The Third Raikage showed clear interest.
He didn't understand a single thing Hatake Sakumo was saying.
"Net present value, EBITDA, market traction, gross margin…"
Sakumo spoke fluently, pointing at charts and tables, throwing out one professional term after another.
By the end of it—
The Raikage's head was spinning.
But that didn't matter.
What mattered was—
This guy sounded professional.
I don't need to understand it. As long as he does, it's fine.
After all, he brought Sakumo here to handle exactly this kind of thing.
"Mr. Ponzu," the Raikage said seriously, "I understand everything you've said."
"I'm convinced your Blue Sky Plan is an excellent company."
You understand my ass.
Sakumo immediately saw through him.
He had spent nights memorizing all this just to sound convincing.
And even now, he only half understood it himself.
Economics was a nightmare.
He couldn't imagine how Kakuzu had the patience to master this stuff.
Still—
He played along perfectly.
"Thank you for your praise."
He removed his hat, placed it over his chest, and bowed at a precise angle.
Elegant.
Refined.
The Raikage was impressed.
This kind of bearing… definitely trained. Probably noble background.
In reality—
Kakuzu had drilled Sakumo for two full months.
Etiquette, speech, financial jargon—
Everything.
"Mr. Ponzu," the Raikage continued, "Kumogakure is willing to cooperate."
"A wise decision."
Sakumo nodded calmly.
"May I ask… how much the Raikage plans to invest?"
The Raikage paused.
"You tell me."
He pushed the problem back.
He wasn't stupid.
If something went wrong—
He didn't want to take the blame alone.
Better to discuss it with the entire leadership.
Sakumo smiled faintly.
"The more, the better."
"Our company is currently in rapid expansion."
"We're raising capital across the Land of Lightning."
"We use your money to generate more profit—"
"And share the returns."
"Minimum? None."
"Maximum? None."
"Within two months, you'll receive a 20% return."
"You can withdraw your principal anytime."
"Early withdrawal only reduces profit."
The Raikage's eyes lit up.
Flexible.
High return.
Strong backing.
As expected of a big company.
"Please wait," he said. "I'll convene a meeting."
"Make it quick," Sakumo replied lightly.
"I have many clients waiting. Each investment exceeds seven digits."
That line hit perfectly.
The Raikage's expression changed instantly.
"Everyone—meeting room, now!"
Soon, Kumogakure's leadership gathered.
They began arguing immediately.
"One hundred million ryo?"
"Are you insane?! That's S-rank mission money!"
"What if we lose it?!"
"Then one million."
"Too little! We'll look like paupers!"
"This won't work, that won't work—just decide!"
"…Ten million?"
"…That works."
"Agreed."
"Approved."
Decision made.
Fast.
Back in the room—
"Mr. Ponzu, Kumogakure will invest ten million ryo for the first month."
Sakumo raised a brow slightly.
"Only ten million? I expected at least a billion."
"…But for a first cooperation, caution is understandable."
He took out a contract.
"Please sign here."
"I'll also arrange a local branch."
"So you won't have to worry."
The Raikage felt slightly embarrassed.
A billion…? This company really is on another level.
Still—
Better to test first.
If it worked—
They'd invest more.
He signed.
A big fish—
Hooked.
Sakumo adjusted his fake mustache, smiling inwardly.
Meanwhile, back in Konoha—
At the arcade—
Uchiha Hikaru was on fire today.
Her reactions were faster.
Her pressure stronger.
The reason?
Uchiha Ren had gone to the Senju compound.
That meant—
He would see Tsunade again.
And for some reason—
Hikaru had a bad feeling.
Another rival…?
"…So annoying."
"Curse your fate for not having the Sharingan!"
Her left hand flicked the joystick at lightning speed while her right hammered the buttons.
Across from her—
Uchiha Madara frowned.
"You think I'd lose to you?"
Sharingan?
I have one too.
After days of practice, he had returned for revenge.
Unfortunately—
One Sharingan wasn't enough.
Not against Hikaru.
Especially not today.
"Old man, this ends now!"
"Flying Thunder God Slash!"
"AAARGH—!!"
Madara's screen went black.
Victory animation:
Senju Tobirama wins.
"If the village is threatened, I will eliminate it with these hands."
Hikaru stretched her wrist.
"That character's mechanics are too strong."
"If your skill is high enough, he has no ceiling."
"Even Uchiha Madara can't compare to Tobirama in mechanics."
Madara's eye twitched.
"Impossible!!"
"Uchiha Madara is invincible!!"
"What kind of trash game is this?!"
He could accept losing to Hashirama.
Even the Nine-Tails.
But Tobirama?
That was unacceptable.
"Again!"
"Flying Thunder God Slash!"
"WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HIT?!"
"Still going?" Hikaru asked.
"Again!!"
Ten matches later—
Madara was completely destroyed.
Others using Tobirama were annoying.
But Hikaru—
Was on another level.
"I refuse to accept this!"
"I will defeat Tobirama!"
"Uchiha is supreme!"
He remained stubborn as ever.
Mechanics meant nothing—
Skill would prevail.
Then—
Hikaru suddenly paused.
That tone.
That arrogance.
That hairstyle…
"…Old man, are you Uchiha?"
"…No."
Madara answered instantly.
Absolutely not admitting that.
"I'm not Uchiha."
"…Right."
Hikaru didn't fully believe him.
But didn't press.
Madara crossed his arms.
"…You're strong."
"Among all my opponents, I acknowledge you as the strongest."
He glanced aside.
Damn game developer.
Designing Tobirama like that…
"Of course!" Hikaru laughed, hands on her hips.
"I'm Uchiha!"
Madara nodded approvingly.
Good.
Very good.
She has my style.
"My stomach's growling," he said. "Want to eat?"
"There's a new ramen shop nearby."
"…Sure."
Hikaru agreed immediately.
She liked this old man.
Even if he denied it—
He felt more Uchiha than most Uchiha.
Soon, they arrived at a ramen shop.
Two steaming bowls were placed before them.
"A good bowl of ramen depends on the broth!"
A small kid climbed onto the counter, enthusiastically explaining.
"Our broth is—"
"Ichiraku! Get down!"
The owner grabbed the kid and smacked his head lightly.
"Sorry, customers. My son is a bit… energetic."
The boy's eyes teared up.
I was helping…
When I grow up, I'll open my own shop!
Right across from yours!
Ichiraku Ramen!
"Kid," Madara said, amused, "you've got ambition."
"Of course!"
"I'll surpass my dad!"
"Then open a shop across from him!"
Madara laughed loudly.
"Good! I like that!"
The boy was immediately dragged into the back kitchen for "parental discipline."
Back at the table—
"Mm… not bad."
Hikaru took a sip of broth.
They ate while chatting.
"You hate the Senju too?" Madara asked.
"…Yeah."
"What a coincidence. Me too."
"Old man… you really aren't Uchiha?"
"I'm not. I swear."
Hikaru narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…The one I hate most is Senju Tobirama."
Madara's eyes lit up instantly.
"Agreed!"
"That guy is definitely not a good person!"
Hikaru nodded.
She remembered the underground lab.
Tobirama's cold gaze.
And that line—
"Evil Uchiha brat."
Yeah.
Definitely not a good person.
Madara looked at her with growing approval.
"…But I hate someone even more."
"Oh?"
Madara leaned forward slightly.
"Who?"
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