First Business

If merchants from the countries of Yu and Tu see the enormous profits on this trade route, then without Yichen having to worry, a large number of merchants will come seeking wealth.

At that time, Yichen needs to do is maintain the security of the trade route; he won't need to worry about anything else.

Feeling that the future was bright, Yichen escorted the caravan smoothly to the border between the two countries. After arriving at the border, as agreed with Yahiko and the others, they indeed found a team of Akatsuki Organization, totaling eight people, divided into two squads. Yichen handed over the escort mission of the caravan led by the old man Hiroteru to this squad, and then the Team 7 waited at the border.

This is their first job. Although Yichen and his group have time to escort Hiroteru all the way to their destination, it wouldn't make sense. They need to get used to having the Rain Village take over the escort duties along the way, and after they finish exchanging goods in the Land of Rain and return to the Land of Earth, Yichen and his group will take over the escort duties again.

While waiting at the border, Yichen and his companions weren't lonely. As ninjas, they naturally trained when they had nothing to do. Yichen had just learned three B-rank Ninjutsu: two area-of-effect attack Ninjutsu, Water Style: Raging Waves and Group Water Style: Water Line Jutsu, and one high-intensity attack Ninjutsu for a localized area, Group Water Style: Water Pressure Line Jutsu.

Yichen took this opportunity to demonstrate it to his teammates.

In addition, Yichen also needed time to adapt to the new physical training method. After all, he even changed the Weighted Training Gear he was carrying in order to adjust the training method. This period of time was perfect for cultivation.

Moreover, Yichen has another very important matter to deal with, which requires him to calm down and focus.

After more than half a year of basic swordsmanship practice, Yichen was finally able to meet the requirements of Purple Lightning. Now, Yichen can thrust at the wooden puppet about forty times in a row, and ensure that the first thirty thrusts hit the target accurately.

This means that Yichen is now able to practice B-rank Sword Technique.

When Yichen completed his puppet training for the first time, he was truly moved to tears.

For more than six months, even while carrying out missions, Yichen never stopped training in basic swordsmanship, which barely allowed him to meet the required standard.

Thinking back, when did I actually get my hands on that swordsmanship scroll? I can't remember, but it's been a long time since I got it. It's so frustrating to be able to look at it but not practice it.

It's not that Yichen couldn't force himself to practice swordsmanship before, but rather that he didn't have the time. His schedule was already set, leaving no extra time for swordsmanship practice. Unless he gave up a necessary project, which was unacceptable to Yichen.

Now that the basic swordsmanship training is finished, the free time can be used to train in B-rank Sword Technique.

In any case, it will be a long time before Hiroteru's caravan returns, so Yichen can use this time to practice his swordsmanship.

The previous basic swordsmanship training was very simple, just how to draw the sword, the basic sword attacks, such as thrusting, slashing, and parrying, etc. Yichen, on the other hand, trained the power generation techniques of these single movements and the accuracy of Isshiki.

With this foundation, Yichen felt quite comfortable practicing B-rank Sword Technique. Although Yichen knew that this complex swordsmanship couldn't be learned in a short time, Yichen could feel his growth every day during practice.

Yichen felt that he was improving in his swordsmanship every day. He even had the illusion that he was playing a game where he could accumulate proficiency by doing daily tasks, and once he had accumulated enough proficiency, he would naturally be able to use his swordsmanship.

The feeling was wonderful, Yichen found himself unconsciously immersed in it.

More than ten days later, Hiroteru's caravan finally returned. However, they were no longer escorted by the two small teams of ninjas from before, but by three more people: Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan.

Seeing the excitement on the faces of the three of them, Yichen knew that Hiroteru's trip should have gone smoothly.

Yahiko arrived before the Yichen and said excitedly, "Yichen, you're amazing! I didn't expect you to arrange for the caravan to come so quickly."

Yichen smiled and said, "Actually, it's not that fast. It's just that my team happened to have a vacation, which delayed things a bit."

"But things will be easier from now on," said Hiroteru. "He said that in the future, trade in agricultural products and the like can be carried out locally, near the border between the two countries."

Yahiko nodded and said, "Yes, yes, yes, Hiroteru- senpai also told me. We'll make the arrangements. Next time, we'll arrange it at the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Earth border, so the caravan can make more trips."

At this moment, Konan and Nagato also came up. The two of them looked at Yichen with great gratitude. Yahiko and the other two regarded the common people of the Land of Rain as their own family. They would be grateful for any action that could improve the lives of the common people of the Land of Rain.

Next, Yichen discussed the details of the caravan's journey with Yahiko and the other two.

Yichen went through all the big and small details of the entire process involving Hiroteru, Akatsuki Organization's escort personnel, and the Team 7, and then listed all the areas where things could have been done better.

With this goal in mind, an action manual was created, and the details recorded in the manual will serve as the code of conduct for future trade transactions.

This maneuver left Yahiko completely dumbfounded.

Yichen laughed and said, "We can't compete with those big caravans. Only by paying attention to details and saving costs can we bring greater profits to the caravan. Only with profits can we attract other caravans to join us."

Finally, Yichen pointed to a clearing in the Land of Rain not far away and said, "The Akatsuki Organization will establish a Supply Station there, where passing Supply Station can rest and resupply."

"However, I don't have much say in Iwagakure right now, so this Supply Station will be set up in the Land of Rain for now."

"Once I receive more support from the village, we'll set up a Supply Station here in the Land of Earth as well. This will make it easier for both sides to coordinate and improve efficiency."

