Uchiha's personal opinion

In the ceasefire treaty signed with Konoha and Iwagakure, abandoning vassal states, ceding territory, and relinquishing the claim to tailed beasts were all fait accompli, and there was no other way to choose to give them up.

Although it was shameful to send envoys to apologize and offer condolences to Mitokado Homura and Sarutobi Shinnosuke, if Tsuchidai could endure such a humiliation and sign unequal treaties with Konoha and Iwagakure, then their forbearance for the sake of the village was nothing special.

Faced with the harsh reality, the high-ranking officials of Kumogakure have also come to realize that they should bow down to their enemies for the sake of the village.

However, the biggest problem facing Yunyin was the war reparations of 20 billion taels.

And it has to be a gold one!

Gold, as the hard currency issued and circulated by major countries, is the foundation for the stability of a major country's financial system. Under the gold standard monetary system, the currencies of the five major countries are essentially equal in value, or "gold content," and can circulate and be freely exchanged.

With the Cloud Village's current reserves after numerous battles, it is impossible for them to come up with a gold coin equivalent to 20 billion.

Therefore, the only option for this compensation is to seek help from the daimyo again.

The daimyo of the Land of Lightning was also in a difficult position.

Although he was a staunch supporter of the Raikage's expansionist policies and understood the sacrifices the Raikage made to preserve the ninja village, he could not bear such devastating damage.

It was one thing for the southern territories to be occupied by Konoha and Iwagakure, since the situation was beyond their control and Kumogakure was currently powerless to reclaim them. Moreover, the Raikage had promised to reclaim the lost territory after revitalizing the Shinobi Army, so the Daimyo agreed.

However, if another 20 billion gold coins were taken from his treasury, the monetary system of the Land of Lightning would face collapse.

Because the Land of Lightning's paper money was also over-issued, the actual amount of paper money issued far exceeded the amount of gold coins in the treasury. It was only because of the influence of one of the five great nations and the trust of the Land of Lightning that wealthy merchants and foreign nobles holding large amounts of currency did not exchange them immediately.

However, if the news of the withdrawal of 20 billion gold coins leaks out, the Thunder Kingdom's treasury will inevitably face an unimaginable massive run on the bank, which would be a devastating blow to the Thunder Kingdom's financial system.

Moreover, once confidence in a country's financial system is lost, it is much more difficult to regain it in the future.

Therefore, the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning also put forward a condition: the war reparations would be paid in 10 billion gold coins and 10 billion Land of Lightning banknotes, and he would try to get Uchiha Tokumitsu to falsely claim that the reparations from Kumogakure would be paid in 20 billion Land of Lightning banknotes.

This would indeed alleviate the pressure on the Land of Lightning's coffers, but the real challenge is getting Uchiha Tokumitsu to agree to such conditions.

Moreover, if they were to proactively propose changing the compensation method stipulated in the treaty at this point, and if Uchiha Tokumitsu were to take the opportunity to break the treaty after learning about the actual predicament that Kumogakure is currently facing, then there would be a lot of trouble.

However, the higher-ups in Kumogakure understood the Daimyo's concerns and had no choice but to agree, returning to discuss countermeasures on their own.

"Send an envoy south..."

After a long discussion with no result, the Grand Elder of Kumogakure tapped his cane and sighed, "Let's continue talking to that brat from the Uchiha clan, even if it means paying some other price!"

"But Da Ming is clearly wealthy..."

Another high-ranking member of the Cloud Village muttered, "Why do we have to go through such a humiliating negotiation with the enemy..."

"Foolish!"

The Third Raikage suddenly erupted, smashing the desk to pieces with a single palm strike.

"The lord so strongly supports the village! Yet you spout such arrogant words! You are utterly shameless!"

"It is already a great disgrace for us ninjas to fail in our duty to protect the borders. You are even more despicable than colluding with the enemy by emptying the daimyo's treasury!"

"Go to the front lines! I don't want to see you in the village again!"

After the Third Raikage flew into a rage and expelled the dissenting high-ranking officials, the Hidden Cloud Village reached a consensus. While sending a special envoy to apologize, they secretly communicated with Uchiha Tokumitsu about changing the payment method.

