Money Release

"Discovered?"

The three shinobi, their faces hidden by animal masks, exchanged glances, shock evident in their eyes.

Uchiha Fuyou.

A genius shinobi of the Uchiha.

But after graduating from the Ninja Academy, he abandoned the path of a shinobi to pursue business, and many years had passed since then. Could it be that genius is truly genius?

In just a few short years, he had opened branches in most parts of the Land of Fire. Even they, shinobi who had undergone special training, felt a moment's hesitation whenever they passed by, wondering if they should go in and try something.

They had initially suspected that the milk tea contained some special substance, but after research and analysis, it turned out to be just a cup of rather good-tasting milk tea.

Therefore, without a doubt... Uchiha Fuyou was a business genius.

But after all these years, they didn't believe a merchant who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy and had neglected his shinobi skills for so many years could have discovered their hiding place.

Did his guards tell him?

Impossible!

The three shinobi, disguised as Anbu, immediately dismissed the thought.

They had just seen it!

Uchiha Fuyou had discovered them first!

Even before his guards!

"It seems Uchiha Fuyou is hiding another secret!" the cat-faced shinobi, who was in a half-crouching position at the front, said in a deep voice. "His ability to discover us means his strength is likely not weak!"

"Perhaps it's the Sharingan?"

"To discover us without being a shinobi and without undertaking any missions... Regardless, this needs to be reported to Lord Danzō!"

Moreover.

Uchiha Fuyou had other village shinobi with him outside the village!

Distrusting his own village?

This was a major taboo for the village!

Especially since he was from the Uchiha Clan!

The Root Shinobi were even more aware of the situation of the Uchiha Clan within the village.

"What do we do now?"

"Since we've been discovered..." He glanced at the five people surrounding Uchiha Fuyou. Two of them were guards brought from the village, which was not a cause for concern. The other three... were unknown for now. "Bring the person back to the village for interrogation! If we are outmatched, gather intelligence and retreat quickly!"

With that, the three, after a brief exchange, revealed themselves and looked at Uchiha Fuyou. "Uchiha Fuyou! Please come with us. Lord Hokage wishes to see you!"

"..."

Lord Hokage?

It must be that guy Danzō!

Because the Root Shinobi operated in secrecy, they often used the name of the Anbu when carrying out missions. Thus, they had invoked the name of the Hokage.

Although, the night before last, he had heard Nonō mention that Danzō seemed to have his sights set on his money.

A fool with a lot of money and a love for the village – that was his persona.

So, he hadn't paid much attention and was preparing to discuss investment matters when Danzō arrived. But as they were leaving, he hadn't seen anyone, and he thought he would have to wait until he returned to the village.

He hadn't expected...

That Danzō would send three Root Shinobi to secretly follow him out of the village?!

Uchiha Fuyou immediately understood.

That old man intended to make him join Root, turn him into a money bag, or directly inherit his milk tea business in the Land of Fire.

He didn't want short-term benefits; he wanted it all!

It was just that these guys had no idea that if he were to fall, he would only leave behind a mess.

Uchiha Fuyou smiled slightly, looked at the three shinobi, and opened his mouth. Just as the three Root Shinobi expected him to ask why the Hokage wanted to see him, Uchiha Fuyou's expression changed, and he said calmly, "Attack! Leave no one behind!"

At this point, he had no intention of letting these guys return.

Whether it was a matter of strength or the Daibutsu's situation, nothing could be exposed at this stage. He was just an ordinary, slightly wealthy merchant who loved the village.

As for what Danzō would think if he disappeared?

Whatever he thought, he thought.

As long as he remained a merchant who loved the village, Danzō could think whatever he wanted. He wasn't a merchant from another village coming to Konoha who could be directly accused of being a spy without evidence... Did they really think he was losing hundreds of millions for show?

Wouldn't openly robbing him make other clans in the village disheartened?

So, three Root Shinobi had gone missing with him?

Apologies.

He didn't know!

Besides, he was just a merchant who had abandoned the ninja life to go into business. Why were Root Shinobi secretly following him?

As soon as Uchiha Fuyou finished speaking, Daibutsu grinned ferociously and charged forward. The Root Shinobi exchanged glances and quickly prepared to counter!

"Uchiha Fuyou! Publicly defying the Hokage's orders, is the Uchiha Clan attempting to rebel against the village?"

"Defying the Hokage's orders? What are you talking about?" Uchiha Fuyou said righteously, "Sneaking around behind me and trying to deceive me, a merchant who loves this village, using the Hokage's name? Do you really think I, Uchiha Fuyou, who makes hundreds of millions annually, am just throwing my money away for nothing? How could Lord Third, such a kind and understanding Hokage, do something so disheartening!" His eyes narrowed, as if a divine light shone within them. "It must be an enemy village in disguise, intending to kill me, a merchant who loves this village, disrupt Konoha's unity, and seize my wealth."

After he spoke.

The Root Shinobi were immediately speechless.

They were Konoha's Root, hidden in the darkness of Konoha, silently protecting it. Therefore, Lord Danzō's orders were the Hokage's orders!

But they couldn't exactly nod and say, "Yes, we're here to rob you!"

Daibutsu let out a roar and attacked without holding back, swinging his large club. "Water Release: Water Prison Technique!"

