Naruto: Pay-to-Win Ninja System

Across the entire Ninja World, unless someone has reached the peak of personal power—an ultra-Kage-level expert capable of standing against an entire army alone—then under normal circumstances… 

War remains a cruel game of intelligence, numbers, and strategy. 

After all, even the mighty Second Hokage Tobirama Senju still died surrounded and overwhelmed by Kumo ninja. 

Although there were many coincidences involved in that incident… 

It was enough to prove the importance of war strategies! 

In fact, as long as coordination is good… 

A dozen or so elite Jonin would still have the chance to surround and wear down an ordinary Kage-level expert until death. 

Let alone large-scale wars between major Hidden Villages—they're definitely not as simple as just "exchanging pieces." 

Otherwise, both sides could simply line up their number and levels of ninja for comparison; whoever had fewer could just surrender immediately. 

So what's the point in fighting at all? 

Therefore, this time… 

The Third Hokage personally led the assault with full tactical commitment. 

Nearly a thousand Konoha ninja marched forward, rushing without pause day and night, even using chakra to maintain momentum. 

They pushed forward relentlessly to reach [Iwagakure Village] at top speed and catch them completely off guard. 

Additionally, Military Rations Pills were freely distributed to every ninja to replenish chakra lost during the intense march. 

Thus… 

From Konoha to [Iwagakure Village], originally nearly a three-day journey, they had forcibly shortened it to less than two days. 

They entered the [Land of Earth] on the third day's dusk, arriving outside [Iwagakure Village]. 

"Huff... huff..." 

The aged Sarutobi, after such a long, energy-draining march, clearly showed signs of fatigue. 

He called a halt to the formation while catching his breath. 

"Everyone, rest here!" 

"Barrier Division, set up a concealment barrier!" 

"Scouts, spread out and reconnoiter enemy sentries!" 

"We attack forcefully in half an hour!" 

Sarutobi orderly issued commands. 

As an experienced old ninja, although he had many flaws… 

When it came to military tactics, he truly knew what he was doing. 

If it hadn't been for being emotionally devastated by his beloved apprentice Orochimaru and dying prematurely, Konoha wouldn't have had to bring back the previous generation's notorious gambler to assume the Hokage role again. 

"Hokage-sama, eat something." 

Kakashi approached, handing over some dry rations. 

Clearly, due to his advanced age and weak digestion, Sarutobi wasn't suited for eating too many Military Rations Pills. 

If he ended up with severe diarrhea right before the battle… 

Then there'd be no need to fight at all. 

"Kakashi… Do you think starting this war was the right choice?" 

Sarutobi asked, slightly wistful, while chewing on the food. 

As one of his most trusted pupils in the direct line of succession, The Third placed considerable faith in Kakashi. 

Plus, the Hatake clan had always been loyal throughout generations, ranking among Konoha's noble ninja families. 

Of course, he wasn't truly questioning his decision. He just wanted to chat with someone he trusted before the big battle. 

The older one gets, the more fragile one's heart becomes! 

"Hokage-sama, we've already run out of retreat options." 

Kakashi truthfully replied. 

Along the way, although they had eliminated many spies from [Iwagakure Village] casually… 

There absolutely must have been some left undiscovered.

Therefore, even if Konoha withdrew its forces now, once those scouts returned, Iwagakure would still learn about Konoha's actions.

At that point, what awaited Konoha might be Iwagakure's 'second' strike—one that would leave them in an even greater disadvantage.

In Kakashi's opinion, Konoha had already run out of escape routes.

Only by advancing, only by delivering painful blows to Iwagakure!

By striking until the enemy lost all capacity to resist,

Could they then achieve victory and withdraw...

"You're right... We really have no way to retreat..."

Sarutobi nodded, feeling his resolve strengthen slightly.

"By the way, Hokage-sama. Can we truly rely on Sunagakure?"

Kakashi asked further.

The previous night, when Sarutobi had just returned to the village, he had already learned of Sunagakure's decision to ally with Konoha.

However, he also understood well enough.

His own father, Hatake Sakumo, had personally slain the parents of Sasori during the Second Great Ninja War.

The hatred between their two villages ran deep—surely not something that could be easily resolved.

"Don't worry. At this moment, I'd say Sunagakure might want victory even more than we do!"

Sarutobi reassured calmly.

Previously, when he secretly visited Sunagakure seeking an alliance,

Initially, he indeed got nothing but cold rejection.

Numerous veteran elders from Iwagakure, led by Chiyo, kept opposing the idea.

But in the end, after Sarutobi revealed his 'trump card,'

The Fourth Kazekage immediately changed stance, forcefully overruling the entire village to approve the alliance.

And that 'trump card' was quite simple.

Sarutobi had decisively promised outright: "After this war, half of all wartime profits will be given to Sunagakure, plus an additional fifty million ryo subsidy payment!"

Such a massive bribe, for Sunagakure located in the desert lands, poor beyond words, was undoubtedly like heavenly dew falling from heaven!

Furthermore, Konoha's requests weren't excessive either.

They merely needed Sunagakure to provide auxiliary support during future large-scale battles. If Konoha Village suffered invasion, help with defensive coordination would suffice.

They didn't even require Sunagakure to dispatch troops participating directly in the campaign against Iwagakure.

Just sitting at home, making tens of millions—perhaps even hundreds of millions—in easy cash.

And wouldn't that be a stroke of genius?

Sunagakure naturally had absolutely no reason to refuse! They readily agreed.

Upon hearing this,

Kakashi couldn't help but whistle in awe, deeply impressed by Sarutobi's bold gamble!

Everyone knew that due to repeated thefts from the Konoha Vault,

What remained in reserve funds now barely amounted to fifty or sixty million ryo.

Moreover, just calming protests from villagers and preparing for this major war had already consumed most of it!

Now where on earth were they going to find fifty million ryo for Sunagakure?

Increase taxes? Borrow from the great ninja clans? Either choice would only worsen Konoha's already dire financial state!

"Hokage-sama, does our village still have sufficient funds to pay them?"

Sarutobi shook his head.

"Then how are we going to…?"

"Don't worry. The money is already out there, just waiting for us to take it!"

Sarutobi raised his head to gaze into the distance, staring toward the direction of Iwagakure.

From the start, he had no intention of squeezing coins out of his ragged ninja clans anyway.

Finally taking the initiative to provoke a major battle, the funds he sought to seize were naturally from Iwagakure Village!

With such a plan,

he could not only replenish his village's financial losses but also pay compensation to Sunagakure Village.

This was precisely why he chose to lead the operation in person!

It was also the confidence behind his high-stakes gamble to draw Sunagakure into an alliance!

...

"Alright, we've rested long enough."

"Prepare to move out; if we delay any further, we risk being compromised!"

"Everyone, attack!"

Sarutobi dusted himself off, stood up, removed his Hokage hat, and tightened the hand wrappings.

He raised his arm and pointed sharply toward Iwagakure, barking orders with cold precision.

In the next instant, countless Leaf ninja surged forward in unison, directly charging toward Iwagakure Village.

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