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Land of Fire Capital.
"Whoa, as expected of the Land of Fire, one of the Five Great Nations. It's way more prosperous than the Land of Grass capital."
Honoka was stunned by the bustling scene the mont she stepped through the city gates. Shops lined the streets, and crowds of people wove together like a tapestry. It was the largest, most flourishing city she had ever seen.
"Keep up, Honoka. Stop daydreaming," Konan said calmly, walking straight ahead.
"Oh, right, coming."
The two of them, disguised via Transformation Jutsu, walked down the street toward the largest ninja tool shop in the city.
...
"Clan Head, Konoha is rushing us to pay the rent again."
The backyard of the ninja tool shop was imnse, featuring magnificent, palatial buildings that exuded wealth. Inside the main hall, a man dressed as a rchant was reporting to a middle-aged man kneeling at the head seat.
"We already paid three years of rent in advance, and it hasn't even expired yet. Now they're rushing us to pay ten years' worth of funds in one lump sum, and demanding it be paid in supplies."
"Satisfy Konoha's demands." The Clan Head's expression didn't shift in the slightest as he calmly sipped his tea. "For our Ninja Tool Clan, money has never been an issue."
Centuries ago, their ancestors began trading in ninja tools, specializing in the sale of various equipnt. Over ti, they ca to be known as the Ninja Tool Clan. Relying on unique techniques, they produced almost all the storage scrolls in the entire ninja world. They were the only supplier; there was no alternative.
The wealth accumulated over hundreds of years was astronomical, unmatched by anyone. They didn't just sell the tools themselves; they opened shops in every country in the ninja world. They even developed agents, not limited to just humans. The famous Nekomata—Granny Cat—sourced her inventory from them.
Of course, they also maintained their own craftsn to forge a small portion of equipnt to et the personalized needs of specific clients.
The Clan Head leisurely set down his teacup. "Konoha suffered heavy damage recently. All their buildings were destroyed, so they are critically short on supplies. That is why they are doing this."
"But they can't just keep fleecing us like sheep," the rchant complained indignantly. "It's one thing to tax us under various pretenses usually, but every ti Konoha encounters a disaster, they co to us for money. It's like they treat us as their personal ATM."
This ti it was Pain's invasion of Konoha. Before that, it was Orochimaru's invasion during the Chunin Exams. Even further back was the Nine-Tails' attack, and the Third Great Ninja War. He rembered clearly that every single ti, Konoha would co to collect massive amounts of rent and taxes.
"Heh." The Clan Head let out a contemptuous laugh. "They are rely using this thod to keep the money we earned in Konoha within Konoha."
"As expected of ninjas, their vision is truly narrow."
"Clan Head, if we just swallow this insult, I'm afraid Konoha will slaughter us like pigs eventually."
"You're overthinking it." The Clan Head shook his head. "As long as they are still ninjas, and as long as Konoha still requires the financial support of the Land of Fire, they wouldn't dare go too far. We are one of the few Great Noble clans of the Land of Fire. These ninjas are nothing but tools that act up occasionally; tossing them a little pocket change is enough to dismiss them. If they dare to step out of line, we won't even need to lift a finger—the Daimyo will take the initiative to deal with them for us."
The system of nobles and ninjas had been passed down for a thousand years; the hierarchy was carved into their very bones.
"Alright, since you have decided, Clan Head, I will imdiately arrange for the supplies to be transported to Konoha."
"Mm, make it happen," the Clan Head nodded, then added a condition. "When sending this batch of supplies, demand that Konoha helps rebuild Tenten's Ninja Tool Shop. They won't refuse such a small request."
Although Tenten's Ninja Tool Shop was only for retail, it was their clan's signboard in Konoha. If they didn't push for it, Konoha would definitely prioritize residential reconstruction and leave the shop for last. Their clan's major bulk transactions with Konoha were all completed here in the capital, not through that small retail storefront.
"Hm?" The Clan Head suddenly put down his teacup, looking puzzled. "Why do I suddenly feel a sense of panic?"
"Why has it beco so quiet around here? The Guardian Ninja outside—"
Before he could finish his thought, two figures flew grandly into the living room. It was Konan and Honoka.
As for the Guardian Ninja patrolling the corridor? Heh, a single glare from the Sharingan, and they were obediently staying put.
As a Great Noble, the defense asures here were quite good. There were not only samurai but also nurous Guardian Ninja with Jonin-level strength.
But it was all for naught. Faced with a powerhouse like Konan, they were no different from ordinary civilians and were instantly controlled by Genjutsu.
The eternally calm Clan Head could no longer maintain his composure. Judging by the way they entered, he imdiately knew the intruders were ninjas.
Simply audacious! In all these years, there had never been a record of a ninja attacking a noble of the Five Great Nations.
Arrogance! Unforgivable!
Such bold and reckless ninjas must be severely punished to maintain the dignity of the nobility.
Before the Clan Head could scold or curse them with the air of a superior, his eyes t a pair of scarlet Sharingan. His expression instantly beca sluggish and numb.
Konan couldn't be bothered to waste her breath; she resolved everything with the Sharingan. It was incredibly useful for controlling people to extract intelligence.
Standing behind Konan, Honoka's throat moved as she silently gulped down her saliva.
Oh boy.
Judging by this grand, opulent house, the luxurious clothing on the man in the head seat, and his pampered aura, it was obvious at a glance—this guy was definitely a Great Noble of the Land of Fire.
Even though she had been abducted by ninjas from the Land of Sea at a young age and lived on the Summoning Island, she had been strictly taught the first rule of the Ninja Code...
Ninjas are tools of the nobility. They must never disrespect a noble, and they certainly must never harm one!
Before any ninja extracts Chakra, they must morize this point. This applies not only to the nobles of one's own country but to nobles of the entire ninja world. As long as you are a ninja, you cannot harm a noble, even if they are a noble of an enemy nation.
Once an attack occurs, it invites the condemnation and wanted status of the entire ninja world. This is the Iron Law of the ninja world; no ninja dares to violate it.
Honoka had never even conceived the concept of attacking a noble; not even a sliver of such a thought existed in her mind. Almost all ninjas were like her. From the day they beca ninjas, this concept was indoctrinated into them. This teaching model had persisted for a thousand years to ensure that ninjas, as tools, would not bite back at the nobles, who were ordinary humans.
Honoka looked terrified, her concern slipping out subconsciously. "Lady Konan, attacking... attacking a noble Lord... I'm afraid this will invite a crusade from the entire ninja world."
Konan's expression remained chilly. "Why can't ninjas attack nobles?"
She hadn't realized this issue in the past either. When Nagato killed Hanzo the Salamander and took control of the Land of Rain, they still treated the Daimyo of the Land of Rain with respect, keeping everything as it was. They never had the concept of "harming," let alone "killing" them.
Only recently, under Alex's influence, did she suddenly realize sothing was wrong.
Why couldn't they be hard? Why couldn't they be killed?
"Why?" Honoka replied reflexively. "Because they are nobles. This is the Iron Law that must be morized at the very beginning of the Ninja Code."
"And then?" Konan shook her head. "I've already made my move. He is controlled by like a dead dog. So what if he is a noble?"
═════ To Be Continued ═════
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