Chapter 203: Mei Terumī
"A business worth hundreds of millions?"
There was a hint of surprise in Mei Terumī's voice; she had originally thought there was nothing to discuss.
She didn't expect this mysterious powerhouse to not only be willing to talk but also seem to have grander ambitions.
However, she became even more cautious in her heart.
"Yes, perhaps even more than hundreds of millions. Is the Mizukage-sama interested?"
Naruto revealed a smile.
Although it was a spur-of-the-moment idea, partly because of Gen Shisei, the Hidden Mist Villagetruly had not been developed.
Why not make money if there was money to be made?
Mei Terumī sized up the handsome man before her.
Naruto, not using his original face, appeared more mature.
Combined with his immense self-confidence, he gave off an indescribable aura.
She felt like she had seen him somewhere before.
Mei Terumī pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Please, go ahead."
"No rush."
Naruto had people bring a table and stools, placing them directly in the open space outside the village.
"Please."
He poured a cup of tea.
"Thank you."
Mei Terumī raised an eyebrow and smiled, "You certainly know how to look after people."
If he had invited her into the village, she definitely would have hesitated.
But she hadn't expected Naruto to have already considered that.
She picked up the teacup, and a faint scent of roses drifted into her nose.
Mei Terumī subconsciously looked up.
"Rose Mint Tea, good for beauty and skin."
Naruto met her gaze and explained casually.
"It seems you have investigated me beforehand."
Mei Terumī took a sip, her mood becoming slightly dazed.
This tea was something her younger brother, Gen Shisei, used to brew specifically for her.
He said it was for beauty and skin, so that she would still look like a young girl at fifty, never growing old.
"Likewise."
Naruto tapped the table and said, "This is just out of respect for the Mizukage-sama. Now, let's start talking business."
"Please."
Mei Terumī set down her teacup and sat up straight, her expression turning serious.
Dealing with cats only makes one want to pet them, but greeting a tiger requires worrying about one's life.
In her view, the Tianming Organization was exactly like a tiger; if one wasn't careful, they would be devoured.
"The Hidden Mist Village is located in the center of the Land of Water. Recently, Mizukage-sama has restored communication with neighboring countries, but relying solely on current routes, it will take a long time to become more prosperous. Why doesn't our Tianming Organization help you build a few ports and add several new shipping routes?"
Naruto held his teacup and spoke nonchalantly.
"Impossible!"
Mei Terumī's face darkened slightly.
She had previously thought the Tianming Organization was being very sincere.
This was practically asking for the lifeblood of the Hidden Mist Village.
"Why is it impossible?"
Naruto looked directly at her and said, "You don't have the money to build ports or fleets, and time waits for no one. Do you really want to fall decades behind Konoha Village and the Hidden Cloud Village?"
Mei Terumī's body jolted.
What Naruto said was exactly the current predicament of the Hidden Mist Village.
To make money, they had to increase trade, but increasing trade required building ports and shipping lanes.
Especially since the Hidden Mist Village had been in internal turmoil for so many years.
The ports were long since dilapidated, and the shipping lanes hadn't been cleared in ages.
In such a harsh environment, why would merchants from other countries risk coming to the Land of Water and the Hidden Mist Village?"
Mei Terumī was currently in a situation where she couldn't make a meal without rice, stuck in a recursive loop.
It was like looking for a job where the company requires years of experience, but how can a fresh graduate get experience without entering a company?
Mei Terumī's fists clenched and then relaxed.
She felt that her situation was far too difficult.
However, her personality would not allow her to give up.
"The conditions you mentioned are a bit excessive."
Mei Terumī regained her composure and said with a light smile, "Neither the Hidden Mist Village nor the Land of Water would agree. Furthermore, we don't know the Tianming Organization. If you were to tamper with the ports and shipping lanes, wouldn't we be seeking our own destruction? If you truly want to cooperate, you should offer more sincere terms."
At the end, she playfully winked her right eye and said, "It's not easy for a little woman like me to manage a household, so please show some mercy, sir."
Naruto couldn't help but smile.
Your personality really hasn't changed at all.
He had actually expected that Mei Terumī wouldn't agree.
But in negotiations, one must always start with an outrageous demand.
Hadn't a certain master once said?
In a room full of people, if you want to open a window and they refuse, but then you suggest tearing off the roof, they will agree to the window.
Everything needs a comparison.
"If the Mizukage-sama counts as a 'little woman,' then should the others be considered little girls?"
Naruto glanced at her.
She certainly wasn't small.
Only slightly less than Tsunade.
"You really are quite interesting."
Mei Terumī pinched her chin and said with a beaming smile.
For some reason, her mood had inexplicably improved.
"Then I'll change the terms."
Naruto narrowed his eyes and said, "Since you lack money, we'll just lend it to you directly."
"That simple?"
Mei Terumī found it unbelievable.
The difference between the previous and current terms was too absurd.
"That simple."
Naruto nodded and said, "We won't interfere with your port and shipping lane construction."
"Then is the interest very high?"
Mei Terumī looked at him and asked.
"No interest."
Naruto snapped his fingers. "No matter how much you borrow, there's no interest."
"..."
Mei Terumī was completely flabbergasted.
The terms were so good she thought she was dreaming.
