Daimyo's manor, study.
Arashi had just finished reviewing a stack of progress reports on the new district.
The Shadow Guard Squad, together with the Shadow Guard and Kurokaze's Earth Release team, under Enmaru's coordination, had become the most efficient construction force. Their progress far exceeded expectations.
This pleased Arashi greatly.
"Daimyo-sama, Minister of Finance Tanaka Shigeru requests an audience."
A respectful voice came from outside.
Arashi set down his brush. "Let him in."
The door opened and Tanaka entered quickly, a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead from the rush.
"Greetings, Daimyo-sama."
"Dispense with the formalities."
Arashi gestured to a nearby chair. "Sit."
"Thank you, Daimyo-sama." Tanaka sat and spoke quickly. "I have an urgent matter to report."
"You are drenched in sweat," Arashi said. "What has you so anxious?"
Tanaka collected himself and recounted, in detail, his meeting with the envoy from the Land of Lightning.
...That Doro was extremely unyielding and spoke rudely, claiming that if we did not open trade, it would be an act of hostility toward the Land of Lightning.
"I used the pretext that it was national policy requiring your instruction to placate him for now."
He lowered his head, awaiting the Daimyo's decision.
In his view, the Land of Lightning was not like the Land of Wind or the Land of Earth.
They were brutes who believed in force, domineering and dismissive of rules.
The timing was delicate. The Third Ninja World War had just ended, and the peace treaty with the Land of Lightning had not yet been finalized.
A single spark could reignite the entire shinobi world.
Arashi did not speak immediately, his knuckles tapping the armrest.
Tanaka did not dare rush him.
This Daimyo's actions were unpredictable.
To fight or to make peace?
To refuse firmly, or to play along?
Impossible to guess.
Arashi sneered inwardly.
The Land of Lightning.
Kumogakure.
Indeed, a bunch of simple-minded brutes.
The envoy they sent was not a diplomat, but a Kumogakure Jōnin.
That move was itself a threat.
It was a clear message to the Land of Fire. Do not play word games. Fists are the truth.
How laughable.
"You mean he was very assertive?" Arashi asked.
"Yes," Tanaka replied quickly. "His attitude was arrogant and aggressive."
"Heh." Arashi sneered. "Refuse him."
What?
Tanaka looked up, eyes wide with shock.
Refuse?
Then there would be no room to maneuver.
He bowed quickly. "Daimyo-sama, will this not anger the Land of Lightning? What if they..."
"What if they start a war?" Arashi cut him off, disdainful. "So what?"
"Uh..."
Tanaka blinked, at a loss for words.
His Daimyo did not seem like a reckless man.
Seeing Tanaka's anxious expression, Arashi understood.
This old minister handled government well, but his vision and courage were confined to a traditional aristocrat's mindset.
He would always prefer peaceful settlement to the risk of war.
Arashi spoke slowly. "The reason is simple."
"Our trade with the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth rests on peace treaties."
"What about the Land of Lightning? They still have not signed the final peace treaty."
"A nation that lacks even basic sincerity for peace has no right to share in the Land of Fire's trade profits."
The explanation clicked for Tanaka.
Right.
The peace treaty.
How did he miss that?
With this reason, the Land of Fire held the moral high ground.
Even if the Land of Lightning made trouble, the other nations would see them as unreasonable and arrogant.
Brilliant.
Truly brilliant.
Tanaka relaxed completely, the heavy weight in his chest lifting. His anxiety and tension vanished.
With such a monarch, what did a minister have to fear?
Just execute the orders.
"I understand, Daimyo-sama." Tanaka bowed deeper, confidence returning to his voice.
"Mm." Arashi nodded.
Just as Tanaka thought the matter was settled and was about to take his leave, Arashi spoke again. "Refusing is not enough."
"We must guard against the Land of Lightning acting rashly."
"Go to the embassies of the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind."
"Tell them what happened today."
Tanaka was stunned.
Tell the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind?
What did the Daimyo mean?
Ask Iwa and Suna for help?
How could they easily help the Land of Fire and offend the Land of Lightning?
"Daimyo-sama... this might be difficult..."
"Just go and tell them," Arashi interrupted, offering no explanation.
He believed Tanaka would figure it out.
If not.
The Minister of Finance could be replaced.
Arashi said nothing further, sipping his tea unhurriedly.
Seeing the Daimyo remain silent, Tanaka pondered on his own.
Although Iwa and Suna traded with the Land of Fire, they were still foreign nations. They would not help easily.
So why inform them?
Could it be... Tanaka's heart leapt.
A thought flashed.
He understood.
The Land of Earth and the Land of Wind were enjoying vast profits from trade with the Land of Fire.
Luxury items like sugar and silk not only delighted their nobles.
By reselling them, they also earned enormous wealth.
This trade route had already become a crucial source of income.
Now the Land of Lightning wanted a share.
Would they agree?
Even if they did nothing... then...
Understanding this, Tanaka no longer hesitated and bowed again. "I understand, Daimyo-sama."
"Go and do it." Seeing the light in his eyes, Arashi knew he had understood. "Handle it well and I will credit you with a meritorious deed."
"Yes." Tanaka accepted and withdrew.
After Tanaka left, Arashi's smile faded.
He had planned to deal with the Land of Lightning in the spring. He did not expect them to jump out so soon.
So be it.
Since they dared provoke, they should pray they were prepared.
"Shadow Guard," Arashi called.
A black-clad Shadow Guard appeared.
"Go to Konoha."
"Inform Namikaze Minato that Kumogakure may make a move."
"Have them strengthen the border defenses."
"Yes." The shadow took the order and withdrew.
After that, Arashi returned to government affairs.
...Meanwhile, Tanaka left the Daimyo's manor and went straight to the inn where the Land of Lightning envoy was staying.
Inside the inn.
The Kumogakure Jōnin Doro waited irritably.
Seeing Tanaka enter, he stood at once. "Well? Has your Daimyo agreed?"
Tanaka smiled. "Lord Doro, I have consulted Daimyo-sama."
"Daimyo-sama said our trade with other nations is founded on peace and friendship."
"However, our two countries have not signed the final peace document."
"Both in reason and sentiment, it is premature to initiate large-scale trade."
Doro's face darkened. "You mean, you refused?"
"It is a postponement," Tanaka corrected. "Once the peace treaty is finalized, we can resume commercial discussions."
"Nonsense!"
Doro slammed his fist on the table.
Wood splinters flew, and the solid table collapsed.
"Are you toying with the Land of Lightning?!" He glared at Tanaka, releasing heavy Chakra pressure. "Do not forget, the war just ended. Do you wish to fight again?!"
The pressure left the inn attendants weak-kneed and pale.
Tanaka, however, still smiled, unfazed.
As Doro smashed the table, several figures appeared around him, surrounding him tightly.
Tanaka knew they were Shadow Guards from the Daimyo's side.
With support at hand, his confidence grew. "Lord Doro, are you threatening the Land of Fire?"
"So what if I am!"
"Haha." Tanaka shook his head lightly. "Daimyo-sama told me something. Allow me to relay it."
He spoke, word by word. "To gain respect, please first learn to respect the rules."
"If friends come, there is good wine. If enemies come, there will be swords to meet them."
With that, he turned and walked away, ignoring the outburst.
"Good. Good. Good!"
Doro trembled with fury, pointing at Tanaka's retreating back. "You will regret this! We will meet on the battlefield!"
Tanaka did not stop.
He boarded his carriage and instructed the coachman, "To the Land of Earth embassy."
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)