SWNOVELXO Chapter 476: Chapter 121. The Salted Fish Who Lost His Dream
[V2] - Chapter 121. The Salted Fish Who Lost His Dream
---
On the other side—
Danzo had no idea... that someone had nearly informed the Yuto Group about this. After leaving the village, the convoy immediately increased its speed to the vehicle's limit. If there were any obstructions, ninjas and their summoned beasts would swiftly act to ensure a clear path. Moreover, most people were resting at this hour, so the roads were relatively empty.
The Root Group convoy advanced toward its destination unimpeded.
At the same time, the Root Group warehouse near the ruins of the Ancient Kingdom of Roran also sprang into action. After learning that the passage might appear in the Land of Wind, Danzo had immediately ordered a warehouse to be set up nearby.
After all, the market here had nearly reached its peak. No matter what the industry, the Root Group was always one step behind the Yuto Group. Even though, under Danzo's leadership, the Root Group had managed to stay close in many areas, it still lagged behind.
Of course—
Overall, the Root Group was still far behind.
That's because the Yuto Group was involved in far too many industries. Danzo only wanted to defeat them in a familiar field first. After success, he would gradually take them down step by step and build his own Root Group empire.
Though the Yuto Group was a fearsome giant, Danzo Shimura—an entrepreneur for many years—had never once been afraid.
From Root BBQ to Root Milk Tea... he had only one goal: the Yuto Group!
Sitting in the car, Danzo rested both hands on his cane, looking straight ahead with a majestic, unmoving gaze.
That was the road to victory for the Root Group!
To his left and right—
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Mitokado Homura both held their breath, faces serious, staring straight ahead.
Since their goal was set, as ninjas... they would charge forward with everything they had.
Time ticked by—
Soon—
The convoy arrived at the destination. Trucks bearing the Root Group logo were already there, waiting for their president—President Danzo!
And waiting alongside them was Orochimaru, who welcomed them cheerfully. Though his smile... seemed just a bit off.
Although he had promised to inform Shimura Danzo as soon as the experiment succeeded, he hadn't expected the man to arrive so quickly—and looking so spirited too.
However—
The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
Even Senju Tobirama at the side looked helpless. After all, he knew very well that his three students had long dreamed of leading the Root Group to surpass the Yuto Group. And that was normal—he, too, had once dreamed of leading Konoha to surpass other ninja villages.
But alas—
This was fate!
He heard that even the Land of Wind was now nearly saturated with Yuto Milk Tea outlets.
"To think Danzo-sama arrived so quickly!" Orochimaru dropped his smile and sighed with emotion. After hesitating a bit, he added, "I suppose Danzo-sama didn't sleep at all last night. At your age, going without rest isn't good for your health. I have some emergency pills here. How about I give you some for free? Here, take some too, sensei—you might need them soon!"
However—
Danzo merely glanced at him, then coldly snorted. With pride etched into the wrinkles of his face, he rejected Orochimaru's offer. "I don't need that kind of thing. Just pulling an all-nighter. Back in the day, we pulled missions outside for a whole month without rest. What's one night?"
He fully embodied the imposing aura of the Root Group's president.
Hiruzen and Homura also sternly declined.
They were full of energy—why would they need such things?
Tobirama sighed helplessly again. Just as he was about to speak—
Danzo stepped forward and ordered all the employees to gather.
At this moment—
Not a single second could be wasted!
They had already given a brief explanation of today's objective in the car. Though many were still confused and shocked about the alternate ninja world, and hadn't yet recovered, they still moved swiftly under Danzo's orders.
Once everyone was ready, Danzo waved his hand mightily and pointed to the massive stone gate ahead. Strange and enormous, its surface was covered in complex sealing techniques. At its center, space had already been warped—and at the top...
It was a Rinnegan!
Danzo gave it a brief glance, then ignored it. Taking a deep breath and with a solemn expression, he waved his hand again. "First team! Enter!"
At his command—
"Yes!!!"
The first team stood tall and walked into the stone gate.
Ahead was the future of the Root Group!
Then—
One team after another entered.
However—
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was about to go in, Senju Tobirama suddenly pulled him back.
"???"
Before the confused Hiruzen could react—
"Take this." Tobirama stuffed a small bottle into Hiruzen's hand with a helpless look. "Emergency pills. You guys..." He paused. "You guys might need them later."
With that said—
"Hiruzen!" Danzo called out when he saw Hiruzen hadn't entered yet, his tone firm. "It's your turn!"
You know, this was war!
Even for a close friend, there could be no delays. What if time was wasted?
Helplessly—
Hiruzen accepted the pills and quickly led his team inside.
Finally, Danzo... stood before the stone gate, staring fixedly at it.
After about ten seconds—
He took another deep breath, tapped his cane against the ground, and stepped forward.
That step—
It was a small step for him, but a giant leap for the Root Group!
And now, his plan was finally coming to fruition.
Root Group—
It is the first business group to cross this gate!
From this moment on—
The Root Group would begin a brand new chapter!
Just like that—
With heavy footsteps, carrying his dreams on his back, he stepped forward toward the gate representing the Root Group's future.
Behind him—
Orochimaru and Senju Tobirama looked at the small figure, his back carrying a momentum as if nothing could stop him, until he disappeared from view.
Eventually—
Both sighed with emotion and withdrew their gazes.
"You've always looked forward to this, haven't you? Why aren't you going in?" Tobirama asked.
"On second thought, I think I'll go in later." Orochimaru shook his head with a smile. "I've waited this long already, no need to rush! Besides, the Kage from various villages will be arriving soon. As the director of this project, I can't leave first! What about you, Second Hokage-sama?"
