Sarutobi Sasuke really was something else.
Kangetsu couldn't help but genuinely marvel at the rich kid's thought process.
He'd already said it: secrets only work if you keep them secret. And yet Sasuke still swaggered right back the way he came.
Couldn't you just send a message?
Couldn't you just quietly take the money?
What?
I did it on purpose?
Don't talk nonsense. I'm an innocent little flower. Since when do I have that kind of evil in me?
Konoha should be nice and lively right about now, huh?
Kangetsu smiled to himself.
Once he'd finished setting things up out in the Land of Fire's farmland, he left behind a Kage Bunshin (Shadow Clone) and headed back to Konoha.
Shadow clones were for doing the dirty work. The real him, naturally, was going home to enjoy life.
He made a stop at the Hokage's Office first.
The Third Hokage was practically radiating warmth. Lately, he'd been getting his brains rattled nonstop by a few old "friends," and he was about ready to snap.
But the blame really did fall on his own rebellious "son," so it left him stewing.
A mistake was a mistake. If you messed up, you owned it.
Even if you were Hokage.
If it hadn't gotten out, he could've smoothed it over—big problems into small ones, small ones into nothing.
The problem was, those old coots had no shame. They'd flat-out blocked his door.
Look at what they'd done to his eyes…
Kangetsu acted like he didn't even see the old man's bruised, darkened eye. As always, he stayed perfectly respectful.
He submitted a detailed report on the Land of Fire tobacco business.
Overall, tobacco was even more insanely profitable than the clothing operation.
Of course.
The real bulk still stayed with Kangetsu.
He only carved off a small portion for profit-sharing.
Even so, that "small portion" was still outrageous money.
I mean—it is tobacco. If you know, you know.
The Third Hokage listened, and his teeth ground even harder when he thought about his own brat.
Watching those crisp stacks of cash get handed to other people felt like a knife in his chest.
Seriously.
Konoha folks were fine when it came to taking missions. The moment business entered the equation, they just didn't have the brain for it.
Add another tally mark to the stereotype.
This time, the advisors' smiles were practically splitting their faces.
They grabbed onto Kangetsu and wouldn't let go.
Warm greetings, concerned questions, gentle kindness—like he'd suddenly become their dearest grandchild.
They were terrified they'd say one wrong thing and slow down their new money printer.
The "scraps" alone already matched what the clothing business was bringing in. Once tobacco fully hit its stride, it would absolutely make them—no.
It would make Konoha—so much money they wouldn't know what to do with it.
The Third Hokage, shoved off to the side, didn't even know what to say.
He just forced a stiff little smile.
Sure. You're right. Do whatever you want.
But at the same time, the way he looked at Danzo had started to feel… different.
His eldest son had written home: if it weren't for that elder from the Shimura side, there was a real chance this could've stayed a private feast.
So this, too, was one of Danzo's "arrangements," huh?
"My lords, you're praising me too highly," Kangetsu said. "What have I ever done to deserve it? If Hokage-sama hadn't chosen me, I'd still be stuck as a genin."
"And the contributions you've all made to Konoha—everyone sees them. Everyone knows."
Oh, yes.
They loved that.
Especially Danzo, eyes half-lidded, posture smug, like he was already sitting in a chair that had his name carved into it.
That's right…
I've contributed to Konoha for years. Who else but me deserves the position of right hand?
Homura, meanwhile, just chuckled and didn't commit either way.
He didn't care about that.
He cared about the cut.
Thankfully, they'd already divided up the profits from the "scraps."
Everything else stayed the same—except Hiruzen's share. They each took one tenth from him.
Still, they didn't go too far. They left Hiruzen with a tenth of his own.
That was the main reason the Third Hokage still hadn't swung back.
And between those old friends, there was an unspoken understanding.
Fight, argue, make a scene—sure.
But the money gets split between the four of us, and it's best if we make the scene big.
Let everyone else see how ugly it is, so they won't even think about reaching in.
You want a share too?
Sorry. You're not qualified.
As for the good lad…
Danzo patted Kangetsu on the shoulder lightly, voice deep and solemn.
"Kangetsu… you've given us old men quite a surprise."
If that was the case, they couldn't exactly chill a contributor's heart.
Promotion.
He had to be promoted—hard.
A loyal good lad who could make them money deserved to climb.
The empty promise the Third Hokage had handed out before—the position of Head of the Medical Corps—was now officially being held for him.
The moment Kangetsu became an elite chunin, he'd take the seat.
Of course.
If he could make tokubetsu jōnin (Special Jonin), even better.
Everyone knew the good lad's talent wasn't exactly outstanding, so the old men didn't demand much.
A useful person should do what he's good at.
So… I just stepped straight into Konoha's political core?
Even Kangetsu's smile warmed a little.
How big does a job have to be before it counts as "big," anyway…?
It wasn't like he had to be high and mighty, but the higher you climbed, the better you could "serve Konoha," right?
And just like that, a subtle little breeze started blowing out of the Hokage Tower.
Kangetsu was going to be cultivated as the Head of the Medical Corps.
That was real authority. A core position.
Sure, it didn't exactly match him, because Kangetsu's specialty was basically spraying cash everywhere.
But when the Medical Corps caught the rumor, there was no shock, no anger, none of that "outsider leading insiders" resentment.
Instead, it was pure celebration. People were practically losing their minds.
The money god!
The money god is coming to lead us!
From now on, aren't we going to be living large?
From now on, aren't we going to be eating the good stuff and drinking the good stuff?
Brothers!
Stand up straight! Look alive!
We've got to let Kangetsu-sama see our spirit!
Seriously—who in Konoha didn't know how insanely flashy those hospital nouveau riche were?
As the hospital's superior unit, the Medical Corps had been jealous enough to go red-eyed for ages.
Kangetsu-sama, please come soon.
Your loyal Medical Corps is waiting for your arrival!
At the same time…
The Uchiha clan got the news too.
Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui immediately rushed over to visit Kangetsu.
Hiashi didn't want to miss this chance either.
The tobacco business—his clan wanted a taste of the leftovers too.
But his future son-in-law said not to rush.
So he wouldn't rush.
He believed that as Hinata's future husband, his son-in-law wouldn't treat the Hyuga poorly.
Otherwise, how was Hinata supposed to blow sweet words into his ear on the pillow later?
Kangetsu had been planning to spend some quiet time with Yukine and the others, but he could only feel helpless.
The higher your position, the more things came knocking.
For Konoha, he was truly exhausting himself.
He led Itachi and Shisui into the living room and poured tea.
The two of them treated him with genuine respect.
Because it was Kangetsu who'd helped the Uchiha finally step back from the edge.
Their old, precarious situation wasn't completely "safe," but at least it had stabilized.
At the very least, the higher-ups in Konoha no longer reacted to the Uchiha like they were a family of thieves just waiting to strike.
"Kangetsu-sama…" Itachi addressed him properly, respectful and composed.
"Kangetsu-sama, the Uchiha have stabilized. That's thanks to you. We can't thank you enough."
Mm.
That was a skilled way to say it.
Can't thank you enough?
So what kind of "can't thank you enough," exactly?
(End of Chapter)
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