What the heck~

Chiyo's mention of the trade made Lin and Ebizo yearn for it, even though Uchiha Kō hadn't yet offered a price, saying they would discuss it again after returning to the village.

The three of them agreed that it wasn't a big problem. How much more expensive could Konoha's prices be? Could they be more expensive than the merchants in Sunagakure? Selling a bottle of water for 100 ryo was practically robbery!

However, the villagers of Sunagakure still had no choice but to buy it. A large amount of gold flowed into the hands of nobles and Daimyo of the Land of Wind, while the Daimyo bought water from other countries at low prices and then sold it to their own country.

Those nobles don't care about the lives of ordinary people; all they care about is whether their interests are affected.

Chiyo and the others had no choice but to silently endure it all. Now, Uchiha Kō said that Konoha was willing to trade with them.

This news was a huge relief for them!

However, secrets don't stay hidden forever, and the ninjas of Sunagakure weren't entirely loyal to the village.

A ninja with connections to the Daimyo has already gone to the Daimyo to report.

The Daimyo of the Land of Wind sat in the main seat, looking at the report from the Sunagakure Ninja below. He frowned. "Are you sure what you're saying is true? Uchiha Kō said he wanted to open a trade route with the Sunagakure?"

"Every word is true, Daimyo! The deadline is one week from now! Daimyo, this Uchiha Kō has seriously hindered the development of my Land of Wind!" The ninja knelt on the ground and said loyally.

The Daimyo of the Land of Wind nodded and waved his hand. "Alright, I understand. You may leave now. Oh, and have a guard fetch him one hundred cases of water and thirty thousand loaves of bread."

"Yes!" the guard replied in a deep voice.

"Thank you, Daimyo! Thank you, Daimyo! I will serve you with Daimyo I have, even going through fire and water." The ninja laughed so hard his eyes disappeared.

He happily went down with his guards to retrieve supplies, enough for him and his family to live on for two or even three years.

The Daimyo of the Land of Wind chuckled, but after the ninjas and guards left, his expression changed drastically, and he roared in fury, "Gentlemen, Konoha is provoking us! They don't respect me, their Daimyo, at all!"

Staff Officer 1: "That Konoha Hokage, Uchiha Kō, is truly lawless! Eight years ago, he plundered the Daimyo of the Land of Earth's treasury in the Daimyo of the Land of Earth!"

"I never expected that after so many years, they would actually try to lay a hand on my Land of Wind. This is simply outrageous!" (Secretary 2)

"Daimyo, I suggest ordering the Sunagakure to attack the Land of Fire, to teach them the consequences of offending us!" (Advisor 3)

Staff Officer 3's words immediately drew everyone's attention. Everyone looked at Staff Officer 3 as if they were looking at a complete idiot; how could such words come out of your mouth?

We are ashamed to be fellow advisors to the Daimyo of the Land of Wind! Who is Uchiha Kō? He's a war god who has never lost a battle since his debut.

His strength was so great that he became the number one Ninja World. Even the Daimyo of the Land of Fire could only hope in his heart that Uchiha Kō would think of his kinship with Tsunade and show him mercy.

Putting aside how much respect Uchiha Kō had for the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, just the fact that you, Uchiha Kō 3, treated him with some respect is enough. How did Konoha become an object that could be attacked at will?

The third advisor, exuding righteous indignation, stood up. He looked at the assembled officials with disdain, saying, "You only know how to talk big and have made no real contributions. What right do you have to look at me?"

The Daimyo of the Land of Wind's lips twitched. "Gag him and drag him out for twenty lashes." The Daimyo of the Land of Wind's finger trembled as he pointed at his third advisor.

Staff Officer 3 stared wide-eyed. "My Daimyo, everything I've said is out of loyalty to the country and the emperor!" But the Daimyo, looking impatient, ordered, "Guards, drag him away! And gag him too!"

"Yes!" Two guards, one on each side, lifted the staff officer up and then stuffed a tattered rag, which they had somehow found, into his mouth.

The pungent smell made Staff Officer 3 feel nauseous, and he eventually fainted. He died unable to understand why his loyalty to the emperor and his patriotism had led to such persecution.

The other staff members either shook their heads or sighed; Uchiha Kō's strength was too overwhelming, and he could no longer be restrained like a normal ninja.

Now we should try to get Uchiha Kō to pull his hand back and stop stretching it out so far.

Staff Officer 1: "Daimyo, I suggest you ask your brother-in-law, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, to handle this. Have him restrict Uchiha Kō, restrict Konoha, and prohibit Konoha from engaging in foreign trade!"

Everyone's eyes lit up, and even the Daimyo of the Land of Wind couldn't help but nod. This was a good idea; with minimal cost and the help of family ties, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire would definitely help, and it was the easiest way to resolve the issue.

Staff Officer 2: "Daimyo, I suggest we reduce costs and lower the price, bringing the price of water down from 100 ryo to the same price as in Konoha."

The second advisor's words were beneficial to the country and its people, yet they aroused the dissatisfaction of the many nobles within the daimyo's Daimyo. Having enjoyed high salaries and benefits, how could they possibly allow the Daimyo's and their own interests to be harmed?

