In recent days, although the Third Hokage had kept the news under strict lockdown, many major clans in Konoha had still caught wind of certain information.
After all.
There is no such thing as an airtight wall in this world.
Coupled with Shimura Danzo storming into the Hokage's office every other day to cause a scene, the secret was bound to leak.
The Third Hokage was starting to get annoyed with his old friend.
This is all this old man's money!
What are you mixing in for?
When Kantsuki started the business, you didn't support him with a single copper coin.
Now you have the face to come here asking for money?
But there was no helping it.
Shimura Danzo had no martial virtue. He dragged the other two advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, to "force the palace."
The Third Hokage, overwhelmed and harried, finally had to pinch his nose and give up thirty percent of the profits, leaving himself with only twenty percent.
Sigh…
Money is never enough.
With Kantsuki's business, Konoha could be considered "comfortable" at best. But in the original timeline, Konoha had lived frugally for years, and old habits died hard.
Having secured a share, Shimura Danzo was satisfied.
But then he started finding the Ino-Shika-Cho trio an eyesore.
Shimizu Kantsuki's share was untouchable; the boy deserved it, and frankly, he took too little.
But what about you, Ino-Shika-Cho?
What are you?
You protected the caravan?
Couldn't my Shimura clan protect a caravan just as well?
Because the Ino-Shika-Cho trio fought bitterly with Danzo over this, the matter spread within a small circle.
Everyone understood who the God of Wealth behind the scenes was.
They couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Shimizu Kantsuki. A true talent…
Why didn't we get in on this sooner?
With this first wave of dividends, whenever the Third Hokage saw Kantsuki, his old face wrinkled into a permanent smile. He looked like a flower in full bloom.
He would constantly drop hints, both subtle and blatant.
"Kantsuki, my boy. You have brains. You are a talent. How long can this clothing business last?"
"What? It can go on indefinitely?"
"Good! Good! Good!!"
"I knew you were a fine lad!"
"Kantsuki, look, our Konoha is still poor. Do you have any other ideas to earn a little more?"
"Oh, too much is as bad as too little? We should focus on one thing?"
"No problem!"
"I trust you!"
"If you have ideas in the future, you must tell me! I, Sarutobi Hiruzen, put my words here: Whatever business you want to do, I will support you with all my strength!"
Similarly.
Shimura Danzo also expressed a rare positive attitude.
After all, Shimizu Kantsuki was sensible.
When there is money to be made, he really takes us along…
Unlike those other blockheads who lacked the Will of Fire.
Thus, Danzo gave his guarantee: As long as you are in Konoha, no one dares to touch you, Shimizu Kantsuki.
Touching you is touching our money!
The entire village had finally produced a good seedling capable of making big money—who would be willing to let someone pluck it?
This caused Kantsuki's status to rise visibly.
First was his position.
From a regular ANBU member, he transformed overnight into the Director of Konoha Hospital.
Anyone with eyes could see that he was the apple of the high command's eye. The new nobility.
After taking office, Kantsuki didn't rush to light three fires as a new official.
Instead, he went to the Third Hokage with a "conflicted" face.
He claimed he was overwhelmed. He couldn't balance the hospital work and the clothing empire.
This instantly energized Shimura Danzo.
Good!
I knew the Kantsuki kid had the Will of Fire!
Since the other party was handing over control, Danzo naturally had to accept it!
This wasn't him seizing power by force; it was the lad's voluntary contribution.
The Third Hokage also waved his hand cheerfully.
He agreed.
Consequently, Shimura Danzo went into a frenzy, soliciting capital from various interest groups.
Remember this old man's words!
The more you invest, the more you earn!
The more you earn, the more you invest!
What are you waiting for?!
Danzo still had face in the village. Coupled with his inciting words, several groups went all in.
Invest!
Throw it all in!
With visible income like this, what is there to worry about?
But soon, a month passed.
When the Third Hokage received the monthly revenue report, his face turned uglier than a corpse.
What is going on?
Profit: A few million ryo?!
That doesn't even cover the cost!!
This is a bloody financial loss!
He immediately summoned Shimura Danzo, his face cold as ice. He slapped the settlement report onto Danzo's face.
"Look at the 'good deed' you've done!!"
Danzo looked, and his face went white instantly.
No…
How is this possible?!
Where is the money?
Where is this old man's money?!
How did we lose money?
"Hurry up and invite Kantsuki back!"
Shimizu Kantsuki walked into the Hokage's office looking completely "bewildered."
Under the Third Hokage's strained smile, he took the report.
"This…"
Frowning deeply, Kantsuki looked at Danzo with suspicious eyes.
"Lord Hokage, this is impossible… According to my calculations, as long as you followed my previous methods, you should have made a substantial profit this month."
Hearing this.
The Third Hokage and Danzo recalled the fear that "Konoha natives are destined to lose money in business."
My Will of Fire…
Such a great business, surely it won't be ruined in our hands?
It seemed that without Kantsuki, these old relics simply couldn't play the game.
If they dragged this on, they would lose even their underwear.
"Kantsuki, it seems we must trouble you to take on more responsibility. This matter… still requires you to do it."
"This… Lord Hokage, I am honored by your trust, but I…"
"Cough cough."
The Third Hokage patted Kantsuki's shoulder.
Kantsuki stepping down earlier was a tacit understanding.
Now, the fact that they couldn't live without him was also a tacit understanding.
We know your loyalty. No need to be too reserved.
"Alright. Since Lord Hokage trusts me, I will manage it for the lords."
Yes.
That sounds comfortable.
But the immediate urgency wasn't comfort; it was the business.
In Danzo's anxious waiting, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio came up to sell their misery with aggrieved faces.
They had opposed ousting the lad earlier. Now look!
Our families can't even open the pot to cook rice!
Because he was in the wrong, Danzo was harassed until his scalp went numb.
He was blocked in his own home every day, afraid to go out.
Once he stepped out, he would be furiously sprayed by Akimichi Choza—
"That dog Danzo! Give me back my hard-earned money!!"
"I know you're home! Even if this goes to the Third, we are in the right!!"
"If you have the skill to lose money, you have the skill to open the door!"
"Kantsuki, kid, come back quickly…"
Inside the gate.
Shimura Danzo pressed his back firmly against the door, feeling the surging "push-back" force from outside.
He shed tears of regret.
It was this old man who was blinded by greed.
This old man will never touch business again…
Outside the gate.
Yamanaka Inoichi's eyes were red.
That dog Danzo!
I know you're in there!
I invested all my family's money!
Now they had lost so much they couldn't afford food. Thinking of the numb faces of his clansmen, Inoichi felt his scalp about to explode.
"Open the door! Danzo, open the door!!"
In short, there was only one sentence.
Give me back my hard-earned money!!