Ryō blinked.
Grandma Cho blinked.
Akiko and Akane blinked.
Everyone in the crowd blinked.
"You… Ordered him to sell the Charka Metal?!" Ryō asked dumbfounded
"Yes," Kekkai answered
Ryō was speechless at Kekkai answering so forthrightly. With a scowl, he motioned for him to come forward.
Kekkai slowly stepped down the staircase. When Akaya moved to follow him down he pressed down softly onto her shoulder and to her slightly worried look shook his head lightly.
Though he would certainly be disciplined for his deceit Kekkai had already made a plan. His father still has one of the key items for his plan to pass the final obstacle, his grandfather.
The crowd parted in silence as he walked down. Their faces frowned as they looked at their young patriarch not knowing what to think.
Kekkai, who is widely known for his wit and precocious wisdom is the largest contributor to the changes within the clan over the last four years. All types of techniques, farming technology, management, and logistic reforms have appeared from this young man over the years.
Though the Mēkā has close to three decades worth of background they have been hit hard in their war a few years back. But under Kekkai's revolutionary reforms, they not only didn't experience any decline but even prospered.
The Mēkā who had grown in both population and power over time owed a lot to their young patriarch. But this same Young Master did such a brain-dead maneuver as selling precious Chakra Metal for food and resources?! They didn't know what was going through his head!
When he arrived at the front stage he still looked calm and confident in front of his grandfather. Ryō looked deeply at his grandson trying to find out what he was thinking.
"Why? You of all people should know that selling Chakra Metal is a dangerous and stupid behavior!" He asked in uncertainty
"Because the circumstances have changed. We couldn't sell it before but now we can, even if we can do it only once." Kekkai replied
This response surprised Ryō and the crowd. Circumstances had changed? One opportunity?
What happened that it was so important that Kekkai would need to sell the Clan's lifeblood behind the backs of the Elders?
"What circumstances?! What happened?" asked Elder Gunkan as he approached from the side in worry.
"The times, Elder, the times." Kekkai said "Our clan has completely fallen out of favor with the Stone Daimyo and every clan here in the country of Stone. Now he has cut off all missions and access to the neighboring cities, Our clan mainly lived on escort and bodyguard missions along with a side export of lumber and farming and now we can't even do trading without being raided. If we don't want a noose slowly tightened around our neck we need to change the situation and we need to change it fast!"
"But aren't we moving in that direction?" Asked Elder Tetsu "The farmlands are expanding and we have opened many resource deposits throughout Ida's Rest. There should be no need to gamble with selling our Chakra Metal."
"But it's too slow." Kekkai growled "We have over five thousand people to feed and winter is setting in. We don't have the time to slowly expand and tap into what the Mountains have. Without at least two more years we won't have enough livestock or crops to feed us on our own. Not to mention that we still need various training and research are constant sinkholes for resources as well."
This made Ryō and the Elders pause a little in thought. What Kekkai was trying to explain to them made sense. The number of resources put into Remodeling the Clan Barrier alone took a lot of resources, much less any other projects they had put aside.
"Raids are the least of our problems, the temples and clans won't move without the Daimyos nod and he won't do so in fear that we will just flip the table. He would rather wait for us to slowly weaken without resources. What we need is food, medicine, and Most importantly, Time." He listed off with his fingers.
"All of which we do not have." He said with a heavy breath
The crowd was silent at this statement. Surprised that they were in a dangerous situation and A little depressed their Young Patriarch had so little faith in the clan's preparations for their surrounding circumstances.
"So if I see an opportunity to change our situation I will take it! And this sale will solve all our problems. Although the window was small, very small, I didn't have time to argue about selling resources and decided to seize the moment." Kekkai declared
"That still doesn't make sense! If you were so worried about having our trade cut off then we should have doubled down on expanding our caravans and production. By the gods, you even refused to sell more Windstrider daggers for the reason that it would be dangerous to sell so many powerful weapons at once. Saying that it would attract powerful enemies looking for our crafting techniques if we sold too many." Elder Tetsu rebuked
"It would be even worse if we did that! The clan has only thirty-six elite ninjas, every convoy we deployed is guarded by three elites and 12 regular ninjas to guarantee the rest are our trading expert's safety. If we go any higher than that our defenses here at the village will be empty!"
"If we raised the number of wares being sold without increasing the strength of the guards it won't be just Bandits raiding us, small clans and ronin would flood over like wolves to a flock of unprotected sheep!" Kekkai argued back
"But is raw Chakra Metal any better? And not only did you have him sell it but in Tons! How do we explain such a large amount suddenly appearing in the black market?" Ryō shoulders shook as he asked. Not understanding what could come over his grandchild to make such a dangerous move.
