Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 157 The Hero's Tombstone, the Uchiha Are Human Too

early morning.

The upper reaches of the Namka River are a rocky beach covered with weeds. This is the edge of Konoha, usually frequented only by homeless people.

But today, flags have been planted here. Uchiha fan flags.

"This is the future."

Sosuke stood on a huge rock.

Standing beside him were Uchiha Sōji and dozens of other Uchiha clan members. Most of these clan members were either disabled veterans or civilians who had not yet awakened their Sharingan.

They looked at this desolate land with bewildered expressions.

"Mr. Sosuke, can this place really be turned into a gold mine?"

Souji's eyes were bandaged, and his voice sounded somewhat uncertain.

"It's not a gold mine, it's an arms factory."

Sosuke took out the planning map and spread it out on the stone.

"There are abundant water resources here, which can power large forging hammers. Backed by forests, there is ample fuel."

"I have already asked Kazuto to bring the most skilled craftsmen from the Land of Rivers, as well as the equipment for firing ninja tools."

"The Uchiha clan is responsible for core technologies and quality control."

"We want to produce the highest quality ninja tools."

"When everyone gets used to using high-quality ninja tools produced from the Uchiha factory, we will become the economic lifeline of the ninja world."

As Zongsi listened, his breathing became increasingly rapid. Although he didn't understand business, he grasped the scent of power.

"However, this requires a lot of manpower, and the Uchiha clan is currently short-handed. We need to recruit more people."

Sosuke said calmly.

"Recruit refugees from outside the village in the name of the Uchiha. Give them food, give them houses to live in, and make them sign indentured servitude contracts."

"These refugees are the outer forces of the Uchiha clan."

"Will the village really allow this?"

"In the past, this wouldn't have been allowed. But now, you are heroes, and you are victims."

Sousuke sneered.

"Given the tribe's manpower shortage, who would dare utter a word of dissent when recruiting some labor for survival?"

"Furthermore, I will provide a guarantee in the name of the Takaya Trading Company."

"Go do it, Muneji."

Sosuke patted the young clan chief on the shoulder.

"Turn this place into a restricted area. No one but you and me can interfere with production here."

Two days later, at the memorial monument.

A grand funeral is being held.

This was a state funeral held for Fugaku Uchiha and the more than two hundred Uchiha clan members who died in battle.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, personally presided over the event.

He stood in the rain, dressed in black mourning clothes, his expression solemn.

"They are the heroes of Konoha."

Hiruzen's voice echoed throughout the entire arena.

"At the most critical moment, it was the Uchiha clan that used their lives to hold back the allied forces of Kumogakure and Iwagakure."

"Fugaku Uchiha embodied the Will of Fire with his life."

Below the stage, countless villagers and ninjas bowed their heads in silent mourning.

At the very front row was a dark blue square formation.

The surviving Uchiha clan members all remained expressionless. Their eyes were cold.

They felt nothing but irony at this belated honor.

What's the use of giving someone a hero's title when everyone's dead? Can they bring the dead back to life? Can they bring Danzo, who betrayed them, to justice?

No.

This was just a political show. It was to appease the Uchiha clan and set an example for the villagers.

Sosuke stood in a corner of the crowd, holding a black umbrella.

He looked at Hiruzen on the stage, then at Sōji below, who remained expressionless.

"That's politics."

Sosuke sighed softly.

"To squeeze the value out of the dead in order to consolidate the rule of the living."

Thinking of this, Sosuke suddenly felt a sense of unease.

Wasn't he also using the Uchiha clan? Didn't they really realize that?

The Uchiha are a proud clan, and now he is their ally. But what if one day, the Uchiha, relying on his own funds and factories, recover their strength and become powerful again—

Would they still be willing to obey a businessman?

late at night.

Sosuke returned to the Kikyo-kan.

He was exhausted; he'd been working too hard today. Calming the Uchiha clan, allocating resources, and dealing with higher-ups—it was more mentally taxing than fighting an S-class battle.

Welcome back.

Kaori took his coat.

"The bath water is ready."

"Um.

The bathroom was filled with steam.

Sosuke leaned against the barrel wall with his eyes closed.

A pair of warm hands gently rested on his temples.

The pressure is moderate, and the fingertips are soft.

"Is the water temperature okay?"

