The Third Ai showed a hint of interest, though he couldn't understand the words Hatake Sakumo was using.
Net present value, EBITDA, market traction, and gross profit margin.
Hatake Sakumo analyzed the company's current investment situation, accompanied by rows of data, tables, and technical jargon. Third Ai felt dizzy listening to him, but that didn't matter.
The important thing is that the Third Ai, thinks that Hatake Sakumo is very professional. It doesn't matter if he doesn't understand these things, as long as Hatake Sakumo does. Anyway, he invited Hatake Sakumo to Kumogakure to do this.
"Mr. Pang Zi, I understand everything you've said. I'm convinced that your Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.. is an excellent company."
Haha, you don't know anything!
Hatake Sakumo immediately saw through Third Ai's pretense of knowledge. He had spent countless nights studying in order to be able to fluently explain such complex and profound principles.
You think you can understand it after just one listen?
I still only have a vague understanding of it myself. Economics is just too difficult. I really don't know how Kakuzu has the patience to learn this kind of knowledge.
However, Hatake Sakumo still had to cooperate with the performance of the Third Ai.
Thank you for your compliment.
Hatake Sakumo removed the small hat from his head, placed it on his chest, leaned forward at a 45-degree angle, and elegantly expressed his gratitude for the praise from the Third Ai.
Wow, so professional! That style, that posture—it's impossible to do without systematic training. It seems Mr. Pang Zi's ancestors must have been nobles.
Having seen pigs run and eaten pork, the elegance that Third Ai, exuded was something that ordinary people could not achieve.
Yes, that's certainly not easy. As the mastermind behind the Ponzi scheme, Hatake Sakumo, the CEO of Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.., not only had Kakuzu personally oversee his demeanor, etiquette, rhetoric, and various financial knowledge—all the deceptive tactics—but he also specially invited various experts to train Hatake Sakumo for two whole months in advance.
"Mr. Pang Zi, Kumogakure is willing to cooperate with your company."
"That was a wise choice."
"May I ask, Raikage, what is the amount of investment made by Kumogakure?"
How much do you think is appropriate?
The Third Ai, unfamiliar with the situation, decided to first pass the problem back to Hatake Sakumo.
As to how much money to invest, the Third Ai felt he needed to discuss it with the higher-ups in Kumogakure. If he made the decision alone, he would have to take the blame if problems arose.
If everyone agrees, then everyone should share the blame.
Having only been Raikage for a year or two, the Third Ai, felt that even with his physique, it would be difficult to withstand the financial strain if the budget problem were to explode.
So, don't let Third Ai's muscular physique fool you; he's actually quite clever, not at all like a fool.
"Of course, the more the better."
" Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.. is currently in a period of rapid expansion. In order to accelerate the company's development, the company has launched a series of related plans to raise funds from the entire Land of Lightning. This amount of funds is enormous. In other words, our company will use your money to make even more money. Of course, this will not be a free use of your money; we will share a portion of the profits."
According to the company's latest investment plan, there is no lower limit or upper limit on the investment amount.
"Regardless of the principal amount, you can get a 20% profit within two months. Not only that, you can withdraw your investment principal at any time after two months without any problem. It's just that the profit will be reduced."
Hearing about the lenient investment terms and generous returns, the Third Ai couldn't help but admire the company's strength.
"Mr. Pang Zi, please have a seat for a moment. I will convene a meeting immediately to discuss this."
"Then I hope Lord Raikage can hurry. The company is very busy, and I have many clients waiting to be contacted. Each investment is no less than seven figures."
Hatake Sakumo used a little trick, sensing Third Ai's impatience. Sure enough, Third Ai's expression changed upon hearing this, and he quickly left the room, shouting at the top of his lungs:
"Send word to everyone: Meet at the usual place!"
Soon, the meeting room in Kumogakure was filled with high-ranking officials. The Third Ai, A, told them about his negotiations with Hatake Sakumo, intending to discuss how much money should be invested in the first round of investment.
One hundred million taels?
"Are you kidding me? That's a hundred million taels of silver! How many S-rank missions would we have to complete to earn that back? Besides, there aren't that many S-rank missions available right now. What if we lose money?"
"Then let's keep it down to one million taels."
"No way! This is far too little. If other investors knew that Kumogakure Kumogakure investing this little bit, they'd think we were all penniless!"
"This won't work, that won't work, you guys just need to give me a number!"
"How about ten million taels?"
"Hmm, this is good."
"Can"
"Agree."
