269

Haruto said goodbye to his team as they dispersed into the bustling streets of Konoha, the hum of the Chunin Exams still echoing through the village. The entire event had transformed Konoha into an economic powerhouse for the week. Hotels were fully booked, food stalls were raking in ryo by the minute, and shops were filled with shinobi and visitors eager to buy supplies, souvenirs, and anything that caught their eye.

The three-day extension of the exams wasn't just about giving the genin time to recover or draw out the competition—it was about economics. The Hidden Leaf village was making the most of the influx of people. Every innkeeper, shop owner, and restaurant within a 50-mile radius of Konoha was benefitting from the exam's sprawling timeline. Haruto understood why villages fought to host these events when they weren't trying to slit each other's throats. The revenue it generated was astronomical.

As Haruto walked back to his apartment, his thoughts shifted to tomorrow's fight. He'd be up against Takeshi Hyuga, and Haruto knew exactly how to deal with him. His preparation wasn't just about the fight, though. Haruto had more in mind—tomorrow, he was planning on unveiling something big.

Instead of keeping his body enhancement seals to himself what if he traded it for something big?

His clones had spent the entire day working to stockpile the directional explosive tags he'd been crafting. Seals and poisons were only allowed in the exams if the shinobi had created them, but there was no such rule about weapons or general-use items. His tags fell squarely in the latter category, and they were about to make waves. The match would be more than just a showcase of his skill—it would be the launch of his new business venture.

The directional explosive tags weren't just for the exam. If everything went according to plan, Haruto would be selling them in bulk after tomorrow. He'd already worked out the design, perfected the seal, and now, it was time to make some ryo. Haruto needed more funds—what he had planned for the future wasn't going to come cheap.

His mind shifted to the body enhancement seals he had been developing. The procedure was expensive, both in materials and in time. Even though he made the seals himself, the cost of the components was staggering. And then there was the pain. The enhancement process was grueling, something that could only be done once a person's body had reached a certain stage of growth. Haruto had tested it on himself, and while he could endure it, he knew that it was too much for most shinobi to handle regularly.

But there was one person Haruto believed could handle it—Might Guy.

Haruto smirked to himself as he thought about the young academy student who was still training under his father, Might Duy. The boy was all heart, all passion, and Haruto knew, thanks to his knowledge of the anime, that Guy was destined for greatness. The man would one day be known as the Green Beast of Konoha. Haruto respected Guy's drive, his unwavering spirit. More importantly, Guy could be trusted. He was pure.

Guy was perfect for the enhancement seal. While he didn't have the insane stamina recovery that Haruto had—Tier 2 stamina recovery being one of the perks of his system—Guy's body could take the punishment. Haruto was certain of it. Guy could handle the painful, nightly procedure every two days, which would give his body just enough time to recover between treatments. The benefits would be worth it.

Haruto wasn't planning on giving the seals to Guy for free, though. He needed something in return—something valuable. The Eight Gates.

Might Duy, Guy's father, was the only person alive who had mastered the Eight Gates technique, and Haruto wanted it. He wasn't going to force it or try to steal it, but a trade—a fair trade—was the way forward. Haruto was confident that if he could prove the body enhancement seals would work, Duy would trade the Eight Gates knowledge to help Guy push beyond his limits. Duy might have been stuck as a genin for decades, but he wasn't stupid. Haruto was willing to bet that Duy would agree to the trade if it meant giving Guy an edge, especially when Haruto was willing to front the cost of the seals himself. No charge unless it worked.

And if it worked, Guy would become something beyond what even the anime had predicted. Haruto grinned at the thought. A stronger Guy was good for Konoha, but more than that, it was good for Haruto. He wanted people like Guy on his side—strong allies who could be trusted.

As Haruto walked through the streets, he passed the ninja supply shop he visited often. The shopkeeper knew him well by now, a familiar face who was always buying herbs, poisons, and seal-making supplies. Haruto pushed open the door, stepping into the small, dimly lit shop. The scent of herbs and ink hit him immediately, along with the familiar sight of neatly organized shelves stocked with kunai, scrolls, and various other ninja tools.

The shopkeeper glanced up from behind the counter, nodding in recognition. "Haruto," he greeted with a gravelly voice. "What can I do for you tonight?"

Haruto leaned against the counter, pulling out a handful of the directional explosive tags from his pouch. He placed them in front of the shopkeeper with a knowing look. "I've got something new for you," he said, his voice low but confident. "I'm planning on revealing these tomorrow in my fight. Once people see them, they're going to want to buy them."

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, leaning forward to inspect the tags. "What makes these so special?" he asked, curiosity piqued.

"Directional explosive tags," Haruto explained. "They focus the blast in one direction. More precise, more control. You sell them after the match tomorrow. We split the profits."

The shopkeeper stroked his chin, thinking it over. "Hmm, sounds interesting. I'll set up shop for them. But let's hope they work as well as you say they do."

"They will," Haruto said with a smirk. "Just be ready."

The deal was made, and as Haruto left the shop, he couldn't help but think about the long game he was playing. The Chunin Exams were just the beginning. Between the seals, his business plans, and the future trade with Duy for the Eight Gates which he hoped he would be open too, he was laying the groundwork for something bigger. Tomorrow, he'd win the fight. But the real victory would be what came after.

Haruto's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he made his way back to his apartment. He could already see the path ahead. The future wasn't set in stone—it was his to shape, one battle at a time.