Daimyo and others were still captivated by the advanced technology they were experiencing in this genjutsu world. As they were waiting for their order, they saw a TV screen on the sidewall of the restaurant with a football match playing on it.
On the screen, Might Guy was dribbling the ball and leaving behind all the opponents in the dust, and then he passed the ball to Kakashi, who dribbled some more and gave a pass to Guy to land an overhead kick and score a goal.
Ryu said, "Ahem, ahem."
Daimyo was first to speak, "I must admit. This was not what I expected when I came to conduct business."
He then asked, "Is all this even possible?"
Ryu replied, "Very much possible; I have all the technology I need to make it happen. Nothing is much difficult if I have support for the nations and enough time."
He looked at Ikkyu and said, "I am planning to build a small model town in the Land of Fire with sustainable infrastructure and advanced technology as a proof of concept if you permit me."
Daimyo nodded.
Ikkyu said, "It is a good idea. A small village will be best for showing proof of concept. I will be able to convince Father to fund your future project."
Daimyo asked, "How long will it take you to build something like this?"
Ryu answered, "Not long if I have the right machinery. Based on my current pace, I estimate it will take around five years. Hence, my primary focus will be on constructing the necessary infrastructure and technology. Although there will be delays in the short term due to infrastructure development, once the necessary infrastructure is in place, the speed of progress will surpass current capabilities. I will need alot of money as well, but things are slowly progressing. My next product will be a big hit when it hits the market soon.
Ikkyu asked, "You mean that toy called Game Boy?"
Ryu replied, "Yes. And I have many more products coming."
Daimyo replied, "I agree with all your terms. That thing you called the train. From where you are going to build it."
Ryu smiled and replied, "Building this required a large amount of iron. So I am going to build this from the western region of the Land of Rivers, right from my new factory, and will continue building it to the east. I can then connect it to your capital city in the east and then finally to the Fire Nation. That way the trade will be much smoother between the nations, as crossing all those rivers is a hassle."
Ikkyu and Daimyo exchanged surprised glances, their eyes widening in astonishment at Ryu's strategic plan. Ikkyu nodded in agreement, impressed by Ryu's strategic plan to improve trade routes.
Ryu continued and said, "It will effectively connect three countries. How is that for the 1st train project?"
Right at this moment the waitress came and said, "Here's your order, sir."
"Thanks," Ryu replied.
The daimyo and ikkyu were staring at the imaginary food on the table. Around each plate, the screen on the table below displayed more info about the dish and played videos of the dish being made.
Ryu said, "Try it. You can eat all you want in this genjutsu dream world, but you won't gain fat."
Dan, Ikkyu, and the daimyo of the Land of Rivers tasted their order dishes and were surprised by the real taste in this fake world.
They went all in, eating everything on the table. At the end of it, they were all stuffed and satisfied.
The table then presented them with the bill and a QR code. Ryu took his phone and scanned the code.
The table read:
- Payment successful
- Thank you for dining with us.
Ryu said, "I would rather not dine and dash even in this genjutsu world. One must pay for their meal."
The rest of the group nodded in agreement, impressed by Ryu's sense of honour even in a virtual reality setting. They couldn't help but wonder what other surprises this fake world had in store for them, but this journey was almost over.
Ryu continued and said, "Let's go now that our business here is done."
Ryu snapped his finger, and they were back in the room they were in. Daimyo and Ikkyu were still in shock; so was Dan, even after having experienced Ryu's [Mind Palace] before.
Daimyo regained his composure and declared, "I will prepare the official agreement document. Lord Ikkyu will be our witness."
Ikkyu said, "I don't want a major business and development opportunity to leave my country, but I will do it since I have got River Country involved because it has necessary resources."
Ryu replied, "Relax; the last time you referred to me as a friend, you should trust your friend now." There will be more opportunities in the future. I can't build all my factories and ventures in one place, can I?
Daimyo thought, "This kid… He had more to offer?"
