Chapter 162 Seven-Tails' Reappearance
"Salute to Lord Touhuan! Loyalty! Sincerity!" Tobi still saluted upon meeting, his posture becoming increasingly perfect, showing he hadn't skimped on training in the guard unit.
"Loyalty." Uchiha Touhuan patiently returned the salute, then looked at Black Zetsu: "Why is Ancestor here?"
"I was a little worried, so I came to check. But, is the Seven-Tails really gone just like that? You're not planning to return it?" Black Zetsu asked. "
Of course it's real!" Uchiha Touhuan laughed. "Return it? After the Seven-Tails arrived in Konoha, how could I possibly return it to them? Do I look like that idiot, Senju Hashirama?"
"Truly amazing, Touhuan. Choosing you back then was definitely the right decision," Black Zetsu said happily.
"This isn't over yet, Ancestor. We still need your help in contacting the Akatsuki," Uchiha Touhuan said calmly.
"Will that Akatsuki member who took on the task of blowing up the Land of Lightning's factory last time accept this mission? I heard he's a rogue ninja from the Land of Waterfall."
"Heh, that guy has been a defector for years. It's hard to say if anyone in the Land of Waterfall even remembers him now. Besides, that guy only cares about money.
As long as the money is right, everything is negotiable," Black Zetsu said. "Moreover, the Akatsuki doesn't only have him as a strong member.
But wouldn't it be better for us if the Land of Earth destroyed the Land of Waterfall? If the Land of Waterfall is destroyed, wouldn't the Seven-Tails rightfully belong to us?"
"Ancestor, let's think long-term. If the Land of Waterfall can't hold out, we'll only get one Seven-Tails.
But if the Land of Waterfall holds out, we'll easily obtain all the other Tailed Beasts in the future," Uchiha Touhuan said. "Therefore, the Akatsuki's role is crucial.
They must help the Land of Waterfall hold off Iwagakure's high-end forces. Also, hint to the Akatsuki that they should ask for a higher reward, ideally so that the Land of Waterfall can quickly spend the loans they borrowed from us."
"Alright, I understand," Black Zetsu could only nod.
After Black Zetsu and the other left, Uchiha Touhuan sent for Gato.
Not long after, Gato arrived at the Hokage's office, looking at Uchiha Touhuan with the utmost reverence.
These wealthy merchants naturally had their own information channels. Upon hearing the news of Village Hidden in the Rocks's invasion of Village Hidden by a Waterfall, Gato immediately became restless. The first batch of goods from their ninja tool factory had already been produced.
Gato had been worried about who would buy such a large shipment, but now that the war had begun, finding a buyer was no longer a problem.
Remembering what Uchiha Touhuan had told him earlier—that the ninja world was about to descend into chaos—Gato now felt a deep sense of awe towards Uchiha Touhuan.
"Although Minister Taijo always says he's not good at business, compared to him, we are the ones who are truly bad at business. Selling goods to those who need them isn't the real skill; selling goods to those who don't need them is the real skill.
But Minister Taijo has managed to get those who don't need the goods to actively buy them—it's practically a miracle!"
Seeing Gato's expression, Uchiha Touhuan chuckled and said with a smile, "It seems you knew the news." Gato nodded and then smiled obsequiously, "Your Excellency the Grand Minister of State is a man of brilliant strategy. You foresaw this war months ago. With that, we won't have to worry about selling our goods."
"It's not just that we don't have to worry about sales," Uchiha Touhuan laughed. "Do you know why I called you here?"
"It's to sell these ninja tools to Village Hidden by a Waterfall?" Gato said. "Please rest assured, Your Excellency, I will definitely get a good price for these ninja tools."
"You don't need to trouble yourself with that. These ninja tools have already been pre-ordered." Uchiha Touhuan shook his head and said, "Just now, the leader of Village Hidden by a Waterfall signed the purchase contract."
"Huh?" Gato was taken aback. "So fast?"
