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  Gojo Kaigetsu frowned slightly, the wavering minor leaders. While the Hokage held veto power in major decisions, the First Konoha Representatives Assembly was rgely procedural, meant to ence all s to take a more active i in Konoha’s development.

  However, the problem remained.

  Overuse of veto power dimis absolute authority. Misalig between leadership and subordinates would eventually lead to serious issues.

  This was why it was so difficult to shift the military dimension of Konoha’s prosperity.

  Despite his extraordinary wisdom, Gojo Kaigetsu was still officially reized as only a in in Konoha. In terms of the feudal lord’s structure, he represehe “civil official group.”

  From the perspective of the shinobi world, only individuals of absolute strength could alter Konoha's military system. Even someone as powerful as Tsunade had her medical corps reforms rejected by the Third Hokage.

  ‘Damn Danzo.’

  “I’ll just say this-”

  Gojo Kaigetsu spoke again, sileng the chaotioha assembly hall.

  “Even the highest Konoha military spending is less than war reparations!” Gojo Kaigetsu leaned forward imposingly, his hands braced oable, his gaze sweeping over the assembled heads.

  “Sihe outbreak of the Sed Shinobi World War, Kumogakure has been eyeing Konoha, never abandoning their ambition to usurp our position in the shinobi world.”

  “Their ret establishment of a base in Yugaokure further demonstrates their vast ambitions.”

  “True peace has ruly arrived!”

  “Instead of letting our ninja way erode in this false peace, we should take the initiative and suppress the entire shinobi world with absolute power!”

  “If Konoha were to be defeated one day, the war reparations would far exceed a mere five hundred million ryō!”

  The representatives’ eyes flickered, their thoughts unreadable.

  Gojo Kaigetsu pressed his advantage. “Furthermore, when I speak of war reparations, I don’t mean Konoha won’t have to pay if we win. War reparations aren’t just about handing over cash as a vilge.”

  “If, during peaegotiations, Kekkei Genkai bee bargaining chips, your s guarahe safety of your bloodline limits?”

  “Kumogakure demands a pair of Byakugan from the Hyuga main family, Kirigakure demands the Yamanaka ’s Mind Transfer Jutsu, Iwagakure demands the Aburame ’s is… Refuse, and the fighting tinues, until Konoha itself crumbles.”

  “At that point, any talk of increasing military spending bees impossible.”

  Each shinobi possessed secret teiques.

  If these teiques were leaked, the s’ superior status would instantly colpse. This was a matter more important than individual life or death.

  If the secret teiques passed down through geioo be lost in their hands, they would have no faeet their resurrected aors.

  They khat the current peace was a facade, and another Shinobi World War could erupt at any moment.

  Konoha, the victor of three Shinobi World Wars, had found each victory increasingly difficult, and the vilge's military strength was visibly deing.

  Could Konoha win the war? If not, if they were truly forced to surreheir Kekkei Genkai as a peace , what would bee of their s?

  If the vilge and other s didn't support them, would they be forced to hand over their secret teiques due to political pressure? Even with support, wouldn't there still be the risk of invasion, nihition, and the ultimate loss of their Kekkei Genkai a teiques?

  The expressions of the representatives shifted, finally uanding the gravity of the situation.

  Gojo’s words, “Even the highest military spending is less than war reparations,” had struck a nerve, challenging their desire for a false peace.

  As a staunch supporter of Gojo and Minato, Fugaku Uchiha was the first to speak up. “I believe… Advisojo is right!”

  “Until a figure like the First Hokage emerges, increasing the military budget is the only path to peace!”

  “True pealy exists withi radius of an explosive tag! False peace is meaningless!”

  “On behalf of the Uchiha , I pledge two hundred million ryō in cash for military purposes.”

  The Uchiha ever feared war; in fact, their warm tendencies were arguably the stro iire shinobi world. Fugaku, as the head, had even brought his three-year-old son, Itachi, to experiehe Third Shinobi World War.

