Chapter 13: Asuma's Will

The white-haired loli asked in confusion: "If the players feel it isn't worth it, wouldn't it be better not to cultivate a Life Profession?"

"Not cultivate?"

Fang Yi laughed heartily and said: "If your Konohagakure doesn't cultivate them, do you think Kirigakure won't either?"

"Life Professions can continuously manufacture equipment and items, just like an assembly line. The equipment manufactured isn't just for players to use; it can also be directly equipped to the ninja in the village!"

"Once someone starts, the other factions will absolutely not sit idly by and wait for death."

"Think about it, if a war breaks out and the Kirigakure ninja are fully armed, even if they are both Chunin, the ones who possess even the lowest-level white gear buffs can easily kill Konoha ninja of the same rank. How are you supposed to fight this war?"

"When the ninja learn the reason is because you, the Hokage, were unwilling to spend money to cultivate Life Professions, leading to an extremely high mortality rate for Konoha ninja during the war, what do you think will happen?"

Putting herself in the perspective of a ninja, the white-haired loli couldn't help but clench her fists.

If she were a Konoha ninja, even if she were brainwashed by the Will of Fire, such a situation would make her dissatisfied with the Hokage's decisions.

By then, low morale would be the least of their worries; they might even storm the Hokage Building to force a resignation.

This is a naked, open conspiracy.

Because the Five Great Ninja Villages dare not gamble on whether other countries are willing to cultivate Life Professions, they can only take precautions and cultivate them themselves first.

When that time comes, it will be an unstoppable arms race.

The resources and wealth consumed will all eventually flow into Fang Yi's pockets.

Inside the Feixu Chengbao.

Hundreds of players gathered; even the civilian players who knew they were outmatched rushed over with the mentality of picking up scraps.

"What a coincidence, so it's Mr. Sarutobi Asuma."

A mature beauty with a proud figure, fair skin, long brown hair, and emerald green eyes looked at the Konoha Squad with a flirtatious gaze.

Behind her stood Chojuro, who had short blue hair and looked honest and simple.

Asuma frowned slightly; he wasn't very familiar with the woman before him and asked in confusion: "You are..."

If it were any other Ninja Village, he might have had some impression.

But Kirigakure was extremely isolated, and the only ninja known were the masters of the Ninja Blades who were active during the Shinobi World War.

"That's true, Kirigakure has been locked away for too long, after all."

Terumi Mei wore a dignified smile and did not get angry at not being recognized. She said: "Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Terumi Mei, and I am the soon-to-be Fifth Generation of Kirigakure. In a few days, there should be letters sent to your village."

"Mizukage!"

Asuma's pupils constricted, and he instinctively gripped the brass knuckles in his hand.

He then remembered that this was the Samsara Game, and even the God of Shinobi would have to start from zero here, so he immediately felt relieved.

He had heard that Kirigakure had undergone major changes recently, with a massive coup d'état. Looking at it now, the ultimate beneficiary was this young woman before him.

Not to be underestimated.

Terumi Mei's smile was very sweet, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly as she asked gently: "Everyone, do you need to cooperate?"

Tsunade frowned and glanced at the chest that didn't lose to her own, saying: "How do you want to cooperate?"

She was very annoyed by such affected and pretentious women.

"So Lady Tsunade is also a player of the Samsara Game."

Terumi Mei's eyes shifted, and seeing Tsunade with her arms crossed, she immediately greeted her politely.

The other party's level was too low, and she had almost overlooked her.

Chojuro stepped forward and said: "The Ghost General is not easy to deal with. After we consume the other players, we will strike together and split the loot equally."

Neji's expression was cold as he asked: "There are only two of you, and you want to split the loot equally with us?"

Terumi Mei smiled gently and took the initiative to reveal her own attributes.

A Gargoyle Set, plus the weapon Vampire Scepter—a full set of level 5 green gear.

A level 9 Fire Mage.

This immediately made the Konoha Squad raise their guard.

