Chapter 67 — Songs
Seeing Terumi Mei's fiery gaze, Su Li knew that the deal was inevitable.
So Su Li took out a large stack of comics from his backpack and placed them on the ground.
"These manga have abilities different from Haki. Don't you need to check them again?"
"No, I trust you… Name your price."
Although she said so, of course Terumi Mei didn't trust Su Li so easily.But even with her doubts, she had no evidence.And the Mist Village really needed these comics.
In this situation, it was better to say something like "I believe in you"—it could even earn her a few more points of goodwill.A simple negotiation trick.
"Miss Terumi Mei is very decisive. For the sake of your trust, I'll give you a discounted price—five million taels per copy."
Su Li smiled slightly, raised five fingers, and shook them lightly.
As soon as the words came out, the faces of the Mist ninjas nearby turned green.
"How much?! Five million taels?!"
Terumi Mei gasped.She had been prepared for Su Li to name a high price, but she hadn't expected that high.
What did five million taels even mean?
The minimum reward threshold for an S-rank mission was one million taels.This price was equivalent to five S-rank missions!
Even the Konoha Jōnin standing nearby gasped.After all, Su Li had never charged them for anything—Konoha shinobi received the comics for free.They had never thought about how much they might actually cost.
Five million taels for a single comic?Everyone's eyes turned to the stack on the ground.Wasn't that pile worth hundreds of millions of taels?If Su Li had that kind of wealth, could he even still be called a normal ninja?He'd be rich enough to rival a nation.
"Five million taels each—not a coin less."
Su Li spoke with an easy smile, but to Terumi Mei it looked more like the grin of a ruthless profiteer.
"Five million taels? Are your books printed in gold or is the ink made of gold?"
Even with Terumi Mei's calm personality, she couldn't stay composed.
"That's how it is," Su Li explained. "Originally, they were ten million taels each. But out of respect for Miss Terumi Mei, I'm offering a half-price discount. Five million is already a bargain."
At this point, it was a seller's market. Su Li had the final say on pricing.
The value of the comics needed no explanation.If they ever leaked to the public, even an auction price higher than this wouldn't be unreasonable.
"Miss Terumi Mei, you're a smart woman. You don't need me to explain their value, do you?If you don't want to buy, I won't force you. You can think about it and come back later."
Su Li's tone was confident.
Five million taels was a lot—but it was actually cheap.
It was the equivalent of five low-tier S-rank missions.Take Kakashi for example—he had completed forty-two S-rank missions. Even at the minimum reward, that was forty-two million taels.And that was just one elite Jōnin's record.
Veteran Kage-level shinobi like the Sannin were even more prolific.Tsunade had completed 95 S-rank missions, Orochimaru 108, and Jiraiya 231!Their personal wealth alone could buy dozens of these comics.Not to mention the treasuries of entire villages.
Think of it this way:five million taels in exchange for a powerful Kekkei Genkai—a bloodline limit.One that could even be passed down as a hereditary power.
Even if only one user in a generation reached Kage-level strength, that one could easily complete a hundred S-rank missions—earning at least a hundred million taels.
Wasn't that blood money?Five million wasn't expensive. It was too cheap.
Terumi Mei understood that.So even if she thought the price was outrageous, she didn't give up.
"Your Excellency Su Li," she said after a pause, "these comics can be mass-produced, can't they? How about lowering the price a little? Small profits and quick turnover—with the magic of these comics, Konoha will soon be the richest place in the world."
She really was a woman with a high IQ.Her tone even made it sound as if she were thinking for Konoha's benefit.The Konoha Jōnin nearby nodded—if sold widely, this could indeed make a fortune.
"Does Miss Terumi Mei truly think that money is the most important thing in the ninja world?"
Su Li shook his head slightly.
Terumi Mei fell silent.
Of course—who would be foolish enough to sell a power capable of world domination for mere money?Once you had that kind of strength, what could you not obtain?
Still, even understanding that, spending such an amount on comics made her heart ache.The Mist Village was still rebuilding, and funds were needed everywhere.It was painful to part with so much.
"Miss Terumi Mei," Su Li said suddenly, "let me offer you a bit of free information. The Sand Village bought thousands of these comics from me a few days ago."
Seeing her hesitation, he played his trump card.
Her expression changed immediately.If she'd had any room for refusal before, now she didn't.
