Chapter 89: Profit Sharing Meeting
"Huh? My sugar energy blocks are still here?"
Sasuke checked the haul in the contraband scroll. Besides over ten million ryo worth of military supplies, he also found his own energy blocks, along with nearly ten tons of flour and rice. It seemed the Sunagakure smugglers not only traded with the Mitokado clan but also with the military merchants.
However, compared to the Mitokado clan's ethics, these profit-driven merchants were a bit more upright; they only smuggled grain, not war materials that could lead to the extermination of a clan.
'It seems Ku Enzo's caravan isn't at peace either,' Sasuke thought. He knew that a mere administrator like Enzo didn't have the capacity to engage in such large-scale smuggling; the caravan's higher-ups, with their connections to Konoha's nobles and clans, must have been behind it. While Konoha ninjas fought on the front lines, these nobles profited from the war. And although his energy blocks weren't Hyorogan Pills, they were still military supplies, and they were exploiting a loophole.
'It seems I'll have to change business partners in the future,' he decided. Ku Enzo was low-level, and the military merchants were too complex. The underground black market was more reassuring; as long as there was money, anything could be obtained. For now, he would keep these goods until the war intensified and prices skyrocketed.
"Take a look first," he told Kurama Kon, handing her the fake ANBU certificates he had obtained. He told her how the Sunagakure ninjas used the secret codes to move around the area.
"Senpai, is it someone who betrayed the village? A high-ranking Konoha official?" Kon asked. She knew what was at stake and paled with fear.
"Kon, don't be afraid, I've already taken care of everything. No one will know we stole these supplies," Sasuke reassured her, stroking her head.
"Mmm," she replied, lowering her head shyly.
"Come on, let's start dividing the loot," Sasuke announced, taking out all the confiscated goods. The first part was military supplies, valued at over 10 million ryo. The second, food, worth millions. The third, the four Sunagakure puppets, a valuable sword, and other tools. And the fourth, the giant lizard's corpse, a summoning beast whose value, between its meat, blood, marrow, and scales, was comparable to Asuma's bounty.
The total value approached 30 million ryo.
"Senpai, I don't want this loot," Kon said, repeatedly waving her hand.
It wasn't out of humility, but fear. These supplies were linked to a corrupt high-ranking official. Once exposed, her small Kurama clan would be implicated, worsening their already precarious situation. "Senpai, you should be careful," she warned him.
"You have to take something. So, these energy blocks are perfect for you."
Sasuke sealed ten boxes of energy blocks and handed them over. The meaning was clear: We're in this together. How can I take my share if you don't take yours?
"Roast big lizard, I want to eat meat!" Fūjin and Raijin shouted, surrounding the beast's corpse.
"Alright, let's eat this lizard today!" Sasuke agreed, and began to dismantle the body with the skill of a master butcher. Kon wanted to help, but realized she would only be in the way.
"Senpai, to kill such a powerful beast, you must be a ninja master of a clan leader's level, right?" she asked, her eyes full of admiration.
"Ninja master of clan leader level?" Sasuke repeated, stunned.
He realized that this was how they referred to Kage-level warriors in the era before the villages, the Warring States Period.
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