Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 185 Resisting Temptation, the Scholarship of Youth!

the next day.

Konoha Ninja Academy.

Maki became a celebrity. Everyone knows that she invented "Maki's Tears".

"Maki-senpai, do you still have any 'tears'? The ninja tool shop is sold out!"

"I want one too! I used it in yesterday's practical class, and it made the top martial arts student from the next class cough and cry. It's so effective!"

In the corridor, a group of ordinary students surrounded her.

Maki felt a little rushed.

She wasn't used to this kind of celebrity treatment.

Less than six months ago, she was a waitress working in a dessert shop.

Now, she has become a popular figure at school, known as the "Pride of the Common People" and the "Queen of Ninja Tools".

All of this changed so quickly that it felt unreal to her.

"That—regarding the supply of goods, we'll have to follow the Chamber of Commerce's arrangements."

Maki tried her best to maintain a polite smile.

"I'm just a student; I can't get a special approval slip."

Having finally escaped the crowd, Maki breathed a sigh of relief.

She had just turned the corner when she was stopped again.

This time, it's not about worshippers.

He was a boy dressed in gorgeous silk clothes.

His name is Daikoku Tenmei, and he is a senior student.

His family was in the cloth business and was one of the wealthiest merchant families in Konoha—although they weren't a ninja family, they were extremely rich.

Dahei Tianming held an exquisite velvet box in his hand, a confident yet reserved smile on his face.

"Miss Maki."

He bowed slightly, his manners impeccable.

"I heard you used up quite a few ninja tools during the last combat assessment."

"Yes." Maki looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"Ninja tools are consumables, and they also cost money."

Daheitianming opened the box in his hand.

Inside was a hair clip inlaid with rubies. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and it was clearly very valuable.

"This is a gift for you."

"Why?" Maki didn't answer.

"Because I want to team up with you."

Daikoku Tenmei stared directly into Maki's eyes.

"The graduation exam for this year is in six months. With your performance, you should be able to graduate early and just in time for the exam."

"According to the rules, after becoming a genin, we need to form a three-person team. I have money, and you have technology and connections. If we join forces, we will be the strongest team this year."

"This hair clip is just a small gift."

That ruby ​​was beautiful. It refracted an alluring luster in the sunlight.

If it were that young waiter from before, he might have been blinded by this "romance".

But the current Maki is a reserve soldier personally trained by Sousuke.

Sosuke's teachings flashed through her mind in an instant:

There are no gifts without a reason in this world. Every gift comes with a price tag.

If it's a transaction, talk about profits, not feelings.

Maki looked at Daikoku Tenmei.

There was no affection in the boy's eyes, only calculation.

He wanted to get close to me and establish a connection with the Takaya Trading Company. Or perhaps he wanted to use my inside connections to obtain cheaper and more advanced ninja tools.

Maki smiled. She didn't put the hair clip back on.

"Big Blackie, if you'd like to team up, I'd love to. But no need for gifts. I don't need any jewelry."

Regarding the cost of forming a team —

"If you can cover all the ninja tool costs for the group and pay me an additional 50,000 taels per month for technical guidance, I might consider taking you on as a member."

Dahei Tianming's smile froze on his face.

He didn't expect that this seemingly gentle and approachable girl would start by talking about money.

Moreover, this isn't about finding teammates; it's clearly about finding a wallet!

"Ms. Maki—we're classmates, isn't talking about money a bit too hurtful to our relationship?"

"No."

Maki's eyes were clear and firm.

"It's precisely because we're classmates that we need to be clear about this. We both know what we want, don't we?"

After saying that, Maki walked past him and left without looking back.

Daheitianming was left standing there, his face alternating between pale and flushed.

After school. The Kikyo Pavilion.

While helping Kaori pick vegetables, Maki told her stories about school as jokes.

"well done."

Sosuke was sitting on the sofa with a newspaper in his hand. Hearing this, he nodded approvingly.

"The Dahei family's fabric business has been severely impacted by the cheap cotton fabrics from the Land of Lightning recently. They urgently need to transform their business."

"His approach to you was probably at his father's behest. He wanted to take advantage of the ninja tool craze to shift the family business towards ninja tools."

"If you accept that hairpin, you'll owe him a favor. Later, if he asks you to introduce me to him, or to secretly leak some of the Chamber of Commerce's secrets, you'll find it hard to refuse."

Maki stuck out her tongue.

"Luckily I didn't accept it. That ruby ​​looks very valuable."

"Indeed precious."

Sousuke smiled.

"You did a great job. Staying clear-headed in the face of temptation is the first step to becoming strong."

"but----"

Sosuke then changed the subject.

"It's right to refuse. But you can do it more tactfully. You can refuse the gift, but don't offend anyone."

"Although the Daikoku family is declining, their textile network in the southern part of the Land of Fire is still very well-established. Perhaps in the future, we can acquire them to produce ninja combat uniforms and bandages."

Maki's eyes lit up.

"Acquisition?"

"Yes. Not just ninja tools. We'll get involved in everything from clothing and food to housing and transportation."

