The next ten minutes Hideo reported everything that caught his attention. About the untypical for Fire Country house, about the entire fortress covered in countless fuinjutsu blocking Byakugan action, and about the mysterious head of this mercenary organization.
"Interesting…" Hyuga Hiashi muttered thoughtfully then added: "Perhaps I should visit them myself?"
"I don't think that's a good idea lord. Due to the conflict with Suna that happened several days ago—the exit of a Konoha Elite Jonin may be misinterpreted… But of course the decision is yours," Hideo said respectfully.
"Damn Suna! Long ago it should have been crushed with all forces. Shikaku and I are enough to take care of the Kazekage—only the old hag Chiyo remains and Suna will fall!"
"Kumogakure led by Raikage won't just watch—and others will join. A new war will begin—you know this without me lord," Hideo added respectfully.
"And what's the point of being Hyuga clan head if I must always sit in Konoha!" Hiashi declared irritatedly.
"This is a temporary measure lord. I'm sure Suna's elite shinobi also sit in the village so as not to provoke conflict," Hideo added. He was one of the few from the branch family who could discuss important matters with the clan head. Others Hiashi perceived no more than servants.
"It's all Hiruzen with his softness and compromises. Not only can we not strike with an iron fist at all enemies but my Hinata also associates with that jinchuriki! All because of the stupid 'Will of Fire' policy…" Hiashi hissed. He strongly disliked his beloved daughter contacting the Nine-Tails jinchuriki—a delayed-action bomb that could explode any moment. But for some inexplicable reason his daughter liked this boy and Hiashi couldn't do anything.
"If this jinchuriki is raised correctly he can become an extremely strong Kage like the Eight-Tails jinchuriki in Kumogakure. He's the only one who subdued his tailed demon and now is one of two pillars of his great village. In my humble opinion Hiruzen-sama is right lord," Hyuga Hideo said—not hiding what he thought.
"In your opinion? Did anyone ask your worthless opinion?!" Hiashi growled—unable to restrain rage. From his shout Hideo's head ached unbearably and he fell to the ground.
"Get out of my sight!" Hiashi declared slightly calmer—stopping the slave seal's harmful action. He felt a bit uncomfortable for snapping at one he liked but pride didn't allow admitting guilt.
"Yes lord…" Hideo said breathing heavily—and left.
Hiashi spent some more time in the garden trying to dissipate rage. He didn't want to contact his wife and beloved daughters in this state—for once he couldn't restrain himself and yelled at Hinata; he still couldn't forget her shocked then offended facial expression.
Calming his rage Hyuga Hiashi returned to the house—and little Hanabi immediately threw herself into his embrace instantly dissipating the remnants of father's anger.
*****
The next two weeks Kenshin spent literally on pins and needles. He constantly expected an attack—and from this worked even harder. But the expected attack never happened though several times "guests" came from various structures.
If talking with Konoha messengers wasn't difficult—dealing with the messenger from Kadzoku Watanabe was more complicated. When Daichi Watanabe learned incomprehensible mercenaries settled on his land he immediately became interested in how solvent they were and sent his man to scout.
Kenshin was a good empath and easily determined the messenger's intentions—seeing how surprised he assessed the territory's and fortress's wealth itself—estimating how much money could be squeezed from this not-poor organization calling itself "Nakayama Family."
*****
Day 408—Nakayama family house.
"Nakayama-san—with huge respect I would like to convey my Lord's will…" the middle-aged man sitting opposite Kenshin began—clearly belonging to aristocracy. "Kadzoku Watanabe will turn a blind eye to the disrespect shown by your organization but from this moment you are obliged to pay one million ryo per month for renting this land."
"I understand your lord's indignation but my Nakayama Family didn't want to offend the respected Kadzoku Watanabe. His indignation is not groundless but the sum of one million ryo is somewhat overstated," Kenshin said smiling. For his current finances one million ryo per month was unaffordable expense.
"Nakayama-san—the appointed sum already includes all respect shown to you by my Lord," the messenger tried to object. He knew perfectly how much Daichi Watanabe wouldn't like this information and tried to convince the interlocutor.
"Unfortunately my Nakayama Family currently has some financial difficulties and we can't afford such a deal," Kenshin sighed.
"Nakayama-san—with all due respect but my accountant education allows estimating the approximate cost of this fortress…" the messenger said suggestively. He perfectly knew how much it cost to build such a huge fortress in such wilderness and still couldn't understand how Kenshin managed it unnoticed by everyone around.
"You're definitely smart," Kenshin praised him then added: "But from your conclusions it follows that I ALREADY spent heavily on building this fortress and don't have extra money now."
They spent some more time negotiating but reached nothing. In the end the messenger said he would convey everything to his lord and try to find a compromise in the current situation. He perfectly understood forcing the Nakayama Family to pay by force would be extremely difficult.
Kadzoku Watanabe himself perfectly saw the trend of gradual loss of feudal lords' power and knew the times of daimyo's unlimited power were already over. And now—literally a hundred years ago—the terrifying Kadzoku title was no longer so formidable. And the five Jonin under his command weren't guaranteed to dislodge the Nakayama Family from their settled place. Losing even one Jonin would cost him much more than one million ryo; the messenger was sure his Lord would agree to some concessions.
*****
After the messenger left Kenshin continued sitting in his chair—thinking. After some time Kasumi entered the lounge—silently went behind him and lightly hugged.
"How did it go?" she asked tenderly—kissing his neck.
"Approximately as I expected. Daichi Watanabe won't miss such a fat profit piece but can't use force either. If he's not a fool he'll be forced to make concessions," Kenshin said—leaning back in the chair allowing his beloved wife to massage his shoulders.
"And if he still decides not to make concessions?" Kasumi asked—sitting on his lap and hugging his neck.
"Then he'll only be able to play dirty tricks from afar. He's not stupid enough to break his teeth on our fortifications and remain a general without an army. Most likely he'll try using his connections and first ask Konoha to intervene—which may untie our ill-wishers' hands in the face of the Hyuga clan and possibly Shimura Danzo…" Kenshin sighed—caressing his affectionate wife's incredible body again.
"I hope this dying worthless bastard makes the right decision," Kasumi said irritatedly. From childhood aristocrats irritated her—gaining power and position not by their own mind or strength but by birthright; many of them indulged in all possible vices and committed even more vile acts than shinobi.