novelnext Chapter 134 The Fuma Clan? A 6-Year-Old Chunin
Chapter 134 The Fuma Clan? A 6-Year-Old Chunin
Chapter 134 The Fuma Clan? A 6-Year-Old Chunin
Sosuke held the letter he had just opened.
The letter was slightly damp, and the handwriting was messy and unrestrained, written with charcoal on the back of rough wrapping paper.
This is a handwritten letter from Juchi.
Boss:
The rain here is fucking heavy, it's making me feel like mushrooms are growing on me.
The money has already worked. Those wandering ninjas and samurai practically popped their eyes out when they saw the gold. As you instructed, I've now established a base in the "Iron Forest" on the border of the Land of Rain, gathering about a hundred wandering ninjas and samurai, and over three hundred orphans. Here, human life is worth less than grass. A bag of rice can buy a woman, two bags of rice can buy a life. With the money you gave me, I live like a daimyo here.
However, there are also unexpected situations.
The Akatsuki organization has expanded too quickly. Yahiko is a natural orator, and his peace theories have attracted many people.
However, with more people, there are more mouths to feed. They don't have enough food to eat.
Although I've been secretly providing aid, it's a bottomless pit. I originally wanted to acquire a grain processing plant, but these plants aren't something money can buy. Most of them are controlled by Hanzo, and a small portion are in the hands of other forces. In any case, I will find a way to solve the food problem as soon as possible.
In addition, a group of unidentified armed personnel have recently been making contact with the Akatsuki organization. They are not Hanzo's people, and seem to be from a force near the Land of Rain.
Serrated edges
Sosuke put down the letter.
"Unidentified armed personnel —"
"Aside from Hanzo's Rain Ninja, who else near the Land of Rain possesses a well-organized armed force?"
"Aside from the infiltration forces of the three major powers, the only remaining options are homeless families."
A map of the ninja world appeared in Sousuke's mind.
Nestled between the Land of Rain, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Fields, lives an ancient ninja clan.
The Wind Demon Clan.
This family was once prominent during the Warring States period, and was famous for its skill in wielding the Fumo Shuriken.
Later, with the establishment of the ninja village system in major countries, these ninja clans, which relied on family-based inheritance and had no fixed territory, gradually declined and became mercenaries or even bandits employed by various countries.
"If it's the Wind Demon Clan, then it makes sense."
Sosuke stood up and walked to the window.
"They are skilled in manipulation and very powerful. However, they are very poor."
Declining wealthy families are often worse off than ordinary people. They uphold the glory of their ancestors, yet they can't even fill their stomachs.
The Akatsuki organization is expanding —
When Fuma went to the Akatsuki, was it to plunder, or... to cooperate?
Sosuke immediately wrote a reply.
Serrated edges:
Confirm the identities of those armed men. I suspect they are from the Fuma clan. If so, recruit them. Tell them that serving the Takaya Trading Company will not only provide them with food, but also allow their prized Fuma shuriken to regain their fame in the ninja world. These powerful individuals, abandoned by the times, are the best subordinates. With their help, taking over the food processing plant will be a breeze.
Sousuke]
After finishing the arrangements for the Land of Rain, Sousuke rubbed his temples.
"Let's go for a walk."
He put on a black overcoat and walked out of the Kikyō Pavilion.
Winter is almost over.
It was still quite chilly, but the streets were bustling with activity.
Although the fighting continues on the front lines, life must go on for those in the rear. And with recent good news, the atmosphere in the village has become much more relaxed.
As Sosuke passed by the bulletin board in the mission hall, he saw a crowd gathered there.
"I can't believe it—"
"Six years old? Are you kidding me?"
"I heard he's Lord Sakumo's son—"
"He's truly a genius! Graduated at five, became a Chunin at six—"
Sosuke stopped in his tracks.
Through the gaps in the crowd, he saw a newly posted promotion notice on the bulletin board.
[Kakashi Hatake is hereby appointed as a Chunin.]
The boy in the photo is wearing a mask, and his eyes are calm and sharp.
"A six-year-old Chunin—"
Sousuke muttered to himself.
In this world, six years old is still an age when one is still being pampered in their parents' arms.
But Kakashi had killed enough people, completed enough missions, and even passed that rigorous test.
A true genius.
"However, it seems like not many people are celebrating for him."
Geniuses are always lonely. Especially at this particular time.
Minato Namikaze is still leading a mission on the front lines and has not returned.
Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara were still struggling in the Ninja Academy and were not yet qualified to be his teammates.
Meanwhile, his father, Hatake Sakumo, as the frontline commander, is locked in a standoff with Sunagakure in the quagmire of the Land of Rivers.
"Since he is my business partner's son, whether out of courtesy or investment considerations, I should make a gesture of respect."
Sosuke turned and walked toward a corner of the village.
On the banks of the Nanga River.
As the sun sets, the river turns red.
A small figure sits alone by the river.
Kakashi Hatake.
He was wearing a brand-new Chunin vest. The vest was a little too big for him, making it look somewhat loose.
He carried a short knife on his back.
He was staring blankly at the river.
"Congratulations."
A voice sounded behind him.
Kakashi turned his head and saw a young man wearing an eye patch, carrying an oil paper package.
"Takaya——Jounin?"
Kakashi recognized Sousuke.
Although the two didn't have much interaction, his father, Sakumo, mentioned this person in a letter, saying that he was "an interesting businessman and a reliable logistics officer."
"Good alertness, Kakashi, a Chunin."
Sousuke smiled and sat down next to Kakashi.
He didn't treat Kakashi like a child, but rather with the same equality one would show to a colleague.
"Aren't we going to celebrate? He's broken Konoha's record for youngest promotion."
97
"There's nothing to celebrate."
Kakashi pulled up his mask.
"It's just a title. Besides—Father's not here."
"Yes, Lord Sakumo is at the front lines. He's protecting the village, and he's protecting you too."
Sosuke opened the oil paper package in his hand, and a rich, burnt aroma wafted out.
Those were several golden-brown, crispy saury, sprinkled with lemon juice and sea salt.
"You haven't eaten yet, have you?"
Sousuke handed Kakashi a pair of chopsticks.
"I just passed by an izakaya and bought it on the spur of the moment."
Kakashi hesitated for a moment.
He was indeed hungry. But he wasn't used to accepting kindness from strangers.
"Take it."
Sosuke shoved the chopsticks into his hand.
"Your father can't make it back. As his friend, I can't watch his son eat cold food alone on such an important day."
Kakashi took the chopsticks.
"Thanks."
He picked up a fish.
But he didn't eat immediately. Instead, he looked at Sosuke with some difficulty and touched his mask.
Zongjie understood.
This kid has a pretty strong sense of image.
"I think the scenery over there is nice."
Sousuke stood up, turned around, his back to Kakashi, and looked at the Hokage Rock in the distance.
"You eat slowly, I'll go get some fresh air."
I heard extremely rapid chewing sounds behind me.
A few seconds later.
"I'm done eating."
Sosuke turned around.
Only the fish bones remained, completely clean. Kakashi's mask was still on tightly, without even a wrinkle.
"That's incredibly fast."
Sosuke gave a thumbs-up and sat down again.
"Kakashi."
Sosuke took a small wooden box out of his pocket and handed it over.
"What is this?"
"Promotion gift"
Kakashi was stunned.
"Why? We're not familiar with each other."
"Because I am a businessman."
Sosuke said frankly.
"I'm investing in you because I believe you will be very valuable in the future."
"Moreover, your father is not only my friend, but also my major client. Pleasing the client's son is also part of business."
This is very blunt, even a bit mercenary.
But for a precocious and sensitive child like Kakashi, this naked logic of self-interest is more reassuring than hypocritical politeness.
Kakashi took the box and opened it.
Inside was a black stone. Its surface was rough, but it faintly emitted a blue light.
"This is----"
"Chakra whetstone".
Sosuke explained.
"It contains trace amounts of chakra-conducting metal powder. Sharpening your sword with it will allow your short sword to better absorb chakra."
"This is very valuable."
Kakashi closed the box.
"Thank you. I will remember this favor."
Sosuke waved his hand.
"As long as you become a Jonin in the future, just take good care of the Takaya Trading Company's business."
He stood up and dusted off his backside.
"Okay, I won't bother you anymore."
"Go back and rest early, Kakashi Chunin. You have a long way to go."
Sosuke turned and left.
The setting sun cast a long shadow of him.
Kakashi was holding the wooden box in his hand.
He watched Sosuke's retreating figure.
"Merchant, huh?!"
Kakashi murmured softly.
Although the other party was full of talk about benefits, the warmth of the grilled fish did indeed dispel the chill.
In the days when her father was absent, this was the only warm and caring gesture from an adult.
"Takaya Sosuke————"
Kakashi remembered the name.