Yuexi Peninsula

"Yuexi Peninsula."

"Yuexi Peninsula? Where is that? Mute?" The daimyo of the Land of Wind glanced to the side, where an elderly retainer was already holding out a map.

"Lord Daimyo, right here. It's located in the southern part of the Land of Hot Water and the western part of the Land of Fire, on our eastern border. It's a small fishing village surrounded by the sea on three sides with quite nice scenery. Your grandfather once built a country villa there, though it was destroyed in the flames of war many years ago. There are still a few dozen fishermen living there making a living by fishing, and the farmland is mostly abandoned."

"Oh! Is that so? Are there any famous local products there?"

"Uh, I hear the ribbonfish produced there is not bad."

"Ribbonfish? What is that? Is it delicious?"

"My lord, it's a kind of fish commonly eaten by fishermen, not very valuable, so it's not fit for your daimyo table."

"Oh, I see. Hey, ninja, you just said your Kazekage wants to buy this Yuexi Peninsula, right?"

"Yes, Lord Daimyo." Shangshuiliu maintained his deferential attitude.

"Normally, given the relationship between your Kazekage and me, asking for a piece of land like this shouldn't cost anything. However, all the land in the Land of Wind is passed down from our ancestors, so this... you know?" The daimyo winked at Mute, the retainer beside him. Mute immediately adopted a look of complete understanding.

"Lord Daimyo, this humble official has a suggestion. I don't know if I should speak of it."

"Go ahead, speak." The daimyo kept blinking and making faces at Mute.

"It's like this: Lord Kazekage wants to establish a transit station as a freight depot. This is a very good idea, and our Lord Daimyo supports it as well."

"Indeed, indeed." Shangshuiliu was all smiles.

"However, just as our Lord Daimyo said, the land of the Land of Wind is passed down from our ancestors and cannot be easily sold to others. But then again, Lord Keiko is, after all, a retainer under our daimyo's banner, not an outsider. Cleaning up that mess in Sunagakure over the past two years hasn't been easy either, and our Lord Daimyo should offer some support. I think we should do this: let your Sunagakure symbolically pay five million ryo... plus three years of waived military expenditure! I wonder how your excellency finds this proposal?"

"This..." Shangshuiliu showed a troubled expression. Hearing Mute's words, the daimyo of the Land of Wind looked radiant like spring, nodding repeatedly and quietly giving Mute a thumbs-up.

"I think this proposal is excellent. Ninja, what do you think?" The daimyo of the Land of Wind almost burst out laughing.

"This is... quite good... then... let it be as you suggest, my lord." With a bitter expression, Shangshuiliu tremblingly produced a large box, opened it toward the daimyo, and pushed it forward respectfully, saying:

"Here is five million ryo, please check it."

The daimyo of the Land of Wind looked at it with mild interest, which instantly vanished. Why? The box was indeed packed with five million ryo. Though large, it was stuffed full. Banknotes of various denominations were tied in bundles and heaped together—there were ten-thousand-ryo bills, five-thousand-ryo bills, and even a few bundles of one-thousand-ryo bills. Looking closely, the bills were a mix of new and old, looking just like the taxes collected from a village. Showing little interest, the daimyo waved a hand. Mute immediately came over to collect the money and smoothly retrieved the land deed for the Yuexi Peninsula. The daimyo glanced over it roughly, nodded, and motioned for Mute to prepare the transfer contract. Shortly after, the contract was drafted. The daimyo took out his personal seal, breathed on it, and pressed it heavily onto the paper.

"Tell your Lord Keiko to mind his duties well. If I have time, I will go to Sunagakure to see him. That's all for today. I'm tired, so I won't keep you for dinner. Mute, see our guest out on my behalf." With that, supported by two maids, the daimyo of the Land of Wind left the main hall.

Shangshuiliu took the land deed and transfer contract for the Yuexi Peninsula, nodded with satisfaction, and carefully folded them away inside his robe. Exchanging a glance with the retainer Mute, both of them broke into satisfied smiles.

Once the two of them walked out of the Green Palace and reached a secluded spot, Shangshuiliu beamed and gave Mute a deep bow.

