strategy of hiring underground black market ninjas for Iwagakure's military campaigns—and achieved some notable successes during the war against Sunagakure—this was ultimately just a supplementary measure rather than a solution to the growing emptiness within the village's core strength.
Even though Iwagakure and Sunagakure had reached an unofficial ceasefire following their prolonged indecisive battles, maintaining a tacit resistance against the infiltration of a Ninja Clan Capital Corporation, they had yet to formalize any peace or alliance agreements. Strategic mutual trust was virtually nonexistent, so Onoki dared not provoke another conflict with Hyuga Soushu, who stood poised with the momentum of recent victories behind him.
Yet national and village interests must be pursued, which is why Iwagakure's envoy had come here seeking negotiations.
"Been a while, hasn't it?"
Hyuga Soushu, ever ready for talks, greeted the joint delegation from Iwagakure and the Land of Earth alongside several clan heads.
The Iwagakure representative was none other than Kitsuchi, son of the Tsuchikage—who once suffered capture during the war.
"It's been three years. Commander SOUSHU remains as impressive as ever. Truly enviable!"
Kitsuchi had grown far more composed compared to his younger, naïve self. Even before Hyuga Soushu—the man he considered an enemy—he maintained his calm, appearing almost respectful.
"Jonin Kitsuchi has really come into his own," Hyuga Soushu replied politely in kind.
The envoy sent by the Earth Daimyo also offered diplomatic flattery. For a moment, the atmosphere seemed genuinely warm and cordial.
But of course, such surface-level harmony couldn't last long.
After finishing their rounds of pleasantries and polite puffery, it was time to address the real issues.
"Commander SOUSHU's forces entering the Herb Country have raised deep concerns within our village."
Kitsuchi took the initiative to raise the issue: "According to the peace agreement previously reached between our two villages, any sizable ninja force entering the Herb Country should provide seven days' prior notification. Therefore—"
"Jonin Kitsuchi misunderstands. This is merely a team-building event jointly organized by personnel from the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation and the Northwest Border Defense Forces. There is no sizable ninja force involved, certainly not one violating any peace agreements."
Hyuga Soushu lied through his teeth: "Furthermore, your country blocking the sales of our corporation's products violates the principle of fair competition. Such actions represent serious misconduct detrimental to peace across the ninja world!"
"Team-building exercise?"
The moment Kitsuchi heard those words, he could no longer maintain a facade of civility.
The current camp they occupied boasted fully equipped facilities—from sealing barriers to military fortifications and training grounds—permanent structures rarely seen even within Iwagakure's own garrisons inside the Land of Earth. To label all that as a mere team-building activity spoke volumes about these clans' talent for brazen deception.
"Our country isn't outright banning anything. We're simply renegotiating tax rates!" quickly interjected the Earth Country envoy. "Once the clan corporations comply with the agreed-upon taxation standards, reopening the market will definitely be possible!"
"You—"
Kitsuchi became even more frustrated.
Who on earth reveals their bottom line this early into negotiations?!
"Four!"
The Earth Country envoy raised four fingers.
"That seems a bit too much."
Nara Clan Leader shook his head, then fell silent.
Hyuga Soushu's expression remained unchanged; he merely lifted his teacup and took a sip.
At that moment, a Hyuga jonin strode in confidently and bowed to Hyuga Soushu. "Honorable Lord Soushu, headquarters is ready. The drill can begin at any time!"
"Good!"
Hyuga Soushu nodded with satisfaction, then turned to issue orders directly, ignoring the two envoys present. "Then we shall begin in ten minutes! I, along with the other clan heads, will personally oversee the operation!"
"Oh, and if either of you esteemed envoys are interested, feel free to join us for observation as well."
"Commander SOUSHU, what exactly is your intent here?!"
Kitsuchi could no longer contain himself. He shot to his feet, face flushed with anger. "Do you really think a mere drill will make the resilient Iwagakure submit?"
"That's absurd!"
"Getting worked up again!"
Hyuga Soushu shook his head in resignation. "Rest assured, this exercise was jointly planned long ago by Root and the Border Forces, with no intention of targeting any uninvolved third parties. There's no need for such unfounded speculation, Jonin Kitsuchi."
"You!"
Kitsuchi was too furious to speak.
"Commander SOUSHU, may I ask about the scale, objective, and codename of this exercise?"
The Earth Country envoy asked once more.
"Just a small gathering involving about three thousand participants—nothing grand, certainly no hidden agenda," Soushu replied with a smile. "As for the codename… yes, there actually is one."
Instantly, everyone—including the Ninja Clan Heads—leaned in attentively. None had previously known about a secret codename for the exercise, which had been hastily conceived after the recent troop reunification.
"Codename: Northwest Iron Curtain!"
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