She tilted her head and asked, "Are you interested in my humble beauty?"
As a mature woman desperate for marriage, she actually seriously considered it for a few seconds at this moment.
He was handsome, thoughtful, and powerful.
She just didn't know what his true personality was like.
Naruto almost choked on his tea.
"Cough, cough, you misunderstood. That's not what I meant."
He waved his hand and said, "I already have someone I like."
"Oh, that's a pity."
Mei Terumī's tone was indifferent, making it hard to tell if she really thought it was a pity. She rolled her eyes and said, "You'd better state your conditions, otherwise, I won't feel comfortable taking this money."
"The exclusive agency rights for all aquatic products in the Land of Water."
"..."
After trying to understand what agency rights meant, Mei Terumī said gloomily, "How about you reconsider me instead?"
"Don't be in such a hurry to refuse."
Naruto shook his head and said, "I have two paths for you to choose from. First, sell all aquatic products to the Tianming Organization in bulk at market price. Second, let the Tianming Organization help you sell them, and any portion exceeding the market price goes to the Tianming Organization."
Mei Terumī frowned.
According to Naruto's explanation, the former was definitely not a loss, since it was at market price.
As for the latter... she couldn't quite understand it.
The Tianming Organization seemed very confident that they could sell aquatic products for more than the market price. Why?
But if they didn't exceed it, wouldn't everyone lose?
For a moment, she actually hesitated.
She looked at the composed Naruto and felt a sense of being unable to see through him.
Tricky.
Unimaginably tricky.
"I'm not very skilled in business matters. May I postpone the decision for a while?"
Mei Terumī asked.
She didn't dare to make a decision on such a large transaction easily.
"Sure."
Naruto nodded.
He still had to give his sister some face.
"Thank you."
Mei Terumī breathed a sigh of relief and asked again, "Are there any other conditions?"
There are many, but I'm afraid you won't be able to bear them.
The unique environment of the Hidden Mist Villageresulted in their deep influence over the Land of Water.
After all, among a group of bloodthirsty Ninjas, there would always be a few who didn't play by the rules.
The Daimyo of the Land of Water didn't dare to offend them too much either.
Naruto thought for a moment and said, "I want sea exploration rights."
To be honest, the only two ways the Land of Waterand the Hidden Mist Village utilized the ocean were for aquatic products and shipping.
But the resources underneath hadn't been touched at all.
There were many reasons for this.
First was the difficulty of diving into the deep sea.
Although powerful Ninjas could do it, they wouldn't go to the seabed out of boredom.
Second was the issue of vision; they simply lacked a developmental mindset.
Perhaps they didn't even know the uses of many resources.
Of course, there was also the reason of insufficient demand in the Ninja World.
For example, oil.
The Ninja World had no use for it.
"Sea Exploration Rights?"
Mei Terumī was stunned again.
She felt she couldn't keep up with his thoughts.
She could understand agency rights, but what was the point of sea exploration rights?
Exploring the seabed?
Besides fish, was there anything else on the seabed?
And at such depths, even Ninjas would find it hard to withstand the water pressure.
Truly exploring would consume a massive amount of manpower and resources.
"This is already the second condition. As a price, just lending money isn't enough, is it?"
Mei Terumī took advantage of the opening and said, "After all, loans are meant to be repaid; you aren't suffering any loss."
Although she didn't understand what Narutowanted to do, it didn't stop her from raising the stakes.
"Then let's add an alliance between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water."
Naruto said with a smile, "I think your Hidden Mist Village would very much like to have this."
Mei Terumī's expression froze.
She felt like she was being played.
Any country that wants to become wealthy must exchange with other countries.
And an alliance is an exchange at a higher level.
The prosperity of the Land of Fire could further drive the development of the Land of Water.
And most importantly, the Land of Fire was relatively easy to talk to.
Unlike the Land of Lightning.
Given the Raikage's explosive temper, an alliance was impossible.
"Wait, can your Tianming Organization represent the Land of Fire?"
Mei Terumī noticed something was off.
"More or less."
Naruto smiled and said, "The Tianming Organization is far more powerful than you imagine."
"..."
Mei Terumī patted her chest and said, "This really has frightened this little woman."
"But you aren't losing out on anything, are you?"
Naruto pointed to the Artisan Village and said, "If the deal is reached, the price of all ninja tools will be reduced by ten percent for you in the future."
Mei Terumī's eyes lit up, and she clutched her heart, saying, "This little woman's heart is beating for you, sir. If the price drops a bit more, it will beat even faster."
"This is already a friend's price."
Naruto shook his head and said.
Giving up port ownership and shipping rights was Gen Shisei's final bit of tenderness toward you.
Otherwise, the future days for your Land of Waterand Hidden Mist Village would be very difficult.
"Friend's price?"
Mei Terumī repeated the phrase and asked, "I am indeed curious, why does the Tianming Organization want to trade with the Hidden Mist Village?"
"The reason is simple."
Naruto looked at her and said word by word, "Because Gen Shisei is a member of the Tianming Organization."
"What did you say?!"
Mei Terumī suddenly stood up, her expression becoming very intense. She subconsciously leaned forward and pressed, "Say that again!"
A patch of white filled his vision.
Naruto calmly took a step back and said, "Gen Shisei is a member of the Tianming Organization."}