136 Life of a Noble

On the border of the Land of Fire, in Shinjuku Town, Simu, Kushina, and Lindy emerged from the woods.

Standing atop a mountain, they overlooked the border town below. It wasn't a wealthy place—just a few small villages scattered around, with patches of farmland struggling to thrive in the mountainous terrain.

"I didn't expect you to start here," Kushina said, her eyes glinting as she looked toward a nearby village.

Simu, hands in his pockets, spoke with a hint of nostalgia. "Since our ninja journey began here, it makes sense to start here again."

This very mountaintop was where he had completed his first mission as a ninja.

Lindy glanced at the two reminiscing and sighed. "Alright, enough of that. I don't have any sentimental attachment to this place."

Then, as if to change the subject, he held up a scroll. It contained detailed records of Shinjuku Town dealings—including incriminating evidence against the Fire Nation daimyo's cousin, the former lord of Mori Toshi.

Lindy's grip tightened around the scroll, making it creak under the pressure. If what was written inside was true, calling the former daimyo a demon wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Noticing Lindy's conflicted expression, Simu spoke calmly. "I'll leave things here to you, Lindy."

This was also a chance to see where Lindy truly stood.

"Got it." Lindy exhaled, shaking off the heavy emotions and trying to regain his usual composed demeanor.

Just then, another figure emerged from the woods.

The newcomer wore a white robe adorned with a large aster flower emblem on the back. Stepping forward, he knelt on one knee before Simu and spoke respectfully.

"Simu-sama."

Simu sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Didn't I tell you? There's no need to kneel," Simu said, quickly helping the man up.

The visitor was Hyuga Tokumitsu, the man who had freed himself from the Caged Bird curse years ago. Now, he was the chairman of the Aster Flower Chamber of Commerce.

Hyuga Tokumitsu stood and smiled. "Simu-sama, I kneel out of respect. After all, you are my savior."

Simu sighed, realizing there was no arguing with him. Then, his eyes drifted to Tokumitsu's figure.

"But... your size," Simu remarked, pointing at his noticeably rounder frame.

Tokumitsu shook his head with a helpless smile. "I spend my days dealing with nobles. There's no avoiding all the feasts and entertainment."

Simu chuckled but didn't press further. Growing a business to this scale in just a few years must have taken an immense amount of effort and sacrifice.

Tokumitsu then turned to Lindy with a polite smile. "This must be Ms. Lindy?"

Lindy, who had been quietly assessing him, responded, "Nara Shikaku. You must be Mr. Tokumitsu. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you as well," Tokumitsu replied, extending his hand. The two shook firmly.

The group, now in disguise, approached the town gates.

Two samurai stood guard and immediately blocked their path. "Who are you?" 

Hyuga Tokumitsu remained calm and simply pointed to the emblem on his robe.

"Oh, you're with the Aster Flower Chamber of Commerce. Go on in," the guards said, stepping aside.

As honored guests of the local lord, members of the Aster Flower Chamber of Commerce were not to be troubled by low-ranking guards.

Once inside, they came across a large crowd gathered behind a barricade.

"What's going on?" Kushina asked, frowning.

Hyuga Tokumitsu, his expression unchanged, answered, "Tax collection."

"Due to years of war, the Fire Daimyo has raised the annual tax from 300,000 ryo per person to 1.5 million ryo."

"One and a half million?!" Kushina's eyes widened in shock.

"That's the cost of an A-rank mission," Lindy muttered, narrowing his eyes. His voice turned cold.

"This can't be an order from the Daimyo's mansion, can it?"

Hyuga Tokumitsu glanced at him with mild surprise.

"Lindy-san, you have sharp mind," 

"The Daimyo's order was to raise the tax to 700,000 ryo. But the local lord set it at 1.5 million and demanded it be collected within five days."

"And those who fail to pay on time… are sent to the mines as forced labor."

His voice was calm, almost indifferent. Years of navigating the dark realities of the ninja world had left him numb to such things.

Lindy, though outwardly composed, felt a deep unease rising within him.

Kushina whispered, "The Fire Nation is preparing for war, but no matter how much tax they collect, they probably won't give a single coin to Konoha."

Simu shook his head. "War is just an excuse to strip the people of their wealth. As for where the money really goes… who knows?"

