Chihane's tone was rather cold. With Ishikawa Ken's experience, he naturally picked up on the displeasure in his words.
He was telling him that he did not believe the people behind him were beyond Konoha's ability to handle. Chihane's attitude left Ishikawa Ken feeling helpless.
He could afford to offend Chiriku, but that did not mean he could afford to offend Chihane.
He had indeed miscalculated just now, forgetting that young men were reckless and often acted without considering the consequences.
If Chihane really robbed them, even the powerful men backing him probably would not offend this rising star of the Shinobi World over a mere billion ryo.
And when that happened, the loss would probably end up being charged to him.
At that thought, a trace of panic crept into Ishikawa Ken's helplessness.
After hesitating for a while, he said sheepishly to Chihane, "This old man was in the wrong. Please forgive me, Lord Chihane."
"If there's anything you want, Lord Chihane, just say the word. I'm sure the gentlemen behind me would all be delighted to make a friend like you."
A dangerous blue gleam flashed through Chihane's eyes, but after a moment's thought, he abandoned that dangerous idea.
The time had not yet come for certain things.
Even without the little old man's explanation, Chihane could roughly guess who stood behind the black market.
In the entire Shinobi World, who besides those few Daimyo would dare claim that Konoha could not afford to offend them?
Only nobles raised in sheltered luxury would dare say something like that. No one else, not even the Kage of the other four great nations, would speak so arrogantly to Konoha.
Just as in the original story, after Hiruko caused trouble and claimed to be a Konoha Jonin, those ordinary people who