"What are you talking about!"
Pakura's face darkened immediately, showing her annoyance.
Her sense of justice was strong, and her path had been remarkably easy.
The Third Kazekage had dealt with the Sunagakure's Council of Elders, eliminating all the troublemakers.
Because of this, Pakura was in charge of a remarkably clean Sunagakure.
It was a Sunagakure almost completely free of corruption, a place where evil didn't take root.
This meant everyone was focused on high ideals, eagerly working to build a perfect Shinobi Village.
You could see it in Pakura's behavior, in her eyes, and in the way she spoke.
They seemed to share a certain communist-like way of thinking.
Pakura, lacking a deep understanding of true politics, was completely dedicated to building and improving the Village, failing to grasp just how low, dishonest, and dark the world of politics could really be.
Of course, Sunagakure's bright outlook was a good thing.
The other Ninja Villages, facing their own problems, should learn from it.
But as time passed, motivation would fade, and Sunagakure would slowly decline, eventually returning to how it was before.
If Pakura didn't understand both the good and bad sides of people, she would definitely suffer later.
As an ally, Sarutobi Ryo felt he had the right to point this out and guide Pakura.
When he had the chance, he would find a private moment to properly guide or subtly influence her.
"To fight the war, Iwagakure even made the Land of Earth's Daimyo eat only Corn Bread..."
Sarutobi Ryo started repeating the same point he'd made before.
The Land of Earth was united, using all its money to support the troops and fight the war.
This spending was, of course, huge.
So even the Daimyo was cutting back.
In this situation, asking them for money as compensation was definitely impossible.
Simply put, they were broke, completely without funds.
These people were beyond caring about the consequences.
"Dead pigs unafraid of boiling water," he thought, they were so desperate they didn't care what happened next.
Even if you forced them, they couldn't pay.
One by one, the hungry Ninjas were waiting for missions to earn money for their families.
After the war, many missions would be given to the Shinobi Villages.
The economies of different areas in the Land of Earth were counting on this to recover.
With barefoot Han everywhere, Iwagakure really couldn't come up with much money to pay.
But if they kept fighting, these people, driven mad by hunger, would really fight to the death.
Just like in the original story, when ten thousand Iwagakure Ninjas were sent to their deaths.
When faced with starvation, death became less scary.
At least Iwagakure still had 5,000 Ninjas left.
This group, though large, still needed to earn a living.
Onoki must be very worried, Sarutobi Ryo mused.
Figuring out how to make money was what he needed to think about.
It would be good if everyone calmed down, rebuilt properly, and made money.
Of course, that was from Iwagakure's point of view.
From Pakura's perspective, Iwagakure was a clear invader.
Shouldn't invaders pay compensation as a matter of course?
"On this point… we in Amegakure can understand…"
Yahiko, sitting in another seat, smiled slightly.
Behind him were his two great protectors, Konan and Nagato.
Konan and Nagato seemed like extras.
But in reality, Sarutobi Ryo knew that Konan and Nagato were the most powerful.
Yahiko, who had suffered hardships since childhood, knew what it was like to be broke all too well.
A single penny could stop a hero; he had experienced it many times.
What to do when you didn't have money?
Find a way to get money.
If you couldn't get it, you stole it.
When they were young, the three of them had really stolen a lot.
But there was no choice; even idealism had to give way to reality.
So, Yahiko could understand Iwagakure's embarrassing situation of being short on funds.
Forcing them to pay at this time was impossible.
"But you can offer credit…"
Yahiko mentioned again.
If they didn't have money now, they could pay later.
"Credit… is possible…" Kitsuchi thought for a moment and agreed with Yahiko's suggestion.
Anyway, it was just words.
If they refused to pay later, there was nothing anyone could do.
Ninjas were just that shameless.
"Credit?! I'm afraid that they'll…"
Pakura, distrustful of Iwagakure, immediately said that they would definitely refuse to pay later.
They would deny it completely.
Then what would they do?
"It doesn't matter if they don't acknowledge the debt; this will only let everyone see Iwagakure's true colors…"
Yahiko chuckled, not caring at all.
"When all of us recognize their true faces, the anti-Iwagakure feeling in the Village will rise even higher… our Alliance will become even more solid…"
Yahiko was thinking about the future.
If the connection between Konoha, Amegakure, and Sunagakure could be strengthened because of Iwagakure's shamelessness, then that would be a victory in itself.
"…"
Hearing Yahiko's explanation, Pakura closed her mouth, looking thoughtful.
In the long run, Sunagakure didn't need to continue being enemies with Konoha and Amegakure.
The Third Kazekage Lord had planned for the three to work together.
Pakura glanced at Sarutobi Ryo again, realizing that he and Yahiko had thought of the same thing.
These two Young People … their political talents were even better than her own…
Although this was frustrating, Pakura ultimately knew how to recognize reality.
"Okay."
Thus, with Pakura's approval, the plan for Iwagakure and the three parties to sign a Ceasefire Agreement officially began.
The two sides had a round of discussions, and when it was time for dinner, they decided to continue discussing the remaining topics the next morning.
This series of talks finally led to a result that satisfied all Four Sides.
After leaving the Conference Room, Kakashi and Guy, who were guarding on the left and right, began to look around.
The two, who were attending such a meeting for the first time, found the negotiations boring.
Compared to this, it was more interesting to visit the Newly Constructed Areas of Sunagakure.
Looking at the two young juniors' excited and curious faces, Sarutobi Ryo couldn't help but smile slightly.
"The three from Konoha… this way, please…"
Maki, who was leading the way, signaled for the three to follow.
Pakura had arranged for her Disciple to lead the three.
The three went up to the top floor along the stairs.
At the top of the building, you could see the entire town under construction.
"Wow…"
Guy stuck to the glass, looking at the new city with amazement.
Konoha's construction had taken too long.
This New type of town, with its new design, made him feel the atmosphere of the New era.
Kakashi also clicked his tongue in wonder.
In front of the floor-to-ceiling glass, Sarutobi Ryo's gaze first looked over the town under construction, and then slowly turned to Maki.
Similar scenery, similar floor-to-ceiling glass, similar town.
Maki, understanding Sarutobi Ryo's hint, couldn't help but lower her head and clench her fists, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze.
"Kakashi, Guy, you two go wander around… Miss Maki and I have something to talk about…"
After saying that, Sarutobi Ryo and Maki walked to the side.
And Kakashi and Guy naturally left the building.
Having already been promoted to Jonin, the two had enough money to spend as they pleased.
*
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter 297 (Vol 2 Ch 239) (+114 Chapters Ahead!)
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 272 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
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]