Chapter 56 56: 10 Billion Ryō

"Damn Zabuza and his lackey! They're really starting to get on my nerves!" Gatō shouted angrily, his voice echoing through the room. Just then, a sharp scent of blood wafted in from outside, making Gato wrinkle his nose in disgust. "Why does it smell like blood? Go outside and check it out! Are the peasants from the Land of Waves stirring up trouble again?" he barked. Several of Gatō's bodyguards nodded and quickly headed out. One minute passed. Then two. But the blood in the air only grew stronger—thicker. It was suffocating. The eerie silence outside made Gatō's chest tighten. A flicker of panic flashed in his eyes, a creeping dread forming in his gut. "Someone! Anyone! Is everybody out there dead?!" he screamed toward the door. The only answer he received was dead silence. "You're right. They are dead." The voice came from the other side of the room. Sitting casually on a leather sofa was a young man with a bloody kunai in hand and a calm, chilling smile on his face. To Gato, that smile was like the grin of a demon. "You! You're... from Konoha?" Gatō's voice trembled as he spotted the Leaf Village forehead protector on the boy's head. "Correct. Let me introduce myself—Ayanami Kaito. Genin of Konohagakure," he said with a casual smile. After returning from Tazuna's house, Kaito had asked around for Gatō's whereabouts and come straight here. His reason? Simple. Money. Cardo controlled the entire shipping industry in the Land of Waves and was involved in countless shady operations. In the world of shinobi, he was known for his wealth—and his cruelty. But in Kaito's eyes, he was nothing more than a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered. Ninjas take missions for money, after all. In a world ruled by strength, what good is wealth in the hands of the weak? Kaito had been planning this move ever since he left Konoha. Now, with everything lined up, his pulse quickened with anticipation. "Look into my eyes," Kaito said calmly, eyes locking onto Gatō's. Afraid for his life, Gato instinctively looked back. Slowly, his gaze dulled... his pupils faded... and his expression turned blank. Kaito had cast a subtle genjutsu—chakra flowed into Gatō's mind, tampering with his nerves and subduing his will. It was a simple but effective form of mental manipulation. He began questioning Gato about his assets. Under the influence, Gato confessed everything like a child: bank accounts, secret safes, hidden vaults. Kaito didn't waste any time. He ransacked the villa based on Cardo's descriptions, sealing everything valuable into pre-prepared storage scrolls. Then, without hesitation, he gave Gato a swift and painless death. Moments later, Kaito used a Fire Release jutsu to burn the luxurious mansion to the ground before returning to Tazuna's home, thoroughly satisfied. Lying on the tatami mat Tazuna had prepared for him, Kaito was still buzzing with excitement. Gato had hoarded an absurd amount of money—stashed entirely in a hidden chamber beneath the villa. All of it was now Kaito's. The paper currency and bearer bonds alone totaled over 10 billion Ryo. With rare treasures, gold, and pearls added in, the value easily doubled. Even with his strength ranking among the best of the current shinobi world, Kaito had never seen so much wealth—either in this life or the last. He couldn't help but be thrilled. ... In the days that followed, Kakashi instructed Kaito and the others to stay by Tazuna's side to protect him during the bridge's construction, just in case Gato retaliated. But with Gato long dead and his operation in ruins, no one came. For Kaito, the following month in the Land of Waves was practically a vacation. Eventually, Tazuna's bridge was completed. Kakashi used the opportunity to present a scroll from the Hokage, establishing diplomatic ties between Konoha and the Land of Waves. During their stay, Kakashi also taught Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura the basics of chakra control—tree-walking training, just like in the original timeline. After that, the team set off to return home. The trip to the Land of Waves had been slow, since they had to move at Tazuna's pace. But on the way back, with only shinobi in the group—and everyone eager to return—it took just two days to reach Konoha's gates. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of red, like a sea of fire. Once inside the village, Kakashi gave a brief nod to the gatekeepers before sprinting toward the Hokage's office to report the mission's outcome. Kaito and the others split up at the gate. Instead of heading home, Kaito made his way to the bank. He had far too much cash and too many bearer bonds in his pocket to feel at ease. By the time he was finished sorting everything into his account, the sky had darkened. He treated himself to a hearty bowl of ramen at Ichiraku and a long bath at the local bathhouse before strolling home, feeling completely refreshed. ... Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's office, Kakashi was finishing up his mission report. --- Drop a Powerstone (づ。◕‿‿◕。)づ Unlock bonus chapters.