The First Great shinobi War was so brutal largely because of misinformation being spread around, some say it was due to certain groups selling false intel and stirring up chaos.
Before Kodo could even reply, Mujie spoke up passionately, "Besides, Konoha and the Kusagakure are very close allies, like brothers! We would never betray our friends."
Kodos eyelid twitched slightly as he looked at the Kusa shinobi standing before him, thinking to himself, 'That's typical Kusagakure audacity.' But he kept his thoughts to himself.
Folding his hands on the table, his round face lifted just a bit as he locked eyes with Mujie, who suddenly felt a bit uneasy under the intense gaze.
"Well..." Kodo began. Then, cutting him off sharply, he said, "Advisor Mujie, I know exactly how you feel about your lords decisions."
Mujie blinked in confusion, staring at Kodo's serious expression. 'Who said that? I didn't!' he wondered silently.
"Advisor Mujie, you were arrested for selling information to Konoha," he declared. "And after your release, because of your close ties with Konohas shinobi, the lord grew suspicious and had you arrested again on fabricated charges."
Although rumors about secret dealings between Mujie and Konoha's shinobi had circulated, the evidence was incomplete. Officially, the Kusa Countrys shinobi lord charged Mujie with "neglect of duty." It seemed Charlie lacked sollid proof, so he spoke in vague terms. After all, a lord of both the country and village wouldn't target an advisor without cause.
"Still, this time, even though The lord knows how close you are to Konoha, he secretly assigned you to host us from Iwagakure. Isn't that a clear sign? So, Advisor Mujie… am I wrong?"
Mujies lips twitched slightly, acknowledging the logic before he could respond.
"No need to hide it," Kodo pressed on. "The lord crushed the internal chaos in the Land of Grass through sheer force, his strength is undeniable. But he wants to change how the Kusa shinobi have traditionally lived.
For example, he pushed through creating a shinobi academy despite strong opposition, and he prioritizes civilians so much that he neglects the shinobis duties!"
Kodo sighed deeply. "As an elder of the Kusa shinobi Village, you want to change this, but you Don't have the power since he's now the lord of the Land of Grass." His tone softened. "But now, we from Iwagakure can help you."
Honestly, the Iwa shinobi would have preferred to ally with Charlie. He was well-respected in the Land of Grass and not like the typical Kusa shinobi, who had a reputation for being unreliable and quick to betray their allies when danger struck.
Still, in recent days, trying to meet with this Kusa lord had been nearly impossible, he was deliberately avoiding them. So now, they had to settle for a second-best option. Their mission was to gain passage, or maybe even forge an alliance, with anyone willing.
Kodo looked at the stunned Mujie and spoke seriously, "You Don't have to hide anything from Iwagakure, we already know."
Mujie blinked and stayed silent for a moment. Then he sighed, grabbed his cup, took a deep drink, and wiped tea from the corner of his mouth.
He stared hard at the Iwa shinobi in front of him. "Cant believe I hid it so well, and you still found out."
With a loud slap, he slammed the cup down on the table. "That's right! I'm putting all my cards on the table! I just Don't like that kid! But his strength is too great!"
Kodo was surprised to see Mujie drop the act, but soon a pleased smile spread across his face. "We from Iwagakure can help you!" he said quickly.
"No need! Having shinobi from another village involved will only bring shame!" Mujie replied firmly.
"Iwagakure..."
"Even though I Don't like that kid, I'm still a shinobi of the Kusagakure! If it comes out that shinobis from other villages are involved, it will disgrace my clan and push me even further down the line!"
Mujie gave Kodo a serious look. "Iwagakure must not intervene."
"So then..."
Before Kodo could finish, Mujie continued seriously, "But I still need Iwagakures help."
Kodo blinked in confusion.
"Ugh, this is such a headache," Mujie muttered, his expression darkening as he slumped back in his seat. "You remember that harvesting machine I showed you a few days ago, right?"
"Advisor Mujie means..." Kodo began.
"That's right! Its a new industry for the Land of Grass, but unfortunately, the shinobi don't seem to like it!" Mujie interrupted with a sigh.
"That kid founded Kusawood and brought huge profits to the Land of Grass, earning the love of both shinobi and civilians. And me..." He shook his head, "I still havent even started."
"Excuse me, I have to say something, whether I should or not!" Kodo suddenly spoke up.
"Go ahead!" Mujie said.
"Shinobis should focus on what shinobis do. They shouldn't get dragged down by stuff like this!"
"I know! But the Land of Grass is poor now! Theres nothing here! shinobis who can't make money have no right to become the Kusagakure lord. So, I need your help!"
Silence fell between them. The Land of Grass was indeed changing.
Kodo frowned as he looked at Mujie. "Advisor Mujie, exactly how do you expect Iwagakure to help?"
"Just buy a few machines."
Kodo blinked in disbelief. What the heck? Why would a shinobi want to buy something like that?
"You Iwa shinobi aren't like Konoha, right? All talk but never actually buy anything?" he said, eyeing Mujie suspiciously as an awkward silence settled between them.
After a moment, Kodo hesitated, then took a deep breath and said seriously, "Alright... how much are they? And how many do you need?"
"Not expensive! Three million each. Iwagakure is one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, so you'll want at least ten!"
Kodo was speechless. Not expensive? That was ridiculously pricey! Ten machines meant thirty million!
How much did an S-rank mission pay again? And isn't he heard it's a million!? How could the price raise like that!?
He raised an eyebrow, about to protest when Mujie gave him a suspicious look and added, "you're not planning to refuse, are you? That would make it hard for me to help you."
"I'm not refusing, its just…" Kodo hesitated again, then looked Mujie straight in the eye. "If we help, what about the Kusagakure?"
"Alliance! Passage! We guarantee to guide you!" Mujie said firmly. "But... we Don't get involved in wars!"
That was even better. Kusa shinobi were a liability, as long as they didn't drag them into battles, it was fine. Otherwise, they'd probably betray Iwagakure again.
Of course, Kodo kept that thought to himself and nodded solemnly. "I'll report your request to the Tsuchikage immediately!"
"Pay up! We'll ship the goods!" Mujie replied.
"That's not what Iwagakure really wants!"
"Oh, right, guidance! We guarantee that too!"
In the end, having seemingly made an important decision, the two exchanged a knowing glance and shared a meaningful smile, a silent understanding between them.