"Lord Kazekage, your actions have put us in a difficult position."
Keikou Sanmoku's expression was grim as he spoke to Rasa. Though he was addressing one of the Five Kage, the atmosphere between them had completely shifted—Rasa was now the one at a loss for words.
"Regarding this matter, could Lord Kazekage provide Keikou Trading Company with a clear answer as soon as possible?"
"This…" Rasa hesitated, struggling to find a response. The relationship between Sunagakure and the Daimyo of the Land of Wind had become increasingly tense, and he had no confidence in convincing the Daimyo to change his stance.
Sanmoku nodded, his expression remaining cold.
"Very well, then," he said. "Our master has given the order to suspend all business transactions with Sunagakure, including mission commissions. Furthermore, we will begin withdrawing our personnel in three days."
"Wait, Sanmoku-san!"
Hearing this, Rasa immediately called out to stop him. If Keikou Trading Company truly followed through with this, it would be a disaster for Sunagakure.
The village's supply of food, water, and essential resources was almost entirely dependent on Keikou Trading Company. If they ceased trade, the village's stockpiles would run dry in less than a month.
Rasa could already foresee the chaos that would ensue.
Without resources, not even ANBU would remain loyal to him.
Ninjas were still humans—they needed food, water, and basic supplies. The idea that shinobi could endure anything was nothing more than an illusion.
Once survival was threatened, Sunagakure would collapse into infighting, turning its inhabitants into desperate scavengers fighting for dwindling resources.
"Please, Sanmoku-san," Rasa said urgently. "Give me some time. I swear on my title as Kazekage that I will resolve this issue and provide Keikou Trading Company with an answer."
For a brief moment, Rasa felt like he had used the authority of his title far too many times—almost as if the world itself was conspiring against him.
Sanmoku sighed and pretended to be troubled.
"Lord Kazekage, we have done business with Sunagakure for a long time. I do not wish to pressure you… However, your Daimyo has made things very difficult for us."
After a moment, he continued, "Pakura has invited me to stay in the village a little longer. I will relay this to my master and try to delay our withdrawal. But Lord Kazekage—I can only wait for ten days."
With that, Sanmoku gave a slight bow before turning and leaving the Kazekage's office.
The moment he left, Rasa slammed his palm against the desk, though this time he managed to restrain his strength—unlike before, when he had shattered it in rage.
"Find out exactly what role Pakura played in all of this," Rasa ordered coldly. "Investigate everything—I want a full report."
He was beginning to suspect that Pakura was using Keikou Trading Company's influence against him.
For a fleeting moment, Rasa even considered killing Sanmoku to sever Pakura's connection to the company.
But he quickly suppressed that thought.
Keikou Trading Company was too important to Sunagakure. If anything happened to Sanmoku, it would trigger a catastrophic crisis.
"That damned Daimyo…!"
Rasa clenched his fists in fury.
The hope of rebuilding Sunagakure—completely ruined by that fat fool sitting in the Daimyo's palace!
For a brief second, he was tempted to storm into the capital and cut the Daimyo down.
But deep down, he knew he couldn't.
Instead, he turned to his subordinates and began issuing orders.
"Prepare two squads—we're heading to the capital of the Land of Wind immediately.
While I am gone, Baki and Yashamaru will manage the village's affairs.
And make sure to watch Pakura closely. I want every move she makes recorded."
With his commands given, Rasa wasted no time.
He departed for the Daimyo's palace, determined to salvage the situation with Keikou Trading Company.
Keikou Trading Company was Sunagakure's largest supplier of resources and its main source of missions.
Even missions from the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers were routed through them—proof of how much trust they placed in Sunagakure.
If Rasa failed to resolve this issue, Keikou Trading Company would cut all ties with the village.
If that happened, it wouldn't matter if Rasa regained the Daimyo's support—Sunagakure's reputation among merchants would be permanently destroyed.
If even a powerful company like Keikou Trading Company could be bullied by Sunagakure, then how could smaller merchants possibly trust them?
Rasa understood this perfectly.
However, even if he went to the Daimyo's palace, there was no chance he could convince the Daimyo to back down—unless he had the courage to overthrow him.
Meanwhile, word quickly spread throughout Sunagakure.
News of Keikou Trading Company's troubles and its imminent withdrawal from the Land of Wind circulated rapidly.
At first, many civilians and shinobi doubted the rumors.
But when more detailed versions of the story emerged—including reasons for the withdrawal—more and more people started believing it.
Some even grew anxious and began stockpiling supplies while they still could.
The sight of others buying in bulk triggered a panic-buying frenzy, causing a surge of hoarding across the village.
Even Pakura, who had been assigned to guard Sanmoku, caught wind of the rumors.
She immediately went to Sanmoku to confirm the truth.
"It's true, Pakura-san," Sanmoku said with a bitter smile. "This situation is… troublesome."
"Pakura-san, I consider you a friend. That's why I'm telling you this—if the Kazekage fails to resolve this matter, then after this farewell… we may never meet again."
His words carried a heavy weight.
Pakura understood exactly what he meant.
In ancient, prestigious families, seppuku was still a common practice for those who had failed their duties.
Sanmoku looked exhausted as he continued.
"I was the one who personally facilitated the partnership between Keikou Trading Company and Sunagakure.
I never expected the Kazekage's authority to be this weak…
If this issue remains unresolved, Kaikan Trading Company will suffer over ten billion ryo in losses.
But it doesn't matter anymore. Let's just wait for Lord Kazekage's response."
Sanmoku sighed and left for his residence.
Though he had told Pakura to keep this secret, her three students were not particularly good at keeping secrets.
By the next morning, the entire village knew.
Within three days, the rumors had spread wildly, each version more dramatic than the last.
Though Hyuga Mirai's agents had been working behind the scenes to fuel the chaos, this was inevitable—Sunagakure's entire survival depended on its supply chains.
And the Land of Wind's Daimyo?
He would never be swayed by Rasa.
When Rasa returned from the capital, he would face an enraged village, one that was ready to overthrow him.
The only options before him were:
Launch a coup against the Daimyo—or be forcibly removed as Kazekage.
Would he have the courage to shatter the One Nation, One Village system?
Meanwhile, far away, Hyuga Mirai completed his latest upgrade.
"All done. Eighteen, try it out."
Eighteen blinked as she tested her new sensory system.
"Fascinating," she said, touching her cheek.
A hint of redness spread across her skin.
"That… actually hurt."
Mirai smirked.
"Good. Now try showing more emotions—your blank face is ruining my hard work."
"I will try to learn," Eighteen said.
She forced a smile—a terrifying, unnatural grin.
Mirai sighed and pushed her lips back into place.
"Forget it. Just be yourself."
(End of Chapter)
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