Chapter 177 - 4

Chapter 4: BusinessThe frustrated shopkeeper never expected to run into a freak like Naruto.Verbal warnings couldn't drive Naruto away, and there was a risk of getting beaten up. As for physical confrontation, he was afraid of going to jail.With no other options, the frustrated shopkeeper sought help from the Police Force.This area was under the jurisdiction of the Police Force, but under the warnings of the Third Hokageand the strict orders of Fugaku, how could they dare to interfere in Naruto's business?They brushed him off and even gave the shopkeeper a counter-warning..."Get lost quickly. Don't try to drag us into this, or we might just arrest you."The Demon Fox brat had deep connections...Nishimura confirmed this truth once again, feeling in his heart that Konoha was truly too dark.Just as Nishimura was disheartened and about to leave,an Uchiha suggested, "For certain reasons, it's not convenient for our Police Force to step in, but I suggest you go directly to the Third Hokage..."Hearing this, Nishimura agreed on the surface, but cursed inwardly.The Uchiha were indeed wicked to the core; they were actually trying to harm him for no reason.Not to mention whether he, with his status, could even see the Third Hokage, even if he could, what good would it do?Almost everyone knew that Naruto's arrogance until now was entirely due to the protection of the Anbu, and the Anbu were directly under the Third Hokage.So, did it really need to be said who Naruto's biggest backer was?Going to the Third Hokage for help would be like walking into his own death.This was just Nishimura being paranoid...Although the Third Hokage had many flaws, he wasn't that dark towards the villagers and could still be considered reliable.Before Nishimura could even open his mouth, the Third Hokage took the initiative to find Naruto and urged him to be kind and let the man off the hook.Naruto scoffed."Stop acting like a saint. If I let him off, who's going to let me off? Besides, this whole matter boils down to your inaction, Third Hokage, for allowing rumors to be created and spread.""If there were no rumors, none of this would have happened.""Repay kindness with kindness, and injury with justice. My demands aren't high. As long as he apologizes to me and guarantees that he will treat me like a normal customer from now on, I will leave immediately."Were the demands high?The Third Hokage asked himself...They weren't high. Just a verbal apology and doing business normally; the general store wouldn't suffer any losses.But it was meaningless.It would be lip service without sincerity. There were many people in Konoha who hated Naruto; forcing Nishimura to apologize would be useless.Instead, it might stir up resentment in others and make them hate Naruto even more."It doesn't matter. To me, there's no difference between 99 and 100.""Little Naruto, you won't make any friends this way.""I don't care. People blinded by prejudice aren't worthy of being my friends."The Third Hokage felt a headache coming on after hearing this.How could he not care? If this continued... how could he shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting the Village?...After sitting on guard for over a month, when Naruto had meticulously crafted a decent-looking effigy, Nishimura finally knelt.As a middle-aged man with elderly parents and young children, his family's livelihood depended entirely on this general store.Destroying his livelihood just because of personal likes and dislikes was too stupid."I'm sorry, I won't dare to do it again. From now on, everything you buy in my shop will be 50% off. Please, let me go." Nishimura handed over a stack of bills with both hands, kneeling and begging a three-year-old child for mercy in humiliation.Fortunately, they were inside the general store where no one else could see, otherwise, he wouldn't have the face to live in Konoha anymore.Naruto's eyes lit up. He took the money and quickly counted it: 1,000 ryo, two months' worth of living expenses."I'll accept your sincerity."Stuffing the money into his pocket, Naruto patted his shoulder with his small hand and said with satisfaction, "Correcting one's mistakes is the greatest virtue. This time, I, being a magnanimous person, forgive you. I hope you won't repeat this.""Yes, yes, yes. Big Brother, whatever you say is right. Please, just leave quickly."Nishimura nodded repeatedly, just wanting to send the plague god away as soon as possible.The moment the plague god left, Nishimura let out a long sigh of relief.30 seconds later, he stared expressionlessly at Naruto, who had returned.Naruto explained, "Don't misunderstand, I'm not going back on my word. I just want to do business with you."Ignoring Nishimura's repulsive expression, Narutocontinued, "Do you have any business rivals? Do you need me to help you by sitting in front of their shop?"Wait! This business... it seems worth considering.Right, recently, Noguchi had been too arrogant, constantly mocking him for being unable to defeat a three-year-old brat, causing Nishimura to lose face among his friends.Now that there was an opportunity, it was the perfect time to let him taste the suffering he had endured."That..." Nishimura opened his mouth to speak, but thinking of Naruto's foul reputation, he quickly shut it.Colluding with the Demon Fox to harm others was too sensitive a matter; Nishimura didn't trust Naruto.If it leaked out, he would be socially dead.Seeing this, Naruto frowned, pondered for a moment, seemed to understand something, and immediately raised his hand solemnly."I swear by my most respected Third Hokage, if I leak this, may I be struck by five bolts of lightning and never be reincarnated."...In the end, Nishimura couldn't suppress his hatred for his enemy and took out 1,000 ryo to hire Narutoto cause trouble.Great, now I've become a gangster...From this point on, Naruto embarked on a path he had never imagined.— — Half a month later — —Noguchi, whom Nishimura had asked Naruto to retaliate against, unsurprisingly knelt as well and compensated Naruto with an apology.After collecting the money, Naruto used his old trick, slightly modifying the words he said to Nishimura and telling them to Noguchi.Noguchi realized, "So it was Nishimura who sent you."Exposing the employer was not allowed. Narutodefended himself, "It's not..."Noguchi waved his hand, "Say no more. I've been fighting with Nishimura for decades; I know what kind of person he is—a petty man... Tell me, how much did he give you? I'll pay double if you go and sit in front of his shop again.""But this isn't about money...""Triple!"Naruto shook his head, "I refuse! I already said it's not about the money. My grudge with Nishimurahas been settled; now that there's no hatred or resentment, I cannot attack him casually."Furthermore, one should take a long-term view in business.Backstabbing an employer was strictly forbidden in the Ninja World; once one's reputation was ruined, they would never get another order.Excluding his arch-rival Nishimura, Noguchi hated the clothing store owner on the next street the most.That bastard sold him fake goods last week and refused to admit it. It really infuriated him."Here is 1,000 ryo, kid. Get him."Naruto took this job.This clothing store had also chased him away, so it was a valid target.But with two precedents, the clothing store owner knelt quickly. In less than a week, he raised the white flag and offered Naruto 1,000 ryo in compensation.But when Naruto hinted that he could do business, he handed over another 1,000 ryo, commissioning Naruto to cause trouble at the clothing store across the street.With three precedents, the clothing store knelt even faster.But it was a pity...This guy was very timid and didn't dare to do business with Naruto.Naruto expressed deep regret.But, it didn't matter!Naruto had already found his own Ninja Way!