"Are we really planning to demand fifty-five billion from every single village?"
Early the next morning, inside the main office, Kushina's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Mm." Yuto smiled faintly and gave a small nod.
"The other villages, maybe… but the Hidden Mist? Do they even have that kind of money?" Kushina's mouth twitched as she scratched her head. "I heard from Mei that their finances are already about to collapse!"
"That figure (fifty-five billion) is just a gimmick. The real goal isn't the money," Yuto said, turning on the computer in front of him, smiling lightly.
"If it's not about the money, then what?" Mikoto asked, tilting her head curiously.
"…Strictly speaking, it is still about money." Yuto paused. "But here, we shouldn't call it money. We should call it the economy. That outrageous number is meant to break the economic backbone of the Four Great Hidden Villages."
"So… economic warfare?" Kushina's eyebrows shot up.
"More like creating an economic dependency," Yuto corrected, clicking open a spreadsheet. "We have a hundred thousand shinobi at our disposal right now. It won't last forever, but it's more than enough to mass-produce goods and raw materials."
"And after that?" Mikoto leaned forward, her expression a little dazed.
Yuto gave a thin smile and explained: "After that, we sell those goods to the Four Great Villages at prices they can't refuse, they'll become reliant on us for everything. Once they're dependent, the real control begins. Even if they wanted to resist, they'd have no way out."
"…I get it now. You really are something." Kushina drew in a breath, then looped her arms around Yuto's neck. "When it comes to underhanded schemes, you're unmatched."
"Hardly. I've just borrowed a little wisdom from those before me," Yuto said, waving his hand modestly.
"Hmph, I knew it—transmigrators are never good people." Kushina pressed herself against his chest, letting him feel her softness.
"And yet here you are, clinging so close, knowing I'm no good?" Yuto raised an eyebrow.
"Of course. I'm not a good person either." Kushina leaned in, lips brushing his—
Pop.
A soft kiss landed.
"You two should stop fooling around." Mikoto sighed quietly. "Tonight Konan will be doing her rounds again."
"Tch, she's just jealous," Kushina muttered in annoyance.
"Jealous or not, I'm still in the right," Mikoto smiled lightly. "As the first wife, you need to think of the bigger picture."
"Peh! Who cares about being the 'first wife'? Useless title." Kushina spat, though her arms finally slipped away from Yuto's neck.
The communicator lit up, connecting them to Uzumaki Rina.
"How are things on your side?" Yuto asked gently.
"Negotiations failed," Rina shook her head, her voice low. "The current leader of the Hidden Grass Village refuses to accept our terms."
"…Alright then. Begin the plan." Yuto nodded slightly, his tone calm.
Click.
—
The line disconnected. Rina drew in a deep breath.
"What did the leader say?" Pakura, standing at her side, asked.
"He said to begin." Rina kept her voice steady, neither sorrowful nor joyful.
"Heh, you've been waiting for this day, haven't you?" Pakura smirked, raising her right arm.
Buzz.
A crimson barrier surged upward, sealing the entire Hidden Grass Village inside.
"Don't worry. Not even a cockroach is escaping this time." Pakura licked her lips, stepping into the barrier.
*Hidden Grass Village, Council Hall*
The current leader, a hawk-nosed middle-aged man named Izaki Isamu, sat at the head seat. Beside him were the two elders.
The Grand Elder of the Musō Clan on the left, and the elderly woman, The old matriarch of the Suiku Clan on the right.
Before Izaki rose to power, the village had essentially been ruled by those two clans—the Musō and Suiku clans, the largest clans in the Grass.
Other smaller clans, unwilling to be marginalized, united and pushed Izaki into office.
To his credit, Izaki was a capable leader. Rising from a civilian background, he had become the leader of a hidden village, even pressing down two deeply entrenched elders.
By that measure, he did resemble a man with the makings of a great leader.
But in this world, cunning alone isn't enough. One must also wield strength.
Izaki could steady the situation within Grass Village, but on the vast stage of the shinobi world, he was out of his depth. Especially facing the surging Land of Waves, no matter how firm his stance in negotiations was, the truth remained, The hidden Grass was weak.
The hall was heavy with gloom. Elder Musō, his rage boiling over, slammed the table
"Izaki, you fool! Do you mean to bury the entire Grass Village with you?"
"There's still time go back to the Land of Waves' envoy and negotiate again!" Suiku urged.
"Negotiate?" Izaki sneered. "Agreeing to their terms would mean true ruin. That so-called alliance is nothing but an annexation in disguise."
"So then you'll fight them?" Musō's gaze cut sideways, dripping sarcasm. "The Five Great Villages have already been destroyed. Do you think you're the Sage of Six Paths?"
"There's one thing I forgot to mention," Izaki's eyes burned as he fixed on him. "The envoy from the Land of Waves… is Uzumaki Rina. Familiar name, isn't it?"
"W-what?" Musō's eyes bulged, breath catching. "Her?! Impossible! How could she be their envoy?"
"And why do you think she's returned now, Elder Musō?" Izaki's lips curled. "As for the death of her husband back then—I believe you know that story better than anyone."
"…This is bad. This is very bad."
Musō shot to his feet, muttering, "If it's her… then it's over. I have to leave, immediately—"
"Too late to run, Elder Musō."
A familiar voice rang out. A woman with short crimson hair and a teardrop mole under her left eye fell into view.
"It's been a long time. I never thought I'd see you again."
"R-Rina…" Musō's thin hands shook as he swallowed.
"So you walked in so easily… that means the defenses I laid out have already been broken." Izaki sighed, resignation heavy in his voice. "The power of the Land of Waves really is terrifying."
"Wait! We accept your earlier terms!" Suiku cried, desperate to salvage things.
"That was two hours ago," Rina said, her expression flat, voice calm. "Now the terms have changed. The Land of Waves demands unconditional surrender. All your assets will be confiscated. Tomorrow morning, there will be a public trial for the crimes of the hidden Grass Village."
"Pu… public trial?!"
Musō and Suiku both gasped in horror.
Izaki, meanwhile, slumped in his seat, face ashen, eyes lifeless.
It was over. His ambitions. His dream.
All of it was over.
_____
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