Chapitre 176: Trade
Not surprisingly, the feudal lord expressed an interest in Arthur that went far beyond cordial introductions.
"I would love to discuss your methods for stimulating growth," he said. "The people of my country could certainly benefit from your wisdom."
Arthur nodded, playing the part he had grown accustomed to—an engaging conversant and potential ally.
"I would be happy to share," he casually replied.
Internally, he noted how such discussions often held complicated politics cloaked beneath simple pleasantries.
As they entered the meeting room, where the other lords assembled around an ornate table, he spotted Kenji Yamauchi, the feudal lord of the Earth Country, pacing near the entrance.
Most, if not all, feudal lords were named after their Japanese voice actors, with only a select few having American names.
Kenji was no different from Hiromu.
His stature was slightly larger than the rest, and upon laying eyes on Arthur, he broke into a welcoming grin, arms extending in an unfettered approach.
"Oh my! Is that Lord Belfort?" Kenji exclaimed, striding forward with enthusiasm. "What a wonderful surprise it is to finally meet you in person. I've heard so much about your economic reforms!"
Arthur bowed slightly, knowing eyes were on him. He offered a hand, extending it for a firm shake, and said, "Thank you, Lord Yamauchi. It's a pleasure to be here… Please do take care of me, as I am only the feudal lord by word of mouth and not by name."
"Nonsense!" Kenji laughed. "When I heard Lord Hiromu was sick and that you were coming in his place, I just had to meet you."
As conversations swelled within the room, Arthur settled himself at the gathering. In time, he would come to know their names, their motivations, and above all, their weaknesses.
The place eventually became laden with articulated banter. Members spoke of land distributions, evoking convoluted calculations concerning agricultural productivity and trade routes.
Arthur tuned in, but his mind was on the final destination of his ambitions: to engage with Yoshiyuki—a lord whose political maneuvering had earned him both respect and wariness.
The two hadn't spoken yet, let alone greeted each other.
Yoshiyuki's appearance was marked by small, round eyes and dark pupils, which, alongside the traditional feudal lord headpiece he wore, contributed to his distinctive look.
Arthur had to understand the man's motivations, goals, and perhaps even his foundational ties to the others. This was, after all, the feudal lord who governed the world's strongest village.
As the meeting progressed, amid montages of agricultural policies, Arthur became dulled by boredom.
Patrons of their own domains debated while he scanned the room like a snake seeking its prey, watching for signs indicating which way the political world was moving.
These things were never expanded upon in the original story, with many speculating that only the five great ninja nations thrived during the three-year time skip.
He obviously had foreknowledge, but what good was that if he wasn't aware of which country could profit him the most without raising too much attention?
A moment arrived when Yoshiyuki arose from his seat to use the bathroom. Arthur caught his gaze as he stood up, and just like that, their subtle eye exchange bore unspoken recognition—the acknowledgment of a potential partnership.
Either out of politeness or intuition, Yoshiyuki glanced in Arthur's direction one more time, anticipating a word once things concluded.
The meeting progressed with discussions about economic hardships and the pressing need for more land and resources. Voices rose and fell as if Arthur were in a political theater.
Each feudal lord had their grievances, standing stubbornly in the belief that any concessions they made would only serve to empower their neighbors while weakening their own position.
Arthur sat there, arms crossed, scrutinizing the drama. He recognized their fears all too well; after all, history had taught them to be wary.
With jealousy and distrust, the lords were merely representing the hypocritical nature of politics—it was greed cloaked in a guise of collaboration.
"Perhaps if our borders expanded, we could—" Taira Kikumoto, the feudal lord of the Wind Country, proposed, only to be interrupted by a rival's retort.
"No country is keen to give up what little land they possess!" replied Kenji, reflecting the frustrations in the minds of every lord present.
Arthur kept his gaze neutral, musing on the futility of their posturing.
When discussions turned to the potential for collaboration, Arthur felt the need to bring sanity to their ramblings. But he chose not to interject, maintaining the persona of the accommodating yet unattached successor to Hiromu.
To be frank, there were no guards or ninjas in this room—it was that secretive of a meeting, and he was the youngest attendee.
Rather than voice his thoughts, he leaned back, quietly observing and noting the alliances and animosities unfolding in real-time.
Time wore on, and most of the discussions devolved into arguments peppered with strained civility.
He had only listened, occasionally fielding questions and redirecting conversations back to Hiromu's intentions regarding trade with the Water Country, feigning deference while masking his true agenda.
Many of the other lords did not like that he was technically hiding behind Hiromu, who wasn't present.
He couldn't care less, however. Many of these lords had built their wealth at the expense of their own citizens—cowardly benefactors hiding behind borders while the world teetered on the edge of conflict.
Politics was an ugly business, and most of them sheltered the unpleasant truths behind their thrones.
Finally, the formalities came to a close, and within moments, servants began bringing in platters of food and drink, inviting the lords to feast while engaging in more casual conversations.
Yet everyone understood the underlying purpose: business deals narrated under the guise of pleasantries.
As the lords began to mingle, Arthur slipped away from where the food was being served, making his way toward Yoshiyuki, who had just finished a conversation with Taira. The two had forged a visible alliance upon the Leaf Village informing the Sand Village about Orochimaru's scheme.
Yoshiyuki's eyes turned to Arthur the moment he approached.
"If it isn't Lord Belfort," Yoshiyuki greeted. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"May I have a word, Lord Kaneko?"
