CH - 141 100 million Antique?

At this moment, Pakura recalled the harrowing events that had unfolded. She had been betrayed by her own village. Despite her unwavering dedication to protecting her home, she had led the Sand Shinobi in battling the Mist Shinobi after the Third Kazekage's disappearance. In a remarkable display of goodwill, she had even set aside her deep-seated animosity to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with the Mist Shinobi. Nevertheless, she still found herself abandoned.

Pakura looked down at the patient's gown she was wearing and then raised her head to gaze at the Grass Village Leader before her. "Did you save me?"

"Yes, indeed, And it came at quite a cost," Akihiko responded with a smile, handing over a medical bill that Kana had brought. "Now that you're awake, it's time to settle your medical expenses."

Pakura was taken aback as she accepted the bill. She glanced at the figures and fell silent. One million ryo? It was exorbitant.

Akihiko observed Pakura's surprised expression and then offered a reassuring smile. "Do you think your life isn't worth a million ryo?"

Pakura quickly collected her thoughts and chuckled softly, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "You're right; a million isn't much, considering the alternative."

She then turned to Akihiko, her curiosity getting the better of her. "But why did you save me?"

In response, Akihiko posed a question of his own, diverting the conversation. "Do you remember what I gave you back then?"

Pakura took a moment to recollect, and then realization dawned. Akihiko had visited her village with his students and had discreetly handed her a pamphlet about "Talent Attraction."

Back then, she had casually discarded it, firm in her belief that she would never betray her village. Little did she know that it would be her own village that would eventually abandon her.

"Did you foresee how this would all turn out for me?" Pakura inquired, her astonishment evident as she looked at Akihiko. "You truly are remarkable, just as one would expect from someone who toyed with the Five Great Shinobi Villages."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "But how could you have been so certain that I would indeed join the Grass Village and betray the Sand Village?"

Akihiko, instead of providing a direct response, smiled and handed her a file. "Take a look at this."

Pakura, perplexed, accepted the file from him and examined its contents. As she read, a wry smile appeared on her face. "So, am I designated as a 'sacrificed hero'?"

"Exactly! But don't worry, we've had heroes from other villages here as well. We know how to handle such situations," Akihiko assured her nonchalantly.

Pakura remained puzzled about what Akihiko was alluding to.

"You'll find out soon enough. So, have you made up your mind, Miss Hero?" Akihiko deftly changed the subject.

"I..." Pakura hesitated for a moment, then looked at Akihiko with a serious expression. "If I choose not to join, will you kill me?"

"No, I'll kill you, but only after I get the money for your treatment back!" Akihiko replied with a chuckle, making it sound like a joke.

Although Akihiko's words sounded like a joke, Pakura felt a shiver down her spine. After regaining her composure, she gazed at the medical bill in her hands, considering it for a moment. "So, if I decide to join the Grass Village, does that mean my medical bills will be waived?"

"Have you made up your mind to join?" Akihiko's grin widened, and he clapped his hands. "Come in!"

With that, he gestured to one of the Grass Shinobi who walked into the room, dressed in black attire. "The rest of the details will be discussed with our Minister of Finance!"

Pakura's eyes widened. The Minister of Finance of the Grass Shinobi Village? Isn't that Kakuzu?

She had heard of this man, not just because she was a High-level Sand Shinobi but because after the war, his name had become known throughout the Shinobi world.

As Pakura stood there in shock, wondering why she had to negotiate with Kakuzu, however, oblivious to Pakura's emotion, he calmly retrieved a stack of documents from his pocket and uttered, "Are you familiar with the concept of a... loan?"

Pakura's mouth twitched as she quickly grasped the situation. It seemed that regardless of her choice, she would be required to repay the money.

…

In the end, Kakuzu left the room in high spirits.

Pakura, however, gazed at Akihiko with a complex expression, then hesitated for a moment before speaking, "You mentioned I'd receive preferential treatment, didn't you?"

Akihiko's response was casual, as though stating the obvious, "That was then when you were a high-ranking official from the Sand Village. Now, you're just a destitute rogue ninja."

Pakura contemplated his words. She had indeed become a rogue ninja and a wanderer, shunned by her village, and left to fend for herself.

She briefly glanced up at the ceiling, contemplating her situation, then turned her gaze back to Akihiko, who was preparing to leave. With a serious and grateful tone, she assured him, "Rest assured, I will keep my promise. Thank you."

"Get some rest now, you don't need to worry about the medical bills anymore," Akihiko reassured her as he headed toward the door.

"What?" The notion of not having to repay piqued Pakura's interest, and she looked back at Akihiko with hope in her eyes.

However, before she could inquire further, Akihiko, in an assuring manner, stated, "As long as you make your repayments on time, Kakuzu won't be coming after you."

