Chapter 115: Sarutobi Hiruzen: Only I Can Revitalize Konoha

Nara Shikaku opened his mouth, but in the end, he said nothing.

His original intention was for the various Ninja Clans to unite and exert their remaining strength; after all, which Ninja Clan in the Land of Fire didn't have assets?

Take his own clan, for instance; practicing the Shadow Possession Jutsu requires the body to have a natural affinity for Yin Release energy.

Therefore, the Nara Clan cultivates medicinal deer, grows various rare medicinal herbs, and researches medicine; the once-vast Konoha medical system relied entirely on the Nara Clan to function.

Thanks to a powerful Konoha, the Nara Clan's pharmaceutical industry, while perhaps not covering the entire ninja world, was certainly blossoming throughout the Land of Fire.

Although they are currently in a hostile relationship with the Land of Fire, as long as they don't venture deep into the heartland's major cities, gathering the assets scattered across various regions would still amount to a considerable sum of capital.

Then there is the Akimichi Clan, whose spice pills used to support the Multi-Size Jutsu also possess a complete industrial chain.

One could even say,

The Sarutobi Clan is a major family that cannot be ignored across the entire ninja world; even if they suffered a devastating blow, they likely still have a large amount of capital preserved.

In any case, they shouldn't have to resort to seizing funds from civilians... that is something only rogue ninjas and wandering ninjas would do without regard for their reputation.

Nara Shikaku felt resistant in his heart,

If they really went to borrow, would they still be considered Konoha ninjas?

Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the silent Nara Shikaku as he asked, "Is there a problem?"

I am the Hokage, protecting the civilians of the Land of Fire; everything is just growing pains, and even if I must sacrifice my reputation, I will reshape Konoha at the fastest possible speed!

"No... no problem."

Nara Shikaku replied in a low voice; in the end, he was unwilling to be the one to stick his neck out.

The other Clan Heads all wore strange expressions, lowering their heads to look at one another, exchanging their current sentiments.

It seems that after being tortured in prison, the Third Hokage has become somewhat different.

There is no longer that feeling of a gentle breeze,

Instead, he is more like the former Hokage Advisor, Danzou—the man who committed every evil deed, whose human experiments were exposed, the mastermind behind the Uchiha massacre, the spreader of the rumors regarding Hatake Sakumo's death, the one who snatched talented children from Ninja Clans to join Root, standing in the shadows and acting despicably against everyone.

Perhaps it is just an illusion.

The leaders of the Ino-Shika-Cho did not dare to think too much; since they had chosen to follow Sarutobi Hiruzen, they had to be single-minded.

To waver back and forth is absolutely a path to death.

Akimichi Torifu, who had already stepped down as Clan Head but was forced to retake control of the family due to Akimichi Choza's death in battle, waved his hand and said, "Shikaku, continue."

He glanced at the expressionless Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who appeared to be dozing.

These two Hokage Advisors, who had escaped death, had normal complexions and showed no signs of surprise; it was likely that Hiruzen had already discussed the matter of plundering civilians with them and they had jointly approved it, so raising objections would be of little use.

"Yes, Lord Torifu."

Nara Shikaku breathed a sigh of relief and continued: "Finally, there is the intelligence regarding the new map."

"Lord Hokage, and everyone, most of the players in the Samsara Game have currently reached level nineteen, but they are unable to continue improving, as if they have encountered a bottleneck."

"The new map is likely the key to breaking through this bottleneck."

Nara Shikaku's expression was serious as he analyzed: "Note the wording in the game merchant's announcement—'two novice maps.' Does that mean the Blood Wasteland and the Death Soul Mountain Range can only be considered novice maps, similar to the Ninja Academy?"

The atmosphere fell slightly silent.

Although they were not players, they had heard Uzumaki Naruto and some of their own clansmen who had become players describe the Pollution Monsters within the Samsara Game.

The Ghost Mage that once incited a Monster Siege—if placed in reality, its various powerful Underworld skills could even rival the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama.

Fortunately, although the Ghost Mage had great combat power, its physical defense was very fragile, which is why it was eventually piled to death by players who could revive infinitely.

If, as Nara Shikaku said,

This kind of Lord-level Pollution Monster is only considered a gatekeeper for the Ninja Academy?

"How powerful must the monsters on the new map be?"

Everyone swallowed their saliva in tacit agreement.

The God of Shinobi was the limit of what they could imagine; after all, the game merchant's slight display of power in the Death Forest was not a force that life at their level could understand.

Akimichi Torifu pointed out the key: "Has everyone considered that the equipment and skills of the Samsara Game can appear in the ninja world, but what about the Pollution Monsters?"

Everyone's expression changed slightly.

Once powerful monsters like the Ghost Mage and the Vampire Baron appear in the ninja world, it will be a catastrophe for the entire world.

Even Konoha, once the strongest Ninja Village, had no sturdy fortresses or giant cannons to resist the Ghost Legion, nor any experts to stop the Ghost Mage, unless the God of Shinobi were resurrected.

"Only players can fight against the Pollution Monsters!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen said decisively: "A large part of the reason why everyone has fallen to this point is that Shimura Danzo was too resistant to the Samsara Game and failed to discover its huge potential in time."

"If we want to revitalize Konoha, we cannot do it with the strength of ninjas alone."

"Torifu, send a team of ninjas to scour the Land of Hot Water for civilian players and invite them to join Konoha."

Having suffered a defeat and nearly dying himself, Sarutobi Hiruzen no longer dared to underestimate the Samsara Game.

He even focused all his attention on the game.

He wanted to form a game troop that belonged exclusively to Konoha.

A low-ranking civilian ninja asked: "Lord Hokage, Jonin Asuma has already formed a game troop; do we still need a new one?"

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face twitched slightly, and he smiled: "As you said, that is Jonin Asuma's troop."

When they first arrived in the Hot Water Village,

He had wanted to send the game troop directly to kill all the combatants in the Hot Water Village and replace them silently.

But he was refused by Asuma, who told him that the philosophy of the Hot Water ninjas was peace, and that they could completely negotiate with a gentle attitude to seek coexistence and mutual support, just like Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools back in the day.

Such a foolish philosophy would only bury the last chance to revitalize Konoha.

Even the Hyuga, Aburame, Kamizuki... these parasites who spend their days in Konoha seeking profit, don't know how to give back to Konoha in times of crisis.

How much more so when trusting ninjas from other countries?

Recalling the disappointed look in Asuma's eyes at that time, anger surged in Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart; it was also from that incident that the relationship between the two began to plummet to freezing point.

Everything I do is for the revitalization of Konoha; the blazing Will of Fire will guide the direction of my path.

……

In-game, Blood Wasteland.

Bone fortress after bone fortress was destroyed, and the Commander Level Pollution Monsters lurking within the structures were all blown to smithereens by violent energy beams.

Until the area in the east of the wasteland, where the terrain was slightly undulating and easy to defend but difficult to attack, was completely cleared.

"For Dawn."

Konan took a deep breath and took out the Family Token obtained at auction.

Behind her, hundreds of players from the Dawn faction followed, watching that raised Family Token with eager eyes, their hearts filled with anticipation.

"Report, the area has been completely cleared."

A member of the combat squad, carrying an iron sword on their shoulder, reported to the Leader of Dawn at the high ground.

Hearing the report that the clearing was complete,

Konan nodded slightly, then activated the Family Token with a solemn expression.

A brilliant white light bloomed forth.

【Activating the Family Token requires consuming 10 【Sarina's Heart】. Do you wish to activate it?】

"Yes."

(End of this chapter)