In peacetime, this allocation would have been more than sufficient. But the current situation was anything but peaceful. Konoha Village had only recently emerged from the devastation of the Second Shinobi World War and was in no position to support large-scale development.
Unlike the future, where most ninja clans would establish side businesses or diversify their income sources, the present-day villagers still relied almost entirely on missions. But after the war, where would so many missions even come from?
To make things worse, public trust in ninja had significantly eroded. Many civilians now held deep prejudices against them, associating shinobi with chaos and destruction. As a result, few dared to entrust their valuable cargo or goods to ninja for protection.
Under such circumstances, government support became all the more crucial.
---
"Teacher, judging by the look on your face, something must've happened, right?"
The moment Jiraiya entered the hotel lobby, he couldn't hold back his curiosity.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, looked worn and troubled. His expression had been grim since the journey began, and he hadn't said much along the way.
"Don't tell me... the Daimyo refused the funding request?" Tsunade asked, her brows furrowed.
They all understood the importance of this trip. Since the First Shinobi World War, over a decade had passed, and yet the situation hadn't improved much. Their current mission was to secure an increase in financial support for Konoha from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
Hiruzen finally spoke. "It's not the worst-case scenario. The Daimyo agreed to increase our budget—from two hundred million to three hundred million Ryo annually."
"That's good, isn't it?" Orochimaru questioned cautiously.
"It helps," Hiruzen admitted, pulling out his signature pipe and lighting it with a flick. He took a deep puff before continuing. "But don't think it'll be enough to turn everything around."
He paused, letting the smoke swirl in the air.
"Xingye Zhu has been appointed as the new Minister of Finance for the Land of Fire."
"What?!"
The news hit hard. Even Tsunade and Jiraiya were visibly stunned. Even Orochimaru's usually calm expression faltered.
Though Xingye Zhu wasn't a ninja, his influence was immense. For years, he'd kept to himself, managing his vast family fortune without showing any interest in politics. This neutrality had helped maintain a delicate balance between civilian and shinobi powers.
But now, with him holding an official position of real authority? Everything changed.
If the recent assassination attempt on his son were investigated, the consequences could be disastrous for Konoha. They had to tread carefully.
"Sensei... are you worried this incident might be brought up again?" Orochimaru asked.
Hiruzen exhaled slowly. "We won't be touching that subject. That's your responsibility now, Orochimaru. This incident must never be dug into. No investigations. End of discussion."
Then, as if remembering something else, Hiruzen looked at Tsunade.
"The eldest son of the Xingye family—now officially the Hoshino family—wants to visit Konoha and stay for a while. They've issued a double-S rank mission requiring full-time protection by the village."
He paused to let it sink in before adding, "Tsunade, you'll handle this assignment. No matter what, his safety is your top priority."
Tsunade's lips curled in mild annoyance. "That brat?"
She clearly wasn't thrilled, but she nodded after a short silence. "Fine."
---
Konoha Village.
Two carriages rolled through the village gates, attracting curious stares from passersby. Whispers and sideways glances came from both sides of the street.
From the front carriage, a curtain pulled back slightly as a small head poked out. Wide-eyed and curious, Jaxon took in the scene around him.
His gaze immediately landed on the iconic Hokage Rock, etched into the mountainside. It was a sight deeply familiar to him—one he'd seen countless times in memories and records.
At this moment in history, only three busts had been carved. And the village itself... well, it looked very different compared to the future. Fewer civilians lived here. Most of the population consisted of shinobi families, making the atmosphere feel more militarized and austere.
Still, Jaxon's sharp eye for opportunity couldn't ignore what he saw.
His family owned vast business holdings, and now, with his unique foresight and modern perspective, a flood of ideas hit him all at once.
Konoha may have looked like a backwater town—dusty roads, modest shops, scattered buildings—but its liveliness hinted at hidden potential.
The village had just emerged from the Second Shinobi World War, but the foundations for prosperity were already forming. After the Third Shinobi World War, things would begin to decline, but for now, the population would start to grow—and along with it, opportunity.
Later, Konoha would be able to field a ninja army of 20,000 to 30,000 strong. That alone revealed the rising tension between the ninja clans and the village's leadership.
"Who are those guys carved up there? Especially the first one—he looks super weird!"
Despite knowing full well who they were, Jaxon decided to stir the pot. He looked up at the Hokage Rock, then shouted toward Tsunade, who sat on top of the carriage.
"You brat! Watch your mouth, or you'll get yourself beaten to death!" Tsunade snapped, a vein popping out on her forehead.
That 'weird-looking' man was her grandfather, Senju Hashirama—the First Hokage.
"Relax, relax!" Jaxon laughed, feigning innocence. "I've been learning about ninja history lately. That first guy is Hashirama Senju, right? The First Hokage. Your name is Senju Tsunade, so... you must be related?"
He tilted his head and smiled smugly.
Tsunade was already grinding her teeth.
"Shut up and sit down! Stay inside the carriage and stop causing trouble!"
She had already labeled this kid as a headache—not just here in Konoha, but throughout the entire trip. Babysitting Jaxon was more exhausting than any mission she'd been on recently.
Her actual mission was simple: keep Jaxon safe. His cousin, Fujiwara Norika, who was in the carriage behind them, traveled with a dozen personal guards and maids. But no one paid her any mind.
"Such a bad attitude," Jaxon muttered. "Do you want me to report you to the Hokage?"
Before Tsunade could react, he yelled to the front, "Stop the carriage!"
The vehicle came to a halt.
"You brat, what now?!" Tsunade jumped down and glared at him, barely holding back her frustration.
"Did you forget why I came to Konoha in the first place?"
Tsunade blinked. She really had forgotten.
"I came to explore the village and stay here for a while. I didn't come just to sit in a carriage and pass by everything. Now that I'm here, I want to experience Konoha. That's the point."
His tone was calm and composed—far too mature for a child barely three years old.
"You just need to protect me. That's your job. You don't need to worry about anything else."
Tsunade clenched her fists but said nothing. As annoying as he was, Jaxon was right.
This was a double-S rank mission. The objective was clear and simple: protect him until he returned safely. If she completed the assignment, it would look great on her record.
"Fine!" she muttered through gritted teeth.
Jaxon smiled brightly and walked confidently down the street, already scanning the shops, architecture, and foot traffic.
The gears in his head were turning quickly.
'This place is a gold mine in disguise.'
There was untapped business potential everywhere. From supply chains to food stalls, ninja tools to real estate development—Konoha Village was ripe for investment.
As Tsunade followed behind him with a scowl, Jaxon began to form the foundation of what might become the most powerful economic network in the shinobi world.
And he was just getting started.
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