Thinking about the truth behind their mission, Tsunade—who had been lively and eager just moments ago—deflated like a punctured balloon.
Even her beloved gambling lost its charm. That lingering sense of frustration and helplessness gnawed at her.
---
The Jaxon Family Estate
"Jaxon, are you sure you're okay?"
The voice came booming with urgency, as Jaxon's father—Xingye Zhu, the current patriarch of the most powerful family in the Land of Fire—stormed through the manor.
As soon as he'd heard his son had been attacked, he abandoned all protocol and even left an ongoing meeting with the Daimyo without saying a word. That kind of behavior from a noble was rare. In their world, maintaining dignity, even in crisis, was everything. But when it came to his only son, Xingye Zhu didn't care about appearances.
After all, he'd waited nearly forty years to have Jaxon, the sole heir to the family. If something had truly happened to him in broad daylight, it would have been a scandal that shook the entire Land of Fire.
Still catching his breath, he avoided disturbing the Konoha shinobi and made his way directly to Jaxon's room. He didn't say anything about the reward Norika had offered the Sannin. In his eyes, they were so rich they had nothing left but money. If paying solved the problem, so be it.
Jaxon smiled faintly. His heart warmed at his father's concern, but he quickly redirected the conversation.
"Father," he asked seriously, "is the Third Hokage also in the capital right now?"
Xingye Zhu blinked. "Yes, I believe he arrived recently. Why?"
"Then he's likely here to ask the Daimyo for funding to rebuild the village, isn't he?"
The moment Jaxon spoke those words, Xingye Zhu froze. His mind, previously muddled by worry, suddenly cleared, and like a bolt of lightning, the implications struck him.
The timing. The assassination attempt. The Sannin arriving to "save" Jaxon. The Third Hokage's coincidental presence.
It all connected.
"They… those damn shinobi!" he hissed through clenched teeth. "They used such a vile trick—how dare they use my son as part of their scheme!"
His fury exploded like a wildfire. All the composed dignity of a noble burned away in an instant.
"It's outrageous! They dared to put my son's life in danger just to stir the Daimyo's sympathy?! Then they'll suffer—"
"Mother!"
Jaxon cut Norika off before she could add fuel to the fire. Both of his parents were boiling with emotion, and neither was thinking clearly.
"Let's not make any decisions in anger," Jaxon said with an uncharacteristic calmness for someone so young. "Yes, what happened was unacceptable, but I'm alive and unhurt. Getting revenge won't solve anything."
He spoke like an adult, composed and rational, trying to bring clarity to chaos.
"Then what would you have us do?" Xingye Zhu asked, restraining his tone.
He trusted Jaxon's mind more than most grown men's. Though barely three years old, his intelligence and insight were far beyond his years.
Jaxon's eyes glinted. "Ninja are selfish and rarely contribute to the economy, but their strength is undeniable. People like Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara were unmatched. So why not use that strength—properly?"
He paused, then continued, "In exchange for our financial support, let Konoha send three elite Jonin to serve as my personal bodyguards. It would be a fair trade. They value loyalty above all else, right?"
His tone was cool and logical, as if he'd already planned this since his first encounter with ninja.
"Our family has plenty of money, but we lack muscle. Meanwhile, ninja are willing to die for a mission. That's loyalty money can buy."
Xingye Zhu furrowed his brow, considering the proposal. "It's not a bad idea… but things like this aren't so simple. I'll need to speak directly to the Daimyo."
He stroked his beard, deep in thought.
"Fine," he finally declared. "We'll issue two S-rank missions to Konoha. Also, if you're so curious about ninja, you'll be living in the Village soon enough—"
"No."
The moment those words escaped his lips, both Xingye Zhu and Norika snapped in unison.
"No way!" Norika shouted, stepping forward. "It's far too dangerous! You're safe here in the capital. Why risk your life just to learn from them?"
"Absolutely not," Xingye Zhu agreed. "You can train, study, even waste time if you want—but you are not going to live in a shinobi village!"
"Mom, Dad…"
Jaxon used a gentler, more affectionate tone, calling them in a way he rarely did. Normally, he addressed them formally. But now he softened—deliberately.
"I've already learned everything there is to know here. I can't just wait around and inherit everything one day without understanding how the world works. If I'm going to lead this family one day, I need to see the bigger picture. I don't want Father to carry the burden alone."
The room fell silent.
Norika's eyes watered. Xingye Zhu shifted awkwardly, clearly affected by his son's words.
Their child had never made a personal request before. He was mature beyond his years, reserved, responsible—and now, for the first time, he was asking them for something.
After a pause, Xingye Zhu asked cautiously, "I heard the Second Hokage founded a ninja academy. You don't plan to attend that, do you?"
Jaxon blinked, then immediately waved it off. "Absolutely not. I have no interest in brainwashing institutions. I'll learn what I need on my own."
Norika stepped in gently, brushing her son's hair. "Then… how about this: I'll go with you. Your father has to stay, but I'll accompany you to the village. I'll even write to your uncle in the Hidden Sand and ask him to send elite escorts for your protection."
"That's fine," Jaxon smiled. "I'm broke, after all. I'll need someone to pay my expenses."
That small joke broke the tension. Norika chuckled. Even Xingye Zhu smirked reluctantly.
But behind his forced smile, Xingye Zhu's fury simmered.
He hadn't missed what this really was.
The Hokage wasn't just here for money—he was playing politics. Using Jaxon's near-death experience to gain favor and sympathy from the Daimyo, trying to strengthen Konoha's position.
If they thought he would simply accept that… they were mistaken.
"Since they started this game," Xingye Zhu muttered coldly, "they'd better be ready for what comes next."
With a sharp glare, he turned and strode toward the palace.
---
Meanwhile, Outside the Palace...
"Sensei! How did the negotiations go?"
Three figures stood under a large cherry tree outside the palace gates—Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru. They immediately approached when they saw an older man exiting the hall.
He was dressed in formal robes, his flak vest worn beneath a long coat, a Konoha forehead protector resting on his brow.
This was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village.
His face looked tired, his shoulders heavy with the weight of diplomacy.
"Let's go," he said, rubbing his temples. "We'll talk more at the hotel. I'm starving. Let's eat and discuss things properly."
Despite his calm appearance, it was clear—he preferred the battlefield to boardrooms. Politics was not his weapon of choice.
As the military head of a powerful ninja village, Hiruzen often had to beg for funding from nobles who barely understood what the village even did.
Annual budgets were always limited. Resources were tight. Trust was rare.
And now, the game had changed.
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)