Chapter 308. It's My Turn!
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"We're almost at the finish line!"
"It looks like we've lost again!"
"Damn it! Just thinking about that useless husband complaining when I get home hurts my heart!"
All the White Zetsus were chatting idly.
They had only come for the fun of it. If Black Zetsu hadn't forced them, none of them would've bothered—what's 10 million?
Even if they didn't have much money left themselves…
They just looked down on it!
What's the big deal?
Suddenly—
"Thanks for the tips! The Ninja Grand Prix is coming to an end. I wonder how things are going on the audience side? I heard even the First Hokage showed up this time!"
"Thanks to this brother for tipping an explosive tag—what? You want me to show my face?"
"Sorry! Your brother's a skilled streamer and I never rely on face reveals~"
"Well then, see you all next time!"
A certain Streamer White Zetsu put his phone away, turned to face the other White Zetsus who were all staring at him, and asked suspiciously, "What's wrong?"
"You were just…"
Before the sentence was finished—
That White Zetsu nodded suddenly in realization. "Streaming! It was boring holding up the car underneath, so I signed up as a streamer on [Ninstagram]. I didn't expect so many people to watch! Everyone says my footage is super clear—way clearer than the official broadcast. Even the explosions look crisp!" He lifted his head proudly. "So tons of people gave me tips!"
He hadn't expected it.
A trip out, and he even got some unexpected gains.
Not bad at all~
However—
Sensing something, he looked up suspiciously at the surrounding White Zetsus whose eyes were burning holes into him—then instantly understood.
"That's my hard-earned money! No way! It's mine alone!"
He had barely finished speaking when—
"Aren't you us? And aren't we you? It's all the same~"
"Exactly! That's right! We're all family members!"
"Don't tell me you're planning to hand it over to that deadbeat loser?!"
"…"
Streamer White Zetsu froze slightly.
You all… actually make a good point!
Meanwhile—
The racers were still speeding toward the finish line!
Anyone still in the race by now—was a real contender!
"The finish line?" Biwa Juzo looked ahead, the corner of his mouth curling up slightly, and murmured, "I've made it this far too!"
On the road, he had run into his former partner in shady deals—Kakuzu.
They had exchanged a few words, but it didn't seem like Kakuzu was doing too well.
These days, those no-cost profit gigs were harder and harder to find!
He had planned to grab a drink and catch up after the race, but for some reason… once that Wood Release appeared on the viewing mountain, he had floored it and taken a detour, and hadn't seen Kakuzu since. Who knew where he ended up.
"I really wanted to talk, though! Don't tell me he already got eliminated?" Juzo frowned slightly in thought.
After all, those sudden Iwa ninjas…
They really had made the race way more dangerous.
This first Ninja Grand Prix might not go down as the most thrilling—but for sure, it'd be remembered as the most unique.
However—
Looking at the current competition around him—
It was either rich ladies or Jinchuriki.
Juzo let out a sigh. "It looks like winning won't be easy!"
The only relief was… this was the final stretch, and attacks from the other cars had died down.
Now—
It all came down to pure speed.
Vroooom! Vroooom! Vroooom!
Engines roared without pause.
All the surrounding cars pushed their speed to the max.
Juzo, feeling the lack of chakra inside him, gave a helpless, bitter smile and muttered, "Sorry, Roshi! It looks like I'm definitely going to lose!"
Thinking of what the Iwa ninjas had done…
Roshi was probably heartbroken right now~
After all, he had always hoped Iwagakure could break free of its rigid and stubborn ways and embrace the new era.
Yet—
This time…
Iwagakure had chosen to wage war!
Just as he said that—
Suddenly—
Juzo seemed to sense something. His eyes sharpened as he glanced through the rearview mirror—at the Four-Tails plushie sitting in the back seat.
Roshi had given it to him for the race, representing both the Four-Tails Company and…
That Roshi was racing alongside him.
[This is your secret weapon! If you're in danger, just hit the button next to it!]
[What kind of secret weapon is this? Don't tell me it's an ad. I swear, if I hit it right at the finish line and it blasts out, "Four-Tails Company! Always making the best toys for all ninja kids!" I'll die of embarrassment!]
He couldn't help but smile as he gently gripped the steering wheel, recalling Roshi's words.
[Bring back a championship trophy for me! If we win, our company's going to blow up in popularity!]
He also remembered their return to the village together…
When he decided to join the race, Roshi hadn't hesitated to throw in his own money, help him buy the car, put the company work aside to train with him, and even helped modify the car.
The front was lava-red, and the back, a deep blue that represented him.
