Chapter 344: Root in Action
While several people were speaking, suddenly urgent footsteps sounded outside. Someone charged inside.
"Disaster, President! The Shinga River branch was plundered. All goods stolen!"
"What?" Nomura Yūji's complexion instantly changed dramatically. He stood abruptly. "What were those ninja guards doing? How could they let the merchant firm be plundered?"
"All dead. Bodies lying everywhere."
"Useless!" Nomura Yūji trembled with rage. "These wandering ninja boast daily. Result? At critical moments they're completely useless."
"No. Key guard tasks still require Konoha Village people handling."
"Can't wait for Konoha Village's reconstruction celebration. Immediately prepare carriages. I'm going to Konoha Village now to issue missions. Must quickly apprehend those thieves, recover lost goods!"
Nomura Yūji hastily assembled guards before boarding carriages, rushing toward Konoha Village's direction.
"Lord Hokage, Nomura Merchant Association president Nomura Yūji seeks audience."
After hearing ANBU's announcement, Yasushi casually handed the just-received supplies list to Mizuki while waving dismissively:
"Inventory all supplies, record merit for all participants. I'll meet this 'victim.'"
Mizuki smiled while nodding before withdrawing. He had someone invite Nomura Yūji into the office.
"Haha, Lord Hokage..."
Nomura Yūji entered smiling first, appearing extremely enthusiastic. But Yasushi had no intention cooperating with his performance—merely indifferently waving, inviting him to sit.
After several courteous exchanges, Nomura Yūji noticed Yasushi's consistently indifferent attitude—completely lacking the Third's previous warmth. His heart grew quite dissatisfied.
He currently led a super merchant association spanning the shinobi world. He had standing before Five Great Nations' nobles. He was Konoha Village's important supply provider—an important figure indirectly influencing Konoha Village's reconstruction success or failure. Yet this Uchiha Hokage showed such neglect. Truly made him feel aggrieved.
But dissatisfaction aside, business required discussion.
He first presented his gift list. Indeed, this earned several smiles from Yasushi. Then he began complaining.
"Lord Hokage, Fire Country's internal public security is far too chaotic!"
"Even our Nomura Merchant Association's branch got plundered by thieves! Where's justice? Where's law?"
"Your Konoha Village absolutely cannot just watch! Must take responsibility!"
"Oh my, President Nomura, rest assured. After the founding celebration, our Konoha Village will soon begin clearing operations—definitely cleaning out Fire Country's bandits completely."
Facing Yasushi's evasion, Nomura Yūji naturally grew anxious.
"Don't say 'soon'—start now!"
"Our branch was plundered of massive supplies. You must help us reclaim goods!"
"We're willing paying ten million ryo as mission reward."
Ten million ryo?
Think I don't know that shipment's value?
This little money? Dismissing beggars?
Yasushi knew that shipment's exact value better than anyone. So he could also infer Nomura Yūji's psychological bottom line—knowing this price proved far too low. Immediately sighing while shaking his head:
"President Nomura, not that we don't want dispatching people immediately for bandit clearing. Only current Konoha Village severely lacks manpower. Currently truly overwhelmed!"
"Might as well patiently waiting several days. After Konoha Village's wandering ninja all return, I'll arrange bandit suppression."
"Don't!" Nomura Yūji anxiously protested: "Who knows when that'll be? By then those thieves probably already sold everything clean. Even killing them—what use?"
"Then we're helpless. President Nomura, please accept condolences!"
Seeing Yasushi's completely indifferent appearance, Nomura Yūji gritted his teeth before spreading his right palm, shouting:
"I'll pay more!"
"I'll pay fifty million ryo! Please Lord Hokage immediately dispatch people pursuing and killing those thieves."
"Hahaha..." Yasushi immediately changed expressions, smilingly grasping Nomura Yūji's hand. "Should have said so earlier. Then we cooperate happily."
Before Nomura Yūji's face, Yasushi had someone summon Mizuki. With righteous stern expression, he ordered:
"Those wandering ninja actually dare robbing Fire Country's great merchants. Truly too brazen. Immediately arrange people investigating merchant association's crime scene. Must completely eliminate those thieves, returning Fire Country a safe business environment."
Mizuki seriously agreed before leading Nomura Yūji outside toward the mission issuance hall—issuing an S-rank mission while collecting mission deposits.
Nomura Yūji glumly paid money. He also issued guard missions, wanting recruiting several Konoha Village ninja. Afterward he returned, wanting discussing subsequent supply procurement matters with Lord Hokage—recovering some losses.
Who knew this time Lord Hokage proved very agreeable.
"No problem." Yasushi looked at Nomura Yūji with a benevolent expression. "Nomura Merchant Association has always been our Konoha Village's designated supply merchant. If we need purchasing supplies later, we'll definitely prioritize ordering from your esteemed association."
"Oh, oh—that's excellent!" Nomura Yūji immediately forgot earlier unpleasantness, smiling with narrowed eyes.
"Lord Hokage, rest assured. We'll definitely give Konoha Village the most reasonable prices. Absolutely won't forget Lord Hokage's support for our association."
"Hmm... To express respect toward the Uchiha founding clan, our Nomura Merchant Association is willing donating supplies worth one hundred million ryo to the Uchiha clan—helping Uchiha clan reconstruction."
Must admit, Nomura Yūji's ability for dragging people into complicity proved absolutely excellent. For co-opting Konoha Village's newly appointed Hokage, he absolutely invested enormously.
Naturally this money-throwing effect proved very "good." Uchiha Yasushi the Lord Hokage also greatly appreciated his gesture—finally warming up toward him with increased smiles.
However, whether his own mistaken feeling or because this new Lord Hokage killed too many people with fierce appearance—Nomura Yūji always had a strange sensation.
He always felt this Lord Hokage's gaze toward him seemed somewhat wrong—like a starving wolf staring at fat sheep.
This feeling made him extremely uncomfortable. So after settling business, he decisively bid farewell, leading those Konoha ninja who accepted his guard missions back to his estate.
His front foot barely left. Mizuki entered the office dragging a ninja-looking fellow.
"Lord Hokage, this is the selected scapegoat this time. How do you plan handling him?"