Chapter 113. Business Negotiations

Chapter 113. Business Negotiations

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After a while, the atmosphere became awkward again.

The Kiri ninjas eyed the guy exuding the aura of a wealthy man suspiciously.

"Who is this guy?"

Just as they were wondering, Minato arrived, along with Kirigakure's three leading Jonin representatives. Among them were ninjas from the Yuki Clan and the Kaguya Clan.

Kirigakure had actually sent members of its two most powerful bloodline clans.

It was clear—

They took this negotiation very seriously. Otherwise, why would they have sent such formidable bloodline limit users?

But what truly caught Yuto's interest… was the refined-looking Jonin leading them. He seemed about Kakashi's age, yet he was apparently in charge of Kirigakure's delegation.

Minato helplessly began discussions with the Kirigakure representatives. Yuto, meanwhile, simply watched from the sidelines. Since there was no dance battle, this had nothing to do with him.

Plus, these brats actually interrupted his dramatic entrance?!

Write it down.

Just wait…

In the end—

The Jonin from both sides spoke. Since nothing major had happened, Kirigakure merely threw out some mocking remarks about Konoha's shamelessness and poor hospitality. Minato, however, simply smiled without backing down, implying that Kirigakure had lost this round.

After some words of verbal sparring, both parties took their leave with their respective subordinates.

"I will remember this, Konoha!"

"Hey, hey, remember what? If you've got the guts, why don't you make a move?! Let me show you how amazing I am!"

"Obito, drop it!"

"Yeah, Tobi-sama, let's just let them off this time!"

"Idiots!"

After some arguing, they held Obito back, and everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Honestly, once Yuto interrupted things, the whole momentum of the confrontation was lost. And with the arrival of the Jonin, everyone naturally backed down.

Besides.

They never really intended to fight in the first place.

It was just that Konoha (or Kirigakure) had gone too far.

Now—

After Minato's advice, Kakashi and the others all went into the milk tea shop for a drink.

Suddenly, they all craved one.

Yuto Milk Tea… is really good!

Even Obito—who wanted Yuto Milk Tea to go bankrupt—couldn't resist going inside.

Minato watched them leave with a helpless smile. But deep down, he was worried.

A few days ago, he had tried to visit Danzo-sama. But to his surprise, Danzo-sama refused to see him.

Right now, Danzo-sama claimed he was "too busy training ninjutsu" and was in closed-door seclusion, refusing to meet anyone.

Of course, Minato saw through it.

Danzo-sama clearly didn't want to meet him.

It was just an excuse!

Meanwhile, the Konoha higher-ups were hesitating. For now, they hadn't made a final decision because they still didn't fully understand Kirigakure's demands.

But no matter what, Kakashi was his student, and Namikaze Minato would never abandon him.

Just as Minato made a firm resolution to pull Jiraiya-sensei in to help protect Kakashi if necessary—

He suddenly froze.

His eyes landed on Yuto, who was walking toward the Kirigakure ninjas with Hyuga Suzune along with him.

What is Yuto planning to do?

Minato hesitated for a moment, then followed after him. Lowering his voice, he asked, "Yuto, what are you trying to do? Is this about Kakashi…?" Minato's eyes widened in realization.

But then, Yuto rolled his eyes.

"Overthinking much? I'm here for business. I'm just an ordinary businessman—I don't get involved in ninja affairs."

He had already done everything he could. If Sarutobi Hiruzen still ended up selling his comrades out of hesitation… then there was nothing he could do.

He could only say… Obito was destined to be lonely for life.

That's fate!

And he had to become the richest man in the ninja world, so how could he care about these things?

"Is that so?" Minato's expression carried a trace of skepticism.

What kind of "ordinary businessman" advertises like this?

Who's he kidding?

By this point, the Kirigakure ninjas had noticed them approaching. They stopped walking, and with slightly furrowed brows, they asked, "Konoha ninjas! The matter should be settled. What else do you want?" As they finished speaking, their eyes sharpened. "Even though we lost today… Kirigakure is not easy to bully."

"Don't misunderstand." Yuto simply smiled calmly, his face radiating confidence, as he lowered his voice. "I just have a big business deal to discuss."

