Chapter 121 About the Artisan Village
Lord Danzo must have his own reasons for doing this.
My stupid brain was unable to understand what the adults meant at the first time.
The banner of the Artisan Ninja Village, the Hidden Mist Village, the Land of Whirlpools——
"I see, you are worthy of being Danzo-sama!"
Putting all of this together, Naramauchi showed a look of understanding.
"It turns out that all this was part of Danzo-sama's plan!"
"Eh? What happened?"
Looking at the excited Nara Maruichi, Hozumi Shikimori was confused.
"Whether it's angle trade or occupying the Whirlpool Country, all of this is the careful planning of Master Danzo."
Excitedly tearing down the map beside him, Naramauchi picked up a pen and began to draw lines on it.
"First, there was the attack on the Land of Water. Lord Danzo deliberately used the banner of Qingming to induce the other side to attack the Artisan Ninja Village."
"Then, Danzo raided Kado and took over his property. In order to prevent the Hidden Mist Village from discovering it, he deliberately used the banner of Kakuzu's trade."
"As the Artisan Ninja Village was attacked, a large number of Artisan Ninja left and were absorbed by Kakuzu Trade."
"Now, Lord Danzo has asked us to annex the Artisan Ninja Village and keep their flag. In other words, all the sea areas near the Land of Water, although they have different flags, are the sphere of influence of the Root."
"Before we knew it, we had completely completed the blockade of the Hidden Mist Village."
"And the other party hasn't noticed it yet."
"How many steps ahead did that gentleman see?"
In Nara Maruichi's opinion, everything that is happening now is the result of Danzo's own advance planning.
"To have actually reached such an extent..."
After hearing Nara Maruichi's explanation, although Hozuki Shikimori was unable to fully understand what had happened, he could sense from the other party's tone that the other party had said something extraordinary.
"I, Nara Maruichi, will definitely not let Danzo-sama down!"
Naramauchi felt extremely honored that Danzo entrusted him with such an important matter.
"Me, me too!"
Kizuna Shikimori also started shouting slogans.
Soon, a large ship flying the Kakuzu trade flag sailed towards the Kingdom of Craftsmen.
......
In the Artisan Ninja Village.
With the chef's careful cooking, a dish that is both delicious and fragrant is served on the plate.
The waiter waiting on the side picked up the plate swiftly and delivered it to a room.
"Grilled eel, made in the Water Country style."
As the waiter announced the names of the dishes in a clear voice, the village chief of the Artisan Ninja Village, Tianyuan Kazuo, looked at the man sitting in the first seat with a flattering expression.
In response to Tianyuan Hefu's show of goodwill, the envoy from Daimyo Prefecture, who was sitting in the first seat, shook his head.
"In the year of great disaster, it's too much."
"The surprise attack on the Hidden Mist Village caused such great losses to the Artisan Village. I heard that many of your village's artisans left as well."
The envoy was very clear about the current situation of the Artisan Village.
"Yes, I hope the envoy will tell the daimyo to delay the payment of this year's taxes for some time."
As he spoke, Tianyuan Hefu picked up the wine jug and prepared to pour wine for the messenger.
"Hey, what are you talking about, village chief?"
Reaching out to stop the other party's action, the messenger shook his head.
Although he was well aware of the situation of the Artisan Village, the orders from the Daimyo Prefecture were unquestionable.
That is, the Artisan Ninja Village must pay taxes and congratulatory money on time.
Otherwise, all the people in the Artisan Ninja Village will be expelled, without a single one left alive.
This is a death order issued by Daming Prefecture, and no one can question it.
"The situation is serious. You have to know that all foreign companies in the country have paid the full amount of congratulatory money. If the Artisan Ninja Village does not follow suit, the Daimyo's reputation..."
In the envoy's opinion, as a local force in the Country of Craftsmen, the Artisan Village should be protected by the Daimyo Prefecture.
But what those foreign chambers of commerce gave was simply too much.
Because of the advanced management system and assembly line operation.
Therefore, in terms of output, the foreign chamber of commerce completely crushed the Artisan Ninja Village, but was only slightly inferior in quality.
But this is enough to make them pay more taxes.
Before the attack on the Hidden Mist Village, the Artisan Village could only barely break even.
With the attack on the Hidden Mist Village, even the body of Qingming, the founder of the village, was scattered by the other side. The entire Artisan Ninja Village was only one step away from destruction.
"But--"
He was very clear about the current situation, but Tianyuan and Fu could never accept the fact that their nearly hundred-year-old foundation was about to end in their hands.
Therefore, he still wanted to struggle hard.
But he was ruthlessly interrupted by the daimyo's envoy.
"I'm sorry, village chief, I also received a death order. So that's it."
In the end, under the envoy's tough attitude, Tianyuan and Fu had to accept reality.
As the waiter left, Tianyuan Hefu sighed heavily as he looked at the untouched food in front of him.
"Village Chief..."
The Takumi-nin on the side looked at the other party with a worried look on his face.
"It's okay. We can still think of other ways, right?"
Tianyuan Hefu forced a smile. He didn't quite believe what he said, but his identity as the village chief prevented him from giving up easily.
"Well, we believe you."
Everyone else at the table nodded.
However, everyone's faces looked unhappy.
"Village Chief!"
Just when everyone didn't know what to do, a craftsman nin suddenly pushed open the door and rushed in.
"What's wrong? Has the envoy changed his mind?"
Looking at the excited Takumi-nin, Tengan Kazuo's first reaction was that the envoy from the Daimyo Prefecture had changed his mind.
"No, no, it's someone from Kakuzu Trading who wants to have a meeting with you!"
Kakudu Trade?
Isn’t that the guy who came to the village to poach people some time ago?
What do they want to talk to themselves about?
"Bring them here."
Although he was full of doubts, since the other party had already arrived, it would be unreasonable for him not to meet him.
It just so happens that the dishes in front of me have not been eaten yet, so I can save the money for reception.
Soon, Nara Maruichi and Kizuna Shikimori came into the house under the leadership of Takumi Ninja.
Looking at the old man sitting in the upper seat, Naramauchi immediately recognized that the other person was Kazuo Tenen, the village chief of the Artisan Ninja Village.
"Village Chief."
Naramauchi bowed slightly in the direction of the other party and gave the other party enough face.
"Well, please take a seat."
Nara Maruichi's actions obviously won the other party's favor, and Tianyuan Kazuo's tone softened significantly.
As Nara Maruichi sat down, Kizuna Shiki stood upright behind him, acting as a guard.
[The white-haired boy behind him looks like a ninja. ]
Through the other party's demeanor, Tianyuan Kazufu immediately recognized the identity of the Hozumi-shiki guardian ninja.
However, it is not uncommon that wealthy bosses like to hire ninjas to protect themselves these days.
Therefore, Tianyuan and Fu didn't care too much.
"I don't know what to call you?"
"You can just call me Maruichi."
"I wonder if Mr. Maruichi has any advice for you today?"
Facing Tianyuan Kazuo's question, Nara Maruichi smiled and gave his own answer:
"I am here on behalf of Kakuzu Trading to discuss the acquisition of the Takumi Village."