Shimura Danzō rose unusually early that morning.
His mood was complicated—half anticipation, half irritation.
Because today, he was going to the Hokage Tower to watch the Third Hokage make a fool of himself.
One full million ryō thrown into business?
Konoha shinobi simply weren't built for that sort of thing!
After all…
He, too, had once been among those who had "lost their trousers" investing.
From that day forward, Danzō had sworn: if he ever tried business again, he'd cut off his own hands.
This time, he was determined to force Hiruzen to swallow his pride—and punish Shimizu Kanzuki severely.
In these days of tightened budgets and reduced stipends, losing a million ryō was unthinkable.
Every time Danzō heard that number, his chest ached.
Wouldn't it have been better to give that million to him?
Shimura Danzō—who could scarcely afford a decent cup of tea lately—very much desired the nourishment of that million ryō.
—
By the time he arrived at the Hokage's office, his expression was foul.
He dropped into a seat without acknowledging Nara Shikaku's greeting.
You're supposed to be Konoha's brain, and yet you indulged that brat Shimizu in this nonsense?
Shikaku only smiled awkwardly and said nothing.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, merely glanced at his old comrade.
He had already prepared himself mentally for embarrassment and financial loss.
As for protecting Shimizu Kanzuki from excessive punishment—that wouldn't be difficult. He had plenty of methods at his disposal.
Time passed in heavy silence among the three men.
Then, faint commotion drifted up from below.
Someone seemed to be calling for the Third Hokage.
Shikaku's expression grew even more reserved.
It seemed the results were in.
Hopefully, the losses weren't too catastrophic. The size of the deficit would determine how harshly Kanzuki would be disciplined.
However—
When a Nara chūnin burst through the door, face flushed with excitement—
Shikaku's eyes flickered.
That expression… wasn't right.
Hiruzen thought the same.
He narrowed his eyes and cautiously asked,
"How much did we lose?"
"No! Hokage-sama—we didn't lose anything!
Kanzuki's clothing business made money!"
Interesting.
That lad truly had some ability.
"How much?"
"Net profit: fifty million ryō!"
Silence.
"…H-How much did you say?!"
"Net profit: fifty-three million, seven hundred eighty thousand ryō!"
The chūnin's voice rang through the office like thunder.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi's startled exclamation turned oddly sharp.
Five… five…
"Fifty million?!"
Shimura Danzō felt as though he hadn't fully awakened from a dream.
He rushed forward in disbelief and snatched the report.
His eyes widened as he scanned the breakdown.
Line by line.
Every detail clear. Every figure itemized.
There was no fabrication—because the Nara clan wouldn't dare.
And Shimizu Kanzuki wouldn't dare either.
So that meant—
"It's… it's real…"
Hiruzen and Shikaku hurried over.
The old Hokage's face flushed bright red with delight, eyes gleaming as he reread the profit figure again and again—afraid he might have misread it.
How many days had it been?
Just a few days?!
In mere days, they had earned over fifty million ryō.
Hiruzen remembered clearly—
Konoha's annual revenue from shinobi missions barely exceeded one hundred million ryō.
The entire village's economic output—including civilians, traveling merchants, and major traders—barely surpassed a billion annually.
Which meant—
This single clothing venture could potentially rival the village's total yearly revenue.
"Heh… hahahahahaha! Hahahahaha!!"
Hiruzen couldn't hold back his booming laughter.
Good!
Excellent!!
Kanzuki!
That remarkable young man had given this old Hokage a truly astonishing surprise.
Beside him, Shikaku stared at the astronomical number, heart pounding wildly.
His eyes were glued to the final settlement total. He almost wanted to reach out and touch the paper—yet feared the Hokage might misunderstand.
As for Danzō—
His disbelief was absolute.
A talent.
A true talent!
That brat Shimizu possessed this kind of ability?!
He swallowed, throat painfully dry.
For a moment, he even wanted to pocket the report for himself.
But Hiruzen had long guarded against him.
With practiced speed, the Third Hokage snatched the report back, laughing as he continued reading.
Fifty million.
Over fifty million!
"Transmit my orders!"
Hiruzen now radiated the spirited confidence of a man long suppressed, finally able to exhale.
"Spare no effort in safeguarding Kanzuki's business!
Shikaku!"
"Yes!"
"You will go personally. Tell Kanzuki that I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, will fully support his enterprise!
And the Ino–Shika–Chō formation is not to sit idle—mobilize them all!"
Anyone who dares reach out—eliminate them.
If any village elders question it—
"Send them to me!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
As Shikaku departed energetically, Danzō could no longer restrain himself.
Fifty million…
What did fifty million ryō represent?
To put it plainly—
Even for elite jōnin or Kage-level shinobi risking their lives on S-rank missions, the reward was merely one million ryō.
(Excluding certain extravagant bounties issued by wealthy nobles.)
That alone illustrated what kind of figure fifty million was.
And that was only in a matter of days.
If given more time—
Danzō didn't even dare imagine it.
"That… ahem… Hiruzen, I…"
"Hm? Danzō, why are you still here? Kanzuki's venture has only just begun. I'll be very busy from now on. No time for idle chat."
"…."
"Hiruzen! My Root—"
"Ah, yes! Your Root should mobilize as well. Conduct thorough investigations in the village. Ensure no spies interfere with Kanzuki's business."
Hiruzen leisurely puffed on his pipe, his delighted expression refusing to settle.
As for his old comrade?
Go play elsewhere.
Before departing, Kanzuki had made it clear:
If the business failed, nothing more need be said.
But if it succeeded—
Hiruzen Sarutobi would receive a share of the profits.
Protecting Kanzuki's business meant protecting his own.
Protecting his own money.
A mere one million investment had yielded an astronomical return.
How could he possibly restrain himself?
Danzō understood.
Hiruzen had no intention of sharing.
His face darkened like coal.
"Hiruzen! Is my Root not part of Konoha?!"
Why are you shouting so loudly?
Hiruzen casually picked at his ear.
There was no chance he would divide the profits.
"Danzō! I am the Hokage!"
And furthermore—
That was his money.
His money!