"Tsuruta Enterprise? That large multinational pharmaceutical company?"
Although the rise of resource-based pharmaceutical companies has significantly impacted Tsuruta Enterprise's pharmaceutical business, even so, Tsuruta Enterprise hasn't collapsed. Its size is considerable, unmatched by ordinary companies.
The president of Tsuruta is also a very famous businessman in the Ninja Realm, born into an ancient merchant family.
It's said that he has enough money to buy a country.
"That's right. However, according to my friend, President Tsuruta only bought this medicine from someone else."
"Who?"
"President Tsuruta did not disclose his customer's information; he only said the medicine's source is the Land of Fire."
The medicine is sourced from the Land of Fire.
Upon hearing this news, Hakushi's mind immediately conjured the dark, sinister face of Danzo.
This coincided with Ichihime's speculation.
Even though Ichihime's guess was just a reasonable speculation without concrete evidence.
However, combining Miyako's current information, the customer conducting the forbidden goods trade with President Tsuruta is likely the Root Organization led by Danzo.
Although the Third Hokage couldn't utilize force to suppress the Root, he could limit the Root's development through financial constraints.
If the Root wants to develop and acquire more resources, it must seek external support.
Tsuruta Enterprise might be Danzo's partner.
Of course, all these are just guesses. Hakushi cannot provide definite evidence to prove these medicines are from the Root, and Tsuruta Enterprise's collaborator is Danzo, the Root Leader.
But sometimes, mere suspicion is enough.
Moreover, considering the numerous tails exhibited by the medicines, there is sufficient argument to support this reasonable speculation.
"I understand the situation somewhat, but what does President Tsuruta want by purchasing this illegal enhancing medicine? If he intends to cultivate private soldiers, this medicine isn't the best choice."
Hakushi analyzed.
He doesn't believe the president of a multinational enterprise would fail to understand this matter.
Although this medicine does indeed enhance ninja combat power, analyzing from a long-term perspective, it is not a wise choice.
President Tsuruta shouldn't be killing the chicken to get the egg.
Miyako showed a look of disdain at this moment and began to explain: "For the sake of so-called face."
"Face?"
"Young Hakushi, you should know. In this world, there are merchants like us who follow the rules and many unsavory merchants who do not abide by them. They seem righteous on the surface, but behind the scenes, they continually engage in various illegal activities to profit."
Even if Miyako doesn't need to deliberately point it out, Hakushi is somewhat aware of it.
In the Ninja Realm, those who often hire ninjas to handle matters are merchants and officials.
Especially C-level and above missions, which are higher-level tasks ordinary civilians cannot access; only wealthy and powerful merchants and officials have the qualification and ability to commission.
Although Hakushi's most frequent contacts are merchants like Miyako, who earn through legitimate means, it does not prevent him from knowing dark merchants in the Ninja Realm engage in illegal profiteering.
It's just that this world is beyond the reach of ordinary people, and they have never heard of it.
Once involved, one either gets assimilated or disappears from the world.
"In the Ninja Realm, there is a place, a nameless island at sea, perpetually shrouded in fog and unmarked on maps, as if wiped out from the Ninja Realm. It is said you can buy anything you want there if you can afford it. Both humans and goods can be traded; the connections and resources there exceed a regular person's imagination."
Miyako spoke slowly.
Hakushi listened, his eyes flickering.
He had heard of the place.
It is an area not governed by any laws, maintained by behind-the-scenes merchants and officials.
The island is unmarked on maps and nameless, requiring specific guidance to enter.
People entering and exiting there are either rich or noble.
However, there isn't an absolute absence of poor people.
Because human trafficking is legal there, slaves, who don't even count as poor people, exist.
Industries like gambling, prostitution, and drugs are also legal domains.
With the support of many officials, the Merchant Alliance there fearlessly crafts it into what they envision as paradise.
Several officials consider it a vacation destination.
Money, alluring beauties, everything is available there.
But therefore, it also makes merchants and officials who worship hedonism numerous.
Generally speaking, it's a lawless land abhorrent to normal people.
"So, President Tsuruta..."
"There is a place there called the Ninja Combat Arena. Merchants have their subordinate ninjas fight in the arena, and the winner acquires the opponent ninja's usage rights, valid for life. Many merchants favor this 'trading' ninja game; President Tsuruta is no exception. To ensure his subordinate ninja's victory, he uses this enhancing medicine."
As long as they win, it secures him face.
As for the ninjas' lives, it's not within President Tsuruta's consideration.