Tenshu Castle Main Hall.
Just outside the door was an observation deck, below which rushed the waters of the Yoshimizu River.
Sitting in the hall, one could hear the sound of the roaring water.
Itada Hatada said:
"Upon learning that the Land of Rivers is using the river to generate electricity, the Land of Fire's Daimyō and the Council of State were extremely interested and immediately obtained a copy of the blueprints from the Land of Rivers."
"After study by our craftsmen, hydroelectric power is indeed feasible."
"Kaneshi, here is the Land of Fire's formal state document."
"The Land of Earth shall no longer destroy the Land of Rivers' hydroelectric power plant, nor shall it destroy any hydroelectric power plant belonging to the Land of Fire."
Yōkō picked up Itada Hatada's scroll and walked towards Kaneshi.
An Iwa-nin intercepted it halfway and placed it on Kaneshi's table.
Kaneshi didn't even look at it, saying, "Thermal power plants concern the Land of Earth's coal sales. The Land of Earth will absolutely not permit the existence of things like hydroelectric power plants."
"Heh, hmph." Itada Hatada let out a dry laugh and then said:
"Konoha's ninja have already fought their way into the Land of Earth's territory, and you still dare to speak like this."
"Konoha's ninja are too merciful. Advisor Mitokado Homura restrains the ninja, preventing Konoha ninja from killing too many of the Land of Earth's nobles."
"They say an organization's founder imprints their genes deeply upon it. Even after the founder dies, the organization will still exhibit certain characteristics of the founder."
"Konoha is good in many ways, but it's too influenced by the First Hokage – somewhat idealistic, overly gentle, overly soft, overly sunny."
"The fight between Konoha and Iwagakure is confined to ninja."
"Kaneshi, your Land of Earth doesn't know true pain, which is why you dare speak to me like this."
"You have three seconds. If you do not bow your head, I will demand that Konoha expand the war."
"Nobles, commoners – all will be within the scope of attack."
"See if those mediocre Iwa-nin behind you can protect your life."
Yōkō thought to himself, No wonder Danzo and Itada Hatada work together seamlessly. Itada Hatada looks portly, but his heart is black too.
He actually thinks Konoha is too sunny.
Having been in the Anbu this long, wouldn't he know whether Konoha is sunny or not?
Itada Hatada's attitude was equivalent to conservatives thinking the radicals are too conservative.
Yōkō had thought Konoha was the hawkish faction, restrained by the Land of Fire's Daimyō and nobles from killing indiscriminately.
Now it seemed that the Land of Fire's Daimyō and nobles somewhat resented Konoha for being too rule-abiding on other countries' soil.
Perhaps the Land of Fire's first Daimyō had complained to the First Hokage.
With such strong power, why not help the Land of Fire conquer all nations?
Fear appeared in Kaneshi's eyes. He lowered his head and opened the scroll.
The scroll clearly stated that hydroelectric power plants were important facilities of the Land of Fire. An attack by Iwagakure on a hydroelectric plant would be equivalent to a declaration of war.
The Land of Fire would not hesitate to issue a national war commission to Konoha to strike the Land of Earth.
It specified striking the Land of Earth, not striking Iwagakure.
Seeing the Daimyō's signature and seal at the end of the document, Kaneshi knew the Land of Fire was serious, not just scaring him.
Slowly putting down the heavy scroll, Kaneshi looked at the Land of Rivers' Daimyō, then at Itada Hatada, and finally at the Fox Anbu who had just killed many Iwa-nin.
He said, "I understand, Lord Itada Hatada. I will return to the Land of Earth now to deliver this state document."
"That's more like it." Itada Hatada said:
"Your Land of Earth should focus on supporting Iwagakure to deal with Konoha and Kumogakure."
"Konoha at least has some morals. The ninja of Kumogakure are much more brutal than Konoha's ninja."
"Alright, you are dismissed. Next, the Land of Rivers' Daimyō and I have matters to discuss."
Kaneshi picked up the scroll and, along with the Iwa-nin, bowed his head and hurriedly left.
