Go Through Fire and Water, Brother Sum

T/N: Brother Sum from a 2004 martial arts action comedy film, Kung Fu Hustle

The atmosphere within Kumo has become more and more subtle.

It was still the same Kumo...but not like the one Takahashi remembered.

Ninjas were mostly sharp, especially the experienced ones. Takahashi, who had just returned to the Kumo base camp after a short mission, instantly noticed the change in the atmosphere of the village.

Only...it doesn't seem to be a bad thing.

Takahashi thought so, holding the confirmation of mission completion written by his employer's handwriting in his hand, he arrived at the Kumo gate.

However, the gate of Kumo was not open.

Two masked ninjas, an old man and a young man, stood behind the gate, looking at him warily.

"Who is the visitor!"

"Kumo-nin Takahashi, ordered to return to the village after completing a mission!"

"Please relax and accept our inspection."

"Yes!"

As a ninja village, it was normal for Kumo to be cautious. However, the Kumo of a few years ago was not so neurotic that it was so troublesome to even have their own family members return to the village.

Nay before, the former Mizukage Yakura was forcefully controlled by a genjutsu technique... good and bad, the well-known good-for-nothing was best at genjutsu techniques as well.

Trouble is trouble, it is better than any more chaos in the village.

The current Kumo can no longer withstand huge ups and downs.

Takahashi stood still and allowed the two ninja to cast their jutsus on him - they were checking to see if there was any of the other ninja's chakra left in his body.

It was a stupid approach, but it was fruitful in checking whether others might be controlled.

No matter how awesome a genjutsu technique was, its essence was to use one's own chakra to interfere with and influence the chakra of others. As long as there was no foreign chakra left in the body, then it was basically certain that it was safe.

The test was soon over.

The gatekeepers were obviously relieved, but they still didn't let Takahashi in, instead they started checking with him about the village code already various information.

Takahashi himself didn't have any problems, so it was easy to match them all.

It was only at this time that the two gatekeepers then slightly opened a little gap, allowing Takahashi to enter through it.

"You have worked hard! Welcome home!"

The younger ninja was obviously still just a Genin, and when he saw Takahashi enter, he immediately greeted him - the current Kumo was really a bit green. Originally, the gatekeeper should at the very least be allowed to serve as a senior Chunin, and if the conditions allow it, it should also be watched over by a Tokubetsu Jonin and Jonin as a captain, but now...

Takahashi looked at the withering scene in front of him and couldn't help but recall in his mind the scene several years ago when everyone went out to the battlefield with the Yondaime Raikage.

At that time, Kumo was also not good, but how was it better than now... Now that Killer B-sama has also disappeared, Kumo with only one biju, can it really be...

Elite Jonin will basically serve as a squad leader level position, although the big shots are absolutely no mention of certain things, but Takahashi still know some insider information.

Nowadays, Kumo is really getting worse by the day...

Takahashi had fought for Kumo for three generations and had deep feelings for Kumo. Thinking back on all the things he had gone through in the past few years, it was hard for him to avoid feeling down.

"Ah, it's nothing hard, it's just working for the village... By the way, did anything happen in the village in the few days I was gone?"

"You guys look like you're happy?"

Considering that a certain Demon King was now staying at home in his boudoir every day to pet his cat, Yugito naturally did not continue the closed village policy and reopened the various tasks of Kumo again.

The conservative elders did not oppose her in this matter... After all, if they continue to be closed like this, not to mention Konoha hitting them, even if Konoha never comes, they will starve themselves to death.

Takahashi left the village to do his mission under these circumstances.

When he left, the mood of all the Kumo ninja was low. But now that he had returned, he clearly sensed a slight change - compared to before, the atmosphere within Kumo seemed to be a bit more cheerful?

At the very least, there were smiles on the faces of the two gatekeepers.

"Well, you didn't know before outside, recently Yugito people made an agreement with some companies outside and did some kind of agency... business things, I don't know much about it, all in all those big companies gave us a big sum of money in Kumo."

"Now everyone's days are a lot better."

Although suspicious, the assassination case of the Court Elder had finally died down officially. And after continuing to be shaken for a little over half a year, the Land of Lightning's stock market had finally begun to settle down.

For the smaller companies, the disaster wasn't over - the big companies were starting to plumb the depths of the market at low prices. But where do ordinary people and ninjas care... All in all, the big companies who are now in a happy mood are paying very painfully.

Technically speaking, this amount of money was hardly a vast amount for an armed group of Kumo's size. However, after the expansion in the previous few years, Kumo was not completely without assets. With this influx of living water, Kumo's blood-forming mechanism was once again functioning.

