The Land of Birds.
A country located between the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, famous for its diverse bird species.
Moreover, a powerful clan of bird-like spirit beasts is hidden here, having formed a pact with the Daimyo of the Land of Birds for generations, hence the name Land of Birds.
After pondering for several days, Ōnoki finally couldn't suppress his anxiety and took the initiative to invite the Third Kazekage, Mosa, to the Land of Birds for a gathering.
After all, the future of Kumogakure is already sealed. They will be swindled out of everything by the three bullies led by Konoha, and then Kumogakure Kumogakure be severely punished with their money.
Tragic
The best outcome would be for them to kneel down, admit defeat, and then lick Konoha's asshole.
The worst possible outcome would be that Kumogakure would be completely destroyed by Konoha.
Although Ōnoki wanted to preserve Kumogakure as much as possible and leave some seeds for them, the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning certainly wouldn't let Kumogakure continue to decline. He gritted his teeth and had to provide funds to rebuild Kumogakure. If they lay low for seven or eight years, there might still be a chance for them to make a comeback.
However, the temperament of the Third Ai doesn't seem like the type to endure hardship and bide his time.
The Third himself was still not clear-headed. Perhaps his Taijutsu training had built up muscles that had grown into his brain, replacing its functions. He was so brainless that he personally endorsed the Blue Sky Project Co. Ltd.., which directly pushed the Kumogakure into a fire pit.
After the Utakata bursts, leaving a scene of utter devastation, all the ninjas of Kumogakure could have torn him apart alive.
If one's willpower is weak, they might simply commit seppuku (ritual suicide) to atone for their sins.
Therefore, the fate of Kumogakure) was bleak.
For the sake of Iwagakure's foundation, Ōnoki felt that his only option was to win over Sunagakure to fight against the increasingly powerful Konoha.
As for Kirigakure, let's leave that aside; the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, died at the hands of Kirigakure.
The Iwagakure and the Kirigakure have a blood feud!
They might join forces to deal with Konoha in the future, but definitely not now. Ōnoki would never lower himself to proactively seek cooperation with Kirigakure.
An unassuming inn
"What would you like, sir?"
"Bring me a pot of fine tea, and I've booked the entire inn for today."
"Yes, sir!"
The innkeeper kept his head down, not daring to look at Ōnoki more than once. Through years of observing people's expressions, the innkeeper keenly sensed that the guest who came to the inn today was no ordinary person.
The wait was long. Ōnoki sat on the stool, closing his eyes to rest. Suddenly, he noticed a familiar symbol—was that the Konoha emblem?
"Boss, what is that?"
Ōnoki pointed to an oval-shaped object on the counter.
"My lord, this is a new type of ninja tool produced in Konoha, the Land of Fire. It has a special heating device inside, which can continuously release heat as long as Chakra is input. It is covered with a layer of fur on the outside."
In winter, it can be used to keep hands warm during the day, and at night, after removing the fleece layer, it can also be used to warm the bed. It's much better than just burning coal.
The shop owner demonstrated the Ninja world- themed "hand warmer".
In Konoha, there are many products that combine Ninjutsu with everyday items. The technical challenges involved are not considered difficult by Tobirama Senju, and he is not even willing to devote his energy to these uninteresting experiments and inventions.
But Uchiha Nan paid more.
After listening to the boss's introduction, Ōnoki fell silent.
A few seconds later, Ōnoki suddenly remembered that his own Iwagakure, was also full of new ninja tools produced by Konoha.
In the commercial street of Iwagakure, more and more shops opened by Konoha, Konoha's emblem gradually spread all over the commercial street of Iwagakure.
Villagers habitually visit the shops run by merchants from Konoha because the goods there are cheap and of good quality, and there are often coupons available. Inviting friends to buy also allows them to spin a wheel for coupons.
Although it only saves a little money, housewives value these activities highly when it comes to the family's expenses.
Later on, the villagers even complained while buying things that Konoha hadn't opened a shop in Iwagakure sooner.
Bookstores on the streets and alleys received financial assistance from kind-hearted people, and those that were on the verge of bankruptcy were brought back to life. The stores started selling magazines published by Konoha.
The magazine is full of humorous and interesting stories, inspiring platitudes, and rumors about Konoha.
Konoha is a place of freedom and democracy; its people are wise, brave, and enjoy a high quality of life.
Some villagers and ninjas from Iwagakure with wavering resolve read these magazines and wanted to see Konoha, their spiritual homeland they had never met, with their own eyes.
Upon arriving in Konoha, I took a look.
Just as I thought!
The villagers who returned from Konoha began to enthusiastically spread the word about how wonderful Konoha was.
The air in Konoha is filled with fragrance!
An unknown fear began to grow in Ōnoki's heart. Perhaps even if Iwagakure joined forces with Sunagakure to fight against Konoha, it would only be a death throes. Konoha seemed to have gone far on a new track and was still accelerating.
Ōnoki, the old-school ninja, felt melancholy.
Have times changed?
When exactly did this change begin?
"The era of nobles is about to become history, and the era of ninjas is about to begin. Ninjutsu should not be a tool of slaughter in the hands of ninjas; Ninjutsu should benefit the whole world."
Ōnoki recalled what Uchiha Nan Uchiha Nan had said when they last met.
At the time, Ōnoki didn't take those words seriously, but now it seems that Uchiha Nan really did it...
What should Iwagakure do in the future?
Should we follow the path of Konoha?
Will this really work?
Ōnoki fell into thought.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps outside the door interrupted Ōnoki's thoughts.
"It's been a long time, Ōnoki."
"Haven't seen you for a long time."
