|3rd POV|
Ozpin looks at the report from Qrow and hums a little. He received the news of a large migration happening in the Mistral. A group of Faunus migrates back to the Menagerie.
He doesn't want to underestimate the people of Menagerie, but he knows their situation there. He already hears them finding a new vein of dust near Kuo Kuana, and he is happy about it. However, he knows that a new vein of Dust will not be enough to feed the entire population coming to the world's smallest kingdom.
Selling dust will bring a lot of money, but it is not something for the long run. He knows Ghira and Sienna well and knows they will not order this migration just because they find a new dust vein in their kingdom.
Something must be happening in Menagerie.
"Hmmm… Should I visit Kuo Kuana?"
"No, you don't!"
He winces a little when he hears a familiar voice coming from the elevator. He looks up and sees Glynda Goodwitch, his right-hand woman. Someone who helps him take care of Beacon Academy.
He winces even harder when he sees the scowl on her face. He forgot that this is her time of the month. He supposedly disappears for a few days until she calms down, but because of the news from Qrow, he is too late to depart.
"Ah, Glynda. How are you?"
"Tired and angry. I just returned from a meeting with a councilwoman who demanded we cut our budget."
He winces a little after hearing those words. Dealing with a councilman will always be a hassle, and their words can make you angry enough to think of punching them in the face.
"And now I hear my boss is trying to get out of the country to take a vacation in Kuo Kuana."
"Wait a minute, Glynda. I am not planning on vacation. I am planning to go there for business. Here. Take a look at this information from Qrow."
She takes the scroll and reads through the information. That calms her a little bit, and she says.
"So? You want to check what kind of reason Ghira calls that many Faunus, Ozpin?"
"Yes. The new dust vein is not enough reason for him to call this many faunus. Ghira is not stupid; he knows calling this many people will be a problem for him and his people. There is something that he hides or at least does not tell to the outsider."
"And you want to know about it."
"Just call it curiosity. What kind of thing makes him willing to take this risk? I want to know that."
"Right. I understand that. However, you will be busy because it is the first semester of Beacon. I need you here. You can go to Kuo Kuana in a week."
Ozpin releases a sigh and can only nod his head. It looks like he needs to endure a trial this month. For now, he is thinking of a reason to visit Menagerie.
==||==
"Welcome to Kuo Kuana, Ozpin."
Ghira greets the headmaster with a smile. He grabs his hand and gives a firm handshake.
"Thank you for accepting my request, Ghira."
"Think nothing of it, Ozpin. You are kind enough to accept my daughter into your school even with her record."
"Ah, young Blake is a good student. It would be a shame if I declined her application."
Ghira nods and takes Ozpin to the chieftain's house. Along the way, Ozpin looks around the Kuo Kuana and notices the difference between this Kuo Kuana and the one he knows. For one, the entire city now has power. The previous one lacked any electricity.
Not only that, but he can also see a massive dome outside the city from where they are.
"Ghira, what is that?"
"Hmmm? Ah, that is a Hydroponic Farm."
"A what?"
"It is a farm that does not require soil. It ensures all the plants we cultivate can grow without fertile soil."
"Then how does it grow?"
"Water. It uses nutrient-rich water to make the plants grow."
Ghira doesn't mind telling Ozpin about this because he has already talked with the others about this situation. The farm is not something they mind telling others. However, they will make sure to keep the weapon production and energy production secret.
Ozpin looks at him in shock because this kind of invention usually appears in the news.
"Why do you guys keep this secret? You can get more support from the other kingdoms if you share this invention."
"We don't want to rely on humans, Ozpin. We trusted them in the past and got a bad deal out of it. We want to be self-sufficient. We want to stand on our two feet. We will not share what we achieve, just like how the others do not want to share their tech with us."
Ozpin winces a little at his words. As much as he wants to deny his words, he cannot. He tries his best in this reincarnation and the previous one to reduce racism across the globe. Sadly, he does not succeed and even makes the situation worse in some places.
"However, we are willing to sell the excess food to the other kingdoms. There will be a lot of them to sell."
Ozpin absorbs that information with a hum as he continues to look around. He noticed there were a lot of new buildings around Kuo Kuana. He can see children running around while laughing, and other faunus smiling and laughing with each other.
Kuo Kuana is changing and wonders if he can dig something from Ghira.
They arrive at the house, and Kali Belladonna greets them.
"Ozpin~ It's been a while."
"It's been a while, Kali. How are you?"
"Same old. Same old. How is Glyda doing? It's been a while since we met each other."
"She is doing fine. She is very busy because it is the first month of the new semester."
"I understand that. Anyway! Please come in! What kind of drink do you want? Tea? Coffee?"
"Coffee will be delightful. Black, please."
"Okay~ I will serve them in a few seconds!"
Kali walks to her husband, kisses him, and walks to the kitchen. The two of them walk to the living room and sit on the sofa.
"So! You want to talk about buying dust for Beacon, right? However, I know that it is not the only reason. Let's be direct, shall we? Tell me what your real intention is, Ozpin."
"Very well. I came here to find out why you invited that many faunus from the other kingdoms. Don't get me wrong. I agree with your decision after seeing that dome and learning its functions. Now? Now, I wonder if you are willing to give one of those domes to Beacon. We are not that worried about food, but if we can get our own food, we can put the budget for food into dust."
Ghira shakes his head and says.
"Sadly, we will not give you that tech, Ozpin, even with the favor I owe you. We are not ready to reveal that tech to the world. However, I can offer you something. We are willing to sell the food at a very low price, half the market value."
"Truly?"
"Yes. We are not ready to reveal the tech, but I am willing to help friends in need."
Ozpin smiled at the news. While he does not get the tech, he understands the reason why Ghira does not want to give the tech to him. At least he gets a good deal out of this.
"Deal"
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