"Hmph! I should go check on that idiotic brother of mine. I'll head in later!" Tobirama snorted, but then looked at the stone gate again with a complicated expression and sighed. "Danzo... These past few years haven't been easy for him!"
After all this time—
He also knew the Root Group's entrepreneurial history.
One was wanted.
One was ousted for corruption and bribery.
One was investigated for embezzlement.
Three men founded the Root Group together.
And the fact that the Root Group had come this far... had been a path full of hardship!
"Let's hope... they can let go a little this time!"
"Don't worry!" Orochimaru shrugged. As someone who had once done contract work for the Root Group, he knew this all too well. So he smiled and said, "I've already notified that world's Orochimaru. I doubt they'd want the first investor into the alternate ninja world to just disappear like that!"
...
"Welcome! Welcome! A warm welcome!"
In anticipation of the arrival from another ninja world, as the Seventh Hokage and his peers, they too were greatly looking forward to it. Meetings had long been held with the other villages, and after discussions, they agreed to showcase the charm and enthusiasm of their ninja world to the visitors from the other side.
So, when they received word from the other ninja world, they didn't hesitate. Even though it was already late at night, preparations were made immediately.
Of course, due to the sudden nature of the event, most of the other villages hadn't yet arrived. The Seventh Hokage Naruto stood at the front with the Konoha ninja, watching the incoming group.
However—
This group… was huge!
As expected of the massive commercial conglomerate from the other ninja world—Root Group!
Naruto sighed with emotion, then glanced at a familiar figure within the group. His eyes involuntarily turned red, and his voice trembled slightly, "Ji…-chan (Grandpa)!"
"???" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the blond youth in surprise.
He looked a bit familiar!
He really resembled that kid from the Fourth Hokage's family!
Could this be the one that the Seventh Hokage Sasuke had mentioned?
Hiruzen felt slightly affected inside but still smiled and said, "Sorry! I'm the Sarutobi Hiruzen from another ninja world, but…" he paused, "I believe the me of this world would be proud to see you like this!"
"Eh~ it should be me saying sorry." Naruto chuckled, scratched his head, and glanced complexly at the three figures in front of him.
Just as Sasuke had said.
They were similar, yet not the same!
Especially Shimura Danzo… he clearly looked different.
That aura—
The guy who hid in the shadows would never have such presence!
Thinking of what he had prepared—as a sort of host for the visitors from the other world—Naruto couldn't be rude. He quickly winked at Boruto, "Everyone's come from so far, have a drink and rest for a while first!"
At that—
Danzo, who had been about to say something in a hurry, could only stop for now.
After all, the person in front of him was the Seventh Hokage of this ninja world. Refusing him could lead to friction, which wouldn't benefit Root Group's future plans. He even planned to entrust Konoha with a few tasks soon.
So, they'd take a tea break for now!
Noticing his dad's signal, the well-prepared Boruto quickly turned and went to make arrangements.
Having spent quite some time in the other ninja world, he knew well what these people liked most.
Meanwhile—
As the President of Yuto Group's alternate-world milk tea division, he had already arranged everything after receiving the call from the other world.
He quickly dragged the still-excited Sarada and Mitsuki to bring up the prepared items.
It was summer now.
Perfect time for cold drinks!
In no time—
The three of them returned carrying large boxes and immediately handed a cup to each of the three elders. "Please enjoy! We prepared these especially for you!"
"Thank you!" Hiruzen cheerfully took the milk tea. He was quite familiar with the stuff and didn't even look before jabbing in the straw and taking a sip. He frowned slightly and muttered, "This flavor… why does it seem so familiar?"
As he spoke—
The three of them seemed to realize something. A sense of foreboding instantly welled up inside them. They sharply looked down at the cups in their hands.
That familiar cup and familiar logo!
"Isn't this Yuto Milk Tea?!" x3
Where did Yuto Milk Tea come from here? Could it be that this world also had a Uchiha Yuto?
Or—
Was this batch imported from their world?!
Just then—
"Hehe!" Naruto gave an awkward smile. "We specially prepared it. Boruto said you all liked it!"
"…"
There was something we wanted to say, but we didn't know if we should!
The three looked at each other. Finally, Danzo's entire body trembled, even his cane shook. In a hesitant yet hopeful voice, he asked, "This Yuto Milk Tea… where is it from?"
"Oh, it was founded here by Yuto from your world! I heard he's a clansman of Sasuke's, a Uchiha Yuto!" Naruto answered, puzzled by the sudden seriousness of the trio.
Could it be…
They were just too excited to see their favorite milk tea here?
They must really love it!
Naruto smiled wider and added, "It's really popular here too!"
"It really was that guy?!" Danzo trembled, left hand clutching the cane, right hand over his chest, voice filled with fear and faint hope, "Then… how many stores has he opened? Tell me… just one, or… how many?"
"One? Of course not! Yuto Milk Tea has been open for nearly half a year now. It's spread all over the Land of Fire, and even the Land of Wind has several branches!" Naruto furrowed his brow, doing the math in his head. "If I count the ones opening soon… there should be over a hundred…"
Before he could finish—
Danzo suddenly stiffened and collapsed backward, straight as a board. Naruto's face immediately showed panic. "Y-you… what's wrong?!"
Hiruzen and Homura immediately rushed to catch Danzo as he fell.
"Danzo, you—"
Before they could finish—
They heard: "It's over! It's all over!"
Danzo clutched his chest with his right hand, gripped his cane tightly with his left, lying rigidly in the support of Hiruzen and Homura. His face was numb, eyes lifeless as he stared at the blue sky.
The once-burning light of ambition…
Gone.
Like a salted fish that had lost its dreams—
Dull and lifeless!
Stiff and still!
"It's over. Everything is over."
With those words—
His head slumped to the side.
His cane clattered to the ground.
"Danzo!!!" x2