Peerless Wisdom and Strategy

Peerless Wisdom and Strategy

Pakura believed Yunqing's words and, upon returning home, foolishly went to find the Pakura Clan Head, Ye Xiu.

Ye Xiu looked at Pakura as though she were an idiot, utterly speechless inside.

Did this silly girl train so hard she trained her brain away? How could she say something like that in front of Yunqing?

"Here, take a look for yourself. These are the profits from our Pakura Clan Sauna's steam baths."

Ye Xiu felt that since Yunqing had sent Pakura to ask him, he wanted him to set her straight.

Still full of doubts, Pakura accepted the scroll Ye Xiu handed her and began reading it bit by bit.

As she looked over each source of income listed above, then the enormous total at the end—especially the tax amount written last—she was completely dumbfounded.

"No wonder Lord Kazekage said the Elders wanted to evade taxes. If it were me, I would too."

Pakura muttered blankly, her eyes unfocused.

How many missions would she have to complete to earn such an astronomical sum?

Even if she added up everything she earned in her entire life, it probably would not be as much as the Ye Clan made in a single month.

"Understand now? Wealth moves people's hearts. It's not that their resolve is weak; money is simply too tempting."

Ye Xiu waved a hand, shrugged, and spoke casually.

"Little Pakura, you're very talented. With Lord Kazekage teaching you as well, becoming Kage-level is only a matter of time.

"One day, you'll take my place. I hope you won't possess only strength—you'll need wisdom as well."

Ye Xiu dutifully gave her some sincere guidance.

He was worried. He had never expected that after modifying the Ye Clan's ninjutsu a little, using it for business would be so profitable.

From top to bottom, the Ye Clan distributed money every month. Based on their contributions, everyone could receive a considerable sum.

Children could afford the intelligence toys sold by Elder Chiyo's family and the candy sold by whoever-it-was's family.

The women could buy several pieces of gold jewelry and clothing sold by Rasa and Karura.

The men had more status and presence when they went out drinking and boasting.

Most importantly, the death rate among the Pakura Clan Members had plummeted and was nearly zero.

"Little Pakura, you must understand that the coming era will be an era of laws, money, and morality. Strength is no longer as important.

"Only when laws, money, and morality cannot restrain people will strength reveal itself.

"So, you must learn to improve."

Ye Xiu said earnestly.

As an old fox, he knew that no matter how much the times changed, this world belonged to the extraordinary. To truly live well, one still needed strength.

Whether a clan had a Kage-level fighter or not was always a completely different matter.

"Mm, I understand. I'll work hard."

Pakura said softly, her face flushed.

"Do your best. One day, the Ye Clan will be handed over to you.

"And don't listen to what others say. You're Lord Kazekage's secretary, and our Ye Clan supports Lord Kazekage too.

"Remember this: when there's work, let the secretary do it; when there's no work, do the secretary."

As an old reprobate, Ye Xiu felt it was necessary to plainly tell Pakura what her future held.

Pakura's face instantly turned bright red, and white steam began rising from her head.

"What are you saying? You're awful."

Pakura stammered out a retort before directly using the Body Flicker Technique to leave, no longer caring about etiquette.

Watching Pakura vanish, Ye Xiu burst into laughter.

"You think so highly of Pakura?

"You said it yourself—the coming era will no longer be an era of strength."

An ethereal voice rang out within the room, questioning Ye Xiu's words.

"Hmph, foolish. Think about why Lord Kazekage was able to reform successfully, and why everyone listened to him."

Ye Xiu snorted disdainfully.

His tone was filled with contempt for the person in the shadows.

"Because of the Second Kazekage's and Elder Chiyo's support; because he is a legitimate direct descendant of the Kazekage line; because he made great contributions on the battlefield."

The person in the shadows listed three reasons in a row, every one of them correct.

"That's how fools think. You're right about all of that, but you've overlooked the most important point: the Third Kazekage, Yunqing, can fight. He can fight incredibly well—so well that the entire Ninja World acknowledges it."

Ye Xiu's expression turned grave as he spoke each word distinctly.

Some people left you no choice but to respect them and admit it: they really could fight.

What was justice? It was being strong enough to beat everyone into submission. Then, you were justice.

"Think about it. In terms of status, wasn't Elder Chiyo's son noble enough? In terms of direct lineage, wouldn't it have been better for Sāmon to continue in power? Fool, never forget this: rules are established by the victors."

Ye Xiu continued to mock him.

The person in the shadows fell silent. After Ye Xiu finished speaking, he shuddered from head to toe.

Everyone had overlooked one thing: Yunqing rarely acted not because he was weak, but because no one was worthy of making him act.

Sunagakure's peaceful transition and its ability to take in the Uzumaki Clan without obstruction were not because the other powers of the Ninja World were kind or truly unable to spare the effort. It was because Sunagakure had a formidable Kazekage.

This Kazekage had suppressed the Second Tsuchikage and his disciple on the battlefield, and within a few moves, beaten the now-renowned Sannin until they had no ability to fight back.

"Thank you for your guidance."

A distortion rippled through the shadows.

After sensing that no one remained in the room, Ye Xiu's lips curled into a disdainful smile.

Guidance, my ass. If we weren't cooperating, who the hell would bother reminding you?

What an idiot. You came into my room for no reason and even eavesdropped on Pakura and me.

Are you stupid? Pakura's intelligence might be offline sometimes, but that didn't mean her strength was offline too.

The Ye Clan's strongest ninja was no joke. Maybe she hadn't been before, but after Yunqing's guidance, who knew how strong she was now?

What if she discovered you, then had another lapse in judgment and stabbed you out in the open? Would the Ye Clan still be able to survive?

Besides, everyone knew that Yunqing had a large-scale observation ninjutsu.

He could monitor the entirety of Sunagakure whenever he had the time.

What if he decided to conduct a spot check and saw you at my house? What was I supposed to say—that you were my distant cousin?

"No, I have to cut off this connection. This guy is way too stupid."

Ye Xiu made up his mind and muttered to himself.

At the border between the Land of Earth and Konoha, the ninjas of both sides had just finished a battle and were clearing the battlefield.

No one noticed the Yin-Yang Face in a nearby tree, watching them.

"Tut, tut, Konoha and the Iwagakure Ninja fought so miserably. They almost dragged us into it too."

The white face spoke in a strange, affected tone, as though he had truly been terrified.

"The more miserably they fight, the more favorable it is for our development."

The black face spoke calmly. As the dominant personality, he considered himself exceptionally intelligent.

"Should we go back? We've been out long enough. Lord Madara will get angry again."

Ignoring the black face's words, the white face changed the subject.

He would never admit that there was something wrong with his intelligence.

He was White Zetsu, a peerless mastermind.