He remembered back then, watching Roshi crawl out from under the chassis, face covered in engine grease, and had asked, [Why are you helping me?]
And Roshi had chuckled, [Because we're partners!]
[Partners… huh?]
[What, feeling guilty because I spent so much on you? Don't worry, I'm keeping track! Just pay me back later!]
"Damn it! I'm really about to give up here? Don't forget, I'm drowning in debt!" Juzo burst into laughter, the weight in his heart seeming to disappear without a trace.
No matter what—
He wasn't about to quit with Roshi's support riding behind him!
Because—
The finish line was right in front of him. No matter what… he would reach it.
He glanced back at the Four-Tails plush sitting quietly behind him. With a faint smile tugging at his lips, he muttered, "You were the one who helped me when I got out of prison. Now… it's my turn to help you!"
He glanced at the button that Roshi had installed beside him. "Even if it's an ad… I'll take it! Damn it, bastard!"
As he finished speaking—
He slammed the button.
Suddenly—
Unexpectedly… no advertisement came out.
Biwa Juzo stared blankly as red chakra erupted throughout the entire car—
That familiar sensation—
Four-Tails' chakra!
"Hahaha!" He burst into wild laughter. "Is that you, Roshi?!"
Completely insane!
Without hesitation—
He stomped on the gas pedal.
As if nothing else mattered, he floored it without restraint. The engine roared louder and louder, until even the car itself started shaking.
But Biwa Juzo… didn't let up at all!
"I'm bringing back the championship, and I'm making the Four-Tails Company a smash hit!"
…
At the same time—
"Release!" Senju Tobirama formed a seal, looking in surprise at his own body. "It really can be undone!"
"Hahaha~ Looks like the monkey's students aren't that bad after all~" Senju Hashirama laughed cheerfully, stretching his limbs. "It feels like it's been ages!"
"It's time we left," the Second Mizukage sighed, stroking his little mustache. "I never thought I'd be back at all."
Just as he finished speaking—
"Huh?" Hashirama blinked at him in surprise. "But I still want to see who wins! What a fun match this is!" Then he turned to Tobirama. "Can we stick around for a bit?"
"I want to stay and watch too," the Raikage chimed in, glancing at the Mizukage. "This is a tournament hosted by Kumogakure. Since we're here, how could the Third Raikage just ignore it?"
"…"
Tobirama fell into brief silence. Truth be told, he also wanted to see how Iwagakure would be dealt with next… and what would happen with Hiruzen, Homura, and Danzo.
He was never the rigid type—otherwise, he wouldn't have left behind so many forbidden ninjutsu in the first place.
Since his brother wanted to stay…
He closed his eyes slightly, as if sensing something. "Alright," he said with a small smirk. "You're right. The monkey's students don't seem that hopeless."
"Really? That's fine by me!" Hashirama waved it off, full of excitement. "Let's watch! Let's watch! I think the one in first place is from Konoha! That silver car—wait, what's that terrifying chakra… is that the Nine-Tails? Aren't they worried it'll go berserk?"
"…"
Tobirama just shook his head, helpless as ever, then looked up to watch the race.
Suddenly—
"Who is that?! Who is that?!"
A commotion burst out among the spectators, as if they'd seen something unbelievable.
"He's so fast! He's catching up! He already passed one car!"
"There's smoke!"
"Black symbol? A monkey?"
"No, that's a gorilla! That's the Four-Tails Company logo—my daughter really likes their Four-Tails plush toys!"
Everyone in the audience noticed—
That one car—
Driving like a maniac, completely ignoring the smoke pouring from the hood!
Suddenly, they couldn't look away.
At that moment—
Even Roshi, who'd been sitting in silence with a furrowed brow and unknown thoughts, finally noticed it. His expression froze as he stared at the crazed car.
He just stared blankly—
As if something clicked in his mind.
[I invested so much in you! You better bring me back a championship! Otherwise, all that advertisement money goes to waste! If not first place, at least second! If not second, at least third, right?!]
[Shut up! I'm only taking first! Second or third? Screw that! I'm number one!] Biwa Juzo had snapped back at him at the time. [Just sit back and relax!]
Who would've thought—
Even falling that far behind, Juzo still hadn't given up.
Roshi just stared in a daze, his mind going blank.
Suddenly—
He stood up instinctively, leaned forward, and roared, "Come on, bastard! Bring back that championship for me! Or else my money's gone in vain!"
No matter what—
Just like that father and son had said—
Never give up!
[I've already seen your resolve, Juzo!]
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