As Kumo's situation began to improve, the ordinary ninja's situation naturally got a little better.

It is naturally not comparable to those lesser soldiers of Konoha, but after getting out of the lowest valley, it is upward any more...

Takahashi smiled helplessly.

"For the time being, it's a good thing."

"Ah yes, I have to go and report to Yugito-sama, so I won't bother you."

The two ninjas didn't stop them and watched Takahashi leave.

Just like that, Takahashi carried his traveling bag and mission completion book to his home.

Only when he arrived at the door, it was obvious that there were a few very fresh footprints at the entrance of his house. In the room behind the door, there were even a few vaguely familiar breaths.

Takahashi's expression immediately became grave, but instead of running away, he opened the door.

The few people sitting on the sofa in the room immediately turned around - it was the several elders of Kumo.

"Takahashi, you're back."

The Kumo Elder sitting in the center seat said so.

"Yes!"

Facing these several conservative elders, Takahashi, the backbone of the Restoration Faction, immediately bowed and saluted.

"Your Excellencies, please forgive me for being late!"

With the relationship between the two factions nowadays, Takahashi shouldn't be so respectful to these elders - the reason was simple, because Takahashi was precisely the mole they had infiltrated into the Reform Faction.

The ninja business itself was closely related to espionage, and all villages had developed their own insiders within their enemies and even allies.

This is a very unusual thing, only Takahashi s situation is a little more special... He spied on the movements of the Reform faction.

This is a very sad thing.

It was clear that a great enemy was at hand, and Kumo could be swept away at any time by the giant wave of well-known implements. However, in front of the position of power, no one on either side was willing to back down at all.

Even... in the beginning, the purpose of both sides was to defeat Konoha and make the ninjas in the village change for the better.

It was a heartbreaking thing.

But Takahashi had no choice.

He was just a small man.

The Elite Jonin's strength could already be described as not bad, but he was nothing more than an insignificant pawn in the game at the top.

He was like a bubble being pushed forward by a wave, and he could only go with the flow even if he tried his best.

Every moment, he could be completely dispersed by the monstrous waves, disappearing between heaven and earth.

Just like this increasingly weak Kumo.

"It's alright, we are all on our own, don't be too nervous, Takahashi."

The Conservative Elder said so smilingly, as if he was a gentle elder.

But Takahashi knew very well in his heart that these big shots would not come to him casually. Since they came to the door, it must not be good - when a large number of big men who originally wouldn't even care about you suddenly come together to look for you, it also means that...

But he had no choice.

"Your Excellency, please give the order!"

"Well... this mission, it's a tough one, are you sure you're ready?"

"I have already come to my senses!"

"Well, you seem to have misunderstood something..." the conservative elder continued to smile, "We have convinced a few of the great men above us that they will support one of us to become the Raikage."

Takahashi sniffed and immediately looked up.

"What? Over in the Land of Lightning... This is not in keeping with tradition!"

"Of course it's not in keeping with tradition. But nowadays, what piece of the situation is in line with tradition? This world, it's really getting worse and worse. In order to make some money, everyone is becoming more and more unruly."

An elder sighed longingly, fortunately he did not extend the topic further.

"All in all, the Daimyo is a traditionalist after all. There is no longer any doubt that we have won, and for Yugito and those rebels, we should have killed them all... but with the situation of Kumo nowadays, it would be too damaging to revive the butcher's knife again."

"So - you've been lurking among the reformers for so long, you should know quite a few people, right?"

"Pull them over, so that we, Kumo, shed less blood."

The mission might sound like a normal one, but Takahashi, who had been lurking for years, knew the dangers - a complete unification of the two factions would be a good thing, but most of the losers wouldn't be willing to surrender meekly. After learning that they were desperate, they would often do something about it.

At this time, it was very dangerous to try to moderate those reformist factions.

One mistake and...

It is a task with a very high mortality rate.

The elders decided his future with a few words.

No, from the beginning, he had no future... Since becoming a ninja...

When Takahashi was young, he wished to become a ninja, because he was always hungry and always poor.

He naively thought that if he became a high coming and going ninja, he would be able to feed and clothe himself and give happiness to the people he cared about.

Yet it didn't work out that way.

The ninja village does not need a thinking "person", they only need a "tool" that is good, cheap, and doesn't hurt too much when you throw it away, and even knows how to go to the doctor by itself.

Farmers have to do their best to treat their livestock with care, vaccines, treatments, and even concentrate feed. And the ninja...

Takahashi never knew exactly what he was fighting for.

Anyway, when the chief said to fight, he fought, and when the chief said to rest, he rested. He never knew what his future held, and his chiefs didn't care about his future...

