"Talks" with the Kusakage

Infiltrating Kusagakure, proved to be a simple task for the Reaper and, in the dead of night, under that guise, Shiki approached the Kusakage,in his own room.

His plan was simple, show the Kage he knew about his village's secrets, that he could not be silenced and then use said secrets as leverage.

This however, was not enough, Shiki would also need provided a good enough offer in terms of benefits after all, the stick without the carrot, loses much of its influence.

Still, shiki hoped that with a combination of coercion and persuasion, that he would be able to bring his second major village into the fold, the first being Konoha of course.

Observing the inside of the Kusakage's room, Shiki watched as the middle aged man pondered deeply on his chair rather than sleeping.

The troubles he faced in regards to his village's dirty laundry in the form of the Box of Ultimate Bliss, had become progressively worse as the Council along with the Warden of Hozuki Castle were increasingly less covert in their efforts to open it.

Such actions only put the village in jeopardy in the man's opinion,especially since all they knew of the box's supposed power, came from old legends and myths, nothing more.

As for the reason he feared this would come to light, was due to how it would most certainly provoke a hostile reaction from the great villages that had various deals with Kusagakure.

The so called "Kusakage", was not a true Kage in the first place, such a tittle was reserved for the leaders of the Five Great Hidden Villages and Kusagakure was not among them.

As such, his power and authority, was much lesser than that of a true Kage, him only being allowed to bear the tittle through Kusagakure's numerous diplomatic relations with the other villages.

Still, this only made him even more fearful of harming those very relations, something Shiki saw as his way in.

He stealthily approached the Kusakage from behind before saying in a somewhat mocking tone.

"Greetings . . . "Kusakage"."

Like a true shinobi, the Kusakage jumped from his chair, flipping in mid air and throwing a kunai at Shiki.

Very nonchalantly, Shiki caught the kunai in mid air and said.

"Is that how you treat your guests? Eh, "Kusakage"?" Shiki once again emphasized the man's tittle in a bid to unnerve him even more than the current situation already had.

"Intruder!" The Kusakage shouted in an attempt to call for other shinobi to help him.

Shiki didn't even flinch as he calmly answered.

"I've sealed the whole room. Not only can't anyone see or hear anything inside, even if they could, they would be utterly unable to break the barrier and could only hopelessly watch." He explained.

Giving a growl of frustration, the Kusakage realized his situation was without hope, that was if he decided to continue with hostilities and so, he relented and decided to hear what his late night visitor had to say to the point he had made sure they would not be interrupted under any circumstance.

"Fine! Say your piece." The Kusakage conceded.

"Now, was that so hard?" Shiki asked.

*growl* The kusakage growled in displeasure once again.

"So impatient." Shiki commented before proceeding to explain the reasons for his visit.

"I have a proposition for you. One that will most definitely suit both our needs." He said.

The Kusakage made a pondering expression before replying.

"I'm listening . . ."

"Good! Now, it has come to my attention that your village has been having problems with the Hozuki Castle leadership." Shiki said.

"Where did you get such an idea?" The Kusakage probed with suspicion and without revealing anything.

"No need to be so guarded. I know the warden of the Blood Prison and its Council of elders have been unsuccessfully trying to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss." Shiki informed.

"WHAT!? How do you know of that!?" The Kusakage allarmedly questioned.

"That is not important. Safe to say, this has become a big problem for your village, especially in the diplomatic sense. I'm here, to offer a solution." Shiki proposed.

"That is not something we need an outsider to put his hands on!" The Kusakage exclaimed.

"Hahaha." Shiki chuckled in response.

"Do you really think that is possible if such information like the one I possess, is revealed to the public?" He mockingly asked.

"You!" The Kusakage threateningly started.

"Enough!" Shiki interrupted.

"It seems you have failed to realize that I, hold all the cards." He declared.

This shut the Kusakage up as Shiki proceeded to explain the details of their deal.

"I'll remove the problematic parties and take the Box away and, in exchange, your village will establish a subordinate relationship with my organization, one that will bring both factions a great deal of benefits and prosperity." Shiki proposed.

"What!? You are considering taking away the Box of Ultimate Bliss as a favor you are doing us!?" The Kusakage asked with disbelief.

Shiki just looked at him as if seeing the biggest idiot in the world.

"It is a very dangerous object, one you know almost nothing about and have no way of using. Do you really think that cursed box will fulfil one's desires after being opened?" Shiki mocked him again.

"Then why do you want it?" The Kusakage countered.

"Because I know how to use, have the ability to open it, know how to control it and I'm even aware of its true purpose. As such, I'm a lot more qualified to have it." Shiki explained.

"Alright then, tell me its secrets and let Kusagakure keep the box. If you do this, then I can accept all the other conditions." The Kusakage made a counter offer.

"Yeah Right! Such a proposal only shows your lack of sincerity." Shiki admonished.

"I will make one final offer, choose wisely." He declared.

The kusakage stopped himself from saying anything more and just listened.

Shiki then went on to explain part of his plan and exactly how Kusagakure would greatly prosper from their connection to his organization, Mugetsu, all the specific benefits they would get, etc, etc.

Having finished explaining all of the copious details of the arrangement, Shiki ended with the following sentence.

"There are two choices, yes or no, nothing else, no counter offers, no discussion." He gave an ultimatum.

"Hmph!" The Kusakage was displeased, and far more stubborn than Shiki though it would be.

'Accepting my offer is the right thing to do. The benefits of my proposal far outweigh the risks. I never though he'd be incompetent enough to ignore this due to his own pride and arrogance.' Shiki thought as he watched the Kusakage boil in his place.

"If that's the case . . ." The man started.

"THERE WILL BE NO DEAL!" He shouted.

"KILL ME IF YOU MUST! I WILL NOT SUBMIT!" He screamed even louder.

*sigh*

Shiki just sighed at the Kusakage's stupidity.

'Hard way it is then.' He thought.

'I don't really like using this just for some reason but oh well.' Shiki said to himself as he acted.

'Kotoamatsukami.'

Using Shisui's genjutsu, the defiant Kusakage became a willing puppet of Shiki and was now fully ready to cooperate. Shiki only hoped such a forced bargain would come back to bite him in some way.

Just to be sure, he still had the Kazekage enter a Soul Contract like all members of his little world domination plot, after which he gave the Kusakage orders to set the plan he had for Kusagakure in motion.

It would take a little bit but soon, Kusagakure would be his and, with he would be able to get started on Hozuki Castle.

First though, he had to find a replacement for Mui as the Warden of the Blood Prison since he was fully intent on killing the man.

A fringe member of Mugetsu in the Land of Water was perfect for the task. Shiki had noticed her in the various activity reports of Mugetsu in the Land of Water long ago and commanded she be recruited.

Now, it was time to give the capable kunoichi her long awaited opportunity to rise further in the ranks and become a core member.

Hopefully, by the time Shiki was done with that , preparation of the Kusakage's side will be far enough along for him to start his operations.

If not, well, he had other plans to set in motion as well so he wasn't particularly worried. Namely, it was time for him to reap the harvest of the seed he had planted in Takigakure a while ago. Shiki though it was high time for him to bring in the benefits of that particular investment.

"Right then, time to get moving . . ."

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P.a.t.r.e.o.n is officially up!

The link is: https://www.p.a.t.r.e.o.n.com/lusoba without the extra dots of course.

You'll get to read up to FOUR week ahead, a full month, but I'll still post here.

There's also my other novel Archon of DanMachi, do check it out!

I would greatly appreciate any support since this is going to be my breadwinner.