Chapter 53 - Sakai

– Watermelons! Suna's best watermelons! Hurry up and buy one of them! –

– Fresh meat! Fish, beef, chicken, even horse meat! Come on, don't be shy! –

– Handmade carpets! Buy yourself a carpet, it will be a great decoration for your wall! –

Here and there the sellers of this sandy village tore their throats, hoping to attract a buyer.

Walking through the bazaar to the Kage residence, Tetsuya involuntarily noticed various details.

The people of Sunagakure, however, like probably all the people of the Wind country, were dressed in light silk capes that perfectly protected from sand and at the same time helped to maintain a comfortable body temperature in this desert.

On their heads, they wore turbans or kufiyas, but still in the village itself everyone tried to rest from these headdresses.

But the most important thing is that all their clothes were light or just white.

Almost all the buildings in Suna are made of clay, or rather of stucco. This material maintained a comfortable indoor temperature for living.

In addition, Tetsuya was a little surprised that quite a lot of people in the village had pale skin. No, of course, most of the population was tanned, but because of their special clothes, many remained with pale skin. By the way, pale skin was revered in these parts. It can be said that it was considered an object of luxury, beauty and prosperity.

Therefore, while Tetsuya was walking through the bazaar, all the local tigresses turned their heads while they watched the hero, unprotected from the sun's rays, walk towards the Kage residence.

– Ha! You're getting attention too fast! Chiyo chuckled, looking at the girls who were licking their lips and looking at Tetsuya.

– It's not as bad as you might think. – the guy shrugged his shoulders – We were noticed early, but this only means that the Kazekage will have time to prepare for my arrival. –

– That's how... are you looking for a positive in everything? –

– You could say that. –

– Slu~ ushai ... – Chiyo drawled, grinning – Didn't I tell you that you look like my late husband? –

Tetsuya twitched his nose and grinned – What was that just now? Was it really a tackle? –

– Of course! –

– No, try again. he shook his head.

Chie thought for a few seconds and gave a new version – Listen, didn't I tell you that you look like an adult version of my grandson? –

The hero almost stumbled – It's even worse! –

- Yes? Okay, give me some time.…–

– No, I won't, that's enough, we've come. –

And indeed, unbeknownst to Chiyo, they came close to the Kage residence.

It is worth noting that the Shinobi around the residence were all pretty tense, although Tetsuya did not show any signs of strength or hostility.

Kazekage's office.

The third Kazekage calmly sorted through the documents, also clearly feeling how a huge clot of chakra rises to his office together with Chiyo.

- "Chie, you still managed..." – he thought, clearly realizing that this huge clot of chakra is their guest.

– "Unbelievable... he has more chakras than our one–tailed one." - Kage shook his head.

Sakai Suzumo, that was the name of the third Kazekage Sunogakure.

Sakai came from a small family, but thanks to his talent, he was able to break through to such a high place. There are a lot of clans in Sun and many are unhappy that Kazekage is poor-born, but everyone also recognized the enormous power of Suzumo, and therefore everyone respected and revered him.

Everyone saw how this proud man tried with all his might to prevent the fall of both Sunagakure and the entire Wind Country.

Kage had a rather simple appearance.

Short messy dark blue hair that was partially gathered in a bun at the back of the head. In his yellow, almost orange eyes, on his fair face, one could see calmness. He was dressed in traditional Kazekage clothes.

Finally, the guests reached his door.

Even before they could knock, Suzumo said. – Come in. –

The door opened and Chiyo with a smile, entering, said – I brought him, Kazekage. –

Tetsuya, looking around the room and stopping at the Kazekage, said – Did you want to talk to me? –

– Yes, I wanted to. – calmly said the third and pointing to the chair in front of him, said – Please. –

Tetsuya slowly walked over and sat down in a chair, and Chiyo quickly left the office.

– I don't really like to rant, so I'll tell you straight. We, the land of the Wind, do not want this war. – I immediately got to the point of Sakai.

The third Kazekage was famous for not being very fond of scratching his tongue, instead he preferred to prove everything by deed.

