Chapter 209: Chapter 209: No Money
Chapter 209: No Money
Although he wasn’t mentally exhausted, Ryosuke slowly drifted off under Hinata’s gentle massage.
By the time he woke up, the sky outside was already tinged red with the hues of dusk.
He didn’t know when Hinata had left.
Perhaps because of the heavy thoughts weighing on his heart before falling asleep, his slumber had been unusually deep. So deep that he hadn’t noticed any movement around him.
"...Looks like I haven’t been deleted."
Ryosuke chuckled to himself, helpless at the memory of his paranoid thoughts before dozing off.
Who would’ve thought such a ridiculous idea would even cross his mind?
But now, in the dim room with only the warm glow of sunset outside, he subconsciously raised his hand and bit into the middle of his index finger.
It hurt. It was real.
A dark red bite mark quickly appeared, even oozing a drop of blood.
But soon, the wound healed, his physical condition easily closing such a minor injury.
He stared at it, stunned. His previously restless emotions settled into stillness, calm and complete.
He stood up.
His face was devoid of any expression as he walked toward the door.
Reason told him this line of thinking was dangerous. Without more information, obsessing over it would only mess with his mind and spirit.
But the situation kept drawing him in.
After all, Ryosuke still didn’t know how he had died in his previous life.
His last memory from that world was waking up early one morning, stepping out the door for work and then, somehow, waking up in this world.
He had no clue how he died. No answers, no closure. He didn’t know if he passed through the mythical Naihe Bridge, encountered any deities, or entered the underworld.
It all felt like a dream. A process with no beginning, only a surreal middle.
Yet everything here, everything around him was too real for a dream.
"Ryosuke? You’re awake. Time to eat..."
A familiar voice echoed from the hallway.
He turned and saw Hinata approaching from the corridor, lit gently by the evening glow.
But before he could respond, she suddenly halted, eyeing him cautiously.
"...What’s wrong?" Ryosuke asked, puzzled.
"You..."
Hinata peered at his face, then let out a breath of relief. "You were so scary just now."
"Scary?"
Ryosuke blinked in confusion.
Had he... done something strange?
"You looked so dark and gloomy. For a second, I thought you were an intruder."
Hinata clutched her chest, still startled.
"You didn’t recognize me?" Ryosuke asked, stepping forward. "Maybe... my body changed a little after the transformation."
But even as he said it, he shook his head internally.
With each transformation, his body did shift, taller, leaner, more powerful. That was expected. That was also why, despite his young age, he had physical traits far beyond ordinary people.
Yet no matter how his form evolved in the past, Hinata always recognized him. So did the others in the family. It never caused confusion before.
But this time...
"It doesn’t seem like a physical change..." Hinata murmured, scratching her head. "I can’t explain it, but something just felt... off."
She gave up trying to make sense of it. "Anyway, let’s eat! The food tonight looks amazing. I sneaked a peek in the kitchen, everything’s your favorite."
Ryosuke chuckled softly. "Yours too."
They had similar tastes, after all. Both leaned toward meat-heavy meals.
He chose not to dwell on the thoughts he couldn’t untangle, perhaps because he was deliberately avoiding them.
If he continued down that path, he might start to sound like a lunatic.
And he knew it.
---
Dinner at the Hyuga household that night was indeed a feast.
There were dishes from the sky, the land, and the sea, birds roasted to golden perfection, meat grilled with smoky char, and fish steamed to delicate tenderness.
Yet despite the variety and richness, the food didn’t feel greasy or overwhelming. Instead, the aroma stirred something deep and primal, the craving for sustenance and satisfaction.
The table was piled high with dishes, so much so that a second table had to be pulled in and joined to the first just to hold everything.
Still, the doubled portions posed no problem for a family like theirs, physical arts specialists with monstrous appetites.
During the first half of dinner, the only sounds were the soft clinking of porcelain, chopsticks tapping gently on bowls.
They ate quickly but with grace. No lip-smacking or crude slurping just a quiet, rhythmic dance of utensils, like a musical performance composed of flavor and instinct.
It wasn’t until the second half of the meal that conversation began.
"While you were in seclusion, news came from Hoshicai," Hiashi said, setting down his empty soup bowl. Though his fighting days were behind him, his posture still carried the dignity of a clan head.
"They were discovered by the man from another world."
Ryosuke looked up, listening intently.
"Just as you suspected, he’s called Shanks and he’s extremely powerful," Hiashi continued, his voice turning serious. "He’s currently staying with the Saki family in Saki Castle. Seems like he’s struck some kind of deal with them or maybe with the Land of Fire’s noble houses. He’s helping them accomplish something."
"During a direct confrontation," Hiashi added, "Hoshicai and the others were knocked unconscious by an unknown method. It resembled high-level illusion techniques."
"That’s Conqueror’s Haki," Ryosuke said, picking up a piece of grilled lamb. "You could describe it as a spirit. The spirit of a king."
He chewed thoughtfully before continuing. "This illusory aura grows stronger with battle experience. Over time, it gains substance—enough to damage others spiritually."
"It’s a mental attack," Ryosuke added. "But it hinges more on willpower than chakra or jutsu."
"Even if someone has mastered Yin Release techniques, if their will is weak, they won’t be able to withstand it."
He barely acknowledged the Saki family or their scheming. All his attention was focused on Shanks.
"That’s incredible," Hinata muttered. The fact that such a technique could instantly disable experienced ninjas including Hoshicai was alarming.
"So, to fight someone like that..." Hiashi mused, "...you’d need not only greater combat ability, but an unbreakable will. Even a moment of hesitation or fear and you’re done."
Ryosuke nodded calmly. "You could think so."
