[V2] - Chapter 44. Aftermath
---
Although the black-hearted factory had already been destroyed, the matter was far from over.
After all, the boss of the black-hearted factory—Orochimaru—was still on the run. How could it be considered over when he hadn't even been caught yet?
Many people, upon seeing the line of oppressed workers, one after another shouting under the fire, "Finally vacation!", were filled with deep emotion—and with that emotion came equal fury directed at Orochimaru.
Damn it!
That guy still hasn't been caught?!
At the same time, dragged down by this incident—"Black-hearted Factory Exposed, Shocking the Ninja World"—the Root Group suffered huge losses!
Under its umbrella… the second-largest online marketplace in the ninja world—[Rootzon]—could no longer operate.
Many merchants withdrew one after another, and after cooperative partners forcefully terminated their contracts, [Rootzon] had already shut down a few days ago.
Moreover, due to the ninja world's fury toward the black-hearted factory incident, after Orochimaru's escape, all enterprises under the Root Group were affected. The losses were… well, it's said that when the large ninja force went to catch the snake, the Root Group's boss, a legendary figure in the business world—Shimura Danzo—clutched his chest and fainted.
The business empire he had painstakingly built over several years was now nearly gone!
The only stroke of luck might be… that Shimura Danzo still had a close brother-in-arms!
After he passed out, that friend never left his side and took care of him the entire time. Even now that he'd woken up, that close companion—Sarutobi Hiruzen—still hadn't left him, eating and sleeping together!
Although the Root Group's "rating human ashes" practice was widely condemned, this sincere bond still moved many people~
However—
It wasn't long before—
Since they couldn't catch Orochimaru, the villagers who had been focusing their anger on the Root Group began to ease off. People began turning their attention to… other targets.
…
Today.
The weather was fine, the sky high and clear.
The morning breeze was gentle, with birdsong and fragrant flowers.
At this moment—
Although his face still looked pale and weak, the now-awake Danzo was sitting cross-legged, calmly staring out the window.
He—
His… business empire was about to be gone.
Not long ago, he was full of ambition, planning to expand into the alternate ninja world, to crush the Yuto Group, and become the number one group in the ninja world.
But now, in just a short while…
The Root Group he had built with such effort was about to collapse!
"Sigh~" Danzo let out a long breath.
Now, he didn't even know what to do anymore!
Change the name, start over? Or just retire and live out his days?
But no matter what… he still felt unwilling!
He—
Shimura Danzo.
He has a dream of the sea of stars!
How could he give up just like this?
At that moment—
"Danzo! Danzo! You're awake?"
Hearing that familiar voice, Danzo silently turned his head and saw Sarutobi Hiruzen hurrying over. He shook his head helplessly. "Don't panic! I won't run this time!"
Why was he always worried about him running away?
Even if he wanted to run now, where could he go? Unless it was to another ninja world!
However—
"I know! I know!" Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded eagerly at Shimura Danzo, grinning. "I mean good news! Good news!"
"???"
"Fewer and fewer people are cursing the Root Group!"
As soon as he said that—
Danzo, who had been quietly enjoying the view, twitched slightly, suddenly growing curious.
It had only been a few days!
How could the criticism already be decreasing? Just yesterday, the public outcry had made even him feel uneasy~ And now there was good news?
Could it be—
"Orochimaru has been caught?"
"Nope! That brat Orochimaru… he's been good at hiding since he was a kid. Now who knows where he's gone. Catching him isn't so easy!"
"Then why is the criticism decreasing? Don't tell me… people actually believe the statement we released?"
Have internet users become so reasonable these days?
"Eh, not really!" Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head. "Nobody believes it! No one believes our announcement!"
"Then what's the reason?"
At that—
Danzo frowned and looked curiously at Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was hesitating… wanting to speak but unsure how, holding back for a long time… only opening his mouth without saying anything. "What's going on?"
"You might not believe it if I tell you!"
"???"
"Today, something suddenly blew up online…" Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated for a moment, then sighed and said, "The First Hokage, Second Hokage, and the Legendary Uchiha—Uchiha Madara—have all been exposed for sucking up to superiors and oppressing employees for promotions! The internet is criticizing them right now!"
As soon as he finished—
Danzo: …
A completely dumbfounded face!
What the hell?!
…
What the hell!
When Minato heard the information reported by the ninja below, he was so shocked he nearly bit his own tongue.
In the end, after repeatedly questioning it…
He had no choice but to believe it.
His idol!
The First Hokage and Second Hokage of Konoha… were actually corrupted by money?!
Although there seemed to be various reasons behind it, he had to admit—he was truly shocked.
Just look.
Even Utatane Koharu, once the Second Hokage's student and now a Hokage Advisor, still looked completely dumbfounded!
And apparently, to avoid the spotlight, Tsunade—who had originally been invited to discuss matters regarding the Alternate Ninja World—didn't even dare return to the village now!
"This is really, really…" After stammering for a long while and still unable to express what was in his heart, Minato could only sigh helplessly and shake his head. "I'll personally issue an apology later! Even though there seem to be other reasons involved, no matter what… this time it was indeed the First and Second Hokage who were in the wrong!"
At that point—
Seeing everyone's understanding yet complicated expressions, Minato finally breathed a sigh of relief inside. Then, he put on a serious expression, "Now then… the more important matter is Otsutsuki Urashiki!"
He invaded the Moon's Otsutsuki Clan, seized the Tenseigan on the moon, and then went into hiding again.
This guy—
What exactly is he planning?
As those words fell—
Aside from Yuto, who had been dragged into the meeting and was still yawning, the rest of them fell silent, brows furrowed as if deep in thought.
Especially Sasuke…
After witnessing so many bizarre and absurd events, all he wanted now was to get out of this ninja world and hurry back to help Naruto.
Although he was reluctant to part with his father, mother, and Onii-chan here, he was afraid that staying any longer might cause some other incident.
So, Urashiki Otsutsuki must be dealt with as soon as possible!
However—
Why seize the Tenseigan all of a sudden?
Was it simply that Otsutsuki Urashiki saw Konoha's strength and wanted to prepare more thoroughly, or… is there some other hidden secret?
After a while—
Sasuke sighed, shook his head, and said, "No matter what, whether it's for war or something else… we must find his whereabouts as soon as possible!"
As those words fell—
"Indeed!" Minato sighed and nodded. "I've already arranged for an expanded investigation. I'll also be discussing this with the other ninja villages shortly. I believe we'll have news soon!"
Then—
Looking at everyone, he rubbed his forehead helplessly. "If there's nothing else, this meeting is over!"
After that—
He still had a lot of things to deal with!
Unfortunately—
The Third Hokage had been taking care of Danzo-sama lately and couldn't leave for now, otherwise he could've helped share some of the burden.
Sigh~
What an admirable bond!
"Yes, Fourth Hokage!"
Just as everyone was preparing to leave—
Suddenly—
Minato seemed to remember something and called out to the yawning Yuto, "Oh, right! Yuto, wait a second!"
"???"
"The Otsutsuki Clan on the Moon said they hope you can send someone up soon to repair the signal station!"
"???"
At a time like this?
Even their ancestor's eyes had been stolen—and they were still thinking about hooking up the internet?!
===
Read upto [V2] Chapter 110 in patreon.com/kurato6180