"Once the Daimyo investigates and tracks this to us how do you think we will keep them from tearing down our gates to have us explain where we got it from?" He demanded
"I didn't sell to the black market in the first place and There will be no need to explain to the lord. Because they will have bigger problems to deal with if they decide to take a step out of their doors." Kekkai said slowly.
"Oh? And what problems would be able to stop The Daimyos and their armies from leaving their doorstep?" Ryō asked chidingly.
"The Daimyo himself would stop them Grandfather" Kekkai responded instantly, his eyes lighting up in triumph.
"The reason why I didn't sell was more about the buyers than the product itself. Windstriders and Blast Vests are valued more by Ronin and Small to medium Ninja clans. Both are unreliable and prone to greed. If we sell excess of such equipment it will provoke their greed in finding ways to secure such things for themselves. Chakra metal of any amount being sold to these people will provoke the same reaction." He explained
"So, to avoid such a problem. I changed consumers, people who are prideful enough to not go back on the contract and have enough chakra metal themselves that it won't attract their greed for more. Only one such person exists that we have access to. The resources made in return are the bonus. The real trade was something much, much better." Kekkai turned to look over his shoulder at his father and asked, "Father, did they agree?"
"Agreed, they agreed to everything," Okamora confirmed while nodding deeply, his face still solemn but the corners of his lips lifted into a smile.
"Who agreed? Agreed to what?" Ryō stood there in confusion while the father and son chatted. Seeing them discuss while ignoring him made his face darken.
"No more games. Spit…It…Out." He growled
"Well what are you waiting for, this old man's blood pressure will rise if we delay any longer." Kekkai berated playfully and stepped back.
To the confused eyes of the audience, Okamora riffled through his side pack for a little before taking out a black and gold scroll. Stepping forward onto the platform he kneeled and presented it to his father.
"What is this?" Ryō asked while looking at the lavishly decorated scroll before him.
"This is the most important item traded," Okamura reported still kneeling.
Ryō looked deeply at the father and son for a moment. Snatching the scroll up from his hands he re-examined it for a moment, only to have his eyes bulge wide open when he saw the wax seal located at the center.
No more hesitation he tore the seal off and opened it hurriedly. Reading what lay within it with such concentration that he dared not breathe. Silence pervaded the air and when he reached the end he took a deep breath of cold air.
Raising his eyes to his grandson he looked at him with absolute shock and wonder. Turning around he motioned for his fellow elders to come to him.
When they reached his side he passed the scroll to them. As they read their eyes began to widen as well in mutual excitement and celebration. Their heads looked sharply at Ryō together.
Ryō nodded In confirmation and gestured for them to go to the side for a discussion.
Kekkai watched calmly as they shuffled to a corner and began to whisper intensely to each other. When his father rose and stepped back and came to his side he elbowed him lightly.
"Hey old man. You look thinner than before, I hope you have been eating right." Kekkai smiled and chided his father.
"Don't be too optimistic, you went around them to make this deal happen. The old fart won't be too hard on you but will still probably send you back into house arrest for a year in penance." Okamora ignored his comment and warned solemnly.
"He won't do that. Most likely he'll send me into the farms and mines to do some hard labor. And the fact is that I've reawakened my chakra. He will have something else planned." Kekkai countered
Hearing this Okamora's eyes widened and grasped his shoulder. Heavy energy began to pour out from his hand, slowly maneuvering around his body once before leaving.
Sensing the two forces that rippled and sloshed around in his body Okamora looked at his son and grinned. His grip on his shoulder turned into a pull as he hugged him tightly.
"Congratulations my boy. I know how much work you've been putting into aligning your mental and physical energies. After this, your old man will take you to your cousins' tavern for a drink." He chuckled deeply while saying this.
"Ugh, please don't. She always takes me for a taste tester for her dark dishes when I go over there." Kekkai grimaced in disgust at the mention of his cousin. Her taste in wine is great but it's the exact opposite when it comes to her food.
Just remembering that bubbling purple and blue monstrosity that she spoon-fed him while he was tied to a chair sent shivers up his spine.
Okamora just chuckled at this and slapped his son's shoulder playfully.
After a few minutes, the elders returned. Arms within the sleeves of their robes as they looked at Kekkai.
"How did you manage to get an audience with them?" Ryō asked Kekkai with an uncaring apathetic look on his face.
"His grandson's coming-of-age ceremony was held 4 weeks ago. He was being cared for by the Earth Temple and was going through the rite of passage. Gifting such a large amount of chakra metal would please him immensely if he can arm his entourage." Kekkai answered lightly
"I see," Ryō remarked his face still aloof.
"Even though the ends justify the means you have still wronged the clan. Going beyond the elders and your patriarch in selling Chakra Metal behind our backs is a major betrayal of our trust and a betrayal of the trust of the Mēkā clan itself. Even if I don't remove your qualifications as the next patriarch you must still be punished!" Ryō spoke slowly as he said this.
