Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 189 Yamashiro Rena, a component of rationality

Hokage Building, Advisor's Office.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu sat facing each other. On the table was an internal report about Aburame Ryoma's disappearance.

"Danzo acted too quickly."

Xiaochun, who was turning over to her new room, frowned and spoke with dissatisfaction.

"That's someone from our administration department. He overstepped his bounds too much."

"It's alright."

Mitokado appeared very calm.

"Ryoma is indeed no longer suitable to monitor Takaya Sousuke. He's become too soft-hearted, and his reports are just rambling accounts. It's better to replace him with someone else."

"Who should we replace?" Xiaochun asked.

Mitokado Yan pushed up his glasses.

"We have analyzed Takaya Sousuke's behavioral patterns."

"This man, though profit-driven and ruthless, has one obvious weakness."

"What weakness?" Xiaochun asked.

"woman."

Mitokado Haru's tone was resolute.

"To be precise, she was a woman in dire straits who depended on him."

"Kaori Uzuki, an elite female ninja with a terminally ill daughter. He took her in and cured her daughter."

"Yakushi Nonou, a woman who single-handedly supports the orphanage. He not only provides financial assistance but also helps her fight against Root."

"Uchiha Hazuki, a war widow with a child. He gave her work and shelter."

"The conclusion is obvious."

Mitokado Yan revealed a knowing smile.

"This man enjoys gaining absolute loyalty by 'rescuing' women from difficult situations. He relishes this sense of control and has a strong desire for it."

This is the conclusion reached by the intelligence department.

In their view, Sosuke was a man with unusual fetishes and an extremely strong desire for control.

Mitokado continued his analysis.

"So, instead of having a watcher like Ryoma, it would be better if we placed a woman who suited his taste next to him—"

Xiaochun's eyes lit up when she turned to the next room.

"You mean... a honey trap?"

Not entirely.

Mitokado waved his hand.

"Ordinary, plain-looking women don't catch his eye. Kaori Uzuki is a beauty in herself."

"We need a capable, intelligent woman who can help him handle affairs, while also being firmly under our control."

"Make him feel that this woman is useful and make him dependent on her. As long as he keeps this woman by his side, we can keep track of his every move and even subtly influence his decisions through this woman."

"What about the candidate?" Xiaochun asked.

Mitokado Yan pulled a file out of the drawer.

The photo shows a woman wearing glasses, with an intellectual and aloof demeanor.

"Reina Yamashiro, a special Jonin of the Intelligence Analysis Team."

"She has exceptional data analysis and memory skills, and is adept at code breaking and document processing."

"Most importantly—"

"Her brother was seriously wounded on the front lines and is in a coma, requiring long-term, expensive medical care. The village's compensation is simply not enough."

"She's short of money right now and needs help. This perfectly suits Takaya Sousuke's tastes."

Xiaochun, who was turning over in the dormitory, looked at the file and nodded in satisfaction.

"very good."

"Since Takaya Sousuke likes to be a savior, let's give him a woman who needs saving."

"However—how can we guarantee that Rena Yamashiro won't be bribed by Sousuke Takaya?"

'

Mitokado Yan smiled confidently.

"That's right, Takaya Sousuke has an extremely strong ability to bribe his comrades and subordinates. Ordinary surveillance personnel are easily corrupted by his money and his hypocritical concern."

"But if it were Rena Yamashiro, she definitely wouldn't be bought off. She possesses an extremely strong will."

The next day, early in the morning.

Bellflower Pavilion.

Sosuke was sitting in his study, facing a mountain of business reports.

As the Chamber of Commerce expands, the amount of paperwork increases exponentially.

Although Kaori was there to help, she was, after all, a martial arts practitioner, and struggled to handle such complex business data. After Ryoma "disappeared," Sousuke had to do many of the tedious accounting tasks himself.

"This is such a hassle—"

Sosuke rubbed his temples.

"Looks like I'll have to hire a professional secretary."

Just then, Kaori knocked on the door and came in.

"Boss, someone outside is requesting an audience."

"Who?"

"They said it was a new assistant sent from the consultant's office."

"Oh? Let her in."

A moment later, the study door was pushed open.

A woman walked in.

