First Sale

"We've already investigated everything, Lord Mujie! You were arrested for selling intelligence to Konoha!"

"After being released from prison, because you had a good relationship with Konoha ninja, you incurred Leader Mang's suspicion. Later, they arrested you again on trumped-up charges."

Although they had learned that this adviser seemed to have been secretly trading something with Konoha ninja, the intelligence was incomplete. Moreover, the Grass Ninja Leader's reason for arresting him afterward had merely been neglecting his duties.

Presumably, Leader Kusana had no evidence either, so he simply spoke vaguely.

Otherwise.

The leader of a country and village could not possibly be so bored that he would deliberately make things difficult for one of the village's advisers for no reason, right?

"This time, Leader Mang clearly knew you were on good terms with Konoha, yet secretly entrusted you with receiving us from Iwagakure. He was warning you! So, Adviser Mujie... am I wrong?"

"..."

Mujie's mouth twitched slightly.

It was logical and well-supported!

Utterly convincing!

Before he could speak.

"Stop trying to hide it from me! Leader Mang single-handedly ended the chaos in the Land of Grass. There is no doubt about his strength, but he wants to change Kusagakure's original way of survival. For example, he pushed through the establishment of a ninja academy despite opposition. He also places too much importance on ordinary people while neglecting the duties of ninja!" Kitsuchi sighed and said, "So, as an old hand of Kusagakure, you want to change all this! But you have no power at all, because he is now the leader of the Land of Grass!" His tone shifted slightly. "But... now Iwagakure can help you!"

To be honest.

If possible, the Iwa ninja would rather form an alliance with Leader Kusana.

After all, that man had an extremely high reputation in the Land of Grass. One look was enough to tell that he was not a traditional Grass ninja.

Traditional Grass ninja... were famously treacherous!

Fence-sitters!

The moment they encountered danger, they would betray their allies without hesitation!

Unfortunately, it had been difficult to even meet the Grass Ninja Leader these past few days.

That guy was deliberately avoiding them!

Therefore, they could only settle for second best now.

Their mission this time was to secure passage, or... an alliance!

Either one would do, no matter with whom!

Kitsuchi looked at the stunned Mujie before him and said solemnly, "So, there is no need to hide anything from Iwa. We already know!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Mujie blinked, his face silent.

Then he sighed, grabbed his cup, and gulped down its contents. He wiped the tea from the corner of his mouth and stared deeply at the Iwa ninja before him. "I never thought that, even though I hid it so well, you would still discover it!"

With a smack, he slammed the teacup onto the table.

"That's right! I'll come clean! I just can't stand the sight of that brat! But he's too strong!"

"?!"

Seeing Mujie stop pretending, Kitsuchi froze.

A moment later.

A delighted expression appeared on his face, and he hurriedly said, "We Iwa ninja can help you!"

"There's no need! Letting ninja from another village interfere in this matter would only bring scorn upon me!"

"Iwagakure..."

"Even if I can't stand that brat, I am still a ninja of Kusagakure! If people discover that another ninja village interfered, it will only disgrace my family and push me further from that position!" Mujie gave him another deep look. "Iwagakure cannot act!"

"Then we..."

Before Kitsuchi could finish.

Mujie continued seriously, "But I need Iwagakure's help!"

"???"

"Ah, it's giving me a headache just talking about it!" Mujie's expression suddenly changed, and he slumped back down. "That harvester I showed you a few days ago, you understand it now, right?"

"Adviser Mujie means..."

"That's right! This is a new industry in the Land of Grass. Unfortunately, it does not seem to be popular among ninja!" Without waiting for him to finish, Mujie sighed and said, "That brat established Grasswood and generated income for the Land of Grass. He brought enormous profits to the country and earned the love of its ninja and civilians, while I..." He shook his head. "I still haven't made a single sale after all this time!"

"I have something to say, though I don't know whether I should."

"Go ahead!"

"Ninja should do what ninja are supposed to do. They should not be burdened by such matters!"

"I know! But the Land of Grass is poor now! We have nothing! A ninja who cannot make money is simply not qualified to become the leader of Kusagakure! So, I need your help!"

"..."

The Land of Grass truly was rather different now!

However.

Kitsuchi frowned slightly as he looked at him. "May I ask how Adviser Mujie needs Iwagakure's help?"

"Buy a few units?"

"..."

Damn it.

Why would he, a ninja, buy this thing?

"Don't tell me Iwagakure is like Konoha too! You only talk about benefits!" Mujie looked suspiciously at the silent Kitsuchi. "But you won't even buy a few machines?"

"I..." Kitsuchi froze slightly, then took a deep breath.

For the mission!

With a serious expression, he said, "...What is the price? How many do you need?"

"Not expensive! Three million per unit! Iwagakure is one of the Five Great Ninja Villages... you should at least take ten!"

"..."

And that was not expensive?

That was outrageously expensive!

Ten units would cost thirty million!

How much did an S-rank mission even pay?

Kitsuchi's eyelid twitched. He hesitated and was just about to say something when—

Mujie looked at him suspiciously and spoke again. "You aren't planning to refuse, are you? That would make it very difficult for me to help you!"

"I am not refusing, it's just..." Kitsuchi pondered for a moment, then looked solemnly at Mujie. "If we help, then Kusagakure..."

"An alliance! Passage! I guarantee we'll guide you! But..." Mujie looked at Kitsuchi and said earnestly, "We will not participate in the war!"

"..."

That was even better!

Grass ninja were a pitfall. It was better if they did not tag along!

Otherwise.

What if they turned around and sold out Iwagakure?

Of course, he could not say that!

Kitsuchi nodded solemnly. "I will immediately report your demands to the Tsuchikage!"

"Transfer the payment, and you can haul away the goods!"

"What Iwagakure wants is not the goods!"

"Oh, right, the guidance! I guarantee we'll guide you!"

In the end.

As though they had reached some important decision, the two exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.

They understood each other without speaking!

Then.

Not long after.

Kitsuchi stood and said, "Then I shall take my leave first! Please excuse the disturbance!"

"It's fine, it's fine! After all, this is an order worth thirty million~, come again next time!"

Mujie smiled as he escorted the distinguished guest from Iwagakure out. Watching his departing figure, he sighed, shook his head, and muttered, "So this is what the leader meant by... Scientific Ninjutsu being the primary productive force?"

He had seen it!

He had truly seen it!

He had earned thirty million in such a short time!

Meanwhile.

Elsewhere.

Kusana arrived at the Research Institute and looked at the busy Elder Yang Zheng. He stroked his chin and pondered for a moment. "Can it be mass-produced now?"

"Mm~, some of the equipment can be mass-produced, but..." Uzumaki Yangzheng frowned. "Only people with strong Chakra control can make Chakra Capacitors and miniature scrolls! Of course, if we specifically train professional ninja, large-scale production should begin soon. It's just..." There was a trace of concern in his voice. "The manpower in the Land of Grass..."

Before he could finish.

Kusana waved his hand. "I'll think of something for the manpower, so don't worry about that!" Then, as if recalling something, he added, "By the way, what about the patented Sealing Jutsu I asked you to research?"

"Oh, that? It's already done. It wasn't difficult! The Uzumaki Clan has similar ninjutsu, so it only needed a few modifications. It's just..." Uzumaki Yangzheng nodded, hesitated, then added, "Can this really make money?"

As soon as he spoke.

A figure hurried over with joy on his face. "Leader!"

When Kusana saw that it was Mujie, he seemed to guess what had happened. A faint smile appeared on his face as he said to Elder Yang Zheng, "Of course! Looks like this guy has already made his first sale!"