Dividing the Spoils

"Big Brother Isho, what exactly is inside that big trunk of yours? You haven't let your hands leave it for days now. Why can't you open it right now?"

"Idiot! Where do all these questions come from? Why can't you learn a thing or two from Sasuke and use your brain more?"

Isho raised his hand and gave Naruto a sharp rap on the head. Naruto couldn't dodge in time, and feeling the sudden sting, he didn't dare ask again.

Kakashi, who had been looking out at the sea, turned his head and lingered on Isho's suitcase for a few seconds before smiling at him.

"Isho, although you contributed the most to this mission, we should all have a share. Why don't we split the money in the box? Otherwise, how will we account for this in the mission rewards?"

"Nani! A box this big is full of money? How much could there even be! And where did this money come from?" Naruto stared at Isho and the box in shock.

The box seemed to have a magical pull, locking the gazes of everyone in Team 7 firmly upon it.

"Kakashi-sensei, you actually dare to threaten me. Don't you know that I respond better to soft tactics than hard ones?"

The two locked eyes, needles against wheat, neither willing to yield. After nearly half a minute, Isho withdrew his gaze and sighed helplessly.

"Fine, seven parts for me, three for you guys. That's my limit; otherwise, don't even think about getting a single cent from me. If anyone dares to try and snatch it, once I dominate the ninja world in the future, I'll be sure to have a long talk with them about reason."

Kakashi's smile stiffened slightly. He was inwardly horrified by the strength Isho would possess in the future, and even more surprised that he had truly looted Gato's entire fortune.

At that moment, Isho took out the key wrapped around his finger. After unlocking it, the box was revealed to be filled with 200-ryo banknotes, totaling nearly 10 million ryo.

"Naruto, Sasuke, you two don't need a share. I'll give Kakashi-sensei and Sakura 1 million each. If you guys need money, just come ask me for it."

"Yes! Big Brother Isho!"

"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 Isho."

Only then did Sakura recover from the sheer number and unit of 1 million ryo, immediately feigning a ladylike posture to thank Isho. In her heart, however, she was deliriously excited.

Doesn't this mean I can buy whatever I want now! When Mom and Dad find out, they'll definitely be so envious—earning this much from a single mission!

Naruto was the most excited of all, as Isho's survivor pension had previously been kept in his care. Between Isho's funds and the addition of Sasuke later, he had been meticulously counting every cent for every meal.

He couldn't even imagine how many bowls of pork bone ramen—which he only occasionally got to taste—800 million ryo could buy, especially since a large bowl only cost sixty ryo.

"Don't worry, I actually scavenged nearly 100 million ryo. I left the rest for Zabuza and Haku to take care of the homeless orphans."

Having returned safely, Isho explained the situation to the group. Under his persuasion, and given that those two weren't inherently evil, he had promised to help them change the Land of Water in the future.

Except for Naruto, the others were half-skeptical of Isho's explanation. It wasn't until they saw the corpses of Gato and his men that they stopped doubting him.

"Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma. Among the genin you lead, are there any you wish to recommend for this year's Chunin Exams?"

In the gathering place for the teachers, the Third Hokage puffed on his pipe as he looked at the three leaders.

Kakashi was the first to recommend the three members of Team 7, pausing slightly before reciting Isho's name.

When he heard Uchiha Isho, the Third Hokage's eyelids twitched. He thought about how the boy was already near-Jonin or perhaps already at Jonin level, not to mention the ferocity Isho displayed toward his enemies.

He hesitated to let Isho take the exam, even though the boy would certainly bring great prestige to Konoha. In fact, there was no need for an exam; he had long wanted to appoint Isho as a chunin directly.

"Hokage-sama, Uchiha Isho already possesses the strength to protect himself. Even if enemy nations want to make a move against him, it won't be easy. If we ensure he doesn't use his full strength during the Chunin Exams, there shouldn't be any problems."

"After all, there have been many missions lately, and it is time to promote a batch of outstanding newcomers to handle higher-level tasks."

Kakashi saw the Third Hokage's concerns and immediately offered his suggestion.

"Since that is the case, Iruka. You do not need to test Uchiha Isho for this special reserve exam; his strength may have already reached the Jonin standard."

As soon as the Third Hokage finished speaking, the teachers present were visibly shaken. Many could not help but exclaim, "Another genius with top-tier talent like Kakashi. Kakashi became a Jonin at 12. Although the situation was special at the time, his strength was truly outstanding, even leading him to develop an S-rank jutsu like the Chidori."

"Yes, Hokage-sama." Iruka nodded in response.

At noon, inside Konoha BBQ Q.

"What?! How much did you earn?! You're saying you earned millions on this mission! Even S-rank missions don't pay that much, do they!"

"Exactly, from now on, Isho, you're treating us to every meal. Otherwise, how are you ever going to spend all that money!"

Qiupu and Tiancheng Changyang chimed in, looking as if they were discussing how to help Isho solve this "troublesome" problem.

Meanwhile, Jingchuan Lirang stared blankly out the window, sighing inwardly that comparing oneself to others would only lead to frustration. The highest-level mission their squad had completed was still C-rank, and most of the time they were stuck with D-rank tasks.

"Alright, alright, I just finished the mission and came straight here to treat you guys. If you keep talking nonsense, I'm eating all the barbecue myself."

Seeing Isho start to eat, the three picked up their bowls and chopsticks, enjoying the barbecue in large bites.

The aroma of the grilled meat was intoxicating, and under the charcoal fire, the texture became tender and juicy. Taking a bite, the juices overflowed in the mouth, providing a deep sense of satisfaction.

"By the way, you're participating in the Chunin Exams this time, right? Your strength and the missions you completed already met the standard last year, but then you told us you were too lazy to go..." Qiupu said while eating.

"Yeah, we went and couldn't even pass. It feels like this year will be tough too, so we can only try again next year." Changyang shook his head helplessly.

"I'm definitely going this year. I've already told my lead Jonin, Kakashi-sensei. However, I don't know how they'll arrange it—whether I'll be alone... or if they'll add two teammates for me."

"With your current strength, even if you were dragging two burdens, you would surely pass the Chunin Exams with ease."

Jingchuan Lirang said with a hint of resentment.

"Let's see how the teacher arranges things."

Uchiha Isho was indifferent; he was only participating in these Chunin Exams because the probability of triggering a mission was higher this time.

If it weren't for the two main quests he had accepted, he would have already set out to roam the ninja world. However, to avoid any serious deviations in the plot that might prevent Madara Uchiha from becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, unsealing Kaguya Otsutsuki would become quite troublesome.

At this very moment, in a hidden location beneath Konoha.

Danzo stood hidden in the darkness where the sunlight could not reach, speaking to the two figures bowing respectfully before him.

"When Orochimaru and the Hokage are engaged in battle, you two must bring Uchiha Isho to me. Tell him it is a decision from the higher-ups or a secret mission from the Hokage, and disguise yourselves in standard Anbu attire."

"Yes! Lord Danzo!"