……

Due to the blockade by Kumogakure, Uchiha Tokumitsu's intelligence was relatively delayed.

The predicament of Kumogakure was discovered by the village's secret agents, who then relayed it back to the village, through the Hokage Building to Hatake Sakumo, who in turn informed Uchiha Tokumitsu.

However, the envoy from Kumogakure had already arrived and subtly mentioned to Uchiha Tokumitsu the matter of changing the method of payment for the compensation.

Therefore, Uchiha Tokumitsu was also caught in a dilemma.

After all, the 20 billion yen in reparations did not only belong to the Tokugawa Shogunate, but also had to be transferred to Konoha, Iwagakure, and Amegakure.

After all, all parties involved in the war had contributed, so there was no way that the reparations could be embezzled by the Tokugawa Shogunate.

But what he feared even more was the formidable fighting power that Kirigakure had displayed in its war against Kumogakure.

In particular, the Third Mizukage actually defeated the Third Raikage in a single battle!

"...Could it be that the age spots have finally gotten restless and are taking matters into their own hands?"

After dismissing his attendants, Uchiha Tokumitsu pondered a solution alone in the quiet room.

He naturally didn't care about the occupied territories of the Land of Lightning. Such unsustainable occupation territories, apart from attracting the continued hostility of the Hidden Cloud Village and the heavy blows it would inflict upon its resurgence, did not bring much practical benefit to the Uchiha clan.

However, the southern islands of the Land of Water are the foundation of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Under the leadership of the Third Mizukage in public and Madara Uchiha in private, the Kirigakure's defeat of the main force of the Kumogakure will surely boost the morale of the Kirigakure and reverse its decline. The daimyo of the Land of Water, encouraged by this, will certainly not be willing to let their territory remain in the hands of the Tokugawa Shogunate. In the future, the conflict between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Kirigakure will inevitably intensify.

Therefore, avoiding excessive blood loss to the Land of Lightning and the Hidden Cloud Village, and allowing them to continue fighting against the Hidden Mist Village, is a good option for the Tokugawa Shogunate.

But as for the compensation...

Uchiha Tokumitsu was naturally unwilling to sacrifice the interests of the Uchiha clan to fill the hole left by Kumogakure.

"Konoha, huh..."

The money transferred to Iwagakure and Amegakure can be delayed, but as for the village's share, Uchiha Tokumitsu plans to create leverage out of thin air.

For example, "selling" the territory occupied by the Land of Lightning to the village in exchange for the village's share of the compensation.

As for the other shares of compensation, Uchiha Tokumitsu also had an idea.

……

After summoning a secret envoy from Kumogakure via his attendant ninja, Uchiha Tokumitsu officially began his "talk-no-jutsu".

"The Cloud Village's demand to change the method of reparations payment is extremely rude! It is also a rash move that disregards the ceasefire treaty!"

To get straight to the point, the first thing to do is to suppress them.

"But considering that Yunyin has also had a difficult time, the method of payment of the compensation can be changed, but an additional condition is still required."

"...Lord Deguang, please speak."

The Cloud Recluse, whose mood was fluctuating, wiped away his sweat and answered cautiously.

“I allow Yunyin to pay 10 billion gold coins in advance, and change the payment method for the remaining 10 billion in compensation.”

Uchiha Tokumitsu said with a merciful attitude, "But the daimyo of the Land of Lightning must issue 10 billion yen in relief bonds on the Nakagawa Stock Exchange, using his family status and tax revenue as collateral."

"...Bailout bonds?"

The Cloud Hidden Envoy was dumbfounded.

As a high-ranking member of Yunyin, he was naturally familiar with bonds, since Yunyin had also tried to issue some bonds in the past, but the fundraising results were not very good.

Moreover, with this defeat, the bonds that Kumogakure had previously discovered were about to become overdue, but due to the urgency of the battle, Kumogakure simply couldn't spare the time to deal with the matter.

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded.

"Please explain in more detail, Lord Deguang, as I truly do not understand how to operate this..."

