The next day.
Morning sunlight filled the bedchamber.
The scent of last night still lingered in the air, and an ambiguous atmosphere remained.
Perhaps she was exhausted, but Mei curled up like a kitten on the soft bed, sleeping soundly.
Arashi glanced at her half-exposed body, a flash of triumph in his eyes, then rose, wearing only a loose robe.
He stretched, his joints popping.
Perhaps the sound of him getting up was too loud, and Mei awoke.
She slowly opened her sleepy eyes, her face full of fatigue.
Her dazed gaze darted around, quickly landing on Arashi standing by the bed.
She instantly remembered where she was and pulled the quilt up, wrapping herself tightly.
Her eyes had nowhere to settle, so she looked to the side.
There lay the nearly transparent, lotus-colored silk dress, now reduced to torn rags by last night's storm.
Mei immediately recalled everything she had experienced the previous night.
Her once bright, spring-green eyes turned hollow, her whole being dazed.
Her fair skin was covered in red marks, like cracks.
Memories surged back. Last night was like a nightmare.
That man, in the most barbaric way, showed her what dominance meant.
There had been no tenderness, no gentleness.
Every demand was a claim of ownership.
In the end, she gave up resisting and let him crush her.
Her disconsolate state did not draw Arashi's attention.
He went straight to the desk, pulled out a blank scroll, and picked up a brush.
Without much thought, the brush moved across the scroll in flowing strokes.
Weapons, food, medicine... the contents matched the list Mei had presented last night.
The scroll he burned seemed etched into his mind.
After writing, he signed his name and heavily stamped the Daimyo's seal.
The crimson mark imprinted the scroll.
With that done, Arashi took the order and walked back to the bed.
As he approached, Mei trembled uncontrollably.
"Take it."
Arashi tossed the order in front of her.
The scroll unfurled before her eyes.
The familiar list of supplies, the crimson seal, stung her eyes.
Seeing the contents, Mei's gaze regained a faint spark.
She looked at the order in disbelief.
He... rewrote it?
Why?
She looked up at Arashi, eyes full of confusion.
She didn't understand.
Last night, she had exhausted all schemes, even sacrificed herself, only to be rejected.
But now, after she had completely fallen, becoming a worthless plaything, he casually threw her what she had yearned for.
What was this?
Humiliation?
Pity?
Charity?
Her hollow eyes were filled with confusion.
Arashi looked down at her. Seeing her bewildered yet stubborn expression, his smile widened.
"I am very satisfied with your performance last night."
The words pierced her ears.
A powerful wave of shame washed over her, turning her pretty face bright red.
Her performance last night?
That appearance of being at his mercy, bereft of dignity?
She bit her lip hard, almost drawing blood, to keep herself from crying out.
Seeing her aggrieved expression, Arashi's interest faded.
He sat back on the bed, pinched her chin, forced her to look up, and said, word by word, "Stop those tears."
Mei startled, and her tears stopped instantly.
"Good girl," Arashi nodded. "This was your choice, and I gave you what you wanted."
"Remember."
"In the Land of Fire, there is a rule."
"What I give, you may take."
"What I do not give, you may not reach for, much less snatch."
"This is a one-time thing. Do not expect it again."
Mei understood immediately.
This was not a reward.
This was him setting rules.
He was using this bloody method to tell her that everything she had depended on his whim.
If he wished to give, she would have it.
If he did not, even kneeling would be useless.
"Do you understand?" Arashi asked calmly.
Mei's body trembled violently. Two streams of tears finally rolled down, no longer controllable.
After a long moment, a sob escaped her throat.
"...Yes."
Satisfied, Arashi released her, stood, and summoned a maid to bathe and dress him.
He had tasted the appetizer.
It was time to handle serious matters.
He did not look at Mei again. He turned and left without a backward glance.
The palace door closed, separating inside from outside.
Mei hugged the scorching order, buried her face deep in the quilt, and sobbed, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
Fire Capital.
At Tanaka Shigeru's mansion, the atmosphere was heavy.
Across from him sat a burly man.
He had short white hair and dark skin. He was a shinobi from Kumogakure, named Doro.
As the envoy of the Land of Lightning, his purpose was singular.
To secure for the Land of Lightning the qualification to conduct specialty trade with the Land of Fire.
Just last month, the first caravans laden with specialties from the Land of Fire arrived in the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth.
Among them, a white sugar called Fire Crystal immediately sparked a high-society trend.
When the Daimyo of the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth began to use silk from the Land of Fire as the highest reward, and Fire Crystal as the grand finale dessert at state banquets, the Land of Lightning was excluded.
Upon learning this, the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning was furious.
Why could those poor devils of the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind enjoy something that he, a monarch of one of the Five Great Nations, did not have?
In his rage, an urgent order reached Kumogakure.
Upon receiving it, the Raikage immediately dispatched Doro, known for his unyielding nature, to rush over day and night.
"Lord Tanaka, my intentions are clear," Doro finally broke the silence, his tone forceful. "That white sugar, Fire Crystal, along with silk and tea, we in the Land of Lightning want them too."
Tanaka set down his teacup, his smile unchanged.
Facing the formidable envoy from Kumo, he already understood.
The Daimyo's strategy had worked.
However, this matter exceeded the decision-making power of a mere Minister of Finance.
Tanaka composed himself, his tone neither servile nor arrogant. "As for trade, this official naturally welcomes it. However..."
"However what?" Doro frowned, clearly impatient.
"Lord Doro may be unaware," Tanaka explained unhurriedly, "that our trade with the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth is a national policy personally set by the Daimyo."
"All terms and details are approved directly by the Daimyo's manor."
"Now that the Land of Lightning wishes to join, this exceeds my authority."
Tanaka emphasized "the Daimyo," both clarifying his stance and reminding the envoy who held the real power.
"This matter is important, and I must personally report it to the Daimyo."
"Before receiving a clear decree, I cannot give you a reply."
His words were reasonable and proper. He did not refuse directly, but deftly passed the matter upward.
Although Doro was impatient, he was not a fool.
It was standard bureaucratic language, but there was no flaw to seize.
He snorted. "Then how long must I wait?"
"I will seek an audience immediately. As soon as there is news, you will be informed."
"During this time, please rest at the inn. All expenses in the Fire Capital will be borne by our side," Tanaka said with a hospitable smile.
Hearing the promise, Doro could only suppress his anger. "Fine. I will await your news. Do not make me wait too long."
"Certainly, certainly."
After seeing Doro off, Tanaka immediately ordered, "Prepare the carriage."
"To the Daimyo's manor at once."
(To be continued.)