When I got home, I opened the door to my room and found Konan sitting at her desk, flipping through a small green book.
' Icha Icha Paradise '!
"That was originally a medium for transmitting information, but it was discovered by Konoha and had to be discarded," Aoki Tsuki explained.
"I've heard about this, but I never expected them to choose this kind of book; it's utterly boring."
"You're still young; you don't understand the intricacies of it."
"Snort..."
Konan didn't refute this; in this respect, she was indeed less experienced than Aoki Tsuki.
Some parts of the book are expressed in an obscure way, with a lot of technical terms. Without relevant experience, I couldn't understand the subtleties and just found it uninteresting.
"You should know about the debt, right? Is there any way to resolve it?"
"I already have a plan in mind, and I've arranged to talk to the debtor tomorrow."
Konan felt relieved upon hearing this; this matter had caused her to lose several pounds from worry.
She's not Yahiko; she doesn't have that Talk no Jutsu to convince everyone to willingly starve for their dreams.
How do you plan to pay it back?
"What do you mean by repaying the money? Where in the village would we get the money to repay them? I was just thinking of borrowing some more."
Aoki Tsuki shook his head. This was typical of an honest person's mindset; they hadn't broadened their perspective.
You have to understand that in his home country, the Panda Country, those who owe money are the bosses, and creditors have to treat them like royalty. They can't let debtors be under too much pressure and choose to give up.
"That's certainly your style, but will the creditors accept it?"
"Want to know? Tomorrow you'll be my secretary and responsible for recording the meeting minutes."
The following day, a meeting room in the tower of the northern district of Amegakure was filled with people sitting around a rectangular table.
There were loan sharks, arms dealers, grain traders, military supply suppliers...
The situation was urgent, and they borrowed money from almost every major merchant that Amegakure had dealings with, both from within the Land of Rain and from other countries.
Aoki Tsuki sat in the main seat, Konan, wearing a mask, sat beside him as a clerk.
The meeting room was noisy; everyone there was sociable, treating it like a business office, introducing each other to potential clients.
Konan turned her head and noticed that Aoki Tsuki had been resting with her eyes closed since she came in, but she didn't pay much attention at first.
"Wait, this feeling is..."
Perhaps due to the ongoing pressure of war, she has recently been practicing Secret Mind Technique and her spiritual energy has increased.
"That's right, it's that feeling of being seen through last time. Is Yue spying on someone?"
Aoki Tsuki was indeed using his mental powers to try and understand the thoughts of these creditors.
Although he cannot read other people's minds, people's thoughts can occasionally leak out through mental fluctuations, especially when their mental activity is intense.
For example, Arai Ryū, the silent loan shark representative dressed in a suit, is actually unusually active and in a state of high excitement.
'Hmph... Amegakure is already broke... he definitely can't pay back the money... how much of an interest rate increase would be acceptable...'
Takeda Umon, a grain trader from the Land of Rice Fields, has a Mediterranean hairstyle with a small tuft of hair forcibly combed over the side, drooping down on his shiny scalp.
He's clearly a stubborn guy, always plotting to raise prices.
The others were plotting how to get new business from others, seemingly aware that they wouldn't get any money this time.
About half an hour later, Aoki Tsuki slowly opened his eyes, coughed, and drew everyone's attention to him.
"Everyone, it's almost time. I called you all here today mainly to discuss the debt issue with Amegakure. Let's get back to the main topic."
"That's true. I understand your village's difficulties, so I've waived the interest. Today, I just want to get my principal back."
Arms dealer Bandō Genta was the first to make a move, pulling out a loan agreement and slamming it on the table.
"I brought mine too." The supplier of daily necessities immediately followed up, taking out the contract and tossing it in front of him.
"I brought some too..."
The invisible pressure is quite significant.
Aoki Tsuki reached out and touched his chin, saying with satisfaction, "Very good. It seems everyone here has a sense of contractual obligation. We, Amegakure, will never renege on our promises."
"Hmph, don't try to fool us. We've heard about your village's situation; you simply can't afford to pay us back now."
"No one will entrust tasks to people who don't keep their promises."
"Even if you get a request, do you have anyone to do it? I heard that almost all of your Amegakure ninjas are dying out."
"What a joke! How are you going to pay it back? You made such nice promises when you borrowed the money... saying you'd pay it back next month, month after month, and it's been more than half a year."
The creditors were furious, saying they thought they had only lent money to themselves, but it turned out that everyone had been lent money by Amegakure, and it seemed like he had no intention of paying it back.
Snap snap snap...
Aoki Tsuki clapped. "Thank you everyone. It turns out you all know the village so well. This saves me the trouble of explaining."
Do you know why Iwagakure didn't ask us for war reparations? I bet some of you have already guessed the answer.
Bang!
Bandō Genta slammed his fist on the table, his eyes wide with anger. "What do you mean? Are you trying to smear us?!"
"If we didn't want to repay the money, we wouldn't have called you all here to discuss this. Reputation is of utmost importance to our ninja village," Aoki Tsuki explained in a deep voice.
Bandō Genta. His large belly made him feel tired even after standing for a short while.
"My esteemed advisor, your village has been flush with cash in our accounts for half a year. If we don't see the money today, I guarantee you'll never get a Shuriken again."
"Sigh, we're in a tough spot too. This batch of grain has been sitting in the warehouse for over a month. We can't ship it out until the outstanding payments are settled."
Takeda Umon shook his head, his face full of melancholy.
The loan Arai Ryū, wore a half-smile. "I'm not in a rush, but the interest rate will probably have to be adjusted to a daily revolving rate."
