Sand Village’s Trade

The Land of Wind’s market was somewhat difficult to break into. Because Sunagakure researched poisons, many Puppet Masters had considerable expertise in medicinal formulas. They treated ordinary illnesses and injuries themselves.

Although the Hundred Herbs Company’s medicine was good, it was of little help to Sunagakure during peacetime. Compared to medicine, they needed freshwater, food, and military supplies more.

Within the Land of Wind, Sunagakure controlled quite a bit of land, but sixty to seventy percent of it was desert. It was essentially barren wasteland rejected by the Daimyo of the Land of Wind and the nobles, then handed over to Sunagakure.

When it came to the strongest among the Five Great Ninja Villages, Kumo-nin would definitely compete with Konoha for the title. But when it came to the shame of the Five Great Ninja Villages, even Kirigakure did not want to compete with Sunagakure.

The leader of a village had been reduced to personally refining Gold Dust because the Daimyo Manor had cut funding.

Just look at Konoha. After Pain’s invasion, the entire village had to be rebuilt. That must have required an enormous sum of money.

Yet the Land of Fire’s Daimyo and ministers had handed it over directly, claiming they would give their full support. With such a comparison, it was no wonder Sunagakure was the weakest Ninja Village among the Five Great Nations.

The Third Hokage, Fourth Hokage, and Fifth Hokage had all been killed by Akatsuki Members or former Akatsuki Members. Under such circumstances, Sunagakure was not even as good as Takigakure.

"Sir, Sunagakure only accepts trade in food, freshwater, and metal minerals. If we want to penetrate deep into Sunagakure, we should start with those areas."

"Food…"

Hyuga Mirai opened the computer and pulled up an experimental chart for Genetically Modified Grain. These were optimized grain seeds, and once grown, their yield was four times that of the existing food crops in the Ninja World.

This was merely the result of Hyuga Mirai’s half-hearted experiments. If he pursued the research further, he could ensure that no one in the Ninja World would ever starve to death again.

However, Hyuga Mirai had no intention of immediately releasing the Genetically Modified Grain Seed. Using it himself was fine, but there was no need to promote it.

He had gradually begun targeting the means of production in the Ninja World. With high-tech products delivering a dimensionality-reduction strike, in just a few years, Hyuga Mirai would be able to hold most of the Ninja World’s means of production in his hands.

"Wood Release Chakra ripening is effective. With the growth cycle of Genetically Modified Grain and Hashirama Senju’s Chakra to accelerate it, we should be able to produce a batch of food in roughly ten days."

After calculating the result, Hyuga Mirai asked Android 18,

"Android 18, with the land we possess, how much food can we harvest in a month?"

"9,752 tons, sir."

"That will be enough. In a month, we’ll go to Sunagakure to negotiate. The Suna-nin, who were just beaten by Konoha and gained nothing from it, probably won’t refuse such a lucrative deal."

Hyuga Mirai paused, then added, "Right, don’t let Android 19 go. Do we have a backup company?"

"The Yasunori Family of Kawa River District in the Land of Fire is seeking a computer distributorship with the Uzumaki Company. If you need it, sir, the Yasunori Trading Company can resume its grain trade in ten days."

"Then I’ll be relying on you, Android 18."

"Serving you is the purpose of my existence, sir."

The Land of Wind had a considerable land area, but most of it was barren desert with a hot, dry climate. Locally produced food could feed less than forty percent of the Land of Wind’s population, while the remaining shortfall had to be purchased from merchants of other nations.

While other Ninja Villages were massively expanding their military strength, Sunagakure had chosen elite training.

They reduced investment in the new generation of Ninja, nearly abandoned the Ninja Academy, and had experienced Ninja who had seen the battlefield personally provide elite one-on-three instruction.

This had both advantages and disadvantages. It allowed Sunagakure’s new generation to encounter missions and the survival rules of the Ninja World earlier. While children in other Ninja Villages were still attending school, Sunagakure’s youths had already begun carrying out missions.

However, the number of trainees produced was greatly reduced, and Sunagakure’s reserve Ninja force was practically nonexistent.

Rasa knew about this drawback, but he had no other choice.

The Third Kazekage had vanished without explanation. Sunagakure then declared war on Konoha, suffered heavy losses, and was driven back to Sunagakure by Konoha’s counterattack. If they went to the Daimyo for money at that point, even Hyuga Mirai would not have wanted to give it to them.

If you were capable, then go win the war. If you were incapable, don’t come crying to me!

If the Daimyo cut the funding, Rasa truly had no good solution in the short term. He lacked Danzo’s ruthlessness, and the Suna-nin were a group that strictly followed the Ninja way. They would not easily turn on nobles merely because the village lacked funding.

In the end, Rasa could only personally mine ore to ease Sunagakure’s financial difficulties.

A month later, with the Hundred Herbs Company’s introduction, the Yasunori Trading Company received an audience with the Kazekage.

"You are the person in charge of the Yasunori Trading Company, I presume? I have heard a little about your family’s reputation in Kawa River District."

Rasa spoke calmly. Since they were dealing with merchants from an enemy nation, the Anbu naturally had to investigate their background.

