Chapter 37: Death of a Businessman
---
"How could there be a flaw?"
Shan Jianhe nearly collapsed, dizzy with shock. The parts had taken days to manufacture, and now they were deemed unusable due to slight deviations.
"What do we do now? Go back and hold them accountable?"
Seeing Muzan deep in thought, he proposed a solution after a moment.
"The parts aren't completely unusable; they just need some polishing to correct the deviations. We should find the person in charge of the factory and talk to them."
The responsibility lies with those who caused the problem.
Upon arriving at the factory, they couldn't find the person in charge. Drastically, they were stopped by a group of shinobi at the entrance. Muzan immediately sensed that something was wrong. The factory was part of Konoha's military industry, which meant it was under the orders of the Hokage.
To survive in Konoha, one must obey the Third Hokage. The factory was deliberately targeting Muzan.
But who gave them the courage to do this?
Danzo?
Danzo was the only one who held a grudge against Muzan, and since this involved funds, Muzan was convinced Danzo was behind it.
"You can't enter here. Leave now!"
The shinobi hired by the factory blocked Muzan's path, with several even drawing their weapons.
"You're all Genin. I don't know who gave you the courage. Move aside!"
Respect must be shown to the strong, or they'll learn the hard way.
There was no need for Muzan to act. Enraged, Shan Jianhe used a swift ninjutsu, incapacitating several of the Genin.
"They've killed someone! Help!"
"Quick, notify the Chūnin captain and ask for backup!"
"Don't run! This will cause the mission to fail!"
Not all shinobi have the courage to face a battle. Some Genin only take on C-rank missions, and protecting the factory was a C-rank task. Today, however, they were unfortunate.
As a Tokubetsu Jōnin of Konoha and the commander in charge of frontline medical logistics, if treatment opportunities were delayed, killing those in the way wouldn't be too much for Shan Jianhe.
"Since the factory director doesn't want to see us, we'll have to force our way in."
Muzan, having pieced together the truth, had no favorable impression of this place.
He formed hand signs and released a massive **Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu** (Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu) aimed directly at the factory director's office.
Sure enough, the fireball blasted the director out of the building, sending him stumbling through thick smoke, choking and breathless.
"What the hell are you bastards doing?!"
Aso Kojiro choked on the smoke, running out in panic.
He had nearly died under that fireball—a shame he would carry for life.
"This is Konoha! You can't just do as you please here. I'm a businessman protected by Konoha. What do you think you're doing? Seize them!"
He commanded the shinobi around him, his voice filled with arrogance despite his soot-covered face.
However, the shinobi didn't act. Instead, they looked at Muzan with fear in their eyes.
The two corpses on the ground were the result of Shan Jianhe's wrath. To him, anyone who hindered frontline medical support was as good as dead.
"What a waste."
Muzan's eyes flashed with ridicule as he pushed Aso Kojiro to the ground. With just a slight squeeze, he could end his life.
But killing him wouldn't solve anything—it would only cause more trouble.
Danzo, lurking in the shadows, was the mastermind behind this. If Muzan killed Aso Kojiro, Danzo could use it against him.
"What are you going to do? I have money. As long as you don't kill me, the money is yours."
With his head pressed to the ground, Aso Kojiro begged for his life, his voice trembling.
At this moment, he realized that ninjas were not to be trifled with.
"I'll give you all my money! Just spare my life!"
He was a spineless businessman, not a trained Root operative. He had followed Danzo's orders to intentionally make the mechanical parts defective.
"I want your money..."
Before Shan Jianhe could finish, Muzan interrupted.
Everyone needs money, and those who run factories in Konoha have plenty of it.
"Hand over the money, and I'll spare your life."
Hearing Muzan's words, Shan Jianhe's clenched fists relaxed, and he let out a relieved sigh.
Muzan grabbed Aso Kojiro by the collar and dragged him into the dilapidated factory. Following Aso's directions, Muzan found a hidden safe.
In Konoha, banknotes were essential for merchants without chakra to use sealing scrolls.
Now, everything fell into Muzan's hands. Despite the loss, Aso Kojiro knew he had no choice but to accept it.
"You knew there was something wrong with these parts."
Muzan could guess from Aso Kojiro's attitude.
"I-I-I don't know!"
But before he could finish, Muzan swiftly severed his arm, causing Aso Kojiro to scream in agony.
"I don't like wasting time."
Using **Shōsen Jutsu** (Mystical Palm Technique), Muzan reattached the arm, but the pain left Aso Kojiro pale and trembling with fear.
"I received orders from ANBU... Only Hokage-sama can..."
Before he could finish, a silver needle pierced through the window, killing Aso Kojiro instantly.
"Who?!"
Shan Jianhe caught a glimpse of a figure but couldn't catch them.
"Damn it!"
What did Aso Kojiro's last words mean?
Could it really have been ANBU? Was the Hokage backing them in this?
The invention of these machines was beneficial to Konoha—a win-win situation!
Muzan didn't reveal the truth. Even ordinary shinobi couldn't contact ANBU, let alone a businessman.
To them, shinobi in black robes and masks were Konoha's ANBU.
"Someone must be impersonating ANBU to sabotage us. We must report this to the Hokage and capture the mastermind!"
This was related to the ongoing war at the frontlines and Konoha's honor and safety.
ANBU imposters killing Konoha's businessmen within the village? This was an act of treachery that couldn't be ignored.
---