Meeting the Hokage

Arcanis listened to the Kage's question and responded thusly

"The other Kage also asked similar questions of me that you have asked.  Their final conclusion was that the portals would be profitable and they excepted."

Again the Hokage spoke.  He asked to confirm what Arcanis was saying.

"Yes My lord, I am offering your the ability to control them.  This is your Village and yours alone you have the final say on all things in this Village.  I have told you that I will still be able to control them but that is merely because it was designed by me.  I can assure you that I will not be utilizing that power ever.  I have no reason.  Once I have set up the portals I will not interfere with the operational side of the business."

What the Hokage said next caused Arcanis to frown.  He began to to disect Arcanis as if he were a creature to be studied.  So few had seen through Arcanis' master disguise.  A couple things the Hokage mentioned were slightly off the mark, but the fact that he was so close made Arcanis believe that he was losing his edge.  The Hokage continued though after tossing away his can.  He asked that Arcanis be open and honest with the rest of the dealings which Arcanis nodded agreement.  Then proposed that travel to and from Konoha be free.  to facilitate the kage offered Arcanis 10,000 ryo which from Arcanis stand point was a wonderful offer.  

"Hokage you are wise and knowledgeable as expected from a man with your position.  I am humbled at your understanding.  Your offer is quite tantalizing.  I would take it in a heartbeat.  However your request does present a problem on an international scale.  Please let me explain.  If travel to and from Konoha were free then everyone would pass through Konoha on their way to their destination.  This is not a problem.  In your case it is a wonderful thing it will bring in business as well as tourists and the like.  However it will reduce the amount of travel between other villages as well as reduce the profit or even income received by the transportation system.  Now being I am the manager of the business I can do this for you but in the long run it may put me and some of the other businesses out of business.

Let me continue by saying again that from my side I would be fine with accepting your offer but it has the potential to put stress on the other villages.  They may end up trying to tax the travel system to get their worth out of it.  However I believe I can solve this problem.  

This is how I would do it.  I can make travel to and from Konoha be less than half the cost to and from any other village.  The current price going is 1500.  lets say I lower the cost to travel to and from Konoha to 600 ryo.  Now if someone wanted to get to a village they would pay 1500 to go stright there, or they can pay a total of 1200 to go through konoha. That way if a patron wants to save money they will still travel through Konoha.  However as it is still a charge it still brings in revenue and those who are looking to move to and from any of the other villages quickly will still use those villages systems.  These prices are an example. 

Now If you think this is a plausible plan then obviously you can reduce your offering being I was unable to get your desired price.  Being I reduced it to less than half, might I suggest the same for your donation, lets say 4000 ryo.

This also is only a suggestion.  If you still believe that free travel is how you would like it I am still willing to take your offer."  

Arcanis added this last part because he was not trying to be deceiving, but merely open with all the facts.  It was now up to the Kage to decide.

It seemed that Arcanis was willing to accept his offer, but realized that adopting such a practice might allow for many to exploit this system and travel only through Konoha for free fare. With this answer it became clear to Navi that the man didn't have a way to closely regulate each portal and stop such exploiters. He heard the man's suggestion about the price reduction, but in favor of doing less math made a different offer to address this concern. 

"I see, then perhaps I can make a second offer to address that issue. All travel to Konoha is free, but those traveling away from Konoha can pay the normal price. I'll double your suggestion, eight thousand ryo should you accept."

Arcanis nodded.  "That would meet my need just fine."  Arcanis nodded and waited to see if the Kage had anything else.  He was glad the Kage was an intellegent man.  More than most he had come across.  He waited patiently.

Navi reached under his desk to pull out a drawer, pulling out a leather bag and fiddling with it a little bit before placing it in front of his desk for Arcanis to take. Eight thousand ryo exactly was inside of it. He now waits for Arcanis to provide him the method with controlling the gate, or to explain himself further.

Wonderful,Arcanis thought. As the kage had placed a bag on the table Arcanis believed they were moving forward. " great in that case I will begin construction immediately. I will build a depot outside the gates and set up the portal system.  I will be hiring your villagers to operated the portal.  The portal works like a phone. One side sends the other believed if you wish to not believe visitors you may refuse people from coming through.  If you would like I can set up a relay so you can control it from your office if you wish."  Arcanis  bowed once again and gestured toward the table with an open hand asking permission to take the money.  Arc waited for the gates reply.

(Sorry about the typos and formating. Sending from my phone.

(It's all good chief)

"Yes, please do," replies Navi when he offers to set up a relay in his office. A controller of sorts he assumed, something he could put in his desk or somewhere around the administrative building. 

"The money is yours Arcanis, have a nice day," if there was nothing left than the man was free to leave his office. If he turns to leave, he adds one last comment. 

"If you come back, come yourself. I'm not as easily tricked as the other Kage." 

With that he would nod respectfully as a gesture of good faith as the man left. He would have observers to watch over the construction and finer details, but for now this seemed like a particularly good investment in transportation for Konoha.

Arcanis bowed yet again.  before respectfully recovering the payment.  he bowed again "Thank you very much your grace" and turned to leave.  the comment thrown at his back would have given the chills to any other man but to Arcanis he felt that he had possibly made something similar to an ally.  

Arcanis overlooked the construction and hiring of the staff as well as buillding a relay device after setting up the portal.  once tuning the device to the portal he delivered the device back to the office and and once everything was squared away he was off on his next adventure.

[Exit]

+8000 ryo please

(8000 ryo given to Arcanis)

[Topic Closed]