The Yasunori Family was a famous major landowner in Kawa River District. The fields under its name were practically the most fertile lands in the district.

"That is correct, Lord Kazekage. I asked the Hundred Herbs Company to arrange this meeting because I wished to discuss a business deal with you and Sunagakure."

Rasa said, "Mr. Yasunori, what business is it? Please speak plainly."

"Lord Kazekage, please take a look at this."

The man sent by Android 18 was named Sakai. A Nano Chip controlled him from within, and he was now operating under the Yasunori Family’s name.

After Rasa took the list and opened it, he was slightly surprised.

Eight thousand tons of rice, one thousand tons of vegetables, fruits, and other Supplies—these were exactly what Sunagakure needed. If merchants were willing to come to their door and sell them these goods, Sunagakure would save a considerable amount of expense and time.

Moreover, the listed prices were basically a little cheaper than what Sunagakure paid when purchasing from other nations. Including the time and travel saved, if this deal went through, Sunagakure would profit greatly.

However, even with the Yasunori Trading Company offering a discount, Sunagakure could not possibly produce such a large sum all at once.

If they used all their funds to purchase Supplies, should they not buy weapons? Should they not pay compensation? Should they not distribute the Ninja’s expenses?

"Mr. Yasunori."

Sakai did not give Rasa the chance to finish. Instead, he interrupted directly. "If Sunagakure can purchase everything in one payment, the Yasunori Trading Company can offer another ten percent discount."

Hiss!

Another ten percent.

That would save Sunagakure tens of millions. After calculating that figure, even Rasa was tempted.

This could practically be called a benefit delivered right to their doorstep. If he refused and missed this opportunity, how much would Sunagakure have to spend on Supplies in the future?

Tens of millions more in funding, along with one or two months of transportation time?

"Mr. Yasunori, please allow me to discuss this with the others."

After saying that, Rasa had not even risen when Sakai took out something else and interrupted him again.

"If the issue is insufficient funds, then please take a look at this agreement drafted by the Yasunori Trading Company, Lord Kazekage. To be honest, compared to a one-time cash payment, we are more interested in the undeveloped mineral resources within the Land of Wind."

Hearing that, Rasa felt a trace of curiosity. He took the agreement from Sakai’s hand.

‘The Yasunori Trading Company will be permitted to survey mineral veins in the deserts within the Land of Wind. Sunagakure will dispatch Ninja for protection, and the accompanying Ninja will be hired according to normal mission compensation.’

‘If mineral veins are discovered, they will be mortgaged to the Yasunori Trading Company at the average market price within the Land of Wind, and the Yasunori Trading Company will be permitted to mine them independently.’

‘If the mineral veins are successfully mortgaged, Sunagakure must ensure that the Yasunori Trading Company’s mining operations within the Land of Wind proceed smoothly.’

‘The Yasunori Trading Company will be permitted to bring mining personnel and Guards into the Land of Wind without obstruction.’

‘…’

What followed were minor details. There were seven clauses in total, and Rasa finished reading them in only a few minutes.

These terms were not excessive. If they signed, payment for this batch of Supplies could be deferred. The other party would be allowed to survey mineral veins within the Land of Wind, and once veins were found, they only needed to mortgage them at the average market price.

Thinking about it that way, Sunagakure would save both manpower and time. Moreover, after the Yasunori Trading Company arrived in the Land of Wind, it would hire Suna-nin for protection, bringing Sunagakure quite a few Mission Commissions.

As for mineral veins…

In all of Sunagakure, only his Magnet Release Gold Dust could extract gold from the desert. The other Ninja simply were not skilled at mining mineral veins.

"If these are the only terms proposed by the Yasunori Trading Company, then I can represent Sunagakure and agree to this transaction." After thinking it over, Rasa decisively told Sakai.

If he could secure a large batch of Supplies, he would have an explanation for the Sunagakure Elders as well.

The defeat in the war had already made Rasa’s position unstable. Some people had even openly shouted within Sunagakure, "If Pakura had been made Kazekage back then, she would definitely have done better than the current Fourth Hokage."

They had signed an alliance with Konoha, signed an alliance with Iwa-nin, and now even Kirigakure could come bully them.

If Rasa failed to produce some results soon, he could only resort to extreme measures to maintain Sunagakure’s stability.

"Since Lord Kazekage agrees, the Yasunori Trading Company can sign the contract at any time."

Sakai immediately said.

The Ninja World placed great importance on honoring contracts. Once an agreement was signed, the other party could not break it without cause. Anyone who failed to honor a contract would have their reputation ruined throughout the Ninja World.

This was especially true for Sunagakure, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages. If Rasa broke the contract after signing it, not only would the Daimyo of the Land of Wind refuse to support him, but no merchants or nobles in the Ninja World would ever come to the Land of Wind for Mission Commissions again.

That was the consequence of breaking a contract.

After leaving Sunagakure, Sakai took a wristwatch from his robe, put it on his wrist, and after connecting the call, respectfully said to the person on the other end,

"Lord Eighteen, I followed your instructions. Rasa has signed the contract on behalf of Sunagakure."

"Good work. Come back. Others will go to Sunagakure afterward to handle the follow-up."

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