At that moment, there was a knock on the door outside.

"Lord Hoshikage, Jonin Akahoshi requests an audience."

One of the Hidden Star Village guards who led the way said.

The Third Hoshikage and Natsuhi exchanged a glance. Natsuhi nodded understandingly, disappearing from the ground with Instantaneous Body Jutsu, and hid in the corner of the room, holding her breath.

The Third Hoshikage saw Natsuhi hiding well and shouted to the outside: "Let him in."

The door was opened, and a man from Hidden Star Village, around thirty years old, entered.

Long purple hair, tied with a headband, icy blue eyes without any fluctuation, appeared somewhat stern and cold.

"Lord Hoshikage."

Jonin Akahoshi knelt on one knee on the ground, his tone not cold.

"What's the matter?"

"I came again about the matter of 'Star.' I hope Lord Hoshikage can unseal the existence of 'Star,' only then can the Hidden Star Village become stronger."

Akahoshi spoke in a mild tone.

"Haven't I already explained this? Excessive contact with 'Star' will harm the human body, Jonin Hotarubi died because of this."

Akahoshi's expression remained unchanged as he said, "I deeply regret the matter of Jonin Hotarubi, but the international situation now is very complex, it's hard to say when war will erupt."

"You're worrying too much. What benefit could attacking the Land of Bear bring to those great nations?"

The Third Hoshikage said.

In this matter, the Third Hoshikage was still self-aware.

The Land of Bear's vegetation is sparse, most areas are barren mountains and poor environments.

"This cannot be used as an excuse for inaction. Since you sealed 'Star,' the strength of ninjas in the village has severely declined, I'm very worried whether the younger generation of ninjas can shoulder great responsibilities in the future."

"I've already stated, I'm not going to unseal 'Star.' If you came for this matter, you can leave."

"..."

Akahoshi raised his head, staring at the Third Hoshikage with icy blue eyes lacking emotion.

"Is there anything else, Jonin Akahoshi?"

After finishing his speech, the Third Hoshikage immediately started coughing violently, a sense of weakness overwhelming him.

Natsuhi, watching all this secretly from the corner, couldn't help but feel anxious.

If Akahoshi were to strike stealthily at this moment, things would be dire.

However, she was clearly overthinking it.

Upon hearing the Third Hoshikage's cough, Akahoshi lowered his head again, showing a respectful attitude.

"Let's not mention the issue of 'Star' for now. The fiscal budget has been destitute for years, important facilities like the Ninja School need refurbishment, and hospitals are in urgent need of developing Medical Ninjas. Although the medical equipment in the Land of Demons is of excellent quality, the price is relatively high, and all kinds of medicines need to be purchased. Given the village's current financial situation, I'm afraid..."

Akahoshi turned to the topic of the village's construction problems.

This issue also pierced the heart of the Third Hoshikage.

Being the Hoshikage, he naturally understood these matters.

Hidden Star Village is not like those Great Ninja Villages such as Konoha, where tasks are frequently entrusted.

Hidden Star Village receives only dozens of task commissions a year, and for the purpose of winning over those employers, the fee collected each time is very low.

Even so, there aren't many who come to Hidden Star Village to issue tasks.

The task market has long been monopolized by Great Ninja Villages such as Konoha.

Small nation Ninja Villages, can only scrape by at the margins, barely making a living.

The livelihood in the village is often reliant on hunting in the forest.

"I will figure something out about this matter."

The Third Hoshikage said tiredly. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"What solution?"

Akahoshi pressed for an answer.

Seeing Akahoshi relentless, the Third Hoshikage also felt helpless in his heart, had to reply: "I will report this to the Daimyo."

"Report to the Daimyo..."

Akahoshi's mouth curved upward as he lowered his head, like mocking something.

If reporting to the Daimyo was effective, Hidden Star Village wouldn't have been living a poor and difficult life for so many consecutive years.

"Jonin Akahoshi, are you dissatisfied with me as the Hoshikage?"

The Third Hoshikage asked, staring intently at Akahoshi.

"No, not at all. I have always admired Lord Hoshikage greatly. But in the past, in order to become stronger, I traveled across various countries. Konoha and the Land of Fire left an unbelievably deep impression on me."

Akahoshi responded.

"..."

The Third Hoshikage's expression turned slightly unpleasant.

As if not noticing the Third Hoshikage's unpleasant expression, Akahoshi continued, "It really is like a paradise on earth, a prosperous life, people living and working in peace, every ninja in Konoha, their faces full of confidence and strength. To be honest, at this rate, even in a hundred years, we can't catch up with Konoha."

"Then what on earth do you... cough cough!"

The words were spoken too quickly, and the Third Hoshikage started coughing again.

"The only chance to catch up with the Land of Fire and Konoha is right before us. That's to use 'Star,' let 'Star' reshape every ninja in the village, let their strength grow exponentially. Ten years later, Hidden Star Village can stand at the pinnacle of the Ninja Realm, making the ninjas from the Five Great Nations bow down to us!"

Akahoshi's tone was firm, and the ambitious glimmer in his eyes could not be contained.

"Enough! Jonin Akahoshi, your thinking is too dangerous! Moreover, the Five Great Nations are far from as simple as you think they are."

The Third Hoshikage couldn't help but rebuke.

"But if we don't do this, Hidden Star Village won't be strong, we'll continue living lives subordinate to others, why not strive for a change? In this era, the thing there is least lacking is human lives! Including my own life!"