Naruto: Uchiha Survivor Forced to Save the Shinobi World

Coalball kept nodding: "Yeah, I almost couldn't resist selling you off!"

Uchiha Shinji glared at Coalball.

Coalball gave a sheepish grin: "But I haven't sold you yet!"

"Actually…" Uchiha Shinji's gaze shifted as he said, "This can be sold!"

"Huh?"

Uchiha Shinji curled his lips: "I've already given you all my money, now I can barely afford to eat!"

"Then… then let's sell?" Coalball's eyes lit up, rubbing its cat paws. "Don't worry, I'll definitely get a good price!"

Seeing Coalball's greedy expression, Uchiha Shinji tapped it on the head: "First, the main business. How did the task I gave you turn out?"

Coalball hurriedly recounted how it spent five million at the black market to buy information.

Without a doubt,

The sneaky figure at the black market in the Land of Grass earlier was Coalball, who had used the Transformation Jutsu to become human-shaped.

Looking at the map that Coalball handed over, Uchiha Shinji slightly furrowed his brow.

The place marked with an X on the map was located on a peninsula at the border of the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Water.

That area was notoriously complex in terrain. Not only were there mountains and water, but also many hot springs and underground caves. It was indeed a suitable hiding place.

Coalball said: "Among that group under Night Owl, quite a few are rogue shinobi from Kirigakure, so Kirigakure has organized several raids against them, but none have succeeded."

While listening, Uchiha Shinji nodded slightly.

In the original timeline, the Hogan was almost extinct. The only known individual was a disabled boy named Ranmaru.

But in this timeline, because the Fourth Mizukage took power ahead of time, and did not suffer sequential attacks by Itachi or manipulation by Obito as in the original timeline, although Kirigakure still experienced a rebellion by bloodline limit clans, its severity was much less than that of the original timeline.

The best example is that the demon Zabuza not only didn't start a rebellion, but instead became a direct subordinate of the Fourth Mizukage.

As a result, unlike in the original timeline, the Hogan clan had many members escape after their failed rebellion, repeatedly evading Kirigakure's attempts to wipe them out.

The 'Night Owl' that Coalball discovered was one of these members.

Unlike ordinary Hogan clan members, Night Owl was an ambitious individual who had gathered a large number of desperados around him, creating a considerable stir, and thus attracting attention.

"That's good…"

After confirming the information, Uchiha Shinji let out a sigh of relief.

He actually didn't want to target the disabled Hogan boy named Ranmaru. After all, taking the eyes of the weak would be somewhat shameful for him.

Fortunately, the emergence of Night Owl spared him from this dilemma, allowing him to feel more at ease.

Because he knew very well that if Night Owl hadn't appeared, he would likely, in order to improve his strength, have eventually taken action against Ranmaru.

And according to the information provided by the black market, there seemed to be other Hogan clan members around Night Owl. So as long as he planned carefully, Uchiha Shinji might be able to obtain more than one pair of Hogan.

Seeing Uchiha Shinji's serious expression, Coalball curiously asked: "Shinji, what are you investigating this for? You spent five million all at once!"

Uchiha Shinji didn't give much explanation, only praising: "Coalball, you did well this time!"

"Heh heh!" Coalball grinned. "I'm also a member of the Akatsuki, after all. Such a small matter is no challenge for me!"

Uchiha Shinji rolled his eyes: "About the earlier idea of selling—no, selling my information, I think we really can give it a try!"

Because of spending five million on the black market to purchase information about Night Owl, Uchiha Shinji had completely exhausted the compensation funds he'd previously received from the Hidden Leaf.

Now, let alone buying equipment and experimental materials, even his future day-to-day living would be an issue. Thus, he really needed to think of a way to earn some money.

Coalball also grew enthusiastic: "How do we sell? How do we sell?"

"You first tell me what the market prices are."

Coalball quickly replied: "Information about 'A' is the most valuable. Everyone outside is saying that 'A' might be the leader of the Akatsuki! Next is 'B.' Valid information about 'B' is also worth tens of millions! As for 'C,' it's cheaper, a few million. After that, there's that group called 'Upper Moons.' Information about 'Upper Moon One,' 'Upper Moon Two,' and those among the 'Upper Moons' who control space-time shinobi techniques is also worth tens of millions."

Uchiha Shinji couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, that's all money!"

Coalball's eyes sparkled like stars, nodding repeatedly: "Yeah, yeah!"

Uchiha Shinji asked: "By the way, what counts as valid information?"

"Name, appearance, background, abilities—these all count as valid information!" After pausing, Coalball suddenly frowned: "But it seems that even if we sell it, the other side won't pay immediately. They have to verify it before paying!"

"Tch!"

Uchiha Shinji spat again.

Just from listening, he knew that the Five Great Shinobi Villages were fishing for perpetrators.

They first put forth a sky-high bounty to lure information brokers in. Once someone tries to sell information, they can use 'verification' as an excuse to stall, then secretly mobilize forces to capture them. After capturing them, they'd pry the broker's mouth open and extract all the information they know through interrogation.

But this wouldn't stump Uchiha Shinji.

As long as he first provided a genuine piece of information without asking for payment, he could then demand upfront payment for the next piece of information.

By then, the wealthy Five Great Shinobi Villages, hungry for internal Akatsuki information, would likely hold their noses and accept his terms.

"Which information should I sell?"

Uchiha Shinji began to ponder.

He definitely didn't want to casually sell his own information. Even if it seemed unimportant, once given to the Five Great Shinobi Villages, they might deduce many things from it.

So, the safest bet was to sell information about the 'Upper Moons.'

But the 'Upper Moons' information itself represented contamination; selling it was essentially actively spreading that contamination.

After hesitating for a moment, he decided to first test the waters by selling information on Haku and Karin.

At this point, Coalball squirmed and asked: "Shinji, I count as a member of the Akatsuki too, right? Heh, I'm just asking—do we have any allowances?"

Uchiha Shinji glanced at Coalball: "Do I look like I have allowances?"

"Tsk tsk…" Coalball shook its head and said, "Ah, I knew the Akatsuki isn't having it easy. Such a big reputation, yet living so miserably?"

Uchiha Shinji said: "Enough nonsense. If this information business goes well, I'll give you a share of the profits. But be careful. The buyers are likely from the Five Great Shinobi Villages. If you get caught, I can't save you!"

Coalball nodded vigorously; fearful for its life, it clearly understood.

Then, he asked again: "Do you need me to go to the Land of Hot Water to help you find 'Night Owl'? I can give you a discount!"

Uchiha Shinji shook his head: "The other party has the Hogan. Your half-baked 'Permeation Release' is useless against them. I'll handle it myself!"