Konoha Village, Commercial Street.
Renya was patrolling the bustling commercial street like a proud lion overseeing his territory. Over sixty percent of the shops along the road were connected to him in some way.
Either they were his properties, or he held shares in them.
All of this was thanks to the mysterious big boss behind the Exchange Hall. Renya could only admit that he could never repay such kindness.
It was just a pity that he had never once had the chance to meet that investor in person.
"Renya-kun, it's been such a long time."
A familiar female voice suddenly came from behind him. Renya turned to see Koharu smiling warmly at him from not far away.
"Koharu," he replied with a grin. "Yeah, it's been a while."
Koharu walked up to him, her expression curious.
"Renya-kun, what have you been busy with lately?"
It was true—she hadn't seen him around the village for quite some time. From what she'd heard, this guy had been living like a complete slacker for the past few years.
Danzo had even complained about it to her quite a few times during missions.
"I've been busy teaching students," Renya said with a helpless sigh. "I just took a day off today, but tomorrow I'll be leading them on another mission."
"You're taking students?" Koharu's eyes widened in disbelief. "Tobirama-sensei actually trusts you with students?"
Wasn't he worried Renya would corrupt the kids?
"What do you mean by that?" Renya's lips twitched.
Why did it sound like she was doubting his teaching abilities?
Sure, his academic scores weren't exactly stellar, but that didn't mean he couldn't educate his students properly.
For a ninja, book smarts weren't what mattered—true strength was the only thing that counted.
"Sorry," Koharu said awkwardly. "I didn't mean it that way..."
She had accidentally blurted it out—hopefully Renya-kun wouldn't take offense.
"Not that way? Then what way did you mean?" Renya replied confidently. "I'm an excellent teacher. Just wait and see—my students will become famous across the entire shinobi world!"
"I believe you, Renya-kun," Koharu said, not daring to argue. "If I may ask… who are your students?"
She was genuinely curious which poor souls had the misfortune of becoming Renya's disciples.
It wasn't that she doubted his strength—only his teaching.
After all, with Renya's legendary background, the students he trained would no doubt be strong. But when it came to... other matters, well—those who knew, knew.
"Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya," Renya said proudly. "How about that? Pretty impressive disciples, huh?"
"Heh... not bad, really not bad," Koharu forced out a stiff smile.
Such good kids... and they had to end up with him as their teacher. Chances were, their lives were already ruined.
The future of Konoha suddenly felt very bleak.
Renya, as Tobirama-sensei's adopted son, had always sneered at the so-called Will of Fire. The students he taught were likely to grow up with similar views.
After all, a teacher's words and actions deeply influenced their students.
Like teacher, like student—as the saying went, a crooked beam makes a crooked house.
With Renya as their instructor, Konoha's future was... concerning, to say the least.
Of course, that was the worst-case scenario in her mind.
Even if Renya's students didn't inherit the Will of Fire, she hoped at least they wouldn't end up betraying the village.
Otherwise, Konoha would truly be doomed.
...
"Koharu, what have you been up to lately?" Renya asked, steering the topic away from his students.
"I've been leading a team as well," Koharu explained. "My students are members of the Ino–Shika–Cho clans."
Renya's expression shifted to one of understanding. Of course—those three clans were staunch supporters of the Hokage faction. Naturally, their children would be assigned elite jōnin instructors.
After all, if something unexpected happened during a mission, a chūnin leader might not be enough to handle it.
Tobirama, that cunning old man, would never let his loyal families feel neglected. Their treatment was guaranteed. He wouldn't let those who bled for him also shed tears.
That old man was a skilled politician. As long as he was around, the village wouldn't fall into chaos.
The only real unstable factor left was probably the Uchiha clan.
"Do your best with your students," Renya said with a grin. "Who knows, you might even end up as a Hokage Advisor someday."
"Really?" Koharu's eyes lit up.
She wasn't particularly power-hungry, but who could say no to a promotion and a raise?
"Of course," Renya said. "Once Danzo becomes Hokage, do you think he'd forget his old teammate?"
"No, he wouldn't," Koharu said, shaking her head.
They'd fought side by side for over a decade. Danzo would never forget her.
The more she thought about it, the more sense Renya's words made.
"Exactly," Renya said with a shrug. "When the time comes, just have him recommend you. For a Hokage, that kind of thing is just one word away."
When one person ascends, their friends and allies rise with them—that saying didn't come from nowhere.
Knowing Danzo's personality, if he ever became Hokage, he'd definitely show off to his old comrades and conveniently give them promotions.
Unfortunately, Renya had no interest in such matters. Otherwise, he could've easily asked Tobirama for a position long ago.
Too much trouble. Better to just stay home and relax.
Koharu, on the other hand, was different. She'd never tasted the feeling of holding office before.
So the thought of a promotion and pay raise intrigued her greatly.
She even found herself hoping Danzo would become Hokage sooner—then she could experience what it was like to stand in a high position.
Just imagining people calling her "Advisor Koharu" made the corners of her mouth lift in delight.
...
"What are you grinning about?" Renya asked, confused.
It was just a powerless title. What was there to be so happy about?
"Sorry, Renya-kun," Koharu said quickly, realizing her slip.
After all, not everyone was like Renya—completely indifferent to power or status.
For ordinary people, even becoming a squad captain counted as a major promotion.
And being appointed as a Hokage Advisor? That was practically a leap to the top.
Don't be fooled by Konoha being called a "village." Its population was huge—tens of thousands, even at this time.
"Renya-kun, I'll have to excuse myself now," Koharu said suddenly, as if remembering something.
"I've got things to take care of."
With that, she hurriedly left the commercial street.
Renya didn't pay the little episode much mind and continued patrolling his domain.
"Renya-sama, would you like to come in for some barbecue?"
An employee from the Akimichi Barbecue Shop spotted him and immediately rushed out to greet him enthusiastically.
"No need, thanks," Renya waved him off.
He held shares in the Akimichi clan's restaurant too. He didn't have to lift a finger—just wait until the end of the year to collect his dividends.
At first, the Akimichi clan had refused to let him buy in. But the offer he'd made was simply too generous to refuse.
The money he provided was enough for them to expand the restaurant's size, so they happily agreed in the end.
And all of it—again—was thanks to that mysterious boss behind the Exchange Hall.
That man was practically Renya's guardian angel, his personal venture capitalist!