"Not bad, you little brat."
Kakuzu stood there, breathing heavily, his dark green eyes filled with surprise as he stared at Sakumo Hatake.
More than twenty exchanges—
And neither side had gained the upper hand.
At close range, Sakumo had even suppressed him.
His blade work—
Already forming its own style.
If I let him grow any further… I might not be able to beat him in a few years.
Better beat him now while he's still green.
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes.
Otherwise… I won't get the chance later.
—
Sakumo, meanwhile, felt a chill run down his spine.
Even with a mask—
Even after lying low—
The victims of that "futures sermon" were still finding him.
This is karma…
—
Just as Kakuzu was about to continue—
Nara Shikaku stepped in.
"That's enough."
"You'll be working together from now on."
"If you want to spar—there's time later."
Kakuzu snorted.
"Fine."
"But this isn't over, brat."
He gave Sakumo a chilling smile.
From that day on—
Sakumo began living a "blessed" life of constant surveillance.
—
"Master, time to wake up."
Ling's gentle voice pulled Ren from sleep.
Sunlight streamed across his face.
After a brief struggle—
He finally escaped the bed.
Winter was approaching.
The warmth of the blankets lingered.
…Maybe I should install air conditioning at home.
All rooms.
The production lines—
Were already built.
Labor?
Plenty.
After the war—
Konoha had no shortage of idle civilians.
And refugees—
Desperate for work.
Ren's factories—
Were filled with cheap labor.
Low wages.
But food and housing included.
Twelve-hour shifts.
Rotating nights.
And yet—
They were grateful.
"The Hokage is truly kind…"
Ren walked through the streets.
Hearing the praise.
…He said nothing.
—
"Master, the milk tea is delicious."
"Hmm. I still prefer cola."
Ren held a glass of cola.
Feng and Ling carried milk tea.
Konoha's beverage shops—
Were booming.
Milk tea.
Cola.
Sweet.
Addictive.
Humans—
Were slaves to sugar.
Especially women.
Though—
Sugar was still expensive.
Only shinobi—
Could afford daily indulgence.
To promote sales—
Ren personally endorsed the shops.
Even at official meetings—
Everyone received one cup each.
Top-down influence.
Effective.
Now—
Queues stretched long.
Young men lining up—
Just to buy a drink for someone they liked.
Ren glanced at them.
Pathetic.
A drink won't win her heart.
—
But sugar supply—
Was still a problem.
Most farmland—
Still grew staple crops.
People needed to eat.
Replacing food crops with sugar—
Could cause famine.
Ren frowned.
Even I have limits.
I may run exploitative factories…
But I'm still a good person.
…Right?
—
Then—
An idea.
Aburame Clan.
If bees could make honey—
Why not insects that produce sugar?
Even—
Protein-rich insects for food.
—
Hokage Office.
Ren looked at Aburame Shiun.
"I have an important task for your clan."
Shiun straightened.
Excited.
The Aburame—
Had always been overlooked.
Now—
Opportunity.
"What kind of mission?"
"Infiltration?"
Ren shook his head.
"No."
"Breeding insects."
"…?"
"Special ones."
"Produce sugar."
"Or high-protein biomass."
Shiun froze.
Then—
His eyes lit up.
"In that case—"
"You've chosen the right clan."
Ren outlined the requirements.
Simple diet.
High yield.
Fast reproduction.
Shiun listened—
Amazed.
This direction—
They had never considered.
"We'll mobilize the entire clan."
Ren nodded.
"I'll assign a researcher to assist."
"…A master?"
"Yes."
"…I'd like to meet them."
Ren coughed.
"…In time."
Tobirama probably isn't ready for that yet…
—
Shiun left.
Immediately began preparations.
—
Shikaku entered.
Daily report.
"Air conditioners are selling extremely well among nobles."
"The Daimyō wants more production."
"He plans to install them across the palace."
Ren smiled.
Cost?
Just over one hundred thousand ryo.
Selling price?
Eight hundred eighty thousand.
"Luxury model."
Hand-carved exterior.
…Of course, that part was a lie.
But nobles loved it.
Cheap version?
Ignored.
They wanted status.
—
"Expand production."
"The Daimyō has money to burn."
"Charge extra for power systems."
"Say it's rush work."
"They won't care."
Ren leaned back.
Satisfied.
"Also—install units in cinemas."
"Offer discounts."
"Build mass appeal."
"Even civilians must be included."
"Understood."
"Coordinate with the Daimyō for other nations."
"Give him a cut."
"And involve Kakuzu."
"He'll be useful."
Shikaku nodded.
"Kakuzu… is impressive."
"He's been studying nonstop."
Ren chuckled.
Of course.
Once Kakuzu understood—
The scale—
He wouldn't stop.
Money—
Was the best motivation.
And soon—
He would learn—
That in this world—
Making money…
Could be far easier than killing for it.
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