Five seconds later, the space thaws.
Mikoto looked at Haruma Boy's cold expression and hesitated whether to say something to persuade him.
Mikoto paused abruptly, looking at Haruma, whose complexion had improved considerably, and felt a little awkward.
The changes between the previous second and the next second were too obvious, whether it was facial expression, position, or even breathing.
Mikoto, who was feeling puzzled, glanced back at her husband and was even more shocked.
Just now I was being as cautious as a thief...
How did it suddenly become like someone's soul has wandered off into the distance, looking like they've been completely messed up?
I feel like my time is out of sync by a few seconds...
Did something happen before?
Mikoto looked at Haruma with some confusion and asked.
"Nothing Mikoto. I just did a little testing of the Space-Time Ninjutsu I just mastered."
Haruma's temper improved considerably when facing Mikoto.
Although I guessed that Fugaku intended to keep Mikoto, that old bastard underestimated me.
Don't even mention Mikoto, even if you brought Otsutsuki Kaguya here!
I'm going to yell at her! She... might not be able to stop me!
"What amazing Space-Time Ninjutsu!" Mikoto eyes lit up as she praised Haruma.
After saying that, Mikoto quickly thought of her husband and asked worriedly, "What happened to Fugaku?"
"It's nothing," Haruma waved her hand. "Just a little aftereffect of Ninjutsu, it'll be fine in a few seconds."
After hearing this, Mikoto breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, it wasn't broken.
Seeing that her husband was still in a daze, Mikoto offered her advice. "Since the village won't let you sell them, you can ask Itachi for help."
"By the way, didn't you have a deal with Orochimaru?"
Mikoto already knew Haruma's true identity, Fugaku would sometimes discuss some secrets with her directly.
Upon hearing this, Haruma nodded thoughtfully, "I didn't want to contact him so soon, but we can't slow down our earning pace like this."
"That's right! You could recruit Orochimaru and have him sell things outside the village!"
"Anyway, that guy does whatever he wants without any scruples, which is quite similar to you!"
Having finally come to his senses, Fugaku hurriedly helped Haruma think of ways to make money.
I was completely stunned by all the criticism I received in those last five seconds.
I've never been insulted so harshly in my life...
Haruma glanced at Fugaku, who was eager to make a name for himself, and didn't continue to scold him. "That guy is a treacherous and vicious snake."
"I'm not so easily manipulated."
Haruma took a sip of hot tea and continued, "If it's just simple military suppression, that guy won't genuinely compromise."
"It will only stay by your side, waiting for a chance to bite you hard."
It's like how, even though he joined Akatsuki, he still didn't act when it was time to take action against Itachi, who was also a member of the organization.
"Moreover, Orochimaru is not afraid of the threat of death. Although that guy is not very strong, his ability to save his life is truly top-notch in the Shinobi World."
It's important to know that in the original story, even though Orochimaru's physical body was killed by Sasuke once, and he was sealed by Itachi with the Totsuka Blade, he was ultimately reborn thanks to the Cursed Seal.
Who knows how many bodies Cursed Seal by that guy?
There are so many that have appeared in the original work, not to mention those that haven't.
Haruma had also considered subduing Orochimaru in one fell swoop, just like Kakuzu, but to be honest, he couldn't hold anything over that snake.
He doesn't really care about many things.
Haruma even considered having Shisui use Kotoamatsukami once, but there was no way to be sure if Orochimaru could break this so-called strongest Genjutsu if he reincarnated once.
Orochimaru's Reincarnation Technique would undoubtedly split off a portion of his spirit, or rather, a fragment of his soul.
This is why Orochimaru's mental state is weak, allowing him to be instantly killed by Itachi's Genjutsu, but it also helps him counter Kotoamatsukami, a subtle form of control.
After all, if your soul is damaged, then your means of controlling your soul are indirectly destroyed as well.
Using research products from the mall to pique his interest, he'd be willing to help with some research.
But getting him to risk his life for you is not easy.
Furthermore, the role that Haruma gave Orochimaru was originally intended for him to develop new Ninjutsu, not for him to wander the Shinobi World like a brute and rob people.
"Would you pass up the chance to become brothers with Orochimaru?"
Fugaku looked at Haruma with some suspicion. Would this guy not let him write a note if he had his eye on someone?
Haruma waved his hand, "I'll still be a brother, it's just not the right time yet."
Fugaku nodded. That's more like it. I almost thought I'd been scolded out of my mind.
"Let him experience setbacks outside these past two years, learn a lesson at Xiao, and finally have his teacher give him one last lesson."
"That will be the perfect time to become brothers."
"The teacher's last lesson?"
Fugaku asked in confusion, "Isn't Orochimaru's teacher Sarutobi...?"
Thinking of this, Fugaku's eyes lit up, "You've seen the future again!?"
Haruma nodded. "That old man Sarutobi doesn't have many years left to live, so let's just let it go for now."
"The traditional virtues of respecting the elderly and caring for the young should still be upheld to some extent."
Upon hearing this, Mikoto couldn't help but guiltily shift her gaze, glancing around nervously.
"As for Orochimaru..."
Haruma smiled sinisterly, "Bound by brotherhood, and chained by the name of money."
"This is a much stronger and more unbreakable relationship than so-called military suppression!"
Looking at the confident Haruma, Fugaku couldn't help but offer a few words of prayer for Orochimaru.
Once this thing targets you, your brother probably won't be able to escape...
Getting back to the main point, Haruma said seriously, "If it weren't for the need for a peaceful environment to generate income, I would have found a way to kill that old bastard Sarutobi long ago."
Kill the high-ranking officials and massacre Konoha —six months ago, Haruma still harbored this naive idea.
But it's like harvesting leeks; the reign of terror only gains a fleeting thrill.
The Konoha, where people are filled with anxiety, is not a good place to exploit others.
A steady, long-term approach is the best way to go.
Although scrolls of rank A and above are not allowed to be sold, Konoha has the largest population of civilians, and what they need most are various Ninjutsu below rank A.
Although their income has been cut, these three stores will definitely become money-making machines in Konoha.
Moreover, with Konoha in disarray, the eyes of the Shinobi World are on them, making it inconvenient for Haruma to hide.
After all, he is not alone now; he has a large family and several puppet brothers.
Anyway, that old guy won't live much longer...
Ultimately, Haruma still prefers the image of Princess Tsunade as Hokage.
Even if Tsunade wasn't the next Hokage in the original story, Haruma insists that she be!
It wasn't her magnanimity that I admired, but rather her gambling addiction!
The famous fattest Shinobi World becoming Hokage is exactly what Haruma wants to see.
They can help with official business, and they can also hand over all their income...
It's absolutely wonderful!
After understanding the situation, Haruma finished her tea and immediately returned to the Root.
The training ground was uneven and bumpy, but there was no sign of Shisui.
With a wave of his hand, Haruma instantly unleashed Earth Release and Wood Release, completely restoring the dilapidated area to its original state.
With a quick glance and a closed eye, Haruma sensed that Shisui, wearing a mask, was communicating with members of the Anbu at an entrance.
With a slight smirk, Haruma Tian reluctantly transformed into Danzo's appearance and swaggered over.
At first, he became Danzo, and it was quite enjoyable to show off and gain verbal advantages.
But after a few more visits, Haruma grew tired of the dead-looking appearance.
--Thank you again to July for the gift! Nine extra chapters are now complete!