You've Come All This Way~

What is Iwagakure doing sending ninja here at this time?

Just after Advisor Mujie sent back word that the atmosphere in the Ninja World was a bit tense, ninja from Iwagakure appeared!

At this time... Iwagakure wouldn't possibly be here to talk business, would they~

While they were proud of the Land of Grass's development, compared to the Great Ninja Village of Iwagakure, to be honest... besides selling information and guiding people, Grass Ninja might not be able to help Iwagakure at all.

Could it be that Iwagakure is here to find Grasswood to film a movie?

So, without a doubt...

Those Iwagakure ninja are probably here to have Grass Ninja guide them.

It's just that.

They're looking down on them Grass Ninja too much!

They should know that they are now allied with Konoha. Coming to them Grass Ninja for guidance so directly and quickly, do they really think Grass Ninja would agree so easily?

Do they Grass Ninja still have any dignity?!

But since.

They've already come...

Kusana walked out with a smile, bringing the Grass Ninja who had just finished their meeting to the Iwagakure ninja, saying enthusiastically, "Welcome, friends from Iwagakure!"

"Grass Ninja Leader!" An Iwagakure strongman, wearing a red ninja hat, with a large nose and a mustache, a beard on his chin, and a sturdy build, stepped forward and saluted with a serious expression, "Forgive our intrusion!"

Although it was well-known throughout the Ninja World... that Grass Ninja were a bunch of tricksters, as an excellent Jonin of Iwagakure, he wouldn't show it.

He was representing Iwagakure to discuss [cooperation], not to find enemies. Moreover, the young man before him was not only the leader of Grass Ninja Village but also, in a way, the current Daimyo of the Land of Grass. Therefore, the respect he deserved had to be given.

Moreover...

Being able to rebuild the Land of Grass in just a few years and achieve such astonishing development, this Grass Ninja leader was definitely not a simple ninja!

"I am Kitsuchi, the leader of this delegation visiting Grass Ninja Village!"

"Leader of the Land of Grass! Kusana." Kusana also formally introduced himself with many Grass Ninja executives, "Welcome to the Land of Grass!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Seeing that the Grass Ninja leader seemed easy to talk to, Kitsuchi felt relieved. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke directly, "Actually, Lord Tsuchikage has ordered us to come here because there is a very important matter that needs to be discussed with Leader Kusana..."

Before he could finish.

"Hahaha!" Kusana interrupted him with a hearty laugh, patting Kitsuchi on the shoulder familiarly, "Friends have traveled far, how can we not let you rest first? Wouldn't that be considered poor hospitality from us Grass Ninja Village?"

"It's fine! Actually, Iwagakure and Grass Ninja Village..."

"Let's not talk about that! Let's not talk about that!" Kusana directly cut him off, 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've heard that the Third Tsuchikage is the strongest Tsuchikage of all time, his ninjutsu dominating the Ninja World, invincible in battle, making anyone disappear at will..."

"Leader Kusana... you flatter me!"

"How could I be flattering? Who in the entire Ninja World doesn't know how powerful the Third Tsuchikage is? Under the protection of the Third Tsuchikage, Iwagakure is flourishing, and the happiness index of the ninja citizens has soared. The ninja and citizens of Iwagakure all say that happiness came when the Third Tsuchikage became Tsuchikage!"

"..."

How can this Grass Ninja leader talk so much?!

Kitsuchi and his subordinates looked at the eloquently speaking Grass Ninja with bewilderment. With one sentence about the strongest Tsuchikage and another about the strongest ninja village, they had no chance to interject!

The Grass Ninja leader continued, "Today... since you've come~" he said with a smile, looking at them, "Please be sure to point out any shortcomings in the Land of Grass, or suggest any areas that Grass Ninja Village needs to improve! To raise the quality of Grass Ninja!"

"I..."

Before Kitsuchi could say anything.

"Mujie! Mujie! Comrade Mujie!" Kusana directly called out to a seemingly foolish ninja behind him, "I still have some matters to attend to, so I'll trouble you to entertain these distinguished guests!"

"Understood, Leader!"

The two of them played along. Just as Kitsuchi was about to react, he saw the Grass Ninja leader preparing to leave and quickly said anxiously, "Leader Kusana, we have come with a very important matter this time, for the peace of the Ninja World..."

"If there's anything, you can tell Mujie!" Kusana said with the same anxious expression, "I apologize! As the leader of the Land of Grass and Grass Ninja Village, there are still a pile of domestic matters that I need to personally handle! Please forgive our lack of hospitality! Lack of hospitality!"

Saying that.

As if he really had something urgent, he directly led the other executives away, leaving Kitsuchi with a gloomy expression, gazing at the figure of Kusana as he departed.

At this moment!

As a Jonin of Iwagakure... he probably guessed... that the leader before him didn't seem inclined to talk about anything with them.

It seemed that Grass Ninja Village had already guessed their intention!

But.

Why refuse?

Are Grass Ninja allies with Konoha?

Don't be ridiculous!

Even ninja students just starting out in the Ninja World wouldn't believe such a thing!

Or perhaps... they looked down on the conditions offered by Iwagakure?

But their conditions haven't even been stated yet!

Could it be that this new Grass Ninja Leader is truly a person of noble character, one who firmly follows Konoha?!

Just as Kitsuchi and his subordinates stood in silence, their faces subtly showing a hint of anger.

"Guests are welcome! Apologies, our Grass Ninja Leader is quite busy, so please excuse our lack of proper hospitality!" Mujie, seemingly oblivious to the anger on the Stone Ninjas' faces, continued to say with a grin, "But rest assured, from here on out, I... Mujie, Senior Advisor of the Grass Ninjas, will personally entertain you!"

After he spoke.

The other Stone Ninjas came back to their senses, looked up at their teacher Kitsuchi, and hesitated before saying, "Teacher Kitsuchi..."

Kitsuchi, at this moment, was also looking at the Grass Ninja who had stayed behind.

Mujie!

Senior Advisor of the Grass Ninja Village!

It seemed he held a not-insignificant position within the Grass Ninja Village.

If the Grass Ninja Village truly rejected them, the Stone Ninjas, then what was the meaning of this?

After a moment's thought.

A simple smile appeared on his plump face, "Then... I'll trouble you, Lord Mujie!"

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

"..."

"Hmm, where should we go?"

Mujie furrowed his brow slightly, as if deep in thought, looking at the Stone Ninjas before him.

He understood the Leader's intentions perfectly.

The Grass Ninja Village and Konoha are on good terms?

Indeed, they are, but what does that have to do with them being on good terms with Iwagakure?

Konoha couldn't possibly stop them, the Grass Ninjas, from making friends, could they!

However.

The Leader wanted him to... take a good look and see if there was any profit to be squeezed out of the Stone Ninja Village!

After a short while.

Just as the Stone Ninjas were starting to get impatient.

Mujie seemed to have an idea, "Oh~, right! Let's go visit our own schools in the Land of Grass!" he said with a smile, looking at the Stone Ninjas, "This is our very own ninja academy, established by the Land of Grass!"

Meanwhile.

Over on the other side.

Back in his office, Kusana was carefully reviewing the information on this group of Stone Ninjas. Then, he looked up and said with a smile to Oyakamon, who was in front of him, "Keep an eye on Mujie, and also... notify the other departments to cooperate fully with Mujie's actions!"

After he spoke.

"Understood~"