Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 253: Returning to the Village with Five Billion Ryo

After cleaning up the Daimyo's residence, Haneda left Flying Thunder God seals on the three primary turncoats and warned them before departing.

He then returned to Konoha, accompanied by the ANBU and ROOT.

This time, Haneda didn't return empty-handed. He brought back funding equivalent to 20 years of the Daimyo's financial aid to Konoha.

The level of corruption in the Land of Fire had far exceeded his expectations.

There wasn't a single clean official to be found. With just a cursory raid of their estates, Haneda managed to confiscate countless valuables.

ROOT would later conduct a more thorough sweep of their real estate, businesses, and other fixed assets, bringing in an even larger haul.

(P.S.: For reference, see the end of the Ming dynasty and a certain courier's infamous raids in the capital.)

In the Hokage's office, Haneda strolled in casually and tossed the detailed ledger of the confiscations onto Shikaku's desk.

"You're always complaining that there's no money, right?"

"Take this. Use it to expand the Ninja Academy. This year's enrollment needs to double—no, make it triple!"

With that, Haneda turned with a flourish and returned to the comfort of his Hokage chair, signing off on the documents Shikaku had prepared.

Shikaku picked up the thick ledger and, after skimming through the total amount on the last page, was utterly stunned.

"Five billion ryo. Five billion ryo!"

That much money wouldn't even fit in a warehouse!

It was enough to keep Konoha's various departments running smoothly for 20 years!

Shikaku's face lit up with joy. "Lord Hokage, your strategy with the Daimyo's court was brilliant!"

"With this funding, we won't just enroll a few hundred students in the Academy—we'll enroll 3,000! Not one less!"

Suddenly, Tsunade, seemingly drawn by the scent of money, entered the office with a cheerful smile.

She rubbed her hands together and looked at Haneda expectantly.

"Oh, Haneda, my dear, kind-hearted Hokage! I heard your ROOT brought in a whole lot of money…"

"Wait a second," Haneda interrupted, narrowing his eyes. "You're not about to tell me you racked up another debt at the casino, are you?"

The look on Tsunade's face and her tone immediately tipped him off that she wanted something.

"Come on, it's just a little debt…" she muttered. "Besides, didn't you just make a big haul from the Daimyo's court?"

Shikaku, who was managing the finances, couldn't bear it any longer. He glared and asked, "How much, Lady Tsunade?"

Tsunade held up one finger and looked at Haneda pitifully.

Shikaku's face darkened further. Squeezing money out of him was practically impossible—Tsunade knew Haneda was the softer target.

Haneda raised an eyebrow and asked cautiously, "Ten thousand?"

Tsunade shook her head, looking embarrassed. "A bit more…"

"Hundred thousand?" Haneda tried again.

"One million," Tsunade finally admitted. "It's just the cost of an S-rank mission…"

The moment he heard "one million ryo," Shikaku couldn't sit still.

"That's two whole sacks of money! Two sacks!!" he exclaimed, outraged.

"Lady Tsunade, you're a high-ranking leader of Konoha!"

Tsunade gave an awkward laugh. Shikaku's tight-fisted nature meant she wouldn't get a single coin from him, so Haneda was her only hope.

Haneda, remembering the support Tsunade had given him in the past, decided he'd cover the debt himself.

But just as he was about to agree, inspiration struck. Thinking of Kakashi freezing on the frontlines in Kumogakure, he grinned.

"Here's the deal, Lady Tsunade," Haneda said. "The village will cover your debt for now, but I have a task for you in return."

"This task is simple—just track down Jiraiya and bring him back to the village to replace Kakashi at the Kumogakure front."

"Kakashi's been out there as both the ANBU and ROOT commander for far too long."

"Jiraiya? Deal!" Tsunade agreed without hesitation. She had wanted to drag Jiraiya back for a while.

Why should she be stuck working in the village while Jiraiya enjoyed himself, peeping at bathhouses and living freely?

Shikaku, watching Tsunade leave with her money, felt a pang of regret.

Still, Haneda had handled the situation well, turning a personal matter into an official one. It was a win for both Tsunade and the village.

The only downside was that Tsunade's workload would inevitably fall on him again.

Haneda, returning to business, asked, "By the way, how's the new Will of Fire curriculum Asuma was drafting? Is it ready to be added to the Academy's materials?"

Shikaku replied absentmindedly, "Asuma left it in the top drawer of your desk this morning."

"That fast?" Haneda was surprised.

He'd thought Asuma might take until the school year started, but the task was already done.

Curious, Haneda opened the drawer and flipped through the manuscript.

It wasn't what he'd expected. Instead of the ideological framework he had requested, every page was filled with one phrase: personal worship.

Every sentence seemed to be a hymn praising him.

Haneda closed the book with a sigh.

"I should've known better than to let Asuma handle this. Never mind—I'll write it myself."

Shikaku, aware of the book's contents, couldn't help but comment.

"I don't see the problem. Asuma's version would surely boost your popularity as Hokage."

"The new era doesn't need blind worshippers," Haneda countered firmly.

One Asuma was enough. He didn't want an army of Asumas following him around, spying on him in secret.

Shaking his head, Haneda pushed the thought aside and began considering how to write the curriculum himself.

In the shinobi world, the most famous author was Jiraiya. His Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Ninja had inspired two Hokage and even helped Naruto talk down Nagato.

Haneda thought he could write something similar, weaving his personal experiences with his vision for ninjas and the world.

Add in a touch of his philosophy, and it would become the definitive Will of Fire for the new era.

Haneda smiled to himself.

"I've decided—I'll write it myself. It'll be mandatory reading for the Ninja Academy."

"How about I title it My Struggle?"

"My Struggle? Are you writing an autobiography, Lord Hokage?" Shikaku asked curiously.

Haneda nodded.

"My story is interesting enough, and students probably won't care for dry, outdated knowledge."

"But they'll definitely be interested in their Hokage."

...…

As carts filled with confiscated gold and treasures rolled into Konoha, it was impossible not to attract attention.

Before long, the Third Hokage learned of Haneda's purge of the Daimyo's court.

Not only had Haneda resolved the issue with the Daimyo, but he had also confiscated enough wealth from the opposition to bring back a staggering five billion ryo.

The move to call a deer a horse and consolidate power might go down in the Land of Fire's history as the act of a tyrant.

But within Konoha, it cemented Haneda as an exceptional Hokage.

Of the five Hokage, only the First and Second had managed to outmaneuver the Daimyo.

Now Haneda had joined their ranks—but with blatant audacity, unlike the secretive methods of his predecessors.

The Third Hokage sighed, acknowledging his age.

"The younger generation has surpassed us," he muttered.

Glancing at the time, he made his way toward Konoha's prison.

It was nearly evening—time to deliver dinner to Danzo.

...…