The Uchiha looked like they'd genuinely stabilized.
Plenty of the sharp-eyed factions in Konoha were quietly sizing it up.
What happens in the future—who knows.
But at least right now, they had the Third Hokage's trust up top, and the common people lining up behind them down below.
And the Uchiha themselves were still in the middle of "reform," with the two vice clan heads being downright tactful about reading the room.
Their methods weren't weak, either.
With the moneybags' financial backing, they'd practically yanked the Uchiha clan's whole mindset onto a new track.
Honestly… it was something to behold.
Of course.
Konoha's attention wasn't on that right now.
It was on the tobacco business.
The tobacco fields still hadn't stirred, but the push to consolidate the tobacco peddlers—to gather the scattered independent sellers into one unified operation—had news rolling in again.
This time…
The moneybags was personally running it. There was no way it could go wrong now, right?
At the same time.
Koharu and Homura, the Third Hokage, and old bastard Danzo were all crammed into an office together.
Danzo, in particular, had even slicked a bit of oil into his hair, combing it until it shone.
Even though he wasn't the star today, he could use this to press Hiruzen down a notch.
That business about smearing his good name last time wasn't over yet!
"Clan Head-sama, the Hokage robe—please, put it on."
"Clan Head-sama, the Hokage hat—here."
"Clan Head-sama, your pipe! You forgot your pipe!"
Old bastard Danzo took the pipe, grinning as he gave it a smug little puff.
No smoke.
He wasn't actually going to smoke it.
It was purely for show.
So everyone would know he supported the tobacco business too.
He couldn't let Hiruzen hog all the spotlight.
When they reached the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage took one look at Danzo's self-satisfied act and frowned.
Seriously?
It was just a small meeting—why were you wearing the Hokage robe and the hat?
"Hmph! I'm not like you, Hiruzen! When it comes to the tobacco business—when it comes to that kid Kangetsu—of course I must show sufficient respect!"
The moment he said that, Koharu and Homura—who'd arrived earlier—both showed startled expressions.
Ohhh!!
Now that was a pretty line…
And sure enough, when they glanced over—
Hiruzen's face had gone green.
At first listen, the Third Hokage's heart dropped with a heavy thunk.
Oh no.
That was aimed at me.
You "respect" Kangetsu, so I don't?
But then his gaze drifted downward.
Oh.
He was in plain clothes.
It really did look like he wasn't taking it seriously enough.
And with Danzo's deliberate contrast…
Hiruzen's expression turned uglier by the second.
You old bastard.
You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?
Heh!
Danzo looked completely fearless—bold as hell.
What, you're going to hit me?
Go ahead!
Then I'll tell everyone the Third Hokage has gone too far, and that I'm no longer capable of bearing those 3.5 billion ryō!
That single line made Hiruzen feel like he'd just swallowed something he never wanted in his mouth.
So we're never getting past that, huh?
Off to the side, Homura elbowed Koharu.
He looked a little worried.
This… this situation. Are we not going to stop them?
Koharu just chuckled.
Stop them how?
And who, exactly, would stop them?
As long as the work went smoothly, as long as it didn't affect Konoha—
She couldn't care less how they fought.
It was just shifting power from the left pocket to the right pocket.
The meat was still rotting in the same pot.
Besides, old bastard Danzo actually cut the two of them in on the money.
Would Hiruzen ever be willing to share with them?
Homura's face lit with sudden understanding.
Right.
If you take someone's money, you do their work.
Hiruzen?
Sorry—don't know him.
And once that thought took root, Homura even felt a touch of exasperation at Hiruzen.
Hiruzen…
When are you going to fix that habit of eating alone?
He was just about to learn from Danzo and toss a couple of barbed lines—
But…
"He's here!"
With that one warning, all four old men's eyes sharpened instantly.
Their expressions turned feverish as they all stared at the office door.
My adorable little banknotes.
You've finally arrived.
Shimizu Kangetsu noticed the way the four of them were looking and felt slightly uncomfortable.
Seriously.
Useless at everything, but first in line when it came to money.
With worms like these, how was Konoha ever supposed to be run properly?
He straightened himself, knocked, and entered with a respectful posture.
Then, without hesitation, he pulled the bills from his arms and laid them out.
"W-We… we earned it?"
Hiruzen's voice trembled.
His eyes were red.
Only he knew how he'd lived these past few days.
Every day it was either creditors banging at him—
Or old bastard Danzo needling him from the shadows.
And he couldn't even dodge it.
Because this was all his own idiot son's mess.
A son's debt, the father pays.
"How much?" Homura demanded, eyes gleaming green as he rubbed his hands together, breathing hard with excitement.
"My lords, I've succeeded—without disgracing your trust.
Net profit in total—350 million ryō."
Yes!!!
Hiruzen slammed his hand on the desk and shot to his feet.
His whole body buzzing.
My huge hole has a fix!
My reputation has a fix!
Of course!
In the whole damn Konoha, there's basically nobody who can do business—every last one of them are idiots!
Only Kangetsu, this fine young man, stands out like a crane among chickens.
Moneybags… still our moneybags.
With him around, won't our pockets be clinking nonstop?
"Quick, quick! Split it—split it!"
Another profit chain, just like the clothing industry!
And this was only the foreplay. The real feast—tobacco—hadn't even been served yet…
Koharu was flushed with excitement, her cheeks glowing.
The clothing business alone had already made her family more comfortable. Add tobacco on top—how could that not send them flying?
That settled it.
From now on, keep those idiots far away from their business.
Especially morons like Sarutobi Asuma!
A so-called exchange student from the daimyo's court, my ass.
Just thinking about how that idiot not only failed to earn money last time, but even cost them 3.5 billion ryō—
Koharu felt like her heart was being squeezed until she couldn't breathe.
My money!
That was all my money!
That wasn't the only reason she'd been happy to help Danzo aim the spear at Hiruzen—but it sure as hell didn't hurt.
Sarutobi Asuma…
Even now, just remembering him made her grind her teeth.
You'd better never come back to Konoha.
The instant splitting the money was mentioned, Homura moved in at once.
"Everyone! As agreed—Hiruzen only gets one-tenth!
And even that one-tenth has to go to paying the debt!"
(End of Chapter)
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