Chapter 216

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"Yōichi-sama, these are the envoys from Sunagakure. Hokage-sama instructed me to bring them to you."

The Konoha ninja leading the way spoke to Yōichi after entering.

"Let them in."

Yōichi smiled when he saw Pakura, then turned to Kurenai and said, "Kurenai, please prepare some tea."

"Yes, Yōichi-sensei."

Kurenai got up, prepared tea on the side, and then served it to the Sunagakure envoys.

After Kurenai finished serving the tea and stepped aside, Yōichi spoke, "So, Sunagakure wants to hold a joint Chūnin Exam with Konoha?"

"Yes, Yōichi-sama."

Hearing Yōichi's question, the Suna representative answered with utmost seriousness; after all, the person in front of them was Konoha's Thunder Fang, arguably the strongest person in Konoha.

"Kazekage-sama hopes to co-host the Chūnin Exam and for Sunagakure to also become a venue."

"Having Sunagakure as a venue is out of the question. If we're going to hold the exam, it will be entirely in Konoha. If you insist on Sunagakure being a venue, then Sunagakure should host the exam on its own."

Yōichi interrupted the Suna representative's words directly. The Suna representative, taken aback by the strong response, was momentarily at a loss for words.

However, the Suna representative quickly regained his composure. If they couldn't participate in hosting, then so be it; they had come for a more important task this time.

"In that case, the Chūnin Exam will be held in Konoha. As for the details, Sunagakure will fully comply with Konoha's requirements. However, Kazekage-sama has another request, and he hopes Yōichi-sama can help coordinate."

The Suna representative paused before continuing, "Recently, it's been difficult for Sunagakure to purchase food supplies. After some investigation, it seems related to the Uchiha Clan's Uchiha Trading Company. We hope Yōichi-sama can assist in resolving this."

"You're unable to buy supplies? Is no one willing to sell to you?"

"Not exactly, but the prices have increased significantly, making it difficult for Sunagakure to afford."

The Suna representative quickly explained, describing how challenging things had been in Sunagakure recently. Supplies and mission quotas from the Land of Rivers had been taken by Amegakure, and the village had just ended a war with Kirigakure, signing a peace agreement.

Moreover, with tension between the Fourth Kazekage and Pakura, it was difficult to start a new conflict with Amegakure. Sunagakure had been trying to extract gold from the desert using Magnet Release: Gold Dust and sustaining the village with domestic mission commissions.

But now, even basic necessities were hard to come by, leading to concerns that they might have to implement the harsh policies similar to Kirigakure's Blood Mist policy.

"As for business matters, I never involve myself. However, if you wish to discuss it, you should speak with the president of the Uchiha Trading Company."

Yōichi responded seriously, then turned to Kurenai and said, "Kurenai, take them to the Uchiha Trading Company building to meet Mikoto."

"Yes, Yōichi-sensei."

At Yōichi's words, Kurenai approached the Suna envoys and said, "Please, follow me."

But just as they were about to leave, Yōichi suddenly spoke, "Pakura, you stay. I have something to discuss with you."

Hmm?

Not only were the Suna envoys surprised, but even Kurenai was momentarily stunned, her thoughts racing.

With her smooth, fair back exposed and her delicate features, Pakura stood out, particularly for her curvaceous figure. Kurenai couldn't help but bite her lip, thinking that she too would grow eventually.

"Yōichi-sama, may I ask why you need Pakura?"

"Go on, this is my concern!"

Before the Suna representative could finish speaking, Pakura interrupted; being associated with Rasa, she wouldn't allow him to pry into her matters.

After the others left, only Yōichi and Pakura remained. Rumi, representing Yōichi, was inspecting several projects in the village and wouldn't return for a while.

"Take a seat. I've heard that things haven't been easy for you in Sunagakure lately, with Rasa pressuring you."

Yōichi spoke directly to Pakura. Upon hearing this, a trace of discomfort flashed across Pakura's eyes, but she stubbornly responded, "That's not true. The elders in the village support me, and Rasa is just a traitor who sold out his comrades. Why would he dare suppress me?"

