radicalducati Chapter 84 Gentle Peeling
Chapter 84 Gentle Peeling
Chapter 84 Gentle Peeling
Sosuke stood in front of the mirror.
The person in the mirror is wearing a black eye patch over their left eye.
He was wearing a brand new green vest.
This is the standard equipment of the Konoha ninja, commonly known as the "green vest". It has a multi-pocket design, a swirl symbol on the back, and is filled with puncture-resistant fibers inside.
This equipment can only be worn by those at the Chunin level or higher.
It represents identity, power, and obligations.
"It doesn't fit quite right."
Sosuke tugged at his collar.
The vest is a bit stiff, and the fabric at the collar makes my neck itchy.
Wearing this thing doesn't make you look imposing like in a shonen manga; instead, it feels heavy and restrictive, like a pair of shackles.
"This is an honor, boss."
Kaori stood to the side. Her gaze was somewhat complicated.
Once upon a time, she fought for this outfit for many years, but in the end, she was driven to desperation by the system that the outfit represented.
"honor----"
Sosuke adjusted his headband. He didn't wear it on his head, but tied it to his arm.
"This also means that from today onwards, I am no longer just a businessman."
"I am subordinate to higher-ups. They can use military orders to mobilize me and my supplies at any time."
"So, are you going to refuse?" Kaori asked.
"No."
Sosuke turned around and picked up the appointment letter on the table.
"They gave me this identity so that it would be easier to control me."
"But with this skin, it's easier for me to get around the village."
"I need to go to the Hokage Building to report for duty."
The Hokage Building, third floor.
The corridor was carpeted in dark red, and it made no sound when you stepped on it.
Through his blindfold, Sousuke saw the dense chakra barrier lines inside the wall.
This is the heart of Konoha. Its defenses are as tight as an iron barrel.
"Takaya Jonin"
A member of the secret service stopped him.
"The consultant from Mito Gate is waiting for you inside."
He's not the Hokage, he's an advisor.
Sosuke understood. This was expected.
Hiruzen Sarutobi is the patriarch who plays the tough, authoritarian role, while the dirty work, the hard labor, and the haggling are usually handled by the advisors.
Push open the door.
The office was large, and behind the desk sat an elderly man with glasses and gray hair.
Mitokaku inflammation.
One of Konoha's two advisors, in charge of finance and administration.
He was more gloomy and cunning than Koharu Tsurugi.
Sosuke stood in front of the table and bowed slightly.
"Mitomon Advisor."
"sit."
Mitomon Yan did not look up; he continued reviewing documents.
This cold treatment is a form of political maneuvering.
Sosuke didn't pay any attention and pulled out a chair to sit down.
He showed neither fear nor arrogance, but simply acted like a businessman waiting to make a deal.
Ten minutes later.
Mitokado finally put down his pen.
"Takaya Sosuke."
"The village promoted you exceptionally because of your contributions to the garrison's logistics. This is both a sign of trust and a test."
"Thank you for the village's support. I will do my best to contribute to the village," Sosuke replied in a very official manner.
"very good."
Mitokado took a document out of the drawer.
"Since you are a special Jonin in charge of special supplies, I'll be frank with you."
"The battle at the front is very close. The medical teams are suffering heavy losses."
"Your water purifier works very well. Although we have already requisitioned some water from the Takaya Trading Company, it is far from enough."
"The village hopes that you can make the production process public."
Here it comes. The true colors are revealed.
Give them a title, and they'll take away your core assets.
"This is not only for the village, but also to expand production and save more people."
Mitokado pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting light.
"The medical department has more professional equipment and personnel. Your small workshop has too low a production capacity."
Sosuke remained calm. He had anticipated this moment.
"Advisor, I also want to make it public."
Sosuke looked troubled and sighed.
"But it's impossible."
Why?
"Because that's not an ordinary technique. That's—a bloodline limit."
Mitokado Yan was stunned for a moment.
"The limit of blood inheritance?"
"Yes. A mutated attribute similar to Magnetism."
Sosuke began to spout nonsense with a straight face.
"I must use a special chakra nature transformation to grind silver into that special silver powder."
"This requires extremely high chakra control and a natural physique."
"and----"
"Every time I refine something, I'm draining my life force. Look, this eye of mine went blind because of excessive refining."
He pointed to the black eye patch.
That's half true. He's blind.
Mitokado Homura fell silent. If it really was a bloodline limit, then mass production would be impossible.
Forcing them might lead to mutual destruction, or even cause them to defect to other ninja villages.