For some reason, Takahashi had some sadness in his heart.

But he still answered seriously.

"I understand, I'll look for an opportunity to do it right away..."

"It's not looking for an opportunity, it's right now! Now that the situation within the village is becoming more and more rigid, there isn't that much time for you to dilly-dally!"

"Yes, I understand!"

"Good, that's the spirit."

The elders nodded their heads and left with smiles.

Takahashi began to take deep breaths.

It wasn't until ten minutes later that Takahashi was able to adjust himself to a state where he could continue working.

Just before he could start moving around, a ninja arrived at his doorstep, telling him Yugito was looking for him.

Has it... been discovered?

Takahashi was startled, but he immediately realized that the elders had only just approached him, and Yugito couldn't have had any access to their secret talks.

And if Yugito really wanted to mess with him, he wouldn't be so polite.

Even though he didn't know Yugito's purpose, he still arrived in Yugito's office.

When he arrived in Yugito's office, there were a dozen or so ninjas lined up doing something.

Takahashi dared to take a look and realized that they were signing a contract.

He noticed that each person who signed the contract had a look of heartfelt joy on their face.

Takahashi didn't know what this was all about, and he didn't dare to ask too many questions, just silently waiting at the end of the line.

Everyone was very efficient, and very quickly, Takahashi walked up to Yugito.

"Yugito-sama, this is..."

"It's nothing, it's just a full set of insurance, just sign your name and the village will take care of the rest."

The village insuring everyone?

This was something unprecedented.

As far as Takahashi knew, currently only Konoha's side in the entire ninja world had this kind of benefit.

However, the Konoha side... side are all broad-minded people, it is normal to have this kind of benefit, now Kumo...

"Does Kumo have this much money?"

Although he knew that this question was not very appropriate, Takahashi still asked it.

"About that, you don't have to worry." Yugito spoke with a very strange expression, "We're already making a profit anyway, and that portion of the money is enough to offset everyone's insurance premiums... You don't have to worry about that."

Takahashi was puzzled.

But Takahashi knew at the same time that he couldn't lie about this kind of thing. The ninjas were in a terrible situation, and they were eager for change. If the whole village implemented insurance, it would immediately gain their strong support.

And likewise, if anyone dared to lie...

It's not necessarily that the bottom will overcome the top. Anyway, it is certain that the people's hearts will be lost.

Since Yugito was saying that now, never mind how she actually did it, but she would definitely fulfill her promise.

"I see, then I'm relieved."

Takahashi stopped asking.

At the same time, a warm feeling rose in his heart.

Because he had already seen the contents of the contract up close, and just as Yugito had said, that really covered the entire field. As long as it was possible to use the insurance, it was all bought for them.

Even if the position was different, this feeling of being cared for by others was really... Perhaps Yugito had another purpose, but these vast amounts of wealth spent were indeed real.

...That instant, Takahashi even felt a little guilty.

After all, Yugito had paid for his insurance, and he was digging Yugito's corner... The difference between the one before and one after the other, even the veteran spy likewise had mixed feelings in his heart.

Out of a mood that even he himself couldn't say what it was, Takahashi turned to Yugito and asked.

"Wait, did you just say you want to buy it for the whole village? Then the elders' side..."

"Of course I'm buying them all together, as long as they still consider themselves part of our Kumo in their hearts, I'm buying them all."

Yugito, who had been looking at some documents, suddenly looked up at him.

"Like you, for example, I don't buy them for you too."

Takahashi's face instantly turned as white as paper.

As a spy, how could he not realize that he had been exposed.

But before the dumbfounded Takahashi could make his next move, Yugito shook her hand again.

"Alright, alright, don't be too nervous. Although I was a little surprised at first when I realized that you were a spy... but the fault of this matter does not lie with you, as long as you are still willing to be loyal to Kumo, then I can pretend that I don't know."

"Kumo… has already lost too much."

"Let's just pretend that nothing happened, and let's all start over."

"For you, it's also a chance for me."

Yugito's tone was low and dry, and in those clear eyes, Takahashi clearly felt powerlessness and exhaustion.

Takahashi took a deep breath.

After a long, long time, he continued to ask.

"Yukito-sama, can you tell me where the flaw is?"

"A flaw? You don't have a flaw. Like Tanaka, I never knew about you... Haha, we Kumo are not good at anything else, but pitting own people are really various phantom gods, starting with those Gold and Silver two bastards... Before you came back, I called a few guys over to sign the insurance contract, and then one idiot suddenly lost control of his mood, started crying, and somehow recruited all of you..."

Takahashi was willing to believe Yugito, after all, there was no reason for the proud big cat to lie at a time like this, it's just that the way this discovery was made really...