"A Fourth Kazekage, who can rightfully issue any order, and can relieve the village's financial woes by extracting gold in the desert using Magnet Release. On the other hand, you're merely a hero of Sunagakure, admired during wartime but less significant in times of peace. Without family backing, what can you do?"

Yōichi's words were a harsh truth. Pakura's situation in Sunagakure was exactly as he described; if it weren't for her considerable wartime renown, Rasa would have already marginalized her.

After all, even those who supported Pakura needed to eat. When ninjas can't earn high rewards from missions, they might as well be working as waiters in a tavern.

Moreover, Chiyo and Ebizō, who supported Pakura, were nearly retired. Though they disapproved of Rasa's betrayal, they weren't about to back Pakura in stirring up conflict within the village. They could only use their dwindling influence to ensure Pakura's situation wasn't too dire.

"Konoha places great importance on intelligence from Sunagakure. Pakura, I believe I've saved your life twice, haven't I? Without my Sage Seal, you would have likely been killed by Rasa by now."

Pakura remained silent, unwilling to admit it, but the truth was that she had only survived her deadly battle with Rasa because of the Sage Seal Yōichi had given her.

Over the past year, she had gradually mastered the Sage Seal, making her slightly stronger than before.

"So, what do you want to discuss with me?"

"I dislike beating around the bush, so I'll be straightforward."

Yōichi walked over to a large map of the ninja world in his office, a map compiled from intelligence gathered from various channels. The map extended to distant countries like the Land of Snow and the Land of Rainbows. There was also an older map, one left from the Warring States period, depicting the locations of various ninja clans.

Back then, a couple of ninja clans could occupy an entire small country, leading to constant warfare. The Warring States period saw over a hundred small countries, but at least half of them have vanished by now.

"Be my informant and help me annex Sunagakure and the Land of Wind."

"What did you just say?"

Pakura's anger flared as she stood up and said, "Even if you saved my life, I would never betray Sunagakure! I am..."

"Alright then, let me rephrase. Accept my commission and lead the impoverished villagers of Sunagakure to Konoha, where they can live a better life."

Pakura was still somewhat angry but responded indignantly, "How dare you say that? The people of Sunagakure..."

"Stop lying to yourself, Pakura. I'm the one who ordered the blockade of supplies. In less than a year, I've forced Sunagakure to come begging. If I truly decided to cut you off for four or five years, how many people in the Land of Wind would starve?"

Yōichi smiled lightly at the indignant Pakura and continued, "Even if you know, it doesn't matter. I could have Konoha blockade the Land of Tea as well. At that point, you would lose three to four-tenths of your population to starvation. And do you think you can afford to start a war?"

The Land of Wind was over sixty percent desert, and losing three to four-tenths of the population was Yōichi's most conservative estimate, assuming the daimyo and nobles did everything in their power to alleviate the suffering.

But it was unlikely the daimyo and nobles would do that; it was more probable that seven to eight-tenths of the population would perish.

"That's enough for today. Later, take a good look around Konoha and decide whether it's better to be a dog of Konoha or a villager of Sunagakure. And remember, Konoha's dogs eat meat."

With that, Yōichi waved his hand, dismissing Pakura. She hadn't seen enough yet, but the more she witnessed, the more despair she would feel about Sunagakure's chances of revival.

As Pakura was driven out by Yōichi, her mind was still in turmoil, only coming to her senses after leaving the Hokage Tower.

Realizing she was being followed by a Konoha ninja, Pakura asked, "Can I walk around the area?"

The Konoha ninja replied, "I need to accompany you, but you can visit any place except the restricted areas."

"Thank you. I'd like to take a look around Konoha."

Pakura, still indignant, wanted to see for herself whether it was better to be a dog of Konoha or a villager of Sunagakure.

————————————

"It seems you've become familiar with the power of the Rinnegan. How the Akatsuki develops from here is up to you."

Obito suddenly appeared beside the Deva Path with Kamui, having just observed the entire process. With only two Pain bodies, they had easily dealt with a host of Iwagakure enemies, showing marked improvement over the last time they had faced off against Konoha.

