Uchiha Kai smiled as he spoke.
Yes.
Among all the techniques in the shinobi world, this one was the most dazzling.
After all—it allowed flight!
He had no shortage of offensive means, nor of wealth, thanks to the Uchiha trading fleets.
From Hidden Stone Village, the only thing that truly interested him… was the Super Light-Weight Rock Jutsu.
Not even Particle Style or Limitation Dissolving Jutsu tempted him much.
"What?!" Onoki cried out, aghast. "Absolutely impossible!"
"That is one of Hidden Stone Village's true foundations! There's no way I would hand it to an outsider like you."
"Don't even think about it. Pick something else!"
His refusal was instant, firm.
Unlike Konoha, Hidden Stone Village's heritage was thin.
Konoha had sealing scrolls and countless forbidden jutsu.
Hidden Stone Village… not so much. Just a handful worth showing. Passing them off to an outsider? Impossible.
"Then we'll just keep fighting," Kai said coolly.
"Hidden Stone Village is already at a disadvantage. True, with your ability to fly, it won't be easy to finish you off…
"But your forward command post here? Not one of them would escape alive."
"You know very well I can make that happen."
"Over a single jutsu—do you really think it's worth it, Lord Tsuchikage?"
His voice grew darker.
Yes—this was a threat.
His ocular power was nearing its limit, and even Kaidō's absolute defense had only minutes left.
But Onoki didn't know that.
And under the crushing aura of Kai's Conqueror's Haki, even if he suspected, it wouldn't matter. Kai could still deal Hidden Stone Village devastating losses.
That was reality.
Onoki fell silent at Kai's words.
He remembered vividly the overwhelming aura Kai had unleashed earlier.
A powerhouse like himself could endure it—but the ordinary Jounin and below? They had collapsed instantly.
That scene alone… chilled him to the bone.
Even without counting the exact toll, he knew this batch of elites had already suffered a catastrophic blow.
"Ahh…"
With a long, helpless sigh, Onoki's eyes grew dim. He gave Kai a long look.
"…Fine. I agree."
Onoki nodded.
He was a decisive man. Knowing he could not win, there was no sense in wasting time.
It was clear: Kai was dead set on acquiring the Super Light-Weight Rock Jutsu.
Without another word, Onoki produced a blank scroll, quickly inscribed the formula, and tossed it to Kai.
Kai's lips curled into a grin.
He pocketed the scroll at once. Just as he was about to speak again, Onoki frowned with curiosity.
"You're not even going to check it?"
Kai shook his head. "I trust the Tsuchikage would not lie about something like this."
And he meant it.
If Onoki dared play games, Kai had more than enough ways to make him regret it.
His overwhelming strength—that was his guarantee.
"Young and formidable indeed," Onoki muttered. "Don't worry—the technique is genuine."
Kai smiled and nodded.
Then, eyes narrowing slyly, he asked:
"By the way, Lord Tsuchikage… Does Hidden Stone Village have a need for ninja tools?"
"Our Uchiha trade fleets control half the weapon industry of the Land of Fire. We could absolutely meet most of Hidden Stone Village's needs."
Indeed—Kai suddenly remembered.
The Land of Earth's resources weren't great. Much of Hidden Stone Village's ninja tool supply was purchased from the Land of Iron.
Now that the thought struck him, why not use this chance to open a channel for Uchiha's business?
After all—Uchiha's enterprises paid dividends to him, too.
Selling weapons to the enemy?
Heh.
Anyone with the faintest grasp of history knew how devastating commerce could be.
"…Wait, sell ninja tools?" Onoki was stunned. "You Uchiha… would you sell it to Hidden Stone Village?"
He was dumbfounded.
Good heavens!
Has the Uchiha gone mad?
They were supposed to be enemies!
But Kai simply nodded without hesitation.
"Of course we would. Why not?"
"I know Hidden Stone Village buys heavily from the Land of Iron. I can offer you a two percent discount."
"Well? Isn't that sincere enough?"
He was selling hard.
If he could open a sales channel to Hidden Stone Village, Uchiha's family capital would balloon severalfold overnight.
After all—the Land of Fire's resources outstripped the rest of the shinobi world combined. That was why every great village secretly plotted to weaken Konoha.
The Land of Iron had rich ore, yes—but compared to the Land of Fire? Laughable.
Even with a two percent discount, the price was still far higher than what they charged within Land of Fire.
Others dared not sell to rival nations, fearing they would strengthen their enemies.
But Kai? He scoffed at that.
In arms trading, profit was only the surface.
Handled properly, it could destabilize an enemy—and eventually bring them under control.
In his past life, America had perfected this tactic.
Onoki, of course, had no grasp of such subtleties.
He was a master of political games, rivaling Sarutobi Hiruzen—but shinobi history was too short, its starting point too low.
Economic war, financial war, trade war, information war…
In Kai's past life, these were old tricks.
But in the shinobi world—even the Tsuchikage could not fathom his true intent.
To him, Kai was simply insane.
How obsessed with money could one man be?
But for Hidden Stone Village—this was a blessing!
He could barely believe his luck.
"Yes! No problem!" Onoki agreed instantly.
"I'll accept your terms. How do we arrange the trade?"
Why not?
With Hidden Stone Village's strained finances, cheaper resources from Land of Fire were like a dream come true.
So of course he agreed without hesitation.
Kai smiled.
"Lord Tsuchikage, you won't be disappointed."
"As for the logistics, leave it to our professional trade caravans."
"There's just one condition: the Uchiha only deliver goods to the Land of Fire's border."
"Beyond that… it's up to you."
Onoki nodded eagerly.
"That's only fair," he said, smiling as he extended his hand. "A pleasure to cooperate!"
Kai reached out as well, clasping it firmly.
"A pleasure indeed."
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