She wore a beige trench coat, looked to be in her mid-twenties, and was tall. Her long black hair was styled in a bun, giving her a neat and capable appearance. A pair of black-rimmed glasses perched on her nose, and her eyes behind the lenses were calm and rational.

Holding a thick stack of documents, she walked into the room and went straight to Sosuke, bowing slightly.

The movements were standard and impeccable.

"Hello, Special Jonin, Takaya Sousuke."

Her voice was cool and clear, like a glass of lemonade with ice.

"I am the assistant assigned to you by the village, a special Jonin, Yamashiro Rena."

"Responsible for assisting you with the handover of goods, tax accounting, and document filing between the Takaya Trading Company and the village."

Sosuke leaned back in his chair, scrutinizing her.

"Did the Mitomon consultant send you?"

"Yes."

Rena Yamashiro took out a transfer order from her bosom and handed it over with both hands.

"This is the consultant's signature. I was specially assigned to assist you in order to improve the operational efficiency of the logistics department."

Sosuke did not accept the transfer order.

He stood up, walked around the desk, and stood in front of Rena. He was half a head taller than her, and this close proximity created a very intimidating atmosphere.

"Help me—or spy on me?"

Sousuke smiled.

"Ryoma just left, and they're already rushing to bring in new people. It seems the advisors really don't trust me."

Rena did not back down. She pushed up her glasses and looked directly into Sousuke's eyes.

"My job is to assist with the work. How you interpret it is up to you."

"and----"

Her gaze swept over the messy reports on the table.

"Excuse my bluntness, Mr. Takaya, but your account classification logic is very chaotic. If you continue to do this, it will take at least three hours to review these documents."

"And I can help you compile the core summary in just thirty minutes."

Sosuke was taken aback.

This woman is interesting.

He's clearly a monitor, yet he starts talking about work efficiency right away?

"Oh?"

Sousuke picked up an encrypted ledger detailing the smuggling routes of the Land of Rain and tossed it to her. The ledger was tampered with; only insiders could understand the code.

"Since you're so confident, I'll give you ten minutes to tell me what's written here."

Rena took the ledger. She flipped through it quickly, her fingers flying across the pages.

Five minutes later.

"I've finished watching it."

Rena closed the ledger, her tone calm.

"This is a record of a transaction involving grain in exchange for explosive clay."

"Although double encryption was used, 'rice' was written as 'white sand' and 'clay' as 'porcelain clay'."

"But based on the rate of market price fluctuation and the calculation of transportation losses—"

She accurately recited several numbers.

"The actual profit margin of this batch of goods is 45%, of which 30% went to an organization in the Land of Rain."

All correct.

She even figured out "a certain organization" (Xiao).

Sosuke was surprised. This wasn't just a pretty face. This was a top-notch analyst.

That old fellow, Mitokado Homura, really went all out this time, sending over a true talent.

"sharp."

Sosuke clapped his hands.

"It seems that the advisor really does want to help me improve efficiency."

He walked back to his seat and sat down.

"Yamashiro Rena, right?"

"Yes."

"You stay here."

Sosuke pointed to an empty table in the corner of the study.

That's your spot.

"However, I have my own rules."

Sosuke's gaze sharpened, scraping across Rena's face like a knife.

"First, this is my territory. Aside from work, don't go looking at things you shouldn't be looking at, like the basement."

"Secondly, you can report my schedule and accounts to the advisor. But if I find out you're doing something underhanded behind my back—"

"I will make you disappear from Konoha's records."

"clear."

Rena lowered her head, holding the documents, and walked towards the table.

"Alright, let's get started."

into the night.

The study was brightly lit.

Sosuke was reading a book. Rena, on the other hand, was quickly processing the backlog of documents from the day.

It has to be said that with her joining, efficiency has improved by more than one level.

All the reports were categorized, key points were highlighted, and she even pointed out and corrected some hidden tax loopholes.

"Takaya-sama."

Rena stood up, holding the organized documents in her hand.

"Today's work is done."

"Um."

Sosuke put down his book.

"You can go back now."

"Yes."

Rena packed her things and prepared to leave.

"etc."

Sosuke suddenly called out to her.

"I heard you have a younger brother?"

Rena stopped in her tracks.

"----Yes."

"My younger brother belongs to the Second Silence of the Intelligence Department. During the retreat from the Land of Grass last month, he was crushed by the Earth Release: Rock Collapse of the Iwa ninja while covering the wounded."

