Gato's Treasure

"Alright, Naruto, stop messing around."

Kakashi glanced at Naruto, who was punching and kicking two ninjas while muttering to himself, and said.

"I have something to ask those two."

Hearing this, Naruto reluctantly stopped his actions.

He was sure that the screen freezing and losing color just now was the system's doing, but strangely, the system options didn't pop up directly.

The ripple that appeared and disappeared in an instant was as if the system had experienced some terrible lag. Naruto didn't know what had happened to make the system appear and then retract.

Was it broken?

Naruto felt a little uneasy. The last time, during the bell-grabbing option, he chose to seize the bells with all his might and did not choose to give up and lie flat.

That option was already somewhat unreasonable. Doing nothing? Wouldn't that harm himself and others? Even if he got Wood Style, Team Seven might cease to exist.

At the same time, Naruto realized something.

The options given by the system were not equivalent; they were more like random. The system had no emotions; it just triggered options randomly.

Neither the active options nor the "lie flat" options were perfect. As long as a choice was made, there would inevitably be an opportunity cost.

For example, Mizuki's invitation. Naruto chose to refuse at the time and gained Max-level Fishing Skill. At the same time, Naruto lost the chance to obtain Multiple Shadow Clone.

However, Naruto didn't regret it afterward. Few people could use Multiple Shadow Clone, and he would get his hands on it sooner or later.

But if he had accepted Mizuki's offer, he would have had to step into the touching drama set up by the Third Hokage's higher-ups, forcing himself to express loyalty to the village despite feeling disgusted.

After a mental summary, Naruto also realized something. The system was just an aid. No matter what he chose, it was to make his situation better.

Because of the system's existence, Naruto could obtain ninjutsu without relying on anyone. He could even draw upon the Nine-Tails' power directly without establishing any bond with it.

This was the true meaning of the system's existence: it could save Naruto a lot of trouble. He could refuse things he didn't want to do and get anything he desired.

Naruto thought silently. This was probably the true meaning of the Slacker System.

"Are you okay?" Sakura asked worriedly.

"I'm fine." Naruto waved his hand, indicating he was truly fine.

Sakura calmed down upon hearing this, but then she seemed to remember something and asked hesitantly.

"Naruto, why did you just stand there and not move?"

"It was my first real battle, so I panicked a little."

"Really?" Sakura showed a relieved expression and comforted him, "I was also startled just now; my whole body went stiff."

It was less that Sakura was comforting Naruto and more that she was comforting herself. When Kakashi was cut into five or six pieces by those two Mist Ninjas, Sakura's face was as pale as paper.

Naruto nodded and said nothing more.

Meanwhile, Kakashi's interrogation had made progress. Those two Mist Ninjas were the Demon Brothers, and they were targeting Tazuna.

However, when asked about Tazuna, he remained silent.

The mission had been accepted. Even if he sensed something was wrong, abandoning the client was not an option. After a moment of thought, Kakashi decided to complete the mission with Team Seven, come what may.

It wasn't until Team Seven arrived on the opposite shore of the Land of Waves, on the boat heading to the Land of Waves, that Tazuna revealed the truth.

"The person who wants to kill me is a wealthy magnate in the shipping industry. You've definitely heard his name." Tazuna wore a helpless expression.

As Tazuna recounted, the whole story became clear.

Gato was the owner of a shipping company, a big shot who was involved in both legitimate and illegitimate businesses. He ran a company openly, but secretly hired ninjas with money to commit crimes.

It was this Gato who had set his sights on the island nation of the Land of Waves, surrounded by the sea, wanting to control the waterways and thereby expand his influence on the island until he completely controlled the Land of Waves.

The only bridge on the island was under construction, and this old man was the only one who understood bridge construction over the sea. If Gato killed him, the bridge naturally wouldn't be built.

Naruto leaned against the back of the boat, his hand dangling, touching the flowing seawater, contemplating how to extort some money from this Gato.

The Land of Waves was a poor island nation, but Gato was a true magnate. Since Gato was going to die anyway, he might as well take this opportunity to make a fortune.

After all, being a ninja was about earning money to live. If he kept taking missions, not only would there not be much money, but he couldn't work forever, could he?

Ninjas also had prime years. Ninjas from large clans usually only went out for training in their youth. After that, it was a nine-to-five job, burning incense and enjoying tea.

Since Naruto no longer intended to strive to become Hokage, his future life would have to be supported by himself. There were plenty of places to spend money.

Dates, buying a house, traveling.

Speaking of which, Jiraiya's lifestyle wasn't bad either. Traveling everywhere, exploring springs with different women in different places.

He was still so comfortable in his fifties and sixties.

As Naruto was lost in thought, the boat had docked.

Tazuna's lie gave Kakashi a headache. He could choose to give up. But one of the purposes of this outing was to train Team Seven, so the plan for what came next was set.

As long as Tazuna was safely delivered home, the mission would be considered complete.

"What should we do after this mission is over?" Kakashi said leisurely as he walked, "How about we give Team Seven another two days off?"

"That sounds good," Naruto was the first to agree.

"That's great!" Sakura said with a smile.

Sasuke remained silent, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. As the mission neared its end, he frowned slightly upon hearing the others seemingly let down their guard, even discussing their plans after the mission was over.

If all ninja were like this, they probably wouldn't live to the end.

"Hey, I asked, how much longer?" Naruto turned and asked Tazuna with an unfriendly expression, "Old man, say something."

Compared to Sasuke, Naruto wasn't worried about Momochi Zabuza suddenly appearing at all. With Kakashi, or rather, the 50/50 guy, around, there was no problem.

Even if Uchiha Madara showed up, Kakashi could at least put up a fight. The invincible Kakashi, who could go 50/50 with anyone.

With such a powerful guarantee, Zabuza's sneak attack could only become a laughingstock.

Besides Kakashi, the combatants present were Sasuke and Naruto. Three against one, the advantage was with Team Seven. Naruto wasn't paying attention to Zabuza either; he was constantly thinking about Gato, the financier behind Zabuza.

System, system, come out quickly. Naruto thought silently in his heart. Without you, I can't handle big events like robbing the rich to help the poor all by myself.

System?

System, Daddy?

[Ding!]

The familiar mechanical synthesized voice sounded, and Naruto immediately gasped. The sound was like heavenly music to his ears at this moment.

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