Chapter 230: Feast

Rei and Pakura sat on their knees on the plush pillows, in front of them a well-decorated wooden table of low height, barely reaching their waist. They were located in the corner of a massive throne room of the Wind Daimyo, unnoticed because they 'forgot' to mention to the waiters which company they represented, simply saying they were here for the Food Import Convention. Since anybody could turn up as long as they represented a food-producing company, nobody really paid much attention to them in the chaos of seating and serving all the guests. Rei was amused that nobody even asked the name of their company while Pakura looked mutinous at the mere thought of such disregard for safety, taking notes of what the organizers did wrong so when she has to organize such an event, she will know what needs special attention.

As for their seating... the more important one's company is, the closer to the Daimyo he was to be seated. This was something everybody was supposed to know, hence when they didn't complain at being given a seat as far away from the ruler as possible, even the waiters simply dismissed them, not even bothering to ask about their identity.

In the end, it wasn't as if some no-name company had a chance to get a deal. The real money-makers were firmly in the hands of nobles. It was less of a competition between the merchants and more between the nobles where the merchant supported by the winning noble got the deal. Granted, every once in a while some lucky upstart earned rights for this or that product but in the grand scheme of things, it didn't really matter. The market was firmly divided between the main players and everybody knew it.

The throne room was marvelous, lavish, gigantic, and almost exaggeratedly decorated, appropriately showing the importance of the current event. In the front, on an elevated platform, the Daimyo, a somewhat plump brown-haired man, sat surrounded by his rightful heir, a pompous-looking boy of fourteen years of age, and the mother of his heir, obviously a noblewoman from birth who oozed arrogance. According to what Rei heard, the woman was first the Daimyo's consort and only attained the position of wife after the previous one 'mysteriously' died alongside her three children on their holidays.

Honestly, the Royal family didn't impress Rei. Not at all. He leaned closer to Pakura and softly whispered, gesturing with his eyes at Daimyo's wife. "See that cow? She is milking every ounce of self-importance in her immediate surroundings so hard, it produces a permanent scowl on her face. To think you could have been in her place..." Rei snickered, earning himself a playful swat from Pakura as she mock-scowled at him.

It indeed was a bit amusing for her how unpredictable fate can be. If she didn't refuse the Daimyo's offer all these years back and insisted to be his legitimate wife, it would indeed be her scowling next to him, most likely with a child or ten around her. Shuddering thoughts.

"I am actually surprised Mikumi has only one child with her." Pakura quietly replied, "That tells you how he really feels about her considering she became his consort fifteen years ago."

"Right. With his... er, stamina..." Rei bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing.

Pakura rolled her eyes, trying to appear fed up but the slight smile on her face was ruining it for her. She quickly pecked Rei on the lips in an attempt to shut his chuckling up, right as the Daimyo stood up, causing the hall full of nobles and merchants to quieten down.

"Countrymen, Friends, and Visitors, welcome! Today, we came together to decide who will gain the responsibility of feeding my subjects! I am pleased to see so many of you here, prepared to present your offers and willing to make a trading agreement with me for the next five years. That said, I formally open the Wind Country Food Convention. Before we start with the main point of this day, I would like you to partake in the hospitality of the Wind Country. Please, enjoy the feast." The Daimyo's surprisingly pleasant voice spread through the room, causing a moderate cheering and clapping before the servants started serving food to the guests.

It was a tradition to have a monumental feast with loads of food from every corner of the known world before the main event began... that's actually why so many guests turned up despite knowing they will likely be leaving without getting the deal.

After all, it wasn't as if they could not sell food in the Wind Country. It was just that the winners today will get many advantages, tax exemptions, and benefits that would actually make selling their food products even more profitable.

Rei and Pakura quietly ate in peace, enjoying the delicacies served to them, acting as if it was a date and not an important political event. At times, they affectionately fed each other all the while whispering small sweet little nothings, completely ignoring the bewildered stares of their neighbors from the tables around them. When they finally noticed how much attention they garnered from those around them, Rei simply put his arms around Pakura and started kissing her, despite her weak protests. She was simply far too eager in returning his affections for the protests to be real.

Neither of them cared what the people around them thought since nobody wanted to make a scene. They also sat too far back and in the corner for anybody of much importance to pay attention to them. Even the Daimyo on his elevated platform overseeing the whole massive room would have a hard time spotting them. As the couple expected, their neighbors simply tried to ignore them in between all of the concerned and embarrassed glances they threw at them. It wasn't as if the busy-bodies could loudly protest or something. Needless to say, both Pakura and Rei were proud of themselves for making so many people uncomfortable.

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Two hours later, the feast slowly started to near its end and Pakura suddenly noticed a man near the Daimyo. Instantly poking Rei, she discreetly pointed at him.

"The exuberating man in the Levander frilly kimono is Harasawa Kuroto. The sly-looking black-haired man sitting next to him is Karano Kyo from the Country of Rice."

"Ninja, eh?" Rei pointed out as he felt the man's chakra reserves. "Not a retired one either." Rei frowned. Ninjas did not sell crops for their country. That was a waste of talent and resources. Sure, it can happen but... Ninjas indeed do occasionally retire but these usually do not have jonin-level reserves and their chakra doesn't flow as if it was regularly used. Rei looked suspiciously at Pakura, "Rice Country, you say?"

Pakura nodded, "In the last convention, they won rights for the import of rice and some other crops. Rice Country is known for its agriculture and for some reason, some years back their business policy was completely overhauled. Nobody knows why or where the earnings actually end up." She eyed the sly-looking would-be ninja next to the Wind-country nobleman. "They would be our main competition and I don't expect a fair fight."

"And the girl?" Rei pointed at the sandy-haired girl sitting next to Kyo. "It's been a long while since I saw such a petulant dissatisfied pout on a high-born woman."

"Yeah... That's Harasawa Haruko. Apparently, Kuroto decided Kyo is bringing him enough wealth so he decided to engage his only daughter with him. Clearly, his daughter sees the situation differently."

"Aha." Rei nodded, gears turning in his head. "Say... is she the only child?"

Pakura momentarily halted, pursing her lips. "... Yes." She carefully pondered Rei's quiet suggestion, tilting her head, watching Kuroto as if he was prey. "Good point. Maybe we could promise some... aid."

It didn't take long before Kyo felt the subtle hostile intent aimed their way and started discreetly looking around, still chatting with the blissfully ignorant Kuroto.

Pakura averted her gaze from them, causing Rei to smirk as he saw her brain plotting and scheming in overdrive. He had to nudge her in an attempt to make her stop for the time being, "I just found Rasa. The right side of the room, near the wall, shrouded by some concealment seal. Damn, he really must hate the Wind Daimyo if his glare is any indication."

"Yeah. As you can see, Mikumi is quite tense and slightly leans to the left every time Rasa looks his way. I noticed the Kazekage in the first fifteen minutes." Pakura distractedly confirmed, still shrewdly glancing between Haruko and the Wind Daimyo.

'To think she was such a ball of nerves before.' Rei thought proudly. He wasn't about to bring Pakura's attention to her state but he was satisfied with how she held herself. 'All it took was to redirect her attention towards work. Typical Pakura.' He reminded himself affectionately.

Suddenly silence spread through the room as the Daimyo finally stood up, and exclaimed, "Esteemed guests! I hope you enjoyed the feast. Now... let the main event begin!"

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