The next day, Seiryu received a protest letter from the Grass daimyo, condemning the Hokage's armed intervention.
With the former fire daimyo long absent, Seiryu, as Grand Minister, called all the shots; the officials were hesitant to read the letter aloud.
"Read it," Seiryu said evenly. "Let's hear what the Grass daimyo has to say."
The chamber fell silent. The official, sweating, began reading.
The entire letter was a condemnation of the Hokage's military incursion, demanding the Fire daimyo reprimand the Hokage. The language was diplomatic, but as the reading went on, Seiryu's expression darkened.
When it ended, the hall was silent.
"Kazuo Miura," Seiryu called, naming the official who was trying to avoid attention.
Kazuo, unwilling but resigned, stepped forward.
"How are such matters usually handled?" Seiryu asked.
"Grand Minister, such things happen often," Kazuo explained. "Missions between ninja villages create friction. When it's serious, the daimyo sends such a letter. Usually, it's ignored."
Indeed, these protest letters were just for show. The Land of Fire, as a great nation, rarely suffered losses, so it always received such letters—dozens piled up in the previous daimyo's study. That daimyo never let the previous Hokage see them. But now, the Grass daimyo might not even realize who's really in charge in Land of Fire. Sending such a letter now was almost an insult to Seiryu's face.
"So I just get scolded for nothing?" Seiryu's face was dark.
"Konoha already warned the whole ninja world, but Grass ignored it and brought disaster on themselves. And now they protest to us?"
"How do you wish to respond?" Kazuo asked.
"Scold them back!" Seiryu said. "Tell them: not a single ryo less in compensation. If they want war, Land of Fire will oblige!"
"Understood…" Kazuo sighed in relief. He'd thought Seiryu wanted to start a war, but if it was just a war of words, Grass wouldn't dare take it further.
After the meeting, Seiryu returned to the Hokage office, still frowning, and sent Inaho Uchiha to summon Gato.
Kado, hearing the summons, dropped everything and hurried over.
Lately, Gato was riding high. As the first merchant to pledge loyalty, Seiryu had let Gato take half the best investment properties around Konoha. Seventy percent of the profits quietly went to the Uchiha and Hatake, but Kado's wealth had soared, and he'd made far more than he ever did in Land Wave.
More importantly, his status had risen—he was now "Mr. Gato" to everyone in the Land of Fire business world. Even the big names, like Yokokawa, now treated him with respect.
Gato knew who he owed it all to, and that he was replaceable. So when summoned, he came at once.
"Grand Minister, what do you need from me?" Gato said with a sycophantic smile.
Seiryu poured tea for them both. Gato accepted it respectfully and praised Seiryu's tea skills.
"I hear you've been making money lately. Congratulations," Seiryu said.
"All thanks to your guidance," Gato replied, bowing respectfully.
"Good. Now, I have a job for you."
"At your service."
Seiryu unrolled a map of the Land of Fire and pointed to a small town. "I want you to open a ninja tool factory here. It'll be wholly owned by the Uchiha, connected to the ninja cats' tool industry. You'll just be the public face."
"A ninja tool factory?" Gato blinked. "But Grand Minister, the ninja tool market is saturated. There's little profit."
"Is it?" Seiryu raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. Every village has its own suppliers, and profits are transparent—there's no room for maneuver."
"You think I don't know that?" Seiryu shot Gato a look. "Don't forget, the ninja cats—our long-term partners—have a third of the Land of Fire market."
"Ah…" Gato was confused. Why start a business with no profit?
"Gato, tell me—when is the ninja tool business best?" Seiryu poured more tea.
"During wartime, of course," Gato said. "The biggest arms dealer in Land of Lightning made his fortune selling explosive tags in the Second Shinobi War. The Third made him rich. He's backed by both the daimyo and the Raikage, I hear."
"So wartime is best for business," Seiryu said, half-smiling.
"Of course…" Gato began another example—then realized, eyes wide, "You mean…"
"You have three months to prepare," Seiryu said. "Cost is no object. I want a full production line in three months. The ninja world is about to descend into chaos."
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