"Thank you, my lord, for mediating before the daimyo. When I set out, Lord Keiko told me specifically not to forget Lord Mute's friendship and kindness."

"Not at all, not at all." Mute waved his hand politely.

"Your Kazekage is too polite. We were old acquaintances back when he was a Jonin. This little favor is nothing, really nothing."

"How can you say that! A single word from you in front of the daimyo saves us from untold hardships down below. How can you call it nothing? Come!" Shangshuiliu snapped his fingers, and out of nowhere, a masked ninja holding a small box popped up right in front of them. The ninja knelt on one knee and opened the box toward Mute. Mute cast his gaze upward, and his eyes instantly widened to the size of saucers. Neatly stacked inside the box was a fortune consisting entirely of brand-new, ten-thousand-ryo banknotes!

"Five million ryo, just a small token of appreciation for Lord Mute to enjoy some tea!" Shangshuiliu waved grandly.

"Oh dear, how could I? How could I possibly accept this? You're far too kind, far too kind." Though his words were polite, Mute's hands were fast, grabbing the banknotes in an instant. Drool almost dripped into the box.

"Please stay, my lord. There are still some routine matters back in the village, so I must take my leave."

"Oh, oh, have a safe trip, safe trip." Mute offered polite parting words, but his eyes never left the box. Shangshuiliu shook his head and slowly retreated with the masked ninja.

Looking back at the shrinking Half-Mountain Green Palace, the masked ninja impatiently pulled off half his veil, spat on the ground, and muttered:

"Bah! These corrupt bureaucrats!"

"Heh." Shangshuiliu let out a cold, knowing laugh.

"There's nothing strange about it. This bunch of old aristocrats are all cut from the same cloth. Oto Taro, you're still too young. You'll get used to it once you see more of it."

"I just can't stand it."

"Sigh, well, can't stand it if you must. But on the flip side, without this bunch of corrupt bureaucrats, we wouldn't have been able to acquire such a massive piece of land as the Yuexi Peninsula for so dirt cheap. Look at it—it's getting close to half the size of the Land of Rivers! How cost-effective is that? Before leaving the village, Lord Kazekage approved a budget of one hundred million, yet including the bribe, we only spent ten million ryo in total. Haha, it's hilarious just thinking about it."

"What about the three years of military expenditure?"

"Bah! That little bit of money spread across every Sunagakure ninja amounts to only fifteen hundred ryo per year, which isn't even enough to buy toilet paper. This daimyo of the Land of Wind has stayed in the Kunling Plain too long; he's got the absolute airs of a country bumpoke."

"Heh, your description is spot on." Oto Taro couldn't help laughing out the sound.

"Don't just sit there laughing. Once we get back, the two of us still have to write a report. Ten million ryo is still public funds, and if you can't account for it clearly, you'll end up in the Anti-Corruption Bureau drinking tea."

"Anti-Corruption Bureau? Does our village have a department like that?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. It was established at the Sand Village Congress last week, specifically tasked with investigating and punishing graft and corruption. Official business like ours requires a clear accounting of where the money went afterward. When we get back, the department will hold a meeting to communicate the spirit of the meeting."

"That's such a hassle!" Oto Taro seemed to think this matter was a nuisance.

"It's not a hassle at all, and it's extremely necessary. I even think this is the most brilliant decision Lord Kazekage made at this congress—even the resolution to develop the new city can't compare to it. It is an absolute merit for the present and a benefit for generations to come!" Shangshuiliu suddenly turned serious.

"This?" Taro was a bit puzzled.

"Taro, let me tell you: corruption is an enemy even more formidable and vicious than Konoha and Hidden Cloud. No matter how powerful ninjutsu is, it cannot defeat it; it will completely destroy the foundations of a village! Only by tightening the cage of regulations can it be curbed. On this point, I utterly support Lord Kazekage."

"Oh." Taro nodded, half-understanding.

"Oh my foot." Shangshuiliu laughed and patted Taro on the head.

"You brat better watch yourself, too, and not mess up on this issue. Do you know who the first director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau is? Liangping! That guy is truly iron-fisted. Formerly the head of the Interrogation Room, if you fall into his hands, you'd be better off dead on the battlefield!"