Konoha Threat Theory

Following the conclusion of the Jonin Meeting that day, the numerous resolutions announced by the Third Mizukage spread throughout Kirigakure with the speed of a gale.

First was the appointment of the Hozuki Clan's young patriarch, a genius of Kirigakure, to the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Regarding this, the public reaction was actually quite mild. After all, considering Hozuki Shingetsu's status, achievements, and strength, a ministerial-level post was already a fitting match.

In this regard, no one could find fault with the Third Mizukage's actions.

As for the Ninja Academy principal position that Hozuki Shingetsu had previously used as a smokescreen, only a few were aware of the matter. Most approved of Ren's decision not to follow Hozuki Shingetsu's wishes, instead tossing him a nominal title to keep him occupied and grounded.

I don't know what you're planning, but making you uncomfortable is my instinct as an enemy.

Judging by the fact that the Daimyo's Envoy had spoken up for Hozuki Shingetsu at the end, Ren's hope of using the envoy to disgust Hozuki Shingetsu had fallen through. It didn't matter, though; when the New Year's greetings came around, he could simply have Hozuki Shingetsu lead the delegation again. According to past custom, it would be abnormal if the Kirigakure envoy wasn't scolded to a pulp by the Daimyo.

Furthermore, Ren had learned through the grapevine that because the Daimyo had implemented a closed-door policy within the Land of Water, he felt much safer and was considering further cuts to Kirigakure's military funding. Once Hozuki Shingetsu finished the New Year's pilgrimage, Ren could easily spread rumors pinning the blame on him, claiming that it was his offense to the Daimyo that led to the budget cuts.

At that point, he would love to see what would become of the reputation of Kirigakure's "Timely Rain"!

The second resolution announced by Ren at the meeting—the Daimyo's policy of sealing off and restricting information regarding Kirigakure—had a much greater impact on the lower classes. After all, as a military stronghold, the livelihood of civilians in Kirigakure relied heavily on the spending of the shinobi.

Now that the gates were closed and outside supplies could not enter, what shinobi would be left to spend money?

However, the voices of these lower-class civilians and Genin were not taken seriously. After all, powerful clans could still obtain those resources even with the country closed off. Under such a policy, they became the monopolists; as the vested interests, they naturally wouldn't object. Of course, on the surface, they still had to play along with the atmosphere and wail a bit.

Even so, while Kirigakure's civilians could still scrape by after the lockdown, the final resolution—fixing the number of shinobi slots and implementing a "merit-based" system—was the one that truly incited widespread dissatisfaction among the commoners.

What did this resolution mean?

For ninja clans with a deep heritage, this was easy to resolve; if all else failed, they could just turn it into an "iron rice bowl" and establish a hereditary system.

But for the commoners, it meant that unless they hit the jackpot, their hope of using the shinobi profession to climb the social ladder, as they had in the past, was completely shattered.

In academic terms, the civilians of Kirigakure had lost their mechanism for upward mobility.

But as the saying goes, in a world where supernatural power exists—especially one where bloodlines provide a massive boost to combat strength—the opinions of commoners are sometimes truly worthless.

A few unwilling individuals even sought out Hozuki Shingetsu, hoping that this "Timely Rain" of Kirigakure would bring some relief. Unfortunately, our Minister of Foreign Affairs was currently being persecuted by "villains" and forced to sign a military pledge, staying home day and night to study foreign policy, temporarily declining all visitors.

Thus, after a period of turbulence, the waves caused by the full Jonin Meeting gradually subsided in Kirigakure. Conversely, those who had settled down turned their eyes back to Hozuki Shingetsu, anticipating how this genius of the Hozuki family would use the propaganda authority he had wrung from the Mizukage to realize his "Continental Balance Policy."

"Hmm... almost there. A little polishing and it can be disseminated!"

Looking at the manuscript he had spent several sleepless nights organizing, Hozuki Shingetsu revealed a satisfied smile.

"The Konoha Threat Theory..."

"According to reliable intelligence, Konoha's military spending has been on an upward trend since its founding. Especially since the First Shinobi World War, military expenditure has grown by 1000% over the past decade. Furthermore, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, spares no effort in supporting civilian shinobi, leading to a situation where Konoha's ninja are as numerous as the clouds and as dense as rain, capable of suppressing the four great villages of Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure in both quantity and quality..."

"Statistics show that while Konoha has a population of one million, it produces tens of millions of Kunai, Shuriken, and Explosive Tags annually—an average of ten per person with plenty to spare. Surely, such a massive arsenal isn't meant for fireworks or chopping wood."

"According to a Sharingan user who wished to remain anonymous, the Hokage's advisor, Danzo, has even boasted under the strength of Konoha's military, claiming 'one Konoha ninja is worth five others,' and shouting the arrogant slogan: 'Destroy Kumo in one month, Iwa in two, Suna in three, Kiri in four, and sweep the world in five to establish the Pan-Konoha Co-Prosperity Sphere.'"

"Through the author's in-depth investigation, this 'Shinobi no Yami' has his reasons for such claims. Konoha has been steeped in cruel factors since its inception. Research shows that the current noblewoman of the Land of Whirlpools, Uzumaki Mito, was forcibly abducted by Konoha's founder, Senju Hashirama, and is now treated as a cage for a monster—it is truly infuriating."

Below this, the editor listed several figures.

A standing army of 50,000, 5,000 Jonin, 3,000 Kekkei Genkai users, a 50-billion-ryo military budget for Konoha Year 33, dozens of countries secretly controlled by Konoha, and even rumors that Konoha now held the power to depose the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. It was even said that the current Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, felt the title of "Kage" was insufficient to reflect his prestige and intended to change it to "Fire Emperor"...

At the end of the article, the editor loudly proclaimed that as long as Konoha was not eliminated, the world would never know peace, labeling Konoha the "original sin" of global turmoil.

In the final flourish, this anonymous editor surnamed Gan even took a personal vow, swearing that as long as Konoha did not unilaterally disarm, he would go on a hunger strike.

It was a piece characterized by flamboyant prose and passionate intensity.

Nearby, Ao and Hozuki Zangetsu, having read the document—especially its title and content—wore expressions that were hard to describe.

How to put it? It was difficult to comment.

"Um, Shingetsu, are the data points in this document true?"

Ao was curious. By all logic, this data should be Konoha's most core secrets. How did Hozuki Shingetsu, an outsider, know them?

Could it be that the spies planted in the village were already capable of accessing such high-level classified intelligence?

But that didn't make sense either. Unless they were spies planted by the Hozuki Clan itself, how could Ren possibly hand such intelligence over to Hozuki Shingetsu?

"Then do you think Konoha is the root of the shinobi world's turmoil?"

Hozuki Shingetsu didn't answer him directly, but instead asked a question.

"Of course not. Although Konoha has its faults, it certainly can't be called the original sin of the world's chaos, right?"

"Then there you have it!" Hozuki Shingetsu nodded, smiling meaningfully. "How could there be real numbers in a fake document? If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext!"