Double Strike

Shuichi moment, then said, "First, Sunagakure must cooperate with Konoha to hold another Joint Chunin Exam within two years."

He understood very well the core ideas of the Third Hokage's governance, which was to avoid war as much as possible, but to demonstrate Konoha's strength in as many ways as possible. Showing off military power and intimidating neighboring countries without bloodshed was one of the key points.

The Joint Chunin Exam are the best way; the Shuichi used back then was very effective, significantly increasing the village's share of missions.

At this time, Konoha had just experienced the death of the Fourth Hokage and urgently needed to warn other countries that they were still powerful, so the higher-ups naturally hoped to do it again.

However, if Sunagakure doesn't come, it's basically like they're playing by themselves, and the effect is greatly reduced.

The timeframe was set within two years because Shuichi was very familiar with the village's situation.

Recently, a group of promising genin Genin emerged, including Gekko Hayate and others, as well as Uchiha Shisui and Anko. This lineup will definitely be Konoha's exclusive show in the end.

The tactic of young geniuses beating up older Genin has proven consistently effective, and Daimyo and nobles from various countries love this style. In a few years, when they become Chunin, they won't have such a good opportunity anymore.

"This..." Shinnosuke looked troubled. "I have no authority to make such a decision; it can only be left to the Lord Kazekage..."

"It's alright," Shuichi interrupted him. "You can report directly to Rasa. I'll definitely tell the Third Hokage that Sunagakure has agreed to this."

"If you try to back out, I'll definitely be reprimanded by the higher-ups. Don't blame me for being impolite then; I'll personally apply to live in the Land of Wind for a year."

"Perfect timing. I recall that One-Tails Shukaku, is about to revive. Your Sunagakure is given the deadline to issue a confirmation document. Otherwise, I can send it to rest for another three years. When you report back, remember to make sure you explain it clearly!"

The young people from Sunagakure below looked indignant, and Shinnosuke gritted his teeth inwardly; this was practically a blatant threat.

Konoha must have been preparing for this decision for a long time. Sunagakure was just there to make up the numbers in the past, using its allies, who are also among the Five Great Nations, as stepping stones to achieve the greatest deterrent effect.

"I will report the truth to Lord Kazekage." Shinnosuke had no other choice. Sunagakure couldn't afford any more trouble. Even if it was humiliating, they had to endure it because they were inferior in skill.

Shuichi's move was wise. If he had made a public threat, the Land of Wind would have refused to comply, otherwise the prestige of being one of the Five Great Nations would have been completely destroyed.

Encountering a small elite force from Sunagakure is a great opportunity. This news can be relayed directly to Rasa through them. At least those present are keeping their mouths shut. In the end, the Land of Wind will participate voluntarily, and the two sides won't break ties.

Shuichi and continued, "The second condition is to pay compensation and hand over all the money you have on you. I'm too lazy to search you myself."

Before the anger of the Sunagakure members could be ignited, Baki, quick-witted, said, "Lord Shuichi, you must be joking. Ninjas don't carry extra things on missions. If compensation is needed, could we raise the amount after returning to the village?"

As Baki said, under normal circumstances, ninjas don't carry much money on missions, especially war missions. They use all the space on their bodies to store ninja tools and rations. They only carry money on escort missions.

However, this situation was special. Before Shuichi could speak, a woman in white robes jumped out from behind him. It was none other than Hyuga Akiha.

"You don't need to hide anything from me," Akiha said coldly, rolling Byakugan eyes. "No matter where you hide the money, I can see it clearly."

Shuichi revealed a sly smile. What this Sunagakure Village team was doing was exactly the same as theirs: to wipe out various forces in small countries in order to harvest resources. For the great ninja villages, this was a "grand event" that happened only once every few years!

If you were to ask a skilled ninja what kind of mission they most desire, it would undoubtedly be a war mission.

The related mercenary fees are just a small part; the real thrill comes from eliminating these established forces. The loot and accumulated spoils can be considered the ninjas' spoils of war, which are not only substantial but also exempt from the village's cut.

All Five Great Ninja Villages knew about these things, so the ninjas who could receive "special" missions were the elite that the villages wanted to train or rely on.

