The Days of Being the Richest Man in the Ninja World

[V3] - Chapter 41. The Pampering White Zetsu

---

"…"

So this is the mysterious boss pulling the strings behind this war, about to destroy the Beasts Pirates, kill Kurozumi Orochi, and who's been plunging Wano into chaos for years, even kicking the so-called world's strongest creature by land, sea, and air around like a ball… this is the powerful figure behind it all?

Are you freaking kidding me?!

At this moment.

Hiyori was staring silently at the three little l*lis in front of her, a sentence in her heart that she wasn't sure if she should say or not.

She'd imagined… the new boss might be some fat, ugly old man like Kurozumi Orochi; or perhaps… a terrifying monster as powerful as the King of Beasts of the Beasts Pirates—Kaido; or even… a jolly seafaring hero like her father.

But.

The one thing she'd never imagined… was that it would actually be a little l*li!

And not just one little l*li—three little l*lis!

Those chubby, rosy cheeks, the adorably small figures, and those big sparkling eyes looking at her with such innocent curiosity… made her feel completely at a loss for what to say.

"Um…" Always the big-sister type, Asuka looked at the beautiful big sister standing silently in front of them, tilted her little head, and said, "Hello?"

As the words fell—

"Hello!"

"Hello~"

The shy Yumi and the optimistic Karin also greeted the big sister in front of them together.

However.

"…"

Look… at this!

Just look at this!!!

Are these really the mysterious figures orchestrating this entire war behind the scenes?

Is this seriously not some kind of joke?!

They're way too cute!

Way too polite?!

And they're obviously even younger than Toko-chan!

But…

Judging by the presence of those people nearby who seemed to hold some significant status, all white from head to toe… these three little girls really did appear to be that so-called boss.

Hiyori's face showed a deeply complicated smile as she looked at the three little bosses in front of her, hesitated for a moment, then said, "Hello~, my lord!"

As the words fell.

Big-sister Asuka curiously looked Hiyori up and down, then grinned brightly and asked, "Sister, can you sing, rap, and dance?"

"…I… can do a little!"

Sing?

Sing what?

Although these three little llis looked extremely cute and polite, thinking of their unusual identities, Kozuki Hiyori didn't dare be negligent. She smiled and nodded.

And indeed.

Once she began accepting the idea that the new bosses were actually adorable little girls, a strange feeling unexpectedly welled up inside her.

It's kind of… thrilling!

Looking at the three little llis staring at her expectantly, Hiyori more or less guessed what these three cuties wanted, and gave a slight bow. "Please allow me to offer a song to my lords!"

After speaking—

She picked up her instrument, stepped back a pace, and began singing a cappella.

That beautiful voice.

That graceful dancing.

It instantly drew the fascinated eyes of the three curious little l*lis, who fell silent as they watched the beautiful big sister singing among the forest trees.

Even the Minister—White Zetsu 9527—who was always at Yumi's side, stared in slight surprise at this woman, and couldn't help but nod faintly to himself. [She is truly worthy of being Wano's most beautiful dancing girl!]

She really did have some skill!

It seemed that this time those worthless White Zetsus, who usually only knew how to cause chaos, shout nonsense, drink milk tea, and eat fried chicken, had finally done a decent job!

Hmph!

Those guys… they're useless otherwise!

When the song ended.

Seeing the happy bosses, Minister 9527 also revealed a gratified smile on his face.

Excellent!

It looked like the bosses were very satisfied!

At this moment.

Nearby, Hanabi, who had been wandering around observing the surroundings with Robin, seemed to have heard the singing and came back.

Then.

She saw a beautiful woman standing in front of the three little cuties, froze slightly, then walked over, picked up Yumi, and frowned slightly as she looked at Kozuki Hiyori.

Who's this?

Even the intern assistant Robin beside her narrowed her eyes as she scrutinized the woman.

How come in just the blink of an eye, there's suddenly such a beautiful woman here?

