Chapter 314: Sarutobi Hiruzen's Political Maneuvers

A look of sorrow appeared on Akimichi Torifu's wrinkled cheeks as he said, "This old man wishes to request a Resurrection Coin to resurrect Akimichi Choza."

"This old man no longer has the energy to continue managing the Akimichi Clan. This Resurrection Coin is not just for Akimichi Choza, but also for the sake of the Akimichi family. I implore you all..."

He was too old, and his physical functions had already begun to decline.

Even as a Game Player, he lacked the spirit of aggressive enterprise; he was only barely holding onto the position of Clan Head because the Akimichi family lacked a genius capable of supporting the clan.

If he did not resurrect Akimichi Choza, he feared the Akimichi family would be reduced to a third-rate Ninja Clan.

Abandoned by the era, just like the samurai.

"What are your thoughts, everyone?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen raised his palm and let it rest on the Hokage Hat beside him. His gaze fell upon Akimichi Torifu, a flash of dissatisfaction crossing his eyes.

Calling himself "this old man,"

and saying he lacked the energy to manage the Akimichi Clan? The ninjas who knew understood he was talking about the Akimichi Clan, but those who didn't might think he was talking about the Hokage himself.

He and Akimichi Torifu were of similar age and had once been teammates.

Akimichi Torifu calling himself aged and wanting to step down as Clan Head put him, the Hokage, in a very awkward position.

Uzumaki Naruto had resurrected Namikaze Minato without authorization,

and he himself had not decisively handed the position of Hokage back to the Fourth, leading to rumors and gossip in the village.

If it weren't for dispatching the remnants of the original Root organization, merging the Sarutobi and Shimura Ninja Clans, and integrating them into the new 【Shadow Organization】 to arrest those spreading rumors,

how could the village be as harmonious as it is now?

Akimichi Torifu's words clearly failed to consider the possibility of inciting further rumors. Whether intentional or unintentional, it was very disappointing to him.

"None of us have forgotten the contributions Lord Choza made for Konoha, but order cannot be broken."

The one speaking was the Shimura Clan Head, who was similar in age to Asuma. His appearance was somewhat similar to Shimura Danzo; he had been groomed by Danzou as a successor, so he likewise exuded a sinister aura.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked over, momentarily feeling as if his dear friend were still alive, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

Upon hearing the other's words, he nodded slightly, a look of affection appearing in his eyes.

Truly a junior who inherited his father's will and understood the big picture.

Shimura Tanyo said in a calm tone, "Everyone carries out missions, and after completing them, they hand over the dropped items to the village to accumulate Contribution Points, then consume those points to exchange for the items they want from the village."

After the game version update, if players want to purchase recovery items, materials for repairing and crafting equipment, or skill materials to quickly increase skill proficiency, the prices are much lower through the Family System.

The disappearance of the Mall led the Family System to gradually occupy a dominant position, exerting strong control over ordinary players.

"A Resurrection Coin requires 200,000 Family Contribution Points."

"I cannot produce 200,000 Contribution Points."

Akimichi Torifu's gaze fell upon the Hokage in the main seat, his expression complex.

Logically, the Akimichi Ninja Clan's hundreds of Game Players could barely scrape together 200,000 Contribution Points.

But some time ago, the Hokage said he needed to cultivate the 【Shadow Organization】 and, in the name of protecting the village, borrowed 100,000 Contribution Points from the Akimichi family to purchase a batch of Lv. 15 Green Sets.

That was the reason for Akimichi Torifu's predicament.

"Torifu, Shimura Tanyo is right; order cannot be broken."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes dodged slightly as he sighed, "Giving the Resurrection Coin directly to the Akimichi Clan would be unfair to the other Ninja Clans."

Akimichi Torifu lowered his eyelids and remained silent.

"However, Akimichi Choza is a hero of Konoha; there is no need for too much hesitation when it comes to resurrecting a hero."

Sarutobi Hiruzen changed his tone and said, "Let's give this Resurrection Coin to the Akimichi Clan first, and they can just compensate the village once they have gathered enough family contributions, how about that?" Before anyone else could speak,

"Lord Hokage, that is absolutely forbidden!"

Shimura Tanyo had already jumped out to say, "We understand your desire to resurrect a hero who protected Konoha, but if order is broken, who will continue to protect the village with all their might in the future? Only by upholding the rules and exchanging for a Resurrection Coin after paying sufficient family contribution points will Konoha be stable."

"My mind is made up."

A look of satisfaction flashed in the depths of Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes. He then tapped the table and finalized the decision: "This Resurrection Coin will be given to Akimichi Torifu."

To be able to understand his intention of keeping the major Ninja Clans in check and to cooperate with him without any hesitation.

As expected of his dear friend Danzou, who could fight side-by-side with him; he truly cultivated an excellent successor.

"However, what Shimura Tanyo said also makes sense. If I break the rules at will, as Hokage, I cannot answer to the other ninjas."

Sarutobi Hiruzen feigned difficulty, pondered for a moment, and sighed: "Torifu, how about this: in addition to the 200,000 Family Contribution Points that should have been paid, how about the Akimichi family provides fifty players to the village to be expanded into the Shadow Organization?"

The dagger was revealed at the end of the map.

This was Sarutobi Hiruzen's true purpose.

His dear friend Danzou was right; even the Pig-Deer-Butterfly Clan, which had ties to the Sarutobi family since the Sengoku period, could not be fully trusted.

A trace of caution flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes. Back when he was removed from the position of Hokage, the Pig-Deer-Butterfly Clan did not rescue him when he was imprisoned, but only betrayed Orochimaru for the sake of their family interests when Orochimaru started targeting the Ninja Clans.

He had not forgotten any of this.

Therefore, even if the Pig-Deer-Butterfly family appeared loyal now, it could not dispel the resentment in Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart.

He had to firmly grasp the armed forces in his own hands.

"Hand them over to the Shadow Organization?"

Akimichi Torifu was slightly dazed.

His gaze fell upon the Hokage's face, which wore a gentle smile, but instead, he saw the shadow of the former Shimura Danzo.

Speaking of protecting Konoha, yet violating the wishes of the Ninja Clans to forcibly seize and plunder, and forcing the talented members of the Ninja Clans into the Root.

Was there any difference between the Hokage's current methods and those of the former Shimura Danzo?

Akimichi Torifu's eyes were filled with disappointment,

but he had no room to refuse.

Every major Ninja Clan had Elite Ninja who had died in battle; although they hadn't spoken, they were all eagerly waiting for a Resurrection Coin.

If he were to refuse,

Even if the Konoha Troops killed more Lord Monsters and obtained Resurrection Coins, the Hokage could still justifiably prioritize exchanging the Resurrection Coins for other Ninja Clans.

As for wanting to resurrect Akimichi Choza, there was no telling how long that would take.

A faint smile played on the corners of Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth; he did not urge him, simply waiting quietly for Akimichi Torifu's decision.

He knew his classmate's temperament very well—honest and kind, he valued the family's heritage above all else and could not possibly refuse to resurrect the Akimichi Clan's pillar, Akimichi Choza.

He already had victory in his grasp.

"Fine, my Akimichi Clan is willing to dispatch..."

Just as Akimichi Torifu, having hesitated for a long time, was finally gritting his teeth to agree, a voice suddenly came from the back seat of the conference room.

In Sarutobi Asuma's eyes was dissatisfaction with the Hokage's manipulation of dark political schemes; he frowned deeply and said, "The Konoha Special Mobile Force is willing to lend Contribution Points to the Akimichi Clan."

(End of this chapter)