"Hmm?"
The man's eyes showed some surprise, but he didn't ask anything. He simply walked to the cabinet behind him, took out another notebook, flipped through it for a moment, then returned to the counter and nodded to Ren.
"I can contact them, but it will take some time."
"Alright, how much?"
Ren didn't beat around the bush, asking directly.
"One million ryo."
Ren took out a banknote from his pocket and handed it over. After the man took it, he pulled out paper and a pen from under the counter and continued to ask,
"They've been frequenting the Exchange recently, so I can establish contact within three days. Do you have anything you need to convey?"
"Mm."
Ren nodded, pondered for a moment, then spoke.
"Please tell them that I need to hire them for a mission at a high price. If they are interested, please have them meet me here in three days. I believe they won't be disappointed."
"Alright."
The man's hand speed was fast. Just as Ren finished speaking, he stopped writing. After reading it once to ensure the message was correct, Ren and Itsuki left, carrying two boxes.
The man remained behind the counter, moving about, busy with who knows what…
On the way back, Ren looked at the two boxes he was carrying and the banknotes in his clothes, and his terrible mood from yesterday instantly vanished.
"Hmm… deducting the one million ryo for intelligence fees, today's total income is twenty-four million eight hundred thousand ryo."
While Ren was constantly thinking, he also stopped, and under Itsuki's puzzled gaze, he opened the two boxes.
"Brother Itsuki, these are for your team."
Ren separated fourteen million nine hundred thousand ryo, put it in one box, and handed it to the other party, signaling him to take it.
"Huh? This…"
Itsuki was a bit bewildered. He had thought he would be lucky to get a few million, but he didn't expect Ren to give him more than half directly. He felt that he hadn't done nearly as much as Ren, so how could he take so much?
"Take it."
Seeing his hesitation, Ren explained.
"The ten million ryo from those two Jonin was originally something we all dealt with together, and the nine million eight hundred thousand ryo contributed by those few guys, we'll split it evenly. No problem, right?"
"Alright… alright."
Itsuki pondered for a moment and finally accepted it. After all, with Ren saying that, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to refuse again. Plus, he and his team were indeed not very well off financially, so this money came at just the right time.
After returning to the Konoha Camp, Ren and Itsuki parted ways at the Konoha Camp entrance. Itsuki had another mission in the afternoon, while Ren had something to discuss with Yusuke Uchiha.
"Hmm? You're going back to the main Konoha Camp to find Minato?"
Yusuke looked at Ren with a surprised expression, asking with some confusion.
"Yes, Yūsuke Uncle."
Ren nodded, speaking a little awkwardly.
"I have some matters to handle and must leave for a period of time, so I can only go to Brother Minato to apply."
Ren didn't plan to hide anything from him. After all, he wasn't going to do anything heinous; he was just following the proper procedure for an application.
"Go early, come back early, and be careful on the way."
Yusuke didn't ask further, only giving a couple of instructions.
In his opinion, with Ren's current strength, self-preservation shouldn't be an issue.
"Alright!"
After receiving permission, Ren left, taking nothing but a box of money, and continued on his journey without stopping, finally arriving back at the main Konoha Camp before dusk.
At this time, Minato was talking with Teacher Kosuke. The sound of the curtain being lifted at the entrance made both of them turn their gaze towards the doorway.
"Lord Minato, Hoshimi Ren requests an audience."
A guard stood at the entrance, speaking respectfully to them.
"Hmm, Ren?"
Both were a bit surprised, but still nodded to the guard, signaling him to let Ren in.
Watching the guard walk out, Minato looked at Teacher Kosuke beside him, asking with some confusion,
"At this hour, why isn't he staying on the front lines? Why did he suddenly come back?"
"You ask him yourself."
Teacher Kosuke shook his head. He wasn't the Six Paths Sage; how could he know why Ren was here?
"Yo, Brother Minato, Teacher Kosuke, good afternoon!"
Soon after, Ren lifted the curtain and walked in, speaking cheerfully to them.
"Ren, what is this?"
Looking at the box Ren was carrying, Minato asked, puzzled.
"Cough, cough, well, I'm here to ask for a short leave, just to apply with Brother Minato."
Ren rubbed his earlobe, speaking a bit sheepishly.
After all, it wasn't really appropriate for him to ask for leave at a time when manpower was so tight. But this matter was more important to Ren, so he could only steel himself and come to ask for leave.
"Leave?"
The two exchanged glances, both somewhat perplexed. Minato then asked,
"Reason?"
"Cough, cough, you guys believe me when I say this is very important?"
"How important?"
"Especially important."
"…"
Looking at the two people with black lines on their faces, Ren gave a dry laugh, clasped his hands together, and bowed in one swift motion.
"This is the first and last time, please, Brother Minato!"
"Sigh…"
Looking at Ren, who was pleading before him, Minato rested a hand on his forehead, letting out a soft sigh.
"Go on, go on."
"Thank you, Brother Minato!"
A look of delight appeared on Ren's face.
Now, I can implement my plan.
"By the way, how long will you be gone? If it's too long, I might have to retract what I just said."
Minato looked at the overly excited Ren before him, speaking with some helplessness.
After all, the situation was special now. A few days wouldn't significantly impact the war. If it were too long, it would be even more inappropriate.
"Don't worry, three days at the least, five days at the most. I'll definitely be standing here completely whole by then."
"Mm."
Minato nodded, then asked,
"Are you leaving now, or…?"
"No, I'll leave in three days. I still need to make some preparations."
Ren said softly. After all, this matter would be quite difficult for him alone, but with a strong helper, it would be a different story.
"Alright, then you can go rest for now. When you leave, come say goodbye here."
"No way…"
Ren looked at the two with a sad expression, saying in a low tone,
"Are you already chasing me away? So heartbroken…"
"Then don't leave. Come help me alleviate some pressure."
A hint of a smile appeared in Minato's eyes as he pointed Ren to several stacks of documents on his desk. It looked like they had just arrived.
"Uh, I suddenly don't feel heartbroken anymore. I really want to sleep."
Ren's expression became serious, and he quickly turned and walked out, finally leaving with a remark,
"Good night, Teacher Kosuke, Brother Minato!"
Minato looked helpless, then turned to look at Teacher Kosuke, who had been silent for a long time, asking with some confusion,
"Senior Kosuke, are you that confident in Ren?"
Teacher Kosuke glanced at Minato after hearing his voice, then slowly said,
"I wanted to speak, but did you two give me a chance to speak?"
"…"