The Days of Being the Richest Man in the Ninja World-Chapter 337. Expanding Production Lines

Chapter 337. Expanding Production Lines

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With the launch of the shopping festival, the entire Ninja World erupted in excitement.

Housewives and stay-at-home dads, in particular, eagerly joined the upcoming shopping frenzy out of sheer curiosity.

Sometimes, human behavior is just strange.

For instance, few people would bother to bend down and pick up a single coin on the street, yet when they snag a digital discount on their phones, they'd gleefully exclaim, "Thanks, boss!"

Even when they knew the discounts weren't that substantial, seeing their friends participate made them jump in too.

Of course, since this was the first-ever shopping festival, Yuto had rolled out some genuinely hefty discounts.

But to make things more engaging, he'd also set up a few hurdles—like... raising a virtual cat?!

How can an Uchiha not raise a cat?

Come to think of it, he'd been meaning to adopt a ninja cat from the Aunt Cat or even buy a ninja dog from the Inuzuka clan for ages, but he'd never gotten around to it.

However—

"Sister Mikoto! You're raising one too? If you really want it, I can just max out your cat's level for you!"

Early in the morning, Yuto received a call from Mikoto. When she asked him to "feed" her virtual cat, he was utterly baffled.

The Yuto Group was his. [Yuto Mall] was his!

If she wanted something, she could just ask—why bother with discount events?!

Still, hearing Mikoto's enthusiasm, he dutifully "fed" her cat some virtual treats.

"Thanks, Yuto! This event is so fun—I'll definitely support you! Remember to feed my cat every day, okay~?" Mikoto's voice chirped through the phone. "Oh, it leveled up again! Now I'll get Fugaku to feed it too! Come over for dinner sometime!"

Beep!

The call ended.

Yuto stared at his phone, sighed, and muttered, "She could've just asked for max level, but no—she'd rather grind for cat food?!"

I can't figure it out~

Yet, he'd underestimated the appeal of his spur-of-the-moment event. freeweɓnovel.cøm

Meanwhile, on a distant mission...

Uchiha Itachi hung up his phone, equally bewildered.

"Itachi, what's up with Aunt Mikoto?" Izumi beside him looked at Itachi curiously. "Why is she calling at this time?!"

You know, when Itachi was on a mission outside, Aunt Mikoto rarely called!

It was rare!

Itachi also came back to his senses and shook his head calmly. "She just asked me to feed her cat."

"???" x3

"When did Itachi's family get a cat?"

"We don't. We're... getting one now." At this point, Itachi lowered his head with a helpless tone and began to operate the phone, followed the prompts to "adopt" a cat, and dutifully "fed" his mother's virtual pet.

Then—

"Hm?" His eyes lingered on the [Yuto Mall]'s upcoming event page. "Limited Edition Uchiha Legend Replica Fan—glows with flame light at night, just like the real one! Event-exclusive sale! Maybe I should buy one for Sasuke..."

And it's so cheap~

The sale was just ten days away.

Itachi silently fed his adopted cat, and then, looking at Izumi beside him, was silent for a while. "...Could you feed my cat too?"

Izumi: "???"

What cat?!

...

The "Raise a Cat" event exploded in popularity, sweeping the Ninja World like wildfire.

After all, the discounts were real—and massive. Even high-ticket items like computers and phones, usually priced in the tens of thousands, could be slashed by thousands or more. Stacked with in-game red packets, the savings were irresistible.

Compared to Root Studio's "10 Billion Subsidies" and "Flash Sales"—which were notoriously hard to snag and riddled with fine print—Yuto's straightforward deals were a breath of fresh air.

Therefore, customers flocked back.

In the opening part of this commercial war, the Yuto Group had unleashed its ultimate weapon!

At this time.

The moment the data came in, Root Studio immediately held a shareholders' meeting!

The atmosphere was tense!

The major shareholder Shimura Danzo clasped his hands together, placed them on the table, and looked at his Dragon and Phoenix with a serious face.

