Chapter 81: Equity Through Technique
"Hey! Put that down!" Uchiha Douhuan exclaimed, watching his teammate act like a fool, and couldn't help but facepalm. Honestly, what Kakashi lacked the most wasn't power or skill—but perspective and vision.
Up until now, Kakashi's self-identity was still limited to that of a shinobi. Even though he had begun transitioning into a political figure, his upbringing had instilled a sense of reverence for nobles and merchants. In his eyes, daimyō and tycoons were still surrounded by an aura of untouchable nobility.
And the reason Douhuan had taken time off to accompany Kakashi on this little adventure was precisely to shatter that illusion once and for all.
As for Cardo's piles of gold and wealth—that was just a bonus.
Kakashi glanced back at Douhuan, puzzled. The guy had just told them to take whatever they wanted—why hesitate?
"It's not very polite to just take it outright," Douhuan said casually.
His words instantly raised Cardo's anxiety. He had already realized that Douhuan was the leader, and now that the man was showing disinterest in the money, that only left one terrifying possibility—they were here for revenge.
"Gentlemen, I don't recall having any grudges with you," Cardo stammered nervously. "If I've done anything wrong, or if my men were rude, please just say the word. I'll make it right."
"You see?" Douhuan chuckled with a grin that made Cardo's scalp tingle. "You've scared our dear Cardo senseless. Kakashi, turn the lights on and let Mr. Cardo have a good look at us."
Kakashi put down the gold and flipped the switch. The sudden brightness made Cardo squint. Then he realized—if they let him see their faces, they probably weren't planning to let him live.
Panicking, Cardo snapped his eyes shut and covered them with his hands.
"Please, don't! I get it—I know the rules! If I see your faces, I'm dead!" he cried.
"Come on, open your eyes. Don't worry, Mr. Cardo, we mean you no harm," Douhuan said with a strange smile, using a kunai to neatly brush back Cardo's sleep-mussed hair.
Feeling the cold metal so close to his scalp, Cardo didn't dare move a muscle. "No, no—I believe you. Just tell me what you want."
"We're here on behalf of Konoha's Uchiha and Hatake clans," Douhuan said smoothly. "We'd like to invite you to invest in our village. Konoha's development has been booming recently. If Mr. Cardo is willing to put in some capital, I guarantee the returns will be significant."
"Hatake… and Uchiha?" Cardo slowly opened his eyes, swallowing hard as he looked into three tomoe Sharingan. Anyone with his level of influence in the ninja world knew what that meant. The Uchiha were Konoha's most powerful clan, and even though the Hatake clan was smaller, the fact that White Fang had once been appointed as the Fire Daimyō's personal representative said it all.
"So it's just an investment?" Cardo asked, relaxing slightly.
"Yes," Douhuan nodded. "We want you to invest in Konoha's industries. As for which ones—we'll leave that to your keen business sense, Mr. Cardo. We wouldn't have come all this way if we didn't believe in your abilities."
"You mean… the Uchiha and Hatake clans want to partner with me in Konoha?" Cardo confirmed.
"Of course," Douhuan smiled. "We'll be taking shares in your business. What do you think?"
"Well… how much are you willing to invest?" Cardo asked cautiously.
"We'll be contributing technical expertise," Douhuan replied, spinning a kunai lazily in his fingers.
"Technical expertise? What kind of technique?" Cardo asked, confused.
"Ninja techniques, of course." With a flick of his wrist, Douhuan embedded the kunai right between Cardo's legs—causing the man to freeze in terror.
Cardo instantly understood the implication. Ninja technique? It could only mean one thing—killing.
"We'll do a 70/30 split," Douhuan said cheerfully.
"You're taking 30 percent?"
"No, no," Douhuan said with mock sincerity, pulling out another kunai and gently shaving the stubble from Cardo's jawline. "Thirty percent is yours."
"The remaining seventy percent—forty goes to the Uchiha, thirty to the Hatake."
The chill of steel at his throat kept Cardo motionless. He still mustered the courage to speak. "That's… a bit unfair, isn't it?"
"Unfair?" Douhuan chuckled. "Let's give our future business partner a live demonstration of our technique—Kakashi, hit him with Naraku Vision."
"Me?" Kakashi blinked. "You're an Uchiha! You're supposed to be the illusion expert!"
"Don't just stand there. If I cast it, this guy will end up a vegetable," Douhuan snapped.
Kakashi sighed and nodded. Before Cardo could react, he was pulled into the depths of a terrifying Genjutsu.
Within seconds, Cardo's face twisted in horror, drenched in sweat.
Kakashi released the illusion, and Cardo collapsed, gasping for breath. Douhuan, ever so helpful, patted his back and asked with a smile, "So, Mr. Cardo, do you think our 'technique' is worth that price?"
"Yes! Absolutely!" Cardo cried instantly, terrified Kakashi might cast it again.
"Then we have a deal?" Douhuan raised a brow.
"Deal!" Cardo replied without hesitation.
"Well then, lead the way, Mr. Cardo. Time to collect this year's profit," Douhuan smiled. "From now on, your safety will be handled by the Uchiha and Hatake clans. Even the Fire Daimyō doesn't get that kind of protection. You're getting a bargain, Cardo."
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