"I can't believe it was defeated in a place like this..."

"Yeah, I find it quite surprising as well. But come to think of it, after all, your guys' real rivals are actually..."

Yugito lowered his eyes and uttered a strange statement.

"Perhaps as that guy said... five acres of house, tree with mulberry, fifty people can be clothed in silk. The animals of chickens, dogs, and swine are not out of season, and those who are seventy can eat meat."

"Don't take away a hundred acres of land, and a family of eight will not be hungry. I will follow Xiangxu's teachings, apply the meaning of filial piety and brotherhood, and award the white ones to live up to the road. The old man wears silk and eats meat, and the people are neither hungry nor cold. However, there is no such thing as a king."

T/N: Xiangxu's teaching refers to ethics and moral education

Takahashi speechless, only feeling sourness in his eyes.

He sniffled several times before he was able to hold back the feelings churning in his chest.

Yugito pretended not to see it as she lowered her head to read the papers for a moment, then when she looked at Takahashi again, her face had clearly taken on a bit of confusion.

"Then again, what's your name again?"

"Nakanobu Takagi, reporting to you!" Takagi saluted towards Yugito, then exclaimed, "Lord Yugito, based on my long-term observation, I have found that someone may be doing something unfavorable to Kumo, and I hereby report to you!"

Yugito: "...Again?"

… …

After spending a whole day, Yugito finally solved the insurance problem for the whole village.

During this time, she also dug up a large number of Conservative spies.

Although they weren't among her targets to begin with... But since they were willing to take the initiative anyway, Yugito didn't bother counting.

Of course, Yugito was actually only responsible for the signing part of this. The one who really opened up another big source of wealth for Kumo and used it to take in the hearts of the people in three easy steps was still a certain well-known good-for-nothing.

Early knew that this guy is powerful, did not expect to be powerful to this extent... Such a guy, it is simply impossible to win.

Today, when I think about it, when I forced the opening of the Fourth Ninja World War is really the most correct judgment.

At that time, they were perhaps the closest moment to turning the tide... Unfortunately, even if it was Konoha in that state, they were likewise unable to defeat it.

Now the Kumo ninja people's hearts are fixed, even the conservative faction planted in the spy began to turn against the water. No matter which way to look at it, Yugito's side is the victory has been determined.

Because of joy, Yugito's pace was much lighter.

Only when she bounced back to her own cat's nest, she saw Makoto hugging a nibi clone and gnawing furiously.

"Heh heh heh heh, kittens like you are born to be eaten by mama!"

"It's useless for you to resist!"

"Enjoy every moment!"

Obviously a berserk biju clone, but in front of Makoto, it acted like a weak kitten that was being bullied... Did you damn well forget that you're not really a cat!

"Yo, Yugito, back, play together."

...Every time Yugito tried to show some respect to Makoto, the guy started to open his mouth to speak.

"No need!"

Yugito exasperatedly got into the middle of the quilt oven and roasted the black stocking that she had purposely worn all day.

However, Makoto didn't even look at her, his attention always focused on the nibi.

...What the hell is wrong with this guy? Raiding difficulty is so high? This guy is not the kind of light novel male lead without hanging, itself does not abstain from food, how... Pakura and Terumi Mei's segment, is it much higher than she imagined... These two turned out to be the legendary tea masters?

Yugito was puzzled.

But Makoto didn't intend to give her time to figure it out.

"By the way, there's something I want to talk to you about."

"What?"

"I received information from Konoha today. The information said that the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning has decided to appoint you as the next Raikage, but there are a few Yakuza servants mixed in, trying to get both sides. I don't need to do this kind of trivial matter. Come on, you can handle it yourself."

For such a big thing as Raikage, the nobles still want to eat two heads, simply do not have a bit of brain... although this is very consistent with their persona.

Before being stepped on by the streets of heaven to exhaust the public, they will always be congregationally positive in the court.

Yugito was offended, but barely able to accept it.

She wasn't a child after all, and knew that the Demon King was good, but the little ghosts were hard to deal with. Kumo's current peace is hard to come by, so if you can give some money to solve the problem, then give some.

...The big deal is that a few years later, bring the Konoha ninjas together to kill their whole family.

In contrast, Yugito was actually more worried about how Makoto knew about this kind of thing... She, a high-ranked Kumo person, did not even know!

...Well, it's all come to this kind of time, there's nothing to worry about.

"Say, how did you know?"

"Because I have the dark history of hundreds of officials in the Land of Lightning. Those important ministers told me themselves."

Yugito no longer wanted to have any discussion on the subject.

"Then... how much do they want?"

"Not much. Just half of the Kumo Insurance Company."