The Cloud Hidden Envoy asked again cautiously.

"Simply put, the Hidden Cloud Village handed over 10 billion banknotes to the Nakagawa Stock Exchange to issue 10 billion bonds that can only be purchased with other countries' currencies. At the same time, the Land of Lightning's tariffs and the reputation of the Daimyo were used as collateral to ensure that the bonds could be redeemed for the corresponding gold coins on schedule."

Uchiha Tokumitsu explained.

"...You mean, using the Land of Lightning's paper money as collateral to issue bonds, and only allowing purchases in other countries' currencies?"

"The Cloud Envoy asked."

"Yes!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded very firmly.

"And they even have to use taxes and their reputation as collateral?"

"That's right!"

"Will the pledged banknotes, i.e., bonds, be redeemed in the form of gold in the future?"

"Hey... besides that, you also have to pay interest on the bonds you issue!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu chuckled, "Given the current state of the Land of Lightning and the Hidden Cloud Village... setting the interest rate at ten percent should be about right!"

"Lord Deguang, if you put it that way, wouldn't my mighty Land of Thunder be reduced to begging on my knees?!"

Although the Cloud Village envoy was furious, he still dared not turn against Uchiha Tokumitsu.

"You're wrong. These are bailout bonds! How can you call it begging on your knees?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu was very displeased. "You still have to see if other people are willing to buy the Land of Lightning's bonds! That's 10 billion ryo gold coins! Could an ordinary person have knelt down to pay that back then!"

"Lord Deguang...please be lenient..."

The Cloud-Hidden Messenger pleaded bitterly.

"I've already been very accommodating!"

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Tokumitsu immediately turned hostile, "Go and report to the village yourself! If they don't agree to this, then hand over the 20 billion gold coins!"

"Under the combined might of the Hidden Leaf Rock Army, Cloud Thunder Gorge will surely be utterly annihilated!"

"Sir Envoy, I don't think you'd want to see Cloud Village perish like this either..."

Chapter 241 An Irresistible Fatal Temptation

Initially, neither the Hidden Cloud Village nor the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning were willing to accept the terms offered by Uchiha Tokumitsu for issuing bonds.

First, they sent 10 billion yen in paper money to the Uchiha clan's Nakagawa bond exchange, and then issued bonds to raise funds from other countries. If they failed to discount the bonds in time, they would have to bear interest expenses that increased by 10% every year. In addition, when they redeemed the bonds, they would have to pay 10 billion yen in gold. All in all, it was equivalent to the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning having more than 20 billion yen of funds tied up. If you do the math, the Hidden Cloud Village and the Land of Lightning really lost too much.

While issuing bonds could indeed alleviate the immediate crisis in the Land of Lightning in the short term, the subsequent costs would be far beyond what the Land of Lightning could afford.

Another point is that the so-called "bailout bonds" sound really bad. The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning and the Third Raikage felt that it greatly diminished their prestige, so they also had some resistance.

Therefore, after discussing with the Raikage and the Daimyo's chief minister, they decided to seek to pay only 5 billion of the 20 billion war reparations in the Land of Lightning's paper money, while the remaining 5 billion, which was still undetermined, would be exchanged for other countries' currencies through the black market to pay the reparations to Uchiha Tokumitsu.

However, when the Cloud Village envoys came to the Shogunate's headquarters again for negotiations, Uchiha Tokumitsu threw out a new bait.

"If the Land of Lightning is willing to issue bailout bonds on the Nakagawa Stock Exchange, then the Hidden Cloud Village will also be granted special permission to issue bonds on the exchange."

Uchiha Tokumitsu's words carried a devilish allure, stirring the heartstrings of the Cloud Village envoy.

"As far as I know, the bonds issued by Yunyin should be maturing soon, right? If they aren't redeemed on time, it will be a major blow to Yunyin's reputation."

"Lord Deguang...you know that this matter is absolutely beyond my control."

The Cloud Village envoy replied with a wry smile, "The village's policies are all decided by Lord Raikage. As a messenger, I truly have no right to speak on this matter."

"It's nothing, it's nothing. I just wanted to mention one thing."