Ordinarily, Konoha, the world's largest military stronghold, was virtually impenetrable, especially in its central district.
Its layers of defensive seals would detect intruders the moment they stepped near the village. Even if someone managed to bypass the outer barrier, they would still be under the constant watch of the ANBU operatives stationed throughout the city.
But these past few days had been… different.
With only a few days left until the start of the Chūnin Exams, Konoha had opened its gates to a wave of guests from across the continent.
Among them was Princess Asuna of the Land of Fire, representing the daimyo's government. Alongside her were many other high-ranking nobles, all here in an official capacity.
But beyond them came an even greater influx: wealthy merchants and powerful financiers from every corner of the shinobi world.
These tycoons controlled the lifeblood of their nations' economies. More importantly, they held Konoha's future in their hands.
The phrase "shinobi do not produce" may be a generalization, but it carries weight. Konoha's massive infrastructure, its training academies, and the continual research and development of ninjutsu, all required immense financial support.
Roughly 30% came from the Land of Fire's government budget. Less than 20% came from Konoha's own missions and commissions. But over 50%, the majority, was funded by these wealthy merchant lords.
In return, Konoha provided them protection and acted as their private security. Their taxes and commissions made them invaluable. In a sense, they were the village's true lifeline.
And they knew it.
…
"Tsk tsk… such a young girl, but what a body, well-developed for her age."
In front of a small restaurant near Konoha's main market, a group of bloated, gold-draped men leered and jeered, surrounding a young female shinobi.
She looked around in distress, eyes silently pleading for help.
These weren't trained fighters. To a shinobi, even a low-ranking one like her, they posed no threat. She could take them down in seconds if she wanted to.
But that was precisely the problem.
These men weren't common thugs, they were merchant lords, tycoons who funded the village, and the shinobi world's equivalent of political royalty. They regularly hired ninja for trade route protection and knew exactly where the power structure lay.
They knew Konoha's shinobi couldn't retaliate.
Orders had come directly from the Hokage himself:
"During the Chūnin Exams, all Konoha shinobi are strictly forbidden from engaging in conflict with foreign dignitaries or honored guests."
And so, the young kunoichi could do nothing.
Even as her hands clenched and her body trembled, she remained still, her pride swallowed in the face of orders she dared not defy.
To onlookers, it was a strange and twisted sight, civilians mocking and harassing a trained ninja in the heart of Konoha.
But for those who understood the politics, it made grim sense.
These men held the village's leash.
And even its warriors were not free to bite back.
"H-Hey… th-this is Konoha… the Hidden Leaf… please… don't…"
The kunoichi tried to maintain a brave front, but her quivering voice betrayed her.
"Shut it!" one of the drunken men snarled, eyes red and unfocused. "Do you know who delivers the supplies that feed your miserable village? One cartload after another, year after year, and it all turns into your shinobi crap!" he spat, his voice thick with liquor and arrogance. "So what if we want to play a little, huh?"
Just then, two girls turned the corner.
Asuna and Hinata.
The moment Asuna saw the scene, her eyes narrowed.
She was impulsive, proud, and intolerant of injustice. But what truly infuriated her wasn't just the harassment, it was the silence of the shinobi nearby.
Shinobi who watched.
And did nothing.
"Enough! You disgusting pigs, get your hands off her!" she snapped, her voice cutting like a blade through the humid air.
"Huh? Who the hell, " One of the drunkards turned, ready to curse whoever dared raise their voice. But as his eyes locked onto the girl standing before him, his breath caught.
Tall, elegant, refined, even dressed plainly, there was an unmistakable aura about her. Her soft chestnut hair flowed freely down her back, her long limbs moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior, and her white skin glowed with youth and vitality. She couldn't have been more than fourteen or fifteen… but her presence demanded attention.
They didn't recognize her, dressed in simple clothes, she didn't look like royalty.
But their eyes sparkled with lust all the same.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" one of them leered. "Quite the beauty. Say, sweetheart, why don't you come have a little fun with us? I'll give you fifty thousand ryō just for keeping me company. Beats risking your neck doing missions, doesn't it?"
His companions burst into laughter, hungry eyes devouring her figure.
They had no idea what kind of fire they were about to ignite.
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