Unfortunately.

The shinobi who could join Root were no ordinary shinobi. Or rather, Danzō didn't take notice of ordinary shinobi at all.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!" He quickly formed hand seals, and an earth wall appeared before him, blocking the water sphere that was as tall as a person. Then, three shinobi quickly disappeared from their original positions.

Another shinobi then formed seals and said calmly, "Mind Body Switch Technique!"

It had to be said, they were indeed elite shinobi who had received formal training. With their coordination, they immediately trapped Daibutsu, the wandering shinobi.

However, Daibutsu wasn't fighting alone. The other two, although slightly weaker, were still Chunin-level. They quickly interrupted the attack, and in the blink of an eye, Daibutsu was mobile again.

Unfortunately.

Chunin were still just Chunin. The moment they interfered, they fell into a trap. Two figures appeared behind them, about to finish them off when—

"Clang!"

Two kunai flew over.

Uchiha Throwing Technique!

This forced the two Root Shinobi to stop their attack and quickly take a step back, dodging the projectiles.

Then.

They looked in horror at Uchiha Fuyou, who stood in place with a smile of "harmony brings wealth."

That throwing move just now... this guy's timing was excellent!

He didn't seem like someone who had only received compulsory ninja education.

The three stood together again, exchanged glances, and said, "Retreat!"

The Uchiha Clan hiding Uchiha Fuyou's strength and recruiting shinobi from other villages, combined with the Uchiha Clan's current situation, surely meant they were plotting something. They had to report this to Lord Danzō!

However.

Uchiha Fuyou had no intention of letting them leave.

He didn't want anyone following him, nor did he want his secrets exposed, so...

His eyes turned blood red, and three tomoe appeared in his eyes, spinning continuously.

Immediately, the three Root Shinobi's eyes widened as they stared at those scarlet eyes.

Sharingan?

And a Three Tomoe Sharingan!

"There's not much time! Let's end this!" Uchiha Fuyou said to them with his "harmony brings wealth" smile. "I make hundreds of thousands in minutes!"

"Retreat!"

The three made a decisive choice!

Hiding their strength, not becoming Konoha shinobi, recruiting shinobi from outside the village... the Uchiha Clan was definitely plotting something!

They had to report this to Lord Danzō!

Get the information out!

Too bad!

It was already too late.

The moment the Sharingan appeared, it was already destined that they wouldn't be allowed to leave.

Although it was only three tomoe, not reaching the level of the God of Shinobi, combined with his strength gained from upgrading through making money, his power was not something ordinary people could contend with.

Surprise attack!

Using ninjutsu and genjutsu in tandem!

At the same time, Daibutsu moved forward to intercept.

"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

The Uchiha Clan was not only proficient in genjutsu, but their Fire Release was also renowned throughout the Ninja World!

The qualitative change brought by the extraordinary chakra manifested as three giant dragons spewing from his mouth, charging towards them under their horrified gazes!

A powerful Jonin!

However.

This wasn't the end.

"Money Release: Exploding Tag Barrage Technique!"

He threw out a sky full of exploding tags, instantly surrounding the Root Shinobi!

The continuous explosions and the fiery dragons instantly engulfed them. Daibutsu twitched his mouth, quickly retreated, and shouted, "Boss! Stop throwing them! They're definitely finished!"

This Money Release exploding tag technique… for just three enemies, what kind of shinobi would dare to play like this?

Only the wealthy Boss Fuyou could afford to be so extravagant!

And playing like this… wouldn't it blow them up too!

As the dust settled, Daibutsu and Fuyou also lowered their defensive ninjutsu, looking at the three shinobi in the center, standing back-to-back in a triangle formation.

At this moment.

There wasn't a single intact part on them. Their clothes were tattered, blood oozed from their bodies, and two of them were even missing limbs. Beneath their feet… a huge, hideous crater had formed!

The outcome was already decided!

"Uchiha Fuyou…" the leader of the Root Shinobi, the one who was still breathing, said in a low voice, looking at Uchiha Fuyou, "You broke your…"

Before he could finish.

"Money Release…" What the heck was he babbling about?

"…"

After pulling his kunai from the neck of the last, barely breathing enemy, Fuyou commanded, "Burn them! And clean up the surrounding area too!"

Interrogation shinobi could obtain intelligence from corpses.

"Yes, Boss!" Daibutsu responded, his mouth twitching as he looked at his boss. [This fight… was utterly devoid of excitement!]

After arranging for shinobi to handle the aftermath, Daibutsu hesitated and asked, "Boss, you killed Konoha shinobi. Are you planning to defect and come to the Land of Rain?"

"What Konoha shinobi? What are you talking about?" Uchiha Fuyou looked at Daibutsu in confusion. "Who killed them? Let's go! We need to get moving."

"…" Daibutsu nodded in understanding.

Indeed.

They hadn't killed anyone!

However.

Uchiha Fuyou had only walked a few steps before stopping again, his eyes narrowing slightly, and he leisurely said to Daibutsu, "Oh, right! Later, go to the black market and put out a bounty!"

"???"

Who was he putting a bounty on?

Why go through the trouble of posting a bounty?

Couldn't he just send someone to assassinate those who offended the boss?