Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 180 Danzo's Actions, Root Expands its Recruitment

The base of the tree leaves.

Danzo Shimura sat in the shadows, leaning on a cane.

On the table in front of him was a newly released intelligence scroll.

[Investigation Report on the New Shipping Routes and Logistics Flow of the Takaya Trading Company]

"snort."

Danzo snorted coldly.

"That Takaya Sousuke, his business is getting bigger and bigger."

"Not only have they taken control of Konoha's logistics, but now they even dare to interfere with the supplies of other countries."

"He's trying to profit from both sides, taking advantage of the national crisis!"

The Root elite standing below, codenamed "Owl," is a Jonin skilled in assassination.

He lowered his head and said in a deep voice, "Lord Danzo, according to our investigation, although the Takaya Trading Company sells ninja tools to enemy countries, it has indeed guaranteed the supply to Konoha at extremely low prices."

"The three generations of officials tacitly approved of this."

"That senile old man, Hiruzen!"

A flash of anger crossed Danzo's single eye.

"He's drinking poison to quench his thirst!"

"Takaya Sousuke is currently providing vital support to Konoha, but he is also constantly strengthening himself. Now, he has money, food, the support of the Uchiha, and even Orochimaru's technology."

"If he is not controlled, he will become Konoha's biggest hidden danger sooner or later."

"An uncontrolled business tycoon is more dangerous than the shadow of an enemy nation."

Danzo's sense of crisis grew stronger.

Especially during the Nine-Tails rampage incident, Sousuke actually resolved the crisis in an almost comical way with a fake will and money, not only winning Kushina's trust but also giving Root a good slap in the face.

This made Danzo realize that traditional, forceful methods seemed to be less effective against this businessman.

"We must find a way to cut off his wings."

"As for the Uchiha clan, Sōji is young but cunning, and he also has the Mangekyou Sharingan, so we can't do anything about him for now."

"Orochimaru—that guy is getting more and more out of control. Lately, he seems to be researching something dangerous."

"So, what about the rest—"

Danzo's gaze turned cold.

"Orphanage".

"Yakushi Nonou".

"That woman, though she's broken away from the roots, still follows their rules—I heard she's been getting quite close to Takaya Sousuke lately?"

Xiao nodded.

"Yes. Takaya Sousuke frequently visits the orphanage, and even—stays overnight."

"Not only that, the Takaya Trading Company also built workshops next to the orphanage, employing the orphans as workers. Now the orphanage is almost becoming a talent reserve base for the Takaya Trading Company."

"This is outrageous!"

Danzo snorted coldly.

That was his former ace spy, that was the nursery he used to cultivate fresh blood for his roots.

Now, it's all been tainted by that businessman?

"Nonou—have you forgotten the rules of Root?"

Danzo's eyes revealed a murderous intent.

"Since you've chosen betrayal, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Relay my orders."

Danzo's voice was as cold as ice.

"The roots have been severely damaged by the war and need to be replenished with fresh blood."

"Go to the orphanage, select a group of qualified children, and bring them back to the roots for training."

"This is a conscription order. If Nono tries to stop it—tell her it's to protect those children."

"If she doesn't agree, I'll show her what true darkness is."

"yes!"

The owl accepted the order and left.

Konoha Orphanage.

It's a beautiful day today.

In the newly built workshop, children are busy at work.

Some were assembling shuriken, while others were polishing parts. Everyone was very focused.

Because they know that after doing these things, they can receive their own wages, which they can use to buy candy or save it for later.

Nonou stood at the door, watching this scene with a gratified smile on her face.

"Dean!"

A slightly older boy ran over.

"This batch of goods is ready! When should it be sent to the Chamber of Commerce?"

"Just leave it there, a truck will come to pick it up this afternoon."

Just then.

A cold wind blew into the yard.

The bustling workshop fell silent instantly.

The children instinctively felt fear and stopped what they were doing, hiding behind Nono.

The main entrance.

Four ninjas walked in; they were wearing masks and gray vests.

"root----"

Nono's pupils suddenly contracted.

"What are you doing here?"

"To convey Lord Danzo's orders."

The leader of the owls took out a scroll.

"We need to add more personnel at the root."

"These children, since they can work, must have good aptitude. We're taking ten of them with us."

"No! They're just ordinary kids, they're not suitable to go to the Root!" Nono refused decisively.

Whether it's suitable or not is not up to you to decide.

"It's a cold voice," Xiao said.

"Nonou, you should know the rules of Root."

"These are orphans. They are a burden to the village. It is their honor to let them join Root and protect Konoha. It is also the only way they can repay the village."

"Nonsense! They're already reporting back to the village! They're working, producing supplies for the front lines!"

"They can be normal ninjas, or ordinary people! They don't need to be emotionless tools!"

"Work?"

Xiao chuckled.

"You mean working for that businessman?"

"Nonou, you've changed. You used to be the perfect spy. Now—you've been corrupted by that businessman."

"They actually dare to try and measure the value of a ninja with money?"

He took a step forward, and his murderous aura erupted.

"Hand them over. Otherwise, I don't mind taking action right here."

"Although you are a senior, you may not be my match."

