Day Slash, You Don't Even Have the Right to Refuse

The Daimyo's study was heavy with tension.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was drained of all color.

Cold sweat had soaked through his inner garments, clinging to his back in an icy sheet.

All the arguments and contingencies he had prepared were utterly useless before this young Daimyo.

The other party did not even deign to use schemes.

He had simply taken a question Hiruzen had deliberately ignored and laid it bare before him.

Bloody and raw.

Konoha and the Land of Fire—which was the subject?

Shinobi and civilians—which was the foundation?

He suddenly recalled the words Danzo often had on his lips.

For the sake of Konoha...

Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth, his throat dry, unable to produce a single sound.

Refute?

With what could he refute?

Was he to openly declare that the lives of commoners mattered less than Konoha's future?

The moment those words left his mouth, Hiruzen Sarutobi would be nailed to the pillar of shame.

Minato Namikaze stood behind him, silent, the warmth on his face having vanished.

He looked at the report on the table, then at the Third's ashen countenance.

The conviction he had always held wavered.

For the sake of the village, was he truly to disregard the other citizens?

The study was very quiet.

Everyone's breathing was clearly audible.

"Third, you're a clever man."

Chiba Ran stepped forward, steadied the tottering Hiruzen Sarutobi, and pressed him back into his chair.

"Sit down and speak."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stumbled into his seat, all strength drained from his body.

Chiba Ran turned, poured a cup of hot tea, and pushed it in front of him.

"Have some tea."

This gesture, in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, was naked humiliation.

But he had lost even the courage to refuse!

Minato Namikaze's lips moved, but he dared not utter a single word.

He understood now.

Why Yūhi Shinku had returned in that state.

This Daimyo did not play by shinobi rules.

He used open schemes, the kingly way.

"I know you feel terrible inside."

Chiba Ran's tone was very calm.

"You've dedicated your life to Konoha, wanting it to be better. I understand."

"But your vision is too small. You only see a single village."

He raised a finger and pointed out the window.

"Look outside. This land, these tens of millions of citizens—they are the foundation of the Land of Fire."

"Konoha is the Land of Fire's sword, its shield. A sword and a shield exist to protect the nation, not to stand above it."

"This truth—you, and the future Fourth Hokage, must both understand."

His final words were aimed at Minato Namikaze.

Minato Namikaze's heart jolted, and he immediately bowed.

"Watergate will keep the Daimyo-sama's teachings close to heart!"

Chiba Ran nodded in satisfaction.

He turned his gaze back to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"So, cutting the budget is not a negotiation. It is an order."

"Twenty percent is only the beginning."

"If Konoha can adapt quickly, learn to economize, and spend money where it counts, this number won't change."

"But..."

Chiba Ran paused.

"If Konoha still spends lavishly like before, or even causes chaos, then the village's management is at fault."

"When that happens, the cut won't be two-tenths."

"It'll be four-tenths, six-tenths, or even more."

Hiruzen Sarutobi jerked his head up, breathing ragged.

This was a naked warning.

The Daimyo Manor could not only decide how much money to give, but also determine Konoha's life and death.

"This old man... understands."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was hoarse and dry.

He conceded defeat.

After all, how could the leader of a single village compare to the ruler of a nation?

"I'm glad you can see reason."

Chiba Ran smiled again, very gently.

"Third, though you've stepped down as Hokage, Konoha still needs you, a senior, to stabilize the situation."

"How about this."

Chiba Ran pretended to ponder.

"Let you personally return to the village and announce the budget cut."

Minato Namikaze's mind went blank.

Have the Third-sama announce it?

How was that any different from making him publicly admit incompetence?

Just as Minato was about to speak, Chiba Ran glanced at him with a faint smile, forcing him to swallow his words.

"You, you..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi trembled violently, his lips quivering as he stared at Chiba Ran, unable to form a complete sentence.

"What? Third, unwilling?"

The smile on Chiba Ran's face faded.

"You just said you'd take full responsibility for the war's losses."

"Now that you're asked to deliver an order, you're unwilling?"

"Or was taking responsibility just lip service?"

"Do you want Minato to take the fall for you? To have him, the newly appointed Fourth, offend the entire village?"

"Third, as a senior, you can't be so lacking in backbone."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was left speechless, choked off.

He had taken the responsibility himself.

Now that the Daimyo wanted him to follow through, could he refuse?

Refusal meant breaking his word, lacking backbone, and dumping the mess on his junior.

Did he want to throw away a lifetime of reputation?

But if he agreed...

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, countless faces surfaced.

The ninja who survived the battlefield, the families who lost loved ones, the orphans and widows living on pensions.

He, Hiruzen Sarutobi, hailed as the Shinobi Hero, the Third Hokage—how could he face them?

When he personally announced cutting their budgets and severing their livelihoods, what expressions would they wear?

Disappointment?

Confusion?

Or... resentment?

His lifelong prestige would vanish in that instant.

Forward was a cliff.

Backward was an abyss.

Only then did Hiruzen Sarutobi realize, belatedly, that from the moment he stepped into this room, his right to choose had been stripped away.

The game he thought he was playing was, in truth, merely following the script laid out by the other side.

"This old man... accepts."

After a long silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi's cracked lips moved.

His entire frame sagged, body hunched as if his bones had been pulled out.

"Good."

Chiba Ran's face showed a satisfied expression.

He stood up, picking up a prepared document from behind the desk.

"This is the new fiscal budget proposal, along with my formal appointment letter for the Fourth Hokage."

"Take it back."

Minato Namikaze stepped forward and received it with both hands.

"The day after tomorrow is my coronation ceremony. At that time, I hope to see a Konoha that is united, stable, and understands the nation's difficulties."

"Withdraw!"

Chiba Ran waved his hand.

"Yes!"

Minato Namikaze bowed respectfully, supporting Hiruzen Sarutobi as they retreated step by step from the study.

With a dull thud, the heavy door slammed shut.

The moment the door closed, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly went limp. If Minato Namikaze hadn't held him up, he would have collapsed on the spot.

The two walked out of the Daimyo Manor, standing before its magnificent gates.

The streets were bustling with traffic, a scene of prosperity.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared blankly at it all, his mouth filled with bitterness.

Inside the study.

Chiba Ran picked up the cold tea before him and took a sip.

Qing Yueye, standing nearby, quickly stepped forward to refill it with hot water.

Her movements were light, but she couldn't help stealing a glance at Chiba Ran.

This man...

had trampled even the famed Shinobi Hero underfoot.

"Is it nice to look at?"

Chiba Ran's voice rang out abruptly.

Qing Yueye's body trembled, and she lowered her head sharply.

"This servant... would not dare."

Chiba Ran let out a soft laugh, pinching her chin and forcing her to lift her head.

"Look at me."

Qing Yueye was forced to meet his gaze, her eyes with nowhere to rest.

Chiba Ran savored her fluster, speaking slowly:

"Remember, this is power."

"Whether it's a noble lady famed across the land, or a Hokage who shakes the shinobi world, before me, none have the right to say no."

"And you are my possession. Learn to obey."

With that, he released his hand.

Qing Yueye instantly lost her support, collapsing to the ground, gasping heavily.

Chiba Ran paid her no further attention.

His consciousness sank, and a blue interface appeared before his eyes.

[Task: Land of Fire Fiscal Reform (Phase One), Completion 80%...]