The Days of Being the Richest Man in the Ninja World

[V3] - Chapter 3. Leave That Kind of Black-Hearted Company Immediately

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Rainbase.

The dream city of Alabasta, and Crocodile's headquarters.

It was arguably the wealthiest place in Alabasta, and also home to the nation's largest casino—Rain Dinners. At first, Yuto had planned to open a milk tea shop here too, but… he was rejected!

Who would've thought—

That guy would actually dare to try "zero-dollar shopping" here!

You should know, ever since the founding of the Yuto Group, the business philosophy it upheld was always about win-win cooperation.

Even if a deal couldn't be made, it was never worth breaking the peace!

Didn't they see? Even the biggest rival—Root Group… As the boss of Yuto Group, he had never laid a dirty hand on them.

In fact, when Root Group was in danger, he had even extended a helping hand!

Because he was a businessman who valued harmony and profit!

Even if there's no cooperation now, who's to say there won't be cooperation in the future?

Moreover—

The success of the Yuto Group today was thanks in large part to the Root Group. Although they treated him as an enemy…

He!

Uchiha Yuto!

Has always regarded Root Group as a friend!

Shimura Danzo—

He is Uchiha Yuto's good friend!!!

When Root Milk Tea went bankrupt, it helped Yuto Group take over the entire Land of Fire's milk tea market.

When Root BBQ went under, it allowed Yuto Group to unify the Land of Fire's barbecue scene.

When Root Cinemas collapsed, more than half of the Land of Fire's theaters were taken over by Yuto Cinema, helping them dominate the industry!

And there were so many more!

If that's not a friend, then what is?

He even wondered how Root Group was doing now over in the North Blue.

Friends.

He truly missed his friend dearly!

That's why—unless absolutely necessary—he truly disliked doing things that violated industry standards.

He, Uchiha Yuto, had always done business with honesty and integrity. He stood upright and forthright, never stooping to tricks or schemes!

Yuto sighed with emotion, then looked at the woman before him—Crocodile's secretary and the No. 2 of Baroque Works—Miss Nico Robin.

He smiled and handed over the [Special Talent Contract] he'd prepared. With a confident smile, he said, "So? Have you thought it over, Miss Robin? Compared to your current boss, our Yuto Group places much more value on talent. As long as you come over…"

He stretched out his hand. "I'll increase your base salary by five times! We'll contribute to your social security at the highest level. You'll receive various holiday bonuses, overtime pay, and each year we'll bring in top-tier doctors to give you a free physical checkup. For outstanding talents like you, if you resign and immediately join us, the company will provide you with resettlement funds, cover moving expenses, and even give you free housing to ensure your physical and mental well-being. Believe in our Yuto Group—we're a responsible company! We care deeply about the health of our employees."

If it weren't for that sand crocodile going way too far, as a formal and responsible enterprise, they never would've engaged in this sort of headhunting!

This was malicious business competition!

This was toxic over-competition!

He finished speaking—

"…"

Robin fell silent for a moment—only the hand pouring tea trembled slightly.

At the beginning, this guy had barged into Rain Dinners right from the start, revealing his identity as Uchiha Yuto, insisting on seeing her.

After thinking it over and notifying Crocodile, she came out to meet him.

And then—

It turns out he was trying to poach her from Crocodile!

And to be honest, the benefits offered by the Yuto Group did sound great. There were all sorts of subsidies she hadn't even heard of, but according to investigations from outer agents of Baroque Works… the treatment inside was truly excellent.

Otherwise—

There wouldn't be so many agents who, after finishing secret investigations, volunteered to stay under the excuse of digging into Yuto Group's secrets.

However—

Robin hid her initial surprise. Her refined face once again wore a calm and mature smile. She poured Yuto a cup of hot tea. "Sorry. I don't receive a salary here. So even if you offer five times the pay, it's still just zero to me."

"No salary at all?" Yuto was stunned, shaking his head in dismay. "Why would you stay in such a black-hearted company? Just name your price—whatever you want! Our Yuto Group highly values talent!"

"…"

Does this guy not get it?

She wasn't here for the money to begin with!

She wasn't going to leave easily.