And as though noticing Hanabi's confusion, Minister 9527 quickly jumped out with a big grin and said, "Hanabi-sama! This is a dancing girl the White Zetsus found. She can sing and dance, so we brought her back to cheer up Boss Yumi and the others!" As he spoke, he wiped at the corner of his eye with a sorrowful tone. "A few days ago, the bosses—Yumi and the others—were bullied. Although Boss Yumi and the others are very mature and didn't dare show it, for fear of worrying everyone, we all know… the bosses must be terrified in their hearts. Now that we see Boss Yumi and the others smiling, our White Zetsus can finally breathe a sigh of relief!"

"…"

These guys.

How come they dote on the three little ones even more than I do as their mother?

Hanabi's mouth twitched as she stared speechlessly at the grinning White Zetsu in front of her.

When she'd first heard that these guys were following her precious daughters…

She'd actually been against it.

After all, who in the Ninja World didn't know that these were a bunch of lunatics!

Even if the White Zetsus in this Ninja World were different, they were still White Zetsus, and behind them was still Black Zetsu, who ultimately wanted to resurrect Otsutsuki Kaguya, and who had even manipulated Uchiha Madara. So as a mother, how could she possibly watch such people follow her daughters around?

What if they corrupted Yumi and the others?

However.

She hadn't expected.

The White Zetsus here… really were a bit different!

Plus, with Yuto watching over things, she trusted that these guys wouldn't dare cause trouble, so she let them be.

But now… she was growing more worried that these guys might be spoiling her daughters far too much.

What if they ended up turning Yumi and the others into spoiled, willful women?!

Like this time…

Even though she'd scolded Yuto for not keeping a closer eye on the kids, in truth, in the Ninja World… kids as young as four or five were already beginning certain training, so she'd merely lectured a bit, believing that Yuto would handle things properly.

She hadn't expected.

These crazy White Zetsus… would actually dispatch over a hundred thousand White Zetsus, intending to bury every single person connected to the Beasts Pirates?!

Even more extreme than their mother!

[Looks like… I definitely have to have a proper talk with Yuto!]

She was determined in her heart.

Then.

She gave a polite smile to Kozuki Hiyori in front of her and nodded. "Sorry for the trouble!"

"It's my honor, ma'am!" Seeing that this must be the mother of the three little [bosses], Kozuki Hiyori also revealed a gracious, warm smile and hesitated slightly. "I am… Kozuki Hiyori!"

Since she'd already been found out, there was no longer any need to keep hiding it!

"Kozuki… Hiyori?" Hanabi showed a flicker of surprise as she recalled the intelligence she'd just gathered.

The Kozuki Clan.

Kurozumi Orochi.

The Beasts Pirates.

And this surname in front of her… wasn't the Kozuki Clan supposed to have disappeared?!

"This is the orphan of the Kozuki Clan we found!" Minister 9527 seemed to notice Hanabi's surprise and quickly said proudly, "We're preparing to take control of this Wano Country! And give it as a gift to the bosses!"

As his words fell.

Hanabi's eyelids twitched again: …

Are these guys insane?!

They're actually planning to give a whole country to three little kids?

As expected.

She'd still have to talk to Yuto about this!

"Kozuki Hiyori… Hiyori-sama?" Beside them, a little girl who was slightly older than Asuka and the others, dressed in somewhat shabby clothes, stared at Kozuki Hiyori in shock. "Could it be that you're the Hiyori-sama whom Grandpa spoke of, the daughter of Oden-sama?!" As she spoke, her eyes turned red. "Could the rumors be true? The returning souls (ghosts) of the dead?!"

[T/N: The returning souls or ghosts… I have no idea what it is. Does anyone know about it?]

"…I'm sorry!" Kozuki Hiyori gave a bitter smile and shook her head, looking at this citizen of Wano Country with a helpless and apologetic expression as she said, "Although I am indeed Kozuki Hiyori, the returning soul of the dead…" She gave a bitter smile. "That's not me!" She bent forward in a bow. "I'm sorry!"

