Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?-Chapter 285: Kumo Shinobi, Born for Battle!

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The provisional government of the Land of Lightning presented these professional soldiers with an opportunity to change their class. They had to consider—would this be their only chance?

"You're right," A conceded, his voice heavy. "Priorities must be set. But the most pressing matter now is uniting the four villages' forces to deliver a devastating blow to Konoha!"

"The Shinobi World order has always maintained a relative balance. Now, Konoha shows signs of becoming the sole superpower. If we don't strike now, before the gap becomes insurmountable, we face a slow demise!"

"At that point, Konoha won't even need to fight. They can simply overwhelm us with their wealth, burying the front lines under mountains of exploding tags!"

A's voice rose, filled with urgency. "Wake up, everyone! We are Kumo Shinobi, born for battle! Our strength dictates that Konoha will show us no mercy! If we don't fight now, we'll inevitably face them later. Will we still have the strength then?"

"Even if not for yourselves, think of your descendants!"

A, it seemed, had indeed learned from his reading.

He appealed to their emotions, their reason, analyzing Kumogakure's situation realistically.

The elders, initially agitated, fell silent. They understood the logic, but couldn't shake the allure of the provisional government's promises.

Perhaps—this was the fate of a Shinobi.

Once a Shinobi, always a Shinobi.

Even with the opportunity to change their class presented before them, their deep ties to the Shinobi World, to their village, bound them to their destiny.

They were essentially—military families, bound by duty.

"So, Lord Raikage, what is your intention?"

"The current situation—the Raikage Tower faces a financial crisis. The 'Daimyo's Bankruptcy' incident—this black swan event—has disrupted my original plans. The Raikage Tower cannot afford the costs of procuring Shinobi tools for the war, I've come to borrow money from you all!"

"What about our regular Shinobi tool reserves?" an elder asked.

"A large portion was consumed in Kusagakure. A smaller portion was sent to support our Co-Prosperity Alliance members. And some—were lost in the previous conflict with the Hyūga Shinobi stationed in the border towns." A's dark face flushed almost imperceptibly.

Kumogakure's regular Shinobi tool reserves had always been substantial, prepared for unforeseen circumstances. Even with the Daimyo's bankruptcy, the reserves should have been sufficient for a major war.

The strategy had been ambitious; reality was harsh.

They'd intended to train Kusagakure like raising squid, planting them as a foothold in the west. They'd poured vast sums of money, vast quantities of Shinobi tools—only for Konoha and Iwagakure to wipe them out. Kumogakure's true decline—perhaps began then.

The Co-Prosperity Alliance continuously drained Kumogakure's resources, like bleeding a giant bear. The recent Shinobi tool conflict had bled them dry.

The Raikage Tower's ideology fractured, splitting into two factions. Their nation declared bankruptcy—During his reign as Fourth Raikage, Kumogakure had achieved the dubious distinction of facing both internal strife and external threats.

"Borrow money?"

The sensitive words, spoken by the Raikage, caused the elders' expressions to shift.

It wasn't that they were unwilling to share the Raikage's burden. But siding with the provisional Land of Lightning government offered both financial gain and potential accolades—Following the Raikage meant undertaking dangerous missions for meager pay, and now—he was asking them for loans?

Borrowing our money only to pay it back to us as mission fees?

Borrow money? With what collateral? The Raikage robes on your back?

Silence descended upon the conference room. No one's money grew on trees. The Raikage stood alone, awkwardly.

"Ahem—Gentlemen! Without skin, hair cannot grow. Lend money to the Raikage Tower, and everything will be alright. After we defeat Konoha, the spoils of victory will belong to everyone!"

Without skin, hair cannot grow?

Was that truly the case? Perhaps not...

The Shinobi clans weren't fools. Judging by Konoha's recent actions, this Fourth Hokage was a formidable leader, his ambition likely encompassing the entire Shinobi World.

If so, he couldn't afford to be overly brutal; he would likely offer some concessions to the clans of other villages. Kumogakure was teetering on the brink. The elders felt the village offered little hope. They began to consider—not dying for this village.

So, they would hold onto their money. Even if the village changed hands, their wealth would remain their own. They would simply serve a different village leadership—The Land of Lightning was unfamiliar territory for the Konoha Hokage Tower; they would still need the local clans, the "ground snakes," to maintain control.

Follow the Raikage into battle, risk their lives? Fine!

Follow the Raikage into battle, and contribute their hard-earned money as fuel for Kumogakure's decaying war machine? Unacceptable!

Furthermore, given the Fourth Raikage's temper—if he knew they possessed wealth—he would likely borrow relentlessly, endlessly.

Or perhaps, if their initial refusal failed, and they eventually succumbed to his pressure, lending the Raikage Tower a small sum—given his volatile nature—his response might not be gratitude, but rather, ruthless retribution against those elders who weren't fully aligned with him.

Therefore, the best course of action was to stand firm from the beginning, refuse to open the door to borrowing!

Ultimately, the two factions of elders reached the same conclusion.

Exchanging glances, understanding the unspoken agreement, they remained silent.

Perhaps the only difference was that the clans loyal to the Raikage held onto their wealth, intending to use it as a foundation for their future, even if it meant letting the village decline.

The Shinobi clansmen dying on the battlefield alongside the Raikage? Acceptable. As long as the ordinary clan members survived, they could live comfortably with the remaining wealth.

They were unwilling to gamble their entire future on the Raikage, nor were they willing to transfer their assets abroad, aiding the enemy.

As for the clans suppressed by the Raikage during the Shinobi tool conflict, they had already made the "wise" choice, investing their entire fortunes in Konoha stocks and bonds, entrusting Arnold as their broker.

They were unwilling to share the Raikage's hardship, nor were they willing to fight for the village until the bitter end. Perhaps, when Konoha's forces truly arrived, they would simply present their Konoha-issued "get out of jail free card"—the War Bonds.

Kumogakure—was no longer their only option!

The current Raikage stood opposed to the vast majority of the clans. He had lost the support of both the common people and the "nobility"—Utterly defeated!

The Raikage, seemingly oblivious to the tense atmosphere, continued, "Each family—five million ryō should suffice! After we win the war, the Raikage Tower will repay this loan with generous interest!"

Finally, someone, unable to bear the awkwardness, fearing the enraged Raikage might dismantle them on the spot, stepped forward, speaking diplomatically. "Lord Raikage! The current economic situation is dire—Our clans have no surplus funds! But for the sake of the village, our Shiwato clan is willing to donate five hundred thousand ryō to the Raikage Tower! No repayment necessary! Personally, I am also willing to contribute my entire salary for the next year to support the village!"

With one taking the lead, others followed.

Treating the Raikage like a beggar, one donated five hundred thousand ryō, another three hundred thousand—Some stifled laughter; the air filled with amusement.

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