Chapter 263. Times Have Changed!
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"Your order has been delivered! Please give a five-star rating!"
Another order completed.
Sarutobi Hiruzen fanned his neck with his hand, then looked up at the blazing sun.
Today…
It's a bit hot!
He had only been out delivering for a short while, yet he was already drenched in sweat.
Shaking his head helplessly, he took out his phone for a quick glance and muttered to himself, "It looks like there's no work at the movie set today either."
He had hoped to at least get a free meal out of it!
What a pity.
Letting out a sigh, he put his phone away and continued walking, hands clasped behind his back.
Right now—
Asuma had already resigned from his job and was at the Daimyo's Court, handling his work transition and final reports.
He would be back in a few days.
He heard that the situation was quite serious and that several people had died.
Really…
It's not easy to make money in the city!
Of course, all of that was Minato's problem to deal with. He only needed to focus on his deliveries and occasionally pick up some extra roles on the movie set.
"That brat… when he gets back, I have to give him a proper lesson!" Sarutobi snorted coldly, grumbling to himself. "He barely made any money, yet managed to stir up so much trouble—what the hell was he even doing there?"
And he even hung up on him last time.
Is that how a son should act?
Did he even see him as his father anymore?
What an evil child!
After walking for a while, he found a shaded spot, sat down, and took a break.
Pulling out his bottle, he downed the rest of the water in one gulp, letting the coolness drive away the heat. Then, with a sigh, he lazily lay down, gazing at the vast, cloudless blue sky.
Today…
There weren't many clouds.
His mind gradually settled into peace.
But as people grow old—
Once they feel at peace, their thoughts start to wander.
Old memories surfaced in his mind—
His teacher had entrusted the Hokage title to him before turning back to hold off the enemy, even while heavily wounded. He had taken on the responsibility at a time when the village was troubled by both internal and external problems. Other villages watched like predators, and inside Konoha, various clans were less than obedient.
Therefore, to stabilize the village during wartime, he had turned to Danzo for help.
From then on…
With Danzo's assistance, he gradually gained control of Konoha and led it to become the strongest ninja village.
I am the leaf bathed in sunshine, and you're the root in darkness.
They had fought side by side, winning battle after battle. One became the Light of Konoha, and the other became the Darkness of Konoha.
Yet.
He never expected…
That everything—
Everything would start to change the moment Danzo started a business.
Until now…
Danzo had run away, leaving him with mountains of debt. And he was still struggling to pay it off.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was lying quietly, sighed in his heart again, then let out a long sigh and muttered to himself, "Danzo! Where on earth did you go?"
We clearly agreed to get rich together, but in the end... it turned out like this.
Just as he finished speaking—
[Ding Ding!]
[You have a new delivery order!]
[You have a new delivery order!]
"It's time to get up and deliver the orders!"
…
Time passed quickly.
Very soon, the profit distribution date was getting closer and closer.
At this moment, all across the Land of Earth, many citizens who had invested in [RootTalks Finance] were beaming with joy.
Because after this payout, they would finally recover their initial investment, and from then on, their dividends would only increase.
This scene…
It felt strangely familiar to the White Zetsus.
Once upon a time…
They, too, had looked forward to this moment.
And the result?
They never expected...
That bastard turned out to be a scammer?!
A certain Philosopher White Zetsu sighed, "In the end, we have become the very thing we once hated."
"Stop talking nonsense! Don't forget our mission!"
"Let's go! Move, move! Time to cash out and get out! Danzo-sensei is waiting for us!"
With that, the White Zetsus excitedly rushed toward the [RootTalks Finance] base.
At this moment, inside a certain office at [RootTalks Finance]—
Danzo stood by the window, gazing at the rocky, mountainous Land of Earth with a sigh.
This was probably the only truly successful business venture of his career. Moreover, it was a business with no cost, zero capital!
As expected…
He had overestimated his capabilities at that time. After all, Uchiha Yuto had been in business for years longer than him, deeply rooted in the Land of Fire, making him a formidable opponent. He wouldn't be easily defeated.
Not to mention, Yuto had a keen business sense, while he had rushed in without even being a little prepared, so... he was crushed by a little accident.
Although he had come to the Land of Earth to start a business in recent years, he had never given up!
He had been gathering intelligence, analyzing risks, and studying deeply.
Now.
He.
Shimura Danzo.
He was no longer the same Shimura Danzo!
After a while—
Knock! Knock!
A knock on the door.
"Danzo-sensei, we should run—ahem—we should retreat now."
His partner's voice came from outside.
Now.
Danzo stood up once again. Having accumulated a massive fortune, it was time to leave.
Though he felt a slight reluctance, if he didn't run… he might be doomed.
That Tsuchikage was not someone to be taken lightly.
As for whether the Land of Earth would fall into chaos—what did that have to do with Shimura Danzo?
He had been hiding from debt collectors in the Land of Fire this whole time!
Holding his cane, Danzo let out a deep sigh, hesitated for a moment, then grabbed a piece of paper from the table. After a moment of contemplation, he picked up a pen and wrote:
"Third Tsuchikage… Just consider it a gift from me to you."
With that, he placed the paper down, tightened his grip on his cane, and gave the floor a firm tap.
His expression turned serious.
At this moment—
He was dressed in a sharp suit, his hair slicked back, and his cane now had a polished shine from years of use. His entire presence exuded the aura of a high-caliber, successful businessman.
He walked out of the office with confidence.
A true high-quality, successful man!
In order to make others believe him, he dressed up seriously.
As he descended the stairs, two rows of business partners in suits stood waiting and then bowed respectfully.
"The three-year term has ended. Welcome back, Danzo-sensei!"
Their voices rang out in perfect unison, loud and powerful, shaking the heavens!
Danzo nodded slightly, then walked forward along a flower-covered red carpet toward the black luxury sedan imported specifically from the Land of Rain.
This vehicle…
A fusion of the Land of Rain's artistic heritage and cutting-edge innovation, featuring diamond-crystal wing-shaped lighting with a jewel-like design, an advanced ambient lighting system that was radiant and mesmerizing, a next-gen anti-glare high beam system offering eight unique illumination modes ensuring safe driving, and a sleek, obsidian-black exterior exuding authority and elegance.
This was the latest high-end luxury sedan from the Land of Rain.
Only something like this was worthy of him—Shimura Danzo!
Upon reaching the car door, his chauffeur promptly opened it, and the high-quality man—Shimura Danzo—sat down steadily.
After the door closed and the engine roared to life, he waved his hand and declared with pride, "Set off! Back to the Land of Fire!"
…
However.
Not long after—
As the designated profit distribution time arrived, the [RootTalks Finance] building was completely emptied.
The news that the chairman had fled broke out.
And in an instant—
Half of the Land of Earth was thrown into chaos, and even Iwagakure had been affected!
Those bastards were scammers after all!!!
At that moment—
The Third Tsuchikage sat in his office, his face dark as a storm cloud, glaring at the report.
And when an Iwa ninja placed a long piece of paper in front of him, his expression turned even grimmer!
[Tsuchikage, times have changed!]
"Who on earth did this?!"
A roar.
His furious roar shook the entire Tsuchikage building!
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