In Konoha, Naruto lies down

While walking, he opened the task panel, which showed that the progress bar of task two was almost halfway through. When he clicked on task three, the progress bar had reached the halfway point.

Mission Three had five vacancies for the Evil God's followers, so they had to speed up their progress. As they were about to enter the desert territory of the Wind Country, Naruto hesitated before continuing on his way to Konoha.

Let's go to Sand Village for a walk when we come back. The Sand Village ninjas are pretty weak, and there are no good seedlings like Hydrangea. I really don't want to waste my spot.

Due to the addition of Mu Ren, Sam Yi and Ma Buyi during this period, the status of the ten-member evil god believers family has instantly increased.

Naruto changed his mindset from being anxious to complete Mission 3 to selecting the best candidates. Pulling people into the water at random is not only unethical but also a huge waste.

The capital of the Land of Fire.

"We're not allowed to lay it? Why?" Ino asked, holding her head, trying to suppress the discomfort of overwork. "This is obviously beneficial to the Fire Nation's capital, and we've already applied for it."

"Well... Mr. Ino, we don't know either." A young girl from the Intelligence Department said in a low voice, aggrieved, "Our people were stopped just as they arrived. They were clearly already halfway through laying the line."

"I heard..." She looked up at Ino, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Just tell me what's going on. I won't blame you." Ino sighed.

"I heard that the nobles in the capital don't like it. They say that the ninja's chakra communication technology is harmful to the body, and laying it in the capital will make them..."

The little girl said this tremblingly, and added with her lips pursed.

"Our communication plan was originally approved by the daimyo, but he seems to have completely forgotten about it and has now denied it."

"The Daimyo doesn't admit it either?" Ino frowned. "The Daimyo treats us too casually. Did he hand over Konoha's business card?"

"It has been delivered. The people in Daming Mansion said we have to wait because Daming is not feeling well. There is no time to look at the name card now. We can talk about everything after he recovers." said the female subordinate of the Intelligence Department.

"Is that so? Perhaps it's due to the pressure from the Fire Nation nobles." Ino narrowed her eyes and silently wondered what to do.

"Yes, Lady Ino, if this continues, all our previous efforts will be in vain." The little girl was one year older than Ino and was almost crying out of grievance.

Originally, she was an employee of Konoha's intelligence department. After graduating from the Ninja School, she was not strong enough to enter the small class, so she simply chose to find a job.

She had thought that after joining the Intelligence Department, she would have the Hokage Building at her back, so she could enjoy the coolness. However, she had just arrived when she happened to encounter the Intelligence Department taking over the communications reform plan.

The Intelligence Department was wealthy and powerful, and it was the perfect time for its members to shine. I figured it was okay to be tired, but at least I had the opportunity. There was no point in being a nobody.

But after a period of hard work, just when they were about to show their talents, the Fire Nation Capital City Communications Project was halfway through its implementation when it was suddenly stopped.

If it was due to issues of procedure or safety, it would be acceptable, but in the end, it was stopped because of a ridiculous reason given by those aristocratic nobles who were out of touch with the real world.

The little girl thought about the hard work she had done these days and felt wronged.

"I know, there will be a way." Ino's expression remained unchanged, and she waved at the little girl, "You go back and rest first, let me think about it."

"Yes, Lady Ino." The female member retreated.

In the simple office, Ino sat back in her chair, her hands folded on the table. Her brows were furrowed, and she felt even more irritated.

She wanted to slap those people a few times and open their pig brains to see what was inside, but unfortunately, offending the Fire Nation nobles would only make the communicator project difficult to move forward in the capital.

Besides, the Yamanaka clan has always maintained friendship with those nobles, and she cannot bring trouble to her father.

Chapter 413: The Noble Who Opens His Mouth, Naruto Rushes to the Capital

Time passed slowly, Ino scribbling on a piece of paper, but still had no clue. Even if she met with the daimyo, she would most likely be turned away.

The power of the Yamanaka clan is only useful in Konoha. Even if his own father comes, he still can't do anything to these unruly nobles of the Fire Nation.

After all, this group of nobles controls the vast majority of the Fire Nation's wealth and does not take Konoha seriously at all. They even have the right to participate in decision-making on certain major issues.

Ino was sure that the chakra communication project would not endanger the health of the Fire Nation nobles. This was simply nonsense. What harm could a chakra communication tower do?

If they could run fewer businesses and get rid of the troubles of x disease, they might be able to live two more years.

With a thud, Ino slammed her fist down on the table, her rage completely uncontrollable. Her teeth chattered with rage, and she wished she could just walk up to them and give them a good kick.

"That bunch of hypocritical bastards!"

