"Big Brother Yi Xiang, what's in that huge box of yours? You haven't taken your hand off it for days. Why can't you open it now?"
"Idiot! Why do you have so many questions? Why not learn from Sasuke and use your brain for once?"
Yi Xiang raised his hand and rapped Naruto on the head. Naruto couldn't dodge in time, and the sharp pain made him stop asking.
Kakashi, who had been looking out at the sea, turned and stared at Yi Xiang's briefcase for a few seconds before smiling at him.
"Yi Xiang, even though you did the most work on this mission, everyone should get a share. Let's split the money in the box evenly. Otherwise, won't it count as part of the mission reward?"
"What?! That huge box is full of money? How much is in there? Where did it come from?" Naruto exclaimed, staring back and forth between Yi Xiang and the box.
The box seemed to have some kind of magic, drawing every member of Team 7's gaze to it.
"Kakashi-sensei, you're actually threatening me. Don't you know I give in to kindness, not force?"
Their eyes locked, neither willing to back down. After nearly half a minute, Yi Xiang finally looked away and sighed in resignation.
"Fine. I'll take seventy percent, and you three can split the rest. That's as far as I'm willing to go. Otherwise, don't expect to get a single coin out of me. If anyone tries to take it by force, once I rule the Shinobi World, I'll have a nice, reasonable talk with him."
Kakashi's smile stiffened slightly. He was astonished by the strength Yi Xiang might have in the future, and even more surprised that Yi Xiang really had looted all of Gato's wealth.
Yi Xiang pulled out the key he had wrapped around his finger. Once he unlocked the box, they saw that it was full of 200-ryo bills, totaling nearly ten million ryo.
"Naruto, Sasuke, you two don't need a share. I'll give Kakashi-sensei and Sakura a million ryo each. If you need money, just ask me."
"Yes, Big Brother Yi Xiang!"
"Yes, Big Brother!"
The two nodded in unison. For a long time to come, they wouldn't have to worry about money.
"Thank you, Big Brother Yi Xiang."
Only then did Sakura recover from the thought of a million ryo. Putting on a demure act, she thanked Yi Xiang, though inside she was delirious with excitement.
Now I can buy anything I want! Mom and Dad will be so jealous when they hear about this. We made this much from just one mission!
Naruto was the most excited of all. Yi Xiang's compensation had always been entrusted to him, and with Sasuke joining them later, Naruto had carefully budgeted for every meal.
He couldn't even imagine how many bowls of tonkotsu ramen the eight million ryo could buy. A huge bowl cost only sixty ryo, after all.
"Don't worry. I originally seized nearly a hundred million ryo. I'm giving the rest to Zabuza and Haku to help them take in the orphans who have nowhere to go."
Once Yi Xiang had returned safe and sound, he explained what had happened. He had persuaded the two, and they weren't bad people at heart. He had also promised to help them change the Land of Water in the future.
Everyone but Naruto was only half-convinced by Yi Xiang's story. It wasn't until they saw Gato and the others' corpses that they stopped doubting him.
"Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma. Among the Genin under your command, is there anyone you'd recommend for this Chunin exam?"
The instructors had gathered together. The Third Hokage still had his pipe in his mouth as he looked at the three at the front.
Kakashi was the first to recommend the three members of Team 7. After a brief pause, he added Yi Xiang's name.
At the mention of Uchiha Isho, the Third Hokage's eyelid twitched. The boy was close to Jonin level, if not already there, and was ruthless toward his enemies.
He hesitated over whether to let Yi Xiang take the exam. The boy would surely bring Konoha great prestige, and he didn't even need to take the exam; the Hokage had long wanted to appoint him as a Chunin directly.
"Lord Hokage, Uchiha Isho is already capable of protecting himself. Even if an enemy nation tried to target him, it wouldn't be easy. Just make sure he doesn't go all out during the Chunin exam, and there shouldn't be a problem.
"Besides, we've had plenty of missions lately. It's time to promote a batch of promising newcomers so they can take on higher-ranked missions."
Kakashi saw the Third Hokage's concerns and immediately offered his suggestion.
"In that case, Iruka. You don't need to test Uchiha Isho for the special reserve exam. His strength may already meet Jonin standards."
As soon as the Third Hokage finished speaking, the instructors were visibly shaken. Several of them couldn't help exclaiming.
"Another genius with talent on par with Kakashi! Kakashi became a Jonin at twelve. The circumstances were unusual, but his abilities were outstanding. He even developed Chidori, an S-rank jutsu."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Iruka replied with a nod.
At noon, inside Konoha BBQ Q.
"What?! How much did you make?! You're saying you earned several million on that mission? Even an S-rank mission doesn't pay that much!"
"Exactly! From now on, you're treating us to every meal, Yi Xiang. Otherwise, how are you ever going to spend all that money?"
Qiupu and Tiancheng Changyang chimed in one after the other, as though they were trying to figure out how to help Yi Xiang deal with this huge problem.
Meanwhile, Jingchuan Lirang stared blankly out the window, lamenting that comparing yourself to others really could drive you mad. The highest-ranked mission his team had completed was C-rank, and most of the time they did D-rank missions.
"Enough, enough. I came to treat you as soon as I finished the mission. Keep talking nonsense and I'll eat all this barbecue myself."
Seeing Yi Xiang dig in, the other three picked up their bowls and chopsticks and began enjoying the barbecue in earnest.
The aroma of the meat filled the air. As it roasted over the coals, it grew tender and juicy. One bite sent the juices spilling across their tongues, filling them with deep satisfaction.
"By the way, you're taking the Chunin exam this year, right? Your strength and completed missions already met the requirements last year, but then you told us you were too lazy to go..." Qiupu said as he ate.
"Yeah. We went, but we couldn't pass. I doubt we'll make it this year either, so we'll have to try again next year." Changyang shook his head helplessly.
"I'm definitely going this year. I've already talked to my Jonin leader, Kakashi-sensei. I just don't know how they'll arrange it. Will I go alone... or will they give me two teammates?"
"With your current strength, you could easily pass the Chunin exam even with two deadweights in tow," Jingchuan Lirang said, sounding a little resentful.
"We'll see what the teachers decide."
Yi Xiang didn't really mind. He was only taking the Chunin exam because it was more likely to trigger a quest this time.
If he hadn't accepted two main quests, he'd already be setting out to explore the Shinobi World. Still, to avoid throwing the plot too far off course and preventing Madara Uchiha from becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, releasing Kaguya Otsutsuki would be a bit of a hassle.
At that moment, in a hidden place beneath Konoha.
Danzo stood in the darkness beyond the reach of the sunlight and spoke to the two men bowing respectfully before him.
"When Orochimaru and the Hokage are fighting, you two must bring Uchiha Isho to me. Tell him it's a decision from the higher-ups or a secret mission from the Hokage. Go in ordinary Anbu clothing."
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
Before you continue