Tetsuya smiled slightly – It may be so, Kazekage, but we are forced to start this war. –

– I understand, but you must understand, we do not have the opportunity to buy food at the same prices at which Uzushio buys. Almost all of our country is barren, and the climate is not the most pleasant... the only thing we keep on is mining underground minerals. Besides, the daimyo supports us less and less..." the third listed with a stone face with a tired gleam in his eyes. – My predecessor, the Second Kazekage, spitting on economics and diplomacy, used all his forces and resources to train the army, and I must note that he managed to multiply our military forces several times during his short reign… That's just the use of these forces when there are no orders for Shinobi, and the people, like this army, have nothing to feed? –

Tetsuya raised an eyebrow – Is that why you decided to put pressure on us together with other countries? –

It was obvious that Kazekage was embarrassed and he skillfully hid it… But is it possible to hide such a thing from Tetsuya? – There was no choice. We can't afford to buy food, but we can't do without it either, no matter how obvious it sounds. –

"Why not ask the Daimyo for help?" –

Suzumo shook his head – My predecessor, the Second Kazekage, with his policy and just behavior, turned the Daimyo against the village… I'm trying to regain his trust, I'm trying to win him over to my side, but it takes time, which I almost don't have. Sunagakure won't last that long…–

– Of course it's all sad, but we are enemies, Kazekage… I shouldn't care about your problems. –

Sakai exhaled wearily – Yes, it is, but I have a suggestion. –

– I'm listening. –

– If Konoha gives us a discount on groceries, then Sunagakure will become an ally of Konoha. –

Tetsuya, grinning, narrowed his eyes – Two years ago, I alone could have destroyed the combined army of three villages, including their Kage… Now I'm much stronger… Why do I need the help of the Wind Country when I am sure that I can end this war alone? –

A formless tyrannical energy burst out of the hero's body, which literally screamed "Fall to your knees!".

Kage's guards, who were hiding in the room, began to sweat terribly, tightly clutching their weapons with trembling hands.

Suzumo frowned, "Do you have another suggestion?" –

Instantly all the tension disappeared and Tetsuya smiled kindly - Yes, I want you to give Konoha "Soshuu" and the territories adjacent to this small seaside town. –

It was a rather brazen offer, but Sakai did not have time to be indignant.

– In turn, I will make the lands of Soshuu extremely fertile with the help of mokuton and allow you to rent these lands for growing crops for a symbolic amount. –

Kazekage froze.

"That's a pretty good offer, isn't it?" – the hero spread his hands – These lands were barren anyway, and Soshuu brought little income because of the depleted mines. –

On the one hand, a rather large territory of a barren, depleted desert, with the ocean at hand, on the other hand, fertile soil and the opportunity to save your village from hunger at low cost. - "If... If he really is able to make the soil fertile, then this... it's just unbelievable." –

– This is… It's not a bad offer... – Sakai's eyebrows drew together – But I can't make this deal. That area is beyond my competence. A daimyo is needed here…–

– I think he will also appreciate this offer. –

– Yes, I think so too, but it will still take a long time, and war and famine are on the nose. –

They sat in silence for a while.

Suzumo was trying to find the most "pleasant" way out, and Tetsuya was thinking about something of his own.

- OK. Tetsuya snapped his fingers and a scroll appeared on Kage's desk – There is exactly enough money in this vault to provide the village with food for three months. –

Suzumo froze again, and then, casting a fleeting glance at the scroll, asked – What do you want in return? –

– While you can't repay me with anything, because I'm not interested in anything in Sunogakura, but who knows, maybe in the future, Suna will be able to repay me for this gesture of goodwill. –

- why? Sakai frowned, and looked intently at Tetsuya – Why, and most importantly, why are you doing this? –

– Because I can. – the hero spread his hands – And I don't want ordinary people to suffer because of the mistakes of their superiors… Besides, on the way here I saw so many tanned beauties… I don't want them to starve and lose their beauty. –

Half a minute of silence and Kage spoke – Good. – he said decisively and took out a scroll and began to write.

After a while, he handed this scroll to Tetsuya with the words – Give it to the Hokage. From this day on, Sunagakure is Konoha's ally. –

Tetsuya smiled fervently as he accepted the scroll – Okay, goodbye, Kazekage. –

As soon as the last words left the hero's lips, he instantly disappeared.

Kazekage tensed from this performance, and then bitterly smiled, shaking his head – Chiyo, come in. –

The door opened and a female puppeteer entered.

Now there was no former gaiety and mischief on her face. Now there was only calmness and a calculating mind. – Did everything work out? –

- Yes. Suna and Konoha are allies, and we have a delay of three months and hope for a better future… By the way, your idea, with girls, has borne fruit. –

– Yes? – Chie was surprised – After all, it was not for nothing that she gathered the most beautiful girls and put them on the route along which she led him here… Although it seemed to me that he was indifferent to their charm and beauty, but now everything fell into place. Still, he is the one who collects the harem, which means he definitely must have a weakness for beautiful women. –

– Yes, everyone has weaknesses, even the Shinobi God... even if his weakness is women…–