The Path of the Great Sovereign 42 These are Your Options

"This is how the Land of Volcanoes conducts business huh? They show up uninvited to the Head of a Foreign Nation, Disrespect him to his face, then ask for help. I am truly perplexed, I thought we were not only neighbors but trade partners. It would appear i need to re-evaluate that relationship before it has even begun."

The words that Lord Yorukage just said made me breakout in sweat, His words were sharper than knives yet we could not refute them. In my attempt to apologize I did make the assumption that the Daimyo still held all the political power with my words. We did show up with no sort of gift or offering from our own Daimyo because we assumed this Village was just a hoax or too weak to be a threat. We also did agree to the trade agreement because we had nothing to loose, all they wanted in exchange for their good and services was currency.

Now however from the tone of Lord Yorukage's voice that agreement is now null and void. If we want to trade with the Land of Night we will have to make the new agreement lean much more in favor of them.

"Lord Yorukage please forgive us! However, I'm quite serious about the need of help. The Samurai of the Land of Iron are beyond what our local security forces can handle, without your aid they will annex part of our country."

The Yorukage stands up, turns around a gazes out the window. His actions make me even more nervous, I have no idea what he is thinking.

"The Samurai and The Shinobi have an agreement to not interfere with each others actions. What you are asking me to do would violate this agreement which may cause a war between my Nation and the Land of iron. During this war the battlefield would be nether the Land of Night nor The Land of Iron, but the country trapped in between these two. Do you understand?"

I understood immediately, if our country is the location of the battleground between these two Nations all would be lost. Many innocents would die all due to not being strong enough.

"There is a loophole to this agreement however the cost might be a little steep and I do not think your Daimyo would be willing. Would you like to know what it is?"

"Yes, please enlighten me sir!"

"The Land of Volcanoes will claim to be in a military alliance with the Land of Night. I will send 1 Jokyunin and 5 Jonin to ensure the Land of Iron refrains from attacking your country, However this is only a temporary fix. I do not believe the Land of Iron will like the fact that a Shinobi nation is near their Western border, they would become sandwiched between Shinobi forces on the eastern and western fronts. What do you think would be their next course of action would be?"

Pondered on that question for a really long amount of time, and nothing came to mind immediately.

"Stick to the devil you know. We are a new upcoming Power to the region a new and unknown variable, why would they sit back while allowing us to grow when we suppressed their growth? This action will cause a war."

"How is that any different from the first option?"

"Myself breaking the agreement, and the Samurai breaking the agreement is two entirely different things. If I break the agreement then the Land of Iron are victims, they will petition to the other Kage and pretty soon I will be attacked from all angles. If they break the Agreement that will only make things more difficult for them, this will buy us time to solidify our position in the region. Which means I will require many things from your Country in order to protect your country."

When Lord Yorukage said that he turned around to smile at me. That smile make me even more afraid, A demonic smile that will bleed the Land of Volcanoes for everything it has. However he is our only hope in order to protect the nation.

"What do you need from us, Sir."

"Oh how the tables have turned! All I need is people. It does not matter if they have any form of disability or any missing limbs however, this is only for the adults. Children I would prefer if they are healthy however if they are not then I will require double the amount written on this paper."

I take the paper Lord Yorukage hands me and the Numbers hurt but they are still acceptable, we have many people we cannot feed in our nation so this is acceptable because it also helps us.

"10,000 Adults, 5,000 Children or 10,000 Disabled children. Isn't this Slavery Lord Yorukage? And can you explain why Disabled individuals count as Half a person?"

"Once again you misunderstand. This would not be considered slavery because I am offering them to become citizens of the Land of Night with full benefits of being one. Secondly, I see all individuals as equal regardless of there Physical or mental completeness. I have my own reasons for wanting them as well."

*Ichizo POV*

When they come here I will first have to do an extensive vetting process to ensure they aren't spies or anything similar to that. After that I will begin healing all of their aliments whether it is physical or mental, why would I tell you I had a way to correct their disabilities so that they will be able to live "Normal" Lives?

"The Trade deal will continue with this added revision, bring this to your Daimyo. If he agrees then you have a Month from today to migrate all of my new citizens to their country. If he does not agree then I will sit back and watch as your country gets destroyed then annexed. The choice is yours, Good Day Gentlemen."

Chapter end