CHAPTER 340: KAZEKAGE NINJA-CHAPTER 129: I’VE NEVER SEEN ANYONE SO SHAMELESS

Masanobu Izu nearly fainted from rage.

Was there really anyone this shameless?

Was there really anyone this brazenly, disgustingly shameless?

It was like someone barging into your house, openly robbing you in broad daylight, then selling your house—with his own son as the buyer. Then he’d smile and hand you a property management badge, cheerfully saying, "Congratulations! From now on, you can collect property fees from your son."

But what could he do? Everything Jinghang said was true. As the chief retainer handling daily affairs, Masanobu Izu knew all too well that Fire Eight Pillars Trading Company was indeed a tumor on Fire Country’s body—no, a malignant cancer! Monopolizing commerce, consolidating land, bribing officials, manipulating the court, even extending their reach into Fire Country Daimyō’s "Eastern Palace"—like cancer cells gradually devouring Fire Country’s body.

The current Fire Country Daimyō was aging, with two sons under his knee. The heir was... rather laughable, but also honest and kind—not cruel, and most precious of all, he listened to others’ opinions. Plus, he held the legitimate heir’s position. If he could smoothly inherit, with Masanobu and other veteran retainers supporting him, there probably wouldn’t be major chaos.

The problem was Fire Country Daimyō also had a younger son—handsome, shrewd, clever and charming, much beloved by the Daimyō, but unfortunately not legitimate. Like all succession dramas, the "Second Prince" had always coveted the heir’s position, constantly gathering various forces for his use. Through some opportunity, he’d actually connected with Fire Eight Pillars Trading Company, gaining their support and dramatically increasing his power! If the Daimyō died one day, civil strife would surely follow.

Masanobu Izu had wanted to eliminate this tumor more than once, but this century-old merchant house had deep roots—how could it be easily dealt with? Investigate taxes—they’d strike. Find fault—they’d strike. Audit accounts—still strike. Use force—they had three thousand retainers as private militia. Push too hard, and it might spark a military disaster! He could only plan long-term, gradually working toward it.

However, Jinghang’s arrival accomplished what Masanobu Izu wanted but couldn’t do. Masanobu’s approach was trimming branches with small scissors; Jinghang drove a bulldozer straight through. In just two months, Fire Eight Pillars Trading Company was nearly history.

No choice—when someone’s stronger than you, what can you do?

"Lord Jinghang, about the plundering... I won’t mention it anymore, but after all this chaos you’ve caused in our Fire Country, surely you should show some consideration?"

Masanobu Izu said helplessly. Better to salvage whatever he could.

"Show consideration? No problem! Don’t worry, just ask—I absolutely won’t turn this consideration into inconsideration."

Jinghang looked extremely generous, practically ready to thump his chest.

Masanobu Izu sighed.

"As Lord Jinghang

said, Fire Country intends to nationalize Fire Eight Pillars Trading Company’s industries. But currently, whether it’s grain, cloth, salt, iron, timber, or coal—all these bulk goods are in your hands. I think perhaps..."

"You mean those goods? No problem, no problem! We’re all friends here. All supplies Sunagakure Village captured, I’ll give you at twenty percent off market price. How’s that!"

Masanobu Izu shot up from his seat.

I! I! I’ve never seen anyone so shameless!

You robbed our country’s stuff, then sell it back to us at a discount? Is there any limit to shamelessness?

"Why so excited? Are you moved by my generosity!"

Jinghang laughed.

"Jinghang, you’re bullying us too much! All that was stolen by you!"

Masanobu Izu finally couldn’t suppress his inner fury.

"I never said I stole it! What! You want to freeload? That’s a bad habit!"

Jinghang pursed his lips, showing disdain.

Masanobu Izu nearly spat blood.

"How dare you still ask for money?!"

Masanobu Izu used his greatest patience to swallow that mouthful of blood.

"I took it with my own skill—why shouldn’t I charge money! Oh, seeing you’re a new customer, how about this—I’ll make another concession. Seventy-five percent off, how’s that? This is just for you. Believe it or not, with current chaos and material shortages everywhere, if I sold these things locally at ten percent off, you’d see common folk fighting over them."

Masanobu Izu stared deadly at Jinghang. If gazes were knives, Jinghang would already have dozens of holes.

"Sixty... percent?"

Masanobu Izu struggled to utter two words.

No choice—he really needed these goods. Taking over Fire Eight Pillars Trading Company’s industries without stock to sell to common folk would severely damage the state-run shops’ credibility, forcing private trade underground. That meant no taxes collected, no functioning state shops—everything would be wasted effort.

"Sigh, seeing you’re not having it easy either, fine—deal. I’ll have someone draft the contract immediately. But let me be clear—cash on delivery."

Jinghang said solemnly.

Internally, Jinghang was blooming with joy. Goods were such trouble—heavy as hell. Cash was much more convenient.

Talking about local sales was just scaring Masanobu Izu. Fire Country

’s people currently lacked goods, but selling might be a very long process. Battlefields change instantly—who knows what might happen next moment? Better to secure payment. Currently, only Fire Country’s Daimyō could produce enough cash to swallow this entire shipment.

Soon, the military secretary drafted the contract in duplicate. Jinghang and Masanobu Izu signed their names with flourishes.

"Lord Izu, this is my personal letter to Manager Kakuzu. When you’ve prepared the payment, take this letter directly to Jade City and give it to him. He’ll complete the money-goods exchange with you."

Jinghang said.

"Kakuzu?!"

Masanobu Izu’s face showed difficulty.

Seeing Izu’s expression, Jinghang laughed. Kakuzu’s reputation in Fire Country was quite poor now. After Jade City, Fire Country’s people feared him like a tiger, giving him the evil nickname "Black-Faced Demon." Just mentioning Kakuzu’s name made Fire Country children afraid to cry at night.

"Don’t worry. Manager Kakuzu is a very contract-spirited ninja. As long as there’s a contract, he absolutely won’t make things difficult for you. If there’s any problem, come talk to me."

Bah! If there’s a problem, would I still be alive to complain?!

Masanobu Izu cursed internally.

Forget it. I’ll find someone brave to handle this later.

"Alright, that settles it. I still have military affairs to handle, so I won’t keep Lord Izu for dinner. Give my regards to Fire Country’s Daimyō."

Jinghang picked up his tea bowl, took a sip, and covered it.

~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~

The story isn’t over...

🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters?

🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world?

✍️ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?

✨patreon.com/DarkGolds