They Came All This Way~

What were Iwagakure ninja doing here at a time like this?

Advisor Mujie had only just sent back word that the atmosphere in the ninja world was becoming tense, and Iwagakure's ninja showed up right after!

At a time like this... the Iwagakure ninja couldn't possibly be here to discuss business, could they~

Though they were proud of the Land of Grass's development, compared to Iwagakure, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, honestly... aside from selling intelligence and guiding people, Kusagakure probably could not offer Iwagakure much help at all.

Could Iwagakure be here to ask Grasswood to make a movie for them?

So, without a doubt...

Those Iwagakure ninja were probably here to hire Kusagakure as guides.

But.

This was looking down on Kusagakure far too much!

They were allied with Konoha now. Did Iwagakure really think Kusagakure would simply agree just because they had come so directly and quickly to ask for guides?

Did Kusagakure not have any pride?!

But since...

They had come all this way...

Kusana stepped out with a smile, leading the Kusagakure ninja who had just finished their meeting over to Iwagakure's group. "Welcome, friends from Iwagakure!"

"Leader Kusana!" A burly Iwagakure ninja stepped forward. He wore a red ninja hat and had a large nose, mutton chops, a beard on his chin, and a robust build. With a solemn expression, he gave a bow. "Forgive our abrupt visit!"

Although everyone in the ninja world knew... Kusagakure was a bunch of swindlers, as an outstanding Iwagakure jonin, he would not show that on his face.

He had come on behalf of Iwagakure to discuss cooperation, not to make enemies. Besides, the young man before him was not only the leader of Kusagakure, but could also be considered the current daimyo of the Land of Grass. He still needed to show the proper respect.

Moreover...

To rebuild the Land of Grass in just a few short years and bring it such astonishing development, this Kusagakure leader was definitely no ordinary ninja!

"My name is Kitsuchi. I am the leader of this delegation visiting Kusagakure!"

"Leader of the Land of Grass, Kusana." Kusana likewise gave a formal introduction alongside the many Kusagakure higher-ups. "Welcome to the Land of Grass!"

As soon as he said that.

Seeing that the Kusagakure leader before him seemed rather easy to talk to, Kitsuchi inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. After hesitating briefly, he got straight to the point. "In truth, Lord Tsuchikage instructed us to come because there is an extremely important matter we need to discuss with Leader Mang..."

Before he could finish.

"Hahaha!" Kusana laughed heartily and familiarly patted Kitsuchi on the shoulder. "How could friends who have traveled so far not rest first? Wouldn't that make it seem like Kusagakure is failing in hospitality?"

"There is no need. Actually, Iwagakure and Kusagakure..."

"Let's not discuss that! Not now!" Kusana cut him off directly, continuing with a smile, "The Land of Grass has long admired the Land of Earth, one of the Five Great Nations. Your country is prosperous and powerful. I heard that the Third Tsuchikage is the strongest Tsuchikage in history, his ninjutsu dominating the ninja world, invincible beneath the heavens. Whoever he wants gone simply disappears..."

"Leader Mang, you over... overpraise him!"

"How is that overpraise? Who in the entire ninja world does not know the Third Tsuchikage's might? Under the Third Tsuchikage's protection, Iwagakure has flourished, the happiness index of its ninja citizens has skyrocketed, and both Iwagakure's ninja and civilians say that once the Third Tsuchikage became Tsuchikage, happiness arrived!"

"..."

Why was this Kusagakure leader so good at talking?!

Kitsuchi and his subordinates stared dumbfoundedly at the Kusagakure ninja before them. One sentence called the Third Tsuchikage the strongest Tsuchikage, the next called Iwagakure the strongest ninja village, leaving them no opportunity to interrupt!

Then the Kusagakure leader continued, "Today... since you've come all this way~" He smiled at them. "Please be sure to take a look around the Land of Grass and point out any shortcomings, or advise us on what Kusagakure needs to improve! Help raise the quality of Kusagakure's ninja!"

"I..."

Before Kitsuchi could say anything.

"Mujie! Mujie! Comrade Mujie!" Kusana directly called out to a ninja behind him who looked somewhat dim-witted. "I still have some matters to deal with, so I'll have to trouble you with entertaining these distinguished guests!"

"Understood, Leader!"

The two played off each other perfectly. By the time Kitsuchi came to his senses, Kusana was already preparing to leave. He hurriedly said, "Leader Mang, we truly have an extremely important matter to discuss this time, for the peace of the ninja world..."

"If there's anything, you can discuss it with Mujie!" Kusana replied with an equally anxious expression. "My apologies! As the leader of both the Land of Grass and Kusagakure, I have a mountain of domestic affairs that require my personal attention! Forgive my poor hospitality! Forgive my poor hospitality!"

As he spoke.

As though he truly had some urgent matter to attend to, he immediately led the other higher-ups away, leaving behind a gloomy-faced Kitsuchi staring at his departing figure.

At this very moment!

As an Iwagakure jonin... Kitsuchi could roughly guess that Leader Mang did not seem interested in discussing anything with them.

It looked like Kusagakure had probably already guessed Iwagakure's purpose!

But.

Why refuse?

Was Kusagakure allied with Konoha?

What a joke!

Not even ninja students who had just started school in the ninja world would believe that!

Or perhaps... they looked down on the terms Iwagakure intended to offer?

But they had not even mentioned their terms yet!

Could this new Kusagakure leader really be a man of noble character, firmly determined to follow Konoha?!

Just as Kitsuchi and his subordinates fell silent, faint anger appearing on their faces.

"A guest who comes is a guest! My apologies, our Kusagakure leader is quite busy, so we have not received you properly!" Mujie seemed not to notice the anger on the Iwagakure ninja's faces as he continued grinning. "But rest assured, from here on, I, Mujie, senior advisor of Kusagakure, will personally entertain you!"

After he spoke.

The other Iwagakure ninja came back to their senses and raised their heads to look at their teacher, Kitsuchi. After hesitating, they said, "Teacher Kitsuchi..."

Kitsuchi, meanwhile, looked at the Kusagakure ninja who had been left behind.

Mujie!

A senior advisor of Kusagakure!

It seemed his status within Kusagakure was not low.

If Kusagakure truly intended to refuse Iwagakure, then what did this mean now?

After thinking for a moment.

A simple-minded smile appeared on his chubby face. "Then... then I'll trouble you, Lord Mujie!"

"It's no trouble! No trouble! Actually, there's not much to see in the Land of Grass!"

"..."

"Hm, where should we go?"

Mujie furrowed his brow slightly, as though deep in thought, while looking at the Iwagakure ninja before him.

Of course, he understood what the leader meant.

Kusagakure was on good terms with Konoha?

They certainly were, but what did that have to do with getting along with Iwagakure too?

Konoha could not possibly stop Kusagakure from making friends!

Only.

The leader had told him... to see whether Iwagakure had any oil to squeeze out of them!

Before long.

Just as the Iwagakure ninja were beginning to grow impatient.

Mujie seemed to think of something. "Oh~, right, let's go take a look at the Land of Grass's own school!" He smiled at the Iwagakure ninja before him. "This is our very own Ninja Academy, established by the Land of Grass!"

Meanwhile.

On the other side.

Back in his office, Kusana carefully read through the information on this group of Iwagakure ninja. Then he looked up at Oyakamon before him and said with a smile, "Tell Mujie to be careful. Also... notify the other departments to cooperate properly with Mujie's operation!"

After he spoke.

"Understood~"