Hyuga Tokumitsu led them to a shop. "This is the Aster Flower Chamber of Commerce."

It was a pharmacy, its sign clearly marked with the chamber's name. Inside, many people were receiving treatment for injuries and illnesses.

Simu's eyes suddenly narrowed as he spotted a familiar face among them—a half-grown boy.

"Didn't expect to see an old acquaintance here…"

Kushina followed his gaze. "Isn't that one of the kids we rescued back then?"

Simu gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable. Meanwhile, Hyuga Tokumitsu led them into the pharmacy's backyard.

"As you instructed, Simu-sama, I've lowered the price of medicine to make it more affordable for the people," Tokumitsu said respectfully.

It was winter, and the harsh labor had left many injured and sick. This pharmacy was the only one in all of Suimi City offering treatment.

The local medicine supply was completely monopolized, and prices were so high that most people couldn't afford treatment. Many simply endured their illnesses, unable to seek help.

By offering affordable medicine, the Aster Flower Chamber of Commerce quickly gained a foothold in the region.

Hyuga Tokumitsu thought for a moment before adding, "Also, the scripts you mentioned have been well received."

Lindy raised an eyebrow. "Scripts?"

Tokumitsu glanced at Simu, who gave a slight nod. "Show them to Lindy."

"Yes..."

Tokumitsu pulled out a few notebooks and handed them over. Lindy flipped through them, and a look of surprise flashed across his face.

The stories depicted ordinary people rising against oppression. One told of a noble who kidnapped a village girl, only for a brave man to intervene. 

The man was arrested and tortured but later learned ninjutsu and led the villagers to overthrow the noble's rule.

While the ninja world had many stories of heroes and rebels, few dared to directly target the nobility like this. 

After all, the nobles were the absolute rulers, challenging them was almost unthinkable.

Lindy's expression grew complicated as he asked, "Will they even understand it?"

Hyuga Tokumitsu replied, "We present these scripts as stories—not through the Aster Flower Chamber of Commerce, but through wandering witches and poets."

Lindy immediately grasped the strategy behind Simu's plan.

Most of the common people were uneducated. Even those who could read had neither the time nor energy to engage with books due to their daily struggles. 

Having wandering poets tell the stories orally was the most effective way to spread them.

Realizing the depth of Simu's preparation from the Aster Flower Chamber of Commerce to recruiting wandering poets and witches Lindy couldn't help but glance at him again. This wasn't something done on a whim.

Simu simply responded with a calm smile.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the clinic.

A group of warriors stormed in, their voices harsh.

"Bring out the person in charge! Our lord wants to see him!"

Hyuga Tokumitsu's eyes flickered with a dangerous glint.

Simu lifted his chin. "Go."

"Yes."

Hyuga Tokumitsu turned, his expression shifting effortlessly. The menace in his eyes disappeared, replaced by the sharp cunning of a seasoned merchant.

Lindy raised an eyebrow but followed him outside.

"My lords, I'll come right away, right away."

With practiced ease, Hyuga Tokumitsu pulled a 2.3 silver note from his sleeve and discreetly placed it into the lead samurai's hand.

The samurai's stern face softened into a satisfied grin.

"Now that's more like it. Let's go."

His tone grew noticeably more polite as he led Hyuga Tokumitsu and Lindy toward the Lord's Mansion.

As soon as they stepped inside, the sound of lively music filled the air.

The courtyard before them was nothing short of extravagant.

Even the walls were made of fine sakura wood. The rock garden was meticulously crafted, and rare, expensive flowers filled every corner.

Among them was the agave a flower bonsai had seen his father cultivate. 

A single tree cost 500,000 Ryo, yet here, they were planted in clusters.

Shikaku's expression remained neutral as he followed Hyuga Tokumitsu through the large garden.

At last, they reached the source of the music.

More than twenty singers danced gracefully to the melody.

At the center of it all, a fat man easily two or three hundred kilograms slumped into a gold-plated chair like a mountain of flesh.

His eyes, filled with unchecked desire, devoured the sight of the performers.

Lindy let out a silent sigh but kept his face impassive.

Even Hyuga Tokumitsu couldn't help but admire Lindy's ability to maintain his composure.

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TO BE CONTINUED

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