Chapter 71 - Suppression
6 years since Transmigration
STATUS
KUROSAWA REN
Power-Elite Chunin
Physique -568
Chakra -2843
Specials -YamiGami
Skills-Tagcraft III, Sensor, Taijutsu II, Kenjutsu II, Leader I, Medic I
System Stats-50
Call -The Eye Slows
TREE OF LIFE
Soul Develop (3/10) 10000 SS
Physique
Soul Physique(1/1000) 10SS
Chakra
Chakra Control (10/100) 100SS
Energy Control (68/100) 100SS
One Tail (100/1000) 10 SS.
I have spent the last year completely researching the SS tags. While my clan had armor research. I had spent everything on energy control. Around a 1000SS wasted in experiments. Explosions on the training field were a common occurrence now. And boy did the SS pack a punch. But that aside for now.
I sat cross-legged in the Inuzuka dining hall, a simple square room that smelled faintly of hound fur and roasted meat. Compared to the marble and carved-wood absurdity of the Kurokami compound, this place was almost… refreshing. A few bones scattered near the hearth, a pair of ninken dozing by the door, and a long, low table lined with simple clay bowls.
It felt like the kind of place where people spoke plainly — and bit cleanly.
I'd come here for the annual renewal of our tag-supply contracts. Normally, Haruto would've handled it, but the paperwork for Rina's clan hadn't gone through the mission desk this year. It was unusual, and I didn't like unusual. Especially now.
Across the table sat Inuzuka Renga, broad-shouldered, a scar running from his chin to the base of his left ear. His hair was pulled back, the typical clan streaks of red fang paint on his cheeks. He was smiling, but the kind of smile that hid teeth. Rina sat to his right, visibly nervous — not because of me, but because she knew where this might lead.
Renga lifted his sake cup.
"Good to finally see you outside of a report or a council meeting, Kurosawa-dono. You've been busy, haven't you? "Better than letting others fill them for me."
I hadn't left the village since Souta's accident.
"I try to keep my hands full," I said lightly. He chuckled — deep, from the chest. "Hah! Spoken like someone who's learned that lesson the hard way. The village's markets are howling lately. You're not making friends among the suppliers."
"That's business. Not friendship."
He nodded approvingly, then gestured for his attendants to serve. Grilled venison, rice, and a small pot of miso stew were placed in front of me. No poisons. The Inuzuka didn't deal in those — their dogs could smell deceit faster than words.
The meal passed with polite chatter at first — the border patrol incidents, the rising cost of chakra ink, the usual small talk that meant nothing but filled space. Then, as the cups emptied, Renga leaned forward.
"I'll speak plainly, Kurosawa-dono." His tone hardened, dropping all courtesy. "Rina's grown up around your clan. She admires you, respects you. She already works with your research teams half the time. The elders have been talking. I think it's time we make things official."
Rina froze beside him. My fingers paused halfway to the cup.
He continued, "A marriage alliance between our clans would secure our cooperation. You'd have the Inuzuka's full support in the council — and the renewal would be automatic. No more association meddling. And since you already know Rina, you don't have to worry about her being a spy or political pawn. And don't worry. We shall provide her with a good pup before she leaves."
Rina's eyes flickered to me — pleading, embarrassed, but also resigned. This wasn't her idea. She liked me, but not in that way. Especially after Souta. They had started to get close before his death.
I sighed softly, setting my cup down. "Renga-san, your offer is… generous. Rina is a fine kunoichi and a friend. But marriage isn't a transaction I can make for convenience."
He arched a brow. "Convenience? You think I'm selling my kin for a discount?"
I met his glare calmly. "No. I'm saying I won't tie her to my wars. My life isn't the kind that gives anyone peace. Not yet."
For a long moment, silence sat between us, broken only by the crackle of the fire and the low growl of one of his ninken.
Then Renga laughed again, though this time it lacked humor.
"You've got fire, boy. But fire alone won't keep your clan warm when winter comes. Remember that."
"I've never depended on another's hearth," I said simply.
Renga's eyes narrowed, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he gestured to his scribe to bring the contracts.
"Well then. To business. The renewal."
We went through the documents. As expected, the Inuzuka didn't renew.
Their signature was missing. Renga's expression was unreadable as he explained,
"The Association offered us better rates — and access to new specialized chakra-tags. You're strong, Kurosawa, but you're not the only craftsman in Konoha. Business is business."
I didn't answer. Just nodded once.
Rina looked at me then — truly looked. There was guilt there. Not shame, but something heavier. She'd known. Maybe even tried to argue against it. But her family wasn't strong enough. I gave her a faint smile anyway.
"It's fine, Rina," I said. "I understand."
She lowered her gaze. "I wish you didn't have to."
When I left the Inuzuka compound that night, the hounds howled in the distance — long and low. Not hostile. Just… foreboding.
The next morning, three other mid-tier clans pulled out of their contracts, too. By the end of the week, we were out of our major contracts and officially entering burn.
Our revenues decreased. But the burn wasn't because of fewer customers. The Summer legion and the Autumn legion were still earning their keep. Missions and medics were always there.
But the Kurokami and the other clans were now sick of us. They actively spent money to stop the flow of raw supplies to us. Forcing merchants to sign exclusive contracts with them. The merchants won't sacrifice everyone else for one clan. Now we were unofficially banned, and our own supplies for normal non-commercial supplies were in jeopardy.
I called a commander meeting to address this issue. Clan meetings went late into the night. But nothing plausible worked. The only thing we could do now was either surrender or make our own supply.
But surrender was not an option for me. Especially since I could see the rapid progress in research. Especially with half the clan working on them. We were starting to work on seal-laden leather armor. But now we were trapped.
I was being forced to send Daichi's legions farther out to our ally nations. It was a violation of the hokage's orders, but that was the only way for us to get our supplies. I was shifting our focus from the Fuinjutsu commercial to the Fuinjutsu normal missions.
Finally, today the Hokage has called.