The Days of Being the Richest Man in the Ninja World

[V2] - Chapter 129. I Won't Give Up On You

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At this moment—

It had been a month since the two ninja worlds were connected.

Though it was already late summer, the heat still lingered intensely.

Of course—

Over the past two months, the exchange between the two ninja worlds had been quite pleasant.

Both sides had gained something!

Especially on the side of the other ninja world…

With the help of the other ninja world, a terrifying organization that had plagued them for years was instantly wiped out.

Peace and tranquility returned to the other world once more.

Today—

The sun was still shining brightly.

This was the Shimura household of the present ninja world.

After nearly recovering, Shimura Danzo quietly returned home alone.

He didn't say anything to anyone.

Not even to his right- and left-hand men—his Dragon and Phoenix!

Just on his own.

Quietly returned.

At this moment—

The summer heat bore down.

The courtyard was overgrown with weeds.

From time to time, a breeze would sweep past, carrying away bits of heat.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had come to visit, stood silently in the courtyard, looking at Danzo sitting quietly on the veranda, eyes closed, enjoying the wind. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

This really wasn't like him!

Danzo!

Back then… Danzo wasn't someone who'd sit quietly in a courtyard, enjoying the breeze and sunshine, doing nothing all day.

He had always been full of ambition!

To defeat the Yuto Group—even if there was only one chance—he never let his guard down!

Who would have thought…

He'd now give up the massive market of the other ninja world, let go of the plans he worked so hard to make, not even informing him or Homura…

Discharged from the hospital alone, and returned by himself to this side of the ninja world.

If not for the local staff notifying them in time, he and Homura would've thought Danzo had taken his own life in despair!

It was truly terrifying!

Of course—

The plans for the other world had changed by now. After all, the original strategy was to dump money, rely on manpower and time, and quickly open branches and grab market share before the Yuto Group arrived.

But—

Man proposes, heaven disposes!

The Yuto Group… had already opened branches in the other world, completed their promotion work, and practically captured the Land of Fire and Land of Wind markets before they even arrived.

Brilliant!

Truly brilliant!

They hadn't even arrived, and others had already opened shops.

Weren't they worried about failure?

Of course, Hiruzen didn't criticize it—after all, it was a business competition… and they were simply outmatched.

He and Homura were used to it!

After all, this wasn't the first time.

One might even say… this was one of the better outcomes.

Think back to previous attempts—

Bankruptcies, shutdowns, running away…

Now—

Root Group had still claimed a fair share of the other world's market.

It's just—

It didn't go exactly as planned from the start.

Hiruzen didn't walk straight over to disturb Danzo. He simply sighed, shook his head, pulled out his pipe, took a long puff, and glanced once more at Danzo, who hadn't moved an inch.

If he hadn't been able to feel that his dear friend was still alive, he might've already arranged a funeral.

Looking at that figure—

It had been days.

He'd become visibly thinner. His temperament was calmer. The once burning drive was gone.

As if… he had already seen through worldly affairs, indifferent to everything.

Hiruzen couldn't help but feel emotional and a little saddened.

Although he once thought Danzo should rest and not fight the Yuto Group anymore—they were getting old, there was no need for that struggle—

He never imagined… the medicine this time would hit so hard!

It made Danzo completely disheartened!

Just as Hiruzen was puffing on his pipe, unsure whether to speak and announce his presence—

"You're here, Hiruzen."

His best friend Danzo spoke first.

He slowly opened his eyes, turned his head, and smiled gently at Hiruzen. "I smelled smoke and knew you'd come. What about Homura? Is he still over there?"

"Y-Yes!" Hiruzen, seeing Danzo speak to him like a kindly elder with calm serenity, froze for a moment.

Then his heart trembled.

This wasn't Danzo!

This was not Danzo at all!

He knew—

His best friend—

Shimura Danzo!

He had fire in his eyes!

He led them to build the Root Group. No matter what setbacks they faced, he had never once given up!

Hiruzen hesitated for a second, then quickly forced a cheerful smile. "There are still things to deal with over there, so Homura stayed behind. Let me tell you, thanks to your plan, our Root Group—"

But—

He hadn't finished speaking—

"That's enough! Let's not talk about that anymore," Danzo gently waved his hand, interrupting him. "I don't care about that now. You're right—we're getting old. What's the point in all that struggle?"

"…We still have to fight a little! Let those youngsters know… we're not done yet!"

"What nonsense! We are old! What do you mean not old!" Danzo shook his head, seemingly unaffected by Hiruzen's words. He spoke softly, "During this time… I've come to understand! What's the point in all that fighting? It was just an obsession in my heart! Because we failed too many times! I always fantasized we could defeat the Yuto Group. But now that I've let it go—it feels better!"

