Chapter 103

"Help yourself, don't be polite."

The Daimyo gestured to the dishes on the table but kept his eyes fixed on the dance in the hall.

The costumes provided by the themed hotel were quite accurate.

Chestnut hair fell past the waist, reaching the white skirt that covered long legs.

The elf ears were long and pointed, the gauze like wings, and the white evening dress exposed the navel.

"I've never seen such a creature."

The Daimyo retracted his gaze and couldn't help but sigh, "No matter how you look at it, it's beautiful."

"Because it doesn't exist in reality."

Haruki smiled, picking up a fried shrimp and taking a bite. It tasted alright.

"If only such a creature existed in reality."

The Daimyo showed a regretful expression.

At this moment, he seemed like a fanboy.

Haruki wasn't too surprised that the Daimyo liked Asuna; she was one of the most popular female characters.

The Daimyo drank a glass of wine, finally getting to the point.

"My Grand Chamberlain told me that the industries under your name have not paid taxes according to the Fire Nation's laws."

The Grand Chamberlain is a high-ranking official in the Fire Nation, equivalent to a minister, with significant power and responsibilities.

"Before I answer, I have a question."

Haruki wasn't intimidated by the Daimyo's status. Putting aside his own strength, he didn't need to be overly subservient.

The Daimyo also understood this, speaking without a hint of threat or accusation.

He knew the role and restrictions Konoha placed on him.

Ultimately, might makes right.

All diplomacy is built on strength.

The current Fire Nation is essentially a cash machine.

The Daimyo knew his position.

He could still command the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to some extent.

But the shadows of the previous two Hokages loomed large over him.

"What's your question?"

"There are many businesses from Konoha operating in the Fire Nation. Why focus on mine?"

"Perhaps you don't know how much your businesses are making?"

Hearing this, the Daimyo smiled and gestured for someone to bring over a document.

He took a deep breath, "The profits are truly enviable."

Haruki raised an eyebrow, surprised that the Daimyo had done his homework.

He casually flipped through the documents.

They recorded not just the New Konoha Bookstore but also the recent situations of Golden Jade Union and Akihabara.

The Daimyo squinted his eyes and said, "What I've seen in the past few days convinces me that you're a rare business genius. If you can share some of the profits, the Fire Nation is willing to provide you with enough convenience to expand your businesses everywhere, making money hand over fist."

Haruki suddenly remembered a saying.

When profit reaches 300%, they dare to risk hanging.

"Is the profit for the Daimyo or the Fire Nation?"

"Hahaha." The Daimyo laughed, "That depends on your intentions."

"Let's think of it another way."

Haruki put down the documents and said, "I remember the Fire Nation has the Twelve Guardian Ninja. I recommend a ninja to you, to replace the taxes."

The Daimyo was slightly stunned, then shook his head, "I don't need Konoha's ninja. Besides, the current ones are enough to protect me."

"Are they really enough?"

Haruki asked with a smile, "I may not know their capabilities, but I bet they can't stop the Hokage."

"Hokage?" The Daimyo frowned, "I don't understand your point."

"Have you ever thought of having Konoha under your control?"

Haruki swirled his wine glass, asking casually.

"Huh?" The Daimyo seemed to wake from a dream, pretending not to hear, "What did you say?"

"The ninja I recommend can train a new army for you."

Haruki raised his glass to the Daimyo, saying softly, "An army that can defeat the Ninja Allied Forces."

The Daimyo's expression changed.

It was a lie to say he had no such thoughts.

Any ruler would not want a force they couldn't control.

If Konoha ever harbored disloyalty, they had no measures to counter it.

"I don't believe it."

The Daimyo took the glass, drank it, and shook his head, "Even samurai can hardly compete with ninjas. Your so-called new army is even less likely, unless they are all ninjas. Only ninjas can deal with ninjas."

"Under normal circumstances, yes."

Haruki stood up, saying, "If you're interested, come with me. I'll show you a treasure."

The Daimyo pondered for a moment. Haruki wouldn't harm him, so it wouldn't hurt to see.

He was curious about what kind of army could fight ninjas.

Haruki led him to a building in Akihabara.

The new base of the Natsu Organization.

Of course, the ninja school's research institute was still retained.

But some more important things had been moved.

He wanted to show the Daimyo the Heavenly Fire.

The explosive tag bullet gun.

Ichiro Muramasa had informed him before his engagement that a sample had been made.

"Lord Haruki."

Ichiro Muramasa left the lab immediately after receiving Haruki's notice and came to the reception hall.

"Hmm."

Haruki got straight to the point, "Bring me the Heavenly Fire you made."

Ichiro Muramasa left and returned shortly, holding a peculiar mini-crossbow.

Haruki didn't say much and led the Daimyo to the Forest of Death.

Heavenly Fire had its own propulsion device, but without chakra, its range was not very far, only about 300 meters.

"Try it." Haruki handed the device to the Daimyo.

"Is this the treasure?" The Daimyo was dismissive, feeling it was a waste of time.

"How will you know if you don't try?" Haruki lightly tapped the crossbow, infusing it with chakra.

"Alright."

Since he was already here, he might as well see what it could do.

The Daimyo raised his hand and pulled the trigger.

With a faint sound, a bolt quickly shot out.

A few seconds later, the Daimyo lost sight of it.

He was just an ordinary person, seeing a few hundred meters was his limit.

Is this it?

The Daimyo looked at Haruki, ready to speak.

A huge roar swept over them.

The powerful blast blew his fan far away, and a second later, he felt almost deafened.

A fire-red mushroom cloud rose in the distance.

The Daimyo stared dumbfounded at the devastation before him.

His head buzzed.

It took a long time for him to come back to his senses, staring at the Heavenly Fire on his wrist, speechless.

"Impressive power, right?" Haruki shrugged, "The new army I mentioned would be equipped with these weapons."

"These?" The Daimyo caught his word choice, "You mean not just Heavenly Fire?"

"Of course." Haruki nodded.

The Daimyo's expression changed entirely.

He could imagine how powerful and incredible such an army would be.

"I don't understand why you want to help me?"

The Daimyo took a deep breath, voicing his confusion, "I don't think so-called taxes compare to such weapons, which can change history."

"The reason is simple." Haruki explained, "Heavenly Fire is extremely costly to produce. I want to make a deal with you: you provide the materials and money, and I will train a new army for you."

The Daimyo fell silent.

This reason made sense.

It also explained why Haruki, a ninja, went to great lengths to make money.

The Daimyo didn't care about Haruki's goals, but Heavenly Fire gave him the courage to oppose ninjas.

"I agree."

The Daimyo smiled.

Haruki also smiled.

Someone else would fund his army; why not?