Yahiko's eyes lit up, and he said, "That's a great idea. I'll make arrangements as soon as I get back. I'll definitely build this Supply Station to be huge."

Yichen shook his head and said, "We can't do that. We should start with a small one and gradually increase it as the caravan grows. We can't keep doing things based on our enthusiasm alone; we need to consider the costs."

"Right now, we're doing all this without expecting anything in return; it's a mutual effort. But in the future, as our caravan grows stronger, the two countries behind us will also benefit from it."

"For example, caravans can stimulate the development of villages and towns along trade routes, and they can bring more tax revenue to both countries. Although border taxes may decrease, domestic tax revenue may actually increase."

"From now on, we must consider the national interest in every step we take, making sure all parties feel that this matter is beneficial to them, so that everyone will support it."

"If we rely solely on our ideals and expect the ninjas to make endless sacrifices, they will eventually feel resentful."

Yahiko thought for a moment and said, "But aren't ninjas supposed to escort merchant caravans for free?"

Yichen said, "We don't charge caravans, but the forces behind us can pay. Our Land of Earth will pay for our side, and your Land of Rain will pay for your side."

"As for where our money comes from, that's related to the increased taxes I mentioned earlier. If both of us bring revenue to our respective countries, then our respective daimyo will certainly agree to pay the ninjas who escort our caravans."

Yahiko's eyes lit up as he finally understood Yichen's meaning. "You mean, we have to pay the ninjas who carry out escort missions, and the source of the payment is the daimyo of both sides. If we only take the payment for escorting caravans, we'll only do the work of escorting caravans. But if we want to expand the Supply Station, the daimyo will have to issue separate missions to expand the Supply Station?"

Yichen nodded and said, "We ninjas can't keep doing missions for free forever. However, the reward for this mission to maintain the caravan should come from the daimyo, since the daimyo is the biggest beneficiary once the caravan is established."

Yahiko nodded and said, "Don't worry, I'll go and persuade the daimyo."

Yichen was somewhat envious of Yahiko in this regard. Yahiko's Akatsuki Organization had already established a large base in the Land of Rain, and Yahiko also had influence with the Daimyo. It wouldn't be difficult for him to get some mission funding from the Daimyo.

However, things are not so easy for Yichen. In the short term, he must rely on Iwagakure. Only after the Tsuchikage truly sees the benefits brought by the caravan will he be able to persuade the Daimyo to pay for escorting the caravan. Moreover, even if that day comes, it won't be Yichen who contacts the Daimyo, because Yichen's influence is too small.

Fortunately, Iwagakure is much larger than Akatsuki Organization, so this amount of money isn't a big deal for them right now.

What Yichen didn't know was that from Ōnoki's perspective, whether the daimyo supported the trade route or not was not the issue. If Yichen could really handle this matter well, Ōnoki could use this as a reason to ask the daimyo for more military funds. And as long as the daimyo provided more military funds, the expenses for maintaining the trade route would be negligible.

This is actually Yichen's limitation. In both his lives, he never stood at a high level; even at his highest point, he was just a keyboard warrior.

After chatting about business for a while, Yichen suddenly suggested sparring with Yahiko and the others. Actually, Yichen had wanted to do this for a long time, but since their relationship wasn't that deep before, it would have been impolite to bring it up rashly.

But things are different now. The two not only share common ideals but also a common cause, bringing Yichen closer together. So, it doesn't seem excessive for Yi Chen to make this request now.

Yahiko was taken aback for a moment after hearing this, but being simple-minded, he immediately agreed.

The caravan then crossed the border and entered the Land of Earth, where it was time for a rest.

So after giving instructions to his subordinates, Yichen and the Yahiko two left the sight of everyone. The four of them came to a lake, which was Yichen's request. Yichen's best Ninjutsu was Water Release, and he could exert its power more effectively in places with water.

The first opponent Yichen faced was Yahiko. In the original work, Yahiko committed suicide and there was no description of his strength. However, Yichen could sense that Yahiko was also a Jonin, and that Yahiko had become Jonin earlier than him.

However, Jiraiya probably didn't teach them many Ninjutsu, so Yichen figured he still had a chance of winning.

However, as soon as they started fighting, Yichen sensed something was wrong. Yahiko was indeed not Ninjutsu- type ninja, but Yahiko's Taijutsu was clearly much stronger than Yichen's.

Although Yichen's basic swordsmanship has improved significantly, he still lacks a systematic swordsmanship. Yahiko, on the other hand, received complete instruction from Kage-level experts. Although Jiraiya didn't protect the three of them as they grew up, he planned out their growth path early on. By training according to Jiraiya's methods, Yahiko and the others avoided many detours compared to Yichen.

Therefore, as soon as the two clashed, Yichen realized that Yahiko's foundation was far stronger than his own.

This fundamental strength doesn't refer to high or low talent, but rather to a well-developed and highly effective ninja skill set.

As for Yichen, he was a self -Taijutsu and had only just begun learning complete sword techniques.

Therefore, from the very beginning of their battle, Yichen was completely at a disadvantage.

Fortunately, under Ide's guidance, Yichen recently gained a lot of experience fighting Jonin. On the other hand Yahiko, after becoming Jonin, hasn't actually fought many times. Although the Land of Rain is chaotic, most of the powerful Jonin are in Amegakure. Although the various forces outside Amegakure have many Jonin, they are actually quite peaceful with each other.

Therefore, Yichen was still able to barely hold on.