Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand

"Brother Jinghang, what on earth was so important that you dragged me all the way from the Yuexi Peninsula? Do you have any idea how busy I am over there?"

Hirai Kangsaburo was drenched in sweat, grabbing the teacup from Jinghang's desk and downing it in one gulp.

"Come on, what kind of business needs the big boss himself? Let your people handle it!"

Jinghang smiled, topping off Hirai Kangsaburo's cup again.

"Not a big deal? Easy for you to say! You get to play the hands-off boss, raking in dividends from behind the scenes. Do you even know how many people are on the Yuexi Peninsula right now?"

"How many?" Jinghang asked.

"Brace yourself—five million! Half the rich and powerful from all across the ninja world are there, and they brought their families, kids, distant relatives, hometown friends, servants, attendants, maids, housekeepers... The moment I open my eyes, I've got all those mouths waiting for me to feed, entertain, and keep happy. Sometimes I wish I could split myself in two! You think I'm not busy?"

"You still didn't have to come in person," Jinghang replied with a smile.

"That's where you're wrong. These folks are loaded, and every day they spend on the Yuexi Peninsula is another mountain of cash left behind! Only when war's brewing do you get a windfall like this. Miss this chance, and you won't get another. You think I'd trust anyone else to keep an eye on it?"

"Hard work, hard work," Jinghang said politely.

In this world, you always start with a word about how hard things are—that's just how business is done. Jinghang offered his thanks, knowing full well that Sunagakure took eighty percent of the Yuexi Peninsula's profits, leaving the other party with just twenty. That made Hirai Kangsaburo a high-level wage earner, so a little comfort was only fair.

"Save it! Out with it—why'd you call me here?" Hirai Kangsaburo demanded, growing impatient.

"I spotted a golden opportunity and thought of you, big bro. Figured we could make a killing together. You know me—when it comes to profit, I never keep it to myself."

"Oh? What kind of opportunity?" Hirai Kangsaburo perked up immediately. He knew that with Sunagakure's wealth these days, anything that got Jinghang interested had to be big.

So Jinghang laid out everything about Konoha's scheme to manipulate iron ore prices.

After listening, Hirai Kangsaburo slapped his thigh. "Ha! You always think of your big brother when there's good fortune! Isn't this just free money? This tree tip is worth buying!"

"Buying tree tips" was merchant slang: using today's money to buy tomorrow's fruit. It took vision, market savvy, and a gambler's nerve. In the world we know, there's a word for this—futures trading.

"So, how much capital do you need?" Hirai Kangsaburo waved his hand with a flourish, every inch the wealthy tycoon.

"Not a single coin."

"Then why am I here?"

"All I need is your actuarial team," Jinghang said with a smile. "Sunagakure's finance department has already crunched the numbers. The Fire Country's merchant lords and Konoha are ready to throw about thirty billion at the market. To counter them, we'll need fifty billion. The treasury has more than enough."

These days, Sunagakure was flush with cash. Money wasn't the issue—what he needed was precise calculation and analysis. Hirai Kangsaburo's actuarial team was legendary for their mathematical prowess. With them, Jinghang was confident of victory.

"That won't do," Hirai Kangsaburo said, shaking his head like a rattle drum. "If you want to flip the market, you usually need double your opponent's funds to play it safe. I'd say at least sixty billion."

"Fair point, big bro. Sunagakure can handle sixty billion too—"

"Here's the deal!" Hirai Kangsaburo cut him off. "Sixty billion, you and I split it fifty-fifty. Profits go half and half. And my family's top thirty-six actuaries are yours to command. How about it?"

Jinghang couldn't help but laugh and shake his head. I just wanted to borrow your people, but you want a piece of the pie.

Whatever, half is half. Friends for years—meat always stays in the pot.

"Deal, you old bandit," Jinghang said with a grin.

"Heh, friends split everything down the middle!" Hirai Kangsaburo beamed, looking like a cat that just stole the cream. He whipped out a tiny jade abacus and started clicking away, muttering to himself.

"If we play this right, we'll rip a nice chunk of meat off those turtle bastards in the Fire Country!"

Jinghang gave a sly smile. "How about I add some fuel to the fire?"

"Oh? What've you got in mind?" Hirai Kangsaburo was instantly intrigued.

"I'm planning to announce a massive military exercise at just the right moment. Make it clear we're aiming at the eastern threat."

Jinghang grinned.

"Haha! Iron ore will shoot through the roof!" Hirai Kangsaburo's eyes sparkled.

"But then, to avoid misunderstandings with our neighbors and prevent any armed clashes—for the sake of peace in the ninja world—Sunagakure will have to cancel the exercise. And not only that, but the Third Kazekage, Jinghang, will deliver a heartfelt speech calling for peace."

"Then iron ore will crash through the floor! You sly fox, I love it!" Hirai Kangsaburo was practically bouncing with excitement.

"I'll leave the details to you, big bro. My ten thousand field troops are ready to support you at a moment's notice," Jinghang said.

"Just watch me put on a show," Hirai Kangsaburo replied, his confidence radiating. Jinghang had no doubt in his financial genius. In the wild swings of this market, fortunes would be made and lost—some would be ruined forever.

"Alright, it's settled. By the way, how's our daimyo doing? Still having fun?" Jinghang suddenly remembered the Wind Country's feudal lord.

"Don't even ask. The guy's got the worst luck, but he keeps trying to win it back. Right now, aside from Dragonfly City, he doesn't have a single inch of land left in the Wind Country."

"That's not good!" Jinghang said, frowning. "Dragonfly City is the jewel of the Kunrei Plains. We can't let that slip away."

"Don't rush it, little brother. Dragonfly City is where he worships his ancestors. If we push too hard, we'll wake the old man up. Sometimes you gotta fish with a long line."

The two master schemers exchanged a knowing, wicked grin.

Meanwhile, a thousand miles away, in the Wind Hall of the Crystal Palace on the Yuexi Peninsula, the Wind Country daimyo—locked in a fierce battle at the gambling table—suddenly sneezed.

"Who's plotting against me?" The daimyo sniffled.

"Triple sixes—leopard! House takes all!"

"Damn it!"]

~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~

📚 📚 Join Our Patreon for More!

🔥 10 fan fiction novels updating regularly - this story is already at Chapter307!

✨  patreon.com/DarkGolds