Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand-Chapter 152 - 47: The Plundered Taxes

"It's already noon, why haven't they arrived yet? Strategist, is there a mistake in the intelligence?"

The head of the Black Wind Fortress, Kawashima Tsunemi, looked at the sun impatiently and asked the person beside him.

"Don't worry, Boss, there's absolutely no mistake. Be patient. Once this job is done, our Black Wind Fortress won't have to worry about food and drink for at least three years."

"Haha, Mr. Kuang is right. If we pull this off, we'll earn at least five suns!"

Kawashima Tsunemi chuckled, scratching the black mole on his face.

Kawashima Tsunemi was tall and burly, with a broad face, a bushy beard, and a black mole under his left eye. He looked like a simple, honest farmer, but if you were fooled by his appearance, you'd never know how you died.

The Kawashima family's Black Wind Fortress had been robbing in the desert for generations. By the time it was passed down to Kawashima Tsunemi, it was already the third generation. Growing up in a bandit den, he developed a cruel and cunning nature, adept at scheming. His father selected many skilled ronin and rogue ninjas to teach him swordsmanship and ninjutsu, making him quite formidable. According to Sunagakure's intelligence department, his swordsmanship rivals that of a second-class samurai, and his ninjutsu can contend with jōnin, particularly his mastery of Earth Release, which is extraordinary, making it difficult for ordinary people to approach him.

Taking advantage of the Second Ninja World War, Kawashima Tsunemi gathered a large number of wandering ninjas and ronin, significantly strengthening his forces. He annexed several sand bandit groups deep in the desert, becoming the most formidable bandit with three thousand followers.

However, with the end of the war and the construction of highways, life for the Black Wind Fortress became increasingly difficult.

After the victory in the Iwa-Suna War, Sunagakure's ninja forces were at their peak, and Kawashima Tsunemi dared not provoke them. Moreover, the establishment of crystal highways greatly increased the difficulty of robbery, leaving the Black Wind Fortress with no income and depleting their resources. Seeing his great enterprise about to collapse, a man came along and offered a suggestion that greatly alleviated the fortress's plight.

This man was later known as the White Paper Fan Strategist of the Black Wind Fortress—Mr. Kuang. He was originally a retainer of a small country's daimyo, with some knowledge of ninjutsu and considerable strategic insight. He proposed a method to break through the crystal tunnels. By having a large number of Fire Release ninjas repeatedly use fire ninjutsu on a section until the crystal turned red-hot, then suddenly cooling it with Water Release, the crystal tunnel would shatter due to thermal expansion and contraction.

Soon after, they successfully plundered a Sunagakure convoy, greatly alleviating the crisis of the Black Wind Fortress. Mr. Kuang was immediately appointed as the strategist and second-in-command of the fortress.

Just as Kawashima Tsunemi was about to replicate the success a few more times, Mr. Kuang decisively stopped him.

"The Kazekage of Sunagakure, Jinghang, is a ruthless character. He dared to go to war with Iwagakure over twenty-four construction workers. We've killed fifty of his people, and if we don't tuck our tails and hide deep in the desert, are we asking for trouble?"

Kawashima Tsunemi frowned and said, "But the looted grain and supplies can only sustain the fortress for ten days or half a month. Once it's gone, the brothers will still go hungry."

Mr. Kuang smiled slightly, "Don't worry, I have a plan. It's almost the end of the year, the time when taxes are transported to Dragonfly City. If we succeed in intercepting one shipment, we won't have to worry about food and drink for the next three years. Then we can retreat deep into the desert, and no ninja or samurai will be able to do anything to us."

Hearing this, Kawashima Tsunemi was overjoyed and immediately decided to deploy scouts to gather intelligence on the tax convoy, personally leading all the elite of the Black Wind Fortress to ambush outside Kunling Plain.

As the saying goes, Heaven rewards the diligent. After investigation, they discovered that the convoy transporting taxes from the western region would enter Kunling Plain in three days, escorted by eight hundred samurai from the Land of Wind, carrying nearly five billion in cash.