Kaori's voice was soft and slightly muffled in the steamy room.

"Perfect."

Sosuke shifted his shoulders.

"Press it over there a little."

"Yes."

Kaori's fingers deftly pressed on Sousuke's shoulder well point, her chakra rising and falling slightly, sending heat deep into his muscles.

"Thank you for your hard work today, boss."

After the massage, Kaori knelt outside the bathtub, picked up a towel, and helped him wipe his body.

Her movements were very delicate.

"How's things going with the Uchiha clan?"

"Things are going smoothly for now. Soji is a smart man; he knows what to do. But I'm worried about the future—"

Sosuke sighed.

"The Uchiha clan is inherently arrogant; they might feel that working for a businessman like me is a humiliation."

This is the problem that Sosuke is worried about.

Ninjas have always looked down on merchants; this has been a tradition in the ninja world for hundreds of years. This is especially true for the proud Uchiha clan. His cooperation with the Uchiha might not always be so smooth.

Kaori remained silent for a moment.

She picked up a wooden ladle, scooped up a ladle of hot water, and slowly poured it onto Sosuke's back.

"Boss, you're a brilliant businessman. But you might have overlooked one thing when it comes to dealing with ninjas."

"Oh?"

"Ninjas are just ordinary people. To us—"

"Having a job, being able to eat my fill, and being able to watch my children grow up safely. That's all I need."

"You're providing a safety net for the Uchiha clan, allowing them to continue living with dignity, even if it's a form of exploitation—I think those Uchiha clan members are willingly being used by you."

Sosuke was stunned.

He turned his head and looked at the woman who had been silently serving him.

Normally, she is just an obedient guard and a gentle mother.

But he forgot that she was once an elite member of the ANBU, a ninja who could see through people's hearts.

"A safety net—"

Sosuke chewed on the word.

My worries have dissipated considerably.

Yes.

The Uchiha are human too; they just want to live a good life, and live with dignity. Although I had ulterior motives, the benefits and care I gave were genuine. How could the Uchiha object?

"you're right."

Sosuke reached out and grasped Kaori's hand.

"Thank you, Kaori, you reminded me. Sometimes when I think too much, I get myself into trouble."

Kaori took his hand in return and rubbed it against her cheek.

"The water's cold."

Kaori reminded him softly.

"Get up, don't catch a cold."

She picked up a large bath towel and unfolded it.

Sosuke stood up from the water.

Kaori stepped forward and gently dried the water droplets off his body.

"Would you like a drink tonight?"

Sousuke asked.

"Let's drink that bottle of sake that Sawtooth brought back from the Land of Rain."

After drying his body, Kaori helped him put on a loose yukata and tied the sash.

"it is good."

They went back to the bedroom.

It's raining again outside the window, a light drizzle.

Sousuke and Kaori sat on the tatami mats. A small table stood between them, upon which sat a pot of sake and two cups. There were no snacks to accompany the sake.

Kaori pours the sake.

The clear liquid is poured into the glass.

Sosuke picked up his glass and took a sip. It was spicy, but also had a sweet aftertaste.

"Is Xiyan asleep?"

"Going to sleep."

"She got first place in the practical class today and bragged about it to me for a long time afterward."

"Oh? Impressive, no wonder she's my daughter."

Kaori was slightly taken aback.

"I'd like another drink."

"Ah—yes." Kaori picked up the sake bottle and poured herself another cup.

After a few rounds of drinks, Sosuke felt slightly tipsy.

He walked around the table to Kaori's side and rested his head on her lap.

Kaori adjusted her posture to make her thigh muscles smoother and softer, so that he could rest his head on her pillow more comfortably.

"Tired?"

"Okay, let's rest for a while."

Sosuke closed his eyes to rest.

Kaori's thighs were plump and supple, and through the thin fabric of her yukata, her body heat radiated continuously. It was a healing technique more powerful than any ninjutsu.

She placed her hand on Sosuke's forehead and gently combed his half-dry hair.

"Boss, your hair has grown long."

"Yeah?"

"Hmm, it's blocking your eyes a bit. I'll fix it for you tomorrow."

"it is good."

The two remained silent for a while.

"Kaori".

"Um?

Are your legs numb?

"I am a ninja."

Kaori smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Even if I staked out for three days and three nights, I wouldn't get numb. It's only been a short time."