"What do you think?!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Mitokado Homura exchanged grim glances, their faces etched with concern.

Finally, Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe and nodded.

"A lot of people have indeed returned! But it doesn't matter! This event will only last for a period of time. When the time comes, people will return to where the deals are better!"

"That's true!" Homura also nodded in agreement. "We don't have to care! Stay the course. After all, we still have our 10 Billion Subsidies, Flash Sales, and so on!"

But inwardly, the two of them were really worried~

After all, when you think about the past few times...

Every time Danzo tried to go head-to-head with the Yuto Group, he entered the countdown to bankruptcy for no reason.

Now, their movies were hits, [Rootzon] was a success, life was good, and the future looked bright!

As long as they played it safe, there was no need to go against the Yuto Group!

As for replacing them entirely...

The Yuto Group has so many industries and has been operating for so long. How can it be so easy to get rid of them?!

"I'm aware," Danzo sighed, nodded, and looked at his two best friends who chose to give in, and said helplessly. "But the Yuto Group has already invited Root Studio to join this shopping festival. And according to our investigation... many of their factories in the Land of Rain are expanding production in preparation. If we're serious about competing in e-commerce, how can we just turn a blind eye? Otherwise, when the Yuto Group rakes in billions in sales, and we're left with scraps, we'll be a laughingstock! Don't forget—[Rootzon] has only just begun!"

"But our existing discounts—"

Before they could finish, Danzo cut in.

"I get my goods at a very low cost."

"???" x2

Come to think of it, they'd never actually figured out where Danzo sourced his products.

After a moment of contemplation, Hiruzen spoke up. "If we slash prices by half again..."

"We'll still turn a profit!" Danzo nodded meaningfully. "If that weren't the case, why would I bother with gimmicks like '10 Billion Subsidies'?"

After so many failures, he knew that selling at a loss wouldn't destroy the Yuto Group—it would only destroy them.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen to collaborate with Yuto again for their latest film after his return!

"In that case..." Homura also breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile. "This declaration of war... why should we Root Studio avoid it!"

"Indeed!" Sarutobi Hiruzen slapped the table hard, showing the style of the Third Hokage, and said with a confident smile, "This war! We will participate!"

They are never afraid of challenges!

At this moment!

The three of them seemed to have returned to the beginning... just like when they took over Konoha, working together to overcome difficulties!

When Danzo saw this scene, he nodded with satisfaction. "So what do you think should be done next?"

"Let's launch our own event!"

"What kind? A 'Raise a Dog' campaign?"

"No! Wouldn't that make people laugh? It's too obvious!"

"Then what?"

"How about a word collection game? Have people gather the phrase [Will of Fire]!"

"Isn't four characters too few? People would finish it too quickly."

"No." Hiruzen shook his head, eyes gleaming with wisdom. "I mean... starting from 'Where the leaves fall'!"

"?!" The other two gasped, then exclaimed in admiration, "Brilliant idea!"

"Then, just like the Yuto Group..." Homura smiled. "We'll need to expand production and stockpile goods. Time is tight—don't let it... not be able to ship out the goods!"

Danzo smirked confidently. "I understand! I'll make the necessary arrangements."

With that, he stood up and pulled out his phone.

"Let me make a call first."

...

Meanwhile, elsewhere...

"We could start with a fake death," Kabuto mused. "Remove the physical Cage Bird Mark first, then eliminate its imprint on the soul."

After extensive experimentation, they had devised a relatively safer method—though whether it would actually work remained to be seen.

"This might finally break the Cage Bird Mark."

When he said this, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. He pushed his glasses up, and a glimmer seemed to flash in his eyes.

[This Hyuga clan's sealing technique is truly fascinating~]

"Just as I thought. As expected, you're the only one who can keep up with my ideas!" Orochimaru licked his lips, grinning at Kabuto. "Are you still not interested in joining me? Here... you can realize your dream!"

"Sorry, but my dream lies elsewhere!" Kabuto replied calmly, unfazed. "Though who knows? Maybe in a few days, I'll change my mind."

"How cunning. I like you more and more." Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "How about... you nod and agree now? That way, I'll pass the contract of Ryuchi Cave to you? You should know that contracts with summoning beasts from the Three Sage Regions are quite powerful—the First Hokage, Tsunade, Jiraiya and I all have them. And..." His voice dropped to a whisper, dripping with temptation. "You could even learn senjutsu there... you know, only the First Hokage and Jiraiya have mastered it!"

"It's really tempting~" Kabuto still looked at Orochimaru with a smile. "How about... you let me go to Ryuchi Cave for further study first? Then I might be very grateful and agree?"

"Interesting~"

"Could you stop licking my face?"

"Don't you like it?" Orochimaru shrugged, his grin turning sly. "Then I'll pay attention in the future~, Kabuto-kun!"

"About Ryuchi Cave..."

"Sorry, Ryuchi Cave is quite dangerous. Ordinary people would die if they went there!"

"Oh? How terrifying~ Then why don't you tell me what the other bases have been up to lately? Everyone seems so busy." Kabuto wiped his face and smiled at Orochimaru. "I'm quite curious!"

"That's a secret~ And you're just here to learn—you're not one of mine yet." Orochimaru grinned. "I'll tell you when you become mine!"

"What a shame~"

"Indeed~ What a shame."

The atmosphere grew oddly tense.

Both of them smiled at each other in silence.

After what felt like an eternity—

Suddenly.

[I'm rich! I'm rich!]

A phone ringtone blared.

Kabuto blinked, then smirked. "What an... interesting ringtone."

"It is, isn't it?" Orochimaru paid it no mind, nodding before continuing to stare at Kabuto. "Well then, I'll leave the rest to you. I need to take this call."

With Kabuto's nod, he strode out of the lab.

However—

"Who was that?" The smile on Kabuto's face disappeared, and he frowned slightly as he looked at Orochimaru's retreating back. "Could it be... that guy?"

Thinking this, he shook his head helplessly, ignored it, and looked down at the data in his hand.

"It seems..." He paused. "We'll crack the Caged Bird Mark soon."

Although Orochimaru always dangled carrots before him, the snake sannin had indeed taught him much useful knowledge. Still, the face-licking was rather disgusting!

...

Meanwhile, outside the lab—

Orochimaru, who had just finished the call, looked at his phone with a playful expression and muttered to himself. "Expand production?"

Out of nowhere, he'd been ordered to ramp up manufacturing for best-selling items and "prepare for some shopping festival."

But—

What even was a shopping festival?

Orochimaru smiled helplessly and shook his head. "It seems Konoha has come up with some boring events again!"

A cold light flashed in his eyes.

That rotten Konoha.

He, Orochimaru.

Would never return—even if he went bankrupt and couldn't pay wages!

But according to Danzo, he needed to quickly expand production and start hoarding goods for this so-called shopping festival. Yet... how could he scale up production in just days?

This wasn't something achievable through mere words.

It required materials and manpower... and since he'd been doing OEM work for Danzo, his current workforce was already stretched thin!

"A pity. I really shouldn't have fed those last few to Manda." Orochimaru sighed. "With such short notice, where am I supposed to find extra hands?"

Especially since—

Recruiting lackeys wasn't as easy as before. Once potential hires heard about the low pay and lack of benefits, they'd likely refuse!

The ninja world had grown corrupt and vulgar, no longer the pure place it once was.

Dreams alone couldn't attract people anymore!

He couldn't just hire corpses, could he—

Wait.

Orochimaru's eyes lit up as if struck by inspiration. His lips curled meaningfully as he muttered, "If living workers are hard to find..."

But.

He.

Could actually find the dead ones~

Not only would they be obedient, but they wouldn't require rest, meals, or wages~

Ohhh~

What perfect tools they'd make!

Why hadn't this occurred to him sooner?

And so, at that very moment—

A black-hearted factory was born in the ninja world!

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Volume 1 has been completed on Patreon. If you want to read upto [Volume 2 - 40], go to: patreon.com/kurato6180