The Days of Being the Richest Man in the Ninja World

[V2] - Chapter 119. War... Has Begun!

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"..."

Sitting in the vehicle speeding through the desert, Obito now finally understood what his mission was all about.

Which was—

What exactly did Minato-sensei mean with all that sneakiness and secrecy?

Why ask him to come in secret, and then ask if he was happy?

Wasn't that just leading him to overthink things?!

However...

"There's really another ninja world?" Uchiha Obito stared in shock at Tobirama-sama and Orochimaru in front of him. "That's unbelievable!"

If not for the fact that Tobirama-sama was also here, he would've thought that black-hearted Orochimaru was just pitching some fantasy to scam funding again!

"It's certainly hard to believe," Orochimaru chuckled, "but it's true!"

"An alternate ninja world!!!" With this confirmation, Obito sighed in awe, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly as his eyes shone with anticipation. "I wonder if there's another me over there? If there is, what would he be like? I bet he's already become Hokage!"

He—

Uchiha Obito—

He was going to become Hokage!

As his words fell—

"…"

The entire vehicle suddenly fell into silence.

Having heard a rough history of the other ninja world, Orochimaru and Tobirama exchanged complicated glances.

This guy...

If he found out what he had done over there—

Would he go completely insane?

But thinking it over...

They still needed him to do some work, so maybe it was better not to say anything for now. If he got too emotionally affected, he might not feel like working at all.

So after briefly explaining the upcoming tasks, they continued heading toward the experimental base.

After a while—

The car came to a halt.

Orochimaru opened the door, turned around with a grin, and looked at Obito. "Well then... we'll be counting on you from here! Don't worry, the work here is pretty light! In your spare time, you can go online, chat, or even play games!"

He spread his arms. "Welcome to the team!"

...

[Why has the Land of Wind been echoing with terrifying explosions for over a month?]

[Is the notorious dark-hearted factory boss of the ninja world—Orochimaru—really spotted at a Yuto Milk Tea shop?! Fact or fiction?]

[Is Orochimaru connected to the string of explosions in the Land of Wind?]

The long-running experiments had eventually been discovered.

Suddenly... the entire internet was abuzz with news and speculation about the explosions in the Land of Wind.

However, due to the special nature of the alternate ninja world, the Five Great Ninja Villages couldn't possibly reveal the truth online.

As a result, countless netizens grew increasingly curious and began wildly speculating about what exactly was happening.

Especially after someone spotted Orochimaru at a milk tea shop in the Land of Wind—

Theories exploded even more wildly.

Some believed that the previously arrested Orochimaru had opened another black-hearted factory there and was bombed by the Five Great Nations.

Others thought that Sunagakure and Orochimaru might be secretly developing some terrifying weapon.

Either way—

The online buzz showed no signs of dying down, even overshadowing the long-trending story of a seventy-year-old grandmother searching for her missing grandson.

Meanwhile, those who knew the truth…

They continued to keep a close eye on the news from the Ancient Kingdom of Roran.

After all, that place held the alternate ninja world!

If the experiment really succeeded... wouldn't they also be able to enter that world?

At this very moment—

It was deep into the night.

Danzo, frowning slightly, glanced at his phone before placing it aside. He then closed his eyes, kneeling with a golden cane placed before him—an item he rarely parted with—his face expressionless as he stared silently ahead.

A calm and serene aura radiated from his entire being, as though he had melted into the night.

Still as a statue.

Quiet as a breeze.

But if you looked deeper—

It felt as if a terrifying storm was brewing in the depths of that silence, waiting only for the right moment to erupt!

Time ticked by.

The night grew even deeper.

All of Konoha seemed to fall into a hushed slumber, broken only by the faint chirping of insects in the courtyard.

Everyone was asleep.

No one knew how long it had been—

Danzo remained unmoving, as if he had drifted off as well.

However—

Only those familiar with him would know...

He wasn't sleeping at all!

He was very likely still racing through thoughts at full speed within his mind!

Ever since Uchiha Obito joined the project, the experiment had progressed in leaps and bounds.

Especially those Mangekyo eyes of his—

Extremely sensitive to space-time fluctuations, pushing the research several steps forward.

However...

Uchiha Obito...

Uchiha Yuto...

Danzo was very aware of the relationship between those two. There were even rumors... that Uchiha Obito was the adopted son of Uchiha Yuto and held a very special place in Yuto's eyes.

Therefore, to Danzo, these two were clearly in the same camp.

Now that Obito had joined the experiment team, what if he discovered Root's plans and told the Yuto Group?

Then wouldn't all of Root's recent efforts and preparations go completely to waste?

You must understand—

If Root Group wants to defeat the Yuto Group, this is their only chance!

But without a doubt… Uchiha Obito is extremely important to the experiment!

According to that guy Orochimaru, it was thanks to Obito's participation that the project advanced so rapidly.

Therefore, at this point, it's impossible to kick Obito out!

After all, the longer it drags on, the more dangerous it becomes for Root Group.

Only by succeeding as early as possible can Root Group move to the next phase—conquering the alternate ninja world market!

And if it drags on too long, everything Root Group has done will be even easier for Yuto Group to uncover.

So—

This is exactly what has been troubling Danzo these past few days!

Inwardly distressed over the possibility that once they succeed, Uchiha Obito might report everything to the Yuto Group right away…

Yet also worried that if he's removed, the entire experiment will be delayed.

He knew just how important this opportunity was to Root Group!

With eyes still tightly shut, Danzo let out a faint sigh.

He still didn't open them, but his brows furrowed slightly.

A moment passed.

He muttered softly to himself, "My mind is in chaos again!"

The more critical the moment, the calmer one's heart must be—especially now.

No one knew if news of success would arrive tonight or tomorrow night, so utmost vigilance was essential.

As the helm of Root Group, he must not falter!

Now, the only thing he could hope for was… that Orochimaru would follow their agreement and send him the news first, so he could get ahead of the Yuto Group by even a single step.

However—

It looked like there would be no news tonight either.

Danzo sighed, preparing to open his eyes and get up for some rest—

Suddenly—

"Conquer! Conquer! Conquer!"

His phone's thunderous ringtone blasted like war drums.

Shua~

Danzo's eyes snapped open, a gleam cutting straight through the surrounding darkness.

He immediately picked up the phone. Seeing "Orochimaru" on the screen, he paused for a moment, then took a deep breath to steady himself. With a solemn expression and a lowered voice, he said, "Hello?"

As soon as he spoke—

"Success."

Just a simple word came through the speaker.

Instantly—

That tense and serious face revealed a faint smile!

"Is it success?"

Danzo let out a breath of relief and murmured, staring at the phone that had already disconnected. Without hesitation, he immediately dialed Sarutobi Hiruzen's number.

Then—

He held his breath, watching the phone screen as it rang.

Time ticked by—

One second… two seconds… three seconds...

The entire space fell into silence again, broken only by the soft dial tone from the phone.

Those few seconds felt like an eternity!

Danzo stared at the screen, unmoving.

Roughly ten seconds later—

The call connected. Before the other side could even speak—

Danzo, with a calm tone, directly said: "Assemble."

And without hesitation, hung up.

Clutching his golden cane tightly in both hands, he stood tall in place, eyes fixed ahead, staring through the window at the bright moon in the dark sky.

War… has begun!