"Your penalty for your crime is as follows," Elder Tetsu began, "To atone for the breach of trust in using your father's convoy to conduct a deal in secret. This not only put the clan in unknown danger for your gamble but also put your father in danger if the deal went sour. We have decided that your punishment will be temporary exile."
This shocked Kekkai as well as his father. This was way too harsh for him to be exiled. When Okamora stepped forward to plead for a lesser sentence Grandma Cho stopped him with a raised hand.
"It's only temporary, not permanent exile. You will take your father's place in the cleanup of raiders in the land of stone alone. You will sweep every hideout you can find alone and without any resources, intelligence, or help from the clan. You will have one supervisor who will judge your performance and alert us of the progress of your task." Grandma Cho explained unhurriedly.
"Do you accept this punishment?" Ryō asked without emotions.
Kekkai kneeled to the ground and bowed his head and said"I accept the Clans punishment. I will only return upon the completion of my punishment."
"Then you are dismissed. Leave Ishigami village before midnight." Ryō commanded solemnly, turning to the crowd he announced "From now on The Mēkā will enter complete closure. No one will enter and no one can leave for the next three years. All focus will be on training and expanding our means in the local mountains. Dismissed!"
After He dismissed them he turned with a wave of his sleeve and left the stage with the elders in tow. Leaving a confused and stunned crowd to try to make out what happened.
Meanwhile, Kekkai had already made his way back out of the amphitheater and was heading back home to prepare.
"Kekkai!! Wait for us!" A voice called from behind.
Turning around he found that it was Akiko and Akane. They had also left their seats in the theatre to catch up with him.
"What the hell is going on?" Akiko asked her cousin worriedly. "Even if you will get punished, to be sent to clear the land of stone alone is too harsh. Why didn't you argue with Grandpa about this punishment!?"
"Because it's not so much punishment. It's more of a slap on the wrist while also showing off the Mēkās power to the restless idiots who are ready to try us." Kekkai replied while walking with Ayaka in tow.
"Showing off? Who are they showing off?" Akane asked
"Me of course! I'm going to take every single bandit hideout that I can find and send the resources back to the clan. Even though there will be some rogue ninja and ronin mixed in but I'm sure I can handle it. What better way of showing off than letting me parade around the land wiping out bandits here and there when I finish I will return to a celebration and grandpa can officially Retire and let me be Patriarch." Kekkai smiled confidently.
"And how are you going take Ronin and Ninja alone? Your strong but you're not durable enough to take Jutsu head-on with your body alone." Akane pointed out rudely while moving ahead of him and stopped there to look at him.
To not bump into her Kekkai could only come to a stop, looking at the worried look on the faces of the girls around him he could only raise a hand in surrender.
"If it was before today it would be a challenge but now, it will be easy!" As he said this he concentrated on the energy within him.
Letting it fuse and merge and then pulled the product of the fusion to the surface of his raised hand with a heavy orange aura that poured out of his skin.
The three girls gapped and looked at the Chakra manifesting itself over his skin for a moment. As they realized what it meant Akane leaped onto Kekkai with glee.
"You're able to refine Chakra Again!!" She shouted with joy as she clung to his shoulders.
"Yep. Now I will have no trouble taking care of some Rogue Nin and their rotten skills with ease!" Kekkai boasted
Akiko and Ayaka nodded in confirmation at this statement. Although over the years he had failed to refine chakra he compensated by turning his focus to Taijutsu. Classically he created three different fighting techniques that would allow him to fight evenly with ninjas in physical prowess. Now that he has refined his chakra his strength is sure to grow by leaps and bounds.
"It's great to see you guys again but it seems I have to go on leave myself. I'll be back in three months five at the latest. But now I need to prepare." Kekkai slowly peeled off his cousin while apologizing.
Nodding Akane left his arm but instead grabbed both his shoulders. Her smile faded and she glared at his face.
"Come back in one piece, please." She commanded
Kekkai nodded with a smile, grabbing her waist and pulling her into a quick hug.
"Promise." He said
When they broke apart he pulled Akiko into the same hug. Trying to say quick goodbyes to his cousins before he left.
As he turned to go Ayaka came to his side and asked him curiously "By the way, What was on that scroll? It seemed to shake up your grandfather and the elders badly."
"That," Kekkai grinned "that was a decree from the Earth Daimyo. Declaring that from now on the entire Ida Mountain Range is owned by the Mēkā. All 1,245 kilometers of it is under our undivided control and allows us to deal with any trespassers as we see fit!"
.
.
.
.
"Bwahahahahahaha!!!!! My Clan Is going to RISE!!!!!"
To the side of the rampant Patriarch were his wife and two elders, all of which had wine and celebrating with wide grins on their faces.
"Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!! My Clan Is Going to RISE!"