บท 62: Chapter 62
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Iron ore, in reality, was nothing extraordinary.
Just a normal trade commodity, many caravans engaged in this business.
But this caravan was obviously unreasonable. Where is the logic in hiring ninja from different factions simultaneously?
However, combined with Terumi Mei's self-introduction, Kyomu had already pieced together some unrelated information to form a relatively complete context.
As a maritime country, the Land of Water was surrounded by seas on all sides, and many supplies needed to be imported, with iron ore being a crucial item among them.
Iron ore could be used for many things, forging weapons being one of them.
"You really didn't need to be so cautious," Mei could see that Kyomu was still wary of her, "If it weren't for the continuous rain delaying the caravan by eight days, we wouldn't have met at all."
Kyomu also knew that Mei was telling the truth. This pattern was akin to a relay race.
The Leaf Village ninja hired by the caravan would escort them to the port of the Land of Iron, completing their mission. Mei and her team's mission was likely to provide support and protection to ensure that this batch of iron ore could safely reach the Land of Water.
As for why they didn't just depart from the Land of Fire's port, it should be because this caravan still needed to conduct some other business within the Land of Iron's borders.
One-way trips never make money. Merchants are profit-driven, so they would naturally choose a more profitable route, even if it meant encountering some unforeseen events.
And Kyomu's "Shinobi Rain God" passive ability undoubtedly became that variable, disrupting everything that had been planned.
Two countries' ninja who were not supposed to meet, and unexpectedly collided in their missions.
"I understand, but I still think we should stick to our own duties," Kyomu still didn't relax his vigilance, "So, you can leave."
"Alright, I'm not interested in cooperating with Leaf Village ninja anyway."
Mei still had the appearance of an old lady, thanks to her Transformation technique.
She turned and left without any hesitation.
The Hidden Mist Village ninja didn't have a favorable view of the Leaf Village ninja, and Mei was no exception.
But compared to the Leaf Village ninja, Mei was more concerned about the ninja from the Hidden Rock Village. With her background, she could still know some insider information about high-level power struggles.
The iron ore produced by the Land of Iron was bought up by the Land of Earth, forcing the Hidden Mist Village to pay a high price elsewhere to purchase such goods.
Was the Land of Earth lacking iron ore?
In fact, it wasn't. They had abundant mineral resources.
But buying up iron ore from the Land of Iron was undoubtedly an attempt to block the Land of Water economically and in terms of resources. At the same time, they could use a quasi-monopoly approach to increase the price of iron ore, allowing them to make even more profit.
Killing two birds with one stone.
Kyomu also vaguely guessed this point. That's why, upon learning Mei's identity, he anticipated trouble in the subsequent missions.
Although it seemed like commercial competition on the surface, behind the scenes, it required force to escort. Otherwise, why would other countries allow you to hoard iron ore and profit from monopolizing it so rampantly? It didn't make sense...
Watching Mei's figure disappear, Kyomu took a deep breath, his wariness deepening.
The next morning, Kyomu woke up Kakashi and told him about last night's events.
"Oppa Paipai?" Kakashi's focus seemed to be a bit off, "Kyomu, can't you come up with an even weirder name for me?"
"Ooki Dong?"
Kakashi went silent, then punched Kyomu's shoulder lightly and then turned serious, "If we really encounter a strong enemy, I think we can cooperate with the Mist ninja."
"That's possible, but not blindly." Kyomu didn't trust Mei and her team, "And remember, our mission is only to escort the caravan to the port of the Land of Iron. Anything else is none of our concern."
"I know that." Kakashi nodded, understanding clearly, "But as you said, the delay caused by the rainy days might lead to many unforeseen consequences."
"Anyway, let's be vigilant." Kyomu knew the seriousness of the situation, "I'll rest first, you stay alert."
Kakashi nodded, taking over Kyomu's position, and while escorting the caravan, his dead-fish eyes were extremely vigilant, observing the surroundings closely.
Similarly, Mei's group did the same. However, they were more aware that the Rock Village ninja would definitely ambush them.
For the sake of monopolizing the iron ore trade, the Land of Earth would arrange many Rock Village ninja disguised as wandering ninja to ambush caravans transporting iron ore from the Land of Iron to other countries. They paid special attention to caravans heading to the Land of Water.