"Are you leaving?"

"I need to gather some intelligence. Also, we need nine powerful chakra ninjas to seal the tailed beasts. I'll keep an eye out for suitable rogue ninja in the ninja world."

Obito spoke to Deva Path but was actually planning to go to the Land of Water. First, to find the whereabouts of the Three-Tails, and second, to weaken Kirigakure, possibly reigniting the war between Kirigakure and Konoha.

He was confident in his ability to control the current Fourth Mizukage with his genjutsu, and Nagato's growing power meant he no longer needed to watch over him constantly.

"I know you want to return to Amegakure, but I have a suggestion: stay in the Land of Earth."

Obito continued, "Ōnoki needs your strength. Keep showing your power and helping him complete his missions. That way, when Iwagakure searches for the Four-Tails and Five-Tails, they might even hire you. And returning to Amegakure isn't easy, especially with the Akatsuki not yet strong enough."

"I understand."

Nagato replied after a moment of silence. For Yahiko's dream, he could endure. He also knew that Jiraiya was scouring the ninja world for them, as White Zetsu had informed him three times of Jiraiya's movements.

'He really cares for his other student. But I wonder what Jiraiya-sensei will feel when he sees his student again.'

Nagato thought to himself before returning with the new Deva Path body.

Amegakure was not weak now, but the Akatsuki only had three members: Nagato, Konan, and Fugaku. Obito had not officially joined the Akatsuki and rarely contributed.

With just the three of them, returning to Amegakure was a difficult task unless they could decapitate Hanzō. Otherwise, any commotion could easily alert Konoha.

While Obito plotted his next move, the Sunagakure envoys in Konoha returned to their accommodations.

After a day of negotiations with little progress, the beautiful Uchiha lady refused to budge on the price. If Sunagakure signed a contract, the Uchiha Trading Company alliance would sell supplies to other nations instead.

But the supplies were so expensive that what they could once buy with a certain amount of money would now only get them one-fifth of that amount. The Suna representative dared not make decisions on his own and had to send a message to the village for further instructions.

Seeing Pakura return, the Suna representative intercepted her before she could enter her room and asked, "Pakura, what did Yōichi say to you today?"

"What business is that of yours? Move aside!"

Pakura replied coldly. Even if she chose to side with Yōichi, she would never bow down to Rasa, especially since the former had saved her twice.

Seeing Pakura's attitude, the Suna representative could only threaten, "I'll report this to Kazekage-sama!"

"Hmph, Rasa's dog!"

Pakura pushed the Suna representative aside and returned to her room.

The other Suna ninja, witnessing this, did not dare say anything, as the situation involved both the Kazekage and a Suna hero, making them reluctant to get involved.

After returning to her room, Pakura lay on her bed, suddenly realizing that the bed was even more comfortable than the one she had back in Sunagakure.

"How could the difference be so vast?"

Pakura thought to herself, puzzled. She had spent the entire afternoon wandering around Konoha, but she hadn't even managed to see all of it. She had only visited the supermarket, the food district, the ninja park, and a residential area.

Bustling, prosperous, and peaceful.

That was her impression of Konoha. Here, children could happily run around the streets with toys, something unimaginable for the children of Sunagakure.

She even saw some children feeding meat to dogs—something that would never happen in resource-scarce Sunagakure.

After seeing Konoha's prosperity, Pakura felt a bit lost. She began to feel that Yōichi's words might be true. If Sunagakure remained without resources, it might indeed lead to a mass starvation of its people.

In that case, they would have two choices: let the civilians starve or go to war, sending Sunagakure's ninja to die on the battlefield.

Under the influence of the Sage Seal, Pakura found herself increasingly convinced by Yōichi's words.

——————————

"Yōichi-sensei?"

Kurenai knocked twice on the door before pushing it open. She was surprised to see Yōichi standing up from his desk and saying, "Kurenai, it's so late, and you haven't gone home yet?"

(End of Chapter)