Unscientific Scientist From Sunagakure - Chapter 197
After receiving the confidential mission, Kakashi packed up at home and set off.
Naruto had gone to train with Jiraiya.
Sakura was learning medical ninjutsu from Tsunade.
Kakashi had plenty of free time.
As for the reason for inviting the Kazekage, Kakashi sighed.
Should he say that Tsunade-sama was seriously ill and had little time left?
That didn’t seem right.
Tsunade-sama was as healthy as steel.
Well, he would make something up on the spot.
Kakashi sneaked out of the village overnight.
Meanwhile, Danzo waited until the next day to set off with his entourage by carriage to Daimyo Yorinaga’s castle, Momoyama Castle.
As a representative of Konoha, he had to make an impression.
Daimyo Yorinaga received Danzo with great respect.
In the opulent and grand central hall of Ninomaru Palace, Yorinaga, dressed in luxurious attire, sat cross-legged in the centre. A retainer holding a sword stood behind him while elders and officials sat on either side.
Danzo, seated in the middle, bowed to Yorinaga.
“Greetings, Daimyo-sama.”
The portly Yorinaga smiled warmly. “Shimura Danzo, what brings you here today?”
Yorinaga maintained a friendly attitude towards Konoha. Although there had been some unpleasant incidents between them in the past, overall, their cooperation ensured the Fire Country’s status as a great nation.
Danzo, ever the cunning strategist, began with a shocking declaration.
“Hokage-sama, Konoha is in grave danger, as is the Fire Country!”
Yorinaga was startled by Danzo’s loud outburst.
“What happened? Are other nations joining forces against us?”
Danzo shook his head. “No.”
Yorinaga silently cursed: You fool, why shout so loudly for no reason?
“Then what is the matter?”
Danzo continued with his narrative of the Sunagakure threat.
“Do you know that Sunagakure’s ninja tools and goods are becoming extremely popular in our country?”
Yorinaga certainly knew. His wives loved Sunagakure’s stockings, and he was fond of them too. He even wanted to buy a car for fun.
“Yes, I am aware. What of it?”
With a righteous air, Danzo continued, “Daimyo-sama, these goods allow Sunagakure to drain our wealth. Over time, they will grow stronger while the Fire Country becomes impoverished.”
Yorinaga looked at his elder, Hosokawa.
Hosokawa replied, “Sunagakure’s goods are high quality and affordable, making them very popular here. They even pay taxes according to regulations, increasing our commercial tax revenue.”
Many elders, officials, and merchants in Sunagakure goods found Danzo’s argument amusing.
Seeing no support, Danzo was internally furious: You despicable scoundrels. Can’t you see the threat of Sunagakure?
Hosokawa’s statement made Yorinaga smile. “Shimura Danzo, your thoughts are too radical. Sunagakure is just selling goods. It’s no big deal.”
Danzo had to change his angle.
“Daimyo-sama, while civilian goods are one thing, their ninja tools are very powerful. Our ninjas are using their tools now. If we go to war, Sunagakure could cut off our supply, leaving our ninjas without weapons. Surely, you don’t want Konoha’s strength to decline?”
A voice among the officials scoffed.
“Danzo, you exaggerate too much.”
“Is Konoha really that important?”
Danzo turned coldly to the speaker. “Who are you?”
The man smirked. “I am Hanama, the Daimyo’s chief ninja advisor.”
Hanama, formerly one of the Guardian Ninja Twelve, believed the Hokage was unnecessary and that ninja authority should belong to the Daimyo, leading to the Guardian Ninja Twelve’s split. Despite his faction’s defeat, he still sought to destroy Konoha.
Danzo retorted, “Without Konoha ninjas fighting on all fronts, could the Fire Country be so stable today?”
Hanama didn’t respond to Danzo but addressed Yorinaga, “Daimyo-sama, Konoha’s arrogance shows their disloyalty.”
Yorinaga, aware of Hanama’s views but unwilling to destroy Konoha, found it helpful to keep Konoha around.
“Haha, Hanama, you’re exaggerating. Shimura Danzo, just state your intentions directly.”
Danzo explained, “Konoha has established ironworks and ninja tool factories to compete with Sunagakure. We need the Daimyo’s support.”
Yorinaga was puzzled. “How can I support you? Do you need money?”
Danzo replied, “We don’t need money. We need the Daimyo to transfer the tamahagane mines to us.”
The officials immediately opposed this.
“Preposterous!”
“The tamahagane mines are the Daimyo’s source of wealth. How dare you covet them!”
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