Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Kakashi’s Request
"We're just running a legitimate business, not making huge profits—about seventy to eighty million a month." After hearing Miyuki's words, Taro Yamamoto quickly forced a smile and responded.
What greeted him in return was a kunai suddenly embedded in the gap between his legs.
"Considering income from lending and other sources, on good months it could be around four hundred million ryo." Taro Yamamoto, now cautious, hurriedly added, hoping the next kunai wouldn't aim for his head.
"You're running quite a big business, huh? Lord Yamamoto." Miyuki took out a fresh kunai and gently prodded Yamamoto's triple-chinned face with its tip.
"The Uchiha clan has some surplus funds recently and is interested in investing in Lord Yamamoto's business. How do you feel about that?"
"It would be an honor for the Uchiha clan to invest in my business, my lord. How much are you considering to invest?" Taro Yamamoto quickly replied with a smile.
"Invest?" Miyuki chuckled lightly, thrusting his kunai down by Yamamoto's feet. "This is the Uchiha clan's investment. Is it enough?"
"Enough! Enough!" Taro Yamamoto nodded frantically.
"All profits will be split seventy percent to the Uchiha clan."
"Ah, this…"
"Hm?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Yamamoto nodded vigorously.
"Don't make that face. The Uchiha clan's power is far greater than the Shimura clan's. As bodyguards, we are absolutely worth the price." Miyuki smiled, helping Yamamoto up.
"Yes... I understand… But, my lord, what about the daimyo?"
"Lord Yamamoto, in the face of the threat posed by the traitorous ninja Danzo Shimura, you've clearly recognized the greater good, remembered the daimyo's favor, and joined forces with the Uchiha clan to crush Danzo's conspiracy. How does that sound?" Miyuki smiled.
"Yes, yes, exactly! I knew the Shimura clan had rebelled long ago!" Taro Yamamoto quickly agreed.
"Then, sign here and press your seal." Miyuki took a scroll from his seal and laid a paper before Yamamoto.
Yamamoto picked it up and saw it covered with damning evidence against the Shimura clan, along with some involvement from the Mito and Torin clans.
"My lord... can I not sign this?" Yamamoto swallowed hard, knowing that if he signed this unknown piece of evidence, he would be making an enemy of these three clans forever.
"What do you think?" Miyuki raised an eyebrow, his face smiling benignly.
"Alright... I'll sign." Yamamoto had no choice but to shakily sign his name and press his seal.
Miyuki nodded with satisfaction and put away his kunai.
Later, under Yamamoto's voluntary guidance, the two went to the storage room in the castle, where Miyuki took seventy percent of the wealth, as he had promised. Miyuki was a man of his word, so he only took the agreed amount.
Still, even with that, the twenty billion ryo drained all fifteen of the sealing scrolls that Miyuki had brought.
It seems heavy-handed methods are necessary for such tycoons.
As he left, Miyuki couldn't help but think.
When he returned to the inn, the gathering was over. Miyuki, returning to his room through the window, found someone sitting on his sofa.
Kakashi was alone, flipping through his Icha Icha Paradise. Hearing Miyuki's entrance, he looked up and asked, "Back already?"
"When did you realize that the one following you guys was a Shadow Clone?" Miyuki smiled and asked.
"Since we left the restaurant," Kakashi lifted his Sharingan. "Don't forget, this Sharingan of mine can't be turned off."
"Alright then, Captain Kakashi, what are you planning to do about it?" Miyuki asked with a smile. "Mark it in the mission report?"
"You know I wouldn't do that." Kakashi said.
"Hahaha!" Miyuki laughed heartily. "I believe you, Captain Kakashi. So, staying up this late means you have something else on your mind?"
Kakashi took a deep breath and solemnly asked, "After last time, I was thinking of trying archery, but I don't know where to start. Do you have any advice?"
Hearing Kakashi's question, Miyuki felt relieved. Finally, Kakashi was starting to take things seriously.
"Archery is about having a straight body, focused mind, and calm heart. Without these, your arrows will miss their mark." Miyuki said, "For a beginner, it's a long journey of training."
After hearing Miyuki's words, Kakashi fell into silence.
"Before you start with archery, you should first look after your teacher's son. The kid's situation in the village isn't great." Miyuki shook his head and reminded him.
After the Fourth Hokage's death, why did the members of his people fade into obscurity? It was because there was no leader. Kakashi had been the most qualified to step up, but what had he done? He had wallowed in his own grief and hadn't even looked after the only remaining heir of the Fourth Hokage. How could anyone trust him enough to follow him?
"Naruto, huh?" Kakashi finally snapped back to reality. "I understand. After this mission, I'll apply to withdraw from the Anbu."
Miyuki smiled and nodded.
"I won't disturb you any longer. Thank you." Kakashi respectfully thanked him before standing up and leaving.
After Kakashi left, Miyuki took a bath and went to sleep.
The next morning, the group gathered at the city gate. After the disgruntled Torin Kin and Mito arrived, they set off again.
With the bond formed last night, everyone was now relaxed and chatting happily, even the previously aloof two Hyuga ninjas dropped their facades, though Torin Kin and Mito Haku were still excluded.
After enduring isolation for a while, the two couldn't hold back anymore. When Miyuki announced another dinner gathering, Torin Kin coldly said, "Some people seem to have forgotten we're on a mission. Eating and drinking all the way, do you think this is a picnic?"
His words caused the group to look at the two at the back with strange glances.
"Once the mission is over, I will report your behavior to the Hokage," Mito Haku added.
"Normally, you don't have the right to write the mission report since I'm the mission leader." Kakashi coldly spoke before Miyuki could respond.
"Kakashi, you…" Torin Kin didn't expect Kakashi to so clearly stand on Miyuki's side.
"If you don't want to do the mission with us, you can leave now." Inuzuka Kaze spoke, his dissatisfaction clear in his eyes.
What was this? You guys don't want to eat, but you want to stop others from eating?