These past few days, even though the old Third had locked the news down tightly, plenty of Konoha's major clans still caught wind of certain details.
After all…
There was no such thing as a wall that didn't leak.
And besides, Danzo kept barging into the Hokage's office to make a scene.
So much so that the old Third was starting to get genuinely fed up with his "old partner."
This is all my money! What are you even sticking your nose into it for?
When Kangetsu was doing business before, you didn't support it with a single ryō.
Now you've got the nerve to come asking for money?
But there was no helping it.
Danzo didn't play fair. He brought Homura and Koharu—two of the village's advisors—with him to "force the issue."
It drove the old Third up the wall.
In the end, he could only pinch the bridge of his nose and give up thirty percent, leaving himself with twenty percent.
Sigh…
Still not enough.
Even with Kangetsu's business, Konoha was only a bit more comfortable.
After all—
In canon, Konoha's belt-tightening lasted for years.
Once he got his cut, Danzo was satisfied.
The only thing was… he started finding Ino-Shika-Cho unpleasant to look at.
Kangetsu's share was obvious—he deserved it.
He was even taking less than he should.
But you Ino-Shika-Cho?
Who do you think you are?
What?
You protected the caravans?
Like the Shimura clan can't do that?
Because Ino-Shika-Cho argued with Danzo on principle, the matter spread in a small circle.
Everyone understood who the real "money god" behind the scenes was.
And they couldn't help sighing.
Kangetsu… that kid is talent.
How did we join late…?
With that first wave of profit in hand, every time the old Third saw Kangetsu, his wrinkled face would be all smiles.
Always grinning like he was about to laugh his face apart.
Then, openly or subtly, he would start probing.
"Kangetsu, you've got brains. You're a real talent. How long can the clothing business last?"
What? It can last forever? Good, good, good!
I knew Kangetsu was a good kid!
"Kangetsu, look, Konoha's still poor. Do you have any other ideas to make more?"
Oh, moderation matters?
No problem!
I believe in you!
If you get any ideas later, you have to tell me!
I, Hiruzen, will say it right here, no matter what business you want to do, I will fully support you!
Likewise—
Danzo also expressed a stance, and it was rare to see.
Because Kangetsu really was sensible.
When there was money to make, he genuinely brought them in.
Not like other thick-skulled fools who didn't have the Will of Fire.
So Danzo gave his guarantee: as long as Kangetsu was in Konoha, no one would dare touch him.
Touching him meant touching their money.
Konoha had finally grown a seedling that could make serious money.
Who would allow anyone to pick it?
As a result, Kangetsu's status rose in a very visible way.
First was his position.
From an ordinary ANBU member, he transformed overnight into the director of Konoha Hospital.
Anyone with eyes could tell: this man was now a favorite among the top brass.
A newly risen power.
After taking office, Kangetsu didn't rush to throw his "three fires" as a new official.
Instead, he went to the old Third with a "deeply conflicted" expression.
He claimed he lacked the bandwidth—he couldn't manage both the hospital and the clothing business.
That instantly lit Danzo up.
Good!
He'd said it—Kangetsu really did have the Will of Fire!
If the kid was handing over leadership himself, then Danzo would naturally accept it!
This wasn't him bullying or stealing.
This was Kangetsu voluntarily offering it.
The old Third also waved a hand with a beaming smile.
He agreed.
So Danzo went into high gear, charging around to demand investment from every interest group he could reach.
Remember what this old man says!
The more you invest, the more you earn!
The more you earn, the more you invest!
What are you waiting for?!
Danzo still had influence.
And with words that inflammatory, several groups got whipped into a frenzy.
Invest!
Put it all in!
It's visible income—what's there to worry about?
But then, one month passed.
When the old Third received the revenue settlement report, his face instantly turned ugly to the extreme.
What the hell happened?
Only a few million?
It didn't even cover the costs!
This was a bloodbath of losses!
He immediately summoned Danzo, his face cold as ice.
Then he slapped the settlement report straight into Danzo's face.
"Look at what you've done!!"
Danzo read it, and his face went white in an instant.
No…
How is this possible?!
Where's the money?
Where's this old man's money?!
How are we losing money?!
"Go get Kangetsu back. Now!"
Kangetsu walked into the Hokage's office looking thoroughly "confused."
Under the old Third's strained, forced smile, he accepted the settlement report.
"This…"
His brows knit, and he looked at Danzo with open suspicion.
"Hokage-sama, this can't be right… according to my projections, if you follow the method I used before, you should make money every month—minimum."
Hearing that, both the old Third and Danzo suddenly remembered the terror of Konoha people doing business and inevitably losing money.
My Will of Fire…
A perfectly good business—there's no way we let it collapse in our hands, right?
Looks like without Kangetsu, these old guys couldn't operate it at all.
If they dragged it out longer, they might lose even their underwear.
"Kangetsu, looks like we'll have to trouble you. You'll need to shoulder this. This… still has to be handled by you."
"Th-this… Hokage-sama, I'm honored that you trust me so much, but I—"
"Ahem."
The old Third patted Kangetsu on the shoulder.
Kangetsu's earlier "withdrawal" had been an unspoken understanding.
And now, their dependence on the good kid was also an unspoken understanding.
We know your loyalty. No need to be so stiff.
"Fine. Since Hokage-sama trusts me, I'll manage it."
Mm.
That sounded good.
But the urgent issue wasn't feelings. It was the business.
While Danzo waited in anxious misery, the three Ino-Shika-Cho clan heads arrived, faces tight with grievance, to cry poor.
They'd opposed it from the start—Kangetsu should never have been pushed out. And now look!
Their families couldn't even afford food anymore!
Because he was in the wrong, Danzo got harassed until his scalp went numb.
Almost every day, the three clan heads blocked him at home until he didn't dare go out.
And if he did go out, Choza would roar at him—
"Damn you, Danzo! Give back my hard-earned money!!"
"I know you're in there! Even if we take this to the Third, we're in the right!"
"If you've got the guts to lose money, then you've got the guts to open the door!"
"Kangetsu, hurry back already…"
...
Inside the house—
Danzo braced his back against the door, feeling the surging, relentless force slamming into it from outside.
For a moment, tears of regret slid down his face.
This old man… this old man was possessed.
This old man will never stick his hand into business again…
Outside, Inoichi's eyes were bloodshot.
Damn you, Danzo!
I know you're home!
His clan's money had all been poured into this.
Now they'd lost so much they couldn't even eat.
Just thinking of those numb, hollow faces among his clan members made his scalp feel like it was about to explode.
"Open the door! Danzo, open the damn door!!"
In the end, it was one sentence—
Give back my hard-earned money!!