Naruto: I Can Upgrade My Techniques Infinitely-Chapter 46: We’re Civilized People, It’s Called a Defense Contribution Fee

Chapter 46 - We're Civilized People, It's Called a Defense Contribution Fee

How hard was it to be Hokage? freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Nara Kazuki only had to take one look at Minato Namikaze to know the answer.

Even at the crack of dawn, Minato was buried under a mountain of paperwork. Kazuki didn't even know how a single hidden village could have so many affairs to handle.

And once that was done, Minato still had to meet with the Konoha Council of Elders to discuss state matters.

Kazuki sat in the corner, half-curious, half-bored. It was his job today to record the discussions for Minato's later review.

He noticed quickly that although Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane held elder positions too, it was Danzo Shimura who carried the most weight in these meetings.

Likely because the war had only just ended, today's topic was all about reparations—and more importantly, where to get the money.

Everyone knew the Daimyō had cash. The question was: how to get him to pay more... reasonably.

"Why not just rob him?" Kazuki thought with disdain. "The Daimyō's just a feudal relic with no chakra, no jutsu. It's ridiculous that these heartless old men have to argue about how to ask nicely for more money."

If it were up to Kazuki, he'd take a page out of certain other nations' playbooks.

By midday, after what was essentially a debate tournament titled 'How to Squeeze the Daimyō Without Starting a Rebellion', Minato finally got a short break. But even then, he used it to check in on his students' mental health.

Kazuki nodded along while Minato explained his concerns about Kakashi, then patted him on the shoulder with that encouraging "I believe in you" smile.

And... that was it. End of shift.

Kazuki blinked. "That's it? The whole shift's this short?"

"We're ANBU," said Kitsune, their squad leader, casually. "We run on a strict nine-hour shift policy. No overtime. If there's overtime, we get paid for it."

He handed over the mission pay to Kazuki and Kakashi.

Kazuki twitched. Was this really still Konoha?

"For a second there, I had the sudden urge to hang every crooked boss in the village from a streetlamp," Kazuki muttered.

But on second thought, he had scored a homemade lunch from Kushina Uzumaki earlier... so he still came out on top.

With his ANBU watch rotation over, Kazuki returned to his usual grind: stacking fireballs, leveling skills, and watching his progress bars climb one by one. Life was good.

Until four days later, when the next mission arrived.

"What's the assignment this time, Captain?" Kazuki asked, stretching and tossing out a Great Fireball Technique.

The resulting white-hot flame exploded like a firework across the morning sky.

Kitsune glanced over. That fireball looked bigger than usual...

"It's related to our last operation," he said. "We're heading to the capital to speak with the Daimyō. Find out what that whole 'fake intelligence' incident was really about."

"Aha, so it's a shake-down mission," Kazuki said immediately.

Kitsune cleared his throat. "We are Konoha ANBU. Don't phrase it like that."

"Fine, then how about... 'Defense Contribution Fee'?" Kazuki offered, smiling slyly.

"Defense what-now?" Kitsune was intrigued.

"Think about it. Our village protects the Fire Daimyō, right? Sure, we live in the Land of Fire, but it's Konoha's shinobi who repel invaders, enforce borders, and handle national defense. That's a service."

Kazuki's tone turned businesslike. "So, since the Daimyō enjoys the security we provide, it's only fair he pays his share. Extra funds mean better services, after all."

In his past life, this would've been called overseas defense spending. Or, more cynically: protection money.

And in practice? It was like being forced to bankroll your own bodyguards while calling it "mutual cooperation."

"Brilliant logic," came a familiar voice.

Danzo Shimura had appeared without them noticing.

"Elder Shimura," Kitsune greeted immediately, bowing. Kazuki followed suit, keeping his expression neutral as two masked Root operatives emerged behind Danzo.

Unlike ANBU, Root reported directly to Danzo—a secretive organization masquerading as Konoha's hidden blade. But in reality, it was just Danzo's personal army, used to further his ambitions.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, for whatever reason, had never dismantled it.

"Your thinking aligns with mine," Danzo said, looking Kazuki over with interest. "Have you ever considered joining Root?"

Kazuki's gut clenched.

Danzo's ideology was pure weaponization—emotionless, ruthless, pragmatic. A place like Root wasn't for people; it was for tools.

"Elder Shimura, we are ANBU," Kitsune stepped forward, respectfully firm. "Any recruitment requests must be submitted through the Hokage's office."

Danzo sneered.

The Fourth Hokage. That little brat.

Sarutobi would rather hand the title to a boy than to him, Danzo. The one truly fit to lead Konoha to supremacy.

Still, Danzo looked back at Kazuki. "If you change your mind, come find me. I support your proposal, by the way. That 'Defense Fee'... we'll talk more later."

He turned and left with his Root agents without another word.

"Let's go," Kitsune said quickly. Kazuki nodded, and the three departed Konoha swiftly, with Kakashi joining them at the gate.

After they put some distance behind them, Kakashi finally asked, "Akaka... are you seriously considering joining Root?"

Kazuki didn't even hesitate. "Hell no. That place is boring as hell."

Joining Root would be suicide for someone like him.

And Kazuki had no intention of becoming anyone's disposable tool.