The Days of Being the Richest Man in the Ninja World

[V3] - Chapter 40. The Boss

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At this moment.

Just as Konan had said.

The Marines had also already received news that the Yuto Group had declared war on the Beasts Pirates!

This was Marine Headquarters!

The instant the news arrived, Fleet Admiral Sengoku immediately convened all the top brass of Headquarters for a meeting.

Of course, the main reason wasn't because they were afraid the Beasts Pirates were finished.

That monster known as the world's strongest creature by land, sea, and air wasn't so easily dealt with!

It's just that… thinking of the information he'd received… hundreds of thousands of people walking on water into Wano Country!

That scene…

It was simply too shocking!

Even now, looking at the photos that had been transmitted over, he still found it somewhat unbelievable.

Who would have thought that the Yuto Group's strength was actually this immense!

And walking on water… how on earth had they managed that?

It was just like that delivery guy from back then!

Sengoku crossed his arms, resting them beneath his chin, and stared at everyone with a dark expression. "Regarding this… what do you all think?"

As his words fell—

The entire conference room instantly sank into a heavy silence.

Everyone fell quiet, frowning slightly as they studied the information in their hands.

After a moment.

"Yo~ this Yuto Group… is truly terrifying~" Kizaru, who usually just loafed around, was the first to break the silence. His lips twisted into an odd shape as he spoke lazily, "To think they could make a hundred thousand people walk on water!"

"It's probably a special type of Devil Fruit!" Tsuru, seated beside him, pondered briefly, then spoke with a serious look. "It's like the Float Float Fruit used by Shiki in the past—it allowed all his people to float in midair! Of course…" she smiled faintly, "it could also be a technique similar to Geppo!"

As her words fell—

"…"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

That made sense.

Perhaps it was only that.

Although it was certainly astonishing to see Devil Fruit users running on the sea, it wasn't entirely unheard of!

"Right now, that's not what matters! The most urgent problem is…" Sengoku shook his head helplessly, looking toward Tsuru. "How should we handle this matter? The longer it drags on, the more it's bound to throw the current balance of the seas into chaos!"

After all, the longer it dragged out, the more likely it was that all those lunatics on the sea would get involved, and then the situation would be impossible to control!

"That Beasts Pirates bunch is seriously getting more and more pathetic as they keep living!" Garp, off to the side, was clutching a milk tea in one hand and fried chicken in the other, stuffing his face while laughing heartily. "Gulp gulp~ to think they'd even bully little girls!"

"…"

The delicious aroma and the slurping of milk tea made everyone around him swallow involuntarily.

For some reason.

When they saw things from the Yuto Group, they couldn't help feeling like they wanted to try some too.

It was just unbelievable!

After all, they were the Marines!

If it hadn't been thoroughly tested, Sengoku would have suspected the Yuto Group was running some shady business and putting poison in their stuff!

His eyelid twitched as he slammed the table hard, roaring, "You bastard… if you're going to eat, get the hell out and eat outside! We're still in a meeting here!"

"Don't be mad~ if you want some, I've got more!" Garp chuckled, pulling out several more cups and handing one to each person. "When I got the summons for this meeting, I'd already placed an order! Figured we could drink while we talked. Relax, I already filed for reimbursement under your name—this is an essential meeting expense!" After handing them out, he looked at the silent crowd and, unfazed, continued, "Don't be shy! Don't be shy! Hahaha! I didn't expect that guy's strength to grow again! And the delivery was so fast this time—I already left them a five-star review!"

As his words fell—

"…"

Everyone stared blankly at the "Yuto Milk Tea" on the table, their lips twitching slightly, utterly unsure what to say.

Milk tea during a meeting?!

Was this really okay?

At this moment.

"Get out of here!!" Sengoku roared furiously, and at the same time gave him a swift kick. "You're not needed in this meeting anymore!"

"Fine, fine! I'm going, I'm going! Don't kick me or you'll make me spill it!" Garp cursed as he got to his feet. "It's not like I didn't buy yours too!"

"…"

That idiot!

Did he have no idea what time it was right now?