"Hehe, although I'm not good at business, my many years as a ninja have taught me a principle: speed is of the essence. Now that someone needs our goods, we need to finalize this deal as soon as possible. Gato, you've been in the business world for many years, don't you think this is the right principle?"
"You're absolutely right!" Gato smiled obsequiously. "That's exactly the point. Your Excellency is too modest. You clearly have a good understanding of business, yet you're still so humble. It makes me feel ashamed."
"Alright, enough with the nonsense." Uchiha Touhuan waved his hand, speaking seriously, "I called you here to discuss the details of this transaction. Takigakure has no choice in this deal, but how much we can earn depends on ourselves."
"I am willing to share the burden for Your Excellency, the Minister of State." Kado knelt and bowed.
"Rise, take a look at this contract first." Uchiha Touhuan said, placing the series of contracts he had just signed with Iwata Sawaki in front of Kado.
Kado took the contracts and carefully examined them, secretly calculating in his mind.
Seeing this, Uchiha Touhuan shut his mouth and made Kado a cup of tea. To maximize the profits from this transaction, Kado was undoubtedly the best choice. Uchiha Touhuan understood the principle of leaving professional matters to professionals.
[The first batch of goods was purchased with a loan at 80% of the market price, which isn't a big problem. The Uchiha clan can afford it. However, if subsequent transactions also require loans, even the Uchiha clan's current cash flow might not be able to withstand the pressure. Is Village Hidden by a Waterfall really capable of repaying this loan during the war?] However, after turning to the loan section of the contract, Gato's pupils immediately contracted.
[The loan collateral is minerals within Village Hidden by a Waterfall? That makes things easier. The value of these minerals far exceeds the loan amount. In this case, it's more beneficial for us if the other party can't repay the loan. However…]
A cup of tea was placed in front of Gato. Lost in thought, Gato took it without thinking and drank it. Only after finishing did he realize he might have been a bit rude, so he quickly looked up at Uchiha Touhuan.
"Keep reading, don't mind me," Uchiha Touhuan said, waving his hand. Gato was now one of their own, so there was no need to fuss over such a small matter. Besides, wasn't Gato helping them out?
"Your Excellency, these contracts seem to be fine for now. However, there are some things to be aware of beyond the contracts," Kado said after mentally berating himself a few times.
"What are the problems? Tell me," Uchiha Touhuan asked patiently.
"First of all, the Land of Waterfall purchased these supplies on loan. If they can withstand the attack from Village Hidden in the Rocks, that's fine; the written contract means they won't renege. But what if they are defeated, and Iwagakure occupies the Land of Waterfall and then denies the contract?" Kado asked.
"Don't worry about that. If the Land of Earth dares to renege on my debt, I will personally go to Onoki to collect it," Uchiha Touhuan said. "Besides, I don't think Onoki will really break ties with Konoha over these minerals."
"I understand," Kado finally realized. He had been thinking like a businessman. But who was this person? The Fifth Hokage! A powerful figure who could suppress an entire nation! It's hard to say whether the current ninja world can even find a stronger ninja than him, so who in this ninja world would dare to renege on their debt to him?
"So, only one last question remains: how long can this war last?" Gato said. "If the Land of Waterfall doesn't hold out long enough, although we can make money, it will be very limited."
"Hehe, Gato, we must trust our contracted partners," Uchiha Touhuan said with a smile, pouring Gato another cup of tea.
"Trust our contractual partners? You mean the Land of Waterfall?" Gato asked.
"No, I mean the Land of Earth," Uchiha Touhuan said. "While the quality of the lower and middle-ranking ninjas in the Land of Earth is better than that of Konoha right now, their high-ranking combat strength is not much. After their few strong ninjas are tied down, the remaining army, with our aid, should be able to hold out for two or three years without much trouble."
"In that case, there's no problem." Gato didn't question Uchiha Touhuan's assessment of the battlefield situation. "This deal can be described as a risk-free and highly profitable venture. So, I congratulate Minister Taijo on making a fortune."
Afterward, Gato worked all night, finalizing the prices of all the ninja tools and supplies, before leaving the Hokage's office.
