Chapter 203: The Hokage's Best Candidate

The Daimyo hadn't expected Lian Ye to use war to threaten him, and his expression kept shifting.

He wasn't clear on the specifics of Cloud Hidden Village, only that the Second Generation Raikage had mentioned it in passing, saying the casualties were severe, combat capability lost, so they chose to surrender.

If Konoha launched a war, Cloud Hidden might indeed be unable to hold it off.

By then, it wouldn't be as simple as just losing money.

If Thunder Country were conquered, this Daimyo would certainly meet a bad end.

Although he knows the Daimyos of other nations, they remain competitors. Each one is eager to tear a piece of flesh from another Daimyo.

After all, who would mind having too much money?

He had originally agreed to the First Raikage's attack on Fire Country, thinking of joining other Daimyos to carve up its resources.

The backstabbing between nations is far too common in the Ninja World.

Qianshou Feijian's eyelids twitched wildly; this kid actually dared to say that disagreement would trigger a war—something even the Hokage would never utter.

He felt the kid was becoming more and more like Madara Uchiha in how he dealt with enemies.

The words spoken were not a discussion but an issued command.

If they don't agree, extreme measures will be taken.

Yet Qianshou Feijian made no move to stop it, staring at the pale‑faced Daimyo and saying in a deep voice:

"I hope Lord Daimyo will not make a wrong decision, lest the nation suffer an unwarranted disaster."

He originally expected compensation of 500 million taels, since the fellow defeated Wind Country offered 300 million taels.

Thunder Country's resources are richer than Wind Country's, so demanding an extra 200 million is normal.

But with this kid assisting, Qianshou Feijian thought asking for a bit more was fine.

He glanced covertly at Lian Ye ahead, his eyes full of admiration.

The kid's performance truly exceeded his expectations.

……

"Lord Daimyo, you wouldn't want a few coins to plunge the nation into war, would you?"

Lian Ye's words were very earnest, implying that refusal would truly trigger a war.

In fact, he wasn't joking; he voiced his true thoughts.

Since Fire Country is the victor, there's no need to be overly submissive.

If Thunder Country can wage war on Konoha, they can also strike back. Cloud Hidden Village's current state is far from a match for Konoha.

He believes that when Konoha's army steps into Thunder Country, the Daimyo will gladly hand over all his savings.

Yuanfei Rizhan and the others watched Lian Ye's back, feeling a surge of respect.

Lian Ye really is impressive, unlike them who have been standing here for half a day, completely unable to…

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang showed admiration, engraving the domineering proclamation firmly in his mind. When he later becomes Hokage, he'll also wield such overwhelming aura.

As expected, Lian Ye truly far surpasses him.

Thinking that, Tuan Cang sighed helplessly.

Though reluctant to admit it, Lian Ye indeed is more suited to be Hokage than he is.

……

The two's synchronized actions infuriated the Daimyo, who clenched his fist tightly, hating…

Where on earth did that Second Generation Raikage go? How come we haven't seen him for such a long time?

He thinks that if the Raikage were here, they wouldn't be so arrogant. Facing Cloud Hidden Village's army, whether they can leave Thunder Country is a different matter.

Unfortunately, the Raikage's whereabouts are unknown now, leaving this Daimyo isolated and helpless.

Facing this group of ninja who would start a war at the slightest disagreement gives him a huge headache.

At first everything was fine; he first offered a compensation of 100 million taels to test Qianshou Feijian's bottom line, then both sides tugged at each other, ultimately aiming to pay Konoha with the smallest cost.

However, as soon as the plan began, the brat started playing irregularly, subjecting him to a series of coercion and temptation, demanding an astronomical compensation, grilling him over a fire.

He knew Konoha's aim clearly: simply to raise the compensation amount.

This move obviously succeeded.

Now all that can be done is to strive to lower the compensation amount.

The Daimyo, humiliated, looked at the red‑eyed youth, slowly extended a finger, and said, "Thunder Country cannot produce three billion taels; at most I can compensate your nation with one billion taels."

One billion taels is no small sum; even a Daimyo would feel the pain handing it out.

These funds spent on food, drink, entertainment, or palace construction are nothing, but using them for postwar reparations is extremely extravagant.

If circumstances didn't forbid it, he wouldn't even want to compensate.

Thunder Country's defeat is already hard enough; now having to pay a huge sum is an added difficulty, what else?!

Ten hundred million is his greatest sincerity.

A slight curve lifted Qianshou Feijian's mouth corner, then quickly subsided.

This kid's coercion and temptation doubled the village's compensation.

The more he watches Lian Ye, the more satisfied he is; this kid is a good seed!

With this kid around, the village can definitely develop better.

Powerful, unafraid of authority, daring to fight for the village's interests, indeed the best candidate for Hokage.

……

"One billion taels?" Lian Ye frowned, clearly not very satisfied.

The Daimyo, seeing this, immediately said, "These funds are the greatest sincerity I can offer."

One billion taels is already the limit; I will never provide more money!

Lian Ye kept observing the Daimyo's expression, knowing he wasn't lying; ten hundred million truly was the maximum he could bear.

But he didn't give up easily; don't forget the Daimyo still has leverage in his hands.

"Lord Daimyo, a few days ago someone offered a bounty of two hundred million taels for the Hokage's head, after thorough investigation…"

Lian Ye ignored the Daimyo's gradually paling complexion and continued, "The person who posted the bounty is from Thunder Country."

"Tsk tsk, Thunder Country is really rich; someone is willing to spend a fortune to assassinate the Hokage." Lian Ye's scarlet Sharingan stared at the Daimyo, "You agree, don't you, Lord Daimyo?"

Both explicitly and implicitly, he was hinting to the other party that he already knew the truth.

Faced with Lian Ye's icy gaze, the Daimyo's body couldn't help trembling, and he subconsciously wiped the cold sweat from his face.

"I've been busy with state affairs, so I truly didn't know about this. How about this… give me some time, and I'll definitely help you investigate the mastermind behind it."

"Lord Daimyo, certain people from your Thunder Country have seriously threatened the Hokage's life safety…"

Lian Ye said, "How about you, on behalf of the mastermind, compensate us, and this matter will be settled. What do you think?"

He's deliberately giving the Daimyo a way out; he can't really kill the Daimyo or start a war, can he?

His goal is merely to obtain more compensation for the Village…

"Young man, you're right; this matter indeed requires compensation!" The Daimyo said without hesitation, "I will personally fund two hundred million taels to compensate the Hokage for the losses caused by the mastermind…"

Lian Ye nodded with satisfaction, and the Three Tomoe slowly faded from his eyes.

Receiving a compensation of 1.2 billion is already quite good.

"Thank you, Lord Daimyo, for your generous contribution."

Qianshou Feijian gave a slight nod; this kid knows his limits and how to advance and retreat.

Becoming the Hokage in the future will definitely help the Village develop better!

Even before becoming the Hokage, he has already brought huge compensation money to the Village.

He truly is the best candidate to become the Hokage!

……

Seeing that Lian Ye made no further demands, the Daimyo couldn't help but sigh with relief.

His gaze toward Lian Ye was full of Poison.

Compared to killing Qianshou Feijian, he now wants this brat dead even more!

Lian Ye, having achieved his goal, was in a good mood, paid no heed to the Daimyo's resentful gaze, and even smiled.

Daimyo: "……"