Others chimed in with their complaints, saying it was difficult in every way imaginable!
Aoki Tsuki turned to look at the chubby Bandō Genta: "As far as I know, your company's weapons are mainly transported from the Land of Iron and the Land of Artisans, right?"
"So what if that's true? We don't manufacture weapons, we just move them."
In the chaotic ninja world, the ability to safely transport goods to various locations is itself a testament to strength.
"I have been to the Land of Artisans and the Land of Iron, and I had the honor of meeting Miki of the Takumi Village, Master Tesshin, and General Mifune of the Land of Iron."
If you encounter any difficulties in either of these places, perhaps I can help you.
"You...!"
Bandō Genta furious. He clenched his fists but dared not lash out. He was a businessman and couldn't take the risk.
"By the way, I participated in the Land of Iron's Swordsman Tournament under the name ' Rōgetsu ' and won first place. You can ask about it when you get back."
"It definitely will."
Aoki Tsuki then turned his gaze to Takeda Umon, a grain trader in the Land of Land of Rice Fields, "I heard that a new ninja village has been built in the Land of Rice Fields, and you're supplying it with grain, aren't you?"
"Uh... that's true." Takeda Umon thought to himself, "This is bad."
"I'm quite familiar with the snake leader of Otogakure. I can ask him to help me out in an emergency. You can just go to him to collect the money."
Takeda Umon quickly interjected, "I'm just here to join in the fun. The money is no problem; I can pay you back anytime. There's no need to rush."
Orochimaru often demanded free tributes from him, and since his base of operations was in the Land of Rice Fields, he was terrified of Orochimaru.
Aoki Tsuki then looked at a materials merchant with a long face sitting diagonally opposite her. She felt the man looked familiar and asked, " From the Land of Fire?"
"You can just call me Yūjin." Yūjin was a little flustered.
"Suffering is the ladder to divinity; you must hold fast to your faith."
Yūjin turned pale with fright. This was an essential phrase in the rituals of the Jashin Cult. How did this person know it?
He was almost sacrificed at the time, but he had no choice but to agree to become a believer and regularly donate, which saved him. The Jashin Cult is still active in the Land of Fire to this day.
"Hey, I've always kept that in mind."
At this point, the others were stunned, fearing that Aoki Tsuki would cause them trouble next, and were somewhat uneasy.
"Alright, look how nervous you all are."
Aoki Tsuki looked around and realized that he used completely different strategies when dealing with these merchants and when dealing with the high-ranking officials of Iwagakure.
No need for clever tactics, just crush them with overwhelming superiority.
"I will definitely repay the money, but the circumstances don't allow it right now. Today is to discuss the specific repayment time and method with you; this is my sincerity."
"Then how does Your Excellency intend to repay this debt?"
Arai Ryū quietly sat up straight, his tone carrying a hint of discussion.
"I know you. In the past, in the Land of Rain, gray organizations like yours had to pay tribute to the village regularly. Lord ' Hanzō ' was kind and abolished this policy."
It seems I can't be too lenient with you guys; you've already forgotten the pain once the wound has healed.
"No, no, we've always abided by the law and followed the rules, and we're well aware of these regulations."
"Really? I'll ask him carefully when I visit the daimyo in a few days. I used to be the daimyo's Guardian Ninja, and he thought highly of me."
Alas! To my shame, my abilities are limited, and I have failed to live up to your expectations, having yet to achieve anything noteworthy.
"Ah... this, I wonder what your opinion is, sir?"
These guys can finally talk properly.
Aoki Tsuki didn't beat around the bush and said, "My suggestion is to pay in installments. The interest will be the same as yours, on the condition that payments begin in three years."
The war has just ended, so at least we can catch our breath. In addition, we cannot lack weapons, food and other supplies during this period.
Otherwise, how would we have the strength to earn money to repay everyone?
His gaze swept over the people he had just called out.
"Yes, yes, this is a good idea; everyone can benefit." Takeda Umon was the first to chime in.
"I agree. The most important thing in doing business is patience."
"I agree..."
"I agree..."
With someone taking the lead, the others had no choice but to follow suit and agree to the debt restructuring plan. They said it was just a delay, not a default, and they could accept it.
The group discussed the specific details, then drafted a new contract, signed it, and stamped it.
It was already noon when I finished all of this.
"I should have treated everyone to a meal, but unfortunately, supplies are scarce right now... I'm sorry."
"I understand, I understand. I'll arrange for someone to deliver the grain right away," Takeda Umon said hurriedly.
"I'll send the supplies over later too..."
Everyone made their promises and then hurriedly left, none daring to stay for a meal.
Others can leave Arai Ryū, but he can't. As a gray organization in the Land of Rain, it was only because Pain was unwilling to contact them after he came to power that they had the opportunity to grow bigger.
When Hanzō was in power, these people were Amegakure's dogs, obediently offering tribute.
"You must learn to love this village." Aoki Tsuki pointed to the steel-framed buildings in the distance.
Arai Ryū was stunned. "Are you crazy? Why would he love Amegakure?"
"Our Amegakure represents the Land of Rain. If you don't love our village, you're not patriotic."
Forced by circumstances, Arai Ryū could only echo, "I can also love the village."
"How do you plan to love it? Love requires giving, and you only get something in return for what you give. Right now, the village is going through a difficult time."
If you can get another low-interest loan, you can quickly stabilize your situation and then earn more money.
Don't be fooled by our current predicament; the bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish will be.
Arai Ryū grimaced; if he disagreed, trouble would ensue. "Sigh, I understand."