Chapter 79: Money Really Allows You to Do Whatever You Want
Although it was a purely physical technique, the fight between Ryosuke and Hyuga Hiashi resembled a clash between martial artists more than a traditional shinobi battle.
But in reality, the duel ended in less than ten minutes.
Just like that, Hiashi collapsed into a pool of blood. Refusing any help, he forced himself back up, stubbornly pushing away Ryosuke's hand and limping alone toward the main house with heavy, dragging steps.
Ryosuke followed silently behind him, eyes fixed on the elder's back.
It was clear the battle had shaken Hiashi deeply. Maybe even shattered his long-held beliefs.
Perhaps, in that short clash, the foundation of his entire worldview had been torn apart.
After all, the power of the Byakugan had always been revered—transcending the limits of ordinary ninja. Yet despite safeguarding that power for generations, no one in the Hyuga clan had ever truly pushed its potential beyond mortal boundaries.
Fortunately, Hinata and the others were still at the Academy and hadn't witnessed any of this.
When they arrived back at the estate, Ryosuke noticed the shocked expressions on the faces of the caretaker Aliang and the household servants.
"Master Ryosuke, were you attacked?!" one of them gasped.
Hiashi headed to his room for treatment, while Ryosuke turned to return to his own. Though he hadn't sustained any injuries himself, helping Hiashi up had left smears of blood on his clothes.
But just as he reached the threshold of his room, before he could change out of the stained robes, Hoshicai came running in from the courtyard, his face pale with urgency.
His eyes locked onto the blood on his robes—and in an instant, he activated his Byakugan, chakra flaring, ready to fight.
Ryosuke held up his hands, smiling helplessly. "Relax. This is clan territory. What danger could I possibly be in?"
Since he and Hiashi had agreed to keep their duel secret, he didn't linger on the subject and quickly shifted gears. "But you came running in such a hurry—what happened?"
He pulled out a clean change of clothes and stepped behind the folding screen.
Hoshicai hesitated for a moment, then saw how calm he looked and took a breath, suppressing his chakra. "The scouting team we sent to the Land of Waves just returned," he explained. "The situation there... isn't looking good."
"Not good?" Ryosuke asked casually, pulling off his stained robe. "Let's hear it."
He unfurled a scroll and continued, "The local government and the people in the Land of Waves are currently under the control of a businessman named Gato. While there's no solid proof, he's likely behind the deaths of the country's former officials."
"Gato?" Ryosuke echoed.
"He's one of the wealthiest men in the world," Hoshicai said, glancing at his scroll. "He's a shipping magnate. The Land of Waves borders several nations—Fire Country, Iron Country, and the Land of Hot Water. Because of its sea access, we believe he intends to turn it into a shipping hub."
He paused before continuing, "Though it's considered a nation, the Land of Waves is really just a small island. Its size and strength are pitiful compared to even a town in the Fire Country. It wouldn't take much for someone like Gato to seize control."
By now, Ryosuke had finished changing and stepped out from behind the screen, drying his hair with a towel.
"As a businessman of that caliber, he must have a security force," Ryosuke said. "Did we get intel on his guards?"
Hoshicai turned around and nodded. "Most of his men are missing-nin. Battlefield deserters. But nothing too concerning."
He hesitated, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. "The real issue is that… he has money. A lot of it. Somehow, he caught wind that the Hyuga clan would be handling the diplomatic relations for the Land of Waves. So he's already taken precautions."
Ryosuke raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"He's placed high-priced commissions on the black market," he said. "Enough money to hire at least three jonin-level rogue ninja. Even for us, that kind of force can't be ignored."
Ryosuke's smile widened.
So Gato knew the Hyuga clan was coming—and he still dared to resist?
This wasn't like Naruto's squad back in the original timeline, when they took on an A-rank mission under the guise of a C-rank job. That situation had caught Gato off guard.
But now?
Now Gato was informed. Prepared. He knew the Hyuga clan would take control of the Land of Waves' international relations. He understood that all the tribute from the Land of Waves to the Fire Country would eventually funnel through the Hyuga.
And even knowing all that, he still threw his money around in defiance.
Where the hell did that kind of confidence come from?
"Master Ryosuke," Hoshicai said, snapping him from his thoughts. "If you're really planning to go to the Land of Waves with us, I'd like to request the clan leader send a few more jonin to assist. Just to ensure your safety."
Ryosuke glanced at his serious expression and nodded. "I understand. I'll speak to my father about it personally."
In truth, he already had a pretty good idea of what was going on over there.
Gato was a businessman.
And Ryosuke had been one too, in his past life.
He knew all too well the mindset required to become wealthy in a world like this—what kind of morals you had to discard, and what kind of methods you had to adopt.
"Pick out some reliable shinobi from the clan," he said finally. "Ten will be enough."
Hoshicai blinked. "Only ten?"
"This is a private mission," Ryosuke explained. "Even if the village finds out, as long as we don't stir up too much trouble, they'll look the other way."
He looked him in the eye. "Yes, this operation is part of the Fire Nation's compensation to us for the humiliation we endured, but if we go in too heavy-handed, we'll draw attention from the wrong people in the village."
He added, "So don't overthink it. Treat the personnel selection just like you would any standard mission. As for the extra jonin you mentioned—I'll have my father handle that part."
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