In Naruto as Zhongli
Chapter 87: INAZ - 86

Chapter 87: INAZ: Chapter 86

--- Besides, taking a step back, even if the steelmaking technology was stolen, Shinji would have other forging methods to output. Things li

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Besides, taking a step back, even if the steelmaking technology was stolen, Shinji would have other forging methods to output. Things like titanium alloys, etc. Just bringing out steel now was sufficient; it wasn’t yet the time for rapid expansion.

"Alright then, I understand. By the way, Boss Shinji, what are your plans next?" Orochimaru suddenly asked.

"You guys are enough here. I’ll stay at Konoha’s All-Purpose Shop for this period. Just happens I have some things to handle back there," Shinji said after thinking for a moment.

"Really being an absentee boss, Boss Shinji. Kakuzu, indeed Otogakure only has the two of us wholeheartedly doing things," Orochimaru said jokingly.

"Truly envious," Kakuzu stated coldly.

"Alright. Since you can both handle it, my staying here causing trouble isn’t helpful either. I’ll come over in a month. By then, the reserves of kunai and shuriken should be sufficient, right?"

"Yes. Which faction should we contact first then?" Kakuzu suddenly asked. Currently, there were two factions available for cooperation: Kumogakure and Konoha. However, neither of these factions was easy to deal with. Once one agreed, the other would definitely have other thoughts about Otogakure.

"We can contact both. This way, after a month, we send people to both Kumogakure and Konoha with a few samples. Once they know the quality of this item, we just need to wait and collect money," Shinji said after thinking for a moment. This way, neither side would be offended, and they could also sell at a higher price. Of course, if the other side wanted to buy, that was fine too. As long as they matched the price, everything could be resolved smoothly. Our Otogakure is just doing business; the grudges between your great nations have nothing to do with our Otogakure. We are just a small Otogakure whose sole purpose is to make money. Yes, we maintain neutrality!

"Boss Shinji still has methods. Alright then. You go back first," Orochimaru waved his hand dismissively, as if very disgusted, signaling Shinji to leave.

"Really burning the bridge after crossing the river, Lord Orochimaru. I won’t have your share when I cook in the future," Shinji acted like he was flicking his sleeves and leaving.

"No problem, I’ll bring my own bowl and chopsticks, hahaha~" Orochimaru really enjoyed this feeling. Communication with Shinji was always so smooth.

...

...

"Lord Shinji, are we going back?" Karin, having sensed Shinji’s return with her Kagura Mind’s Eye just now, ran over from the Tsuchigumo clan’s residence, pulling Hotaru along. Deidara and Jūgo were also beside her.

"Yeah. We’ll come back next month. Let’s go back first. Hotaru, remember to send my regards to En no Gyōja," Shinji said to Hotaru Tsuchigumo who rushed over.

"Ah, are you leaving?" Hotaru said, clearly somewhat reluctant.

"Yeah. We’ve been out for some time this trip. It’s time to go back. You study hard here. You should be starting school in two months, right? Same as Karin. Let’s see whose grades are better then," Shinji patted Hotaru’s small head.

"I won’t lose to Sister Karin!" Hotaru immediately said, her eyes filled with fighting spirit.

"I won’t lose to you either, Hotaru," Karin smiled. The emotion between friends immediately manifested. The hands of the two clasped together, neither wanting to lose to the other.

"Then we’ll leave first. Deidara, Jūgo," Shinji looked at Deidara and Jūgo behind him.

"Yes, Lord Shinji." *2... After a flash, Shinji directly activated the return function. The four directly returned to Konoha’s All-Purpose Shop.

Returning to the All-Purpose Shop, Shinji and the others continued their previous life. Everything seemed no different from before. However, after half a month, the number of people in front of the All-Purpose Shop seemed somewhat more than before.

And on the front lines, after a period of offense and defense, the situation between Konoha and Kumogakure seemed to stagnate. Both sides merely probed each other daily. Under these circumstances, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly secretly returned from the front line. Only a few core people knew about this matter. And the place he came to was precisely Konoha’s All-Purpose Shop!

Today, Shinji was discussing something with Itachi, who had just returned from school. Suddenly, a knock sounded on the door of the All-Purpose Shop.

"Long time no see, Boss Shinji. Hope you’ve been well," Hiruzen Sarutobi knocked open the door of the All-Purpose Shop and walked straight in.