A terrifying murderous aura enveloped the orphanage.

The children were trembling with fear.

Nonou raised her hands, and a chakra scalpel instantly condensed, emitting a buzzing sound.

She cannot give it to him.

Once they're infiltrated, these children are ruined. They'll be brainwashed, branded with a curse, and turned into mindless zombies.

"I will not let you take any of the children away."

Nono's eyes were resolute.

"Stubborn to the end. Since that's the case—"

Xiao slowly drew the short sword from his back. The blade was jet black and had no reflection; it was a ninja tool specially made for assassination.

He raised his hand and made a simple tactical gesture.

The three Root ninjas behind her instantly spread out and surrounded Nono.

"Let's do it."

"brush!"

Four dark figures suddenly sprang up. Sharp blades sliced through the air with a sharp sound.

Nono moved. She charged straight at the two Root members facing her.

"Too slow."

As a top-tier medical ninja, her taijutsu is based on an extremely thorough understanding of human anatomy.

She sidestepped a kunai, and her chakra scalpel precisely sliced across the other person's wrist.

"laugh."

No blood spurted out because the wound was too small. But the Root ninja's wrist hung limply.

The median nerve was severed. That hand was now useless.

"—Ugh!"

Nono had just finished off one person when she was struck hard in the back.

That's an owl.

Using his subordinates as bait, he suddenly appeared in Nono's blind spot and kicked her in the spine.

For an ordinary person, this kick would have already caused paralysis.

However, at the moment of being hit, Nono forcefully twisted her waist and used her chakra to cushion most of the impact.

Even so, she was still kicked away and crashed into the workshop wall.

"Cough cough————"

A trickle of blood escaped from the corner of her mouth.

"Even after leaving your roots, your skills haven't declined much."

The owl stood still.

"But you are all alone."

"Dean!"

The children screamed in terror.

Nonou scrambled to her feet, staggered slightly, and shielded the children. Her face was pale, but her eyes remained resolute.

"I will not let you take them away."

"Are you still going to resist?"

Xiao shook his head and formed a hand seal.

"In that case, let's make you lose consciousness first."

"Wind Release: Vacuum Ball!"

Several high-pressure wind bullets were spat out of his mouth and shot towards Nono like bullets.

Nono gritted her teeth, preparing to tough it out.

Just then.

"Buzz"

A black cloud of insects suddenly surged in from the side and blocked Nono's way.

Puff puff!

The wind-blown projectile struck the swarm of insects, blasting countless corpses apart, but failed to penetrate.

"Who?!"

Xiao's eyes narrowed.

A man wearing a turtleneck coat and sunglasses emerged from the shadows of the workshop.

Aburame Ryoma.

He stood in front of Nonou, expressionless.

"Does the Aburame clan have to get involved in Root's affairs?" Owl recognized Ryoma.

"My current task is to protect the assets of the Takaya Trading Company."

Ryoma's voice was completely flat.

"This workshop is the private property of Jonin Takaya. The workers here are employees of the Takaya Trading Company."

"But my mission briefing did not include a clause allowing root destruction."

"You're asking for it."

The owl's murderous aura surged.

"A mere Chunin dares to stop me?"

"And what about me?"

A calm voice came from the front door.

Sosuke walked in slowly.

"Takaya Sosuke————"

Owl looked at Sosuke, his voice icy.

"You're obstructing Root from carrying out its duties. Do you know what that means?"

"Official business?"

Sosuke walked up to Nonou and faced the owl.

He pulled a document from his pocket and unfolded it. It was an employment contract.

"Look carefully."

"These children are now full-time employees of the Takaya Trading Company. Even the Root Group cannot take my employees away at will."

"As for your comment about courting death—"

"Owl, I've heard of you. Danzo's right-hand man."

Sousuke's voice was calm.

"You're very strong. If it comes to a fight, even if Nonou, Ryoma, and I were to fight, we might not be a match for you."

"The children in the orphanage will be affected, and the workshops here will be destroyed. But—"

"As long as I fire a signal flare, the Uchiha clan's security force will surround this place within three minutes."

"The Uchiha clan these days isn't in a good mood. Do you think it would be bad if they saw Root attacking the village's major taxpayers and orphanages—"

"What if they—leave you all here?"

Xiao's body stiffened for a moment.

In the past, the Uchiha might have turned a blind eye.

But now, the Uchiha clan, having experienced betrayal on the battlefield, are people who wish they could devour Danzo alive. Give them a reason, and they might actually dare to kill a Root member in the street and label him a rogue ninja.

Xiao was an excellent ninja who made a judgment instantly.

The Root organization cannot openly wage war against the Uchiha clan at this time, especially given the Third Hokage's clear bias towards the Takaya Trading Company.

"----withdraw."

He gave Nonou a long look.

"Nonou, you'll regret this."

"What you truly desire, you will always obtain."

He glanced at Sousuke again. Finally, it was Ryoma's turn.

"Ryoma Aburame, you're very good."

The owl left behind these last words.

brush!brush!brush!

The four figures vanished from their spot in an instant.

"call----"

Nono's body went limp, and she almost fell over.

Sosuke helped her up.