The Ill-Tempered Noble of the Fujiwara Clan

"What's this?"

Rasa saw the high-ranking official walking towards them with notes in his hand and asked in a low, impatient voice.

"It's Fujiwara Katsuya's eating habits and the foods he avoids."

The higher-up handed over the notes with a sigh, adding a complaint, "And he even demanded that we provide the best possible food for the samurai he brings, even though he looked down on us before."

According to this high-ranking official, since you're so powerful, why don't you take care of their food yourself instead of squeezing the pitiful budget from Sunagakure?

"Forget it, let them be. If we can really get this young nobleman to sign the investment agreement, then our efforts will have been worthwhile."

Rasa stared at the back of the line and sighed helplessly.

Perhaps his chanting of sutras last time had truly moved the heavens, for the daimyo not only unusually increased the military budget of Sunagakure by 10%, but also recently sent an envoy to contact him, saying that the Fujiwara Clan of the Land of Fire intended to invest in a ninja tool production line in Sunagakure.

Although the taxes won't be paid to them, the land rent is a real source of income.

For the impoverished Sunagakure, this rent was enough to make Rasa, swallow his Kazekage and personally greet the guest.

Although the other party had a rather unpleasant personality, to Rasa, who was used to the aristocratic style, the other party was just a teenager after all. As long as he adopted a humble attitude, the other party would eventually sign obediently.

"Has the relationship between Fujiwara Katsuya and the head of the Fujiwara Clan been found out?"

Just to be on the safe side, Rasa still managed to gather some information about the other party before their arrival.

"We only found out part of it, after all, it involves nobles, and nobles from the Land of Fire at that."

The high-ranking officer in charge of intelligence gathering responded in a low voice, "The Fujiwara Clan suffered a major blow a few years ago. It is said that only one child remains in the main family, and this Fujiwara Katsuya a member of the Branch Family of the Fujiwara Clan. We have not yet received more detailed information."

"They're just a Branch Family, yet they dare to act so arrogantly and boss us around. It's outrageous!"

After hearing this, another senior executive complained irritably.

"Because of the severe blow they suffered, the Fujiwara Clan has been quite critical of Konoha, so they have been transferring a lot of assets in recent years. That's why they are investing in a production line in Sunagakure this time."

Severely damaged...

After hearing this, Rasa narrowed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

For the nobility, cross-border investment was not a rare occurrence.

The nobles of each country were all related by blood, and the daimyo were even more closely related to each other.

Therefore, it is not uncommon for the Fujiwara Clan to be willing to invest in Sunagakure.

But Rasa always felt that the atmosphere in the Land of Fire was a bit strange lately.

The intelligence network that Sunagakure had established in Konoha had been completely destroyed by the Internal Affairs Department, making it extremely difficult to obtain more detailed information.

Although Rasa was puzzled, he was powerless to investigate the situation inside Konoha.

The Fujiwara Clan's large entourage had already passed through the narrow pass and, under the protection of the Sand Ninja, went straight through the village, eventually arriving at an inn.

This hotel was built with investment from local nobles of the Land of Wind, and it usually only hosts nobles and high-ranking Sunagakure, so the whole hotel seems rather empty.

The sedan curtain was lifted by a special person, Fujiwara Katsuya stepped out of the sedan chair. His facial features were obscured by a headscarf to protect him from the wind and sand, making it impossible to see his appearance.

According to the plan, the other party will conduct an inspection here for three days.

As the Kazekage, Rasa's personal welcome was already the highest honor he could receive; as for how to handle the reception, he left it all to his subordinates.

He himself was busy looking for more ways to alleviate the economic crisis in Sunagakure.

Inside the hotel room.

Fujiwara Katsuya removed his headscarf, revealing a familiar face.

"Phew, this is so stuffy. So, our butler, are there any Sand Ninja watching us outside?"

Kazashiro spat a few times, feeling as if sand had gotten into his mouth, while also asking Kakuzu to check the Sand Ninja's arrangements around him.

The tall man was naturally Kakuzu, while the petite girl beside him was Uchiha Hikari.

Hearing that she could go to Sunagakure to plunder, and not wanting to see Uchiha clan members, she decisively chose to join Kazashiro's team, pretending to be a nobleman's guard, and came to this godforsaken place together.

"These guys aren't as reckless as you."

Kakuzu lifted the curtain Kakuzu glanced outside. Apart from two necessary Sand Ninja guarding the outermost position, the other positions were guarded by the samurai he had brought.

"Hiring these samurai cost me a lot of money." Kakuzu glanced at Kazashiro, who was curiously examining the room's furnishings, and said irritably.

"Too small-minded, too narrow-minded. We're playing the roles of high-ranking nobles from the Land of Fire. Even a fool like Rasa will become suspicious if we don't go all out with our act."

Kazashiro didn't even glance at Kakuzu, and together with Uchiha Hikari, they picked up a bottle of fine wine and marveled at it.

"This drink seems to be given to the guests for free."

Pointing to the sticky note on the edge of the table, Uchiha Hikari carefully examined its contents.

"Um?"

Upon Kakuzu immediately became interested, strode forward, snatched the wine from Kazashiro's hand, carefully examined the bottle, and estimated the price of the wine.

"I'll take them all."

Upon recognizing the brand of the liquor, Kakuzu immediately pushed Kazashiro and Uchiha Hikari out of the area, clearly treating it as his own territory.

"Money-grubber."

Kazashiro, who Kakuzu away, was somewhat annoyed. He snorted and straightened his clothes.

The rather revealing outfit she was wearing was custom-made at a high price; the deposit alone amounted to over a million taels of silver.

Even Uchiha Hikari, after learning about it and comparing it with the rewards ninjas receive for completing the mission, thought that the other party earned this money very easily.

There's nothing we can do about it; the nobility just fall for that kind of thing.

"In short, as planned, you send someone to discuss investment matters with Sunagakure. As for me, I will personally meet this Kazekage who is an expert in value..."

Turning his head towards the window, Kazashiro stared intently at the curtains, as if he could see through them where Rasa lived.

Compared to the Hokage, Rasa's work schedule wasn't particularly demanding.

The only problem Sunagakure needs to solve right now is funding.

This is why Rasa personally went to the Daimyo's Mansion to recite scriptures for Daming's mother in order to secure 10% of the military funds.

There's no other way; when faced with reality, saving face is unimportant. What matters is the survival and development of the village.

Leaving the Kazekage Building, Rasa slowly walked to his front door. Listening to the children playing inside, he pushed open the door with a cold face.

"Lord Kazekage, you're back."

Yashamaru, wearing an apron, was about to place the dish on the table when he saw Rasa return. He hurriedly put down his work and rushed to greet him.