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Inside the Daimyo's Mansion
The Daimyo sat in quiet contemplation, his fingers interlocked as he regarded Mifune with a steady gaze. After a moment, he spoke.
"So… he threatened you," the Daimyo said, his tone measured. "If we refuse to provide him with materials for a Chakra weapon, he intends to throw our country into chaos. Am I correct?"
Mifune gave a solemn nod. "Yes. That is exactly what happened."
The Daimyo exhaled slowly, nodding as if turning something over in his mind. "Interesting," he mused. "He didn't come to me directly to negotiate for these materials… Instead, he went straight to you. Do you know what that means?"
Mifune frowned slightly and shook his head. "Please enlighten me, my lord."
The Daimyo's lips curled into a knowing smile. "It was a calculated move—one of sheer brilliance," he said. "If he had come to me first, I would have denied him outright, just as you did. And if he escalated the situation, who would I have turned to in order to stop him? You."
Mifune's eyes widened slightly as realization dawned.
"But by confronting you first," the Daimyo continued, "he sent me a message—one loud and clear. I have nothing that can restrain him. I am powerless against him. By the time he left your mansion, he had already won the psychological battle. Before I even had a chance to refuse him, he had already warned me."
Mifune inhaled deeply, unsettled by the revelation. He had known Inoiki was dangerous, but this level of tactical foresight… it was chilling.
"So… are we going to give him the materials for the Chakra weapons?" he asked cautiously.
The Daimyo leaned back, his expression unreadable. Then, with a slight chuckle, he shook his head.
"Of course not." His voice was firm. "We will not hand over such valuable resources. But if he somehow manages to acquire the materials on his own, well… that's a different matter entirely."
Mifune's brow furrowed. "Then—?"
The Daimyo's smile turned enigmatic. "For the sake of maintaining friendship with Inoiki, I am willing to allow one of our finest blacksmiths to forge a weapon of his choosing. That is my decision."
There was something unsettling about the way the Daimyo spoke, as if there was an unspoken layer to his words. Mifune recognized that look—his lord was planning something, but what, he could not yet tell.
They spoke for a few minutes longer, finalizing details. And then, with a deep bow, Mifune took his leave, stepping out of the Daimyo's mansion, his mind still spinning with what had just transpired.
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The Next Morning – Mifune's Mansion
As promised, Inoiki arrived at General Mifune's mansion at first light. The tension from the previous day still lingered in the air, a silent weight pressing on the room.
Seated across from one another at the same table as before, Inoiki and Mifune locked gazes. Behind Mifune, his second-in-command stood in his usual place, arms folded, his expression as rigid as ever.
Wasting no time, Inoiki leaned forward slightly, his voice firm. "I won't dance around the subject. What has your Iron Country decided? Will you provide me with the materials for the Chakra weapon, or not?"
Mifune exhaled slowly, his face unreadable. "I spoke with the Daimyo regarding your request," he said. "His answer is final—we will not provide you with any materials for a Chakra weapon."
Silence filled the space between them. Inoiki's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. "I see," he murmured, his tone chilling. "Then you've made your decision. Be prepared to face the consequences."
He pushed his chair back and began to rise, but before he could fully stand, Mifune raised a hand, stopping him in place.
"Wait," Mifune said, his voice calm but firm. "There is more to discuss."
Inoiki's sharp gaze met his, but he remained still, listening.
"The Daimyo has no desire to turn you into an enemy," Mifune continued. "While he refuses to grant you the materials, he is willing to offer you something else—a compromise."
Inoiki arched a brow. "And what might that be?"
"If you somehow acquire the materials on your own, the Daimyo will allow one of Iron Country's finest blacksmiths to forge your weapon," Mifune said evenly.
Inoiki slowly settled back into his seat, his fingers tapping against the table. His expression was unreadable, but his voice carried a sharp edge. "Are you mocking me, General?" he asked. "You deny me the resources I need, yet offer me a blacksmith? Tell me, where exactly am I supposed to find these materials if you refuse to supply them?"
The air in the room grew heavier as both men measured each other in silence. The second-in-command tensed, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword.
Mifune, however, remained composed.
Mifune's expression remained neutral as he spoke. "Where there is light, there is always darkness. Officially, we cannot provide you with the materials you seek. However, the black markets of Iron Country operate beyond our jurisdiction—dealers there can get you what you need. How you acquire those materials is not our concern, nor the Daimyo's. As a gesture of cooperation, we are even willing to provide you with the locations of these dealings."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, Inoiki leaned back in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his face.
And then, he laughed.
A low chuckle at first, then a full-bodied laugh that echoed through the room. "Hah... HAHAHA!"
Mifune's second-in-command tensed at the sudden outburst, but Mifune himself remained still, watching.
Inoiki finally composed himself, shaking his head in amusement. "I must say… your Daimyo is a true mastermind. He's playing this beautifully." He leaned forward again, resting his elbows on the table. "I see what's happening here. You all know about these black market operations. You've always known. And yet, you've done nothing. Why?"
His eyes gleamed with sharp insight.
"Because someone powerful is backing them. Most likely, a prominent family—one you can't afford to move against without causing political instability." Inoiki smirked. "But now, you've found a solution, haven't you? You're handing me the information, knowing full well that I'll be the one to tear through your obstacles. The black market dealers, their protectors… all of them."
He let his words hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "When the dust settles, you get rid of a problem that's been plaguing your country without dirtying your own hands. No political fallout, no internal conflict. And as a bonus?" His smirk widened. "You maintain good relations with me."
He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Clever. Very clever."
Mifune gave no reaction, his silence an answer in itself.
Inoiki exhaled through his nose, his amusement lingering. "Well then," he said, his tone lighter now. "Tell me… where do I start?"
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