Among the Five Great Villages, Mist and Sand were the weakest.But if Sand gained this power, they would rise rapidly.Mist Village's position could easily collapse—and might even fall from the ranks of the Five Greats.
Having just ended the era of the Blood Mist, Terumi Mei couldn't allow that.
"Your Excellency Su Li," she said through gritted teeth, "we'll take one thousand comics. We can choose the abilities ourselves, correct?"
Five billion taels.
It was a number that would severely strain the Mist Village's reconstruction—but it had to be paid.
"Refreshing as ever," Su Li said, pleased by the successful deal.
Five billion taels was enough to help Konoha recover from disaster and even grow stronger than before.
Though Su Li had said that money wasn't the most important thing in the ninja world, it did matter—especially as Hokage's acting representative.A true Hokage not only strengthens the village's power, but also raises its prosperity and economic wellbeing.
"But we don't have that much money on hand," Terumi Mei admitted. "We'll have to return to the village and gather it."
"I trust Miss Terumi Mei's integrity," Su Li replied. "I'll deliver the goods first. I'll just send someone to accompany you and collect the payment later."
Terumi Mei was straightforward—Su Li wouldn't nitpick.Besides, he wasn't unprotected; he planned to send Namikaze Minato.If the Mist tried to default, they'd have to face the man who had eaten the Sparkling Fruit.
"Then thank you, Your Excellency," she said.
"Kakashi, our guests from the Mist don't know the types of abilities available. Please guide them through the selection."
Su Li nodded and instructed.The abilities of the comics varied greatly, and he didn't plan to hand over the most powerful ones—but neither would he cheat them with useless ones.Otherwise, there would be no second deal.
Kakashi caught the unspoken message and nodded.
"Everyone, please follow me."
The selection process took several hours, and by the time the Mist ninja left with their comics, it was already dark.
"If that's the case, we won't trouble you further, Your Excellency Su Li," said Master Yuan Shi at Konoha's gate.
Though the Mist had failed to form an alliance with Konoha, gaining these comics was more than enough.Even though Su Li's name was previously unknown, there was no doubt that under his guidance, Konoha would soon dominate the world.
And Su Li's opinion of the Mist would directly affect their future relations.
Master Yuan, feeling that he could no longer keep up with the younger generation, planned to let Terumi Mei succeed him as the Fifth Mizukage once the comics were distributed.
"You're always welcome here, Master Yuan," Su Li said politely. "Come again anytime."
Five billion taels—a very fat customer indeed. Courtesy was only natural.
"The old man is tired and can't travel anymore," Yuan Shi chuckled. "Next time, let Terumi Mei come."
The implication was clear—he would soon step down, leaving Terumi Mei in charge.
Terumi Mei sighed softly.Becoming Mizukage would be an honor—but also a burden.There were countless problems left over from the village's dark past, leaving her no time for personal happiness.
Most shinobi married young—seventeen or eighteen on average, sometimes even earlier.But she was already twenty-eight.Well past the usual age of marriage, yet still single.
Honestly… unless God drops a good man right in front of me… she thought bitterly.
Wait.
Her eyes lifted to Su Li, and realization flickered.She hadn't thought about it before—too focused on the deal and the village—but now that she looked at him…
A good man? There might already be one standing right in front of her.Handsome, powerful, the Hokage's deputy—appearance, strength, status—all top-tier.And he could create such incredible comics.
If she could just win him over, wouldn't that mean free comics—and reclaiming the five billion taels she'd just spent?
"Hey, Lord Su Li," she said, her tone suddenly soft and her gaze sharp. "Can I ask you a question? What kind of woman do you like?"
"What kind?" Su Li thought for a moment. "There are many, but the one I like most is the mature and intellectual older-sister type."
"Oh?"
Terumi Mei's eyes lit up.Mature and intellectual older-sister type?That was exactly her.
But before she could say another word, Su Li continued:
"However, please don't mention this to Miss Terumi Mei. I already have a fiancée, and I wouldn't want her to be upset."
"…Fiancée?"
For a moment, Terumi Mei felt her heart shatter.It was so hard to find a good man—only to learn he was already taken.
"Miss Terumi Mei?"
"No… it's fine. I'm fine. Please excuse me—and I wish you happiness."
She turned away quickly, too dispirited even to ask who the fiancée was.Everyone her age was married, yet she was still alone.
Why does fate treat me like this?
When will my spring finally come?