Robin looked at the flamboyant and rich-looking Yuto Group boss with a face full of exasperation. She and Crocodile were merely in a "cooperative" relationship.

She didn't trust him, and he didn't trust her. They simply used each other!

And here—

Only Crocodile could offer her protection. So now was not the time to betray him.

Besides, just a business group? Robin didn't believe this guy had the ability to protect her.

Also, the fact that he still wanted to recruit her even knowing her reputation as the "Devil Child" meant either he planned to capture her for a bounty, or he was after the Poneglyphs!

He must have an ulterior motive!

At that thought, Robin's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at Uchiha Yuto before her.

A businessman who had suddenly appeared in Alabasta, now suddenly approaching her with the intent to recruit. If she believed he had no other plans, that would be absurd!

[Another schemer?]

No wonder he chose to cooperate with the King of Alabasta immediately after arriving, and even gained tax exemptions…

It looks like this guy was also planning, like Crocodile, to curry favor with the royals on the surface while secretly planning to overthrow them and seize the ancient weapon—Pluton.

At that moment—

Robin seemed to understand everything in her heart.

No wonder he seemed to know her identity, and no wonder he came to Alabasta and started offering all kinds of generous salaries and benefits to everyone.

So he was planning—just like Crocodile—to win over public sentiment?!

With that thought, a glint flashed in her eyes, though she still smiled and said, "Sorry, we…"

Before she could finish—

"Five million Berries!"

"…"

Robin's eyes twitched.

Five million was already the bounty of a major pirate in East Blue.

As expected, this guy…

He definitely has ulterior motives about her!

But she couldn't possibly betray Crocodile just like that. Still smiling, she gently shook her head. "Sorry! Boss Crocodile treats me quite well."

"You'll feel even better at the new company! Making employees feel at home has always been part of Yuto Group's corporate culture!" Yuto casually crossed his legs, exuding the aura of the wealthiest man in the ninja world. He raised a single finger. "Ten million Berries!"

"Please leave. I am—"

"Twenty million Berries!"

"Sorry! I don't have plans to leave just yet…"

"Fifty million Berries!"

Very good!

Now she had added the word 'yet'.

Yuto smiled and nodded. "Is that enough? If not, I'll raise it again!"

"…"

Does this guy not understand human language?

Robin looked at the man before her—the hidden force behind Yuto Group—with a face full of exasperation.

In all her years drifting across the seas, she had never seen someone recruit partners like this. And yet, in her heart, she was still a bit shaken by the man before her. After all… having someone spend this much money just to recruit her—it did feel a little strange.

However—

Just as she had said earlier, it was impossible for her to leave now.

"Well?" Yuto looked at the silent Robin and spread his hands with a smile. "Are you about to say yes? Don't worry, everything I just said will be written into the contract! Leave that black-hearted company! According to my investigation, your boss used to be a pirate—engaged in all kinds of shady business, an expert in zero-dollar purchases. Even if he seems to have gone clean now, it's obvious… any company that doesn't even pay wages definitely isn't a legitimate one. You should change jobs while you still can, or risk getting dragged down by the company later!"

"…"

Crocodile.

A washed-up pirate, shady business…

Though what this guy said made sense, something still felt off.

Pirates…

Aren't they all like that?

Robin raised an eyebrow, but still responded seriously, "I—"

However—

Before she could finish.

Suddenly.

A swirl of desert sand enveloped the entire office.

And a low, amused voice rang out: "Gu-hahaha~! The boss behind Yuto Group? I didn't expect you'd actually dare to come here and poach my people! How interesting!" He paused, and his tone turned icy cold. "Are you not afraid to death—"

Before he could finish—

A kick came flying straight at him.

He actually dared to strike first?!

Crocodile sneered with disdain and was just about to turn into sand…

However—

In that instant—

Suddenly—

He sensed the terrifying force behind that kick. His expression changed drastically, but by now, it was too late to dodge.

Boom!

A thunderous impact!

Right before Robin's stunned eyes, Crocodile was sent flying directly!

This guy…

He actually managed to hit Crocodile?!

At that moment—

"Are you looking for death!!!"

A furious roar echoed from the wreckage.

Crocodile, full of rage, climbed out from the human-shaped crater, glaring at Uchiha Yuto.