Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it is already the end of Konoha's Year 33!
Since experiencing an impeachment crisis in July, Haruto Saito has been sailing smoothly. After another half a year of development, his industrial district has achieved overall prosperity!
He has even developed a tourism industry!
Centered around the Hero Memorial Stone, he has built amusement parks and theater-themed parks nearby. He had also planned to establish a cinema, but in this era, the technology to record images is a core secret of Sunagakure in the Land of Wind, so he had to abandon the idea.
In the original timeline, by Konoha's 60th year, the shinobi world already had surveillance cameras and computers, but such advancements have not yet emerged in this era.
All eight districts of residential buildings have been completely sold out!
Due to rising property prices, not only has Haruto's cash reserves surpassed 3 billion ryo, but he also holds real estate assets worth over 1.5 billion ryo! Instead of selling the commercial properties along the streets, he has opted to lease them out!
Haruto's wealth has grown to the point where it has become numbing to others!
There are even rumors that his cash reserves exceed those of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire!
No one can verify this claim, as the true wealth of the Daimyo remains unknown.
Undoubtedly, the Daimyo is the wealthiest person in the Land of Fire, with real estate assets beyond measure. However, if considering only liquid assets, determining the wealthiest individual in the country becomes more difficult.
In terms of revenue, the Daimyo's treasury generates more income. However, the expenses of running a country—maintaining an administrative system, funding a standing army, disaster relief efforts, and military allocations to Konoha—are enormous.
Thus, while the Daimyo's income is high, his expenditures are equally vast, making it uncertain how much he actually retains!
Many are envious of Haruto's fortune!
Yet, even more people have grown to respect him! The saying "money commands influence" holds true in many cases!
**Konoha Year 33, December 21st**
That afternoon, at Haruto's grand mansion near the Ministry of Commerce building, in the training grounds—
Haruto was training alone!
He sat cross-legged on the ground, eyes closed, motionless.
Suddenly, his eyes burst open with sharp focus!
His hands moved swiftly, forming seals at lightning speed before he pressed a single finger to the ground.
"Chakra Perception!"
In an instant, Haruto's sensory ability erupted outward, spreading in all directions through the ground.
100 meters... 1,000 meters... 10 kilometers... 100 kilometers...
He had finally mastered it!
The secret sensory technique created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju! According to the training scroll, this technique could sense up to 1,000 kilometers, but even though Haruto had just mastered it, his range was limited to 100 kilometers—this was only the beginner's level.
Tobirama had naturally refined the technique far beyond this level in his time.
But this was enough!
A whole year!
More than a year!
While Haruto had not been going on missions, focusing instead on economic ventures and making money, he had never neglected his training! He had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, additional lost jutsu of the Hyuga Clan, five types of Uzumaki sealing techniques, and eight assassination-support techniques from the Terado Clan!
He had also mastered Chakra Perception!
And two months ago, he had mastered summoning the defensive gates of Rashomon!
His learning speed was astonishing, mainly because he could acquire technique fragments through discussions with others—especially Terado, who was an absolute genius! No matter what Haruto asked, he always had something insightful to say.
Now, there was one crucial technique that Haruto had yet to master!
The Mutual Multiplying Explosive Tags!
This technique was immensely destructive and extremely difficult to learn. The ability to infinitely summon explosive tags required an advanced summoning talent similar in difficulty to the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Currently, Haruto had collected 86 fragments of the Mutual Multiplying Explosive Tags technique!
He had gained these by consulting Terado! However, since he was busy, his progress in acquiring all the fragments had been sporadic.
"It's about time... I can't keep delaying this..." Haruto murmured to himself before standing up and vanishing!
---
**Hokage's Office, Hokage Tower.**
Hiruzen Sarutobi was reviewing urgent reports from Amegakure. The Shinobi World War had raged on for over a year, and the primary battlefield remained Amegakure. The conflict had reached a fever pitch!
Konoha had deployed three full military divisions to Amegakure, along with numerous elite shinobi. Even Danzo had traveled to the war zone twice, and White Fang had been away on missions for two months straight!
*Whoosh!*
Haruto appeared out of thin air!
Hiruzen glanced up briefly before returning to his documents, speaking in a neutral tone, "What is it?" He had grown used to Haruto suddenly appearing in his office.
"Sensei, I want to resign!" Haruto declared.
"Hmm?" Hiruzen suddenly looked up. "What? Resign from what?"
"I want to resign from my position as Minister of Commerce," Haruto repeated.
Hiruzen's expression stiffened. At one point, he had considered removing Haruto from the position, but over time, he abandoned the idea.
Because he simply couldn't think of anyone capable of replacing Haruto. While Haruto had accumulated immense wealth, he had also generated massive revenue for Konoha, creating a win-win situation. If someone else were to take over, the risk of corruption and economic collapse was too high.
More importantly, Haruto had done an exceptional job!
Since Haruto became Minister of Commerce, Konoha's economic prosperity had doubled despite being in wartime. Other villages faced economic downturns, but Konoha had flourished!
Thus, Hiruzen's new stance was to let Haruto continue in the role. No matter how much he earned, as long as he didn't harm Konoha and helped the village prosper, everything was fine!
Haruto was still young!
Even if he continued for another five years, he would still be under twenty, with a bright future ahead! Such unparalleled administrative talent shouldn't go to waste!
"Did something happen?" Hiruzen asked, standing up and eyeing Haruto. "Did Koharu give you trouble again?"
"No, Lady Koharu is fair and just. She is a wonderful person!" Haruto quickly replied. "I simply don't want to do this anymore. I want to go on missions!"
"Go on missions?" Hiruzen narrowed his eyes and then spoke firmly. "Do you know how many people want to kill you outside the village? I can tell you now—every assassin in the black market wants you dead! Along with the Mist and Rain shinobi!"
"I can't stay a coward forever, can I?" Haruto retorted.
Hiruzen sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Then tell me this—who will take over your position? Who will manage your industries while you're away on missions?"