Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 164 Remaining in Power, A Gentle Night

Nighttime, Sarutobi tribe territory.

Sosuke, carrying gifts, stepped into the heart of Konoha's power.

The Sarutobi clan's residence is not luxurious, but rather simple and dignified.

Sousuke, led by a waiter, walked through the courtyard.

Several old pine trees are planted in the courtyard, and they are meticulously pruned.

"Jōnin Takaya, please."

Pull open the paper door.

This is a spacious Japanese-style room.

There was no large banquet for dozens of people; there were only four sets of bowls and chopsticks on the table.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the main seat, not wearing the Hokage robes, but in casual clothes, looking like an ordinary, kind old man.

To his left is Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

To Hiruzen's right sat a little boy who looked only eight or nine years old.

Sarutobi Asuma.

The future Guardian Ninja Twelve, now rebellious kids.

"Hokage's wife, Shinnosuke-senpai, Asuma-sama."

9

Sosuke bowed slightly and placed the gift aside.

"I apologize for disturbing you."

""

"Sit down quickly, Sousuke."

Hiruzen smiled and waved.

"Today is a family dinner, there's no Hokage here, only elders and juniors. Call me Uncle Hiruzen—well, I think calling me the Third Hokage sounds better."

Hiruzen made a joke, which lightened the atmosphere a bit.

Zong intervenes.

The dishes were very home-style: grilled fish, simmered dishes, and miso soup.

"Try this, it's loquat stewed with pork, my wife's specialty."

Hiruzen greeted them warmly.

Sosuke took a bite. It tasted really good; the sweet and sour loquat balanced the greasiness of the stewed meat, resulting in an excellent flavor.

After a few rounds of drinks, Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his chopsticks, his gaze gentle yet profound as he stared at Sousuke.

"Sousuke."

"Please speak," Sosuke said, sitting up straight.

"What do you think the Will of Fire is?"

This is a classic, potentially disastrous question. It's also Naruto's ultimate interrogation of "outcasts."

Shinnosuke stopped chewing, and Asuma also looked up, his eyes filled with a hint of rebellion and curiosity, staring at Konoha's biggest merchant.

Sosuke glanced at Asuma, then at the loquat stew on the table.

"Lord Hokage, I don't understand such profound philosophy."

Sosuke picked up a spoon and ladled a spoonful of broth for Asuma.

"In my eyes, the Will of Fire is this bowl of meat."

"Meat?" Asma frowned, finding the metaphor rather vulgar.

"Yes."

Sousuke said calmly.

"Leaves dance in the air to burn themselves and provide nutrients to the roots."

"What I do is fertilize this tree. Although the fertilizer smells terrible and costs a lot of money."

"But only in this way can the newly grown leaves, such as young master Asma, sit in a warm house and eat meat."

"This is my understanding—to live, and to make everyone's lives better."

The room was completely silent.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took two puffs of his cigarette, the smoke swirling around him.

This is not the spirit of dedication he advocates. This is naked pragmatism for survival, but this theory is so compelling that it is impossible to refute.

"Hmph, reeking of money."

Asma muttered something under his breath and turned his face away.

"Asuma!" Shinnosuke hissed.

"It's alright."

Sosuke smiled and took out an exquisite lighter from his pocket. It had a pure silver casing and was engraved with beautiful patterns of the Land of Fire.

"Young Master Asuma, I heard you've recently started smoking?"

Asuma blushed and instinctively covered his pocket.

"This is for you."

Sosuke pushed the lighter over.

"Lighting a cigarette with this is more respectable than using a match. Just like in Konoha, only with money can one talk about peace with dignity."

Asma looked at the lighter, hesitated for a long time, but finally couldn't resist the temptation and reached out to grab it.

"----Thanks."

Hiruzen watched this scene, a hint of helplessness and a touch of relief flashing in his eyes.

He understood Sosuke's position.

This merchant did not believe in the Will of Fire, but he was willing to protect the tree because he found shade under it.

This is enough.

"Sousuke, the Daimyo is somewhat dissatisfied with the stalemate at the front—he wants me to find a successor as soon as possible and appoint a young Hokage to boost morale—"

Hiruzen tapped his pipe.

"But Minato is gone. There's no suitable candidate for the Fourth Hokage position for the time being."

"I intend to continue to hold the position of Hokage until the war is completely over, or until a suitable successor appears."

This is the safest decision.

Changing commanders during wartime is a major taboo. Moreover, Orochimaru is too ruthless, Danzo is too sinister, and Sakumo is too upright. Only Hiruzen can balance the various factions.

"This is Konoha's good fortune."

Sosuke raised his glass.

"Takaya Trading Company will fully support your decision."

"Whether it's supplies or—public opinion."

This is a deal.

Hiruzen tacitly approved Sousuke's business expansion and control over the Uchiha clan.

Sousuke promised to use his financial power to maintain Hiruzen's stable rule.

Although Sousuke was determined to push Orochimaru to power, maintaining the status quo was also a good option for him.

The meal was a great success, with both hosts and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Before leaving, Shinnosuke called out to Sosuke.

"Sousuke-kun."

Shinnosuke stood at the doorway, the night breeze ruffling his clothes.