"I'm grateful," Pakura replied, her words tinged with a hint of humor. She shook her head, ready to move forward with this fresh start as a Grass Shinobi.

…

Having successfully recruited yet another talent for the Grass Shinobi Village, Akihiko left the medical department. Although it might have seemed like Pakura met her end in a somewhat humorous fashion, it was important to remember that she was, in fact, a hero from the Sand Shinobi Village.

Pakura had played a significant role in using her Scorch Release to thwart the Mist Village's attack on the Sand Village. Moreover, she had extensive experience as a teacher. Her expertise and skills made her an invaluable asset.

As for the ongoing events in the Sand Village, those were not the immediate concern of the Grass Village. Their focus was on strengthening their own forces and ensuring their prosperity.

However, At this moment, Akihiko looked puzzled as he addressed Hanzo, "You're still here?"

Hanzo leaned back, no longer exuding the aura of a Shinobi Demi-God, and instead, he appeared rather nonchalant, sitting casually on the side. "Don't mention it. I just managed to get away. It wasn't my intention to avoid paying this time. That guy was really adamant about getting his money back, as if he needed it right away! I mean, come on, where am I supposed to find that kind of cash in the Land of Rain right now?"

"What?" Akihiko was about to ask for more details when Hanzo waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it, let's not talk about this."

In fact, He managed to strike a deal with him, or else he might not have been able to leave. But there's no need to get into it right now.

With a concealed smile beneath his mask, he then turned to Akihiko, his tone indicating his intent. "About the Rain Village Academy's budget…"

Akihiko interrupted him, clearly irritated. "Why are you asking me this? I'm just the leader of the Land of Grass. Go ask Kakuzu."

Hanzo's expression shifted to one of exaggerated distress, and he shamelessly used honorifics when addressing Akihiko. "But Rain Country is in such dire straits, Lord Akihiko!"

Akihiko raised his hand, cutting him off. "Stop, stop, stop! Don't even say it. The Land of Grass isn't exactly swimming in wealth either!"

It seemed like Hanzo had no shame at all. Despite being a Demi-God and a village leader, he was asking for budget allocations from Akihiko in such a manner.

"Urgent news, Lord Akihiko!" Suddenly, a voice from a Grass Shinobi came from the door, breaking the conversation between Akihiko and Hanzo. Akihiko took the information handed to him and, after reading it, looked at Hanzo with a sigh. "Konoha has discovered that Danzo is in our hands!"

"What?!" Hanzo, equally shocked, couldn't help but express his surprise. Danzo, the very same man who was nearly duped in a comical scheme involving almost 100 million Ryo?

Hanzo regarded Akihiko with a peculiar expression. "I almost forgot about that guy. What are you planning to do?"

Akihiko responded, "The war is ending soon, and Danzo's stay in Grass is ending too. It's time to send him back home."

"That's it?" Hanzo, taken aback by Akihiko's seemingly nonchalant attitude, asked.

"That's it. Unless you want to invite him over for dinner or something," Akihiko replied, teasing Hanzo with a mischievous grin. "I can't believe you're feeling so hospitable."

Hanzo was left momentarily speechless at Akihiko's words. Invite that wily Danzo for dinner? Not in a million years. Hanzo's face showed a tick mark on his forehead, and he was about to retort when Akihiko continued.

Akihiko continued with a more serious tone, "During this period, Advisor Danzo conducted an in-depth visit to both Grass and Rain countries, affirming the development of Grass Country and further strengthening the relations between Grass, Rain, and Konoha." He sighed with a touch of regret. "Unfortunately, there was a minor incident. During his visit, he accidentally broke an antique collected by the nobles of the Land of Rain from the Warring States Period."

Hanzo's eyes widened with realization. He had suspected there was more to this situation. Akihiko's decision to release Danzo so easily didn't make sense, and now it was clear that there was a particular motive behind it.

Although Hanzo couldn't fathom Akihiko's decision to spare Danzo's life, he nodded earnestly and admitted, "Indeed... the vase at my house was shattered!"

"That vase was an heirloom from the Warring States Period, correct?" Akihiko nodded, sporting a satisfied expression. He then adopted a more serious demeanor as he inquired further, "Can you estimate its value?"

"Yes, it was worth at least 100..." Hanzo began, his tone cautious, as if pondering the notion of a 100,000 Ryo vase.

However, before he could finish, Akihiko nodded, completing the figure for him, "That's right, it was worth at least 100 million."

"100 million?" Hanzo repeated in shock, unable to fathom a vase's worth reaching such astronomical heights. He couldn't help but wonder, whether Konoha would truly pay that much? Nonetheless, he understood the ruse and responded with a solemn nod, "Indeed... it was an absolutely priceless antique vase!"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

.

.

.

You can read +5 chapters ahead of everyone on my Patreon

p@treon.com/Kaiszer

(replace ' @ ' with ' a ' for the link)