Chapter 80: A Poorly-Fed Guest
Uchiha Raizen was led through the Kaguya compound, a place adorned with macabre trophies of bone and smelling faintly of iron and dust. They arrived at a simple, open-air pavilion constructed from massive, weathered femurs and skulls.
"Patriarch Kaguya," Raizen began, cutting straight to the point. "I must ask, are your reserves of Frost-Dew Herb sufficient?"
Kaguya Wei let out a dry, rasping chuckle. "So, Elder Raizen has come to trade? A pity. We have a… reliable supplier for the herb. We have no need for more."
"I am aware. The Uzumaki clan," Raizen stated flatly. "But I am not here to trade you a handful of herbs. I am here to discuss the iron mine to the north. The one that formerly belonged to the Uchiha, correct?"
Kaguya Wei's feral eyes narrowed, his friendly pretense evaporating. "What is your meaning? Has the Uchiha clan decided they want their toy back?"
"Take it back? No," Raizen said, waving a dismissive hand. "The Uchiha are not so poor that we covet a single mine. In fact, not far from that one, lies another of our veins. That is what I am here to offer you."
The Kaguya patriarch was visibly confused. What game was this Uchiha playing?
"Furthermore," Raizen continued, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone, "I cannot imagine you enjoy trading the fruits of your hard-won battles for mere herbs. You are aware of our… dispute with the Uzumaki. We will give you the mine. In return, you destroy the Uzumaki clan and take all the Frost-Dew Herb for yourselves. As for the Senju, who will undoubtedly come to their allies' defense… we will handle them."
Kaguya Wei's face was a mask of suspicion, but internally, he was rejoicing. This wasn't a transaction; it was a gift! The Uchiha were too proud to dirty their own hands directly and risk a full-scale war with the Senju, so they were using the Kaguya as their blunt instrument. He understood perfectly.
"I will… need to consider this," he said, stroking his chin. "I don't know if…"
"You have four days," Raizen interrupted. "I will await your answer here. And please, arrange a room for me."
Thus, Uchiha Raizen took up temporary residence within the Kaguya clan. As he moved about the compound, his system was hard at work. He found the orbs for the Shikotsumyaku bloodline limit easily. The progress bar showed he needed one hundred fragments. The Kaguya, still a powerful and numerous clan, had a rich history, and their ancestral hall was a veritable treasure trove of dormant bloodline orbs. He made discreet visits, his pickup count steadily climbing.
Four days later, his progress sat at 96 out of 100. Today was the day for their answer, and he was so close.
Please, don't come until evening, he silently pleaded, hoping for a few more hours to scour the ancestral hall and complete the set.
"Elder Raizen…" a voice called from outside his door, shattering his hope.
It seemed the Kaguya's patience had worn thinner than his own. Their initial pretense of deliberation had crumbled in the face of his apparent nonchalance. The lure of the mine and the herb was simply too great.
He met Kaguya Wei in the same bone-pavilion.
"Elder Raizen," the patriarch announced, a greedy glint in his eye. "We agree. The Senju… will be your responsibility."
"Understood," Raizen replied, his tone deliberately weary.
"Um… have our accommodations been lacking?" Kaguya Wei asked, taken aback by the lackluster response. "Perhaps you would stay for a feast this evening? We can celebrate our new… understanding."
"That won't be necessary," Raizen said, a look of genuine distress crossing his features. "That's quite alright. I should return immediately. You have no idea how terrible the food is back in the Uchiha clan. I'm desperate for a proper meal."
Without another word, he turned and strode away, leaving a utterly bewildered Kaguya Wei standing in the pavilion.
The Kaguya patriarch stared after the retreating Uchiha elder, completely flummoxed. Had the entire negotiation, the offer of a mine and a shared enemy, truly hinged on… the quality of the Uchiha's cafeteria?