WebNovels

Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Long Live the Daimyo

What can a month change?

In the Ninja World, it could mean the end of a brutal war or the fall of several powerful figures.

But in the Fire Capital, a single month was enough to transform the entire city.

"Brother, these spices of yours, they came from the Land of Wind, didn't they? What's the price?"

In the largest market in the Fire Capital's South City, a merchant from the Land of Grass named Watanabe shouted to a local shop owner.

Watanabe had been running this trade route for five years. He remembered that just a month ago, this place looked completely different.

At that time, the civil unrest had only just settled. The streets were full of patrolling samurai, and the air carried a nauseating smell of blood.

The roads were filled with potholes, sewage flowed freely, business was terrible, and every face was etched with numbness and panic.

But now?

Watanabe looked around, feeling as if he were dreaming.

The road beneath his feet was newly paved with bluestone, smooth and clean.

The shops on both sides were freshly renovated, banners fluttering in the breeze.

The most shocking change was the people.

Crowds filled the streets.

Dockworkers, construction craftsmen, rickshaw pullers, vendors... everyone's faces carried something Watanabe had never seen before.

Vitality.

"Hey, Watanabe, you're finally here!"

The shop owner poked his head out from behind the counter, his face glowing with health. "The usual, price is negotiable! Come in and have a cup of tea first. You came at the perfect time!"

Watanabe was warmly pulled into the shop, and a clerk quickly served hot tea.

He couldn't help but ask, "Boss, did you all strike it rich or something?"

"Strike it rich?"

The boss slapped his thigh, his voice rising several octaves. "It's gone crazy! The entire Fire Capital has gone mad!"

"Now, as long as you're willing to work, you'll never starve! Carrying sacks at the docks for a day pays double what it used to!"

"North City is repairing the sewers, East City is building new housing districts, and West City is expanding the workshop area... everywhere needs people! We can't even find enough workers!"

"Wages are high, everyone has money, so of course they're spending more! Look at my shop, this month's turnover is more than the past three months combined!"

Watanabe was stunned.

"This... this is all thanks to the new Daimyo?"

"Exactly!"

The boss's face was full of admiration. "You wouldn't believe it. As soon as our new Daimyo-sama took office, he forced those arrogant nobles to use their family fortunes to rebuild the city and roads!"

"I even heard Daimyo-sama launched something called a three-year revitalization plan, to turn the Fire Capital into a golden nest!"

The teacup in Watanabe's hand trembled.

He looked at the bustling crowd outside, listening to the distant clang of construction, and only one thought filled his mind.

The Land of Fire is about to change...

At the same time, inside the Ministry of Finance's office, the lights burned brightly.

Minister of Finance Tanaka Shigeru was hunched over piles of ledgers, his eyes bloodshot but his spirit unusually lively.

His fingers traced the rows of numbers as he muttered to himself.

"South City Road Repair Project, allocated one billion ryo, projected tax increase of thirty percent, actual... forty-five percent!"

"River dredging project, undertaken by the Ito Family, employing seven thousand displaced people, not only solved resettlement but also revitalized water transport... next month, just from shipping tax, an additional fifty million ryo!"

"And the three iron mines offered by Kawachi-no-Kami, using new technology, have quadrupled production! The farming tools and implements crafted are sold out before they even leave the furnace!"

Tanaka's heartbeat quickened with each calculation.

A month ago, when he knelt before Daimyo-sama, forced to surrender seventy percent of his family's assets, his heart bled.

But who would have thought?

Daimyo-sama immediately assigned several of the most profitable reconstruction projects to him and his family's merchant guild.

At this rate, in less than a year, the Tanaka Family would be restored to glory.

Daimyo-sama once said he would let them earn it back a hundredfold, a thousandfold.

Now, it seemed he hadn't lied.

He used an iron fist to consolidate power, and unimaginable profits to bind everyone to the Land of Fire's chariot.

Tanaka put down his pen and let out a long breath.

Looking at the incoming funds, his eyes burned with fanaticism and awe.

"To die for Daimyo-sama... is our honor."

He muttered as if swearing an oath.

Inside the Daimyo Manor's study, Arashi stood before a large sand table.

He casually picked up a wooden token representing the workshop district and placed it on an empty space west of the city.

A soft voice spoke from behind him.

"My Lord, the tea has cooled. This concubine will prepare a fresh cup for you."

Kiyotsuki Yui approached, carrying a tea tray.

She wore a simple maid uniform. Her face had regained some color, and her movements were no longer stiff, though she still instinctively lowered her gaze before Arashi.

Over the past month, the once-noble young lady who had never lifted a finger had learned to brew tea, grind ink, and tidy the study.

Each day, she stayed by Arashi's side, watching as commands issued from this very room turned into tangible changes across the Fire Capital.

She saw those ministers, once equal to her father, now report with genuine reverence.

She watched familiar place names on the sand table be re-planned into projects generating immense wealth.

She didn't understand complex economics, but she could feel a great power gathering at this man's fingertips, reshaping the entire country.

This power instilled a fear far deeper than slaughter or destruction.

"No need," Arashi said without turning around. "Sit."

Yui froze, unsure what to do.

"Sit," he repeated.

Only then did she hesitantly kneel on the cushion, her posture perfectly straight.

Arashi turned and slowly walked behind her, placing his hand on her shoulder, gently stroking it.

"How do you feel after this past month?"

Yui's body trembled. "I am merely a maid. I do not understand state affairs."

"Is that so?"

Arashi smiled. "I thought you might believe I was exploiting the nobles, using their money to gain fame for myself."

Yui lowered her head further, saying nothing.

She had indeed thought that at first.

"You only saw them paying, but you didn't see how much they gained."

Arashi's hand moved lower.

"I took their family assets to break their old order. I gave them projects to help them find a place in the new order I created."

"Fear makes them submit, and profit makes them loyal."

His voice was calm.

Yui's face flushed as she suppressed the turmoil in her body.

But deep down, a chill rose.

She slowly looked up, daring to meet his eyes for the first time.

Before him, her pride and hatred seemed utterly insignificant.

"My Lord... why tell me all this?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Arashi's hand continued to move.

"Because you are beautiful."

"A beautiful face, if paired with an empty mind, would be such a waste."

"I know you hate me deeply, but I still want you to learn to think, not just accept things passively. That way, it will be more interesting."

Yui's cheeks burned crimson, whether from shame, anger, or something else, she couldn't tell.

Knock knock.

A knock came at the door.

Outside, Gen's voice sounded.

"My Lord."

"Speak."

"All preparations for the enthronement ceremony are complete. The ceremonial day is three days from now."

"Good."

"Also, Konoha Village has sent a reply."

"Oh?"

Arashi raised an eyebrow, withdrew his hand, and returned to his seat. "Come in."

Yui exhaled softly, her face showing both shame and suppressed indignation, though deep hatred still flickered in her eyes.

Gen entered and respectfully presented the letter.

Arashi unfolded it. It was sent jointly by the Konoha Elders.

The letter stated that they fully understood the Daimyo Manor's financial difficulties and were willing to face the challenges together with the country.

Furthermore, they would send a delegation to attend the enthronement ceremony three days later.

Arashi murmured, "A delegation? Hiruzen Sarutobi."

(To be continued.)

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