Chapter 190. Danzo's Revival Plan

Chapter 190. Danzo's Revival Plan

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Today.

The weather was slightly chilly.

Yuto gazed out the door with emotion as he watched the two figures supporting each other, walking unsteadily, hunched over, and gradually fading into the distance.

Suddenly.

He shivered all over and couldn't help but exhale, "The weather... it's getting colder and colder!"

"Winter is almost here!" Suzune quickly closed the door, then looked at the two figures. For some reason... even though they had come to collect their share of the profits—a moment that should have been joyous—they suddenly seemed so pitiful.

She sighed and said, "I heard that the Third Hokage-sama and the others haven't been having an easy time lately!"

"After retiring, the Third Hokage-sama's son became addicted to the internet, constantly spending money on online games. The Third Hokage-sama is fair and kind, but his pension is meager, and since he doesn't go on missions anymore, he's barely scraping by. A while ago, he apparently got so angry when he saw his son spending money again that he broke his arms and legs."

"As for Danzo-sama... because of his physical condition, he's been stuck in the village, unable to do anything. His previous business venture also failed, which is why he borrowed 100 million ryo from Yuto! It seems life has been very tough for him. I heard that during the filming of the movie, they ran into financial difficulties and almost gave up. At one point, things got so bad that he even considered selling himself, but the Third Hokage stopped him!"

"And Mitokado-sama..." Suzune hesitated, then continued, "Although no one believes it, rumors of Mitokado-sama's corruption have spread, damaging his reputation. Mitokado-sama is a civilian ninja who came from a poor family. Back when he became the Second Hokage's student, he was greatly admired by many civilians. How could he possibly do such a thing?"

"..."

You might not believe it.

But he actually did it.

The one who bribed him...

Was me!

And the one who reported it...

Was also me!

Yuto's expression turned strange as he looked at Suzune, who had suddenly become emotional after seeing the elderly figures hobbling away.

Actually, thinking about it...

Suzune's words made sense.

Three old men trying to start over: one burdened with an unfilial, internet-addicted child, another tainted by corruption, and the last... who almost resorted to selling himself.

How pitiful!

It almost made him feel sympathetic!

Suzune, not noticing Yuto's expression, shook her head and continued, "They must have been so happy to suddenly earn this money, but then they lost more than half of it. I bet they're feeling pretty down now."

As soon as she finished speaking—

Yuto sighed with pity, looked down at the bounty that hadn't increased in a long time, and shook his head. "You're right!"

"???"

However.

Yuto didn't pay attention to Suzune's confused look. His eyes seemed to shine, sweeping away his earlier hesitation, and he gazed into the distance with determination and seriousness.

That was a distant place filled with love!

"It's too tragic!"

He had made up his mind!

Money isn't everything!

As a businessman who upholds the Will of Fire, how could he only care about money?

Since this 100 million was earned from Danzo, it should be used for Danzo.

Spend from where you earn!

Take from Danzo, use for Danzo!

And to make up for his mistake, he decided to take out the 100 million he had just reclaimed...

…

The next day.

The weather grew even colder.

The three men silently stared at the remaining money.

A gentle breeze blew, causing their gray hair to flutter.

The atmosphere was somewhat gloomy.

After an unknown amount of time...

"How... how is there only this much left?" Mitokado Homura asked with a bitter expression. "This doesn't make sense! Wasn't our movie a huge hit?"

"We made over 100 million in total," Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and shook his head. "But... there was a problem. We had to pay back 100 million, so we're left with only 55 million."

As soon as he finished speaking—

Danzo's face darkened, and he said coldly, "You shouldn't have stopped me back then! That wasn't just my money!"

He had even prepared his Fire Release: Debt Evasion Jutsu!

Unfortunately...

At the last moment, Hiruzen had tightly grabbed his right hand, preventing him from forming the hand seals!

"I couldn't stand by and watch my best friend go astray over a mere 100 million!" Hiruzen shook his head, looking at Danzo with seriousness. "This is money we all earned! If you can't pay it back, we'll help you repay it together!"

