Chapter 162

The dark cloud of war loomed over Shinobi World, yet the Five Great Hidden Villages remained relatively untouched by mental illness. However, Orochimaru and Nagato were exceptions with their troubled minds. They had their own peculiarities.

Sunagakure was still thriving at this time, seemingly unaffected by the war. Life went on as usual for its residents.

Walking together with Pakura through the bustling streets of Sunagakure, Hitoshi proudly pointed out his various properties to her. Along the way, Pakura was left speechless by the sheer extent of Hitoshi's wealth. She had always thought he was well-off, but compared to the Shinobi Clans, his fortune paled in comparison.

However, as they walked, Hitoshi showed Pakura seven shops, eight small buildings, and nine orchards.

"It's truly unimaginable that all of these are Kazekage-sama's enterprises," Pakura exclaimed in admiration.

"Before, I assumed these were the properties of the Hidden Village, investments made by the Hidden Village itself. I never realized they were yours. But where did you acquire such wealth?" Pakura asked, genuinely puzzled about Hitoshi's sources of income.

Hitoshi smiled and replied, "Because I am a speculator."

He continued, "A long time ago, I had plans for all of this. I acquired a significant amount of land in the original Sunagakure when it was virtually worthless. When the opportunity arose, I developed it, drew up a map, and voila, it became valuable."

Through practical examples, Hitoshi taught Pakura the art of using power for personal gain and the importance of foresight.

"You are truly amazing," Pakura remarked, unable to find other words to describe her astonishment.

Hitoshi nonchalantly responded, "It's nothing special, just some shrewd investments. I can teach you if you're interested."

Pakura shook her head and said, "No, thank you. Living like this, I'm afraid I'd be beaten to death."

She wasn't naive. If she dared to use her position for personal gain, it would undoubtedly lead to her demise. Without sufficient strength or political achievements, such actions would be lethal.

"Alright, enough about that. Let's have a meal. I remember there's a high-end restaurant nearby. Look, it's right over there," Hitoshi said, pointing to an upscale establishment.

Luxurious seating, top-notch service, and attractive waitstaff greeted them as they entered the restaurant. Pakura couldn't help but acknowledge that it was truly befitting of the Kazekage's enterprise—a place of high standards.

Hitoshi had managed the restaurant with simplicity, modeling it after high-end establishments from his previous life. The ambiance was calm and comfortable, providing a much-needed respite from the tense and militarized environment of Sunagakure. It served as a sanctuary for those seeking relaxation amidst their arduous lives.

"It's such a comfortable place. I can't believe you came up with this," Pakura commented, picking up her goblet and savoring the wine that flowed smoothly down her throat.

"When you understand your target audience, everything becomes easier," Hitoshi replied with a satisfied smile, observing Pakura's contentment.

"After a long day, most people just want to sit down, listen to music, enjoy good food, have a couple of drinks, and chat with friends," Hitoshi said, expressing his admiration poetically.

Pakura was captivated, immersing herself in the scene he described. "It's truly wonderful, especially for us Shinobi."

Returning from her reverie, Pakura expressed her satisfaction. She knew firsthand that after completing a mission, it was impossible to relax. The mission kept their spirits on high alert, constantly wary of unknown enemies lurking in the shadows. Their consumption of Hyōrōgan and casual drinking was a mere escape from reality.

This high-pressure lifestyle could take its toll on individuals. Pakura understood that Shinobi needed to unwind after completing their missions.

Hitoshi had created this high-end restaurant to meet the needs of Shinobi who desired a place to unwind and maintain their prestige.

"You truly grasp the essence," Pakura said, looking affectionately at Hitoshi. She realized that his frequent visits to her little elder sister were not about romantic pursuits but rather a form of indulgence.

The pressures they faced were immense, and they needed an outlet to release that pressure. Indulgence was the most effective way to achieve that.

If Hitoshi knew what Pakura was thinking, he would laugh. "Sorry, girl, I just enjoy spending time with my little sister. It helps pass the time in my otherwise dull life."

As the saying goes, mealtime is also a time for conversation. Besides, they were about to get married, so establishing a connection through meals and conversations was essential.

Although they had worked together for several years, their professional relationship couldn't automatically transition into a romantic one. In quantitative terms, their relationship was still at zero.

"Kazekage-sama, what other investments do you plan to make next? Your investments seem quite formidable," Pakura asked, attempting to find a topic of conversation.

Pakura had trouble thinking of anything else to discuss, but she wanted to engage in conversation with Hitoshi.

"Regarding investments, I don't have any at the moment. I had my eyes on an industry before, but Uchiha Clan beat me to it, and I didn't want to compete with them. They joined forces with Kurama Clan, and that made their industry quite formidable," Hitoshi explained.

He added, "When it comes to Genjutsu, Uchiha and Kurama are unparalleled in the entire Shinobi World. The entertainment industry demands exceptional Genjutsu skills."

Hitoshi couldn't help but admit that Uchiha and Kurama were the undisputed masters of Genjutsu in Shinobi World.

Upon hearing Hitoshi's response, Pakura lost interest. Indeed, Uchiha and Kurama's Genjutsu skills were renowned throughout the Shinobi World. Their control over Bijū with Sharingan Genjutsu and Kurama's illusions were feats that few could replicate.