Chapter 76. Danzo's Shares?
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"This guy is so cruel."
"Yeah, it's so cruel. Even after they're dead, he scattered their ashes!"
As the continuous sound of explosions echoed, White Zetsu tilted his head back with a playful grin, as if watching fireworks.
Thrilling!
Exciting!
But...
"Didn't Madara-sama mention magnanimity? I didn't see any of that, but this guy sure is rich!"
"With power like that, why isn't he a ninja?"
"Well, he's a Uchiha, isn't he? Their minds are always a bit... off. Who cares!"
"What now?"
"He's gone! He's gone! Let's go back and report to Madara-sama!"
"That woman's a spy!"
"What does that have to do with us? The more chaotic, the better!"
"Two White Zetsus died!"
"I'm heartbroken, but their deaths were worth it. Are you going to avenge them? Because if so, I'm heading back first!"
"Wait for me! I'm coming too!"
And just like that, after the chaos of an explosion, the hidden White Zetsus slipped away.
So cruel!
What a tragic way to go!
A massive crater remained.
Even Madara-sama's Great Fireball Technique might not pack this kind of punch!
Uchiha Yuto!
…
Meanwhile…
"You're not coming back with me?"
"I'm a ninja! Don't worry, Yuto. I'm leaving the child in your hands!"
Without hesitation, Nono turned and disappeared into the forest.
Yuto watched her retreating figure and sighed helplessly, "Why so stubborn? Do I seem like the kind of person afraid of trouble?"
If push came to shove, he could always toss another 200 million at the problem. At that point, even Danzo wouldn't have the energy to meddle anymore. Even if those bounty hunters didn't show up... Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't dare to let Danzo do whatever he wanted.
Maybe he might even remove Danzo from his position as leader to prevent him from engaging in dangerous missions, and find a place to keep him for future use... when needed!
But since Nono had made her choice, Yuto couldn't force her. At most... he'd give her some extra explosive tags and remind her to stay safe. As long as Danzo didn't actively seek trouble, she'd be fine.
With a wave of his hand, Yuto let out a regretful shout, "Let's head back!"
This time, he'd burned through so many explosive tags—it was a losing deal!
Time to earn it all back!
"Yes!" Daibutsu responded cheerfully. He signaled to the other ninjas to pack up and prepare to escort Boss Yuto back.
But—
They hadn't walked far before Daibutsu hesitated.
"Boss, about that female ninja just now..."
Before he could finish, Yuto cut him off.
"She's just a friend."
"..."
It doesn't seem like it!
She took such a huge risk for the boss.
How could they just be friends?
After mulling it over, Daibutsu asked again, "Then Kana-sama…"
"...Just a friend!"
"..."
I get it now.
So this is what they mean by 'just friends.'
Daibutsu nodded knowingly and refrained from asking further questions, focusing on his escort duties.
Ninja.
A ninja is never talkative.
Should I tell Nagato-sama about this? But if I do, and Nagato-sama decides to kill the boss later, what should I do?
Help Nagato-sama kill the boss? Or help the boss fend off Nagato-sama?
Honest Daibutsu... found himself in quite a dilemma.
…
Time passed little by little.
Before long, they were nearing the forest outside Konoha.
All along the way, Daibutsu had looked like he had something to say, but for some reason, he never spoke up.
Could he be planning to borrow money?
Finally, under Yuto's puzzled gaze, Daibutsu let out a long sigh. With a solemn "Boss, take care!" he decisively turned around and left, taking the Akatsuki ninja with him.
As for Yuto... he mulled over whether to write a letter to Yahiko later and suggest giving Daibutsu a raise. Then he continued his journey with the remaining bodyguards permitted to enter Konoha.
The rest of the trip wouldn't be too long or far.
As the day dimmed into twilight, Yuto and his group finally arrived at the gates of Konoha.
"Boss Yuto!"
"Ah, you two are on duty today!" Yuto greeted with a friendly smile and a nod.
Harmony brings wealth.
He was just an ordinary rich guy.
Whether he knew people or not, as long as someone called him "Boss Yuto," he would return the greeting.
After a simple registration process with the two gate guards, he entered.
Generous!
Charitable!
Warm and friendly!
Loves making friends!
That's why he had a pretty good reputation in the village. Unlike some Uchihas, who walked the streets of Konoha with a perpetually expressionless face, as if the whole world owed them a Danzo.
So, remember to smile more! Of course, don't smile arrogantly like a maniac. That'll just get you beaten up.
After dismissing his guards, Yuto walked through the streets alone, having just returned and ready to take a stroll.
It had been a long time since he'd been back to Konoha. He felt a bit nostalgic as he wandered through the village, the autumn wind brushing past him.
Looking around, he noticed Konoha hadn't changed much since he'd left. Still in wartime, everything remained pretty much the same.
At night, the streets were much quieter. Not far away, though, he could see the lights of Yuto BBQ. People were dining inside, and business seemed to be doing well.
Yuto nodded in satisfaction. During this time, he hadn't added another "100 million or so" points to Danzo's account. After all, if he continued to give more points, what would happen if a bad trend of speculating on "Danzo's shares" was formed?
He decided to wait and see if anyone made a move.
According to the information passed on to him from Konoha, the expansion of the war and rising equipment prices had left the village financially strained. Meanwhile, intel from Aunt Cat suggested other major ninja villages were facing similar issues. Many villages had their eyes on the "reserve funds" (Danzo) for solutions, and there might be actions soon.
Better stay alert.
"Hmm... I wonder if donating some more money would let me advertise on ninja uniforms," Yuto muttered to himself, narrowing his eyes in thought.
There's potential in this idea.
No need for anything over the top—just some branding on ninja flak jackets and battlefield tents. Something like 'Yuto Milk Tea' or 'Yuto BBQ.'
Adding a slogan like, "Drink tea, stay sharp and fight fatigue!" would be even better.
That's not unreasonable, right?
"As a businessman who loves his village!" Yuto sighed with emotion, the corners of his mouth curling up. "Now is the time for me, Uchiha Yuto, to contribute my own strength!"
In a few days, he planned to discuss this with the Third Hokage.
But just as those thoughts crossed his mind, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
The smile on his face froze, and the corner of his mouth twitched as he stared ahead, dumbfounded.
Not far away, under the flashing neon lights at the entrance of a dance hall, a black-haired boy stood.
His fists were clenched tightly as he looked at the entrance with a mixture of sorrow and fury.
Suddenly, he covered his eyes.
A strange red light seemed to flicker faintly.
"No! No! No!"
His voice was filled with grief and disbelief.
Alone.
Lonely and desolate.
Standing there in the autumn wind, it was as if his entire world was crumbling.
"This must be another... misunderstanding! It has to be a misunderstanding! Rin wouldn't lie to me!"
He looked up abruptly, his eyes glowing with crimson determination. Taking a firm step forward, his expression was resolute, angry, hopeful, and... self-reproachful.
Such a complex mix of emotions!
Yuto felt a chill run down his spine, and his earlier unease vanished. Alarmed, he quickly followed behind.
"Is... is this about to turn into a fight?!"