After all, he was still furious, but after calming down, he still had to solve this matter. After all, the Intelligence Department had invested countless funds and energy, and if it was stuck in the Fire Nation capital, morale would be greatly damaged.

The next day.

Three ox carts set out from the camp of the Konoha Intelligence Department Construction Team and headed along the capital's avenue to the nobles' residential area of ​​the Land of Fire. Ino sat in the cart with her eyes closed to rest.

After careful consideration, Ino decided to go and have a talk with those nobles whose brains grew in the sewers in the name of Konoha Intelligence Department to discuss the matter.

Enter the capital and hand in your business card.

The Fire Nation's noble courtyards were truly magnificent. Even during the dry season of summer, there was the sound of running water. The capital, unlike Konoha, was situated on a plain, implying an arid climate.

The servant took the card and didn't rush in. Instead, he first looked at Ino and her group. His face was expressionless, and he glanced down and said with a squint.

"Just wait here!"

"What's your attitude!" Yamato, a male ninja from the Intelligence Department, couldn't help but get angry and almost wanted to take action, but was stopped by his colleagues.

Watching the servant enter the courtyard, the intelligence department personnel advised.

"Calm down, Shan Teng. It's not worth offending those nobles. All the ruffians in this capital obey them, and we can't hurt the common people."

"Yes, even if we fight, we won't gain any advantage. If we accidentally kill civilians, we might be forced to suspend this project."

"That's too bullying..." Shan Teng was a little unwilling but there was nothing he could do. After being stopped, he was actually a little scared.

Ninjas were advised not to interact with nobles and were only suitable to live in ninja villages. The Fire Nation was still ruled by nobles, and a small number of nobles retained the slave system.

The Daimyo is the master of the Land of Fire, while the Ninja Village is only the main force in the Land of Fire's violent institutions. The army also refers to the Ninja Army in general, and the civilian army is very small.

The nobles controlled most of the land and production tools except for the ninja villages. Even if they were extravagant, they could still live a life of luxury and debauchery.

These nobles are essentially the same as the peninsula's chaebols. They are rich and basically fearless.

"Wait a little longer." Ino seemed very patient.

She was wearing a small kimono today, looking a bit solemn. Her hair was tied up several times and fixed with a hairpin, revealing her fair and graceful neck, which was as beautiful as a picture in the sunlight.

After a while, the servant hurried out, walked in front of the people in the Intelligence Department, bowed and said.

"My master wishes to speak to Master Ino. Please follow me."

This statement undoubtedly left everyone in the Intelligence Department out in the cold, and their expressions changed. Ino frowned slightly, but there was nothing she could do.

He took a deep breath and nodded, speaking calmly.

"Lead the way."

The servant turned and walked into the courtyard. Ino turned her head to look at the people from the intelligence department, gave them a reassuring look, and followed.

Looking at Ino's departing back, everyone was a little worried.

"Is this okay?"

"I don't know. Nobles are always arrogant. Even Ino-sama might..."

Ino walked into the courtyard, the sound of her clogs echoing. She passed a bluestone arch bridge, beneath which gurgling water blew, bringing with it steam and a cool breeze.

Under the scorching sun, Ino finally entered the meeting room.

Several men in aristocratic attire knelt at the top seats, looking up at the successor to Konoha's intelligence department. She looked young, a gentle girl.

"Lord Sonaka." Ino walked to the center and bowed, then turned around and saluted the remaining nobles, her movements neither hurried nor slow.

Several nobles looked at Ino with interest, her face pale and emaciated. The nobles were open-minded, and it was fashionable to wear makeup to appear dignified.

They were having a lot of fun in private, not only gifting maids to each other but also doing group radio gymnastics at every turn. The scene was like a genetic awakening.

"The weather is nice today, so what brings you here, Miss Ino?" Yuanhe spoke in a pretentious manner, and liked to use some ancient Chinese texts to show off.

"The Intelligence Department is planning to build a chakra communication network in the capital, but I heard that you all seem to have some misunderstandings about this technology, so I'm here to explain." Ino said calmly.

"We don't understand those things very well, so just don't build it," a noble said. "The Fire Nation has other places besides the capital anyway, so you can just build there."

Hearing this, Ino lowered her head even lower. Not because she was afraid, but simply because she didn't want anyone to notice her strange expression. She let out a quiet breath, then looked up and smiled.

"The capital is the core of the Fire Nation, with a large population and prosperous commerce. The communications project will only benefit the people of the capital, with no harm, let alone any danger."

"I can assure you all of this. Chakra communication technology is mature and will not cause any harm to your health."

"On the contrary, communication networks can make life more convenient and improve business efficiency..."

"All right!"

"No need to say it!"

