Chapter 295: 295.When Has the Price of Explosive Tags Ever Dropped?

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This Actually Worked?

Leaving the Daimyo’s resident, Tsunade’s head was still spinning.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that obtaining the funds had been too smooth.

Only because she was the Hokage—and because of her blood ties to the Daimyo’s family—had things gone so effortlessly.

If any other Hokage had gone to ask for money, it wouldn’t have been this easy.

Even the mighty Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju had to negotiate carefully with the Daimyo.

Sure, they were powerful, but the Daimyo’s wealth wasn’t just lying around for the taking. If handled poorly, it would’ve become a laughingstock.

Tsunade had thought she was skilled at this, but it turned out there was someone even more terrifying behind the scenes.

She was starting to get the strange impression that if Kazuki wanted to, he could invent countless ways to pull money straight from the Daimyo’s pockets—and the Daimyo would willingly hand it over.

Honestly, Tsunade wasn’t wrong.

Kazuki did have endless methods to extract funds from the Daimyo. He just didn’t see the need to push things to extremes.

Scamming him once or twice was fine, but if it became a habit, the Daimyo would catch on, and the game would be over.

This wasn’t a one-time deal—it was a long-term operation. Better to keep things gentle.

Now that the money was secured, Tsunade didn’t skimp. After all, she had leveraged the Third Hokage and the Sarutobi clan’s misfortunes to get it. She allocated some extra subsidies to the Sarutobi as a consolation.

As for the rest? Straight into the Treasury. No question about it.

The near-empty Treasury finally had a bit of breathing room.

While Tsunade was still processing what had happened, the Third Hokage was utterly baffled.

That’s all it took to get money? Just crying poverty and playing the victim? Then what the hell was I doing all these years?!

Every time he had gone to the Daimyo for funds, he’d had to argue until his lips went numb—and even then, the Daimyo would reluctantly agree, clearly unhappy about it.

That old bastard was targeting me!

And here I was, showing him so much respect…

The Third Hokage felt like vomiting blood.

With the Treasury replenished, the weight on Tsunade’s shoulders lightened considerably.

Now that the Akatsuki matter had settled (aside from Jiraiya’s ongoing investigations), Konoha had entered another period of stable development.

Other villages, however, were having a much harder time—their losses far exceeded Konoha’s.

Especially Kumogakure.

After spending so much money and losing so many people, the Raikage simply could not let go of his fury.

Following Konoha’s lead, the Raikage also sent operatives to cooperate with Jiraiya in tracking the Akatsuki’s movements.

But no matter how hard they searched, the Akatsuki seemed to have vanished from the shinobi world.

If not for the occasional rumor or mission report, the Raikage might’ve even suspected they’d disbanded entirely.

Just like before, the Akatsuki continued taking assassination contracts—they’d just become far more discreet.

The battle in Amegakure had devastated the Five Great Nations, but the Akatsuki hadn’t escaped unscathed either. They’d been crippled.

Most of their members were dead or injured, their stockpile of resources nearly exhausted.

Losing their reserves was one thing.

The real problem? Nagato’s body was deteriorating.

Forcing the power of the Six Paths came at a steep price.

After all, those weren’t his eyes—using them demanded a heavy toll.

Worse, neither Nagato nor Konan trusted anyone else enough to reveal the truth.

With Nagato’s condition worsening, they had no choice but to retreat into the shadows to recuperate.

The Akatsuki had effectively been reset—their situation only slightly better than when they’d first formed.

After Obito’s identity was exposed, he came clean. Unfortunately, this only deepened Konan and Nagato’s distrust. Even Black Zetsu was kept at arm’s length.

Whether you’re Madara Uchiha or Obito Uchiha, you’re still the same snake.

—

“Lord Advisor, these are the village’s recent equipment procurement records.”

“Why are these on my desk? Shouldn’t they go to the Hokage’s office?”

Kazuki stared at the documents Izumi had handed him, a vein throbbing in his forehead.

Tsunade was getting lazier by the day. And Shizune was no better.

Without a proper secretary, Tsunade had to handle many tasks herself—so she’d “borrowed” Kazuki’s former assistant, Izumi Uchiha.

Fugaku had been thrilled about the transfer.

“The Hokage instructed me to bring them to you. She said there might be an issue with the records and wanted you to review them.”

Izumi looked just as resigned. If she’d had a choice, she wouldn’t have brought these files over.

But when the Hokage gave an order, a mere secretary had no choice but to obey.

“An issue with procurement?”

Equipment purchases were not something to take lightly. If subpar gear ended up in the hands of shinobi, it could trigger disastrous consequences during missions—or even get them killed.

“Let me see.”

Kazuki skimmed the documents and immediately spotted the anomaly.

What the hell?

Explosive tags were one of the most commonly used tools in the shinobi world, with an astronomical annual consumption rate.

In terms of lethality, only kunai claimed more lives than explosive tags.

Underestimate them at your peril—even a jonin could be blown to bits if caught off-guard.

But something was off about these records.

The quantity purchased was consistent with past orders, yet the total cost had dropped significantly, saving the village a considerable sum.

The problem?

The price of explosive tags never dropped.

They’d always been expensive—sometimes even unavailable due to limited production.

“Izumi, send someone to summon Elder Homura. Tell him I need to see himin my office.”

Since Koharu Utatane’s death, Homura had kept a very low profile.

Though Tsunade had stripped him of his advisor title, she’d allowed him to retain his position as an elder.

The difference was subtle but critical.

Advisors held central authority in the village’s decision-making. Elders? They were peripheral at best.

Konoha had many elders, but only a handful of advisory seats.

To avoid future interference, Tsunade had deliberately only use one Advisor.

She refused to risk another Homura or Koharu—figures who’d abused their power to undermine the Hokage.

Though demoted, Homura hadn’t lost all his influence. He still worked in the Logistics Division—a small mercy from Tsunade.

“Understood.”

Izumi hurried out to relay the order to the ANBU.

Once upon a time, Homura would’ve been the one summoning Kazuki. Now, the tables had turned.

—

“He wants to see me?”

Homura, busy with logistics work, frowned.

Since Koharu’s death, he’d been extremely cautious—avoiding any action that might draw attention.

He’d even reduced his visits to the Third Hokage.

All because he feared Kazuki might target him next.

“Yes. The advisor said it’s urgent.”

The ANBU operative had no further details.

“Very well. I’ll head over immediately.”

Suppressing his unease, Homura straightened his robes and made his way to the Hokage Tower.

Right now, his greatest fear was that Kazuki had uncovered something—something that could end her career.

Or worse, send him to join Koharu.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep