"Hey! Put that down!"
Kuragami Uchiha sighed as he watched his teammate's unseemly behavior. To be honest, what Kakashi lacked most right now wasn't strength or skill; it was vision and perspective.
Up to this point, Kakashi's identity was still confined to being just a ninja. Even though he had begun transitioning into politics, his upbringing limited his aspirations to being a political figure within the Shinobi World. In his eyes, nobles and wealthy merchants still held an air of superiority.
Kuragami Uchiha had set aside his current affairs and traveled here with Kakashi for the sole purpose of completely shattering that illusion. As for Gato's vast fortune? That was just a convenient bonus.
Kakashi, puzzled, turned back to look at Kuragami Uchiha. The guy had just said they could take whatever they wanted, so what was Kuragami hesitating for?
"It wouldn't be very polite to just take everything, now would it?" Kuragami said.
His words sent a wave of panic through Gato. He had already figured out that Kuragami was the leader between the two. But now, if Kuragami wasn't after money... Then why had they broken into his house? There was only one other possibility: Revenge.
"M-my lords, I don't recall ever offending you."
Gato stammered while swallowing hard. "If I have done something wrong, or if any of my men have been disrespectful, please, just say the word! I will make amends however you see fit."
"You see? You're scaring poor Gato here."
Kuragami said with a smile that sent shivers down Gato's spine. "Turn on the lights, let Mr. Gato take a good look at us."
Kakashi obediently set down the gold he had been holding and flipped the switch. The sudden brightness made Gato squint, but as soon as he realized what was happening, terror struck him.
They want to kill him. If he sees their faces, they'll have to get rid of him.
Thinking fast, he squeezed his eyes shut and covered them with his hands.
"Please, no! I know the rules! If I see your faces, I'm as good as dead!" Gato pleaded.
"Just open your eyes for a second."
Kuragami coaxed, his voice smooth yet chilling as he casually ran a kunai through Gato's disheveled hair, tidying it up.
Feeling the cold steel against his scalp, Gato didn't dare move an inch. "N-no... No need..."
"Just a quick look, don't worry. We have no ill intentions." Kuragami reassured him.
"I-i understand! Please, tell me what you want!" Gato said hurriedly.
"We are here on behalf of the Uchiha and Hatake clans of Hidden Leaf Village to invite you to invest."
Kuragami explained smoothly. "Konoha is booming, and if you put your money into the right industries, the returns will be phenomenal."
"The Uchiha... And the Hatake clans?"
Gato hesitantly opened his eyes and was immediately met with the sight of three pairs of crimson Sharingan eyes, making him swallow hard.
As a businessman who had navigated both the legitimate and underground worlds, he was no stranger to the names of Konoha's most powerful clans.
The Uchiha needed no introduction. As for the Hatake, while their name wasn't as renowned, he was well aware that the Land of Fire's Daimyo had once considered granting the title of acting Hokage to White Fang himself.
"... So you only want me to invest in Konoha?"
Gato asked cautiously. "That's... quite reasonable."
Now that they had revealed their identities, Gato felt slightly more at ease. "What industry would you like me to invest in?"
Kuragami chuckled. "That's simple; you can invest in whichever makes the most money. We trust your business acumen, Gato. Otherwise, we wouldn't have gone through all this trouble to seek you out."
"So... The Uchiha and Hatake clans want to go into business with me?" Gato asked, trying to confirm.
"Exactly."
Kuragami nodded. "We plan to take a share in your business. What do you think?"
"That's certainly possible."
Gato replied. "How much capital are you looking to invest?"
"We're investing with technology." Kuragami smiled, absentmindedly twirling a kunai in his fingers.
"... Technology? What kind of technology?" Gato was puzzled.
"Ninja technology, of course." With a flick of his wrist, Kuragami drove his kunai into the mattress, right between Gato's legs.
Gato immediately understood. Ninja technology? What else could that mean? Assassinations.
"We'll take a 70-30 split."
Kuragami said casually.
"You'll take 30%?"
"Oh, no, no, Gato."
Kuragami said, pulling out another kunai and lightly scraping away the stubble on Gato's chin. "You'll take 30%."
"The remaining 70%, 40% goes to the Uchiha, 30% to the Hatake."
Gato felt the cold metal against his throat and didn't dare move an inch. Still, he couldn't help but object: "That... That doesn't seem like a fair deal."
"Oh? Rules?"
Kuragami chuckled darkly. "Here, allow me to give our future business partner a firsthand demonstration of our technology, Kakashi; how about a basic Genjutsu?"
"... Me?"
Kakashi blinked in disbelief. "You're from the Uchiha Clan. The most feared masters of Genjutsu. And you're telling me to demonstrate Genjutsu?"
"Quit standing there like an idiot."
Kuragami muttered. "If I do it, this guy will end up a vegetable."
Kakashi sighed and nodded. Before Gato could react, Kakashi cast the Genjutsu on him.
Within seconds, Gato's expression twisted in terror. Sweat poured down his face as his body trembled.
A few moments later, Kakashi lifted the Genjutsu, bringing Gato back to reality. The man gasped for air, his chest heaving.
Kuragami gently patted his back, helping him steady his breathing. Then, with a smile, he asked: "So, Mr. Gato, would you say our technology is worth the price?"
"Y-yes! Absolutely!" Gato blurted, terrified of hesitating even a second too long.
"Then... Do we have a deal?" Kuragami raised an eyebrow.
"D-deal. We have a deal." Gato stammered.
"Excellent. Now, lead the way, Mr. Gato. It's time to settle this year's dividends."
Kuragami smiled. "And don't worry, going forward, the Uchiha and Hatake clans will personally ensure your safety. Even the Daimyo doesn't get that kind of protection. You won't regret this."