White Fang is dead?
When the Third Kazekage, far away in Sunagakure, heard this news, he suspected that the Sunagakure Anbu might have made a mistake.
It wasn't that he doubted the strength of other ninja villages, but the Third Kazekage believed that apart from the current Five Kage, there didn't seem to be any ninja capable of restraining Konoha's White Fang.
On the front lines, the Third Kazekage didn't care about the destructive power of Konoha's White Fang.
But this was a sharp blade that could penetrate deep into enemy territory, sweeping all before it.
Especially since Konoha's high-ranking officials were very good at using this blade, never deploying him on the front lines, but rather in the form of elite squads to carry out sabotage behind enemy lines. During wartime, he had once caused Sunagakure to be unable to cope with both ends.
At critical moments, he could deliver a fatal blow to the enemy.
In addition, in recent years, the squads he led had a 100% completion rate, and many wealthy merchants and nobles in the ninja world would go to Konoha and specifically request Sakumo to complete their missions.
This was a supreme trust.
Now, upon receiving the news of Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo's death from the Anbu, the Third Kazekage's first reaction was disbelief.
How could such a formidable ninja suddenly die?
"Who killed him? Was it a Cloud Shinobi?"
The Third Kazekage's expression was solemn.
Although a little unwilling, the overall strength of Sunagakure was actually ranked lower among the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Following closely behind Konoha was Kumogakure of the Land of Lightning.
Most of the ninjas in this village were ninjas who valued strength and action, possessing an extremely terrifying fighting spirit.
If anyone could kill Konoha's White Fang, the Cloud Shinobi were the most likely.
"That's not the case, Lord Kazekage. The White Fang of Konoha... committed suicide."
"Suicide?!"
After the Sunagakure Anbu finished speaking, the Third Kazekage's expression became extremely strange, with disbelief in his eyes.
Suicide?
How could it be suicide?
That White Fang of Konoha actually committed suicide?
How is that possible?
What are those people in Konoha doing?
Are they trying to induce something? A conspiracy against the other four ninja villages?
"This is what happened, Lord Kazekage."
The Anbu handed over the collected intelligence to the Third Kazekage.
The Third Kazekage took it, read it carefully, from beginning to end, five or six times, and finally confirmed one fact—
Konoha's White Fang was dead.
The White Fang of Konoha, who had given him so much headache, was dead.
He had originally prepared to sacrifice Sunagakure's elite ninjas to die with Konoha's White Fang, but now the extremely risky plan was no longer needed, and their Sunagakure ninjas no longer had to sacrifice their lives to kill Konoha's White Fang.
The Third Kazekage even had the thought for a moment that Konoha's high-ranking officials were actually allies.
And understanding the cause of the incident, although not recorded in detail, the Third Kazekage could also guess some things.
Konoha's Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was nearing fifty, and it was indeed time to choose a successor.
Konoha's White Fang, the Sannin, and some other Konoha Jonin were all strong contenders for the Fourth Hokage.
This was merely a political struggle of internal strife within Konoha.
"..."
The Third Kazekage sighed.
Konoha's White Fang... died a truly worthless death.
While feeling the joy of one less formidable enemy, he also felt a pang of sorrow, as this might be a warning.
No matter how powerful a village was, it should not adopt such a method, which brings pain to loved ones and joy to enemies, to gain political leverage.
It seemed that the election ceremony for the next Fourth Kazekage needed to be carefully reviewed to avoid following in Konoha's footsteps.
However, thinking that there should be no such person in Sunagakure, and he was currently in his prime, it was not yet time to elect the next Kazekage.
With that thought, the Third Kazekage felt much more at ease for the time being.
"Pass this news to Elder Chiyo. The White Fang led his squad and killed her son and daughter-in-law. Now that the White Fang is dead, it can be considered revenge for her."
"Yes."
After the Sunagakure Anbu left, the Third Kazekage gently exhaled, took out a scroll from a drawer, spread it on the table, and meticulously and seriously looked at the contents of the scroll.
This contained the overall plan for future attacks on the Land of Fire and for restraining Konoha's forces.
It included attack routes, supply channels, resource occupation points, and all action plans, all recorded without omission.
