At first, his friendship with Might Dai had been purely strategic—a way to get close to Konoha's strongest eternal genin and, perhaps, learn the secrets of the Eight Gates.
But over time, the man's relentless sincerity wore down even Yoru 's cynicism. Dai was impossible to dislike, even when his actions defied all logic.
"Yoru , your business is more urgent. I still need to haul supplies at Logistics to earn tomorrow's meal money."
"You really gave me all your savings, huh?"
Yoru sighed inwardly. This idiot… What am I supposed to do with you?
"The pay for manual labor keeps dropping. This is all I've saved this month."
Even the ever-optimistic Dai sounded uncharacteristically subdued. Then, true to form, he immediately shifted focus:
"Yoru , how much more do you need?"
"Exactly 2,355 ryo. Your timing couldn't be better."
A white lie. Yoru carefully smoothed out the crumpled bills and tucked them into his pouch.
"YES! That's awesome!"
Dai's jubilant shout drew stares.
"Dai, an empty stomach means no strength for work—or training. These are for you."
Unsealing a scroll, Yoru produced 50 pounds of salted fish—precisely measured. Any more, and Dai's naïve generosity would see it "shared" with every sob story in Konoha.
Dai's indomitable spirit made him an anomaly in the shinobi world. A man of his power shouldn't be breaking his back for slave wages, yet here he was—too pure for the system to exploit properly.
Let him keep the grunt work. Dangerous as it sounded, Logistics would protect their cheapest workhorse. No one else would move heavy cargo for pennies.
"I've got business inside. We'll catch up later."
Before Dai could refuse the food, Yoru ushered his team into the opulent Logistics HQ.
Dai took one step toward the gleaming lobby before halting—acutely aware of his stench and rags.
"Might Dai! Slacking off already? Want your pay docked?!"
A pompous clerk (from the Shimura branch family) sneered from the doorway.
"Lord Mitarashi! I was on break, visiting a friend—"
"What 'friend' would waste time on a lifetime loser like you? Get back to work before I deduct your entire day's pay!"
The threat worked. Dai vanished in a blur—Basic Body Flicker speed—fish sack in tow.
The clerk barely had time to smirk before a searing pain spiked through his skull.
Infrasound Pulse.
Yoru 's parting gift. Not lethal—just debilitating. Whether it became chronic depended on how much the fool valued his health.
Upstairs, Utatane Kagura delivered shocking news:
"Someone repaid your ninja loan."
"Who?"
"Gekkō Clan's young master."
Gekkō Yoru?
Yoru 's eyebrows climbed. The Gekkōs were minor nobility, barely scraping second-tier status.1.5 million ryo was no small sum for them.
"Impressive connections for a commoner." Kagura's envy was palpable.
Gekkō Yoru—newly promoted Special Jonin, rumored to have elite-jonin-level combat skills already. A rising star who could restore his clan's prestige.
And he'd chosen to call this gutter-born upstart "brother"?
Ridiculous.
"So my 'borrowing' scheme was pointless?" Yoru feigned dismay. "I'll return the money, then."
"Wait!" Kagura's greed overrode caution. "Why waste the opportunity? Convert it to mission merit points—you'll need them for jutsu scrolls!"
Hook set.
Yoru "reluctantly" agreed, mentioning his B-rank Shadow Clone training with Chōji Torifu and desire for Wind Nature development manuals.
"See? Merit points are always useful!" Kagura's grin widened. "How much did you borrow?"
"1.5 million ryo. Might as well convert it all."
Kagura's jaw dropped. How did a nobody secure that much?!
No matter. Debt was debt. When collections came due, Yoru 's "friends" would abandon him.
"Consider it done!"
Kagura fast-tracked the paperwork. Bureaucratic inertia vanished as the office processed the request at record speed.
Yoru lingered just outside, Infrasound Radar active.
Behind closed doors, Kagura and Saruge Eijirō plotted:
"Just leak his patrol route to Sand. Let them handle it."
"NO." Eijirō's voice dripped venom. "Death is too kind. I want him drowned in debt, his family ruined, his name cursed—THEN** he can die."**
"Eijirō… the Umino fish market properties are prime real estate. Others are eyeing them too."
"Do you know what those border patrols are like?!" Eijirō's glass shattered. "Waiting for Sand to attack—like waiting for execution!** He'll suffer as I did. You will help me."**
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