"I guess this must be a free-rider mission!"
A free-rider mission occurs when the client pays a deposit but is ultimately unable to pay the remaining reward, which means Konoha ends up completing the mission without receiving full compensation.
Of course, Kakashi had learned the term "free-rider mission" from Ye Liang—it used to be called a "false mission."
"I think so too," Ye Liang said, giving a slight nod.
Rin Nohara's eyes revealed a trace of confusion.
"Teacher, should we still continue with this mission? If it's a free-rider mission, maybe we should just cancel it directly."
"Let's wait and see. Something might come up later," Ye Liang replied.
Meanwhile, Obito Uchiha was glancing dumbly between everyone else.
"Kakashi, what's a free-rider mission?"
He wasn't familiar with such terms and looked confused.
However, Kakashi deliberately ignored him.
Obito turned to Rin Nohara next, but she also paid no attention to him.
Ye Liang did the same.
Well, can you really blame them? He was such a lovable dork.
After a while,
Uncle Kaiji walked out holding a tray full of sweet potatoes.
Smiling cheerfully, he placed the sweet potatoes on the table and said as he started:
"Please help yourselves, adults."
Obito looked at the sweet potatoes on the table and immediately reached his hand out.
But Ye Liang clearly saw the child's eyes flicker with reluctance when Obito grabbed one.
Ye Liang instantly understood everything.
This whole tray of sweet potatoes was probably their only food supply.
"Everyone, go ahead. There are more in the kitchen. Don't be shy."
Kaiji hospitably urged them to eat, but aside from Obito, no one touched the food.
Seeing that nobody touched the food, Kaiji sent the child away first before walking back.
"Adults, I'm really troubled this time!"
He bowed respectfully to Ye Liang. It seemed he was about to speak plainly now.
"Adult, the rogue ninja involved in this mission is hiding in the moat surrounding the city in the Land of Waves. They rob every merchant trying to enter or leave the Land of Waves along the riverbank. We wish to conduct trade, yet we can only rely on fishing boats to travel. At this rate, though, nobody will visit our country anymore!"
He looked extremely tense, but Ye Liang remained completely expressionless.
"I understand your point completely, but I need to ask—can you definitely afford the three-thousand-gold reward this time?"
"You're doubting me?!"
Kaiji immediately shouted.
He looked flustered, his face turning bright red—he clearly lacked confidence.
"So what if I am?" Ye Liang said coldly.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. As a modern person, Ye Liang naturally understood that completely.
If they wanted help, payment would naturally be required. Even if Ye Liang wished to be generous, he simply couldn't afford it right now. Besides, the three thousand taels of gold were meant for the village, and they would receive only a few hundred taels as commission anyway.
Seeing Ye Liang's demeanor, Kaiji immediately slumped down.
"Adult! It's not that I don't want to pay, but the money reserved for the reward was robbed by the Black Market Syndicate—this very morning." He added hastily afterward.
"That was money contributed by all the other fishermen."
"The Black Market Syndicate?"
Ye Liang's face showed a trace of confusion.
"Exactly. The Black Market Syndicate is a criminal syndicate based in the Land of Waves. Their leader is Gato. He founded it years ago and now controls every aspect of maritime transport and infrastructure development!"
"They've been suppressing competition through their Mafia network. I believe it won't be long before they completely control the lifeblood of the Land of Waves. We fishermen are the only ones disrupting his business!"
"So that's why they've been oppressing you?"
"Uh, yes."
Ye Liang fell into deep thought.
As soon as he saw the mission involving the Land of Waves, he recalled the original story about the Land of Waves mission.
That happened ten years later.
The main character Naruto Uzumaki had been assigned to protect the bridge builder Tazuna. At that time, the one who wanted to destroy the bridge was none other than this evil merchant—Gato!
Ye Liang remembered how Gato had been killed back then by a rogue ninja named Zabuza Momochi!
Of course, Zabuza wasn't around yet because this was twelve years earlier. Ye Liang just hadn't expected that Gato had already controlled the lifeline of the Land of Waves at this point.
Looks like it's time I pay this shady merchant a visit.
Ye Liang prepared to investigate this person.
Although Uncle Kaiji's task was to eliminate the rogue ninja near the moat, Ye Liang knew the true mastermind must be Gato from the Black Market Syndicate!
This black-hearted merchant not only controlled countless Mafia groups under him but also frequently hired passing rogue ninjas to commit crimes!
Since fishing conflicted with his monopoly on transportation, it was highly probable that Gato was behind the fishermen's current plight.
Considering all possibilities, Ye Liang left the building with Team 7 amidst endless gratitude from Uncle Kaiji.
"Teacher, are you sure we should help Uncle Kaiji? This is a False Mission!"
"First be a good person, then do things properly!"
Although Ye Liang knew Kaiji couldn't afford to pay their fees, since the event now involved elements from the original storyline, he couldn't just stay out of it!
Moreover!
"Ding Dong!"
"Congratulations, Host! You've triggered an SSS-class mission—Eliminate the Black Merchant Gato!"
Condition One: Directly kill Gato!
[Reward] [Random A-rank Ninjutsu]
Condition Two: Kill Gato while taking down his Mafia organization!
[Reward] [Random A-rank Ninjutsu ×2]
Condition Three: Kill Gato while eliminating all his forces! (Mafia, Rogue Ninja!)
[Reward] [Random S-rank Ninjutsu!]
"Holy cow! Another S-rank technique again!"
Ye Liang was shocked!
This mission offered three choices!
Such missions were something Ye Liang had only seen once before at the very beginning of his transmigration journey. This must surely be an extremely important mission!
The last time such a mission had given [Shinra Tensei] as a reward!
Damn it! I'm going all out for these rewards!
Standing nearby, Kakashi looked stunned.
"First be a good person, then do things properly?"
First be a good person, then do things properly!
He was completely blown away.
"Teacher will always be teacher! I never thought he could sound so wise and inspiring!"
"Long ago, inside the earthen house, Kakashi had forgotten about the teacher who spoke of 'world peace' after witnessing Ye Liang's reality.
But now, upon hearing 'Moral First, Then Action!'
He was instantly stirred awake!
"Of course! The ruthlessness my teacher displayed back in the earthen house must have been carefully calculated! I knew it all along—how could my teacher possibly be some greedy hick obsessed with money!"
Rin Nohara couldn't help but feel moved deep down. Slowly leaning closer to Ye Liang's arm, her eyes sparkled even more intensely.
Meanwhile, Obito Uchiha gave a slight nod, as if grasping something deeper.
"Darn right!"
...
Gato's Black Market Syndicate runs rampant across the Land of Waves.
After half a day of investigation, Ye Liang had already gained a general understanding of the syndicate's branch operations.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!