"Kill! Beat these bastards to death!"
A shinobi wearing a Hidden Mist forehead protector cursed as he charged at the enemy.
For two months now, petty opportunists had been probing into the Seven Colors Trading Company's secrets.
Mei Terumī had deployed more shinobi to guard it. Even if she hadn't, the Mist shinobi themselves were willing to fight for the company's protection.
One of them, a civilian-born shinobi and the sole fighter in his family, knew how fragile his life was on missions. But ever since the Seven Colors Trading Company had come to the village, his life had changed for the better.
His wife had found steady work there, and their family's life grew more stable.
He remembered the time his child had fallen gravely ill while he was still away on assignment. The medical fees were staggering—Mist's standards could never match Konoha's, and the costs soared beyond reach.
His wife had tried to borrow money from relatives and friends, but no one would lend such a large sum.
In the end, it was the company's manager who advanced her wages and even cut the treatment costs in half, saving their child's life.
For that kindness, he had sworn an oath in his heart.
He wasn't a hero, but he had his pride. If anyone dared to covet the Seven Colors Trading Company, he would cut them down—even at the cost of his own life.
That was why Yamakawa Zeno fought without hesitation.
"Water Release: Violent Water Wave!"
He unleashed a torrent, repelling his enemies. His kunai flew from his hand, finding its mark and staining the ground with blood.
But his arm grew weaker with every swing. His kunai felt heavier, his wounds multiplied, and his comrades fell one by one around him.
"Damn it! Is this… the end?"
In those final moments, Zeno saw the faces of his wife Koyuri and their child. A bittersweet smile tugged at his lips as a kunai closed in on his chest. He no longer had the strength to dodge.
He closed his eyes.
Bang! Bang!
Metal clashed, and the killing blow was deflected by another kunai.
Startled, Zeno opened his eyes and saw her—
Her lips crimson as flame, her long dark-red hair falling to reveal only one emerald eye. Clad in battle gear that only highlighted her stunning beauty, she stood like a vision of power and grace.
It was Mei Terumī, the Mizukage herself.
"Damn it… not only Konoha, but even these rogue shinobi dare to lay hands on the Seven Colors Trading Company's goods!" Mei's voice dripped with anger.
The Konoha forces had already been driven back, yet these scavengers still came.
"It seems I've been too merciful."
Her killing intent surged. A stream of molten liquid spewed from her lips, engulfing the rogue shinobi who had nearly slain Zeno. His screams filled the air until nothing was left but charred remains.
To Zeno, it wasn't cruelty—it was salvation.
The remaining enemies tried to flee, but Mei's hands wove seals, summoning a mighty Water Dragon Bullet that struck them down without mercy.
"Clean up the battlefield!" she ordered.
"Yes!" her subordinates answered.
Turning to Zeno, Mei's expression softened. "You did well. From today onward, you are promoted to Special Jōnin. You may also select one jutsu from the village's archives."
Zeno's heart soared. With a single reward, his future had changed. The opportunity to learn a village-treasured technique could push his strength to the level of a full Jōnin.
The battlefield was nearly cleared when a messenger arrived.
"Mizukage-sama! Danzo requests negotiations!"
Mei Terumī's lips curled into a cold smile. "Heh… that old dog is shameless."
Of course, they already knew Danzo Shimura was behind these constant disruptions. Now, he even dared to demand half the profits from the Seven Colors Trading Company's sales in the Land of Fire.
Such arrogance!
The company's trade with Fire Country was immense, its profits staggering. To ask for half outright was lunacy.
Mei Terumī had rejected him outright, and though Danzo schemed, he could not bring all of Konoha behind him. His power was his own, not the village's.
And with the Mist's clans standing united to resist him, the disparity in strength was clear.
In the end, Danzo's schemes collapsed.
With Shisui's subtle manipulations, Danzo had forcibly tied the Seven Colors Trading Company to the Hidden Mist's war chariot.
What no one realized was that alongside its rapid expansion, another brand—Umbrella Cosmetics—was quietly spreading across nations under the Seven Colors banner.
Its products swept through markets almost overnight, winning the hearts of countless women.
At this time, Mei Terumī had already led the Mist's delegation to the meeting place Danzo Shimura had designated.
"Mizukage-sama," Danzo said flatly, "there's no need for further discussion. If your Seven Colors Trading Company wishes to expand throughout the Land of Fire, you will give me fifty percent of the profits. Otherwise, I will ensure you cannot operate here."
His threat lingered heavily in the air.
Mei Terumī's lips curved into a faint smile. "Heh… Elder Danzo, such impressive authority. Do you truly believe Konoha controls every town in the Land of Fire? If so, you must be more powerful than the Daimyō himself."
Her mocking words struck true.
Danzo's expression darkened. He could not refute her—Konoha's reach was great, but he did not control every territory within the Fire Country. Still, there were ways he could make life difficult for the Seven Colors Trading Company. Rogue shinobi, mercenaries, and assassins… information was a weapon he could freely sell.
Having investigated the company thoroughly, Danzo was consumed by envy at its rapid rise. Its success was not only due to Naruto's forward-thinking concepts but also Shisui's genjutsu, which had quietly bent many merchants and trade networks to their will, consolidating resources at an unnatural pace.
The result was a company that had grown too quickly, too profitably.
"Enough talk!" one of the Hōzuki clan shinobi snapped coldly. "Danzo, whatever schemes you have, bring them forward. We'll be waiting. But don't think you'll take a single coin from us!"
The Hōzuki had already received tens of millions in dividends over the past two months. To hand a share to Danzo now would be no different than giving away their own fortune.
Not only them—the representatives of several other Mist clans, families who often quarreled bitterly among themselves, stood together for once.
Danzo's face turned a shade darker, his composure faltering as his anger surged. He had not expected the Mist to present such a united front.
"Hmph! This old man will remember this," Danzo spat, his voice sharp with venom. "We shall see."
With that, he flicked his sleeve and left, his expression clouded with gloom.
...
TN:
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