Naruto: Pay-to-Win Ninja System

At this moment, within Konoha.

Three days ago, the main forces of Konoha had already returned to the village.

"Jiraiya-sama! What about the Hokage?"

Kakashi cast a glance toward the infirmary on the left, asking Jiraiya with visible concern.

Five days ago, their retreat had been extremely difficult.

And in the end, no one from Konoha's side could have predicted it.

Iwagakure had actually deployed Tailed Beasts again!

Even going so far as to blow up their own troops—it was utterly insane!

As a result, over ten Anbu ninjas who stayed behind with Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, to cover the retreat all perished in the explosions caused by those Tailed Beast Balls.

Sarutobi himself sustained grievous injuries—four broken ribs and half his right arm gone—as he nearly died.

This still happened only after several Anbu ninjas sacrificed themselves to shield the Hokage from most of the damage.

Otherwise, Sarutobi would've died in that explosion too.

Moreover, already severely injured, the exhausting journey back further weakened him.

By the time they reached Konoha, he was practically on his last breath.

He'd remained unconscious in the infirmary ever since.

He nearly died, but managed to pull through two days ago.

Unfortunately, even now he hadn't yet awakened...

"He's out of danger now. No need to worry."

"I'm guarding him personally. No one will threaten the old man again!"

Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, Jiraiya assured confidently.

Indeed, with someone like Jiraiya—one of Konoha's Sannin—standing guard, it prevented any ill-intentioned individuals from acting recklessly.

Allowing Sarutobi to recuperate in peace.

"We really appreciate everything you've done, Jiraiya-sama!"

Kakashi sincerely thanked him.

"Don't mention it. Besides, how's the situation looking in the village these past couple days?"

"It's not great!"

Kakashi nodded seriously.

Konoha had technically won the war against Iwagakure Village.

Out of less than a thousand deployed ninja, only about 200 were lost.

Although Konoha's losses weren't insignificant.

But compared to at least 2,000 deaths on Iwagakure's side, it was a worthwhile trade.

Plus, they destroyed countless buildings, inflicting heavy damage upon Iwagakure Village itself!

That alone counted as a major victory!

At first glance, returning with this news—and an army coming back victorious—should have given the whole village a huge morale boost.

However, once they got back home…

They suddenly realized something unsettling—they might've stolen Iwagakure's Crystal,

but their own village crystal was also stolen by Homura Hidden Village!

The Sensor Division was nearly wiped out entirely, and the Great Barrier of Konoha was destroyed;

Furthermore, the remaining members of the Uchiha Clan had mysteriously disappeared without a trace!

Clearly, Fugaku's team sent previously failed completely to stop Homura Hidden Village.

Instead, they were eliminated in one clean sweep.

It was truly like saying: "Throwing a meat-filled bun at a dog—once it's gone, there's no getting it back!"

Or put another way—"Losing both your army and your queen."

In short, this blow directly overshadowed the celebratory mood brought by Konoha's battlefield victory. It gave several noble families in Konoha something to think about... perhaps a little too much.

And more directly still, it enraged Elder Danzo to the point of coughing blood.

Until now, they're still in recovery.

Of course, all these issues mentioned above aren't the most important.

After all, whether it's the entire Uchiha Clan defecting or the village barrier being damaged,

They haven't really affected ordinary Konoha villagers much.

The real life-threatening problem is — there's been no harvest at all!

Despite winning a major battle, we didn't gain any spoils whatsoever!

Originally, to prepare for this big war, the early procurement of various supplies had already drained Konoha's temporary reserves.

At the same time, the temporary 'war tax' levied on villagers had already forced everyone to tighten their belts and live off scraps.

We've even incurred a debt of fifty million ryō in alliance fees to Sunagakure Village.

Therefore, everyone had pinned their hopes on defeating Iwagakure and making a huge profit!

But as it turned out, we won yet gained not even a single hair!

Everyone still has to keep tightening their belts — how could they *not* be furious?

This victory tastes worse than going into battle and losing outright!

No wonder the village atmosphere has become so gloomy.

Of course, compared with the financially struggling common villagers,

Konoha's higher-ups are suffering just as much at this moment.

Sarutobi remains unconscious, Danzo stays home secluded, Koharu has long been dead.

What's left now is only Homura Mitokado maintaining Konoha's Administrative Department.

With Suna pressing for debts, the vault empty, constant civilian complaints, and the burden of post-war relief...

And this mountain of troubles has left him drowning in chaos.

So much so that despite Konoha's losses not being severe,

The entire village seems far more difficult than during previous great wars.

"Yesterday, the Daimyo already sent envoys to question our actions. They demand explanations from the village regarding this unauthorized declaration of war."

"Otherwise, they'll initiate impeachment proceedings against Hokage-sama!"

"At the same time, this morning Sunagakure sent their third urgent notice!"

"Still urging the village to pay the alliance fee promptly…"

Kakashi quickly reported.

