Root Secret Agent Ling Lingqi

Wind Country,

Sunagakure,

This once somewhat rundown village had now become the brightest pearl in the desert. Backed by abundant wealth, skyscrapers rose one after another, while several Commercial Streets crisscrossed the village, presenting a scene of extravagant luxury.

Inside the Kazekage Building at the heart of the village, Chiyo sat upon a throne forged from gold, holding the intelligence her subordinates had just delivered. Her delicate brows were tightly furrowed, and her pretty face, untouched by time, was full of confusion.

"Iwagakure is still holding on? Is Ōnoki planning to fight us to the bitter end?"

According to the intelligence, Iwagakure, which had been blockaded from all sides, had not only avoided collapse and internal unrest, but had instead become unprecedentedly united because of the crisis. Even battlefield veterans who had retired many years ago had stepped forward, volunteering their remaining strength for the village.

"Sister, Iwa Ninja have been appearing frequently in Rain Country. Iwagakure probably isn't merely planning to fight us to the bitter end—they want to strike back."

Ebizo, who was responsible for sorting the intelligence nearby, wore a gloomy expression. Unlike his sister Chiyo, he did not possess the power of the Dragon Pulse and had ultimately failed to escape time's erosion. The fair, youthful man he once was had now become a somewhat aging bald man.

"Hmph! Before absolute Money Power, all resistance is futile!"

Chiyo snorted. She crossed her fair, slender legs and leaned back against the golden throne, looking every bit like a nouveau riche.

"Pass down the order. Raise mission subsidies by another ten percent. Poach all the clients in Earth Country for me. I want Iwagakure to never have a chance to rise again."

The reason Iwagakure had been able to hold out for so long, aside from taking out