The Game Merchant Who Started from the Ninja World

Chapter 58: The Daimyo Is Assassinated

"Lord Hokage, we've just received a decision letter from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire."

"Read it."

"The Daimyo has suddenly decided to postpone the village's funding."

"What?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flew open in disbelief. "Wasn't it agreed that fifty billion yen would be allocated? Why the sudden delay?"

The in-game auction was imminent.

This funding was absolutely critical—it would determine whether they could purchase the coveted resource map or the family token.

He hadn't pushed the clan heads too hard precisely because he was counting on strong support from the Land of Fire.

With fifty billion yen from the Daimyo, plus the Sarutobi clan's accumulated wealth, they had enough to win at least one major auction item.

He knew full well—

Privately, the clan leaders were colluding, pooling their resources to acquire a family token for themselves.

By bypassing the village, they could own in-game assets independently.

If that happened, even as Hokage, some of his decisions would be constrained by them.

But Hiruzen had chosen not to expose them.

The temptation of the Reincarnation Game was massive.

Even the most devoted believers in the Will of Fire could falter.

If they realized their mistake and returned to the right path, he would not blame them.

Instead, he intended to play along.

Once the Sarutobi clan, backed by the Daimyo, successfully acquired a family token, he would gain absolute leverage.

Those clan leaders who hadn't contributed would find themselves sidelined, forced to cling even tighter to the towering tree that was Konoha.

That was the future Hiruzen wanted to build.

So this fifty billion yen was crucial. There could be no mistakes.

The ANBU delivering the report said cautiously, "According to our investigation, Lord Danzo may be involved."

"Danzo!"

Hiruzen's brow furrowed tightly. He hadn't expected his old friend to be involved in this.

Could it be that Danzo still hadn't given up on the position of Hokage?

"Is the Daimyo at the residence? I'll go see him myself."

Hiruzen changed into formal attire—his pure white ceremonial robe and Hokage hat.

Since the Daimyo technically outranked him, and he needed a favor, he had to be respectful.

Soon,

he arrived outside the lavishly decorated estate where the nobles were staying.

But before he could approach, the sound of rushing wind echoed in his ears.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Shuriken struck the ground where he had been standing moments ago.

"Who's there? Who dares to make a move inside Konoha?"

Hiruzen's gaze remained calm, unshaken by the ambush.

This was Konoha, a village teeming with its own shinobi. No one could harm him so easily.

A cloaked figure dressed like a wandering ninja said nothing and launched another attack.

"Still silent?"

Hiruzen sensed something strange, but before he could think too deeply, he had to deal with the relentless assault.

The enemy's speed and strength were formidable.

A powerful slash tore through the air toward him.

Not good!

Hiruzen leapt back, tossing a shuriken mid-air.

He quickly formed hand signs—

Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!

One shuriken split into countless copies, forming a dense barrage that rained down like a deadly net.

The attacker retaliated with a slash, unleashing a flaming wall to block the incoming shuriken.

"A player?"

Hiruzen frowned. The fire wall emitted no chakra—it was clearly a player's ability.

Using the cover of the fire, the attacker vanished with a poof.

A Shadow Clone?

The shuriken barrage punched through the flames and smashed into the estate with a thunderous crash.

Before Hiruzen could react, a group of people emerged.

"Hiruzen, are you attacking the Daimyo's estate?!"

A middle-aged man in noble attire, fan-shaped hair ornaments behind his head, stepped out with a stern expression.

"Lord Daimyo, this is a misunderstanding—"

Hiruzen hadn't even had time to dispel his chakra aura, and his hand was still frozen mid-seal.

The Daimyo's twelve guardian shinobi stepped forward, blocking the path between him and the Daimyo.

The Daimyo's face was icy. "What, will you now say a rogue ninja managed to sneak into heavily-warded Konoha just to attack you, the Hokage?"

"It was—"

The words died in Hiruzen's throat.

He glanced at the guardian shinobi in front of him.

One of them had the same build as the one who had just attacked.

Then he looked at the Daimyo, who had appeared at just the right moment.

It was all staged.

A play scripted by the Daimyo himself to reject Hiruzen's funding request.

The Daimyo's tone was furious. "Hiruzen, I'm deeply disappointed. Is Konoha trying to secede from the Land of Fire?"

"Absolutely not, my lord!"

Hiruzen replied urgently.

The Daimyo's expression softened slightly, but he still snorted coldly.

"Let's hope not. You're here about the funding, aren't you? I'll think it over and let you know. You may leave."

"Yes, Lord Daimyo."

Hiruzen bowed deeply, frustration in his heart, but he could do nothing.

After he left,

Danzo emerged from within the estate and respectfully stood beside the Daimyo.

The Daimyo glanced at him. "Just as you said—he came here to ask for fifty billion yen to compete for a family token."

If not for Danzo's warning, he would have approved the funds.

He hadn't realized the Sarutobi clan had amassed over three thousand shinobi—enough to start their own village.

The Daimyo's face was filled with rage.

"What is Hiruzen planning, to build his own nation?!"

Danzo knelt. "I do not know, but we can no longer leave him unchecked. I recommend suspending his duties as Hokage."

The Daimyo shook his head slightly.

"The Chūnin Exams are approaching. Don't cause unnecessary disruption."

Danzo was mildly disappointed.

He had hoped to use this momentum to topple Hiruzen and claim the Hokage seat for himself.

But it seemed the Daimyo still had reservations.

Still, this was fine.

Now that the Daimyo had seen Hiruzen's private army for himself, he would never fully trust him again.

Danzo now had his opportunity.

"Just wait, Hiruzen. I will become Hokage!"

Danzo's smile was dark and cold.

Thanks to Orochimaru's intel, he had uncovered Hiruzen's secret network of ninja—those three thousand Sarutobi shinobi scattered throughout the Land of Fire, once believed to be mere civilians.

Even the Ino-Shika-Chō clans had kept quiet about it, loyal as ever to the Sarutobi line.

But once Danzo claimed the Hokage seat,

he would deal with these disobedient clans one by one.

He would turn Konoha into an iron fortress.

The weak Hiruzen Sarutobi was only fit for retirement.

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