With no outsiders left in the hall, Itada Hatada relaxed further. He said, "Your Highness, I have come to formally talk about cooperation regarding the hydroelectric power plant."
The Land of Rivers was a vassal state of the Land of Fire. Talk about cooperation was merely conveying the Land of Fire Daimyō's will.
"Your Highness, the Land of Fire has obtained the hydroelectric plant blueprints from the Land of Rivers and will send craftsmen to inspect the Land of Rivers' plant."
"In the document just given to Kaneshi, it states that if any hydroelectric plant of the Land of Fire or the Land of Rivers is attacked, the Land of Fire will commission Konoha to launch a national war."
"Although the Land of Fire took the blueprints, it also protects the Land of Rivers' hydroelectric plant."
"We will build a hydroelectric plant on the Nakano River."
"The Nakano River originates in the Land of Rain, passes through the northern part of the Land of Rivers, and is the largest river in the Land of Fire."
"The proceeds from the Land of Rivers' first hydroelectric plant will all belong to Your Highness."
"For future hydroelectric plants in the Land of Rivers, the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers will split the proceeds 40-60, with the Land of Fire taking 40% and the Land of Rivers 60%. How does that sound?"
The Land of Rivers' Daimyō waited, but Itada Hatada did not mention how the Land of Fire's hydroelectric plants would be shared. It seemed the Land of Rivers would have no share in those.
The Daimyō nodded and said, "We thank the Land of Fire for its generosity."
Yōkō was inwardly taken aback. The Land of Fire nobles were so overbearing in front of the Land of Rivers' Daimyō. A weak state has no diplomacy, it was the same in any world.
Itada Hatada was very pleased that the Daimyō agreed without argument. He said:
"Next, I will send Land of Fire craftsmen to the hydroelectric plant construction site. Let them study hard and research the blueprints together."
"Speaking of the blueprints, the person who drew this set of diagrams is a true genius. The drawings are clear and easy to understand, the dimensions are precisely marked, the calculations are complete – clearly the work of a master craftsman."
"The key is, he also understands power generation, knowing how to turn river water into electricity."
Yōkō, in his previous life, was a civil engineering worker who dropped his tools and ran. If you said his other abilities were average, he'd admit it, but if you talked about drawing and reading blueprints, then he was truly skilled.
Being praised like this made the all-night concrete pours on his previous life's construction site feel worthwhile.
Itada Hatada also hadn't expected it to go so smoothly, with the Land of Rivers' Daimyō not haggling.
He stood up, preparing to take his leave from the Land of Rivers' Daimyō. The Land of Rivers was at war; he didn't want to stay here long.
"Wait! Lord Itada Hatada!"
Itada Hatada was startled and looked at the Daimyō's sister. Did the Daimyō's sister find the split unreasonable and have something to say?
His expression darkened slightly.
Koishi Chisa spoke very quickly:
"Lord Itada Hatada, I hope you can have the Konoha Anbu remain here for a period of time."
"The Fox Anbu behind you defeated many Iwa-nin today. I wonder if I could commission him to protect the hydroelectric plant?"
"You want to hire him to protect the hydroelectric plant?" Itada Hatada's expression instantly switched to amiability. As long as it's not about the split, it's fine:
"No need for you to commission it. This task will naturally be commissioned by me. The mission reward will be paid by the Land of Fire's Ministry of the Treasury."
Itada Hatada turned to look at Yellow Dog.
Yellow Dog nodded repeatedly, saying, "Everything will be done according to your instructions."
Battalion Commander Yellow Dog then said to Yōkō: "The Fox Squadron will guard the hydroelectric plant until the Land of Earth pledges to cease attacks on it. This will count as one A-Rank mission."
While Konoha and Sunagakure were fighting tooth and nail, the Fox Squadron remained in the Land of Rivers' capital.
The Fox Squadron worked in three shifts, standing guard by the hydroelectric plant.
As for Yōkō, as the squadron leader, he surely had the privilege of resting, right?
What he had to deal with were more troublesome people, such as the Daimyō's sister, Koishi Chisa.
***
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(End of Chapter)