Chapter 382: Ino-Shika-Cho: Danzo Is the Hokage?!
Even so,
the clan heads were no fools. None of them responded immediately, instead staying alert for what kind of trick this newly changed Hiruzen Sarutobi was trying to pull.
"Therefore, in order to spread the seeds of the Will of Fire to other worlds, I, as Hokage, hope each of you clan heads will dispatch your clan's players to serve as the vanguard!"
Danzo's words were direct—
so direct that the clan heads couldn't help but roll their eyes. Some, like the hot-tempered Inuzuka Clan Head, even showed visible irritation.
Vanguard? …More like cannon fodder.
In the world of [Azure Nation: Specter Chronicles], there were no resurrection opportunities. If you died, you were dead for good—no one wanted to risk their clan's foundation.
Let alone form a Player Legion.
Everyone knew full well that
while Player Legions were immensely powerful, acting like giant meat grinders capable of sweeping through nearly any battlefield,
the downside was their staggering casualty rates.
Throughout history, in any world, any time large-scale army warfare took place, casualties soared.
If the legion was the meat grinder, then individual players were the blades—
when they encountered a hard enemy, they'd snap and die just as quickly.
Expecting the clan heads to send their players into that?
No way.
They all mouthed their loyalty to the Will of Fire, sure—but if Hiruzen Sarutobi was so committed, why didn't he send the Shadow Organization in as vanguard?
That was the thought in every clan head's mind.
"I object. Forming a player legion may rapidly expand our influence, but the cost in lives is far too great."
It was Nara Shikaku who spoke. He shook his head. "After the Evil God incident, the village has already suffered devastating losses. Many ninjas and players were injured or killed. If we expand the legions now, we'll burn through Konoha's youth."
His words were tactful,
but everyone understood the implication: if things continued like this, the village could collapse from the strain of constant war.
Was the Nara Clan accusing the Hokage?
Everyone was surprised.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio had always been loyal supporters of the Hokage faction. For them to openly oppose the Hokage—was there something else going on?
"The Yamanaka Clan supports Commander Nara's view."
Yamanaka Inoichi, who rarely spoke up, firmly stood on Nara Shikaku's side.
His expression remained calm, but inside, he felt only fear and confusion.
The day before this council meeting, he had held a secret discussion with Shikaku—
about the Hokage.
Within the Yamanaka Clan, known for their mastery of mental techniques, some members had gained soul-related abilities after becoming players.
According to a clan member with the [Soul Perception] skill,
after the Evil God's attack, the soul form of Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen had changed. It appeared he was being controlled by some kind of corrupted creature.
Inoichi had been horrified.
He began investigating in secret. Though he didn't have soul-based powers, he spent tens of thousands of contribution points to max out the [Mental Perception] skill.
The result was equally disturbing.
Even though he was looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen,
what he sensed with his mind was the mental outline of Shimura Danzo.
But hadn't Danzo died long ago?
Many had already felt something was off—
not even Tsunade could withstand the golden beam of the Evil God's final strike. How could the Third Hokage have survived?
Though the exact events remained unclear, one thing was certain: the soul within this body was no longer the Hokage.
It was very likely the former adviser who had once indirectly destroyed the Hidden Leaf—
Shimura Danzo!
After exchanging information, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio could no longer let themselves be deceived.
However, Danzo now commanded the Shadow Organization, and his new adviser, Aizen, was basking in sky-high popularity. This wasn't the time to confront him directly.
They needed to wait for a slip-up.
This Player Legion issue—
was a clear attempt to drain the clans' strength. Once the clans weakened, Danzo would fully control the village.
There was no way they'd allow it.
"I refuse as well."
"Count me out."
With the respected Ino-Shika-Cho trio taking the lead, the other clans followed suit, one by one refusing without hesitation.
Seeing Danzo's face darken,
Nara Shikaku spoke diplomatically, "My suggestion is that each clan and the Hokage's office dispatch four-man squads. This aligns more closely with ninja-style combat—stealth, intel gathering, infiltration, and precision strikes—all of which minimize casualties while maximizing effectiveness."
This was the traditional way of shinobi warfare.
Even during the Great Ninja Wars, most forces deployed in this form. Unless Danzo could come up with a stronger argument, he had no grounds to object.
Danzo's brows tightened. He warned, "Don't forget, the first player to establish a Game Village will receive a special reward!"
The Daoist Temple—
a building that could permanently train [Taoist Apprentices], its value immeasurable.
Each week, the in-game store would refresh based on the player's talents, offering them skills perfectly suited to their future path.
It was a foundational structure.
Most players—eight out of ten—went for melee physical classes, the most common type.
Though in the Reincarnation Game, as long as you spent enough contribution points, any class could become powerful—
Still, each class had its strengths.
Magic users could become mobile artillery, casting elemental storms from afar. With proper defense, they were relentless damage-dealers.
Healing, Holy, and Ranged Physical classes were all highly sought after.
Yet players with such talents were rare,
making them hot commodities for every major faction in the Reincarnation Game.
Scarcity drove value.
Taoist Apprentices combined offensive and healing capabilities. They could fight in both melee and ranged roles. They were, in essence, the perfect all-rounder class.
They could use support talismans like Wind Charms, Golden Armor Charms, and Peach Fire Charms to enhance themselves and allies.
They had ranged options like Soulfire Talismans, Thunder Charms, and lightning-based techniques,
as well as melee skills like Taoist Body Arts and Sword Techniques.
Thus,
whoever earned the first Game Village reward would effectively gain a burgeoning magical army.
But the clan heads remained unmoved.
Danzo grew anxious, like an ant on a hot pan.
"A bunch of short-sighted fools… Sensei was right—these ninja clans are utterly unnecessary!"
Looking at the clan leaders, unwilling to give up even a feather, Danzo's gaze darkened further.
Finally, he could only compromise.
"Very well. I will dispatch 800 members of the Shadow Organization to serve as the vanguard."
Danzo clenched his teeth, face frosty. "After that, each clan will send 20 elite players to join the vanguard under the Hokage's command."
"The Mobile Unit is powerful—you'll send 200 elite players. Any objections?"
This was his greatest concession.
The clan heads exchanged glances, then turned to Asuma, waiting for his decision.
Two hundred elite players wasn't a small ask. These weren't just common players—they were comparable to Commander-Class Monsters.
Even for the Mobile Unit, fielding that many would mean giving up most of their top assets.
It was practically their entire reserve force.
"I agree."
After some hesitation, Asuma nodded.
The Daoist Temple was simply too tempting. Even if he opposed the Hokage faction and was treated like an outcast—much like the Uchiha Clan had been—
this was still a matter of protecting the village's future.
Internal issues were one thing.
But in a moment like this, he couldn't let a strategic structure fall into enemy hands.
"Excellent."
Danzo's lips curled into a faint smile. "In half a day, all elite ninjas from the clans and Mobile Unit are to gather at the village gates!"
First, appear stingy. Then, after being "forced" to compromise, reluctantly concede.
This was a strategy Aizen had suggested—
the perfect way to deal with these timid yet greedy clans. And it had worked.
Aizen…
truly worthy of being my top general.
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