"Danzō… you're not seriously thinking about getting involved in the tulip business, are you?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the visibly excited Shimura Danzō and, almost instantly, saw through his thoughts.
"This is an opportunity to earn millions of ryō without much effort," Danzō said bluntly.
"Don't tell me you're not tempted."
For a ninja at their current level, mission rewards usually amounted to only a few hundred thousand ryō at most—and even that had to be split among teammates.
A single mission paying out a million ryō was already considered a stroke of incredible luck.
And now—
An opportunity for overnight riches was right in front of them.
Who wouldn't want to strike it rich overnight?
Who could remain unmoved by such a chance?
"I… I admit, those numbers are outrageous," Hiruzen said, swallowing unconsciously.
Millions of ryō were just as unimaginable to him.
He wasn't immune to the appeal of money.
"Exactly!" Danzō pressed on.
"With a chance like this, if we don't even try to understand it…"
"And Hiruzen, don't forget Tobirama-sama's test. If we make a big profit—even just one or two million ryō—that alone would prove our competence to him!"
Danzō's innate aggressiveness and risk-taking instincts surged to the surface.
He wanted to understand this tulip trade.
If it truly made money—
That would be perfect.
Of course, it wasn't only about the money.
More than anything, he wanted Senju Tobirama to notice him, to acknowledge his ability, and ultimately accept him as a disciple.
Listening to Danzō's words, Hiruzen felt his heart grow hot.
The future Danzō described was intoxicating.
Earning a huge sum.
Impressing Tobirama-sama.
Becoming his disciple.
Hearing praise from his father.
Just imagining it made Hiruzen's blood boil with excitement.
But after a brief moment—
He forcibly suppressed his greed and regained his composure.
His father had warned him repeatedly: act with caution.
A ninja should do what a ninja was meant to do—focus solely on completing assigned missions efficiently.
Commerce was not a field ninja should casually step into.
Yes, such a venture could bring enormous profit—
But what if it failed?
Where in this world was there ever a deal with guaranteed profit?
So—
Hiruzen looked at Danzō seriously.
"Danzō, we're ninja. This isn't something we can recklessly get involved in."
"If it makes money, that's great. But what if we lose everything?"
"There's no such thing as a sure win."
Hearing this, the fire in Danzō's heart was doused with cold water.
He calmed down somewhat—
Yet he couldn't let go of the tulip trade.
He wanted to improve too badly.
Wanted Tobirama's recognition too badly.
Wanted to become Tobirama's disciple too badly.
"But Hiruzen—"
"There is no 'but,' Danzō."
Hiruzen cut him off decisively.
"I absolutely don't agree with this idea."
"Our most important task right now is to complete the procurement list. There's no reason to invite unnecessary trouble."
Hiruzen's stance was firm.
He rejected Danzō's proposal outright.
"Hmph. You're really stubborn."
"Hiruzen—you'll regret this!"
Rationally, Danzō knew Hiruzen was right.
Completing Tobirama-sama's mission and their fathers' orders came first. Avoiding unnecessary risks was the sensible choice.
But emotionally—
He despised Hiruzen's current attitude.
So he shouted, venting his frustration.
Hiruzen didn't care.
He believed he was standing on the side of correctness.
From that moment on, the atmosphere between them turned awkward.
They barely exchanged words until the banquet ended.
After the Banquet
The Fire Daimyō arranged lodgings for Hiruzen and Danzō.
The delivery mission was complete.
All that remained was the procurement task—a demanding job.
Exhausted, the two turned in early.
The Next Day
Despite their minor conflict, Hiruzen and Danzō rose early and set out together to purchase supplies.
Their first stop was to procure ingredients for soldier pills.
Soldier pills were one of the most common consumables for ninja—capable of rapidly restoring chakra and even serving as emergency rations.
Any ninja heading out on a mission carried at least a few.
"This pair looks inexperienced… easy targets."
The shop owner glanced at Hiruzen and Danzō's youthful faces.
Young.
Unfamiliar.
Probably freshly dispatched from some clan.
Easy to fleece.
"Honored ninja," the merchant said with a smile.
"What are you looking to buy?"
"Ingredients for making soldier pills," Hiruzen replied.
"We need a large quantity."
He emphasized the words large quantity—clearly signaling that they were major buyers who deserved a discount.
"Oh, then you've come to the right place," the merchant said smoothly.
"Last year, floods devastated the northern regions of the Land of Fire—that's the main production area for these materials. Supplies are tight. Other shops may not even be able to meet your demand."
He then quoted a price.
The moment Danzō heard it, he exploded.
He whipped out a shuriken and pointed it at the merchant.
"You profiteering bastard! You dare jack up the price like this?"
"You think I don't know the market?!"
"At your rate, we'd be paying at least two hundred thousand ryō extra!"
"I'll kill you!"
Hiruzen immediately grabbed Danzō's wrist.
"Danzō—calm down!"
"This is the Fire Country Capital. Causing trouble here will only bring disaster."
Seeing that these ninja weren't easy prey, the merchant forced an awkward smile.
He had raised the price—but not nearly as much as Danzō accused.
At most, he stood to make an extra hundred thousand ryō.
And the flood damage really had driven prices up.
"Young people are always so hot-headed," the merchant chuckled.
"If you don't like the price, we can keep negotiating."
Hiruzen used his ultimate bargaining technique—
He cut the quoted price straight in half.
The merchant's face darkened instantly.
Now he was convinced these kids were here to make trouble.
With the constant wars in the shinobi world, soldier pill ingredients were always in high demand.
They didn't need to sell.
"That's impossible," the merchant said firmly, shaking his head and offering another figure.
Hiruzen and Danzō shook their heads in turn, countering again.
Back and forth it went.
Their mouths grew dry from arguing.
Danzō nearly pulled out his shuriken again—but the merchant didn't budge.
This was the Fire Country Capital.
No ninja dared act violently here.
Years of experience told him Danzō was all bluster.
In the end—
Hiruzen and Danzō still refused.
They believed the price could go lower.
Buying supplies meant comparing prices—so they decided to try another shop.
"Back there, that profiteer was still making at least two hundred thousand ryō off us," Danzō fumed as they walked away.
"That's enough money for me to risk my life on a mission!"
"Damn it… we ninja gamble our lives for pay, and these merchants earn the same just by talking."
Danzō complained endlessly.
Normally, a mature ninja wouldn't voice such thoughts out loud.
Everyone knew nobles and merchants lived well, earning money easily.
But Danzō was still young—his edges not yet worn down by reality.
All he felt was—
Damn it.
Doing business really is more profitable.
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