One of the nobles kneeling on both sides interrupted Ino's question impatiently. The man looked fat, with a big face and a round waist. He had sweat on his forehead after kneeling for a long time.

There were two dark bags under his eyes, and he looked like he had a close friend. He looked at Ino sideways and asked in a bad tone.

"You've said a lot, but what good does it do us?"

"Life is more convenient." Ino replied with her head down.

"Our lives are already convenient enough. Is there any need to change?" the portly noble said, spreading his hands. "To be honest, it's still unclear whether this technology is safe or not."

"Little girl from the mountain tribe, your words don't count. I think you don't understand at all. How about this, you ask your father to come over."

"If the Intelligence Department is willing to make concessions, we are still willing to negotiate."

The previous words are all nonsense and can be ignored. The last sentence is the key point. The nobles of the Fire Nation want profit. Without profit, no one will care about this matter.

If it were a cooperative development, it could be discussed. But these nobles clearly wanted to take it for free, and they might even want the lion's share. It was no different from robbery.

Moreover, the Intelligence Department's funding came from Tsunade, and even if the communications project was slow to turn a profit in the early stages, it still needed to be repaid. No one was willing to have a piece of their business taken away from them out of thin air by the Fire Nation nobles.

Ino was mentally prepared before she came. After a moment of silence, she raised her head and spoke.

"We can set aside a section of the capital's communications project for joint development, as long as..."

"It's not just the capital!" the fat noble interrupted again, pointing a carrot-like finger at Ino from a distance. "This is a project for the entire Fire Country. We all want a share."

Hearing this, Ino's heart choked.

"How much? As for the investment..."

"Invest? What kind of investment?" The fat nobleman looked puzzled, as if he had just heard a huge joke. "Our participation will be the largest investment. The project will definitely go smoothly."

"We can negotiate the share, but we want 70 percent."

Hearing this, Yuan He, who was in the upper seat, smiled. He remained silent, relying entirely on the subordinates to finish the words, leaving some room for maneuver and not making a final statement.

"This is a project funded by Lady Tsunade, seventy percent?" Ino bit her lower lip and glanced at the nobles. "If that's the case, this project won't be profitable at all."

"Didn't we say before that this project was to make people's lives more convenient?" another noble retorted. "So, if it doesn't turn a profit, we won't do it?"

Ino clenched her fists and forced herself to remain calm. She knew these nobles weren't trying to make things difficult for her; this was their usual style.

The conversation did not go smoothly. On the contrary, the nobles headed by Yuan He looked like they could still talk. Even if they agreed, there would definitely be some wrangling afterwards.

Seventy percent? Even a one percent discount would still be a huge loss. These people were still trying to get something for nothing. It was obvious that they were deliberately making an impossible condition because they took advantage of Ino's youth.

They probably wanted to seize the total amount and then distribute it among the nobles of the other three factions, so that they could gain the initiative.

The Fire Nation's nobles didn't form a single faction. Besides the nobles headed by Yuanhe, there were three other factions. If you visited them all, you might even have to pay to get in.

Even if the nobles of the four factions each offered 10%, the Intelligence Department would still be left with a mess that was doomed to fail. Even with deep pockets, they couldn't withstand such bloodsucking.

After leaving the noble mansion, Ino looked at her subordinates and slowly shook her head.

.......

"Seventy percent? Are these nobles crazy?" Shan Teng exclaimed, "Why don't they just rob? The nobles are truly despicable!"

"Yes, Master Ino, you absolutely cannot agree to that!"

"That being said, the capital city is a place that cannot be avoided in this project. Are we really going to give up on the capital city?"

"Giving up is better than losing everything, right? Even if the capital is controlled by those nobles, they can't control other places."

"That's not entirely certain. Those nobles own too much land, and their power is so intertwined and complex that it's impossible to count them. In terms of power, we can't win no matter what."

"Yes, after all, they have the support of the Daimyo. We... Although the Sixth Hokage supports the communication project, with such great resistance, I'm afraid that in the end..."

The members of the Intelligence Department were discussing the matter one after another, but Ino remained silent. She sat silently in her office chair, her brow furrowed in thought.

Giving up is impossible. As the core city of the Land of Fire, Konoha Intelligence Department must take it. The cost of giving up is too high, it is impossible to give up.

It is impossible for those nobles to allow the Intelligence Department to establish communication systems in other cities of the Fire Nation. They will definitely try to obstruct them, and there is no way around it.

Just when everyone was worried, Ino suddenly spoke up and made a suggestion.

"Let's go to the dinner party!"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, looking at each other, wanting to say something but realizing that this seemed to be their only option. Looking at Ino's innocent smile, they could only nod in agreement.