"Then it's settled."
"I'll cooperate with your plan. When do you intend to begin?"
The Fire Daimyō grinned broadly. He was already growing impatient to see the Tulip Plan set in motion.
Once a person's moral baseline is breached, it becomes dangerously easy to slide further and further downhill.
In any case, the ones who'll lose everything won't be me.
"We can begin at any time," Kazuma replied smoothly.
"All preparations were completed before we ever met with Your Highness."
"This time, we're going to make a great deal of money. Afterward, fifty percent of the profits will be delivered exactly as agreed."
"…Fifty percent?"
The Daimyō frowned, suddenly suspecting his ears had failed him.
Fifty percent?
Do these ninja even understand the unspoken rules of how money is made among the Fire Country's nobility?
My principal is returned in full.
The remaining profits are split thirty–seventy.
I take seventy.
And even that thirty—you should be kneeling when you accept it.
"Your Highness, it is indeed fifty percent."
Kazuma's expression was earnest and sincere.
"Lord Makoto emphasized this point personally. Although Your Highness will be doing relatively little—remaining within the palace while still receiving an enormous sum—this is precisely why your share must not be reduced."
"Thirty percent or forty percent simply won't do."
"Only a fifty–fifty split truly reflects Lord Makoto's sincerity and his desire for a long-term partnership with Your Highness."
"Furthermore, Lord Makoto specifically instructed me to add this—every coin of profit from this venture will be invested directly into ninja village construction."
"Only a strong village can safeguard the Land of Fire."
"And only such a village can protect the Daimyō."
"Surely Your Highness can see Lord Makoto's sincerity?"
Kazuma blinked innocently.
Of course, he understood the Fire Daimyō's meaning perfectly.
He also understood the "rules" by which the nobles operated.
But Makoto's instructions were absolute.
Fifty percent was the bottom line. Not a fraction less.
Given Akatsuki Village's current weakness, Kazuma had no choice but to feign ignorance—while applying subtle pressure.
That was why he deliberately emphasized Makoto's sincerity.
The balance was delicate—enough pressure to make the point, not enough to shatter decorum.
In short—
Daimyō, running a ninja village costs a fortune.
Even if we skim some off the top, it's entirely justified.
I'm not asking for your money.
I'm using your money to handle your problem.
You don't want Senju Hashirama to dominate the Land of Fire unopposed, do you?
The Daimyō's expression darkened instantly.
He had, of course, caught the meaning beneath the words.
If cooperation was to continue—
This deal would have to be split evenly.
At the same time, the ominous whisper of the "Hashirama Threat" echoed once more in his heart.
If Hashirama's village were allowed to grow unchecked—becoming the sole dominant power in the Land of Fire, or worse—
The consequences would be unimaginable.
"Your Highness," Kazuma added calmly, "there's no need to agonize over this."
"Lord Makoto's stance is firm. Fifty–fifty."
"Not a single ryō less will be taken from your share."
Both of them understood that this sentence meant the opposite.
"…Very well."
"I will accept Uchiha Makoto's sincerity."
In the end, bolstered by his fear of Senju Hashirama, the Daimyō nodded—almost as if forcing his own head down.
Shinobi, every last one of them… utterly disloyal.
Kazuma nodded in return, finally releasing the breath he'd been holding.
He'd genuinely worried about how things would unfold if the Daimyō refused.
Thankfully—
Everything had progressed smoothly.
(Hashirama really is useful.)
"I still have matters to attend to," the Daimyō said curtly.
"I won't keep you for a meal."
Though he had agreed to the split, a fire burned in his chest. His mood was foul, and he badly needed an outlet.
As for hospitality?
Akatsuki Village had just swallowed twenty percent more profit than he'd planned—an astronomical sum.
And they still expected him to treat them to a meal?
Don't even dream about it.
Kazuma watched the Daimyō leave in heavy, irritated strides, but showed no displeasure.
After all—
He was the Daimyō.
A bad temper came with the title.
The Next Day
The Tulip Bubble Operation officially began.
Though deeply dissatisfied with Uchiha Makoto's "ugly appetite," the Fire Daimyō still cleared obstacles at every turn—providing both funds and manpower without hesitation.
Makoto had originally planned to divert part of Akatsuki Village's construction budget to acquire tulips.
But with the Daimyō's backing, capital was suddenly abundant.
In the end, he really is a man of status.
Over the following days, Kazuma wielded massive funds to purchase tulips across the Land of Fire.
Though prices were still low, tulips were far from something ordinary civilians could casually buy. Market supply was extremely limited.
Injecting such enormous capital too quickly would cause prices to spike immediately.
To avoid attracting attention and alarming certain parties, speed was essential.
Thus, for several consecutive days, Kazuma led a team nonstop—using Shadow Clone Jutsu to cover the Land of Fire and even neighboring countries.
They traveled relentlessly.
Sleeping in trees when exhausted.
Surviving on soldier pills when hungry.
All to continuously absorb every tulip available on the market.
They needed to stockpile enough inventory before market feedback caused prices to surge.
The process was grueling.
In this era, shinobi traveled on their own legs.
A few soldier pills tasted awful—but they worked.
One could run an entire night without rest.
Shinobi of this world were all, effectively, superhuman.
The shinobi world was vast—but ninja moved terrifyingly fast.
During the First Shinobi World War, the Second Mizukage once led his forces on a forced march, circling most of the Land of Fire, crossing several smaller nations, and launching a surprise attack on Iwagakure—ultimately perishing together with the Second Tsuchikage.
Just looking at the map made the route seem absurd.
And yet—
A pair of ninja legs could truly create miracles.
"…Finally stocked enough."
Kazuma looked at the warehouses filled to the brim with tulips and felt as if his soul had been drained from his body.
Relief washed over his face.
Thankfully—
Although the shinobi world was vast, ninja traveled fast. With Shadow Clones enhancing efficiency, and with information networks still underdeveloped, they had exploited a perfect timing gap.
Very few had realized that someone was hoarding tulips on such a massive scale.
Prices had risen with the bulk purchases—but only to about double their original value.
Compared to the madness yet to come, this increase was nothing.
"Darkness," Kazuma said, turning to her,
"Inform the Daimyō. It's time to proceed with the next phase."
The next step required the Daimyō himself to take the stage—
To make tulips resound throughout the aristocratic world.
As for contract negotiations with the flower growers—
Those could wait.
Because if Kazuma continued working without rest any longer, he genuinely felt he might collapse and die on the spot.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Chakraflow789