  If the vilge announced an increase in military spending, the Uchiha , at the very least, would erupt in celebration.

  The elders would grumble about the “insuffit military budget,” while the younger geion would cmor to repay Gojo’s kindness… The entire would unditionally support Konoha's shift towards militarization.

  With the Uchiha , a leading force, taking the first step, the Hyuga also pledged one million ryō in cash for military purposes. While the amount was smaller, their political stance was clear.

  Danzo’s eyes reddened as he watched the s pledge their tributions.

  If these funds were allocated to Root’s development and experimental research, he couldn't imagihe leaps and bounds Root’s strength would make.

  ‘Foolish! Gojo Kaigetsu is nothing but a war-m madman!’

  ‘These representatives are io believe the words of that lunatic.’

  “This is pure delusion! The moment those lunati Kirigakure learn about Konoha’s increased military spending, they’ll retaliate!”

  Homura Mitokado fumed but owerless to ge the situation.

  His and Danzo's influence seemed to have waned after the Uchiha’s situation improved, leading to this disastrous predit.

  Danzo’s face darkened, speechless.

  He seemed to shrink into the er of the assembly hall, being a true embodiment of darkness.

  This time, his anger rofound. It wasn’t solely about his personal feud with Gojo Kaigetsu. While his earlier words were meant to suppress Gojo, they were heless true.

  Setting aside the i where he led Root ninjas to abduct Kirigakure’s Kekkei Genkai users…

  ‘A bunch of desperate lunatics. If you use the blood you stole from them to make explosive tags and threaten them…’

  The increased military spending would undoubtedly provoke the Blood Mist fanatics of Kirigakure, leading to a reckless retaliation against Konoha.

  Then there were the warm lunatics of Kumogakure, who had been far too active in the shinobi world retly. They wouldn’t miss any opportunity to gain strength by exploiting others.

  Acc to Danzo's intelligehe number of ninjas and refugees Kumogakure had retly accepted even surpassed Konoha's.

  Initially… if nothing were done, Kirigakure would most likely retaliate against Kumogakure sihey had stoleel first and beed the most.

  But now, with Konoha's military spending signifitly increased under Gojo Kaigetsu's influe would undoubtedly trigger the sensitive and fragile egos of the Kirigakure fanatics…

  Whether for revenge, diverting internal flicts, or prog to the world that Kirigakure was still the powerful and brutal force it once was… Konoha would be taking the brunt of Kirigakure’s fury in Kumogakure's pce.

  This was the worst-case sario!

  He no longer cared about Kirigakure’s Kekkei Genkai. If mishahis could be the catalyst for Konoha’s dee.

  He, Danzo, would bee a sinner!

  ‘If anyone want to harm Konoha, I…’

  Assassinate Gojo Kaigetsu!

  This audacious thought formed in Danzo’s mind.

  Danzretted not eliminating Gojo Kaigetsu before his rise.

  Perhaps it wasn’t too te… Danzo closed his eyes, calg the feasibility of having Root assassins eliminate Gojo Kaigetsu after leaving the assembly hall and then framing Kirigakure for the deed.

  Gojo Kaigetsu was essentially the Fourth Hokage’s brain. If he were gone… with careful persuasion, the Fourth Hokage might listen to reason.

  The long fereable served as a dividing lihe cm representatives f a wall that separated Gojo Kaigetsu and Danzo.

  People could ruly uand each other.

  Gojo Kaigetsu cheerfully collected the money, accepting all tributions. His good braku had truly delivered, not only being the first to voice his support but also tributing the most funds.

  The other minor s had only offered token amounts.

  The perpetually ral Ino-Shika-Cho trio remained unmoved in their seats.

  As if sensing Danzo’s malicious gaze, Gojo Kaigetsu looked up and offered a benevolent smile. “Danzo-eldest, care for a wager?”

  “Hmph… a wager? I have no such vulgar is.”