Their current location is in the central part of the Land of Rivers. This Sunagakure force traveled from west to east through half of the Land of Rivers, much of which is relatively wealthy land, so they must have acquired a great deal of loot.

Even without the Byakugan, Shuichi could guess that they had reaped a considerable harvest, definitely more than the three of them combined.

Indeed, that's the case. The Sunagakure members are all quite well-off; this trip is equivalent to several S-rank mission. Now that Shuichi is asking for money, it's practically tearing their flesh off!

"Damn it..." Shinnosuke couldn't help but feel angry, but he had seen a lot of things and knew that money could be earned again, but life was only once. If he angered Purple Aurora, there would be no good end.

Just as he was about to compromise, he didn't expect that the young people in his team would object.

Pakura has a very short temper. The Joint Chunin Exam had little to do with her, so she didn't react strongly. But now, she wouldn't accept having to give up her hard-earned money without doing anything.

With a "whoosh!" she darted out of the group, rushing swiftly towards the top of the hill. Shinnosuke, standing beside her, paled instantly, too shocked to speak, much less try to stop her. "Come back..."

"Scorch Release: Great Blazing Flame Bullet!"

Knowing that Shuichi was extremely strong, Pakura immediately used her strongest move, a giant, bright red fireball that enveloped both Shuichi and Akiha.

According to intelligence, Shuichi is very fast, so he chose to attack when his teammates were nearby. This left him with only two choices: abandon his teammates or take the hit head-on. This shows that although Pakura is a bit reckless, he still has basic judgment and ninja qualities.

Shuichi felt a flash of red light before his eyes, and the scorching heat rushed towards him first. "This woman is so fierce!"

In fact, given his reaction time, he could have used the Flying Thunder God to teleport away with Akiha, but that wouldn't have been effective in intimidating him. If the other party made the first move, then he shouldn't blame him for being impolite.

His hands Hand Seals, and suddenly a large amount of moisture condensed in the air. "Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

With a splashing sound, a jet of water the same width as the fireball shot out and collided with it with a loud bang.

"Sizzle sizzle..." In that instant, the high temperature immediately vaporized the water it came into contact with, but the impact force of the water column exceeded Pakura's expectations, and it actually blocked the high-quality fireball.

The subsequent water jets maintained their powerful output, continuously eroding the power of the Scorch Release, and even began to push back towards Pakura.

"What?! To unleash such power of Water Release instantly in a place without water..."

Pakura was incredulous when she was forced to retreat. Several Water Release ninjas who fought her were killed because they couldn't withstand the high temperature of the Scorch Release. Now Shuichi tells her the truth: it's just that the others were too weak.

"Pakura, who gave you permission to act without authorization..." Shinnosuke couldn't help but roar.

At this moment, the room was filled with steam, making visibility somewhat obscured, but then a cacophony of noise came from above, instantly interrupting his words.

The Sunagakure Village team looked closely and saw that the two Shuichi were using Ninjutsu at the same time. Three giant water dragons surrounded them from different directions. In this small valley, there was really no room to hide.

After Hand Seals, the main body spews water, releasing three water dragons at once, while the Shadow Clone unleash lightning that perfectly blends into the attack. "Combination Jutsu: Lightning Water Dragon Bullet!"

"There's no dodge now, defend yourself!"

Several Sunagakure members frantically channeled their chakra to use Earth Release, while others unleashed Wind Release, striking the water dragon, but unfortunately, it had little effect. "Boom!"

Three water dragons crashed down simultaneously, shattering the makeshift earthen wall without any resistance. Although the Sunagakure members managed to jump up, they hadn't expected even the splashes of water to be crackling with lightning, instantly electrocuting them. "Ughhh..."

Once the situation calmed down, Shuichi easily jumped down from the height. Several Sunagakure Village ninjas lay sprawled on the ground, convulsing, while only Shinnosuke and Pakura managed to maintain their kneeling positions.

"So, should I just kill you all?" Shuichi pulled out a Kunai and slowly approached, his footsteps sounding like the Grim Reaper's death knell.