Chapter 27: Scorpion’s Discontent

Sure enough, that ceiling panel had been tampered with and was easy to remove.

Inside the hollow space was a safe.

The area above the lightbulb socket was rigged with a simple mechanism made of rope and gears. When the bulb was twisted, the gears turned and pulled on the rope, which in turn held the ceiling panel in place. Once the rope moved, the ceiling panel would naturally drop down.

If the bulb was turned further, the rope would even push the safe out through the hole in the ceiling.

It was a very rudimentary design, but undeniably effective. Unless someone tore the place apart or had Batman-style high-tech scanning, it would've been nearly impossible to find.

Unsurprisingly, the safe's key had been destroyed along with the room key and its owner when Black Gold annihilated them.

But this wasn't a problem for Shimizu.

To a ninja, true security came from sealing techniques. A simple lock like this could be bypassed in multiple ways.

Shimizu took out a hairpin whose tip had been filed smooth, linked it to a chakra thread, and inserted it into the safe. After some subtle movements and feedback, he pulled it out, then bent it into a makeshift key based on the internal structure he had sensed.

This trick had also been used by a fellow villain back in Arkham—though that guy had relied purely on experience and skill. Shimizu, however, was using chakra sensing to reverse-engineer the shape of the keyhole.

Click.

The safe unlocked, revealing bundles of green U.S. dollars and the heady aroma of fresh ink and money.

A satisfied smile spread across Shimizu's face.

No gold bars this time, but more cash than the last black gang boss he'd encountered. The overall haul wasn't going to be much less.

If you want to get rich, hard work and frugality won't cut it—you need to exploit others.

Whether it was Cheedy Cole or that nightclub boss from earlier, even as small-time gang leaders, they were able to amass this kind of fortune with ease.

"Boss! There's $410,000 in here!"

The accountant finished counting and reported to Shimizu with excitement.

"Take out $200,000 and split it among the brothers.

Set aside another $100,000 to buy weapons.

The rest is mine. Also…"

"From now on, we're not called the Cole Gang anymore.

The new name is Hogg Union."

Hearing the bonuses, the gangsters were overjoyed and started cheering wildly.

Shimizu had just taken over—naturally, he needed to offer rewards. Combined with the intimidation he'd shown earlier, the twin strategy of carrot and stick would ensure better obedience.

Thinking he had gotten closer to his new boss, accountant Dura struck up a conversation after handing out the money.

"Hogg Union? Boss Walter, doesn't sound very intimidating…"

"If your name ends with 'Gang' or 'Mob,' even an idiot will know you're a criminal group.

But 'Hogg Union' sounds semi-legit—less likely to draw attention from those bat-themed freaks.

Later, we can say we're a football club or some community association.

We'll be a proper legal organization."

Shimizu explained patiently.

Most of the gang were uneducated street thugs who grew up on brain-dead entertainment, but Dura was different—he'd been to college.

Church universities in America varied greatly. The good ones were top-tier, but most were local institutions serving niche communities. Not very prestigious.

Dura's alma mater—Gotham Gradia Church University—wasn't on par with Gotham University or Central City University, but it was still a legitimate school.

As the only man under his command with higher education and management skills, Dura was someone worth investing in.

"Got it. That means when we collect protection money, we can use excuses like mutual financial aid groups, which won't be as legally suspicious."

"But Boss, I should remind you—this is Gotham's slums.

The rules from the rich side of town don't work here.

Around here, it's whoever has more guns, more men, and can fight better that takes the turf and the money.

And I don't think anyone's fists are harder than yours."

Dura pushed up his glasses.

Shimizu nodded with satisfaction.

This guy knew how to play the game.

Meanwhile, in the Naruto world—

A day had passed since the S-rank mission.

After Jianxue used medical ninjutsu to stabilize Ishito's injuries, the group escorted him back to Sunagakure for better treatment.

The Third Kazekage returned to the front lines.

With Hatake Sakumo severely wounded, it was the perfect time to counterattack Konoha, and he had to take command.

Elder Ebizō gave the Sixth Squad a few days off to rest.

But Shimizu still intended to go to the puppet corps base as usual—to train with the puppets.

When he arrived, however, he saw that Sasori was already there, assembling a puppet on the workbench.

"Sasori, you're already here?"

"I spent all night here."

Sasori pointed at the Salamander puppet beside him, which had already been repaired, and then looked at Shimizu.

"Your two puppets are very impressive.

Once I finish assembling Black Ant, let's have another match."

"Black Ant..."

Shimizu looked at the puppet Sasori was building.

Though not yet finished, its general shape was already clear.

It was an upgraded version of White Ant—much larger and built with different materials.

"You seem troubled."

Shimizu sensed something off about Sasori.

He thought of the future: Sasori would turn his childhood friends into puppets, assassinate the Third Kazekage, and turn him into a puppet too. For a moment, Shimizu worried he might be next.

After all, he was Sasori's teammate—and had even defeated him during the selection exam.

It'd be best to help guide Sasori while he was still young—steer him away from the wrong path.

Sasori paused briefly, then resumed assembling parts even faster while speaking:

"You… seem to admire the Third Kazekage?"

"Maybe.

At the very least, here in Sunagakure, at this moment, we all serve under him.

What about you? Are you dissatisfied with him?"

Sasori pressed his lips together and paused his movements. His bright eyes fixed on Shimizu.

"He didn't lead us to victory against Konoha.

A lot of people died."

What's your reason for assassinating him years later?

Yup—just like Itachi Uchiha, this kid grew up with no guidance and his mind twisted early.

(End of Chapter)