As soon as he said that—

"???"

Everyone looked completely dumbfounded.

Even his secretary, Suzune, had a face full of black lines.

However—

Yuto didn't mind at all. Seeing the confused expressions on the Kirigakure ninjas, he cheerfully continued:

"Let's talk, let's talk! Just a little chat. You won't lose anything, and you won't be tricked either. It might even be an unexpected opportunity for you! It's just a simple mission request, nothing else—no hidden meaning. Come on, come on! Let's go to Yuto BBQ! It's on me. We'll eat and chat at the same time. Eat as much as you want—even if we don't reach a deal, no hard feelings!"

And just like that—

Under Yuto's enthusiastic hospitality, the Kirigakure ninjas followed him inside. Or maybe, they were simply tempted by the smell of the barbecue.

The status of businessmen in the ninja world was actually not bad. Even someone as reckless as Gato— in the end, Zabuza endured him again and again before finally losing patience and taking action. That alone spoke volumes.

But.

Konoha ninja—Namikaze Minato, why are you following us?

Yuto frowned.

The next part of this discussion was serious business. As long as his secretary was with him, that was enough!

…

After a while.

"Pleasure doing business!"

"Pleasure… doing business." The refined-looking Kirigakure Jonin hesitated before shaking Yuto's hand.

He was a ninja, and Yuto was a businessman.

Ninjas don't shake hands.

But the moment he felt Yuto's palm, he immediately understood that… this Uchiha Yuto really was just a businessman.

There were no thick calluses on his hands.

But at this point—

Did that even matter anymore?

This mission request was simply too good to turn down.

Kirigakure had accepted it!

Even now, thinking back on it, it still felt unbelievable.

They had actually come to Konoha to accept a mission request?

If they told anyone, who would believe it?!

"Alright then, I won't disturb your meal. Enjoy, eat as much as you like—I've already paid the bill."

His main purpose was to hire the Kiri ninjas to help with catching seafood and secretly use generous missions to protect his business in the Land of Water.

The first goal wasn't important. What was important was… the second one—allowing his businesses to enter other countries so they could expand.

And by framing it as a ninja mission, Kirigakure would likely not think much of it.

It was like outsourcing through a local proxy. The difference was that Kirigakure wasn't acting as a distributor, just providing protection and supervision.

After all—

They were a ninja village, and they were ninjas!

Plus, it was the perfect timing. Right now, Kirigakure was in a weakened state. Otherwise, if things were normal, how could they even talk about business?

And since he was doing legitimate business, he had no fear of supervision.

Because every supervisor… would eventually become his customer.

He guessed that Minato probably never expected that they were actually here to discuss business!

"Alright, let's head back. Minato, you should go spend time with your girlfriend." Yuto waved dismissively, shooing Minato away with disdain. He still had to go to the office with his secretary to discuss their next project!

That's a business secret!

No outsiders allowed!

However—

Minato let out a wry smile and looked at Yuto. "Aren't you afraid…? Even though you're not a ninja, you're still a Uchiha. Won't this make the village see the Uchiha clan in a bad light?"

"Sorry, but I was kicked out of the Uchiha clan a long time ago." Yuto shrugged. But when he saw the concerned look in Minato's eyes, he grinned. "Don't worry, I'm just doing legitimate business!"

Then his eyes turned respectful. "The Third Hokage has a broad heart—he wouldn't care about something so minor."

Besides…

If Sarutobi Hiruzen was about to step down soon, then he wouldn't be Hokage for much longer anyway. So who cares!

Not to mention—

He had evidence of corruption and bribery among the high-ranking officials!

"Alright then." Minato sighed, shaking his head helplessly. "As long as you know what you're doing. I'll go report back now."

"Go on, go on! Suzune and I need to handle our work too!" Yuto responded righteously.

However—

Just as he finished speaking—

"Yuto~!"

A voice suddenly called his name from behind.

Yuto instantly tensed up. His body shuddered involuntarily.

Slowly, he turned around with a sheepish grin, but when he saw a single figure standing there, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sister Mikoto!"

Fugaku's not here!

What's there to be afraid of!