Chapter 64: If I Become a Rogue Ninja, You Should Be the Ones to Worry

Seeing the shock in Hiruzen's eyes, a hint of amusement appeared on Mirai's face.

"Hokage-sama, you're not planning to just freeload, are you?"

"These are spoils I risked my life to acquire. And they're some of the finest ninja tools in the world…"

Sarutobi's expression shifted slightly, embarrassed at having his intentions laid bare. He cleared his throat, coughing twice.

"Ahem… We can discuss the matter of the swords later."

"Mirai, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were formidable shinobi with considerable standing in Kirigakure. Their bodies alone have research value…"

Mirai's smile widened. "All the better. Then let's price the corpses according to the black market rate—ten million ryo per body."

What?

That costs money, too?

Sarutobi Hiruzen's irritation simmered. Since becoming Hokage, few had dared speak to him this way. But he couldn't outright refuse Mirai.

First, Mirai had a point—even as Hokage, he had no right to force a shinobi to hand over their battle spoils. Second, Hiruzen didn't want to sour his relationship with Mirai. If he sent him to the battlefield and Mirai decided not to give his all, the Hokage's carefully crafted plans could easily fall apart.

This feeling of being outmaneuvered left Hiruzen deeply frustrated.

"Mirai, you know that the shinobi world is quite unsettled at the moment, and the village's funds aren't exactly plentiful."

"How about this: you hand over the swords and bodies now, and once we have funds, we'll compensate you. How does that sound?"

Mirai shook his head without hesitation. "No deal. Cash for goods."

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were killed by me. I'd rather not risk their corpses revealing my techniques."

Hiruzen's initial reluctance turned into a flash of realization.

Of course!

If he obtained the corpses of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he might deduce Mirai's Mangekyō Sharingan abilities from their wounds. Even if he didn't learn much, he could always sell them on the black market for a profit—though it might require a bit of extra effort.

"Fine, Mirai. We'll proceed as you suggested," Hiruzen replied. "Two hundred and ten million ryo. I'll send someone to finalize the transaction soon."

After saying this, Hiruzen gave Mirai a level look.

"I'll honor your terms, but you'd better be prepared to do your part on the battlefield."

Mirai's smile grew. "You have my word."

Once Mirai had left the Hokage's office, Hiruzen couldn't help but smirk to himself. It was finally clear—he had misjudged Mirai all along. The young Uchiha was no obedient pawn, he was a cunning, calculating brat. But still… a bit naive.

Did he really think that having a Mangekyō Sharingan alone would make him untouchable? Once on the battlefield, he'd exhaust the power of those eyes, and then Mirai would see who truly held the upper hand.

…

As he exited the Hokage Residence, Mirai felt quite pleased. Not only had he successfully saved Might Guy and his father, but he'd also awakened powerful Mangekyō Sharingan. On top of that, he'd managed to sell the bodies of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen for a massive two hundred and ten million ryo.

For context, an S-rank mission paid around a million ryo minimum. This deal had effectively made him financially independent.

As for Hiruzen's hope of gathering intel from the corpses? Wishful thinking.

Mirai had long since taken measures to render them useless in that regard. And as for the seven swords, Hiruzen had no clue that Kirigakure had ways to summon them back.

The thought of Hiruzen's reaction once he realized he'd gained nothing made Mirai chuckle to himself.

Walking through Konoha's bustling streets, Mirai turned down a quiet alley where a figure stood blocking his path—a shinobi with narrowed eyes and a cane.

"Uchiha Mirai," said the man, voice cold. "You dared to attack a member of Root. I'll be taking you into custody right now."

Seeing Danzo standing before him, Mirai stopped in his tracks, his smile fading.

"You'd better back off, Danzo, before I slap you out of my good mood."

A couple of Root members, standing behind Danzo, tensed up, clearly ready to fight.

Danzo raised a hand, stopping them, and his gaze hardened. "Uchiha Mirai, I don't think you fully understand who I am. Allow me to introduce myself."

"My name is Shimura Danzo. I serve as a council to the Hokage."

"I founded Root, an organization with the same authority in the village as the Anbu."

Ever since he and Hiruzen took power, even the strongest shinobi clans had bowed to their authority. Who wouldn't show him respect?

Yet this insolent brat had refused him time and again.

Danzo's voice grew icier. "You've repeatedly defied me, Mirai. Aren't you worried I'll brand you a rogue ninja?"

Danzo's authoritative presence was imposing, but Mirai remained unfazed.

He looked at Danzo, a smirk tugging at his lips. "If I become a rogue ninja, it's not me who should be worried—it's you, the Third Hokage, and all of Konoha."

"Just as I thought—an insolent brat with no cure," Danzo sneered, finally losing patience. With a wave of his hand, the two Root shinobi rushed at Mirai, aiming their blades for his heart.

In an instant, the two shinobi had crossed the distance to Mirai.

Squelch!

The blades plunged into Mirai's chest.

Under their masks, the Root shinobi exchanged smug glances. This so-called genius? The prodigy who defeated the Raikage?

What a joke.

Suddenly, the two felt searing pain in their own chests. The scene around them shifted.

The Mirai they'd impaled had transformed into each other.

The two Root shinobi stared in shock, looking at the blades embedded in each other's hearts.

"Genjutsu…?"

"When…?"

Thud!

They fell to the ground, their final thoughts interrupted by darkness.

Mirai turned his gaze to Danzo, his Mangekyō Sharingan eyes gleaming ominously.

"Danzo, now it's your turn."

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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