"I heard that Misa is working for you now?"

"Yes."

Shinnosuke remained silent for a moment, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

As a scion of a wealthy family, he admired Misa's carefree attitude and Sosuke's cunning.

"Treat her well. She's a good woman and a good ninja."

"I will, Shinnosuke-senpai."

Sousuke walked out of the Sarutobi clan's territory, where Ryoma was already waiting.

"Ryoma".

"exist."

"Go tell my uncle to increase the supply quota for the Sarutobi clan by another 20%."

"Also—send a case of the finest cigarettes to young master Asuma. Please do so now."

Sometimes, winning over the next generation is more important than winning over the current generation.

"Yes." Ryoma left.

Sosuke did not return to Kikyo-kan.

Konoha Orphanage.

The light in the dean's office was dim.

Pharmacist Nonou rubbed her sore neck and put down her pen.

The table was piled high with account books and children's medical reports.

Although the orphanage no longer worried about food thanks to the funding from the Takaya Trading Company, the increasing casualties at the front lines meant that the number of orphans being sent there was also rising.

The number of children is increasing.

Every child represents a heavy responsibility.

"call----"

Nono sighed.

She stood up and walked to the window.

The glass reflected her slightly tired face and the silver brooch at her collar that shimmered faintly.

That was a gift from Sosuke.

She stroked the brooch. The cool metallic touch brought her a sense of warmth.

"Still busy?"

A familiar voice suddenly rang out in the room.

Nonou remained calm.

As a former Root organization's top spy, her senses were extremely sharp. She had long ago detected that familiar presence.

"Mr. Sosuke."

Nonou turned around, a gentle smile on her face.

Do you always like to look through the window?

Sosuke emerged from the shadows.

"Using the front door will wake the children."

Sosuke placed an insulated food container on the table.

"Furthermore, I don't want the people in the Dark Bureau to see me visiting late at night."

Although the restrictions have been lifted, as a prominent figure in Konoha, he is still under considerable scrutiny.

"What is this?"

Nono looked at the food box.

"Nourishing soup".

Sosuke opened the lid.

A rich aroma of medicinal cuisine wafted through the air.

"It used black-boned chicken, angelica, astragalus, and ginseng —"

"It's very good for restoring energy."

Nono looked at the bowl of soup.

In this time of scarcity, the value of a bowl of soup like this is equivalent to the annual expenses of an average family.

"You always spend so much money."

Nono took a sip of the hot soup.

"Is it good?"

"It's very bitter."

Nono frowned, but a smile played on her lips.

"I added too much angelica root, it's a bit astringent. But—it makes my stomach feel much warmer."

Good medicine tastes bitter.

Sosuke leaned back in his chair and looked at her.

"You've lost weight recently. Although you're a medical ninja and know how to take care of yourself, physical and mental exhaustion can't be cured by medicine."

"no way."

Nonou put down her spoon, her eyes dimming for a moment.

"Many people died on the front lines, and many of the new recruits suffered from psychological trauma."

"They don't speak, they don't eat, and they even scream in the middle of the night. I have to spend a lot of time providing them with psychological counseling."

""

Sosuke remained silent for a moment.

Psychological trauma. This is the most lasting consequence of war.

"Then let's find them something to do."

Sousuke spoke.

"When people are idle, they tend to overthink. If they are busy, psychological trauma will be replaced by fatigue."

"Looking for things to do?" Nonou asked, puzzled. "They're still so young."

"It doesn't matter if it's small. I plan to buy the vacant land next to the orphanage and build a decent school, and also—a small workshop."

"A workshop?"

"Yes. The packaging boxes from Takaya Trading Company, the simple parts assembly—these tasks don't require much physical strength, just patience."

"Let the children go to work. I will pay them wages."

"With money, they will feel secure. With a job, they will feel needed, not a burden."

Nono was stunned.

Making orphans work? That sounds cruel.

But upon closer reflection, she realized that this was the gentlest form of redemption.

For these children who have lost everything, nothing can sustain them more than finding their self-worth.

"Mr. Sosuke————"

Nono looked at the man in front of her.

"You always manage to solve the most heartwarming problems with the most pragmatic methods."

Is this a compliment?

"That is the highest praise."

Nonou stood up and started clearing the dishes.

"You've finished your soup. Are you leaving now?"

Her voice was very soft.

Sosuke glanced at the somewhat narrow recliner.

That was the place she had mentioned before, the place that belonged to him.

"It's very cold outside."

Sosuke walked to the window and drew the curtains.

"Besides, I'm tired. I don't want to move."

"Then—stay."

Nono lowered her head, a blush rising on her face.

She walked to the cabinet and took out a thick blanket.

"This is all we have, please don't mind it."

"That's enough."

Sosuke lay on the recliner, covered with a blanket.

The lights in the room went out. Only the faint glow of the fireplace remained.

Nono went back to her bed.

The two were a few meters apart.

Quiet. Breathing can be heard clearly.

This quietness wasn't awkward; rather, it brought a rare sense of peace.

"Mr. Sosuke."

In the darkness, Nono suddenly spoke.

"Um?

"----Good night."

"Good night."