And he even filed the reimbursement under my name?!

Sengoku stared speechlessly at Garp's retreating figure, then shook his head and turned back to the others. "Ahem!" He cleared his throat twice. "Let's continue the meeting! What are your thoughts?"

"We must stop this!" Sakazuki crossed his arms with a severe expression. "We can't let them keep going like this. The longer it drags on, the greater the risk that Whitebeard or one of the other Four Emperors will get involved, and that would create even more trouble! Now is not the time for chaos on the seas. And also…" He glanced at the milk tea on the table, his eyelid twitching faintly. "I keep feeling a strange urge every time I look at this Yuto Milk Tea. These people are definitely not ordinary. We must issue orders forbidding them from delivering takeout to the Marines! The Marines must exercise restraint!"

As his words fell—

Tsuru and the others nodded as well. "Sakazuki is right! We can't let this drag on too long!"

As for that Yuto Milk Tea…

They kind of wanted to drink it too!

But there was nothing strange about that!

It was just a cup of milk tea!

Even if they didn't want to drink it, they could just not drink it!

"In that case… I'll give the order." Sengoku pondered for a moment, ignoring what Sakazuki had said about the milk tea, then looked toward Kuzan and Sakazuki. "You'll go there yourselves. If possible… never mind."

Saying this, he waved his hand. "Kuzan, stay back for a moment. Everyone else, go prepare."

As his words fell—

Everyone nodded and stood up.

Then.

They casually took the milk tea that was on the table with them.

"…"

Sengoku stared speechlessly at everyone, but he said nothing more.

Except.

Why the hell was even Sakazuki taking one?!

Didn't he just say it should be forbidden?!

Sengoku sighed helplessly and shook his head, then also picked up his own cup, stuck the straw in, and took a big, satisfying sip.

He had to admit.

This stuff really was pretty tasty!

But seeing Kuzan's odd expression, he quickly cleared his throat twice and spoke sternly, "That Garp… honestly! At his age, all he knows is indulgence! The Marines below mustn't learn from him! You can't drink too much of this stuff!"

As for this cup…

He'd drink it, but he definitely wouldn't drink another!

Really!

Then, recalling Garp just now, his expression turned fierce again as he continued, "And another thing… once you get there… secretly tell the Yuto Group from me! Have Garp's grandson work hard!"

"…"

That's it?

Kuzan stared speechlessly at Fleet Admiral Sengoku, but still nodded. "I got it."

"That's all for now! Go prepare!" Sengoku waved his hand, sighed, and hesitated a moment. "If possible… since they're not pirates… protect that Yuto Group if you can."

"Understood!"

Kuzan lazily waved his hand, then turned and walked toward the door.

After that.

Once the door had closed.

Sengoku leaned back in his chair, propped up his feet, silently stared at the milk tea in his hand, then brought it to his lips, taking a slow sip as he muttered to himself, "Just a mere businessman… yet dares to challenge the Beasts Pirates! It looks like we really can't underestimate this Yuto Group anymore!"

No matter how this turned out…

This Yuto Group… would likely become famous from now on.

Except.

Wano Country.

His eyes narrowed. "The Kozuki Clan… the returning ghosts! Are they real… or fake?!"

…

Returning ghosts?!

Being swiftly taken away underground and then, not long after, emerging again from the ground, Kozuki Hiyori looked silently at the towering waves in the distance and the giants standing like gods.

In her heart, she began to doubt…

Could those returning ghosts really defeat these monsters?!

A faint bitter smile appeared on Kozuki Hiyori's delicate face, but moments later, her expression once more grew resolute. [Mother said so! They absolutely can! The returning ghosts will definitely avenge Wano Country!]

Up next.

Even more important… was to see who exactly this ambitious person was who dared declare war on the Beasts Pirates?!

At this moment.

"Heeheehee! We're here!" a certain little White Zetsu said with a cheeky grin. "Hurry up and go inside. If you don't serve our boss properly and make our boss happy, don't blame me for being rude!"

"I understand!" Hiyori took a deep breath, smiling brightly as she nodded. "I will certainly do her utmost to serve the lord well!"