"Currently, I am in a state of long-term paralysis, and the daily cost of medication to maintain my vital signs is 10,000 taels."

She didn't hide it. Because it was common knowledge that it wouldn't be difficult for the Takaya Trading Company's intelligence network to find out this.

"Ten thousand taels—for a Jonin of the Special Rice Bowl, this amount of money is heavy, but not enough to lead to despair. But if it's a long-term issue—"

He opened the drawer and took out a crystal bottle.

The pale green liquid swayed under the light.

【Neurological fluid refill - Sichuan type】.

This is a drug developed based on Orochimaru's technology, and it's a version that has undergone two improvements. While it can't regenerate severed limbs, it has remarkable effects on nerve damage.

"This is a medicine specially supplied to the Takaya Trading Company."

Sosuke pushed the medicine to Rena's side.

"You can't buy them on the market. The black market price is 100,000 taels per tube. Your brother will probably need about ten tubes."

"Take it."

Sosuke leaned back in his chair and said with a smile.

"As a greeting gift, and also to thank you for your efficient work tonight."

Rena picked up the medicine and put it into her ninja tool pouch.

"Thank you for your gift, Master Takaya."

The man's tone remained as cool and polite as that of someone drinking iced lemonade, conveying a strong sense of distance.

"This can definitely solve my immediate problem."

Sosuke was curious.

"Aren't you going to ask about the cost?"

"cost?"

Rena shook her head.

"I am the assistant assigned to you by the village. You are a special Jonin of the village, and the core of the logistics department."

"My work efficiency has improved, your chamber of commerce is operating more smoothly, and ultimately Konoha Village will benefit."

"My younger brother was a Konoha ninja who was injured in the line of duty."

"You have the resources to heal your injured comrades and ensure that I, as your subordinate, can work for you without any worries. Isn't this a reasonable allocation of resources?"

Sosuke was taken aback.

This woman's thinking is quite unique. However, her logical loop is flawless.

In the public's eyes, Sosuke was the head of the department who controlled the village's resources. The public's use of these resources to treat the village's wounded was a reasonable allocation, requiring no personal sacrifice.

"A very interesting logic."

"But, Yamashiro Rena, you need to know. This medicine is my personal medicine, not public property."

"If I hadn't hidden you, the village would have been helpless. Now that I've hidden you, you owe me a favor."

Rena took out the medicine from her ninja tool bag and pushed it back.

"Lord Takaya, you have asked for the wrong thing."

"I accepted your medicine because it can save my brother. I will be more dedicated to my work because of this, help you keep perfect accounts, and help you avoid tax risks."

"but."

The man's eyes hardened like steel.

"If you, Yi, engage in any transactions that harm the village, I will record them truthfully and submit them to the Dark Intelligence Department."

"I will not become your retainer because of this medicine. My loyalty belongs only to the names on the Hokage Rock."

""

"If my answer does not satisfy you, you can take the medicine back."

Sosuke looked at the master. There was no fanaticism in the master's eyes, only an almost mechanical rationality.

She was a woman of great insight. She deeply understood what the Will of Fire was, and she was also aware of all darkness and ugliness.

Even so, the Duke remained loyal to the will of fire.

He lived his life as a cog in a machine. A cog can be lubricated and maintained, but it always belongs to the machine, not to the person who applies the lubrication.

"Ha ha ha ha----"

Sosuke suddenly laughed.

"Okay. Very good."

"Rena Yamashiro, you are more valuable than I thought."

Sosuke wasn't angry. On the contrary, he appreciated it.

If someone can be easily bribed with a few favors, then they are not trustworthy, because even if someone offers a higher price, the Duke will still betray him.

But these rigid rule-makers, though difficult to deal with, are the most useful tools if used properly.

As long as Sousuke's actions are within the rules, Kou will be his strongest asset.

"In that case, let's maintain this relationship."

Sosuke waved his hand.

"Remember to be on time for the memorization class tomorrow. You can take this potion."

"Yes."

Rena bowed slightly.

"Good night, Takaya-sama."

He turned and left, his steps steady, without the slightest hesitation or remorse.

Looking at the closed door, Sosuke stroked his chin.

"She's a... peculiar woman."

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