"Is that so?" The little girl lowered her head again in disappointment. "Has the time not come yet?"

"…"

No!

In this current situation…

I also don't know whether Mother's prophecy will really come true. It's just that… everyone is waiting!

Hiyori let out a wistful sigh but said nothing more.

At this moment.

As though sensing that her little master was a bit unhappy, beside her, a beast resembling a lion came forward.

Komachiyo went "woo woo woo~" and licked Tama, as if trying to comfort her.

And Yumi and the others also noticed, curiously looking at the little girl their mother had brought back, as well as the obedient Komachiyo, their eyes suddenly sparkling brightly.

"Kitty cat?"

"Big kitty cat?"

"Cute big kitty cat!"

As the words fell—

"Roar!" Komachiyo roared angrily at the three little ones, as if to say… I'm not a kitty cat!

However.

As soon as it roared.

Instantly.

A bunch of White Zetsus suddenly emerged all around, completely surrounding Komachiyo, and glared at it fiercely, as though saying: [Try scaring the bosses again and see what happens?]

Those terrifying gazes…

Frightened Komachiyo into quickly shrinking its head: ...

Then, it forced a big-cat smile onto its face, blinked its eyes rapidly, and… let out a gentle "meow~."

At that moment.

Only then did the White Zetsus retreat back underground, satisfied.

"…"

These guys.

Forget it, forget it~

At least it looks like Yumi and the others are safe now.

Hanabi didn't say anything more either, and smiled as she looked at Yumi and the others, saying, "This is your sister Tama!"

This little girl…

She'd run into her just now after driving off some mountain bandits nearby. Then, she came running up, wanting to become her disciple, saying something about wanting to become a glamorous kunoichi or whatever!

She refused, but the girl still followed along. She looked quite pitiful, and in the end, thinking about the situation here and also about Yumi and the others, she brought her along.

"I am Tama! This is Komachiyo! You can call her kitty cat too!" Otama quickly stepped forward, looking very serious as she addressed the three little girls who were even younger than her. "Your Highnesses! I will definitely work hard to become a glamorous kunoichi and become your retainer!"

"???" x3

The three little ones looked at this sister in confusion, but were quickly distracted again by the big kitty cat, calling out "kitty cat" as they reached out to pet the obedient kitty cat. That soft fur made them like it even more, and they instantly started rubbing against it, looking like they really wanted to keep it.

Off to the side, 9527 looked over and immediately furrowed his brow, muttering to himself, "That's right! Boss Yumi and the others also need a summoning beast now!"

This would be the first step on Boss Yumi and the others' path to becoming powerful!

Only…

A mere beast is hardly worthy of Boss Yumi and the others. At the very least, it should be a Tailed Beast to be qualified!

And just then.

"Roar!"

A tragic roar resounded through heaven and earth.

Everyone's gazes were immediately drawn over as they looked toward the sky above Onigashima.

That so-called Onigashima exploded!

Next, all of them fell silent, their eyelids twitching slightly.

At this very moment.

The giant waves were practically reaching the sky, so why were those ninjas still storing up their power without unleashing it?

As for Kaido of the Beasts…

Hanabi pondered for a moment, then rubbed Yumi's head. "It's almost over!"

As her words fell—

Beside her, Kozuki Hiyori also wore a complicated expression as she looked on.

Over… is it?

Meanwhile, off to the side, 9527 squinted as he stared at Kaido, King of the Beasts, in the sky, seeming to nod with satisfaction. "Probably, it'd have to be someone like this guy to be qualified to become Boss Yumi's summon beast!"

Suddenly.

"Boom!"

Just as 9527 finished speaking, a thunderous boom erupted from Onigashima, and… under the shocked eyes of everyone… a terrifying beam of light burst forth, instantly blinding them all.

What the heck was going on?!