CH - 90 Hire Ninjas?

"How in the world did you manage to find your way here?" Akihiko's surprise was palpable as he observed Mubuki's unexpected presence. "Aren't you deeply engrossed in your business? Has it taken a sharp downturn?"

"I just couldn't stand remaining in the village any longer," Mubuki's discontent was clearly evident as he vented his exasperation. "That fellow you mentioned, the one that Konan girl brought along – seriously! Out of nowhere, he's asserting that I owe him 10 million Ryo. I mean, really, Leader, you're well aware that I've always been an honorable Grass Ninja. How could I conceivably owe someone 10 million? Yet this man is hounding me endlessly for his supposed debt. From sunrise to sunset and even when I'm in bed with my wife! Tell me, who could endure such incessant pestering?"

"He's annoyingly insistent, as if he's more punctual than our factory workers," Mubuki added, rolling his eyes.

"His relentless pursuit has even led my family to doubt whether I secretly wasted that money on something shady. Why else haven't they seen a single coin from it? I simply couldn't bear it any longer, so I sought refuge here," Mubuki explained, the frustration was clearly evident in his words.

Akihiko regarded Mubuki with a mixture of astonishment and concern, sensing the genuine distress in his demeanor. Reflecting on Kakuzu's relentless pursuit of money, Akihiko couldn't help but wonder how Kakuzu had ended up chasing Mubuki for a debt.

His suspicion prompted him to inquire, "Are you absolutely certain that you don't owe him anything?"

"Without a doubt," Mubuki's expression oscillated between irritation and disbelief. "I'm starting to believe thatthis fellow might be missing a few screws. Let me be crystal clear: I have absolutely no outstanding debt to him. And to top it off, he just keeps spouting off all day, claiming things like, 'Back in the day, I even clashed with the God of the Ninja World!' Maybe he's genuinely dealing with some severe mental issues."

Akihiko was left momentarily speechless. He was well aware of the truth behind Kakuzu's grandiose claims.

"In any case, for the greater good of the village, a minor inconvenience on my part is tolerable," Mubuki dismissed the issue with an aura of moral virtue. "And you know what? Besides his boasting and being a bit miserly, he's actually not that bad. Right from the outset, he abandoned the idea of a half-price discount and instead started offering a 20% reduction compared to the market price. Initially, some of the smaller ninja villages resisted, protesting against the price increase. However, it didn't take them long to return."

Given the ongoing turmoil, the other ninja villages couldn't afford to let such an opportunity slip by. After all, they had to make practical decisions. It must be acknowledged that Kakuzu,, despite his tendency to exaggerate, seemed to possess keen insight. He swiftly analyzed the prevailing market conditions.

Moving on from that topic, Mubuki's gaze shifted expectantly to Akihiko. "The initial group of ninjas and workers has arrived. Leader, what's our course of action? Are we launching an attack on Rain Village? Perhaps capturing the Demi-God of the Ninja World?"

"Attack? Attack what?" Akihiko responded, his tone carrying a hint of exasperation. "Our objective here is business. If circumstances allow, we might deploy the Grass Ninjas to stir up some commotion there. However, for the time being..." his gaze swept across the assembly of Grass Ninjas and workers behind him, his eyes subtly narrowing, "We're establishing a factory. We're recruiting."

…

The Land of Rain is a country that has never experienced lasting peace due to its constant rain and conflicts. The harsh weather and ongoing warfare have made it impossible for its citizens to live normal and productive lives. The inhabitants of this land endure endless hardship, facing scarcity and freezing conditions while enduring the never-ending turmoil of war.

As time passed, many people became orphans while others perished in battles. The Land of Rain was shrouded in sadness due to the combination of hunger, cold, and conflict. Currently, the nation is experiencing another round of warfare, worsening the existing chaos. The Land of Grass has unexpectedly started fighting with the Land of Rain, making the already chaotic situation even more confusing.

…

Adorned in vibrant green protective attire and a raincoat emblematic of the thriving vitality of the Land of Grass, Koujou surveyed the desolate expanse of the Land of Rain, his emotions stirred by the scene of decay before him.

The sight of this decayed landscape was a sight he hadn't encountered in years. It appeared that the Land of Rain hadn't undergone any notable changes. In the end, he had opted to comply with the directives from higher authorities, bringing him to the Land of Rain.

Of course, Shuko and Ruko remained in the Land of Grass, and he would occasionally return there during intervals and breaks.