The enmity from past battles was something the Rock Village never forgot. Suppressing the Mist Village from various angles had become the norm.
Over time, many caravans had learned about some of these power struggles. For the sake of their own lives, they naturally gave up the commercial activities of transporting cheap iron ore from the Land of Iron to the Land of Water.
Instead, they chose to buy iron ore at a price three times higher from the Land of Earth, then mark up another percent and finally sell it to the Land of Water.
The Land of Water, feeling wronged, naturally wouldn't sit idly by. And Mei's group was one of the players in this game.
Originally, the Land of Water planned to entice this caravan, taking advantage of the time difference in which various Rock Village ninja rotated within the borders of the Land of Iron, to secretly transport the cheap ore back to their country.
The plan was good, even reserving an extra three days in case of unexpected situations. But because of the continuous rain, everything went awry.
The Rock Village ninja lurking within the Land of Iron's borders had already completed their rotation. The vulnerability before the rotation was completed no longer existed, and a hard battle was inevitable.
"Mei, do you want to tell those two Leaf Village ninja the truth?"
"No need." Mei shook her head, she had planned it out long ago, "Let the Leaf Village ninja become the Rock Village ninja's target. Regardless of life or death, as long as they can attract firepower for us, when it's our turn, it will be much easier.
"Otherwise, why would I have you disguise yourselves like this?"
Mei wasn't naive; she was very clever. Towards outsiders who weren't her own, she acted ruthlessly and mercilessly.
After all, their positions were different, and they had fought a war against each other. Why should she consider them?
If Kyomu hadn't been sharp enough to see through Mei's disguise, she wouldn't have said a word.
And admitting her identity was just to keep Kyomu and Kakashi in check.
When the caravan reached a narrow pass, alert Kakashi immediately called for a halt and woke up the sleeping Kyomu.
The terrain here was too suitable for an ambush.
However, Mei and her group showed no reaction at all, staying obediently in the carriage, truly like attendants of the caravan.
The moment the caravan stopped, a torrent of kunai and shuriken poured down from both sides of the mountain road, aimed directly at the caravan's accompanying samurai guards, with Kyomu and Kakashi being the primary targets.
A curve formed at the corner of Mei's mouth, "Ao-senpai, it's time for you to shine."
The disguised Ao nodded, obediently following Mei's much younger appearance, he truly valued Mei's future.
Forming hand seals, he used Sensory Jutsu to monitor the situation on the battlefield.
At this moment, Kakashi and Kyomu, who were suddenly attacked, immediately launched a counterattack.
Iai, Crimson Moon Slash!
Caw!~
A fierce bird cry rang out, and the originally high-temperature and crimson-colored blade light had now turned into a fiery phoenix. It spread its wings and soared, its body as wide as two adjacent houses.
Kakashi suddenly turned to look at Kyomu, his eyes filled with incredulity, "Kyomu, you..."
Kyomu was equally stunned, never expecting his Crimson Moon Slash to look so majestic after its transformation.
The "VFX" passive skill wasn't worthless at all.
Not only Kakashi and Kyomu themselves, but even the Rock Village ninja lying in ambush were taken aback by this sudden fiery phoenix.
Is that brat a Jonin?
And he's using a Ninjutsu as his opening move, one that involves the ultimate transformation of chakra? This guy is tough!
"Take him down and call for reinforcements at the same time, say we've caught a big fish here!"
The leading Rock ninja immediately reacted, and six teams of ninja led by Chunin immediately rushed towards Kyomu and Kakashi, with Kyomu naturally being the main target.
"Snap out of it!" Kyomu shouted, "They're coming."
Kakashi nodded, suppressing his astonishment, and focused all his attention on the battle.
Meanwhile, hidden inside the carriage, Mei also noticed the rising phoenix.
There was a gleam in her eyes, unable to help but glance in the direction where Kyomu was.
That guy's strength is extraordinary.
And his technique isn't ordinary either.
"Aragami Kyomu?" Mei muttered to herself, then her face changed slightly, "Damn guy, he actually deceived me!"
(End of Chapter)
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