I'd thought that perhaps Lady Sorano would be more willing to stick with the lesson today, but I was wrong.

"Didn't we already talk about taxes?"

"Briefly, yes."

"Then what's with you outlining another system for them?"

"I only told you of the current taxes and tariffs, Lady Sorano. There are other systems that have been used successfully, so I was trying to outline them, as well."

"Now you're getting into archaic tax laws? I thought you were better than this."

"I am." I struggle to think of an explanation for a few seconds, then continue. "You see, some of these laws are still used by the other nations, and if you understand their tax laws you might perhaps be able to understand what you could do with the tariffs on imported goods."

"Hmm." I get out a couple sheets of paper that have the bare basics of the Land of Wind's tax law's, and slide them over to Lady Sorano. "Hmm... on water... okay, I get where you're going with this now. And how long has their tax code been like this?"

"Since the reign of their last daimyo, at least."

"They could do with lowering the overuse fines on water," Lady Sorano says.

"That's true, but the heavy penalties are in place to keep use down, not because their daimyo is a tyrant."

"Ah...!" As she looks over the sheets again, Lady Sorano's face light up. "So, what's the Land of Fire's water?"

Uh-oh. "Well... we're fortunate to be a large nation with a relatively diverse geography, but we're slightly lacking in mineral exports."

After thinking for a minute and looking over the sheets I'd handed her, Lady Sorano says, "Taxes are kind of like a shogi match, aren't they? Lots of variable moving pieces to pressure your opponent with."

"...That's one way of looking at it."

"So how is our match going?"

"The Land of Fire has a bit of rebuilding to do after the last ninja war, and we also have some economic commitments to help some of the other nations involved in the war so they're better able to rebuild. So, I suppose that would mean we... need to keep a close eye on our pawns."

"And what about the drop rule?" Lady Sorano asks with a grin.

"...For now, I think it's best we just let the opponent know we still have their captured pieces waiting." The way Lady Sorano builds these monster economies in her mind is unnerving and distracting, so I decide to end the lesson a little early. "That's all for today. I'd like you to keep the copy of the Land of Wind's tax code and study it."

"Hnh. Alright." I gather up my things, but before I can leave Lady Sorano asks, "Do you have anything planned for this afternoon?"

"I was going to take a walk through the gardens and prepare the next lesson there," I lie. I will be walking around, but not outside of the castle.

"Okay. I was thinking that maybe we could go shopping; my last trip got ruined by the rain and meeting that woman..."

"What woman?" I ask, trying to look concerned even though I know exactly which woman Lady Sorano is talking about.

"...She was a ninja-"

"She didn't do anything to you, did she?!"

"The bitch spat water in my face, but she didn't attack me, if that's what you're worried about. She said and implied the most awful things about my brother Taizo..."

"What was her name?"

"This man who came to meet her called her Raiko. She got nervous when I asked about her last name, so she showed me her eyes... they were like the ones you told me about the other day when we talked about ninja. Red, and with shapes. But, you said there were only two Uchiha alive, didn't you, Ruza?"

"Yes, only two. It's possible a few weren't in Konoha when the massacre happened, but it's also possible that Itachi knew where they were and hunted them down, too."

"Exactly, and you said that if they hadn't come forwards now, they probably won't ever. So I'm not sure of what this woman is doing so far from Konoha here in the city. Wouldn't she want to go back home now that Itachi is gone?"

"That's possible. With everything that Obito and Sasuke did at the end of the war, she'd probably be very welcome there."

"And instead she's working with a bunch of treasonous thugs..." Lady Sorano sighs, looking down at the table. "Well, I won't keep you from your walk. Good day, Miss Ruza." I give Lady Sorano a nod, and stand to go.

In my room, I take a second to look at myself in the mirror. The closer Raiko is to being discovered, the more danger Ruza and I get in, too.

I set the lesson folder down on my desk, and step out. I'm headed towards the servant hall on this floor, which is a very plain and boring place to walk unless you intend to spread or start a rumor. Resting against the wall and using the Chakra Sensing Technique, I get a feel of the activity in the hall. A few people walking it, and none nearby. Looking around, I then quickly use the Transformation Jutsu, taking the appearance of Nurari. I step around the corner and into the hall, walking confidently. The servants give me curious looks, and I sneer at them as I pass. I smell something delicious cooking in the kitchen, and step in. It's bustling with activity in preparation for lunch, and I stop the nearest servant girl I see. She flinches under my touch, and I lean in to snarl in a low voice, "Tell Taizo that Nurari is here looking for him." I release her and she scurries off, throwing the door open. "Can a man get a sandwich here, or what?!" None of the cooks offer me one, and I sigh and turn around to leave. There's a few people in the hall headed towards the kitchen, and as fast as I can without running, I walk towards the stairs. They're clear, and I shift the Transformation Jutsu to take the appearance of Ruza, continuing my walk down. I think that I'm actually going to need the walk in the gardens to clear my mind now...