Ikkyu smiled and said, "Forgive me for not trusting a friend."
Ryu said, "I have an obligation to help the neighbours too. If I don't, then this vicious cycle of never-ending wars will never stop."
Daimyo thought, 'This kid. He is something else. I can no longer treat him like a kid.'
Ikkyu had long since stopped thinking of Ryu as a random kid. But now the Daimyo had a similar thought.
Daimyo stood up and said, "I will meet you again next time. I will leave now and meet my son-in-law. Even if he doesn't like to see me, I cannot leave his country without greeting him."
Ryu nodded in understanding.
Daimyo said, "Let's leave, Lord Ikkyu." looking at Ikkyu
Ikkyu said, "See you next time, my friend."
In some place else, a root ninja entered the Root headquarters.
The ninja reported, "Lord Danzo, Daimyo of the Land of Rivers, and Son of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, met with Dan Hamura today."
Danzo thought, 'Him again.'
Danzo asked, "Were you able to find out why they were meeting?"
The root ANBU replied, "No, Lord Danzo. The royal guards of both nations were there. We didn't even dare to go near them. The lookout post of Hokage's ANBU was also taken over by them."
Danzo thought, 'I figured as much. The land of rivers is nothing much, but royal guards of the Fire Nation cannot be messed with.'
Danzo replied, "It's fine; now that they are gone, keep a lookout from a distance."
Danzo thought, 'Whatever this headache-inducing seal is, it is giving my ninjas a hard time. But I have many means other than eyes to gather information. And I already know what must have been discussed. My spies in the land of River will soon find the exact location of your factory.'
"Ryu Hamura, I guess your resting place will be in the land of rivers." Danzo said without even a trace of emotion on his face.
At the same time, the ANBU were also briefing the Hokage. Hiruzen thought, 'Land of Rivers! I am disappointed but I guess there must be a reason for that, as Lord Ikkyu is also on board with this.'
Hiruzen turned to his ANBU informant and said, "You can go back to your duties."
Hiruzen thought, 'I can not imagine what is going on in that little head of his. All I can do is trust him.'
After some time in the Senju training grounds.
Tsunade asked, "I heard from someone that the daimyo of the Land of Rivers was at your home today."
Ryu replied, "Yeah, we had a business meeting."
Tsunade said, "Look at you. Do you know there are kids your age who still cannot walk straight?"
Ryu replied, "That's funny coming from you, Aunty. You also don't walk straight when you are drunk."
Tsunade's eye twitched as she asked, "What did you discuss?"
Ryu punched the water very gently, but it splashed like someone dropped a cannonball in it; the water jumped and fell back in the bowl. He repeated it again with the other hand. This surprised Tsuande. She thought, 'He is getting better.'
"I am offered a land deal for a factory." Ryu replied.
"Why didn't you open it in here in the Land of Fire?" Tsunade asked.
Ryu punched water some more and said, "Because that place is full of opportunities. It is bordered by three nations and is rich in resources. Resources that are not used to the fullest."
Tsunade was silent. She thought, 'This kid is never going to stop. I have a bad feeling about that place.'
"I know you are worried, Aunty. I am too. But I cannot fulfil my dreams; I don't come out of my nest." Ryu said.
Tsunade replied, "You are right, but that doesn't make me worry less."
She thought, "How do I tell him the way he is going is definitely going to make enemies!!"
Ryu thought, "I guess she is worried because she considers me a family."
Tsunade thought, "I need to ask sensei to keep him safe."
##PoWeR StOnEs##
Thank you, Isala Pauu and SkyPoet05, for supporting me on Patreon.
If possible, please support me on Patreon and leave a review here. A review would mean a lot to me and help me expand the story.
25+ more chapters, including 5 free chapters for everyone, are available to read on patreon. com/PageTurnerPJ.
Your support is what gets this story going, so please donate PoWeR StOnEs to the story and add it to your library.
Please keep supporting the story.