Haruto Saito took a deep breath and said seriously, "I'm leaving to fulfill my promise to Lady Mito! Recently, I've been reviewing all intelligence regarding Uzushio in the Anbu archives. Based on my analysis, in the past year alone, Kirigakure has secretly sent over two thousand shinobi to Uzushio, trying to re-establish their hidden forces there. And they've already made significant progress! I believe I can stop them!"
"Are you planning to establish a ninja village?" Hiruzen Sarutobi interjected.
"Exactly! Otherwise, what do you think I've been working so hard for over the past year, risking my life to earn money? The so-called Whirlpool Treasure—those few billion ryo—are only enough to sustain a military force for six months of warfare. There's no way that sum could fund an entire village. So, I have to pay out of my own pocket!"
"You're going directly to Uzushio?" Sarutobi asked, looking at Haruto.
"Yes!" Haruto nodded firmly. "I am confident that I can eliminate the hidden threat from Kirigakure once and for all! I also... don't want to disappoint Lady Mito. If she's watching over us, I want her to see me succeed!"
Haruto was using her legacy as a shield.
From a moral standpoint, he was honoring his commitment to Mito Uzumaki—Konoha had no reason to stop him.
From a strategic standpoint, if he succeeded, it would be a massive advantage for Konoha. A single person countering an entire country's infiltration efforts? If Haruto could stop Kirigakure's ambitions in the Land of Whirlpools, then Konoha would have one less major threat to worry about.
There was no reason to stop him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into deep thought. He hadn't expected Haruto to act so urgently. It had only been a year, and even by Konoha's thirty-fourth year, Haruto would still be just fourteen years old. Establishing a shinobi village during wartime was a double-edged sword.
The downside was that in times of war, every faction acted without restraint, making village-building extremely difficult.
The advantage, however, was that Haruto wouldn't have to worry about diplomatic consequences—he wouldn't be blamed for starting a war. During wartime, anything was fair game.
"Then, what about your assets once you leave?" Sarutobi asked again.
"Once I head to Uzushio, my business enterprises will be managed by Konoha," Haruto stated.
"Managed by Konoha?" Sarutobi's eyes widened in disbelief. "You, of all people, are willing to hand over your wealth?"
"Yes, sensei!" Haruto continued. "I've had this plan for a while now. I don't know what your thoughts are, but if possible, Konoha can invest and gain partial ownership of my businesses, including the First Shinobi Bank."
Sarutobi immediately sobered up. "You want Konoha to buy into your businesses?"
"Yes. Currently, my assets are valued at approximately fifteen billion ryo. My proposal is for Konoha to pay me 7.5 billion ryo in exchange for 50% ownership of my enterprises. Future profits will be split evenly."
"Konoha doesn't have that much liquid capital," Sarutobi replied at once.
"You can owe me! Pay whenever the funds are available!" Haruto said quickly.
Sarutobi stared at him, astonished. What was wrong with Haruto today? Was he insane? This was unbelievably generous! The ever-calculating Haruto was offering Konoha a golden opportunity on a silver platter!
But Sarutobi couldn't understand what Haruto was really thinking.
Was he the type to take a loss?
Of course not.
Haruto had carefully calculated every step before making this decision.
Too many people envied his wealth. The moment he left Konoha, there would be countless forces trying to undermine him. His businesses would be targeted—it was inevitable. A new Commerce Minister could easily tweak regulations and cost him fortunes in fines and penalties.
By giving Konoha shares, he was essentially forming a partnership.
As long as Konoha officially owned a stake in his enterprises, they would have a vested interest in protecting them. After all, Konoha wouldn't sabotage its own assets.
And the so-called "debt" Konoha owed him?
It would never need to be repaid. Haruto had ways to recover that money through other means—his plans in Uzushio would see to that.
As for the First Shinobi Bank... Haruto intended to turn it into a subsidiary under Konoha's co-ownership. The main headquarters, however, would be relocated to Uzushio. Banks were high-risk targets—co-ownership was necessary to ensure its protection.
---
That evening, Hiruzen Sarutobi convened an emergency high-level meeting specifically for Haruto.
During the meeting, Haruto submitted his resignation.
Sarutobi approved it immediately.
Following Haruto's recommendations, Koharu Utatane was appointed as the new Minister of Commerce, Homura Mitokado was transferred to lead the Administrative Department, and Nara Shikayū, the former Jonin Commander, was appointed as the new Minister of Finance. Every single appointment was based on Haruto's advice.
Sarutobi also announced Konoha's official acquisition of Haruto's assets.
Konoha would pay 7.5 billion ryo to acquire 50% ownership of all his businesses within Konoha, excluding the First Shinobi Bank, for which Konoha would receive only operational rights. In an unprecedented move, Haruto even relinquished control over these assets.
Because, in his eyes, there wasn't much value left in them. Over the past year, he had already extracted most of the profits, converting them into liquid assets.
Additionally, Sarutobi publicly displayed a loan agreement—Konoha would borrow 7.5 billion ryo from Haruto, with zero interest, to fund this acquisition.
In other words, Konoha was now indebted to Haruto Saito for 7.5 billion ryo, with no repayment deadline specified.
These announcements were like thunderclaps in the meeting room.
Most of Konoha's leadership was completely stunned.
What the hell was happening? Was this a coup? Had Haruto committed some heinous crime for Sarutobi to force him into such a deal?
Something felt off.
Everyone thought Haruto had suffered a massive loss—stripped of his position, his businesses seized...
Only a few sharp minds realized that Haruto... might be preparing for an important mission.
---
Konoha Year 34, January 1st.
Haruto completed the full handover process, officially stepping down. Koharu Utatane took over as Minister of Commerce.
On the same day, Sarutobi announced a new appointment: Haruto Saito would become Konoha's Jonin Advisor.
This was a newly created position, ranking just below the Jonin Commander and slightly above all department ministers.
In other words, although Haruto had resigned as Minister of Commerce, his rank remained unchanged. He still retained the right to participate in Konoha's high-level meetings.
---
Konoha Year 34, January 13th.
It was a special day.
In the depths of the Anbu headquarters, within a prison cell, Haruto sat facing Terado.
"Will you disappoint me?" Terado asked.
"I don't think so," Haruto replied.
At exactly 10:34 PM that night, Terado passed away.