In the face of Hattori's outrageous demands, the officials of the Daimyo Prefecture naturally did not agree.
After a round of sharp exchanges, given Hattori's stubborn attitude, the officials stated their bottom line—
Thirty million was impossible; they were only willing to offer a maximum of ten million for fifty reincarnation puppets.
However, Hattori remained unmoved by this deal worth five hundred million; he stuck to his old stance—thirty million, take it or leave it!
The outcome was obvious; the deal fell through, and the two officials from the Daimyo Prefecture left in a huff.
However, the next day, they returned—not alone, but accompanied by Hanaki.
Once inside, the two men remained silent until Hanaki spoke first.
"Brother Hattori, I'm here today because I have something I need your help with. Could you give the Daimyo Prefecture a slight discount on the 'Revivers' you're selling?"
"Ha ha, of course!"
With Hanaki's opening, Hattori immediately changed his previously unyielding attitude and smiled slightly at the two Daimyo officials behind Hanaki.
"However, the unit price of thirty million won't change; that's already been decided. But, out of respect for you, Hanaki, if the Daimyo Prefecture buys ten reincarnation puppets, I'll throw in an extra ten for free!"
Upon hearing this, the two Daimyo officials quickly discussed among themselves before asking him again, "So if we buy fifty, will you give us fifty more?"
"Of course not!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Hattori shook his head.
"I will only give you ten additional ones; there won't be any more after that. This is a concession I'm making out of friendship for Prince Hanaki and respect for the Daimyo Prefecture, so this is a one-time offer!"
"…"
Listening to Hattori's firm words, the two Daimyo officials discussed among themselves again and finalized the deal with Hattori.
They would spend three hundred million to purchase ten reincarnation puppets, with Hattori adding ten more, for a total of twenty.
As for the payment method, Hattori would deliver first, they would pay half, and a month after delivery, they would pay the remaining half.
Hattori naturally had no objections and nodded to them.
"Then it's settled. Take me to the Daimyo Prefecture now; since it's a permanent purchase, the reincarnation puppets need to go through a master-recognition process, and I'll need to handle that."
"Master recognition?"
Upon hearing Hattori's words, the eyes of the two Daimyo officials brightened, and they nodded eagerly.
"Alright, we'll take you to the Daimyo Prefecture to meet the Daimyo!"
At this point, both men were in very high spirits because they believed that the reincarnation puppets were incredibly powerful and already possessed high value.
Now that they could recognize a master, they could be treated as family heirlooms to be passed down through generations, their value would surely soar.
Spending three hundred million to buy twenty such heirlooms was quite a bargain.
As the ones who managed to make this happen, they naturally saw their prospects for promotion and wealth getting closer!
Hattori was unaware of their thoughts and didn't care to ponder them. He took the puppet sealing scroll and followed them to the Daimyo Prefecture.
---
The Daimyo Prefecture of the Land of Wind is located in the very center of the Wind Capital, encompassing a massive area of several dozen hectares.
Led by the two officials, Hattori entered the Daimyo Prefecture, passing through several side doors guarded by sentries, and finally reached the main hall to meet the Daimyo himself.
The Daimyo of the Land of Wind was a tall, rotund man with a pear-shaped figure and two small mustaches.
Upon seeing Hattori, he immediately burst into laughter.
"Oh ho ho... So you are Hattori? You're quite young, aren't you? I've heard you can create living puppets, is that true?"
"Yes, my Lord Daimyo. They are called 'Revivers'!"
Hattori smiled slightly and bowed his head respectfully.
"I'm here today to present the 'Revivers' to you, to prevent any harm from ill-intentioned people. Can we proceed with the puppet master-recognition ceremony now?"
"Puppet master-recognition ceremony?"
Upon hearing this, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind showed a hint of confusion.
The two officials who had brought Hattori then stepped forward and quietly explained in his ear.
After hearing their explanation, the Daimyo's small eyes lit up.
"So you're saying that once we conduct the master-recognition ceremony, the puppets will only obey my commands? Then what are we waiting for? Let's get started!"
"As you wish!"
Hattori smiled again and took out the puppet scroll from behind him, immediately releasing twenty 'Reviver' puppet bodyguards.
He then pointed at the Daimyo of the Land of Wind and raised his voice.
"Explode, reality! Shatter, spirit! Banish this world! From today on, this man before you is your new master. Hesitation leads to defeat; cowardice invites death! Fight for him until this world is utterly destroyed!"
As his over-the-top proclamation echoed, the twenty 'Reviver' puppet bodyguards knelt before the Daimyo—
"My sword is your sword!"
"I will guide your path."
"Though enemies be many, a single strike shall fell them!"
Daimyo of the Land of Wind: "(Д*)"
Surrounding officials: "(Д*)"
Hanaki: "(Д*)"
Wow, this is impressive!
Amidst the rich, textured voices of the 'Reviver' puppets, everyone present except for Hattori was left stunned, all falling into a daze.
Until a disdainful voice broke the silence.
"Hmph, just a show. My Lord Daimyo, these are merely flashy gimmicks and cannot guarantee your safety. Please do not believe them!"
"Hmm?"
Hearing that voice, Hattori immediately raised his head and looked in the direction the voice came from.
Upon looking, he saw a burly man with a scarred face, dressed as a guard, who had just spoken.
Oh, so it's a rival in business!
Understanding the other party's identity, Hattori grinned.
"Ha ha, whether the 'Revivers' are just flashy gimmicks can easily be proven; we just need to conduct a test."
"A test?" Hearing Hattori's words, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind, who had just come back to his senses, asked curiously.
"How do we test it?"
"Ha ha, the method is very simple!"
Hattori smiled slightly again at the Daimyo of the Land of Wind and pointed at the guard who had just raised doubts.
"This gentleman has questioned the strength of the 'Revivers,' right? Then let him pretend to be an assassin to attack you, my Lord. At that time, you can have the 'Revivers' protect you, and that would prove it, wouldn't it?"
"Ah? Right!"
Upon hearing Hattori's words, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind's eyes brightened, and he called out to the scarred man next to him.
"Hurry, hurry! Guard Captain, pretend to be an assassin and try to kill me so that I can let this… 'Reviver' protect me. Quick, draw your sword!"
"…"
Watching his enthusiastic demeanor, the scarred man, referred to as "Guard Captain," had no choice but to nod.
"Alright, then I will attack you!"
With that, he drew his sword, holding it backward, and slowly approached the Daimyo of the Land of Wind as if to strike.
Seeing this, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind immediately shouted.
"'Revivers,' protect me!"
As soon as he spoke, the twenty 'Reviver' puppets rushed forward, striking the guard captain down to the ground with a flurry of blows.
When the 'Revivers' stepped back, the scarred man on the ground was barely recognizable.
Daimyo of the Land of Wind: "(Д*)"
Surrounding officials: "(Д*)"
Hanaki: "(Д*)"
Hattori: "(ω`)"
(This chapter ends here)