The Fourth Raikage glared at Andrew with clenched fists. He couldn't help but feel frustrated. Looking at the entire ninja world, aside from the geographical advantage of Konoha, which village's development could rival that of Cloud Shinobi, a village that he had worked hard to build? If it weren't for the ongoing war, would he even need to bargain over supplies? It felt like he was the one doing all the work to manage his village.
"Don't look at me like that," Andrew said calmly, noticing the Raikage's glare. "I know the price is steep, but isn't this how most transactions go? If you weren't in urgent need of these supplies, I wouldn't have set such a price."
Raikage's face turned grim at Andrew's words, but he couldn't refute them. He understood that the transaction was a result of unequal power dynamics. Cloud Shinobi was in a weaker position, and so he had no choice but to accept it.
"Fine! You've made your point. But we can't afford this much special beef. Can we make up for the shortage with other goods?" Raikage said, attempting to strike a compromise.
Andrew's face remained expressionless as he continued, knowing Raikage's frustration was directed at the circumstances, not him personally. "Of course. But I must be clear—this offer is only available because of the unique situation we are in."
Raikage, seeing his sincerity, suppressed his anger, but his patience was wearing thin. "Don't push it, Uchiha! I don't have time for games."
Andrew chuckled softly, rolling his eyes, and tried to calm the Raikage down. "I'm not trying to push the price up. But our Uchiha Group operates differently. If you choose to partner with us, we can offer a discount on future supplies."
The Raikage's scowl deepened, but he understood that Uchiha had already cornered him. Without Andrew's supplies, Cloud Shinobi would face significant challenges.
Andrew continued, "Consider it. Turning the Land of Thunder into a livestock base for Uchiha Group could be mutually beneficial. With sea transport, we can solve the logistical issues of Thunder Country's rough terrain. You'll be able to distribute your premium beef across the Shinobi World."
The Fourth Raikage narrowed his eyes. "Business cooperation? How do I know this isn't some sort of conspiracy from Konoha? You're saying this is just business, but how can I trust you?"
Andrew's response was firm. "Raikage-sama, let me clarify once and for all: Uchiha Group has no direct ties with Konoha. We aren't their puppet, and we don't represent their interests. Konoha may hold some influence over the Uchiha clan, but that's purely nominal. We don't do anything that harms our interests."
Raikage raised an eyebrow, trying to gauge Andrew's sincerity. "But Konoha is refusing to engage in this war, and they haven't provided us with any supplies. And yet, here you are, offering your support. How should I interpret that?"
Andrew took a deep breath before responding. "Konoha might not have allowed certain supplies to be traded, but that doesn't concern us. Uchiha Group operates independently. Our relationship with Konoha doesn't impact business. This partnership will benefit both our economies."
Raikage's face was still grim, but the wheels in his mind started turning. The reputation of Uchiha was well-known, and despite Konoha's refusal to get involved in the war, there was no denying that their approach was vastly different from the other villages.
He sighed. "Fine. I'll trust you for now. But what does this partnership look like?"
Andrew smiled, seeing an opening. "It's simple. Cloud Shinobi Village and The Land of Thunder would become our primary customers. We will open a shipping route from your territory, distributing your high-quality beef and other specialties to the Shinobi World. We will charge only for transport and sales services, and all profits from the goods will go directly to you. Additionally, as a main cooperative partner, you'll receive a 20% discount on material transactions."
Raikage was silent for a moment. His aides, Samyi and Mabuyi, exchanged a glance, and then Mabuyi whispered into the Raikage's ear.
"Master Raikage, Uchiha Group has similar partnerships with Kirigakure. From what I've seen, they've experienced significant success. This could be beneficial for us."
Raikage glanced at Mabuyi, then back at Andrew, his eyes sharp with suspicion. "But can you guarantee the safety of the shipment? If we're going to open a trade route, the safety of the goods is paramount."
Andrew remained calm. "You don't need to worry about sales. We have already established strong markets in the Land of Fire and the Land of Water. With the support of the Uchiha Hotel, we can handle the sales, even in areas like the Land of Water."
"And security?" Raikage pressed.
Andrew nodded confidently. "As I mentioned, we have a joint venture with Kirigakure for maritime security. If you wish, we can have a three-way partnership to ensure safety. No one would dare to interfere with such a strong alliance."
Raikage remained silent for a moment, clearly thinking it over. "Alright. I'll agree to this cooperation. What do you need from us?"
"It's simple. You and your daimyo can issue a formal announcement to the Shinobi World about our new partnership. Uchiha Group will handle all the follow-up arrangements. Additionally, we'll need to set up an office in your village to manage business transactions."
Andrew paused before adding, "And lastly, we'll need to establish direct communication channels with key personnel from your village to maintain a smooth relationship going forward."
Raikage finally relented. "Very well. We'll make it official. But I hope you're not expecting us to do anything more than what's agreed."
Andrew smiled, his expression turning sly. "Of course not, Raikage-sama. We're not here to interfere in your village's internal affairs. But rest assured, if the trade goes well, it will be a major economic boost for both of us."
The deal was struck, and despite the tension in the room, the agreement marked a turning point for Cloud Shinobi and Uchiha Group's growing influence in the Shinobi World.