The Days of Being the Richest Man in the Ninja World

[V2] - Chapter 123. It's Time to Give Up?

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Beside him.

Seeing his old friend now awake, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt both emotional and a bit melancholic.

With high spirits, he had led thousands of employees and billions worth of goods here, ready to take on a major endeavor—and in the end…

Perhaps this is fate.

Just like with the old Root Organization, whenever they faced the Yuto Group, it always felt like they were at the mercy of destiny. No matter what… in the end, all they got was failure!

Fate had already been decided long ago.

And yet—

Looking at his old friend, once with eyes full of light, a radiant face, and ambitions as vast as the sky…

Now lying in a hospital bed, his eyes numb, staring blankly at the ceiling, as if all dreams had been lost.

Sarutobi Hiruzen still couldn't help but worry in his heart.

At that moment.

Just as he was torn over how to comfort his old friend—

Danzo, who had remained completely motionless in his hospital bed, suddenly spoke in a blank tone, "How… is the Root Group doing now?"

"Don't worry! Homura is keeping an eye on things!" Hearing Danzo's voice, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed in relief and quickly said, "Everyone is following your original plan. Don't worry—what the Yuto Group did was just secretly open a few stores here early on! Now that our Root Group has arrived," he encouraged Danzo, "as long as we pick up the pace, we can definitely catch up with the Yuto Group—and even surpass them!"

However—

After he spoke.

The man who, upon hearing the name 'Root Group,' would once become fired up, lean on his cane and boldly command troops, confident even in the face of the massive Yuto Group—

At this moment.

He could only let out a bitter smile and shake his head.

"There's no hope anymore," he said, his tone still flat. "With the Yuto Group's capital, once they enter this ninja world, their full investment will instantly allow them to occupy the markets of all the major villages."

"…It's fine! Just one missed chance! Haven't we gone bankrupt so many times before? When did we ever give up?" Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, "There will definitely be more chances in the future!" His tone softened, "Right now, what matters most is your health. Don't think about anything else. I've already asked Tsunade here to come check on you, and when we return, we'll have the Tsunade over there take a look too. We will get you back in shape. As for the Root Group, Homura and I will handle things! You don't need to worry!" He raised his fist as he spoke, "You once said it yourself… the Root Group has gone bankrupt so many times, yet still stands and grows stronger—that's because we never give up! We won't give up this time either!"

"I… you're right. But for now…" Danzo looked at his old friend who had come all this way to encourage him, and nodded with a faint smile. "Let me rest for a bit. From here on… I'll leave things to you and Homura."

"Then rest well. I'll take my leave now."

As he spoke—

Hiruzen didn't disturb Danzo further, and turned to leave.

Once the door was closed—

The smile on Danzo's face vanished.

Clutching his chest, he slowly sat upright with difficulty, and gazed quietly through the window at the sunlight pouring in.

He stared like that, in silence.

As if his heart, too, had become calm.

After a short while—

A long sigh escaped his lips. His eyes once again lost their light, becoming dull and numb as he muttered to himself, "Maybe… it's time to just give up."

…

On the other side.

Walking out of the hospital room, Hiruzen let out a heavy sigh.

As Danzo's close friend, having weathered countless storms together, how could he not understand him?

That smile earlier… it was only fake.

Outside the hospital, Hiruzen took out his smoking pipe, took a long drag, then narrowed his eyes, setting aside his worries. With a resolute expression, he muttered to himself, "He's Danzo after all! The Danzo who's never given up!"

Even if they failed this time.

He believed that, just like the previous bankruptcies, Danzo would bounce back with renewed resolve, leading the Root Group to catch up—and even surpass—the Yuto Group!

So—

What he needed now… was time.

For now—

"We'll handle it, Homura and I! Just rest, Danzo!"

From here on—

He and Homura would carry out Danzo's strategy for conquering the alternate ninja world!

They would let this ninja world know—

The Root Group has arrived!

…

"So this is the alternate ninja world?"

After confirming the success from Boruto, Yuto—under Hanabi's urging—brought the whole family to the Land of Wind in the alternate ninja world.

And honestly—

It looked pretty much the same.

Basically all desert!

However—

As soon as they arrived, they saw the Root Group's tents and supplies stacked high within them.

It seemed Danzo had indeed brought his Root Group employees early this morning to open up a new market.

It's just that... a little accident happened right at the start.

Seriously—

Fate sure plays tricks!

"How about…" Yuto hesitated, rubbing his chin, "we go visit Danzo later?"

After he said that—

"…" x2

Suzune and Hanabi both looked speechlessly at Yuto.

Danzo's sudden heart attack—why do you think that happened?

They both knew that guy had always wanted to surpass the Yuto Group.

So now, standing on the same starting line as the Yuto Group in this new ninja world, how could Danzo possibly back down?

In the end—

He came here full of ambition… only to be handed a cup of Yuto Milk Tea.

It's despairing to think about it!

"Forget it! I'm not thinking about that anymore!" Hanabi cheerfully scooped up Yumi and Asuka, looking out at the familiar scenery before her.

This was the very place she had passed through before—

Then—

She had entered the other ninja world!

"I never thought I'd actually get to come back! Let's go! Yumi-chan! Asuka-chan! Let's see where Mom used to live!"

Saying that, she couldn't wait any longer and strode forward.

After so long away—

She really couldn't wait to return.

Meanwhile, beside her, Suzune looked a little conflicted and helpless. After all, this was the other ninja world—a world where her version had already died.

Honestly, she felt a bit awkward about being here.

After all, in the other world, Hiashi and Hizashi were both alive and well.

After thinking for a moment, she said helplessly, "Forget it. I'll just stay here for now. Perfect chance to handle some Yuto Group business in this world too. It looks like... things are going to get busy again. I definitely need to find an assistant soon!"

As she spoke, she blinked at Yuto and teasingly said, "What about you, Yuto?"

After that—

"Hahaha~" Yuto laughed it off, glanced curiously ahead, and said, "I think I'll go find my second nephew. I heard the Kara organization here is stirring up trouble again. I might as well help him take care of it all this time!"

Just right.

The promise made back then—

Time to fulfill it!

With a sigh of emotion, he added, "That kid still owes me a 'Uncle.'"

As for Konoha—

He'd go a bit later.

And besides—

A brand new market...

He believed that this time, he could upgrade again!

…

At the same time—

Many in the ninja world had already become aware of the alternate ninja world.

Including 9527, who was secretly stationed in the new Konoha base—in Boss Yumi's room.

After learning that Boss Yumi was heading to another ninja world, and after seeing the four ninjas who came from that world, his once doubtful heart… could no longer deny it.

It was just too unbelievable.

But this—

It was all real!

So—

Without any hesitation—

The little white man pulled out his phone, lowered his voice and said, "Hello? Inform Kaguya-sama—I think I've discovered a major secret!"