"Since that's the case—"
Mito Menyan withdrew the "requisition order".
"Then let's try a different approach."
He took out another document.
"Given your special abilities, the village has decided to assign you an assistant."
"To assist you in your work in the logistics department, as well as to help you produce purified water and be responsible for your safety."
Sosuke sneered inwardly.
An assistant? More like a spy. Or perhaps a spy sent to steal knowledge.
"Thank you for your concern, consultant. May I ask who you are?"
"Come in."
Mitokado called out towards the door.
The door opened.
A man wearing a turtleneck trench coat and sunglasses walked in.
His face was completely covered, with only a small patch of pale skin showing.
"This is Aburame Ryoma."
Mitokado explained.
"He is a Chunin of the Aburame clan, skilled in reconnaissance and — handling potential threats."
"From today onwards, he will be your adjutant and your personal bodyguard."
The Aburame clan. Insect users of Konoha.
Sosuke's heart sank.
People of this clan are better suited to be watchers than those with Byakugan or Sharingan.
Because insects can get into any hole.
By simply scattering a handful of parasites in the room, Sousuke's every move, even his breathing rate, will be under the other party's surveillance.
"Nice to meet you, Jonin Takaya."
Ryoma Aburame bowed slightly.
"From now on, I will be responsible for your schedule and assist you with your work."
"Nice to meet you."
Sosuke nodded slightly, his face expressionless.
Mitokado pushed up his glasses and took out two more documents.
"Now that the village has assigned someone to protect you, your previous private employment relationship can be terminated."
"This is the personnel transfer order for Mighty and Kaori Uzuki."
Sosuke took the document.
The first one was for Matt.
[Might Guy, due to his consistently outstanding performance and exceptional combat skills demonstrated in the battle against the rogue ninja Hiruko, has been promoted to Chunin with the Hokage's approval.]
Effective immediately, you will be assigned to the Third Training Ground as a physical training instructor.
Ten thousand years of forbearance, a single step to heaven.
This was the recognition that Matt Daly had been dreaming of for twenty years.
However, for Sousuke, nothing could be worse than this.
By transferring Dai away, Sousuke's strongest fighting force was cut off, and this user of the Eight Gates was placed under the control of the village.
The second one was woven for Uzuki Kaori.
[Notification regarding the supplementary payment of Jubei's pension and the posthumous conferment of the title of martyr.]
[Due to the re-examination, it has been confirmed that Jubei Uzuki sacrificed his life to protect his comrades. A full compensation of two million taels of silver is hereby awarded, and Kaori Uzuki is promoted to a full member of the Anbu and transferred to the Anbu Intelligence Section.]
This is bribery.
With two million ryo and her husband's martyr title, Kaori was brought back into the system and turned into a strictly controlled intelligence officer.
"My esteemed advisor, these two arrangements are excellent."
Sosuke put down the document.
He wasn't angry; he was even smiling.
Mitokado Yan looked at Sousuke.
He wanted to see anger or panic on the young man's face. But all he saw was calm.
"It's good that you understand the village's good intentions. The village will not mistreat anyone who has made contributions."
Mitokado Yan said calmly.
"Moreover, this is also for the rational allocation of resources. It would be a waste for someone with Might Guy's combat strength to be a bodyguard."
Kaori Uzuki's experience should also be applied to intelligence analysis.
As for you—
"Ryuma is the best reconnaissance ninja. With him around, you'll be safer."
"I understand, Your Excellency. I'm happy for them. They deserve it."
"That's good."
Mitokado Yan waved his hand.
"Go to work. Ryoma will go back with you."
I walked out of the Hokage Building.
The sunlight was a bit too bright.
Ryoma Aburame followed behind Sousuke like a shadow, keeping a distance of three steps.
"Ryoma Chunin"
Sosuke suddenly stopped.
"Since you're my assistant, we need to agree on some rules."
"Please speak, Jonin Takaya." Ryoma's voice was completely flat.
"First, my business involves trade secrets. I don't want to see your bugs running around everywhere in the shop—"
climb."
"Secondly, I don't like being constantly watched; I need my own private time."
"Third, if you want to report my whereabouts to your superiors, feel free. But don't try to interfere with any of my decisions."
Ryoma Aburame was silent for two seconds.
A black beetle crawled out from his collar and stopped near his ear, as if trying to convey something.
"Can."
Ryoma answered.
"My task is simply to protect you and assist you with logistics and the production of purified water."
The so-called assistance is simply monitoring the formula.
Sousuke sneered.
Want to steal my skills? Don't even think about it.