"Danzo!" Hiruzen opened his mouth, eyes reddening as he looked at the calm Danzo. "What are you saying! It's just one failure! We've failed before! Don't scare me like this! You promised… no matter how many times we fail, you'd never give up!"

"We're old now! I don't want to think too much anymore." Danzo smiled gently. "Don't get worked up! Isn't this better?" Then, with a wider smile, he added, "By the way, I heard your son Asuma has a friend who's the abbot at Fire Temple, right? I'm thinking of going there to practice for a while—could you ask Asuma to help me out?"

"???"

You want to practice at the Fire Temple?!

Are you serious?!

You really plan to renounce worldly attachments?!

Hiruzen trembled from the shock, nearly dropping his pipe, staring anxiously at Danzo. "Danzo! We're still young! We haven't lost! Homura and I will always support you! Don't…"

"That's enough," Danzo shook his head, smiling. "No need to persuade me. I leave Root Group to you and Homura—I trust you both, don't worry about me." He paused, then stood up, turned around. "Sorry—I'm old, I'm tired. I'm going to rest for a while."

"Danzo, you…"

"Take care of things for me."

"I… sigh…" Hiruzen looked at Danzo walking into the house. Realizing he no longer wanted to speak, he could only sigh deeply and turn around, walking away in sorrow. "This isn't like you at all! Shimura Danzo of Root Group!"

And with that—

He walked away slowly, heavily, step by step… with a desolate back.

But he didn't know that at that very moment—

Behind him, Danzo had stopped in his tracks, silently watching Hiruzen's departing figure.

Only—

The tightly clenched fist at his side revealed that his heart was far from calm.

Only after Hiruzen's figure disappeared—

He sighed again in sorrow, turning back and heading inside, muttering bitterly under his breath, "There's no more hope… no more hope…"

Even his last hope had failed!

What else was he supposed to do?

…

The other side.

Hiruzen, who had just stepped out the gate, did not leave immediately. He also stopped in his tracks and turned to look back at the gate behind him.

He simply stood there quietly.

No one knew how much time had passed.

His once downcast eyes now showed a trace of determination. Clenching his fists, he said seriously, "No matter what! As your closest friend, I won't just stand by and watch you like this!"

He absolutely couldn't give up so easily!

That's not the Danzo he knew!

Danzo was never like this!

His eyes…

They had light in them!

As if struck by a thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly turned back to look ahead. "There must be a way! A new opportunity! A new chance to help Danzo regain his fighting spirit!"

Muttering to himself, he seemed to remember something and looked conflicted.

Finally, with a helpless sigh and a shake of his head, he said, "Forget it! Forget it! I will give up my face and go ask him myself!"

…

At that moment.

Yuto, who had just added a few more bosses to the game, looked at Sasuke with disappointment. "How could you lie to your uncle?"

"Move!"

"You've forgotten what you said? Nephew! Is this how a Uchiha acts? You don't keep your word!" Yuto looked dejectedly at Sasuke running away, then turned back to Naruto with a cheerful grin. "Hey, Naruto my dear nephew!"

"…"

Just as expected.

This guy's personality is kind of nasty, just like Sasuke said!

Naruto smiled awkwardly and waved his hand, then shook his head helplessly before hesitating a bit. "Uncle Yuto!"

"Eh! So sweet! Much more well-behaved than my second nephew!"

"…"

Oh well!

Let's treat it as gratitude for what he's done for this ninja world!

Naruto gave a bitter smile, thought for a moment, then prepared to leave quickly like Sasuke. But just as he was turning to escape, he seemed to recall something. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he quickly turned back to Yuto and smiled. "Right! My father-in-law asked me to tell you [drop by the house when you're free!]. Also… Your world's Hizashi-sama seems to have already arrived at the Hyuga clan here too. He's currently with my father-in-law waiting for you!"

After saying that—

Before Yuto could respond, Naruto quickly turned around and even activated Sage Mode as he dashed off.

"Hey hey hey! Wait a second! Wait a sec! Help me tell them I'm busy. This ninja world still needs me…"

However—

By that point—

Nephew Naruto had already vanished.

Yuto looked forward speechlessly, then sighed deeply again, his eyelid twitching slightly. "Just two little Hiashis…"

Before he could finish—

He suddenly froze slightly, blinking his eyes.

"Huh? It's already upgraded?"

As the words fell—

His eyes suddenly seemed to sense something. A burning heat radiated from them, and they began to spin uncontrollably…