It is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. At this moment, Daimyo also frowned, his gaze uncertain. He knew in his heart that what his second advisor said made sense.

But blinded by greed, how could he possibly agree! This Land of Wind belonged Land of Wind his Daimyo, and Sunagakure was merely an affiliated village of his Land of Wind! They should obediently follow his leadership and commands!

"I fed and watered them well, and now they seek trade with foreign countries! Outrageous!" The Daimyo of the Land of Wind roared, his long-standing pampered life making him as fierce as a tiger.

After these words were spoken, all the ministers present trembled and begged the Daimyo to calm his anger and not to stoop to the level of ants.

Staff Officer 1 remained silent, kneeling on the ground with his eyes shifting between light and shadow. Staff Officer 2 sighed inwardly; he had long known that the Daimyo would not implement the policy he had proposed.

However, if he didn't try, he would feel guilty towards his conscience and his position as a subject. Therefore, he said that at least he wouldn't be guilty towards himself or his true feelings.

The Daimyo of the Land of Wind regained his composure and said, "The policy of Advisor 1 is adopted. Immediately dispatch an envoy to the Land of Fire to meet with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire."

"Explain the situation, have Staff Officer 1 write down the entire message, and take five boxes of gold, silver, and jade artifacts to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, requesting his assistance."

"Furthermore," the Daimyo of the Land of Wind glanced at Advisor 2, "Advisor 2's policy is a backup plan. If the first policy cannot be implemented, then Advisor 2's policy will be implemented, allowing the people to rest."

After he finished speaking, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind announced the end of the meeting, and the staff members all walked outside.

They all looked worried, and some even came up to the First Advisor to flatter him, saying, "Sir, the happiness of our compatriots depends entirely on you. You must succeed!"

Staff Officer 1 glanced at them. "I'm only responsible for drafting the policies. Whether they succeed or not, I don't know. Please don't have too high hopes, because the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment!"

Several people hesitated, but knowing that what Advisor 1 said was true, they couldn't help but sigh. As for Advisor 2, that guy who didn't care about the interests of his colleagues, no one paid him any attention.

Staff Officer 2 walked out, heading home all alone. He didn't care whether his colleagues accompanied him or not; what he cared about was whether the people under the rule of the Land of Wind could live a good life and have enough to eat and drink.

His path differed from that of his ministers. He didn't care whether anyone could follow him; he only sought to have a clear conscience, to be true to himself and to the people.

Evening

The envoy from the Land of Wind arrived at the daimyo's Daimyo in the Land of Fire and received a warm welcome and heartfelt hospitality Daimyo the Land of Fire. The Daimyo of the Five Great Nations are all related to each other to some extent.

"Your Excellency has come to my Land of Fire. Is there something important that you need my help with? I will certainly do my best to assist you if it is within my power," the Daimyo of the Land of Fire said with a smile.

The envoy first had five chests of jewels brought up for the Daimyo of the Land of Fire accept. The Daimyo did not immediately accept them but smiled and said, "Please tell me what you have to say."

The matter is too complicated, and he doesn't want to help. Although I'm related to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, it's best to avoid getting involved in things that are too troublesome.

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all. It's a small matter for you, Daimyo!" the envoy said with a smile.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire remained silent, waiting for further instructions. Seeing that Daimyo Land of Fire was not easily fooled, the envoy slowly said, "Daimyo, I humbly request that you, sir, uphold Daimyo for my Land of Wind!"

"Get up and speak. Doesn't your Land of Wind have Daimyo in charge? Why do you need me to make decisions for you? What exactly is going on?" The Daimyo of the Land of Fire frowned, increasingly sensing that things were not simple.

The envoy wept bitterly, "The Uchiha Kō of your Konoha wants to open a trade route with our Sunagakure, and they dare to make this decision without the consent of our Daimyo and you!"

The envoy didn't forget to give the Land of Fire Daimyo a brief report. Upon hearing about Konoha, the Land of Fire Daimyo knew the matter was troublesome. He couldn't help but frown, "Trading is trading, it's not like we're trading with your country. It's just two ninja villages trading, there's no problem!"

In terms of kinship, the Land of Fire Daimyo is closer to Uchiha Kō, so he wouldn't care about such a small matter. I really don't know what the people of the Land of Wind are thinking.

After much hesitation, the envoy finally revealed the schemes of the Land of Wind. The Daimyo couldn't help but twitch his brows. "So you were swindling your own people out of their money, and now that you can't afford it anymore, you want me to clean up your mess?"

The envoy remained silent, head bowed, and with a fawning smile, said, "Daimyo, you won't refuse to help, will you?"

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire waved his hand, saying, "Your affairs are your own responsibility; I have no say in them." With Land of Fire, the Daimyo ordered his guests to be seen off, and he didn't take a single coin from their treasure.

"What nonsense! You think you can ruin my relationship with Uchiha Kō with this little bit of money? You're dreaming!" The Daimyo of the Land of Fire sneered.

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6000 words today

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