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The official paid dearly for his arrogance. The Raikage's fist left him slumped against the wall, head bloodied and vision swimming.
As the most powerful and populous nation, the Land of Fire had the highest consumption capacity for salt. Because Konoha possessed the technology for mass production, they had begun "dumping" salt onto the Fire Country market at prices no traditional producer could match.
Logically, the Fire Daimyo should have been the primary benefactor of this new tax revenue. However, because Konoha—specifically Hiruko and Minato—had seized the initiative, the village was pocketing fifty percent of the total profit. The Fire Country administration could only swallow this bitter pill in silence.
Originally, the Fire Daimyo and his counterparts in the other Great Nations hadn't thought much of this industry. They were busy waiting to see Hiruko and Minato make fools of themselves. The Fire Daimyo hadn't minded the hidden village dabbling in trade; after all, how could a seasoning business compare to the astronomical sums the Daimyo provided for war efforts?
No one expected the aristocratic "parasites" to be so thoroughly outmaneuvered.
The Daimyos of the other four nations were determined not to repeat the Fire Daimyo's mistake. They dispatched plump financial bureaucrats to act as gatekeepers, strictly forbidding the military—the Kage—from interfering in the salt trade to ensure the profits stayed in aristocratic pockets.
"Fourth Raikage... please, mind your manners!"
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Gulp. The fat official swallowed hard, ignoring the blood trickling down his forehead. For a split second, he had felt the cold breath of death on his neck.
Eventually, Ay's subordinates managed to pull him away before he committed state-level murder. Though physically restrained, the Raikage's resolve had hardened into diamond. The situation was set. He looked at his hands, sparks of lightning flickering across his knuckles.
He had to do it.
This war was no longer optional. Originally, he had only intended to intimidate Konoha into ceding territory or trade benefits. But now? He had to strike. He had to drag Konoha into the mud and bleed them dry, or the gap in wealth would turn the Hidden Leaf into an unshakeable hegemon.
In the Hidden Sand Village, Chiyo looked at the latest intelligence and simply shook her head, a long, weary sigh escaping her lips.
Seeing the legendary puppet master in such distress, a nearby Jonin tried to offer comfort. "Please, don't worry too much. Things will get better."
Chiyo sighed again, her voice hollow. "The Land of Wind is too poor. This land offers nothing but howling winds and shifting sands."
"Asking our nation to support a long-term war was always a desperate gamble. Now, the Daimyo has slashed our funding again. What is left for us to do?"
Among the Five Great Nations, the Land of Fire was the undisputed titan, while the Land of Wind was the fragile underdog. Their territory seemed actively hostile to human life. During the first Five Kage Summit, the First Kazekage had famously traded his village's right to a Tailed Beast for territory and expanded influence—a visionary move, yet one born of desperation.
But starting from behind meant staying behind. The Third Ninja War had exhausted the Sand's last reserves. They were at a breaking point.
As Konoha's ascent became a roar, the "old guard" of the shinobi world—those who had spent their lives on the battlefield—understood better than anyone the direct correlation between money and combat power.
Chiyo began to contemplate an alternative path. She remembered Hiruko's unconcealed "appreciation" for Pakura. Perhaps Pakura was the bridge they needed to secure a turning point for the Sand.
Karura was already wed to Rasa, otherwise Chiyo might have considered using her as a political piece. But Pakura's young disciple, Maki, was becoming quite the beauty. Perhaps bringing her along on a "diplomatic" mission would be wise.
"We need to survive," Chiyo muttered.
"Do you mean... we must walk alongside the strong? That blind aggression is merely a path to the grave?" The Jonin beside her looked disappointed.
Chiyo's eyes, though clouded by age, suddenly flashed with a sharp, piercing light. "We shall seek an alliance with Konoha. Survival first, then we plan for the rest."
In the past, such a thought would have been unthinkable. An "alliance" following a defeat was just a polite word for surrender. The Sand would lose its autonomy.
"Even so, as a shinobi of the Sand, I will not easily bow my head to become a mere vassal," the Jonin said firmly.
Chiyo didn't argue. She simply looked away. "I will go to Konoha personally. I will weigh their worth myself."
In the Land of Water, the Mizukage, Yagura, stared at the reports in grim silence.
In the Land of Earth, Onoki the Third Tsuchikage looked at the scroll with shock. "Hmph! The foundations of the Land of Fire are truly deep. A mere salt monopoly is pushing Konoha's war potential to new heights."
He tried to shift his position, but his old back gave a painful creak. With stubborn pride, the old man forced himself upright, refusing help. He squinted at every word on the scroll, weaving the new intel into his decades of experience, searching for a countermove.
His age was a heavy burden on the Hidden Stone. He still hadn't found a worthy successor. While Hiruzen could "retire" to the background, Onoki couldn't afford that luxury. The Land of Earth was too vulnerable.
Onoki was one of the few left who had personally witnessed Uchiha Madara "dance" in the old era. That knowledge needed to be passed on.
Finally, he exhaled, his decision made. "Some things, once decided, must be seen through."
Especially when it came to profit and survival. The Stone would not yield easily.
"Someone! Send this letter to the Raikage. We cannot let Konoha continue this unchecked growth. We must unite."
Money wasn't everything, but it solved the vast majority of a Kage's problems. With a constant stream of funding, Konoha was rapidly healing its wartime scars.
And as time passed, the name "Hiruko" became a legend that echoed far beyond the borders of the Land of Fire. After all, who wouldn't be interested in the man who turned salt into gold?
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: [email protected]/c/wildsparkstudios
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 100 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.