Naruto: Starting by Marrying Uchiha

"President Honda, a few days ago, did you have a dispute with the Kamakura family's steward, Hyori Lin, in Nishizuru Town?"

Minister Seigen sternly questioned, his presence commanding and authoritative.

The noble and ministerial status he held gave him an air of superiority that could easily make ordinary people bow their heads in submission.

Lying in front of someone with such authority was no easy feat.

Although Honda was well-traveled and knowledgeable, the most significant figures he had encountered before were of Hyori's caliber. Facing someone of this stature made him extremely nervous.

"N-no, Minister, I would never dare to argue with Lord Hyori!"

He wasn't lying.

In the ninja world, merchants were mere puppets supported by various powers and held little status, so how could they dare to argue with someone like Hyori?

"Is that so?"

"Then are you aware that after you left, the Kamakura family, whom he served, was slaughtered?"

"Tell me, did you harbor resentment and collude with ninjas to do it?"

Minister Seigen's tone suddenly intensified, attempting to break through Honda's defenses.

The deep-seated fear of high-ranking figures caused Honda to break out in a cold sweat. If Takashi hadn't been by his side, he might not have been able to stand.

(In the ninja world, human life is often disregarded, and it's normal for ordinary people to be frightened by those in power!) 

However, Minister Seigen's actions displeased Takashi, prompting him to interrupt.

"Minister Seigen, are you trying to frame him?"

Did he think I wasn't here?

By deliberately choosing this location for questioning, he was clearly showing his stance, but the other party still played this game, blatantly disrespecting him.

Since there was no respect given, he wouldn't be polite either.

"Lord Takashi, please don't misunderstand, it's merely a matter of duty!"

Minister Seigen hurriedly explained.

Being assigned to investigate this matter showed he wasn't incompetent and naturally sensed Takashi's dissatisfaction.

He had his suspicions about the other party, but as a Kage-level powerhouse, Takashi wasn't someone easily investigated.

To put it bluntly, even if it was indeed him, they had to find a way to make it 'not him.'

After all, if a Kage-level powerhouse had killed a noble, it would become a major issue.

That's why, even though he knew Hyori Lin was killed by the other party, he turned a blind eye and instead questioned Honda.

"That's better!"

Takashi nodded in satisfaction.

With his stance clear, Minister Seigen's tone softened considerably, making it easier for Honda to handle.

And indeed, he had no issues.

After the questioning, Minister Seigen took his leave without overstepping boundaries as one might have imagined.

But that was due to Takashi's strength; if it had been someone else, he wouldn't have been so accommodating.

The final investigation result would undoubtedly be that 'rogue ninjas' were responsible.

The Sand Village didn't want to take the blame, so naturally, they would pass it on, and what better scapegoat than rogue ninjas?

"Alright, you can start preparing to set off and deliver the supplies to the Starting Point Orphanage!"

Takashi signaled Honda to leave and prepare.

Once Honda left, he turned to Nara Jukumo and asked, "Have the Sand ninja prisoners been settled?"

During the battle at Kikyo Mountain, when the Sand ninjas retreated, they couldn't take the injured or unconscious with them, so they were captured.

There were about a hundred of them.

"They're all settled," Nara Jukumo quickly replied, adding, "The village sent a message asking us to escort the prisoners to the Konoha prison!"

The message had arrived earlier, but without Takashi's approval as the commander, he dared not make a decision, so it had been delayed until now.

"Those old guys are meddling again!"

Takashi scoffed disdainfully.

After showcasing his Sage Mode, he no longer bothered to pretend, referring to them privately as 'old guys.'

He wasn't like other transmigrators who, no matter how much they disliked someone, would always address them as 'Lord.'

Nara Jukumo's mouth twitched; he dared not respond to that.

Takashi might dare to call them that, but he certainly didn't.

"Alright, just reply that I disagree!"

Takashi understood the Nara clan's cautious nature and took responsibility.

The ten cans of nutrient solution owed to him hadn't been delivered yet, so he wanted to apply some pressure.