He crossed out one important part.
This part was the annihilation of Konoha's White Fang.
Since Konoha's White Fang was already dead, there was no need to commit so many people to this part.
The extra manpower could be used for other critical parts.
"If only the Sannin were like the White Fang..."
At this point, the Third Kazekage felt that he was dreaming.
The White Fang and the Sannin belonged to completely different factions within Konoha, and their political capital behind them was also distinct.
Regardless, the death of Konoha's White Fang was a cause for celebration.
He would finish work early today and go home for a good, peaceful sleep.
◎
Other ninja villages successively received the news of the White Fang's suicide.
Their public statements varied: disdain, cold indifference, excitement.
However, many merchants and wealthy nobles in the ninja world were dissatisfied with this. They had missions posted in Konoha that were still pending, and they had paid a hefty sum to hire Konoha's White Fang to complete them.
Now that Konoha's White Fang was dead, other Jonin were assigned to execute their missions.
Although Konoha's high-ranking officials immediately decided to refund the excess funds from these remunerations, it still had a significant impact on Konoha's credibility.
To be honest, since the Hokage himself couldn't participate in missions, the White Fang was Konoha's current face. Nobles and merchants highly trusted this Konoha Jonin's abilities and integrity, and both parties had a very pleasant relationship during their interactions.
Not only could he protect their goods, but their personal safety was also never compromised.
Within Konoha, currently, only one Jonin could accomplish such feats.
After investigation, many nobles and merchants expressed doubts about Konoha.
They didn't care about internal struggles within the ninja villages; they only cared about their goods and personal safety, and the White Fang was precisely the one who could provide them with these.
Now that the White Fang was gone, their enthusiasm for Konoha naturally diminished.
According to incomplete statistics, Konoha's mission income had declined significantly compared to previous years.
Among this, there were not a few other ninja villages spreading rumors, tarnishing Konoha's image, and vindicating the White Fang.
And this bitter pill, Konoha's high-ranking officials were destined to swallow themselves.
◎
Sakumo's death brought things to a close.
Shiraishi would also inquire about Kakashi's recent situation in the village, or visit him in person.
Outside, he would have his subordinates look after him to prevent any accidents.
Shiraishi also gave salary bonuses to these subordinates who secretly looked after Kakashi.
After all, this was not official business of the organization, but his personal matter, so this part of the funds could only be provided by himself.
During this period, Shiraishi also heard something else.
That was, the Konoha ninja rescued by Sakumo quietly ended his own life in a similar manner at home.
To this, Shiraishi could not make a complete assessment.
Because in Sakumo's heart, he had never blamed this Konoha ninja, whether his slander was true or not, it didn't really matter. Sakumo didn't take his slander to heart.
He didn't have to commit suicide. He, like Sakumo, was just a victim of this political struggle, a tool used and discarded.
Even if it wasn't him, others would have done it, perhaps even more ruthlessly.
He had no fault, just an unfortunate coincidence.
He was merely coincidentally chosen as a 'spokesperson'.
"704 people... Excluding combat personnel and irregular staff, there are only 76 technical personnel? Monthly expenses, total income of the organization..."
In Konoha's underground laboratory, Shiraishi held the information reported by Bug Man.
It was the current scale of the organization's development, its bases and numbers in various countries, as well as the salaries of personnel at each level, and the organization's industries... No, the organization currently had no industries.
The organization's funding also relied on Ruri's mines.
According to the organization's accounts, the funds were sufficient.
Even if not enough, they could just sell another mine.
Even mines in small countries would attract many merchants to bid, selling for a considerable price.
Within the current organization, irregular staff were the most numerous. These were all potential members of the organization, but not yet officially joined. There were about four hundred such people, responsible for less important organizational matters and not privy to the organization's core secrets.
Next were the combat personnel, all modified humans enhanced by Shiraishi with natural energy.
There were over two hundred of them.
Most were concentrated at the main base in the Land of Demons, with a small number engaged in secret activities in various countries.
Elite squads like the one led by Bug Man were very rare, and their work not only required secrecy but also involved relatively important organizational matters.
The remaining were technical personnel.
Among them, those engaged in scientific research, including Shiraishi, numbered only six.
Most of the rest were talents in other fields.
Having developed to this point, Shiraishi felt that the organization had reached a certain scale.
After all, natural energy, in terms of mass-producing combat personnel, was more convenient than chakra.
First, improve taijutsu, ninjutsu could be learned slowly. Even if one couldn't learn ninjutsu or wasn't suitable to be a ninja, combat personnel enhanced with natural energy could still fight on par with genin.
The organization's next plan was still primarily to expand its workforce, needing talent from all walks of life.
They also needed to establish companies to increase the organization's funding channels, instead of always relying on selling mines to make a living.
Manpower was sufficient, and funding was completely without problems.
What he needed now was someone who understood business operations to act as the person in charge.
Finding a list, Shiraishi locked onto one person.
The words 'Business' were marked under this person's area of expertise.
"Is it Gato...? Let this person give it a try..."
Just as Ruri said, throw money out first and see what happens.
Shiraishi didn't know when, but he felt an unprecedented sense of confidence.
This was the power called 'money'.
"Oh, and the organization still needs an accountant..."
Thinking of something else, Shiraishi realized the organization was still missing someone proficient in accounting.
Although someone was doing it, they weren't professional enough.
They needed to find a professional to manage the accounts.
◎
In the Land of Tea, a very dilapidated teahouse, almost devoid of customers.
Within the hidden layer of the teahouse was the branch base of the underground money exchange.
Bug Man and his four companions arrived here to communicate with the staff.
"We need to hire a professional in financial matters."
The staff member was stunned when he heard Bug Man's request.
"Hire a financial manager?"
"Yes, such a mission can be posted, right?"
"It can be, but such missions are quite rare. We mostly receive corpses here; we rarely get requests for live targets."
The staff member of the underground money exchange nodded, indicating that he understood the mission Bug Man had posted.
Although the content of the mission was a bit strange, since it was a customer's request, they could only try their best to fulfill it.
Anyway, with their intelligence network at the underground money exchange, finding a professional in financial matters for Bug Man and his team was not a difficult task.
"Just keep an eye out for us. If you find someone, I can give you a reward of 200,000 ryo."
After Bug Man posted the mission, he was about to leave when the staff member immediately replied, "Um, Mr. Bug Man, please wait a moment. I happen to have a suitable candidate here. Would you like to hear about him?"
What was important wasn't the money, but to make the customer feel at home.
Their service philosophy at the underground money exchange was to make customers feel satisfied both physically and mentally.
The staff member convinced himself of this.
"Oh?"
The staff member's attitude became enthusiastic.
Thinking about it, 200,000 ryo was a considerable sum of money for him.
"Mr. Bug Man, have you ever heard of the legend of the Undying One of the underground money exchange?"
"Undying One?"
"That's an eccentric who has worked in the underground money exchange for decades. It's said that his appearance has never changed, and he has always been a VIP of our underground money exchange. I've heard people say he's a guy obsessed with money, meticulous to the point where many people shy away from anything related to money. Many people joke that he shouldn't be a bounty hunter, but rather apply for a financial management officer position at a big company."
Bug Man became interested in this.
"Who is he?"
"A man named Kakuzu. I think he's the financial manager you're looking for, Mr. Bug Man. He has unparalleled extensive experience in this area."
"Where can I find him?"
"He was here a few days ago. He usually stays in one country for a month or two, then goes elsewhere to hunt. He should still be in the Land of Tea. Here's his photo."
The staff member found a photo and placed it in Bug Man's hand.
Bug Man took the photo and put it in his pocket, then unhesitatingly pulled out 100,000 ryo in cash and placed it in the staff member's hand.
"If he is indeed the financial manager we are looking for, I will pay the remaining 100,000 ryo later."
"I wish you a safe journey, Mr. Bug Man."
With the staff member's sincere bow, Bug Man and his four companions left.
(PS: I used to always feel sorry for Kakuzu. He worked hard to earn money his whole life, only to be beaten up by the protagonist, killed by Kakashi's Raikiri, and even his money was taken by Konan to buy explosive tags...)