The Shinobi World Was Not Peaceful

After absorbing the Third Hokage's memories, the current Third Hokage understood this disciple of his well enough.

Seeing the look on his face, he guessed what was going on.

"Are you short on money now?"

Orochimaru immediately said solemnly, "Konoha is short on money, Sensei."

Since he was about to become the Fifth Hokage, Orochimaru felt that if Konoha was not short on money, then neither was he.

Experiments really cost a lot of money.

Of course, it was also for Konoha's sake. After all, the results of his experiments could be used by Konoha too, couldn't they?

Orochimaru flexibly regarded his own interests as one with Konoha's interests.

The Third Hokage lit his pipe and began smoking.

After exhaling a puff of smoke, he said, "Orochimaru, your inauguration ceremony is an opportunity."

"Oh? Please enlighten me, Sensei." Orochimaru humbly sought his advice.

His teacher had been Hokage for many years, after all. He could offer him some guidance.

"Invite all the major Merchants in the Land of Fire."

"Raise money from those major Merchants?" Orochimaru frowned as he considered it.

Certainly, once a newly appointed Hokage sent invitations, those major Merchants would not dare refuse to attend.

When the time came, if he asked those major Merchants for money, they would surely grit their teeth and pay.

But that would ultimately offend them. They might not dare do anything openly against Konoha, but they could simply hand the Mission Quotas under their control to other shinobi villages.

After all, the shinobi world was not dominated by Konoha alone. The Five Great Shinobi Villages stood side by side. Although Konoha was the foremost shinobi village, having maintained that title through every Shinobi World War...

That first place was not an absolute, crushing advantage.

Unless it was back when the legendary First Hokage was still alive.

Thus, using this opportunity to forcefully raise money from the major Merchants seemed more harmful than worthwhile.

Orochimaru had such concerns. He still possessed a long-term perspective.

But since it was his teacher's suggestion, he could not simply reject it.

Just as he was feeling somewhat troubled...

"It isn't about raising money. It's about cooperation."

As he spoke, the Third Hokage took another drag from his pipe, exhaling clouds of smoke.

"Cooperation?" Orochimaru was somewhat puzzled. "What kind of cooperation?"

"What do you think of the shinobi world?"

The question was far too broad.

After thinking for a moment, Orochimaru said, "It is not peaceful."

Even though the Shinobi World War had ended, everyone was preparing for the next one. That day would come sooner or later.

At that thought, Orochimaru's gaze darkened. He recalled everything he had experienced in his life so far, the countless corpses he had seen.

He had seen too much, and so he feared death.

Moreover, only by continuing to live could he fulfill his wish and learn every ninjutsu.

But this world was too cruel. Even someone as powerful as the First Hokage could not ultimately escape death. Every pursuit would eventually come to an end.

That was why he desired immortality.

"That's right. It is not peaceful. In this world, it is difficult to find a peaceful place."

As the Third Hokage spoke, he recalled the memories he had acquired from this body: the state of the world he had witnessed, as well as the contents of mission after mission he had seen as the Third Hokage.

"Bandits can never be completely eliminated, and Rogue Ninja can never be killed off. Even the Land of Fire, the most prosperous country in the shinobi world, is like this. Travel less than three days from Konoha, and you might encounter bandits or robbers."

"...Sensei, it is precisely because there are bandits, robbers, and endless Rogue Ninja that we shinobi have sufficient Mission Quotas."

"Yes. Whether it is Konoha, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, or Kirigakure, they all turn a blind eye to this situation, and even deliberately maintain it. To ensure sufficient Mission Quotas, shinobi—especially the great shinobi villages—need this world to be filled with conflict."

Hearing this, Orochimaru fell silent for a long time. Then he exhaled and said, "Perhaps this is simply how the world is."

"Orochimaru, the key to changing this situation is now in your hands."

Orochimaru stared at the teacher who had spoken those words to him in astonishment.

"You are the Hokage, the newly appointed Hokage. At this moment, it will naturally be easier for you to gain the attention of the entire world."

That was only natural. The change of leadership in the Land of Fire—the foremost great nation—and in the foremost shinobi village, arguably the leading power in the shinobi world, would inevitably draw the attention of the entire world.

Once news spread that Orochimaru would succeed as the Fifth Hokage, he would become the focus of the world.

Many people wanted to see what changes the new Hokage would bring to the world.

That was right. Given the weight carried by the position of Hokage, any succession would inevitably have a profound impact on this world.

"What is the point of having everyone's attention?" Even someone as clever as Orochimaru asked with rare confusion.

"Of course there is a point. Take this opportunity to show the world exactly what kind of future you intend to bring."

"What kind of future should I bring? Please tell me, Sensei."

"Lead Konoha's strength and change this unstable state of affairs. Cooperate with the major Merchants of the Land of Fire and establish a Joint Security Company. With Konoha taking the lead and the Merchants providing financial support, absorb and eliminate every restless force within the Land of Fire."

Orochimaru frowned and considered it seriously. After a while, he said, "You intend to provide the Merchants with a stable business environment?"

He was not some sheltered young master who knew nothing of the hardships of the world. He had traveled outside before, so he naturally knew how deeply Merchants yearned for a stable environment.

If Konoha could provide such stability, the Merchants would indeed not hesitate to give money.

But...

"What about Mission Quotas?"

"Missions do not necessarily have to involve fighting and killing. Only when society becomes stable will many new opportunities emerge." The Third Hokage took a puff of smoke. "After we establish deep cooperation with the major Merchants, we can provide them with highly skilled personnel for legitimate businesses. Shinobi are all outstanding elites. Even at the least technical jobs, they are far more efficient than ordinary workers. Many shinobi are also skilled at gathering and organizing intelligence. We can effectively investigate and consolidate commercial information across society, becoming the largest and most professional commercial intelligence database in the entire shinobi world. Whether it is business operations, hiring veteran managers familiar with industry secrets, or every kind of consultation needed to start a business, they can all come to us. We can provide such effective services."

Even with Orochimaru's intellect, his head spun somewhat from hearing all that at once.

But after carefully breaking down the Third Hokage's words, he could understand them. Yet even after understanding, he could not be sure how profitable the things the Third Hokage described would be.

"Furthermore, maintaining public order also requires them to continuously pay us security management fees."

"...The Daimyo will probably not be pleased."

Though it was dressed up as a "Joint Security Company," Orochimaru could still see that this was encroaching upon the administrative authority of the Land of Fire's government under the Daimyo, even infringing upon its power to levy taxes.

The Daimyo would certainly not be happy, and many interested parties would likely become hostile as well.

"That's right, the Daimyo will not be pleased. But the Land of Fire does not belong to the Daimyo alone."

The Third Hokage said as if it were only natural, "We are not opposing all the Nobles either. Many major Merchants have Nobles behind them. For the sake of profit, they will persuade Lord Daimyo."