thefictionvixens #216 - Chapter 216: The Bait I Can't Refuse
#216 - Chapter 216: The Bait I Can't Refuse
When Yahiko and the others, led by Yekura, arrived at Sunagakure and entered the Kazekage's office, they were immediately shocked by the lively scene inside.
Looking around, the entire spacious Kazekage's office was packed with people, all discussing and debating, numbering at least a hundred.
Everyone's eyes were focused on two huge maps hanging on the wall.
Yahiko subconsciously thought that Sunagakure was studying a plan to retaliate against Iwagakure and Kirigakure, but he quickly realized that something was wrong, because the two maps were, one, a topographical map of Sunagakure as it is now, clearly showing the changes in the terrain around Sunagakure after the recent Tailed Beast rampage. A fist-sized Sunagakure stood in a narrow, top-heavy canyon like a winter melon. The other was a topographical map of the Land of Wind and the Land of Demons, with a special red line marked on it.
"Wait here for a moment..."
Yekura instructed them before walking into the crowd.
Yahiko and the others nodded, waiting somewhat uneasily.
The surrounding people naturally noticed the arrival of these strangers, but after seeing that it was Yekura-sama who had brought them, they were relieved. Some even greeted them enthusiastically.
"I am Ryosuke, a merchant from the Land of the Sea. You all don't seem to be Sunagakure ninja?"
"A merchant!?"
The Akatsuki members were all stunned, not understanding why a merchant would appear in the Kazekage's office.
Filled with curiosity, Yahiko nodded.
"We are from Amegakure!"
"Amegakure!?"
Ryosuke was surprised by this answer, and then exclaimed.
"I see, so the Kazekage-sama has even considered Amegakure? I thought it was only the Land of Demons."
This left Yahiko and the others somewhat puzzled.
"Sir, what consideration are you talking about?"
Ryosuke was taken aback, asking strangely.
"Eh!? Aren't you here to seek cooperation with Sunagakure, just like the shrine maiden from the Land of Demons?"
"Cooperation!"
Yahiko shook his head.
"We are simply here to pay a visit to the Kazekage-sama!"
"Ah, then I'm truly sorry, I misunderstood!"
Ryosuke, who had asked the question, gave an embarrassed smile.
At this time, Konan, who was standing to the side, looked at the two large maps and asked.
"Mr. Ryosuke, may I ask what kind of cooperation you were just talking about?"
"This? Of course."
Speaking of this, Ryosuke said in a tone of amazement.
"You all should have seen it when you arrived, right? The changes in Sunagakure. It is said that it was caused by a monster called a Tailed Beast, which changed the terrain around the entire Sunagakure and caused huge losses to Sunagakure."
Yahiko and the others all nodded.
"However, this Kazekage of Sunagakure is really amazing, actually finding an opportunity to change the village in such a predicament."
"Change the village!?"
"Yes!"
Ryosuke first pointed to the map of Sunagakure.
"First of all, the amount of land suitable for living around Sunagakure has increased. Of course, it's just land. If it's not habitable, it doesn't count as a big advantage, but you should have also seen it when you came. The power of this Kazekage-sama is such that he directly used the power of a ninja to turn the black, desolate land into a green land with countless lives growing on it. This completely solves the land problem that previously restricted Sunagakure's development."
Speaking of this, Ryosuke pointed to the dense crowd of people at the front and said.
"You see, those adults are all high-ranking officials of Sunagakure. They are now fighting over these lands."
Yahiko was a little confused.
"Fighting over land, why? Didn't Sunagakure have enough land before?"
Ryosuke said with a mysterious smile on his face.
"How should I put it? Although land was scarce in Sunagakure before, it wasn't to the point of being insufficient, but who knows about the future? This land may become very valuable!"
"What does this mean?"
Ryosuke would naturally not be talkative to other people, but since they were people from Amegakure, and brought by a big figure in Sunagakure: the Scorching Release ninja Yekura, it was different.
Ryosuke took out a business card from his pocket and handed it over.
"This is my business card. If Amegakure and Sunagakure reach a cooperation in the future, I hope you all will take care of me!"
Yahiko curiously took it and opened it. On it was written: Ryosuke Construction Company!
Seeing this, Ryosuke continued with a flattering smile.
"The fact that the land in Sunagakure will be very valuable in the future is related to another major event that this Kazekage-sama is preparing to do. You all should have seen it when you came, right? That bottomless black sinkhole?"
Yahiko and the others nodded. Of course they saw it, and they were even startled when they saw it for the first time.
Ryosuke then continued.
"That was also caused by a monster called a Tailed Beast, but unlike other places, because of the terrain of that sinkhole, it is not suitable for people to live in at all. However, it would be too dangerous to leave it there like that, but this Kazekage-sama came up with a unique idea, thinking of transforming that sinkhole into a huge lake."
"A lake!?"
This shocking idea once again surprised everyone.
"Yes, this is what I said, the major event that this Kazekage-sama is going to do next!"
Ryosuke pointed to the other map showing the geography of the Land of Wind and the Land of Demons.
"Next, this Kazekage-sama will use this lake as a starting point to build a huge river connecting the Land of Demons, Sunagakure, and the sea. As long as this river is successfully built..."
Speaking of this, Ryosuke's expression became a little heated as he said.
"Then, the harsh geographical environment of the Land of Wind will no longer exist. At that time, goods from all over the world can be sent to Sunagakure. What a huge fortune that will be! And Sunagakure, which controls this waterway, will become the wealthiest village in the ninja world, even surpassing Konoha. And the power displayed by the Kazekage-sama will also allow Sunagakure to be safe and sound in the upcoming war. This will attract more people to live in Sunagakure. At that time, the land in Sunagakure will become more and more expensive, and in the end, it may be comparable to gold."
Speaking of this, he didn't even notice the shocked expressions on Yahiko and the others' faces.
"Although this Kazekage-sama is a ninja, he is also an excellent businessman. He has handed over the rights to develop these lands to these high-ranking officials in the village, but these ninjas naturally don't understand these things, so our merchants are responsible for it. However, the profits are also very considerable, not to mention that Sunagakure is also very wealthy now. As long as this waterway is opened and the goods are sent in, they will be making money while lying down. Therefore, after hearing the news, everyone is trying everything possible to participate."
"I see!"
After listening to Ryosuke's description, the shocked expressions on the faces of the Akatsuki members remained for a long time.
"It seems we came to the right place. This Kazekage is really amazing!"
And Ryosuke's next words made the hearts of the five Akatsuki members tremble.
"Who says otherwise? What's the point of those ninja villages outside fighting? After fighting for so many years, the war has never stopped, people are dying every day, making the outside world a mess, and I haven't seen anyone destroy anyone. It's not like this Kazekage-sama, he truly understands what the purpose of war is..."