  Danzo ftly refused. Only three things in this world could pique his i: the Hokage position, the vilge beh his feet, and his old friend Hiruzen Sarutobi.

  Gojo Kaigetsu ignored his refusal and tinued, “If I win~ the two ‘special’ children that Danzo-eldest brought back from Kirigakure belong to me.”

  ‘He knows?!’ Danzo’s pupils stricted, deteg the hidden meaning in Gojo Kaigetsu’s words.

  But… that was impossible! Only his Root ninjas should know about this.

  Even the Fourth Hokage, who had witheir arrival, didn’t know the power those two children possessed.

  So, how did Gojo Kaigetsu know?! Was it his own intelligework, the ohat had secretly stolen Kirigakure’s intel?!

  A cold sweat broke out on Danzo’s back. He asked calmly, “And if you lose?”

  “If I lose… I’ll voluntarily resign from my position as Hokage advisor. What do you say?”

  “Agreed! Deal!”

  “What?! Preposterous!”

  “This is uable!”

  Minato, Fugaku, and Danzo excimed simultaneously.

  Danzo had been rag his brains on how to assassinate Gojo Kaigetsu. Now that he was his resignation as a wager… a bloodless solution was ideal, avoiding any future trouble from the Fourth Hokage or Sarutobi.

  Some things, no matter how well hidden, could be traced back to a suspect through careful analysis of the of beneficiaries.

  Fugaku was also panicked. He was ting on Gojo to remain in his advisor position, allowing the Uchiha to tinuously accumute goodwill. If Gojo lost the wager and resigned… he couldn’t imagihe Uchiha returning to their previous state.

  Minato’s feelings were plex, like beirayed by a lover. To wager the symbol of their friendship… Even if he agreed, Kushina would never allow it!

  “I know you’re all anxious, but hold on.”

  Gojo Kaigetsu raised his index finger. “Let’s first focus on what I io wager on.”

  “Danzo, you just said… that Kirigakure would retaliate against Konoha, correct?”

  Danzo nodded slightly.

  “I disagree with that assessment, nine, perhaps even ten out of ten. I believe that Kirigakure will not only refrain from retaliating but will also send us a generous gift~”

  A gift?

  Danzo’s expression shifted from surprise to something akin to winning a championship after years of struggle.

  He wao ugh, but he had to maintain his posure and grace.

  Danzo mentally berated himself for uimating Gojo Kaigetsu.

  Foolish child, what made him think that the Blood Mist fanatics, led by the Mizukage and Yagura, would offer Konoha a gift?

  It ure madness.

  “Advisor, are you serious?” Danzo asked gravely.

  Gojo Kaigetsu gestured reassuringly to Minato and Fugaku, veying his fidence. “An advisor’s word is… well, let’s just say it carries weight!”

  “Very well, I accept this wager.” Uo tain his glee, Danzo rose from his seat. He looked around. “I ask all the representatives present to bear wito the wager between Advisojo and myself.”

  With that, Danzo beed to Homura and swept out of the hall.

  A long-fotten urge to visit the pleasure district arose within Danzo. Finally, the greatest threat would be eliminated. It was time for some well-deserved rexation.

  Minato and Fugaku exged gheir eyes refleg mutual helplessness.

  Gojo Kaigetsu… always mao pull off the ued, leaving his allies on the same side bewildered.

  No one knew better than Minato Namikaze how Gojo Kaigetsu had obtaihe intel about the impending rebellion in Kirigakure. It had been stolen from the Cloud spy!

  Now, that kunoichi had supposedly goo the Red Light Distrid hadn’t returned yet.

  Why was he so fident?

  After the representatives departed, only the three members of the Fourth Hokage’s fa remained in the y assembly hall.

  Before his two rades could speak, Gojo Kaigetsu preempted them.

  “Ahem.”

  “I see that you’ve misuood. Before you say anything, let me crify. The nature of my wager with Danzo is not what you imagine. From my perspective, he is the oio lose.”

  “Let the kunai fly for a while.”

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