Hmph! That greedy pack of money-hungry vultures in Suna—no sooner do they catch a whiff than they come swarming in like sharks.

Jiraiya spat angrily, clearly dissatisfied.

Obviously, now that Konoha's barrier system has been disabled,

The Suna spies embedded in both Konoha and Iwagakure have already slipped out and reported back.

That's why Sand has grown so bold — daring to repeatedly provoke Konoha—the village once seen as an untouchable tiger—in its moment of weakness.

Under normal circumstances, when has Sunagakure dared show this kind of audacity!

Jiraiya: "Is the village really out of funds?"

Kakashi: "Indeed, the village currently has no cash reserves left. Collecting another emergency tax would provoke public outrage and protests."

"Not to mention numerous bereaved families of fallen ninja who're still waiting for their pensions!"

"Therefore, the pressure on Homura Mitokado-sama is extremely high…"

As a noble house scion, Kakashi isn't merely trusted by Sarutobi alone—both Homura Mitokado and other elders place considerable trust in him.

Frequently seeking his opinions.

Thus, Kakashi also knows quite a bit about upper-echelon internal information.

"Has it become this tight financially?"

"Well then, I…"

Jiraiya shook his head with a sigh.

About to say something further.

Suddenly, the door to the medical room opened.

"The Third Hokage has woken up. However, his condition isn't great, so please keep your visit short."

A ninja from the Medical Team quickly reminded everyone.

He then led Jiraiya, who was overjoyed, inside.

Only Kakashi remained outside, waiting alone.

"Come to think of it, Guy also seemed to have broken some bones, right?"

"He's staying in the rehabilitation ward on the floor below. Want to check on him?"

"Forget it. Let's wait for Jiraiya-sama first!"

Kakashi hesitated slightly.

In the end, he decided to wait for Jiraiya-sama first.

Ten minutes later.

Jiraiya walked out and carefully shut the door behind him.

"Jiraiya-sama?"

"The old man is fine now, although he still needs some rest and recuperation."

"Phew——"

Kakashi exhaled in relief.

Then, Jiraiya spoke in a tone rarely heard from him—serious and commanding:

"Additionally, for the upcoming period, I will temporarily act as Hokage!"

Kakashi widened his eyes in surprise.

Yet he didn't doubt this at all, immediately kneeling on one knee, ready to accept his orders.

"First: Inform the messenger from the Daimyo's court that the Hokage is currently recovering. Regarding the reasons for this war, the Hokage will personally explain everything to the Daimyo once he recovers!"

"At once!"

"Second: Try to detain part of the Daimyo's envoys and use this opportunity to request some financial assistance from the Daimyo's residence. We should at least get several tens of millions from them first to cover emergency expenses."

"This... understood!"

"Third: On behalf of Konoha, issue a formal protest to [Iwagakure Village] and the [Land of Earth]! Condemn their sudden attack! And demand Tsuchikage Onoki pay us ransom!

His son Kitsuchi—just like Asuma, the Third Hokage's son—thirty-five million ryō, not a single coin less! After all, they are both legitimate sons of two Kages—they're worth no less than that.

As for Onoki's granddaughter Kurotsuchi, set her ransom at twenty-five million, and Deidara, his apprentice, at twenty million. These two could be slightly negotiable, but never lower than eighteen million.

Specifically, I'll let the Administrative Department choose suitable personnel to handle the handover."

With a decisive wave of his hand, Jiraiya issued his order.

This was actually what The Third Sarutobi had just instructed him to do.

Hearing such arrogant demands, even Kakashi standing nearby felt his scalp tingling.

They had already destroyed half of [Iwagakure], killing countless Iwa shinobi—and now they were demanding an outrageous ransom from them.

That'll probably make the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, blow a gasket!

"Fourth: Here's my bankbook. There should still be more than one hundred million ryō deposited in it—saved from mission rewards and royalties earned throughout these years. Take a few people with you to the capital city of the [Land of Fire], withdraw all the money, and bring it back here. It should be enough to give the village some much-needed breathing room!"

Jiraiya pulled out a thick bankbook and handed it directly to Kakashi.

Kakashi took the book, eyes widening slightly as he flipped through its pages.

He couldn't help but tremble inwardly!

Partly because he was astonished that Jiraiya-sama truly possessed such a large amount of savings.

More shockingly, he was stunned by Jiraiya's willingness to contribute all his personal savings at this critical moment, fully supporting Konoha without hesitation.

Jiraiya-sama really has a sharp tongue but a soft heart!

"Thank you!"

Kakashi carefully put the bankbook away.

"Jiraiya-sama, do you have any other orders?"

Jiraiya scratched his head:

"I think that's it..."

"Wait!"

"Um... Last thing. By order of my provisional Hokage authority, convert all the largest bathhouses in the village into unisex bathhouses!"

Kakashi: ???

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