The village was short on money.
The only effective solution Shinichi could think of was to find wealthy merchants on good terms with Konoha and ask them to contribute some funds.
Of course, they could not threaten or entice them. It had to be a request; anything that damaged their reputation was absolutely out of the question.
With Konoha's prestige, gathering some money would not be difficult. But these would all be favors to repay in the future. Shinichi had Kakashi handle the matter and make certain promises to those wealthy merchants.
As for Daimyo's Palace, Shinichi had no plans to concern himself with it. Rebels had risen throughout the Land of Fire. Leaving aside whether they could amount to anything, even if they truly overthrew the daimyo, it would only mean a change of dynasty.
After one Lord Gen stepped down, another Lord Gen would take his place.
The government forces and rebels remained locked in a stalemate, and Shinichi let them continue their struggle. When the law no longer held any power of deterrence, force became the strongest thing—and in the Land of Fire, Konoha represented force.
News from Guy was that the daimyo still showed no signs of reform. He remained indifferent to state affairs, spending every day in debauchery with Kushinadahime.
The affairs of the nation could originally have been overseen by several ministers, but ministers were still merely ministers. Once conflicts arose between them, none would submit to another, and Daimyo's Palace had descended into chaos.
What surprised Shinichi was that on the second day after Kakashi left, someone arrived from Daimyo's Palace.
The daimyo seemed to know that Konoha was short on money. After meeting Shinichi, the envoy said that the funds previously meant for Konoha had been forgotten and never delivered. Once the