The middle-aged Tetsuya stepped down from his carriage and immediately broke into a warm smile at the sight of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others.
"Hahaha, Lord Hokage, it's been a long time! My, my, I never expected you to bring people out to the village entrance to welcome me personally. I'm truly touched."
Tetsuya walked over with a smile, shook Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand warmly, and greeted the others as well.
Hiruzen Sarutobi responded with a matching smile.
"Haha, of course, of course. Even back then, I could tell you would accomplish great things, Tetsuya. And now, who in the shinobi world hasn't heard of your Chiba Commerce Association?
"Everyone in the village is delighted by your success, too. After all, you came from this village."
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi start playing up their connection right away, Tetsuya could already guess what he was after. Most likely, he wanted money.
"Haha, you're right, Lord Hokage. Well, let's not keep standing around outside. Come aboard, and we can talk in the carriage. Let's head into the village first."
Tetsuya invited Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others into his carriage.
At first, the others wondered whether five or six people would be cramped in a single carriage.
Only after climbing aboard did they realize just how much larger the interior was than it looked from outside.
And those cushions, those carvings, that carpet—were those gemstones set into the walls? Was that a Luminous Pearl overhead? Had he installed it in the carriage ceiling just for lighting?
Everyone said Chiba Tetsuya was rich, but surely he couldn't be this rich.
Once aboard, Hiruzen Sarutobi began trying to build a rapport with Tetsuya, reminiscing about their ties.
He also asked after Tetsuya's well-being, inquiring whether he needed any help with his affairs outside the village and whether