"You're being foolish, Hiruzen!"

"Not stopping you would have been foolish! Danzo!"

"That day... you hurt me!"

"Sorry! You know, it was my first time, and I was a bit nervous!"

"Hiruzen!"

"Danzo!"

"This..." Homura was stunned, watching the strange scene before him. Although he was curious about what had happened, it seemed... he shouldn't ask. He sighed helplessly and shook his head. "Forget it, forget it! At least the debt is paid off. The remaining 55 million isn't bad, and if we make another movie, we won't need to buy equipment again, saving us a lot of money. Plus, with our previous experience, I'm sure we can make an even better film next time."

"That's right!" Danzo and Hiruzen snapped out of it upon hearing Homura's words and nodded with smiles. "That's why we called you out today. We'll leave this money untouched and use it to prepare for the next film. Of course, if your 10 million..."

"It's fine," Homura shook his head and sighed, his face filled with regret and self-reproach. He looked up at the pale horizon. "Consider that money... as if it never existed."

Ever since he had received that money...

He hadn't dared to spend a single ryo.

He had been filled with regret!

It would have been better to use it to help his friends.

However...

As soon as he finished speaking,

Danzo stared at Homura, who was filled with emotion, and his lips trembled. "Homura, you..."

"No need to say more!"

"I will remember this kindness!" Danzo took a deep breath and nodded solemnly upon hearing Homura's words. Then, he glanced at the two of them and said seriously, "If we become rich, let's not forget each other!"

"If it's just about profit-sharing, how can we become rich?"

"How can sparrows understand the ambitions of swans?" Danzo looked at them with confidence and snorted. "My shop is still unsold. As long as we buy some projection equipment, we can establish our own theater chain and no longer rely on that Uchiha brat!"

"But..." Hiruzen and Homura exchanged glances, then said hesitantly, "Remember... your BBQ and milk tea shop? I don't think it's a good idea. We don't understand business, so let's not take such risks. It's better to play it safe!"

"You're thinking too small!" Danzo shook his head and sighed, looking at Hiruzen. "Didn't we succeed this time? As long as we make good movies, I don't believe that no one will come to watch! This is different from the milk tea and BBQ! We have an important core that truly belongs to us!"

"Well... you have a point, but renovating and buying equipment will cost a lot of money! We can't afford that right now!"

"No! We have the money!"

"???"

"Me!"

"?!" Hiruzen was stunned, his expression changing drastically. "You're being reckless!"

"If I use myself as collateral, divide it into ten shares, one share for 100 million, and whether it rises or falls, it's still ten shares. I believe we can borrow 1 billion right away! Then... we can open our own theater chain!"

"I won't agree to this!"

"It's too late for you to disagree! I've already contacted the major clans and businessmen!"

"You, you, you... why didn't you discuss this with us first? Don't you have us in your heart?"

"I couldn't wait any longer!" Danzo sighed and shook his head, his cloudy eyes filled with helplessness. "1 billion ryo!"

He was tired of this life!

Even Orochimaru, whom he had high hopes for, had turned against him because of money. If this continued... he would have nothing left but his own body!

"Danzo, you..." Hiruzen looked at Danzo with deep emotion. He understood Danzo's predicament, though he didn't think he would ever turn against Danzo. But would Danzo believe that?

He let out a long sigh. "Actually, if we just keep making movies for a few more years, we'll be fine."

"I can't wait that long!" Danzo lowered his head and looked at Hiruzen and Homura. "Help me... Homura! Hiruzen!"

As soon as he finished speaking—

"..."

The two men trembled slightly, looking into Danzo's pleading eyes!

Just as they were about to nod—

Knock knock.

There was a knock at the door.

An Anbu ninja entered.

Then.

Not long after.

Hiruzen and Homura fell silent, looking at the freshly issued bounty notice, then at Danzo. They hesitated and said, "Maybe... we should turn them down for now and sell for 1.25 billion later?"

"..."

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