More than ten days passed.
Inside the Hokage office, Uchiha Ren slammed the table in anger.
"Damn it!"
"These clans are all trying to disgust me!"
The news about Daimyō giving him the twins had spread throughout Konoha.
No need to guess who did it—it was those clans.
"Just because I delayed their 10+ billion ryō…"
"It's not like I'm not paying them!"
"Disgusting… absolutely disgusting!"
Ren felt his dignity slipping away.
Even though it was bound to happen sooner or later, when it actually did, he still felt embarrassed.
And the worst part—
He couldn't even refute it.
After all…
The twins really were… worth it.
These past few days, even the war meetings had been rough.
The Senju clan kept finding faults with him.
But Ren ignored them.
Suddenly, Uchiha Tomita pushed the door open.
He brought urgent intelligence.
Ren read it carefully.
His mood improved.
Kirigakure and Iwagakure would declare war in one month.
Mu and Gengetsu Hozuki had almost identical timelines.
If Ren didn't know their relationship—
He'd think they coordinated.
But they were sworn enemies.
Mu's entire body was wrapped in bandages.
Burned by Gengetsu's technique.
The hatred between them ran deep.
Ren tapped the table.
"That means…"
"No more slow accumulation."
He picked up the data report.
Over 40 billion ryō had already been invested.
The Daimyō had also invested over 40 billion.
Iron prices had stopped falling.
They were stabilizing.
"Now…"
"Time to raise the market."
Ren smiled.
After all this preparation—
The harvest was coming.
A few days later.
At the bounty exchange.
Kakuzu completed another mission.
This time, the reward was just over 200,000 ryō.
Not much.
But he didn't mind.
High-reward, low-risk missions were rare.
High-reward, high-risk ones were dangerous.
Even he could lose a heart.
So this kind of balanced job—
Was his favorite.
He exchanged the bounty as usual.
Then went to the weapon shop to sell loot.
Inside—
They were still talking about iron futures.
Kakuzu paused.
He remembered that white-haired brat.
He should have lost money by now.
Kakuzu took his payment.
Counted each bill carefully.
Enjoying the texture.
"People should stay grounded…"
"Speculation never ends well."
He thought to himself.
Then—
A thought appeared.
…Should I check?
He didn't want to waste time.
But that white-haired kid's confident analysis—
It lingered.
"Just a look."
"Won't take long."
He convinced himself.
And walked to the trading hall.
At the entrance—
He froze.
There were way more people than before.
Inside—
Sakumo Hatake stood on a table.
"Investment follows patterns!"
"The market is guided by an invisible hand!"
"Futures are no exception!"
He spoke confidently.
Like a preacher.
People surrounded him.
Listening intently.
Meanwhile—
Iron prices had started rising.
Driven by Ren and the Daimyō's capital.
From 630,000 ryō per ton—
To 810,000.
A 30% increase.
Those who bought early—
Were now in profit.
The crowd's expressions changed.
Respect.
Belief.
Even if they didn't understand—
They believed.
Because the results were real.
"What's going on here?"
Kakuzu frowned.
People gathered around the white-haired kid.
Listening to complicated nonsense.
He couldn't understand a word.
But others—
Were nodding seriously.
"See? This is an expert!"
"So thorough!"
"You understood?"
"Kind of…"
"Then why not buy?"
"I'll… observe first."
They were cautious.
Iron prices were volatile.
Wars could spike them instantly.
30% wasn't enough to convince them.
But still—
They believed him.
Because he made money.
"KID!"
Kakuzu pushed through the crowd.
His tone was hostile.
Sakumo looked at him and smiled.
"Oh, it's you."
"Came back?"
"Regret not listening to me?"
This time—
His excitement was real.
Before—
He had been panicking.
His investment dropped.
Every 1% loss hurt.
But now—
He was up 30%.
He made 3 million ryō.
In just twenty days.
Equivalent to an S-rank mission—
Without risk.
Without effort.
Just sitting and drinking tea.
"Regret?"
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes.
"How much did you make?"
Sakumo shrugged.
"Not much."
"Just 3 million."
"…What?"
Kakuzu froze.
"…Say that again."
"3 million."
"Is that a lot?"
Sakumo looked arrogant.
Fast money had changed him.
Even his personality shifted slightly.
Kakuzu's pupils shrank.
His heart skipped.
…Damn.
Did I miss my chance?
He really made money.
This thing—
Actually works?!
Kakuzu stood there.
Silent.
Shaken.
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