Early the next morning, Genma Shiranui and his two companions, along with Kakashi and a young girl with light green hair and slightly dark skin, returned directly to the Hokage's office using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The young girl, with a touch of naive innocence, looked around curiously after arriving at the Hokage's office.
"You're the Hokage Uncle Iwata said would protect me, right?" Fu asked Uchiha Touhuan curiously. "But you don't look much older than me."
However, she immediately froze, the Seven-Tails sealed within her reminding her not to be rude. While
the others in the Land of Waterfall might not know the true power of the Mangekyou Sharingan, they knew about the Seven-Tails—after all, it was Uchiha Madara who had captured him and brought him back to Konoha.
Shiranui Genma frowned upon hearing Fu's words. This little girl dared to be disrespectful to the Hokage! He was about to reprimand her when Uchiha Touhuan stopped him with a look. Then, Uchiha Touhuan smiled and looked at the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Yes, I am the one who can protect you. As for whether I have that ability, the big guy inside you should know very well," Uchiha Touhuan said.
"But I don't think I need anyone's protection. I want to use my own power to protect our village," Fu said.
"I understand, after all, your village is in unprecedented trouble right now. But do you really have that ability?" Uchiha Touhuan laughed.
"Of course I do! Chongming and I are both very powerful!" Fu said somewhat defiantly.
"Hehe." Uchiha Touhuan chuckled, activating his Mangekyou Sharingan. His spiritual power carried Fu's consciousness into the other's sealed space.
Inside the sealed space, Fu hadn't even recovered when she found herself in front of a giant flying insect, immediately freezing in place.
"This…this…this is…" The innate human fear of giant creatures made Fu unconsciously take a half step back. However, at this moment, the beetle actually spoke human language.
"Fu, it's me."
"Chongming?" After hearing the familiar voice, Fu regained her composure and looked up at Chongming through the seal.
"It seems this is your first time here." Uchiha Touhuan appeared behind Fu at this moment, laughing.
"Greetings, Uchiha warrior." Chongming greeted Uchiha Touhuan with a nod.
"Your temper is much better than that big fox in our village," Uchiha Touhuan chuckled. "It seems you get along quite well with this girl. No wonder you cooperated with Takigakure to replace the seal we provided."
"It was Fu's sincerity that moved me. This girl is one of the few who is willing to befriend a tailed beast," Chongming said.
"In that case, it seems the problem of you failing to become perfect Jinchūriki lies with this little girl?" Uchiha Touhuan glanced back at Fu, who made a face at him and turned her head away. "She hasn't mastered your power yet?"
"Yes, using the Tailed Beast's power rashly while she can't master mine will only hurt her," Chōmei said. "After using the new sealing technique, the situation will be better, but I won't lend her chakra until she's truly capable of controlling the Tailed Beast's power."
"I understand," Uchiha Touhuan nodded. "I will teach her how to control the Tailed Beast's power."
"Can I speak with you alone for a moment?" Chōmei suddenly asked Uchiha Touhuan.
"Of course," Uchiha Touhuan nodded, then looked at Fu.
At this moment, Fu realized what Uchiha Touhuan was trying to do and immediately protested, "You're going too far! Why do you have to tell me everything behind my back?"
However, her protest was to no avail. Uchiha Touhuan's Mangekyou Sharingan flashed, and Fu disappeared from the sealed space.
"Speak, what is it?" After doing all this, Uchiha Touhuan looked at Chōmei and asked.
"Uchiha's strong sir, I hope you won't rush to teach Fu the techniques of controlling the Tailed Beast's power," Chōmei said.
"Why? Aren't you and her on good terms?" Uchiha Touhuan asked.
"Precisely because I acknowledge Fu, I don't want her to be involved in the war," Chōmei said.
Uchiha Touhuan nodded. Chōmei's meaning was clear: he only acknowledged Fu as his Jinchuriki; as for Village Hidden by a Waterfall, that was none of his business.
Read 50+ advanced chapters ahead on Patreon!
patreon.com/Horizons685
(End of Chapter)