"Isn’t this Lord Third Hokage? Why suddenly return today?" Shinji paused for a moment upon seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi but quickly reacted. Itachi, upon seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi, merely bowed and then excused himself first. He knew this matter wasn’t something he could get involved in yet.

"This is Fugaku’s eldest son, right? Truly a fine talent," Hiruzen Sarutobi asked knowingly.

"Yes. Just Fugaku’s eldest son, Itachi. Lord Hokage should have met him long ago, right?" Shinji took out tea leaves and began brewing.

"Met him, but haven’t interacted much. But I can see Itachi is a good seedling. Suitable for my ANBU after graduation," Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Shinji’s actions, his eyes unreadable.

"I also think Itachi is a good seedling. But Lord Hokage, is there something specific about your sudden return?" Shinji knew Hiruzen Sarutobi was still stalling, so he also chose to get straight to the point.

"Not really a big deal. Just didn’t expect Mr. Zhongli is indeed still in Konoha," Hiruzen Sarutobi stared into Shinji’s eyes. Actually, after learning earlier that Shinji was that Zhongli, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s heart was fiercely shocked. But at that time, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn’t choose to return immediately, but continued presiding over the war against Kumogakure.

"Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi, this intelligence seems somewhat outdated, right?" Shinji looked amusedly at Hiruzen Sarutobi. He didn’t believe Hiruzen Sarutobi only learned this information now. There must be some other reason behind it.

"You also know the front line is very busy. That’s why I delayed until now to return," Hiruzen Sarutobi’s lips twitched, but he persisted.

"Is that so..." After a long while, Shinji finished brewing the tea, picked up a cup, and placed it before Hiruzen Sarutobi.

...

"How is Orochimaru doing?" Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly asked, a trace of struggle and loss seeming to flicker in his eyes. As if regretting his disciple’s遭遇 (zāoyù - encounter/misfortune) back then.

"Lord Orochimaru? That, I wouldn’t know," Shinji chuckled lightly. He already knew what Hiruzen Sarutobi came over for.

"Could it be, Boss Shinji, Otogakure wasn’t established jointly by you, Orochimaru, and Kakuzu?" Hiruzen Sarutobi swirled the teacup in his hand calmly.

"Lord Third Hokage, one cannot speak recklessly about this matter," Shinji wasn’t surprised Hiruzen Sarutobi already knew he was behind Otogakure.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"The matter of the Tsuchigumo clan. Why weren’t they introduced to our Konoha?" Hiruzen Sarutobi stared intently at Shinji. The matter of the Tsuchigumo clan really caught Hiruzen Sarutobi off guard. Originally, regarding this matter, he planned to personally go over and negotiate with the Tsuchigumo clan after the war ended.

Unexpectedly, Shinji intercepted him in the end, recruiting the Tsuchigumo clan into Orochimaru’s Otogakure. From that moment on, Hiruzen Sarutobi truly started paying attention to Otogakure. After specifically sending ANBU into Otogakure to investigate, he discovered Shinji was actually one of the three partners of Otogakure! This result made Hiruzen Sarutobi somewhat vigilant. And...

"The matter of the Tsuchigumo clan, is there any problem with me introducing them to Otogakure?" Shinji said with a smile.

"This was clearly something our Konoha planned to do," Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.

"But why wasn’t it done? Just happens Lord Orochimaru’s Otogakure is undergoing large-scale construction. Me helping him recruit some clans over, isn’t this matter very normal?

When Konoha was established back then, didn’t your Sarutobi clan join in the same way?" Shinji explained unhurriedly. For a village to expand, it needed to recruit new members. He didn’t think there was anything wrong with this matter.

"Yes, I know this matter. But... what about this?" Suddenly, Hiruzen Sarutobi took out an item from his clothes and placed it on the tea table. Shinji focused his gaze. A smile couldn’t help but appear at the corners of his mouth. He understood the entire purpose of Hiruzen Sarutobi’s sudden return this time.

Turns out... it was to bargain. Yes, placed before Shinji was precisely a kunai. And on the kunai was engraved Otogakure’s trademark. This trademark was also proposed by Shinji, capable of preventing counterfeiting. Even, there was a barcode on it. All these could indicate this was an item produced by Otogakure.

Looks like Orochimaru’s actions were really quite fast. Only half a month passed, yet this sample was already placed before Hiruzen Sarutobi. He must have specifically tested the power of this kunai, which caused Hiruzen Sarutobi to rush back from the front line so urgently.

