Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand

"Say something! Come on, speak up! Why is everyone suddenly mute? Talk! I want answers—now!"

Yahiko was shouting at the Akatsuki leadership, his voice raw and wild, like a man on the edge.

The past three months had been absolute hell for Amegakure—a whiplash of fortune and disaster.

First, Aotu Tailuo, who doubled as both ANBU Chief and Finance Minister, dumped the entire village’s 3.5 million tons of iron ore stockpile at 468 ryō per ton, making a killing. But to everyone’s shock, iron ore prices kept soaring, rising like crops on a heavy dose of fertilizer.

A faction of Akatsuki elders, led by Kijima, tore into Aotu Tailuo for selling too early. Even Yahiko started to doubt him. With no one backing him, Aotu Tailuo could only resign in disgrace, handing over control of the finances.

Kijima took over and immediately spent most of Amegakure’s cash reserves to buy six million tons of iron ore at the peak price—560 ryō per ton.

He wasn’t even greedy. His plan was simple: wait for the price to hit 600 ryō, then sell and pocket a cool 240 million profit. Easy money, way better than digging in the mines, right?

But then Sunagakure abruptly canceled its military exercises, and iron ore prices crashed like a runaway horse. They didn’t even get a chance to cut their losses.

Now, staring at a mountain of six million tons of worthless iron ore, Yahiko was on the verge of tears. Forget Aotu Tailuo’s earlier windfall—the village had almost lost everything. If it hadn’t been for Nagato stubbornly holding back 500 million ryō for "industrial chain improvements," Amegakure would be flat broke.

The elder faction, led by Kijima, sat around like wilted eggplants, too crushed to even speak.

"We should go to Tailuo. He might have an idea," Nagato said softly.

"Sigh. Where is he?" Yahiko asked, defeated.