Yoshiyuki turned and smiled, saying, "I was hoping to speak with you as well, Lord Belfort."
When Taira and the others heard that, they were more than intrigued. By neglecting a conversation with Taira, a prominent figure in this room due to being the feudal lord of the Wind Country, Yoshiyuki was emphasizing that Arthur was of more importance!
"Your insights today were quite fascinating," Arthur began, allowing the initial pleasantries to fade. "I couldn't help but notice your input on the trade relationships."
That was the first tactic he initiated: trade.
"They hold potential, indeed," Yoshiyuki replied with a nod. "Yet, I'm more interested in your ambitions. You're young, Lord Belfort, and have quite the natural talent, one I'm sure is being cultivated well."
Arthur suppressed a smirk and simply replied, "A skill born of necessity in a world that clings to tradition—Akito Takahashi."
"You've read his work?!" Yoshiyuki agreed with an inscrutable smile.
"Who hasn't?" Arthur reflected.
"Yes, yes… I do believe we have much more in common than I expected. In these times, ambition can often be obscured by tradition."
As they conversed, it became quite clear that they shared a common goal.
"Then let us speak plainly," Yoshiyuki pressed, tipping the conversation. "What is it that I can help you with?"
"There's a certain item in your territory that has caught my attention," Arthur began.
Yoshiyuki quirked an eyebrow, asking, "And what item might that be?"
"I'm sure you've heard about the events at Hōzuki Castle, correct?"
"Hōzuki Castle?" Yoshiyuki repeated. "Yes, I believe a subordinate of that dastardly Orochimaru managed to escape."
"This is true," Arthur said. "That certain subordinate had an interesting weapon, a flute that was confiscated by the Leaf Village before her containment."
Yoshiyuki thoughtfully stroked his chin, feigning indifference. "And you wish to procure this flute; I take it?"
"Indeed," Arthur replied with a steady gaze, unflinching under the scrutiny from both Yoshiyuki and the lurking ears of other lords in the vicinity.
"And for what purpose?" Yoshiyuki asked, knowing full well he needed to maintain skepticism.
"Let's just say it might be beneficial for my hidden village," Arthur candidly said.
The conversation drew interest; he could sense the tension rising, but Yoshiyuki maintained a calm demeanor.
"Very well," Yoshiyuki mused, considering the implications. "But you must understand, the Leaf Village won't part with such an item easily. At least assurance of value."
This was a ploy. Both of them knew that they neither needed consent nor approval from their hidden villages. Yoshiyuki owned Tsunade, much like Arthur owned Mei.
"What assurance are you insinuating?" he inquired, feigning sincerity.
He knew what was coming.
"A hefty price, most likely," Yoshiyuki suggested, patently trying to negotiate. And here it came. "What are you willing to offer?"
"One hundred thousand ryō…" he stated.
Yoshiyuki pretended to ponder, stroking his chin with the kind of deliberation only a feudal lord could muster. Arthur read the moment perfectly; the game was in full effect.
"Is that truly all?" Yoshiyuki feigned disappointment.
Arthur smiled and said, "Of course not… One hundred thousand ryō and half a million barrels of oil."
The lords within earshot gasped. That was an extraordinary amount for two lords who had just met!
Yoshiyuki leaned in, intrigued but attempting to hide his excitement. So he said, "That is a significant offer…"
"However," Arthur smoothly added, "I wasn't finished. On top of those resources... one hundred thousand cubic meters of timber."
At that moment, several of the lords sputtered their drinks, their expressions becoming those of sheer astonishment. No one had expected such a trade; no one could fathom that Arthur could possibly be serious.
During the meeting, he had been hiding behind Hiromu's name; now he was making these exuberant trades!
To understand just how far he was going, one hundred thousand cubic meters of timber was worth roughly seven to twenty million American dollars!
Yoshiyuki, unable to suppress his excitement any longer, finally broke into a smile, delighting in the scale of the proposal.
"That is most generous, Lord Belfort. Tell me, is there a catch to this very enticing offer?"
"None," he unflinchingly said. "All I ask is that the flute be shipped directly to my office the moment the agreement is settled."
There was a reason for that, as most of those around knew. Since this was a private, exclusive meeting, any trades made or talks of alliances formed would not be known to the public.
It was maintaining the utmost confidentiality as per the lords' discretion. No one else would know that the lord of the Fire Country had accepted such a lucrative deal.
"I understand." Yoshiyuki smiled widely.
This truly was a game, one that Arthur deftly maneuvered to position himself as both a valuable ally and a calculating opponent.
Whether it was fighting against politics, he knew how to play.
With the agreement verbally accepted, Yoshiyuki leaned closer, ready to continue discussing the logistics of the deal, and Arthur used the moment to build rapport.
"Tell me more about your plans for the Fire Country," he suggested, guiding the conversation toward lighter topics. "I've heard compelling elements about your recent infrastructure projects."
"Ah, yes," Yoshiyuki chuckled as the earlier tension melted away.
They continued talking, Arthur conversing with finesse, allowing Yoshiyuki to share his visions while subtly hinting at critical partnerships for later collaboration.
As the casual talk among the other lords flowed, Arthur seized the moment to engage with them as well, following the effect of his pressing agreement with Yoshiyuki.
It allowed him insights into the ambitions, concerns, and motivations of almost everyone in the room.
After bidding farewell and disengaging from the other lords' clamorous discussions, he finally retired for the evening.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone