Chapter 26: Kakashi's Inquiry
"We're all doing legal business here, nothing that makes a huge fortune; our monthly revenue is around seventy to eighty million Ryo." Taro Yamamoto said with a forced smile upon hearing Kuragami Uchiha's words.
In response, a kunai suddenly embedded itself into the ground between his legs.
"With loan interests and other sources included, during good times, it's about four hundred million ryo per month." Taro Yamamoto immediately confessed, realizing it was best to be honest before the next kunai went straight for his head.
"You're running quite the business, Taro-sama." Kuragami Uchiha said while twirling a new kunai and using its tip to lift Taro Yamamoto's triple-layered fat chin.
"The Uchiha Clan has some extra funds lately and would like to invest in your business. What do you think of that, Taro-sama?"
"Having the Uchiha Clan as investors would be my honor, my lord. How much do you intend to invest?" Taro Yamamoto asked, forcing another smile.
"Invest?"
Kuragami Uchiha chuckled, then suddenly stabbed his kunai into the ground at Taro Yamamoto's feet. "This is Uchiha's investment. Is it enough?"
"Yes! Yes! It's enough!" Taro Yamamoto nodded frantically.
"The Uchiha will take seventy percent of all revenue."
"Uh... This—"
"Hmm?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Taro Yamamoto nodded even harder.
"Don't pull that face. The Uchiha are far stronger than the Shimura. As your protectors, we're well worth the price."
Kuragami Uchiha said, helping Taro Yamamoto to his feet with a smile.
"I... I understand. But, my lord, what about the Daimyo?"
"Taro-sama, in the face of a rebel ninja-like Danzo Shimura, who is attempting a military coup, you, being a man of great integrity and loyalty to the Daimyo, have wisely decided to join forces with the Uchiha Clan to thwart his treacherous schemes. How does that sound?" Kuragami Uchiha said with a smile.
"Yes, yes, that is exactly what happened! I always knew the Shimura Clan had treasonous ambitions!" Taro Yamamoto quickly agreed.
"Then sign here and leave your fingerprint." Kuragami Uchiha said, pulling out a document from a sealing scroll and placing it in front of Taro Yamamoto.
Upon taking a closer look, Taro Yamamoto saw that the document contained a detailed list of the crimes committed by the Shimura Clan, along with evidence implicating members of the Mitokado and Utatane clans.
"My lord... Must I sign this?" Taro Yamamoto swallowed hard. He knew that once he put his name on this, he would be completely severing ties with those three clans.
"What do you think?"
Kuragami Uchiha raised an eyebrow, his smile warm and unwavering.
"... Alright. I'll sign." Taro Yamamoto said, his hand trembling as he signed his name and pressed his fingerprint onto the document.
Kuragami Uchiha nodded in satisfaction and put away his kunai.
Under Taro Yamamoto's voluntary guidance, they went to the castle's treasury, where Kuragami Uchiha took exactly seventy percent of the wealth. He was a man of his word; he said seventy percent, and he only took seventy percent.
Even so, the twenty billion Ryo in cash completely filled up the fifteen sealing scrolls he had brought with him.
It seems like dealing with these financial tycoons requires an iron fist.
As he left, Kuragami Uchiha couldn't help but think to himself.
… … …
When Kuragami Uchiha returned to the inn, everyone had already wrapped up their evening gathering. After entering his room through the window, he found an unexpected visitor sitting on his couch.
Kakashi was there, reading Make Out. Without looking up, he calmly said: "You're back."
"When did you realize that the me following you guys was a shadow clone?" Kuragami Uchiha asked with a smile.
"When we left the restaurant." Kakashi lifted his Sharingan eye slightly. "Don't forget, my Sharingan never closes."
"Fair enough. So, Kakashi, what do you plan to do? Write it into the mission report?" Kuragami Uchiha asked, still smiling.
"You know I wouldn't do that."
Kakashi replied.
"Hahaha!"
Kuragami Uchiha laughed. "Of course, I trust that Kakashi wouldn't do such a thing. So, you waited here for me. Do you have something else in mind?"
Kakashi took a deep breath before seriously asking: "After our last conversation, I decided to give archery a try, but I don't know where to start. Do you have any advice?"
Hearing Kakashi's question, Kuragami Uchiha felt a wave of satisfaction; Kakashi was finally on the right path.
"Archery emphasizes a straight body, steady breath, and a calm heart. If your posture isn't straight, your breath isn't steady, or your heart isn't calm, your arrows will naturally be off target."
Kuragami Uchiha explained. "For a beginner, it's a long journey of discipline and practice."
Kakashi fell into thoughtful silence.
"Before you dive into archery training, maybe you should focus on taking care of your teacher's son first."
Kuragami Uchiha added. "That kid isn't exactly living the best life in the village."
The death of the fourth Hokage had left his former guards adrift; without a leader, they had faded into obscurity.
Kakashi had been the most qualified person to take charge, but instead, he had drowned in his own sorrow, failing to even look after his teacher's only child. How could those people entrust their lives to him?
"Naruto, huh?"
Kakashi finally understood. "Alright. After this mission, I'll apply to leave Anbu."
Kuragami Uchiha smiled and nodded.
"Thank you for the advice."
Kakashi sincerely thanks Kuragami before leaving.
Once Kakashi was gone, Kuragami Uchiha took a long bath and went to sleep.
The next morning, the team gathered at the city gates. Once the visibly irritated Itsuki Mitokado and Menjin Mitokado arrived, they set out again.
With the camaraderie built from the previous night, the group traveled without any tension. They joked and laughed, and even the two previously aloof two Hyuga members loosened up; only Itsuki Mitokado and Menjin Mitokado remained isolated.
Having endured the cold shoulder all day, the two finally snapped when Kuragami Uchiha once again announced he was treating everyone to dinner that evening.
"I think some people have forgotten that we're on a mission."
Itsuki Mitokado said coldly. "All this eating and drinking. Do you think this is some kind of vacation?"
At his words, the group turned to look at the two with odd expressions.
"Once the mission is over, I'll be reporting your behavior to Hokage-sama." Menjin Mitokado added.
"Technically, you don't have the authority to write the mission report. I'm the one in charge here."
Kakashi said coolly before Kuragami Uchiha could respond.
"Kakashi, you—" Itsuki Mitokado was caught off guard by Kakashi's bluntness.
"If you don't want to be part of this mission, you can turn back now." Kaze Inuzuka said, his displeasure clear in his voice.
Joking aside, if they didn't want to eat, that was fine, but trying to stop everyone from eating?
That was just absurd.