Naruto Card King

Tsunade was in complete shock!

This little brat really dared to say anything! This was something even Tsunade herself wouldn't dare to do!

"Ugh... Ughhh..."

"Hey! Sensei, let me talk to him first. He forgot to take his medicine today."

Tsunade quickly covered Haruto Saito's mouth, flashed an awkward smile at Hiruzen Sarutobi, and then dragged Haruto out of the office in a hurry. The hallway was bustling with people, so she swiftly pulled him through the corridor and didn't stop until they reached a dimly lit corner near the staircase.

"You little brat! Are you insane? Fifteen million and you're still not satisfied? How much do you want?" Tsunade let go of Haruto and scolded him fiercely.

"Are you crazy? I wasn't even finished talking!" Haruto shot a sideways glance at her, clearly displeased. "Fifteen million ryō is a lot?"

"And you think it isn't?" Tsunade was stunned for a moment, then her expression darkened as she jabbed Haruto's forehead with her finger. "Hey, hey, hey! You brat, how much more do you want? Are you trying to get yourself killed?! You—! Using the Black Armor as leverage is already—"

She truly thought Haruto had lost his mind. The Black Armor was only worth so much; selling it directly on the black market would fetch at most fifteen million ryō, which was already a high price. Of course, if it were auctioned, the price could go even higher, but that was a different matter!

It was like an antique originally worth ten thousand ryō—if two collectors both wanted it and started a bidding war, the price could soar to tens or even hundreds of thousands.

"It's not as bad as you make it sound." Haruto smirked. "Do you think I'd do something I have no confidence in?" He wasn't acting recklessly. In fact, he had some certainty about this, as he had been closely observing Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude towards him in the office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's relationship status with him remained neutral the entire time.

This meant that Sarutobi had no intent to harm him. If he had any thoughts of forcibly taking the Black Armor, his relationship status wouldn't be neutral—it would have shown some negative status! Furthermore, since Sarutobi had proactively offered money in exchange for the Black Armor, it was clear he was prepared to negotiate.

These two factors acted as a double safeguard, which gave Haruto the confidence to make his bold demand. Call it a threat or extortion, all he wanted was to trade the Black Armor for equivalent benefits! Otherwise, he wouldn't hand it over under any circumstances—after all, at this stage, the Black Armor was a significant advantage for him.

However, Tsunade wasn't aware of any of this.

All she knew was that threatening and extorting the Hokage was practically suicide! Even Danzo wouldn't dare to do it!

"You still dare say you're confident? Don't think that just because Sensei wants to take you as a direct disciple, you can do whatever you want! He is much tougher than you imagine! Who do you think you are? Even if the general of the Land of Iron personally came to request the Black Armor, he wouldn't dare utter a single threat! He would have to maintain a respectful attitude and negotiate properly. You—"

Tsunade ranted on, extremely agitated.

"You're so annoying!" Haruto couldn't take it anymore. Black mist suddenly surrounded him, and in the next instant, he transformed into smoke and disappeared.

"You! You little brat!" Tsunade snapped out of it and, without hesitation, turned into a blur as she dashed back to the Hokage's office.

...

Inside the Hokage's office, Tsunade rushed in, but she was too late.

"...Hokage-sama, these are my conditions. I believe you wouldn't be stingy. You know how much danger I went through to protect the Black Armor. Besides, if I become stronger, I can contribute even more to Konoha!" Haruto spoke sincerely, standing beside the desk.

Tsunade had arrived too late—she didn't even hear what Haruto had demanded from Hiruzen Sarutobi. However, judging from Sarutobi's darkened expression, it was clear that Haruto had made an outrageous request.

"Sensei! Haruto didn't mean to offend you! He's still young and reckless. Please don't hold it against him!" Tsunade quickly stepped forward, continuously signaling Haruto with her eyes.

Haruto completely ignored her signals—she knew nothing yet kept interfering.

"Hmph!" Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a cold snort and glared at Haruto with a displeased expression. "You really dare ask for so much! Are you trying to rob me blind?"

"Hokage-sama, I believe my conditions are fair!" Haruto insisted, his tone unwavering.

"Haruto, you're being outrageous!" Tsunade scolded him, thinking to herself that this was it—Haruto had completely angered the Hokage now.

Sarutobi narrowed his eyes at Haruto, making him feel slightly uneasy. Then, after a brief pause, Sarutobi said, "You've got guts, I'll give you that! Fine... I agree!"

"Hokage-sama, you are wise!" Haruto immediately flattered him, feeling relieved.

Tsunade, on the other hand, was stunned. He actually agreed?! Wasn't Haruto's request too excessive? And yet, Sensei wasn't mad? No anger? But his face looks angry—so what's going on here?

"However..." Sarutobi continued, "I agree, but your conditions are too much. Therefore, I want you to participate in this afternoon's negotiations as well. I need you, as the Black Samurai, to negotiate with the Land of Iron. You are the current owner of the Black Armor, so you have the most bargaining power. I expect you to secure greater benefits for Konoha! If you can negotiate well and bring in enough benefits, then we'll talk about what you want."

"This..." Haruto hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, Hokage-sama, I will do my best!"

"It's a deal?"

"It's a deal!"

"Good!" Sarutobi's tone suddenly turned cold. "But let me be clear—if you fail to secure additional benefits for Konoha and ruin our relations with the Land of Iron, you will be held accountable! At that time, don't expect any mercy from me!"

Haruto's expression changed instantly.

Sarutobi had just dug him a massive hole!

He did it on purpose!

Haruto's demand had indeed been excessive, so Sarutobi decided to push the burden onto him! If Haruto messed up the negotiations with the Land of Iron, the consequences would be disastrous!

Destroying diplomatic relations between Konoha and the Land of Iron? That alone was a severe crime!

"Hokage-sama, this is blatant revenge! I protest!" Haruto dared to speak his mind.

"Protest denied!" Sarutobi shot him a sideways glance. "You made the demands! You agreed to the negotiation! If you regret it now, fine—hand over the Black Armor immediately, and I'll give you fifteen million ryō!"

Finally, Sarutobi revealed his true cunning nature!

"Oh, right, let me remind you." Sarutobi added casually, "The Land of Iron has already agreed to offer one hundred million ryō for the Black Armor. If you want Konoha to benefit, push for a fifty percent increase—one hundred and fifty million ryō! That's my bottom line."

Haruto was dumbfounded.

One hundred million already?!

Damn it!

This was all a setup!

Haruto realized he had been completely played by Sarutobi. This old man was too shrewd—or rather, too shameless! With just a few words, he had trapped Haruto in his scheme.

He probably never intended to agree to Haruto's conditions in the first place.