Although the prisoners would eventually be sent back to the village prison, as the commander, it was normal to hold them for a while.

In other circumstances, the village wouldn't be so concerned about these prisoners.

But having just suffered a defeat, the Sand ninjas had captured quite a few Konoha ninjas, all from the Hokage's faction, so naturally, they wanted to rescue them as soon as possible.

Thus, the value of these Sand Ninja captives became apparent. Prisoner exchange!

It's a perfectly normal occurrence between ninja villages.

Anyway, Takashi had no personal ties with those ninja clans, so it didn't matter if he stalled a bit.

As long as Koharu Utatane didn't deliver his reward, he wouldn't hand over the Sand Ninja captives. It was a test of who could hold out longer.

"Yes!"

Nara Jukumo knew full well that Takashi was opposing the village, yet he responded without hesitation.

After all, he was currently the deputy of the Southwestern Ninja Army, and Takashi was his superior. 

If it were a move detrimental to the village, he might stand against it, but for minor matters like this, he knew exactly what to do.

What Takashi appreciated most about the Nara clan was their intelligence; they always knew the best course of action.

After giving his instructions, he left the main commander's office and headed to the resting area.

Hyuga Aotsuki was stationed there, and several small boxes had appeared on the desk beside her.

"Should I take these gold coins away immediately?"

She asked as Takashi entered.

Gold coins!

Also known as 'large gold coins,' they were currency minted from gold.

True hard currency.

The currencies of the various nations in the ninja world were not the same.

But only these gold coins were universally accepted across nations.

When Hyuga Aotsuki dealt with the Kamakura family earlier, she had taken the opportunity to 'tour' their storeroom.

It could only be said that the Kamakura family lived up to their reputation as resourceful hoarders.

They had managed to acquire such a large amount of gold coins.

However, their efforts had now benefited Takashi and his group, as all of it had become their spoils of war.

There's a saying: "Where there's blood and fire, there's gold to be found!"

They had hit the jackpot.

Each gold coin had an official exchange rate of one hundred thousand ryo in the Land of Fire, but no one would actually exchange them.

Because exchanging gold coins for currency was easy, but trying to convert the Land of Fire's currency back into gold coins was incredibly difficult.

Each box contained a thousand gold coins.

Naturally, these couldn't be left at Kikyo Mountain, as it would expose their previous actions.

Ordinary ninjas couldn't possibly acquire so many gold coins, and if it were discovered they had them, it would be tantamount to admitting they were responsible.

"Yes, take them back with the merchant caravan this time. I also plan to visit Guren!"

Takashi nodded.

He was planning to go with Hyuga Aotsuki to the 'Starting Point Orphanage.'

There was quite a bit to transport this time.

Not only were there medicinal herbs, but also orphans collected through Konoha's channels, supplies, and more.

As for Kikyo Mountain? There was no need to worry.

If the Sand Ninja army really attacked, he could return in time, so there was no need to worry about missing anything.

As the commander, he technically shouldn't leave.

But he had another identity.

A potion developer! As long as he ensured nothing happened to the Southwestern Ninja Army, the village leaders couldn't criticize him for spending time in his lab.

Just like Orochimaru, who often handled personal matters despite being a ninja commander.

For a Kage-level strongman, the village's constraints weren't as tight as they were for ordinary ninjas.

As for the Starting Point Orphanage being exposed?

Takashi never intended to hide it; otherwise, he wouldn't have mentioned it so openly before.

Half a day later, the caravan set off for the Land of Rivers.

Dozens of carts were loaded with goods, and there were also dozens of young boys and girls.

The escort consisted of only one squad.

Squad 404!

In addition, there was a messenger ninja with a trained messenger hawk.

With him, Takashi wouldn't lose control over the Southwestern Ninja Army.

Kikyo Mountain wasn't too far from the Starting Point Orphanage.

It took just over a week to reach it.

If it were a Jonin, they might make it in a day.

Flying would take only a few hours.

It could only be said that a ninja's speed was on a completely different level from that of ordinary people.

(End of Chapter)