"Next time you see him, you can give him a little hope. Tell him that although forming a team is not an option, if his father is interested in the bandage business, he can come and talk to the Takaya Trading Company."

"Turn him into our downstream supplier, not our competitor."

Maki nodded thoughtfully.

"I get it, boss. So this is—making lots of friends?"

"No."

Sousuke corrected.

"It's about creating many communities of shared interests."

Evening, in the study on the third floor.

Sosuke is signing a document.

[Charter Regarding the Establishment of the "Takaya Minato Scholarship"]

This was the result of his discussion with Kushina.

Ostensibly it was to commemorate Minato Namikaze, but in reality it was to monopolize Konoha's talent pool from the very beginning.

"Boss, the first batch of scholarship recipients has been finalized."

Ryoma handed a list to Sousuke.

"There are thirty people in total. They are all civilian ninjas, and all of them have excellent grades at the ninja academy."

Sosuke glanced at the list.

Many familiar names.

Besides Maki, there are several other minor characters from the original work, but thanks to the promotion of the ninja tool style, they have shown considerable potential.

At the end of the list, Sosuke saw an interesting name.

Matt Kay.

"Kai?"

Sosuke was somewhat surprised.

At this point in time, shouldn't Kai still be at the bottom of the class? How could he possibly be eligible for a scholarship?

"Yes."

Longma explained.

"His physical skills are perfect. Moreover, his father, Matt Daley, is your confidant, so I think he should be included."

"Of course we should add it. I'm just curious how he was able to improve his physical skills in just two years."

It seems that the resources I provided to the father and son have played a significant role.

Sosuke picked up a pen and circled Kai's name.

"Give him the highest level of funding."

a few days later.

The scholarship award ceremony was held at the Ninja Academy.

Kushina, as honorary president, personally presented certificates and prizes to the children.

She was dressed very formally today, her red hair was neatly combed, and she had a gentle smile on her face.

"You must become an excellent ninja like Minato Jonin!"

She said this to each child.

The children nodded excitedly.

Mitchell stood out in the crowd.

He was wearing a green bodysuit and was in tears.

"I'm so...so touched!"

Kai, clutching the prize money, gave Kushina a thumbs-up.

"Is this the gift of youth?! I will definitely work twice as hard! Five thousand push-ups every day!"

Kushina was both amused and exasperated by his enthusiasm, but her eyes were full of encouragement.

Sosuke stood below the stage, watching this scene unfold.

After the ceremony, Sosuke specifically sought out Kai.

"Kai".

"Ah! It's Uncle Sosuke!"

Kai gave a spirited salute.

"I'm not an old man, I'm only seventeen," Sosuke corrected helplessly.

"Congratulations on receiving the scholarship. Regarding your training..."

Sosuke took out a huge box.

"This is a specially made weight for you. It uses a special gravity-manipulation technique. You can adjust the weight by injecting chakra into it."

"Remember, taijutsu is your talent, and it's your only path. Although ninja tool techniques are popular now, you must persist in practicing taijutsu. One day, you will surpass everyone."

Kai looked at the box, and tears streamed down his face again.

"Brother Sosuke! You understand me so well!"

"I will prove to everyone that even without ninjutsu, one can become a great ninja!"

"I trust you."

Sosuke patted him on the shoulder.

This wasn't just polite talk. He genuinely believed it.

After all, this is a man who can open the door to death.

If you don't invest in advance, it will be too late to rely on others later.

"Alright, let's go train."

"yes!"

Kai, carrying a box weighing several hundred pounds, rushed out like the wind.

"What a vibrant child!"

Kushina walked over and sighed.

"yes."

Sosuke looked at the dust and smoke left behind by Kai.

"Vitality is sometimes more important than talent."

Talent determines the upper limit, but vitality is what allows one to persevere to that limit.

At that moment, the afternoon sun shone through the leaves onto their shoulders.

The scholarship awarding ceremony has ended, the crowd has gradually dispersed, and the playground has returned to tranquility.

Kushina looked at the empty school and let out a long sigh of relief.

That constant tension and feeling of being watched seemed to have dissipated considerably. Now, she was like an ordinary woman who had just completed an important task.

"How do you feel, Honorary President?"

Sosuke looked at her.

"It was very fulfilling."

Kushina smiled a long-lost, genuine smile. A glimmer of light appeared in her eyes.

"Mr. Sosuke, if you don't mind, would you like to come to my house for dinner tonight?"

Kushina suddenly suggested.

"To celebrate the establishment of the scholarship, and—Kakashi and Chiba are here too. I think we should all have a meal together to make it more lively."

.

Sousuke did not refuse. Establishing a deep personal friendship with Kushina was an extremely important part of his political strategy in Konoha.

"Since it's Lady Kushina's invitation, I have no reason to refuse."

Sosuke glanced at the sky.

"Do we have enough ingredients at home?"

Kushina paused for a moment, then scratched her cheek somewhat embarrassedly.

"Um—it seems like all we have left are instant noodles and some dried vegetables. I haven't been going out much lately."

"Let's go then."

Sosuke took a step.

"Go buy groceries. Ingredients are key to making dishes that will satisfy the kids."