In the town closest to Sunagakure, Hinata and Kakashi stayed at the inn, never leaving the premises.
Kakashi decided to rest here for the night and head to Sunagakure the next morning.
The reason they stayed in the hotel and didn't go out was because Hinata and Kakashi both wore Konoha ninja Forehead Protector, and the common people of the Land of Wind didn't have much affection for Konoha Ninja.
Hinata and Kakashi encountered nothing but cold stares and rejection as they approached the town.
Even staying at a hotel was met with all sorts of difficulties from the hotel owner.
Kakashi also consistently urged Hinata to be patient, because any conflict with civilians would severely damage Konoha's reputation.
The Wind God and the Thunder God were both sent to another room.
Kakashi sat on the windowsill reading a book, the same one called "Icha Icha Paradise".
It's unknown how many volumes Jiraiya wrote, but Kakashi probably read them over and over again.
Kakashi was tired of the stories; what he really wanted to see were the beliefs and ideas that Jiraiya expressed in the books.
After Minato Namikaze's death, perhaps it was Jiraiya's books that continued to guide Kakashi's life path.
Hinata came over to play with Kakashi, but Kakashi ignored her, Hinata could only lie on the bed and roll around by herself.
"Teacher Kakashi, do you think Sunagakure will send someone to pick us up tomorrow?"
Kakashi said nonchalantly, "Probably!"
Hinata muttered, "But the Sunagakure's attitude is clearly meant to give us a hard time. What should we do tomorrow?"
"Well..."
Kakashi put "Icha Icha Paradise" back into his ninja tool bag. He felt he had to change Hinata's mindset, otherwise some irreversible major changes might happen tomorrow.
Although Naruto wasn't by her side, Sunagakure still had the One-Tail Beast.
What Hinata couldn't resist communicating with the One-Tail, causing One-Tail to appear in Sunagakure...
Kakashi couldn't bear to imagine what would happen next.
"Hinata, I know that there is still hatred between Konoha and Sand Village, but if we want to change the relationship between the two villages, we must start with ourselves."
"If we, as envoys of Konoha, are hostile to Sunagakure, the relationship between Konoha and Sand Village will only worsen."
Hinata lay on the bed, her hands supporting her chin, her little legs kicking back and forth, she was so bored she was about to die.
Seeing that Kakashi finally paid attention to her, Hinata looked dissatisfied. "But as envoys of Konoha, we represent the Lord Hokage. Even if Sunagakure doesn't go to the border to welcome us, they should at least provide us with food and lodging along the way!"
Kakashi rubbed his forehead. "So, in the end, you still think the prices in the Land of Wind are too high?"
Although the Land of Wind is the largest of the Five Great Nations, most of Land of Wind territory consists of desert or barren Gobi.
The land area within the Land of Wind that is habitable for humans is actually not very large.
Therefore, the Land of Wind imports a large amount of supplies from foreign countries, which directly results in extremely high prices in the Land of Wind. Fruits that can be picked anywhere on the Back Mountain Konoha are more expensive than meat in the Land of Wind.
Especially seafood.
Seafood is almost impossible to find in the Land of Wind, while grilled squid, which is readily available on the streets of Konoha, is a high-end food that only the wealthy can afford in the Land of Wind.
Although the Land of Wind has the unique charm of the desert, especially at dusk when the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the town built of Kitsuchi, it looks like a painting from afar.
But to actually live here, there are just too many difficulties to bear.
With a slight sigh, Kakashi changed the subject. "Hinata, our mission this time is to represent Konoha to Sunagakure and rebuild the friendship between the major Shinobi Village."
"But you should know that those hostile ninja villages that want to disrupt the relationship between Konoha and Sand Village will definitely take action."
"The war between Konoha and Sand Village has just ended, and now is the time when the trust between the two villages is at its weakest. There is also hostility between the Konoha Ninja and the Sand Ninja."
"So please don't think we're here just for fun."
"The reason those people haven't taken action yet is probably because of the war reparations from Sunagakure..."
Hinata sat up abruptly in bed, exclaiming, "Teacher Kakashi, why did you wait until now to tell me about something so dangerous?"
Finally, Hinata puffed out her cheeks and looked at Kakashi with a hint of complaint in her eyes. "Teacher Kakashi, your conscience is really wicked... Hmph, at such a dangerous time, you still have the mind to peek at erotic books!"
Kakashi said calmly, "No acting cute!"
"You should be able to think of these things yourself, not just because I remind you."
"It's not just Shinobi World 'Konoha rival ninja villages eyeing this money; the Akatsuki might also be involved."
"Therefore, our mission is of great importance. We must not only bring the war reparations back to Konoha, but also safely bring the Sunagakure study group back to Konoha."
Hinata tentatively asked, "When we go back, Sunagakure should send someone to escort us to the border, right?"
Kakashi thought for a moment, then said calmly, "That depends on just how important the study group we choose really is!"
"Perhaps the Sunagakure will send someone to intercept the money on the way. If even the Sand Village people die, Konoha will not suspect the Sunagakure."
Hinata considered it seriously.
In the end, I realized that I really had no other options.
If Sunagakure really wanted to intercept the money, and with Sand Village members acting as accomplices in the group, Hinata and her Hinata would have no way to avoid an attack from Sand Village.
Moreover, other ninja villages are also eyeing this money.
Hinata and Kakashi have been gone from Konoha for several days now. Even though it was a secret at first, by now, most people who need to know probably already do.
Kakashi also mentioned the Akatsuki.
It's true that the Akatsuki wanted to collect funds for Sister Nan's extravagant spending, but what worried Hinata even more was Black Zetsu.
Hinata going to act with Kakashi this time, and Black Zetsu will definitely not let this opportunity pass.
Black Zetsu's last plan in the Land of Water failed because he underestimated Hinata's strength. If he were to take any further action, he would definitely utilize the power of the Akatsuki.
And this war reparations payment might just be the best excuse.
Seeing Hinata's tense expression, Kakashi comforted her, "But don't worry too much. Your strength is no secret in the Shinobi World. If you and I join forces, the major Shinobi Village will have no choice but to send Jonin- level ninjas to form teams."
"However, in order to conceal their identities, the major Shinobi Village cannot send out large forces... If they consider it carefully, they might abandon the plan."
Hinata said with a serious expression, "I'm worried about the Akatsuki!"
"According to our Hyuga Clan's secret investigation, the last incident in the Land of Water was probably orchestrated by the Akatsuki."
"They've got my eye on me!"
Kakashi's expression shifted upon hearing this. He had already sensed the unusual nature of the incident in the Land of Water and had initially thought it was Danzo's doing.
But if it's the Akatsuki...