Regarding the ultimate outcome of the ongoing war? Koujou remained uncertain. Nonetheless, finding himself in this new setting, he resolved to employ the same approach he had adopted in the Land of Grass – to conscientiously fulfill his obligations in accordance with the instructions he received from above.

Yet, he hadn't foreseen that during his duration in the Land of Grass, the Land of Rain would further sink into desolation.

Speaking of Which, Despite his considerable time spent here, encounters with fellow individuals had been remarkably scarce. Through nearby inquiries, he had learned that the local population had significantly dwindled. Were these inhabitants claimed by the ongoing war or had they abandoned this region altogether? Regardless, the once-thriving populace of the Land of Rain was fading.

"Deputy Chief Koujou," a voice penetrated Koujou's contemplation on the plight of the Land of Rain. He turned to find a burly, bald-headed man wearing a smile at his side. "Daisuke-san."

Daisuke, the leader of the team dispatched from above to aid in the establishment of the factory, stood before him. Their arrival in the Land of Rain marked a new beginning, calling for the revival of the factory's operations.

"The foundational structure is already in place. We owe much of the rapid progress to the increased workforce and ninja presence from the Land of Grass in recent years," Daisuke remarked, unfazed by the rain droplets peppering his face. His protective gear, crafted by the skilled artisans of Grass Ninja Village, proved effective even in wet conditions, remaining comfortable and nonrestrictive.

The worker ninjas, among them, were graduates of the literacy class initiated in the Land of Grass a few years prior. Over time, they had seamlessly integrated into various roles. There was no need for them to delve into combat techniques or powerful ninjutsu. Their focus lay in mastering specialized skills relevant to their assigned tasks.

For instance, Koujou himself had once been a starving refugee in the Land of Rain. After enrolling in the literacy class, he had even mastered chakra control. His earnings at the Scientific Ninja Tool Factory reportedly nearly doubled post-graduation. Currently, he stood in the Land of Rain as the factory's deputy chief.

In the intervening years, many refugees from the Land of Rain had found solace in the Land of Grass. A remarkable transformation had swept through the residents, evident in brighter smiles and newfound vitality. Even Daisuke himself had undergone subtle yet noticeable changes, a testament to the positive impact of their transformation.

'It's truly remarkable how Grass Ninja Leader thinks,' Daisuke's admiration for the leader was unmistakable. In his eyes, the leader's generosity and compassion surpassed even that of the God of the Ninja World. While the God of the Ninja World might only perceive the ninja aspects, the Grass Ninja Leader extended his vision to encompass the broader suffering of the common people.

With a sigh, Daisuke spoke thoughtfully, "Given the unique climatic conditions here in the Land of Rain, we must redesign the drainage system. This task is more complex compared to what we're accustomed to in the Land of Grass, and unfortunately, we're working with limited personnel. Consequently, our pace might be slightly slower, but it's crucial for ensuring top-notch quality."

Koujou, expressing his gratitude through a nod, affirmed, "Your unwavering commitment is truly commendable."

"No need for gratitude, It's simply part of my duty. Plus, a team of skilled ninjas is scheduled to join us shortly," Daisuke chuckled heartily, exuding confidence. "Once they're here, I expect our pace to accelerate significantly."

"Ninjas?" Koujou's confusion was evident, his brows furrowing slightly. Being a worker ninja, he had a clear grasp of the circumstances in the Land of Grass. Due to the need for national security, development, and support for the battlefront in the Land of Rain, the availability of ninjas was scarce. Allocating ninjas for anything other than essential security was out of the question. In fact, they had received a directive from higher authorities, urging them to overcome challenges and push forward despite the manpower shortage.

Looking at Daisuke with a mix of doubt and curiosity, Koujou inquired further, "But weren't we told that there were no more ninjas to spare from the front lines?"

"That holds true for the Land of Grass." In response to Koujou's question, Daisuke responded with a hint of intrigue, his expression taking on a mysterious cast as he regarded Koujou.

Even now, it was slightly difficult for Daisuke himself to believe it had actually happened. They had managed to pull off the impossible. Letting out a soft chuckle, he allowed a brief pause, a sense of mystery coloring his words as he continued, "However, a rather unique solution was devised. Since we were genuinely short on personnel, higher authorities made a decision to hire ninjas from the Rain Ninja Village to assist us."

As his words hung in the air, Koujou's perplexity deepened. He wore an expression of utter bewilderment. Rain Ninja Village ninjas? Weren't we currently at war with the very same village? How was it possible to hire ninjas from them?

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