She glanced around, her face showing slight surprise, her pupils shrinking.

This place is…

Kuri?!

As her former home, of course she was extremely familiar with this place!

Except.

She'd clearly been in the Flower Capital just a moment ago. How could they have arrived here so quickly? What sort of sorcery did these people possess?!

As her words fell—

While Hiyori was still reeling in shock internally, another little White Zetsu, just like those strange creatures, suddenly stepped forward from ahead. Only, this newly arrived fellow…

Wore an extremely arrogant expression, head held high, arms crossed behind his back, feet planted in a wide stance—just like those arrogant and domineering nobles from back in the city!

One look at his demeanor made it obvious he wasn't an ordinary little White Zetsu.

In no time at all.

Sure enough, just as she had guessed, the little White Zetsu beside her immediately put on a sycophantic grin and said, "Minister!"

"Mm!" That so-called Minister also nodded in satisfaction, then looked at the woman in front of him and frowned in displeasure. "Why'd you bring back a woman? Didn't I tell you lot to bring back something fun to amuse the boss? Take her away! Take her away at once!"

He.

9527 was someone favored at the new boss's side!

How could you worthless little White Zetsus mess things up like this?

Boss Yumi wasn't like those lustful men, and you dare bring a woman back?

Believe it or not, I, 9527 the Minister, will have you all turned into trees?!

"Oh, oh, don't be like that, Minister!" the little White Zetsu hastily laughed and said, "This woman can dance and sing! It's said she's the best singer and dancer in all of Wano! We planned to have her perform a song for the boss to make the boss happy! Besides, she's a descendant of the Kozuki Clan from Wano—we can even gift this place to the boss!"

"Is that so?" Upon hearing this, 9527 the Minister finally nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad!" A smile appeared on his face as well. "Keep up the good work!" Then, turning to look at the silent Kozuki Hiyori, he said, "Come in with me! Make sure you take good care of the boss, and there'll be benefits for you!"

"I understand!"

Kozuki Hiyori gave a graceful smile.

Though deep inside she was full of bitter laughter at how these people were treating Wano Country like some gift to be given and taken, this wasn't the time to bring it up.

Taking a deep breath, her eyelids fluttered as she followed the so-called Minister in front of her and walked inside.

At this moment.

She was also feeling somewhat apprehensive.

That… boss who possessed terrifying power and could stand against the Beasts Pirates—was she finally about to meet him?

Just what kind of person would he be?

All along the way… though she kept up a constant, bright smile on her face, inwardly she still felt a bit nervous.

Just then.

That Minister suddenly stopped.

Kozuki Hiyori was momentarily stunned. She subtly glanced around and, upon seeing several adorable little girls playing nearby, finally felt a trace of relief, unable to stop a slight smile from appearing on her lips.

However.

Where was this so-called boss?

Could it be they needed to request permission first?

After smiling and blinking at those two little girls with odd eyes, she quietly stood aside to wait again.

Yet.

Suddenly.

"Boss Yumi! Boss Asuka!" the so-called Minister grinned broadly as he called out toward the three girls. "We found someone who can dance! Boss Yumi, along with Boss Asuka and Boss Karin, do you want to hear a song and see a dance first?"

Once he finished speaking—

He turned to Hiyori and shouted, "Well, hurry up and show the boss your talents! Why are you just standing there like an idiot?"

"???"

Boss?

Where?

I don't see anyone!

Kozuki Hiyori froze, then looked around again.

"What are you looking at? What are you looking at? The boss is right here." Minister 9527 shouted again in a loud voice. "How dare you be so rude?!"

As his words fell—

At that moment.

Kozuki Hiyori's eyelids twitched. She turned her head and seemed to suddenly understand something. She lowered her gaze, staring silently at the three little girls in front of her, their large, curious, sparkling eyes fixed on her—especially those two pairs of eyes as pale and lustrous as white jade.

Except.

Boss?

These were the bosses?!

Three little l*lis?!

Kozuki Hiyori's lips twitched slightly, unable to maintain her graceful and dignified expression any longer.

[Are you kidding me?!]