"Huh? Even my sugar-based energy blocks are here?"
As Umino Yoru sorted through the smuggled goods recovered from the Suna nin's scrolls, he found not only over ten million ryo worth of soldier pills, weapons, and explosive tags—but also his own sugar-based energy blocks, along with nearly ten tons of Fire Country flour and Rice Country rice.
So this smuggling ring wasn't just dealing with the Utatane clan's weapon shipments… They were also trading with warfront merchants on the side.
Compared to the Utatane clan's blatant treason, these merchants at least had some restraint—limiting themselves to food supplies rather than military gear. Still, it was a betrayal.
"Looks like the higher-ups in Karamaru's merchant group aren't as 'loyal' as they pretend."
Yoru doubted a low-level manager like Karamaru had the influence to orchestrate deals of this scale. The energy blocks had to come from someone higher up—someone with connections to Fire Country nobility or Konoha's clans.
Typical. While shinobi bleed on the front lines, the elites back home grow fat off war profiteering.
Worse, while his energy blocks weren't as efficient as soldier pills for chakra recovery, they were close enough to qualify as military supplies. By smuggling them under the guise of "food," these merchants had found a loophole—one that could cost lives on the battlefield.
"From now on, I'm dealing through the black market."
Suppressing his anger, Yoru made a mental note. Karamaru, though helpful, was too small-time—and too entangled with shady networks. The black market might be riskier, but at least it was honest about its corruption.
For now, though, he'd hold onto the confiscated goods. Once the war escalated and prices surged, he'd sell them for maximum profit.
A Partner's Fear
"Senpai… How could they smuggle this much? Are these merchants traitors?"
Akimaru Light Sound, born into a fallen Konoha clan, knew about wartime smuggling—but never imagined it involved actual military supplies. Her face paled as she grasped the implications.
Yoru handed her the Anbu credentials recovered from the Suna nin, along with details of their unimpeded passage through Konoha's defenses.
"So… someone high up is betraying the village?"
Her voice trembled. If this got out, even her weakened clan could face repercussions.
"Don't worry. I've covered our tracks." He patted her head, amused by how soft her hair was. "No one will trace this back to us."
Light Sound nodded, cheeks pink, but her worry lingered.
Yoru laid out their spoils in four categories:
Military Supplies (10M+ ryo): Soldier pills, explosive tags, and weapons. Food & Energy Blocks (~5M ryo): Flour, rice, and his own energy blocks (worth 30-40% more in Wind Country). Puppets & Gear (~1M ryo): Four custom Suna puppets, a high-grade tanto, and assorted tools. The Lizard King's Corpse: A goldmine. Its meat alone matched the food supplies' value, while its blood, bones, and scales were premium materials for elite soldier pills, armor, and even ink-based jutsu.
Total value: Nearly 30M ryo. Enough to buy an Asuma-level bounty.
"Senpai, I—I can't take any of this." Light Sound backed away, hands raised.
She wasn't refusing out of modesty but fear. If the higher-ups discovered their involvement, her clan would suffer.
"At least take the energy blocks." Yoru sealed a dozen crates into a scroll and shoved it into her hands. If you don't take your cut, how can I justify keeping mine?
"MEAT! GRILL THE LIZARD!"
"MEAT! MEAT! RAAWR!"
The Fūjin and Raijin brothers circled the carcass, drooling.
"Fine, we're eating lizard tonight."
Drawing Slicing Fish Blade, Yoru began dismantling the corpse with surgeon-like precision, collecting blood for future use.
Light Sound watched in awe. "Senpai… you killed something this strong? Are you a clan-head-level shinobi?"
"Clan-head-level?"
Yoru paused. Ah. That was the Warring States-era term for Kage-tier.
He smirked. "Not yet. But give me time."