Chapter 151: Money Transfer and Visits
With Orochimaru's abilities, carrying out this assassination flawlessly wouldn't have been difficult, but he was too reckless.
Having achieved immortality seemed to amplify his impulsiveness, causing him to discard 70-80% of the caution he once possessed as a ninja.
Much like how some forgers enjoy subtly incorporating their own marks into fake paintings or ceramics, Orochimaru now exhibited a similar tendency. I left the clues; if you can't find them, that's your problem.
Forget about the Fourth Kazekage's Kekkei Genkai, "Magnet Release," which might allow for the creation of clones if specialized scientists were found in the future. The corpse alone held immense value.
A corpse could speak. The Yamanaka clan's ninjas were particularly skilled at extracting information from the brains of the deceased, and Ino naturally possessed this ability as well. The mind of a Kage, especially the Fourth Kazekage, would undoubtedly contain even more crucial information.
Secret accounts, village-hidden techniques, weapons and equipment, puppet techniques, ninjutsu all of these were like treasures hidden within the Fourth Kazekage's brain. Even if there were specialized brain-sealing techniques, patiently deciphering them would yield a wealth of secrets.
For Ino, there was nothing more to consider. She packed everything up to study later.
Orochimaru hadn't bothered to cover his tracks? No problem, I'll do it for you.
If the Sand Village couldn't find the body later, that would be Orochimaru's fault. What did it have to do with her?
Using Earth Release to thoroughly churn the scene twice, erasing all traces, Ino finally left the Land of Rivers and returned to Konoha.
The moment she got home, Inoichi noticed his daughter's spiritual energy had surged yet again, now far surpassing his own.
Ino explained to Tsunade that it was due to her clan's secret techniques. At home, she credited Tsunade's excellent teaching.
After all, there was no way for them to verify the other's story.
Inoichi reminded her to rest at home, avoid running around, and focus on preparing for the final exam.
Fifteen minutes later, Inoichi secretly arrived at the Nara residence. Before long, the Akimichi clan's hefty patriarch, Chōza, also showed up.
Shikaku cut straight to the point: "I attended Danzō's funeral. The Daimyō privately hinted that he could support me as Hokage, but I refused."
Having been allies for so many years, the three clans deeply understood the importance of their alliance. Shikaku spoke with complete candor.
Inoichi, privy to extensive intelligence, added: "The conflict between the Daimyō and the ninja village has grown intense. The Daimyō is far more cunning than he appears. I doubt supporting you as Hokage is his only move; he must have other plans."
Shikaku nodded. "Correct. His people promised that clan descendants could now enter politics. After earning merit, they could even receive their own territories like samurai, recruiting retainers within their domains. If we wished, we could even establish our own hidden villages."
He carefully observed his two old comrades. Seeing their calm expressions, he continued: "I refused that as well. It's not that we cling to tradition, but we need a slightly harsher environment to temper our descendants. With our abilities, securing a comfortable life wouldn't be hard. Our generation can resist temptations, but what about the next? Surrounded by wealth, indulging in luxury, within three generations, there might be no more ninja clans left."
Inoichi and Chōza hadn't thought that far ahead, but they both nodded in agreement.
Ninja clans and villages had the means to amass wealth. The reason they confined themselves to missions and commissions was precisely to prevent future generations from being corrupted by money.
Born into privilege, without the spirit of endurance, how many would willingly endure harsh conditions to learn ninjutsu, train in taijutsu, or hone their skills?
Ninjutsu and the shinobi who mastered it were the foundation of a ninja clan. If descendants chose comfort over duty, the profession itself would vanish.
Chōza pondered. "Even if we refuse, other clans might still be tempted."
Inoichi and Shikaku fell silent. That was the real concern.
Faced with the lure of wealth on one side and a relatively austere life on the other, how many could resist?
"So what's our choice?" Inoichi asked.
Shikaku replied cautiously, "I believe maintaining the status quo is the best choice for our clans' interests at this time."
"Meaning we continue supporting the Third Hokage?"
"You could say that."
Kakashi, leading a squad of ANBU to track Danzō's whereabouts, hadn't returned even as the Chunin Exams approached.
Naruto, now under Jiraiya's tutelage, no longer bothered others about Wind Release techniques. Sasuke could train on his own no issues there. But Sakura was in trouble.
Having been eliminated by Hinata, she wasn't worried about the exams themselves.
But with both her teammates training diligently, her own lack of progress left her feeling awkward and behind.
She tried inviting Sasuke out, but he was dead-set on mastering Chidori and ignored her.
Ino, Tenten, Hinata all the kunoichi were training hard. Sakura couldn't justify slacking off.
Left with no choice, she resorted to her trump card: writing to the legendary "First Hokage."
Her previous letters had vanished without a trace. But one day before the exams, the "First Hokage" finally replied.
The first demand? 100,000 ryō!
Damn! Sakura checked her wallet and savings three times; her total earnings from missions added up to just over 100,000 ryō.
This "First Hokage" was too accurate he'd guessed her savings perfectly! As expected of the God of Shinobi!
The tree-climbing technique he'd taught her last time had earned her some admiration from Sasuke. Sakura trusted him enough.
No hesitation money sent!
That afternoon, she received an extremely complex-looking jutsu the medical technique Ino had dubbed the "Dead Fish Revival Jutsu."
This wasn't something Tsunade had taught; it was a beginner-level medical jutsu, commonly known in Konoha Hospital. Teaching it to Sakura now posed no issues.
Sakura's talent in this area was top-tier. Realizing it was a medical jutsu, she immediately saw its potential, already picturing herself healing Sasuke's wounds.
The day passed quickly.
Konoha welcomed many visitors, most of them dignitaries from various countries coming to watch the Chunin Exams.
Ino first visited Hayate Gekkō at the hospital. The poor guy had suffered too many injuries on missions, leaving his body severely weakened. Now, after another near-death experience, he still hadn't woken up after a month, though his complexion had improved.
Ino sighed inwardly. Hayate and Yugao had poured all their savings into Konoha Hospital. Looks like the Yamanaka Flower Shop had lost another big customer.
"Do your best! I have full confidence in you; the Chunin Exams are no challenge for you," Yugao cheered her on.
The purple-haired kunoichi genuinely didn't believe any genin could defeat Ino. The encouragement was more of a courtesy. But Ino felt unusually tense because today was going to be far busier than expected.