Ryosuke hesitated for a moment.
"This kind of Haki Conqueror’s Haki can vary greatly in strength. It depends entirely on the willpower and innate ability of the one who awakens it. Its influence on others also differs, so there’s really no way to define a clear upper or lower limit."
Noticing the worried expressions on their faces, he added,
"But according to what we know, very few people are born with the potential to awaken this kind of Haki. It’s said that maybe one person in tens of millions has it. So, we don’t need to be overly concerned."
"Even among tens of millions, it’s not guaranteed that one person will awaken it?"
Hiashi Hyuga’s eyes narrowed slightly. "The entire population of the Land of Fire, counting both civilians and shinobi, is only in the tens of millions."
"So on average... one per country? That’s within acceptable limits."
He sighed in relief, the tension in his shoulders easing.
Their current exploration plan primarily targeted the world where Sakata Gintoki and his companions lived. But based on the benefits they had gained so far, the other world, the one with devil fruits offered much more potential. If they could explore that world further, their clan’s combat strength could skyrocket in a short time.
However, if that world was filled with people like Shanks, all possessing Conqueror’s Haki, then opening up that world might not only be dangerous, it could backfire. They might even face invasion themselves.
"So... what is Shanks’ stance right now?"
Ryosuke hadn’t seriously considered entering the One Piece world just yet. That kind of decision was still far off.
"After Hoshicai and the others made contact, they managed to send back a message. So... I’d say his attitude is friendly, right?"
"Yes," Hiashi nodded. "As long as we express our willingness to talk peacefully, he’s open to discussions. He didn’t place any restrictions on Hoshicai and the others. In fact, he said it’s up to us whether he decides the time and place or we do."
He paused, then added with a neutral tone,
"He seems very confident in his own strength."
"Well, he is a man with a king’s disposition," Ryosuke smiled faintly. "And since we’ve been open and honest, he probably doesn’t want to appear weaker in terms of presence or resolve."
"Besides," he continued, "he’s already seen what we consider top-tier combat strength, Jonin. Maybe that’s why he feels confident enough to speak as an equal and propose a straightforward meeting."
"In that case, we just need to pick the right time to invite him."
Shanks didn’t strike him as arrogant.
He had a broad worldview, was skilled at diplomacy, and likely had enough self-assurance to make such a suggestion naturally.
After all, having Conqueror’s Haki didn’t mean you were reckless or thick-headed.
"Jonin? Hah..."
Hiashi’s voice carried a trace of melancholy. "There was a time when being a Jonin meant you were among the elite. But now, in the Hyuga clan, that’s just mid-tier at best."
Seeing Ryosuke’s confusion, he clarified,
"You haven’t really been involved in clan affairs lately, so you might not know. Right now, being a Jonin isn’t enough. You need achievements in other fields too, combat alone doesn’t cut it anymore."
He folded his arms, expression solemn.
"Medical ninjutsu, barrier construction, escape arts... even logistics, strategy, management, and finance are now areas where members are expected to excel."
Ryosuke had unknowingly raised the bar.
With his overwhelming strength, he had set a new ceiling. The clan, inspired by him, had entered a period of intense growth. Everyone was pushing forward, anyone who fell behind was quickly left in the dust.
Even those without strong bloodline talents or mastery of clan techniques were now striving to excel in alternative paths.
Disciplines like Yin-Yang Release or the Five Elements, once neglected, were now areas of fierce study. Those who couldn’t rise through traditional means were exploring new specialties with serious determination.
Being a Jonin alone no longer satisfied the clan’s ambitions.
"Take Hyuga Hoshicai and Hyuga Iroha, for example," Hiashi said. "They’re both Jonin but what sets them apart are their other accomplishments."
"One has made incredible contributions in medical ninjutsu, developing techniques that enhance our combat effectiveness. The other has shown exceptional leadership—he’s practically born to command."
They weren’t able to break past the ceiling like Ryosuke had. So they had carved new paths.
"...That must be draining on resources."
Ryosuke set down his chopsticks, becoming the second person to exit the meal.
He appreciated the growth and prosperity of the clan but his first concern was cost.
"Exactly..."
Hiashi glanced at Hinata, who was still tenaciously eating. "We can’t maintain this pace without straining ourselves. But Hinata would know the details she’s in charge of logistics."
"Money..."
Hinata’s mouth was full, but she replied through a mouthful of food, "We don’t have nearly enough."
"I still have a pile of resource applications waiting. If they want to pursue new paths, funding is essential."
"But our budget’s tight. We’re already stretching to cover basic living expenses, let alone funding research, barrier construction, site repairs, and raw materials."
"The clan has passion, but not the money to match it."
She glanced at her father with frustration.
"I’ve raised this issue repeatedly, but nothing changes. Every day, people camp outside my office, afraid someone else will jump the line and snatch up the remaining resources."
"I know," Hiashi said, sighing. "I’ve brought this up in several meetings. But there’s no immediate solution."
"Even though we now have some external channels for acquiring supplies, most of our funding still comes from the budget the Land of Fire allocates to Konoha."
"And although Konoha takes a large portion of that budget for itself, what we receive is still far more than what we gather on our own."
It was the result of a powerful country’s backing.
Even if the money was split up and diluted, the remaining amount still exceeded what they could obtain elsewhere.
"This will take time. We can’t rush into abandoning our foundation in Konoha just to chase bigger opportunities elsewhere. Even if we have the strength to go independent, the loss would be enormous."
Hiashi turned to Hinata with a firm tone.
"We have to be steady. It’s true our resources are limited, but that in itself is an opportunity to train ourselves further."
"We won’t fund every proposal. Instead, we’ll support the best ideas that are most beneficial to the clan’s development."
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