Even Asuma, who had the highest level, barely reached level 8, and his equipment was scattered and not a set at all.

If the whole team swarmed her, they probably wouldn't be Terumi Mei's match.

"How is that possible?"

Uzumaki Naruto rubbed his eyes, thinking he had seen wrong.

The Samsara Game had been open for less than half a month, yet their team's activity was not as well-developed or high-leveled as the two from Kirigakure.

Tsunade sneered: "As expected of the Mizukage, what boldness."

It was impossible for Terumi Mei and her companion to have a full set of high-level green gear and be near level 10 on their own.

Without needing to think, Kirigakure's contribution was involved.

"The teacher is too old and indecisive; his attitude toward the Samsara Game is still unclear to this day."

Tsunade glanced at the poorly-equipped Konoha Squad and immediately understood in her heart.

"I say, do you really think the Ghost General is already in your pocket?"

A middle-aged man wearing glasses, with a potbelly, couldn't hide his mercenary merchant aura even while wearing equipment.

Four people followed behind him, eyeing the group currently in discussion with hostility.

Boom.

Terumi Mei suddenly attacked, sweeping her Vampire Scepter.

Flames swirled, and steam boiled.

A pillar of fire slanted out like a rushing river, instantly washing over the five people who hadn't had time to react.

Sending them directly back to the Novice Village.

Instant kill.

Terumi Mei is no mere vase; to have successfully launched a coup in the Blood Mist Village and become Mizukage, she possesses not only immense strength but also exceptional political acumen.

Showing one's fangs is the best posture before a negotiation.

She licked her lips, her smile unchanging as she said, "Everyone from Konohagakure, what do you think?"

Asuma suppressed the shock in his heart and responded calmly, "We need to consider it."

Chojuro said, "No rush. The Ghost General is in the deepest part of Feixu Chengbao; we need to eliminate the Ghost Army surrounding the castle before we can finally meet with the Ghost General."

"According to my observations, it will take at least two days. During this time, we await your pleasure at any moment."

Having said that.

Terumi Mei bowed slightly in a polite manner, then swayed her slender waist and turned to leave.

Asuma's expression was solemn as he said, "You all go hunt the Ghost Army first; I need to report to the Hokage."

This situation requires waiting for the Hokage's decision.

Terumi Mei's strength is beyond imagination, and he does not believe that she is truly willing to distribute the spoils of war evenly.

Without sufficient strength, even if a cooperation is reached, I fear that the moment the Ghost General dies will also be the moment the Konoha Squad is wiped out by Terumi Mei.

To take the spoils of the Ghost General,

one must possess equal strength, or at the very least, need the Hokage to nod and allocate funds for everyone to exchange for a set of equipment to contend with Terumi Mei.

It's just that,

Asuma felt troubled; he knew his father's temperament too well—without having thoroughly investigated the details of the Samsara Game,

he would absolutely never make a final decision until the very last moment.

"The Samsara Game is too mysterious, possessing all sorts of incredible powers that could completely overturn the order of the ninja world."

"If the village cannot seize the initiative in the Samsara Game, it will very likely be eliminated in the coming upheaval. Father, I hope you do not act foolishly in this matter."

Asuma made up his mind; he must persuade the Third Hokage.

When he was young, he viewed his father as his goal, wanting to become an outstanding ninja and Hokage like him to protect the village.

At some point, having learned of the village's dark side, he began to waver in his goal.

The Will of Fire.

Under the illumination of the flames, how could such filthy maggots exist, and how could his father, as the Hokage, play deaf and dumb?

Therefore, Asuma was lost in his heart and left the village to become a Guardian Ninja protecting the Daimyo.

Until now.

Sarutobi Asuma logged out, took a deep breath, and ran toward the Hokage Building at high speed.

I also have my own Will of Fire.

What is important to the village is not the Hokage, but all the weak who need protection; if a wrong decision leads to the death of those being protected,

that kind of Will of Fire will absolutely not be recognized by me!

(End of chapter)