The village was short on money.
The most effective solution that Makoto could think of was to seek sponsorship from wealthy merchants who had good relations with Konoha.
Of course, coercion or deceit was out of the question—this had to be a request, as they couldn't afford to tarnish their reputation.
Given Konoha's prestige, raising some funds wouldn't be too difficult, but these were all favors that would have to be repaid in the future.
Makoto entrusted Kakashi with handling this matter, ensuring that these merchants received some form of promise in return.
As for the Daimyo's government, Makoto had no intention of dealing with them for now.
Rebel forces were present all across the Land of Fire, and regardless of whether they could truly pose a threat, even if they succeeded in overthrowing the Daimyo, it would merely be a change of rulers.
One Lord Minamoto might fall, but another would simply rise to take his place.
The government forces and the rebels remained in a stalemate, and Makoto let them continue their struggle.
When the law held no deterrence, force became the strongest authority, and in the Land of Fire, Konoha was the symbol of power.
News from Guy indicated that the Daimyo still showed no signs of repentance, continuing to indulge in debauchery with that woman, Princess Kushinada, without any concern for state affairs.
While major governmental affairs could technically be handled by his ministers, ministers were still just that—subordinates.
Conflicts among them led to constant infighting, leaving the Daimyo's government in utter chaos.
What truly surprised Makoto, however, was that just two days after Kakashi's departure, an envoy from the Daimyo's government arrived.
It seemed that the Daimyo had learned about Konoha's financial troubles.
Upon meeting Makoto, the envoy claimed that the last sum of money meant for Konoha had been "forgotten" and was only now being delivered.
Once the Daimyo remembered, he immediately sent them to deliver the funds.
Additionally, there was one more matter.
Some of the Daimyo's guardian shinobi had grown old and reached the age of retirement.
He hoped that Konoha would send another outstanding ninja to take their place.
A single ninja in exchange for a large sum of money—it seemed like an unquestionably profitable deal.
However, the Daimyo had specifically requested one of Konoha's Crown Guards—Mitarashi Anko!
This left Makoto utterly astonished.
There were currently seven members of the Crown Guard:
Hyuga Hakumen, Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy, Mitarashi Anko, Uchiha Shisui, Yakushi Kabuto, and Uchiha Itachi.
Together, they were known as the Seven Crown Guards, each one a young individual with boundless potential.
If the Daimyo had specifically requested Kakashi or Hakumen, that would have been understandable.
After all, both of them were already renowned—Hyuga Hakumen, in particular, had even defeated the legendary Yellow Flash, making him a rising star!
But Anko?
Among the Crown Guards, she was barely more than a nominal member.
Her mission record was pitifully low, and apart from the title of being Orochimaru's disciple, she had little else to her name.
While she wasn't weak, she rarely showcased her strength in front of others, let alone built a reputation.
So why did the Daimyo choose her?
Could it be that, since she was the only female among the Seven Crown Guards, he had such a particular preference and was simply coveting her beauty?
That seemed like the most logical explanation.
Yet something about this still felt off.
Makoto had interacted with the Daimyo before and knew that he was a man of considerable cunning.
The fact that he had indulged so deeply in debauchery already came as a surprise to Makoto.
That Princess Kushinada, the woman who had the Daimyo wrapped around her finger, was surely no ordinary person.
Would such a woman truly tolerate another female coming into the Daimyo's circle to compete for his favor?
Something was suspicious.
Makoto did not give an immediate answer.
If there was something truly special about Anko, it would be her body—this current body of hers had once been one of Orochimaru's greatest experiments.
Back when Orochimaru left this body to Anko, it was something that Makoto could never quite understand.
Moreover, considering that Orochimaru was very likely still alive, wouldn't he need such a body even more?
Yet, this particular secret—besides Orochimaru and Makoto—should be completely unknown to anyone else in this world.
It seemed that the only explanation left was the Daimyo's lustful desires, but such a reason felt utterly absurd.
Makoto pondered this matter for a long time before finally summoning Anko.
---------------
"What's the matter…? Lady Tsunade is here too?"
Upon arriving at the Hokage's office, Anko couldn't help but glance at Tsunade standing behind Makoto.
She wasn't aware that Tsunade was now serving as the Hokage's assistant, so seeing her dressed in such a formal manner took her by surprise.
Meanwhile, Tsunade, who had started to grow numb to the strange looks she had been receiving, suddenly felt a wave of embarrassment.
After all, Anko was Shizune's friend and had a fairly good relationship with her as well.
"…Lady Tsunade, what's going on here?" Anko asked in confusion.
Makoto simply said, "Tsunade is my assistant now."
Assistant…
Anko was momentarily stunned.
She glanced at Tsunade—her black stockings, tight pencil skirt, and high heels certainly made her look more mature and alluring, but at the same time, there was an uncharacteristic submissiveness to her demeanor.
Thinking back to the straightforward and bold Tsunade she once knew, Anko's gaze toward Makoto changed.
She knew very well what kind of man he was.
Lady Tsunade is already over forty… This bastard is truly despicable!
Anko had great respect for Tsunade, whether it was because of Shizune or Orochimaru.
More than that, Tsunade herself was a senior worthy of admiration.
Just then, Makoto spoke. "I have a mission for you."
"…What mission?"
"You've heard of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, right?"
Isn't that Guy's current job…?
Anko refocused her attention as Makoto continued, "The Daimyo has specifically requested you to be his new guardian ninja."
"Me?" Anko was completely taken aback.
"The envoy from the Daimyo's government just arrived not long ago."
Anko's thoughts raced, and after a moment, she said, "I heard the Daimyo has been indulging in debauchery all day because of some seductress, completely neglecting state affairs…"
She looked at Makoto, her expression darkening. "You agreed to this, didn't you?"
Are you seriously selling me off to the Daimyo?!
Behind Makoto, Tsunade also furrowed her brows.
Makoto sighed helplessly. "I said I'm assigning you a mission. Just hear me out."
Anko stared at him expressionlessly, waiting for him to continue.
Makoto explained, "That seductress you mentioned—Princess Kushinada—she's highly suspicious. I want you to go there and investigate her."
But Anko countered, "Isn't Guy already there? Why not have him investigate?"
Makoto replied, "The Daimyo specifically requested you as his guardian ninja. I don't know why, but this is the perfect opportunity for you to find out."
Anko still wasn't happy with his answer.
She wasn't even sure what kind of response she was expecting, but this wasn't it.
"I don't want to go."
She was probably one of the few people who could outright refuse Makoto's orders like this.
At this point, he should have put on a stern expression and said, "This is an order!"
But instead, he studied her expression and said after a moment of thought, "It's just a mission. Once you've investigated, you can come back."
"Still don't want to go."
Makoto sighed again. "What's the worst the Daimyo can do? He only has a few guardian ninja by his side. They can't do anything to you. Plus, with Guy there, you'll be completely safe."
Anko muttered, "Guy can't even beat me. What good is he?"
"That's only because he goes easy on you."
In the end, Anko reluctantly accepted the mission.
As Makoto had said, she was strong.
Even though the daimyo's Twelve Guardian Ninja were among the elite Jonin, they still couldn't do anything to her.
If she didn't want to do something, the Daimyo wouldn't be able to force her.
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