Naruto Card King

Ding! Answering the host's question: The Basic Healing Card currently in your possession can theoretically heal any damage on your body. However, please note that the Basic Healing Card cannot interrupt continuous damage. For ongoing injuries, each Basic Healing Card can only provide one treatment. If the damage persists after treatment, it will continue to harm the host.

Haruto Saito furrowed his brows, confused by the spirit's explanation. It was too complicated. So, could it heal him or not?

"Spirit, just tell me directly—can the Healing Card cure the damage caused by the Black Armor?" Haruto asked again, his heart racing. "Don't make it so complicated."

"Yes! But the host must remove the Black Armor and stop using it," the spirit replied.

"Oh?" Haruto's eyes lit up.

"As long as you continue wearing the Black Armor, even if the treatment is successful this time, new damage will appear the first time you sleep after the healing process," the spirit explained.

"Understood!" Haruto responded, finally feeling reassured.

"Lord Dark Warrior, I can assure you—there is no one in this world except me who can save you!" Mifune spoke again after Haruto remained silent for a while. "Since you are about to become Hokage-sama's personal disciple, I imagine the Hokage will not abandon you. I believe Konoha is willing to pay for your treatment!"

Mifune had already assumed that Haruto couldn't afford the one hundred million ryō he was demanding. But he still insisted on that price, hoping that Konoha would pay instead.

Originally, Mifune had no intention of revealing the Black Armor's side effects. After all, it involved its ultimate ability, and he preferred not to mention it. Whoever wore the Black Armor, whether they lived or died, was none of his concern—he hadn't planned on using this knowledge to extort money.

However, after learning that the Dark Warrior was actually Haruto Saito, a mere child, and that this child was about to be taken as the Hokage's personal disciple, his thoughts changed.

On one hand, he felt frustrated—humiliated, even!

He had been blackmailed for three hundred million ryō by a mere eleven- or twelve-year-old boy!

On the other hand, he suddenly realized that revealing the secret of the Black Armor's side effects could bring substantial benefits to the Land of Iron, compensating for the losses in their previous negotiations.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who hadn't accepted a personal disciple in over ten years, was willing to take in Haruto Saito. He had even allowed the boy to participate in the negotiations earlier. This clearly indicated that Haruto was incredibly important to him.

Mifune was convinced—Sarutobi Hiruzen would be willing to pay the one hundred million ryō!

After all, Konoha wouldn't even need to withdraw money from its treasury directly. They could simply adjust the payment in their dealings with the Land of Iron. The original three-hundred-million-ryō agreement could be reduced to two hundred million. It was a reduction in profit rather than an outright expense.

"You're the only one who can save me?" Haruto looked at Mifune with an odd expression.

"Of course!" Mifune affirmed.

"Why do I feel like you're just trying to scare me?" Haruto smirked.

"You don't have to believe me! Time will prove everything. It won't be long before your bloodthirsty tendencies become more evident. Then you'll understand that I'm not lying. Sooner or later, you will come looking for me!" Mifune remained serious. "However, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to treat. Think carefully!"

"There's nothing to think about, Lord Mifune. You may…"

Haruto was about to say "leave" when, suddenly, a figure appeared out of nowhere beside Mifune.

Mifune instantly reacted, shifting three feet sideways in an instant, as if startled. His reflexes were sharp.

The newcomer was none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen!

"Hokage-sama, you're here!" Mifune's tone immediately turned cautious. He slowly removed his hand from the hilt of his sword, knowing that anyone who could approach him so silently—without being noticed until the very last second—was someone he had to be wary of.

Haruto noticed a fleeting trace of unease in Mifune's eyes.

"Hmph!" Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a low snort, his displeasure evident. However, he then said, "One hundred million ryō, correct?"

"Yes! One hundred million ryō!" Mifune confirmed.

"Fine! I'll pay!" Sarutobi Hiruzen stated expressionlessly. "But let me remind you, Lord Mifune—I will give you the money, but I do not want Haruto Saito to suffer any complications. Otherwise… I do not wish for this to damage the good relationship between Konoha and the Land of Iron!"

His words were a thinly veiled threat.

"Please rest assured, Hokage-sama! I am absolutely confident that I can cure Haruto Saito's condition!" Mifune responded immediately. But deep down, he suddenly felt a tinge of regret.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had agreed so quickly—perhaps he had underestimated how much the Hokage valued Haruto.

What Mifune didn't know was that Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't actually paying one hundred million ryō out of pocket. He only needed to pay twenty-five million ryō. The remaining seventy-five million was money Haruto already possessed!

Still, twenty-five million ryō was no small sum.

Sarutobi Hiruzen truly valued Haruto Saito. He didn't want him to suffer because of this.

"Since that's settled," Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, "then our deal—"

"Wait, wait, wait! Hokage-sama, hold on!" Haruto suddenly interrupted, cutting off Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Hm?" Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to look at him.

"I refuse!" Haruto stated bluntly. "I refuse to pay him one hundred million ryō. I reject the treatment!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyebrows furrowed. He stepped closer to Haruto and whispered, "You don't want to part with your seventy-five million ryō? Hmph! Foolish boy! Wealth is meaningless if you're dead!"

"No, no, Hokage-sama!" Haruto quickly explained. "Don't you think he's lying? He's just trying to intimidate me! Just because I'm wearing some armor, suddenly my life is in danger? Yes, I've had nightmares, but they're just dreams! I feel fine!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes slightly as he studied Haruto. After a moment, he asked, "Do you really believe that a general of the Land of Iron would lie about something like this just to trick us?"

"Yes!" Haruto nodded firmly.

Behind them, Mifune's expression twitched slightly. Of course, he could hear their conversation.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, however, simply shook his head.

He didn't believe Mifune would fabricate something like this. If it was ever exposed as a lie, the Land of Iron would face Konoha's wrath. Mifune wouldn't dare gamble the fate of his entire nation for a mere hundred million ryō.

Besides, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already analyzed the situation—Mifune had correctly predicted Haruto's nightmares. He had also identified Haruto's growing bloodlust.

More importantly, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew something about the Black Armor's ultimate ability—it was a type of mental attack, similar to genjutsu, capable of causing severe psychological damage.

"Hokage-sama!" Haruto, seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen had already made up his mind, spoke urgently again. "How about this—let's observe first! Just watch me! I'm still normal, aren't I? Why rush to pay him? I think he's bluffing. And even if he's not, the Black Armor's effects might not necessarily get worse over time!"