The Kumogakure is always very efficient; once the wrangling was over, a consensus was reached immediately.
"Mr. Pang Zi, the Kumogakure has decided to invest ten million taels in the first month."
"Oh, ten million taels? That's a bit low. I thought it would be at least a billion. However, we should be cautious for our first collaboration. Here is the contract; please sign it Lord Raikage."
"To facilitate coordination, I will send someone to open a branch in Kumogakure, so you won't be so suspicious and worried at the beginning."
As he spoke, Hatake Sakumo took out a contract from his small leather suitcase.
The Third Ai seemed a little embarrassed by what Hatake Sakumo said. It seems that Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.. is really powerful, asking for 1 billion taels right off the bat.
They're even so thoughtful as to open a branch in Kumogakure. They must be used to dealing with investors.
Let's try it for a while first. If it really makes money, then we'll add more funds.
The Third Ai signed his name on the contract. A big fish had officially taken the bait!
Hatake Sakumo stroked his upturned mustache (which was fake), and a smile appeared on his lips.
Konoha
Arcade
Today, Uchiha Hikari's hand speed and aura were much stronger than before. The reason for this was that Uchiha Nan had gone to eat at the Senju Clan's restaurant for work.
I'm about to see that philandering Tsunade again, and Uchiha Hikari feels his eyelids twitching constantly, with a lingering sense of foreboding.
Could it be that more rivals are about to emerge?
Uchiha Nan hates ヽ(≧Д≦)ノ.
"Hate the fate of not having the Sharingan!"
Uchiha Hikari shook the controller at lightning speed with his left hand while continuously clicking the buttons with his right.
"Little girl, do you think I'd lose to you?"
Sharingan?
It's not like I don't have it!!
After a period of arduous training, Madara Uchiha felt that his strength had reached its peak and immediately sought out Uchiha Hikari for a duel. Unfortunately, the Sharingan hidden under his bangs was ultimately not as effective as Uchiha Hikari's two Sharingan, not to mention that Uchiha Hikari was now in the plus version.
"Old man, I'll finish you off with this one strike!"
" Flying Thunder God Slash!!"
"Aaaaaah!!!"
"Impossible! How could Tobirama Senju techniques possibly defeat me?!"
A cutscene showing Tobirama Senju's victory appears.
"If they pose a threat to the village, I will use these hands to eradicate them!"
Uchiha Hikari flexed his wrists. The old man in front of him was a formidable opponent. Although he was quite old, his hand speed and reaction speed were in no way inferior to his own, and even surpassed his own. Moreover, he was using the three-tomoe Sharingan.
" Tobirama's skill mechanics are very flexible; as long as the skill level is high enough, his strength is virtually limitless."
" Madara Uchiha, while strong, is still inferior to Tobirama Senju in terms of overall strategy."
Uchiha Hikari shared his experience: the initial arcade games, like those from Tobirama Senju, didn't have such insane mechanics.
It must have been that evil old ghost with Senju in the basement who secretly altered it.
"Impossible!!"
" Madara Uchiha is invincible!!"
"Who the hell made this game? It has absolutely no respect for reality!"
Madara Uchiha could accept Uchiha Hikari defeating him using his own persona, Hashirama Senju, or even the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, but the fact that Uchiha Hikari Tobirama Senju truly a blow to Madara Uchiha's defenses.
"Again!"
Madara Uchiha shouted.
" Flying Thunder God Slash!!"
"Ugh, why is this lousy system always just a little short?"
"She's a supermodel now!"
"Want to come again?"
"Again!!"
In a dozen or so matches, Madara Uchiha was utterly humiliated.
When Madara Uchiha fought against others, they also liked to use Tobirama Senju, but it only caused Madara Uchiha some trouble. The mechanics of the game characters alone could not bridge the gap in raw strength.
Whether in reality or in the game, Tobirama Senju is equally annoying. He enjoys causing minor annoyances like mosquitoes with his useless Ninjutsu inventions. Therefore, Madara Uchiha always disliked the character of Tobirama Senju.
However, in the hands of Uchiha Hikari, utilizing Tobirama Senju's powerful game mechanics, Madara Uchiha was utterly defeated and left questioning his existence.
"I refuse to accept this! I will definitely defeat the Tobirama Senju you're controlling!"
" The Uchiha are invincible!"
So what if Madara Uchiha as reckless as ever, relying solely on mechanics? As long as your gaming skills are strong enough, you can still ignore the mechanics and defeat Uchiha Hikari.