Some may wonder, why are samurai, not ninjas, escorting the taxes?

Ah, these are taxes meant for the daimyo's treasury, so naturally, they are entrusted to his personal soldiers. Otherwise, what if there's a shortfall?

"They're here! They're here!"

A sturdy young man ran over swiftly, muttering continuously, without any sign of exhaustion, indicating his exceptional skills.

"Azhao, speak slowly, what's the situation?"

Kawashima Tsunemi asked excitedly.

The young man named Azhao pointed into the distance and said, "Three miles from here, we spotted the tax convoy."

"Haha, finally! How many are escorting it?"

"Seven to eight hundred samurai, in a long snake formation, with seventy to eighty carts."

"Good, brothers, the fat sheep have arrived. Whether we feast or starve depends on this. Everyone hide well and wait for my signal to charge."

"Boss, what's the signal?"

Azhao scratched his head and asked.

Kawashima Tsunemi raised his sword sheath and knocked Azhao on the head.

"When I shout 'charge,' that's the signal!"

...

Before long, a long convoy of horse-drawn carts approached. Each cart carried a large wooden box, surrounded by ten samurai wielding swords. As the vehicles passed, they left deep ruts, indicating their heavy load.

"Increase vigilance! Move quickly!"

The leading samurai commanded loudly. His name was Chikugo Tajima, the brother of Chikugo Hyōe, the leader of the samurai of the Land of Wind. His swordsmanship was top-notch, especially his Iai Lion Cut, renowned far and wide, making him a standout among second-class samurai.

This area was called Diegenguan, a valley flanked by two mountains, with treacherous terrain stretching two kilometers. It was the only route from the west to Dragonfly City.

Upon hearing Chikugo Tajima's order, the samurai placed their hands on their swords and quickened their pace.

"Earth Release: Accumulated Lime Technique!"

Kawashima Tsunemi leaped high, his chest swelling, hands forming a blowpipe shape, and suddenly exhaled a large cloud of white powder that quickly spread throughout the valley.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

"Ah, it's lime!"

"My eyes!"

...

The samurai in the valley immediately cried out in pain, thrown into chaos.

"Don't panic! Tear off a piece of clothing, cover your mouth and nose, and close your eyes!"

Chikugo Tajima, with his rich experience, immediately took precautions as soon as Kawashima Tsunemi initiated the technique. However, the attack was so sudden that at least sixty percent of the escorting samurai lost their combat effectiveness.

Kawashima Tsunemi excitedly drew his sword, ready to give the order to charge, but was pulled back by Azhao.

Just as Kawashima Tsunemi was about to scold Azhao, Azhao shouted loudly, "Brothers, use the dark green ones!"

The bandits quickly took out kunai and shurikens, hurling them into the valley.

For a moment, the valley was filled with cries of pain again.

Kawashima Tsunemi immediately turned his anger into joy, appreciatively patting Azhao on the shoulder. He was about to raise his sword to charge again when Azhao stopped him once more.

"Brothers, use Fire Release!"

In no time, the valley became a sea of flames, causing further chaos.

"Don't burn my money!"

Kawashima Tsunemi shouted anxiously.

"Don't worry, Boss, those tax boxes are specially made, ordinary Fire Release won't damage them."

Azhao confidently replied.

"But if the horses get startled, that's no good either."

"Don't worry, Boss, I've already arranged for two hundred brothers to set up caltrops at the exit. Not a single penny will be lost."

Kawashima Tsunemi was overjoyed.

"Good lad, well done. After this battle, you'll be the third-in-command of our Black Wind Fortress!"

"Thank you, Boss, for your support. Boss, we can charge now."

Kawashima Tsunemi looked at the valley bottom. The lime had mostly dissipated, and a large number of samurai lay on the ground. Less than a hundred could still stand.

"Men, charge!"

With a flourish of his sword, Kawashima Tsunemi led his men in a roaring charge into the valley!

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