The Hokage's office felt unusually quiet.
Uchiha Ren leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples.
Tired.
Not physically—
Mentally.
These Konoha shinobi…
Their thinking was too rigid.
Missions.
Always missions.
How much money could missions even make?
An S-rank mission—
A few million ryō at best.
Sometimes barely over one million.
That was work for Kage-level shinobi?
Ridiculous.
"Sit."
"Why are you two standing there like lackeys?"
In front of him stood Uchiha Tomita and Nara Shikaku .
Only after Ren spoke did they sit down.
Tomita looked uneasy.
His hesitation earlier—
Had crossed a dangerous line.
Loyalty that wavers is no loyalty at all.
But Ren didn't press the issue.
Tomita was still trustworthy.
And honestly—
This idea was too advanced for most people anyway.
Shinobi who only understood fighting wouldn't get it.
Ren waved Tomita away to prepare mobilization plans.
Then—
His attention turned fully to Shikaku .
"Shikaku ."
"What do you think about the iron futures plan?"
Shikaku paused, thinking carefully.
He didn't fully trust this "futures" concept.
But—
He had already boarded this ship.
There was no getting off.
"Fire Shadow-sama… I understand the concept roughly."
"The biggest problem is the platform."
"Merchants and nobles already have their own iron distribution channels."
"Integrating all of them into a single trading platform…"
"…will be extremely difficult."
"Too many interests are involved."
"Even Konoha alone might not be enough."
"We'll need the Daimyō."
Ren nodded slowly.
That was the core issue.
The moment this system appeared—
Anyone with half a brain would realize its value.
Fast trading.
No need for physical goods.
Massive profit potential.
Why would they let Konoha control it?
They'd cut Konoha out and do it themselves.
Then harvest everyone.
"…Then we go to the Daimyō."
Ren's eyes sharpened.
"You and Hyuga Takuma handle it."
"I only care about the result."
"Not the process."
"Leave immediately."
There was killing intent in his voice.
Anyone who blocked his money—
Would die.
"…Yes, Hokage-sama."
Shikaku swallowed.
He felt it.
This wasn't negotiation.
This was war—
Just without swords.
Fire Country Capital.
Audience Hall.
Shikaku and Takuma were quickly granted an audience.
After brief formalities—
They stated their purpose.
"Futures?"
The Daimyō raised an eyebrow.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
He didn't care about war.
That was a shinobi problem.
He cared about one thing—
Money.
Could this make money?
That was all that mattered.
Takuma stepped forward.
"Daimyō-sama… Konoha may soon enter another war."
"The funds you recently allocated…"
"…may not be enough."
"…and further support may be required."
Silence.
Then—
The Daimyō's expression changed.
More money?
Again?!
That hurt.
That really hurt.
He immediately began complaining.
"The Fire Country is not wealthy either!"
"My officials evade taxes!"
"The accounts are a mess!"
"They don't even respect me anymore!"
His frustration spilled out.
Because it was true.
He had already paid.
A lot.
And now—
More?
He couldn't keep doing this.
Shikaku seized the moment.
"That's exactly why Konoha wants to create a new revenue source."
"Futures rely on two things—information and guarantees."
"Konoha excels at both."
"This could become one of the most profitable industries in the ninja world."
"We can share intelligence with you."
"And those merchants and nobles…"
"…will always be behind us in information."
The Daimyō's eyes lit up.
Those greedy parasites—
He hated them.
They cheated.
They manipulated.
They even dared to deceive him.
He had killed some—
But not enough.
Not nearly enough.
Shikaku pressed further.
"Hokage-sama emphasized one thing before we came."
"He only cares about the result."
"Not the method."
That—
Was the final push.
The Daimyō hesitated.
Then—
He remembered.
That overwhelming presence.
That power.
From Ren.
…Fine.
To hell with it.
"Very well."
"If Hokage-sama values this so highly…"
"I will give him face."
"And my subordinates…"
"…do need to be disciplined."
"I agree."
But then he added cautiously:
"This involves too many interests."
"Even with my support… it won't be easy."
Takuma bowed slightly.
"That's enough, Daimyō-sama."
"Just take a stance."
"Konoha will handle the rest."
Inside—
He was already excited.
This was success.
Half the battle was won.
What remained—
Was Konoha's specialty.
Invite them in.
Cut off their heads.
And make the rest submit.
Obey—
And you might live.
Resist—
And meet Six Paths Sage.
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