Um?
That familiar slogan, that arrogant tone, that familiar hairstyle.
It was only then that Uchiha Hikari realized that the old man in front of him might be from the Uchiha.
"Sir, are you a member of the Uchiha?"
"No!"
Madara Uchiha immediately shook his head in denial; his identity couldn't be revealed so easily. Although everyone says I look like Uchiha, and I am indeed Uchiha, I will not admit to this.
"Little girl, I acknowledge your gaming skills. Among all the opponents I've encountered, I would call you the strongest."
Madara Uchiha temporarily conceded defeat, inwardly cursing the game designer. He hoped he would never find out who that bastard who made the game was, for designing such a shameless system for that scoundrel Tobirama Senju. He must be the same kind of person as Tobirama Senju; he needed to be taught a lesson.
"Hahaha!!"
"Hmph, of course! I'm Uchiha!"
Uchiha Hikari put his hands on his hips, laughed loudly, and then said...
Good. Good, a promising talent. This woman has the flair I had in my youth.
Madara Uchiha's expression revealed admiration; both Uchiha Hikari's hairstyle and the way he laughed made Madara Uchiha feel exceptionally close to him.
"Little girl, I'm hungry. Would you like to come with me to get something to eat? There's a new ramen shop that recently opened in Konoha, and it's really good."
"Okay, I'm a little hungry too."
Uchiha Hikari readily accepted Madara Uchiha's invitation. She also admired Madara Uchiha, this old man. Although he wasn't Uchiha, the aura he exuded was even more Uchiha-like than that of Uchiha Uchiha.
Soon, the two reached an agreement and went to the ramen shop.
Two large bowls of ramen were served, steam rising from them.
The most important factor in whether a bowl of noodles is delicious is its broth.
My family's soup base
A little kid, shorter than a stool, climbed onto the counter and introduced the unique features and advantages of his family's noodle shop to a new customer Uchiha Hikari.
" Ichiraku, stop climbing on the counter! You're disturbing the customers' noodles!"
"Excuse me, gentlemen, my son is still young and a bit mischievous."
The noodle shop owner picked up Ichiraku with one hand, flicked him on the head, and then bowed to Madara Uchiha and Uchiha Hikari in apology.
With such intense competition in Konoha right now, and having spent a considerable amount of money to take over this shop, including taking out a loan from Konoha, I can't afford to offend customers because of my son.
Ichiraku was scolded until his eyes were filled with tears. He clearly wanted to help the noodle shop attract customers, but if customers didn't understand the shop's unique features, how could they be expected to patronize it regularly?
Hey old man, when I grow up, I'm going to open my own noodle shop. It'll be called Ichiraku Ramen, right across the street, and I'll crush you!
"Kid, you know a lot about noodles?"
Madara Uchiha glanced at Ichiraku, who looked aggrieved. He was always very tolerant of children; what adult would hold a grudge against a child?
"Of course, my skills will surpass my dad's sooner or later, and then I'll open a noodle shop across the street. Finally..."
This child actually has a rebellious streak?
"You're not even grown up yet, and you're already thinking about opening a noodle shop to make fun of me!"
Ichiraku suddenly felt like she was in deep trouble. She had accidentally blurted out her innermost thoughts. She should write in her diary from now on and put her thoughts in there.
"Hahaha. Kid, you've got some ideas. I'm rooting for you."
Madara Uchiha, never one to shy away from trouble, fanned the flames from the sidelines. Ichiraku noodle shop owner and taken to the back kitchen, where he was then greeted with the loving care of his father.
"It doesn't smell good."
Uchiha Hikari took a sip of soup, then began to eat heartily.
Madara Uchiha and Uchiha Hikari chatted while eating noodles.
Do you also hate the Senju?
"Um"
"What a coincidence, me too."
"Grandpa, are you really not Uchiha?"
"I really didn't. I swear!"
"As for the Senju Tobirama Senju."
" Tobirama Senju? I agree! That Old man doesn't look like a good person at all."
Uchiha Hikari recalled that Tobirama Senju, who was conducting human experiments in the underground laboratory, not only had a fierce expression but also spoke to him with:
"A born evil Uchiha brat!"
If Uchiha Nan hadn't been there, he definitely would have attacked me, so Tobirama Senju is definitely not a good person!
Madara Uchiha's gaze toward Uchiha Hikari grew increasingly appreciative.
"But I also have the Senju Clan Members, whom I hate even more."
"Who is it?" Madara Uchiha immediately became interested.