After all, if this item could truly achieve mass production, then for a war, it was simply a huge factor capable of determining the outcome. One could imagine, if Kumogakure ultimately reached a purchase agreement with Otogakure, and used this kind of kunai as standard equipment, then on the first encounter, those unsuspecting ninjas would be suppressed by weapons in the first round.

Then there would be no need to fight further. After all, leading by one step means leading step by step. So, this was the real reason Hiruzen Sarutobi returned, precisely to seize the initiative.

If the previous relationship could be repaired, perhaps he could even equip his Konoha ninja army at some relatively favorable prices! Harboring this thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi returned from the front line immediately to find Shinji, which led to today’s scene.

"Lord Hokage, isn’t this just a kunai?" Shinji smiled, picked up the kunai on the table, and examined it in his hand. Looking at the color, it was clearly somewhat better than the initial one. Looks like this sample sent to both sides was indeed of fine quality.

"Yes. But this is the new type of kunai produced by your Otogakure. This is the crux of the matter," Hiruzen Sarutobi stated calmly, his eyes consistently focused on the kunai.

"Then, what does Lord Hokage plan to do?" Shinji looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, already understanding.

"Our Konoha plans to reach a cooperation with your Otogakure. As long as it’s kunai and shuriken of this level produced by your Otogakure, they can only be sold exclusively to our Konoha," Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned forward. If only Konoha possessed kunai and shuriken of this level, then let alone this war with Kumogakure, even starting wars directly with other villages, he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, wouldn’t be afraid.

Remember, wars weren’t decided solely by the number of Kage-level powerhouses, unless they were super Kage-level like Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, or Six Paths level powerhouses. Otherwise, war was fought through the confrontation of grassroots ninjas!

"Exclusive sales? Lord Hokage’s calculations are really ringing loudly," Shinji looked somewhat amusedly at Hiruzen Sarutobi. How could you think our Otogakure would grant you exclusive sales?

"Boss Shinji disagrees?" Hiruzen Sarutobi’s eyes narrowed. He could read from Shinji’s tone that he didn’t want to engage in this so-called exclusive sales.

"Naturally. Otogakure is open for business. Naturally, the highest bidder wins. By the way, Lord Hokage, since Lord Orochimaru has already given these to your side, then presumably Kumogakure’s side... should also receive them," Shinji looked smilingly at Hiruzen Sarutobi. This strategy was formulated by him, Orochimaru, and Kakuzu before he left.

Precisely to exert psychological pressure on the leaders of both sides. Yes, it’s fine if you don’t buy our Otogakure’s equipment. But you need to consider clearly, your opponent at this moment is likely conducting a new round of transactions with us.

Once a deal is reached, then the side that obtains the deal first will definitely have some advantages. This was an overt scheme. Shinji knew, Hiruzen Sarutobi also knew, but had no choice but to step into this overt scheme.

"Is what you said true?" Hiruzen Sarutobi’s face looked somewhat ugly looking at Shinji.

"Naturally. If I’m not mistaken, Kumogakure’s Fourth Raikage hasn’t appeared on the battlefield for several days, right?" Shinji continued his psychological attack. Actually, he didn’t know if the Fourth Raikage was on the battlefield or not. But if he had been there all along, presumably Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn’t have returned so readily.

Hearing Shinji’s words, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s face darkened once again. Indeed, during these two days, he hadn’t seen the Fourth Raikage appear!

"What price did you give them?" Hiruzen Sarutobi grit his teeth.

"Open for business, we naturally treat everyone fairly. After all, our Otogakure is a neutral village. Whoever comes is a friend."

"I am Orochimaru’s teacher. Isn’t there even a discount price?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked unwillingly. He still wanted to rely on this status to gain some benefits.

"Sorry, Lord Hokage. Regarding this, you might need to talk to Lord Orochimaru personally. Ask him if he’ll give you this chance," Shinji adopted a ’none of my business’ attitude. Anyway, this had little to do with him. After all, the price was already set there.

"But..." Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated.

"Well, Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi, do you need me to take you over to snipe Lord Orochimaru mid-lane?" Shinji said.

"You can take me over?" Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a long while, then said, seeming somewhat moved.

"Naturally. Just right to stage a wave of master-disciple affection, isn’t it?"

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