Ōnoki's worried expression vanished, replaced by a smile, as he greeted the Third Kazekage, Mosa.
The innkeeper closed the door and tactfully went to the back room.
After exchanging pleasantries, Ōnoki got down to business.
" Kazekage, you are well aware of the current situation. Kumogakure has been killed by the Hokage 'Kumogakure scheme. Of the remaining three great ninja villages, Kirigakure is located overseas, and Konoha is powerless to intervene. On this continent, the only ninja village that can pose a threat to Konoha, besides Iwagakure, is Sunagakure."
"Who do you think will be Konoha's next target?"
"Perhaps it's Iwagakure. If Iwagakure also falls due to Konoha's machinations, then who will be the last remaining ninja village?"
Mosa's expression changed slightly, and her eyes turned to Ōnoki.
There's no good in a banquet... I knew that Ōnoki's sudden request to meet with me couldn't be anything good; he was trying to sow discord between Sunagakure and Konoha.
But Mosa also had the same worries as Ōnoki.
With the disappearance of Kumogakure, can the remaining two ninja villages remain unscathed?
" Konoha's ambitions are definitely not limited to just Kumogakure; their goal is the entire Ninja world."
Ōnoki spoke with absolute certainty.
Mosa fell into deep thought. Konoha had given Sunagakure too much assistance in recent years, and to betray Konoha just because of a few words from Ōnoki was simply an idiotic act.
" Sunagakure and Konoha are now allies... He has helped Sunagakure a lot, and even your Iwagakure has benefited from Konoha's kindness."
"Isn't that what makes Hokage so brilliant?"
"Honey is indeed tempting, but if the price we pay for continuing to indulge is the entire Sunagakure, do you think it's worth it?"
Ōnoki's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was filled with bitterness. Konoha and Sunagakure were too deeply intertwined. White Fang words could never compare to real money. Wasn't it because of Konoha's annual favor of billions of ryo that he decisively betrayed Kumogakure?
Mosa fell silent.
The First Kazekage painstakingly founded Sunagakure, and his master Second Kazekage, devoted his entire life to the Sunagakure. If he were to destroy this legacy in his own hands, how could he face them after his death?
However, Konoha's assistance was simply too good to pass up, and Konoha didn't owe Sunagakure anything; on the contrary, they extended a helping hand when Sunagakure was in danger.
" Konoha has helped Sunagakure a lot; I can't betray our alliance with Konoha just because of a few words from you."
After thinking for a long time, Mosa slowly spoke.
Upon hearing this, Ōnoki sighed slightly, clearly having anticipated this outcome, and decided to take a step back.
"No, Kazekage. I have no intention of sowing discord between Konoha and Sunagakure; I simply want a promise from you."
"If we go to war with Kumogakure in the future, I hope that Sunagakure will not go to extremes."
Sunagakure probably doesn't want Konoha to dominate the Ninja world either.
"If that's the case, I can grant your request."
Mosa nodded, agreeing to Ōnoki's request. If Konoha truly became the dominant power, the alliance between the two ninja villages would be vastly different.
The Sunagakure, already in a weak position, will become even weaker. Once the balance is completely tilted, the outcome is predictable.
"Furthermore, if Konoha insists on completely annihilating Kumogakure, and if they succeed, their next target will likely be Iwagakure, and the target after that, I don't need to elaborate."
At that time, we can continue our discussion of today's topic.
After finishing his sentence, Ōnoki downed the tea in his cup, gave Mosa a deep look, tossed a money pouch on the counter, and walked out of the inn on his own.
Mosa sat on the stool, seemingly lost in thought, for a long time before finally getting up and leaving.
Konoha outskirts
The weather was still a bit chilly in early spring.
Uchiha Nan's train project, which he had been working on for almost three years, finally broke ground, and as the Hokage, he personally came here to hold the groundbreaking ceremony.
The railway is divided into several lines, connecting two large cities in the Land of Fire. There are not only trains for transporting goods, but also trains for transporting people. The investment is huge, and it would be a long time to break even just by selling train tickets. But the calculation is definitely not that simple. The hidden benefits of the train are what Uchiha Nan values most.
The transportation capacity of Konoha, population movement, and the increase in the value of surrounding land.
Although this is still a wasteland, once the train is built, even a simple PowerPoint presentation will be enough to attract a large number of investors to buy land and build houses here.
The construction site was bustling with activity, as workers with ninja backgrounds were hammering nails with iron hammers.
Orochimaru, wearing a hard hat, moved between construction sites. He was now in charge of the railway project, Uchiha Nan, intending to cultivate him, had entrusted this important project to Orochimaru.
" Orochimaru, if you encounter any difficulties, remember to speak up."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Orochimaru's rather youthful face showed extreme excitement, and even the dark circles under his eyes seemed to have faded considerably.
Uchiha Nan smiled and ruffled Orochimaru's hair. "So smooth," he thought, "Even though he's a boy."
Orochimaru's current image is vastly different from that of the original Hokage; they could even be considered two different people. At this moment, Orochimaru is wholeheartedly dedicated to using the knowledge he learned from Tobirama Senju to serve Konoha, and he is on a promising path forward.
If Tobirama Senju hadn't instilled strange ideas in him later, that eccentric scientist version of Orochimaru probably wouldn't have appeared.
It's so nice to have a little boy!
"Isn't that Jiraiya?"
Uchiha Nan walked along, he suddenly saw a familiar figure. Jiraiya was also working here, earning money?
Is Jiraiya short of money lately?
"No, he's just providing free labor, trying to alleviate his inner sorrow through work."
Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya with pity in his eyes.
Jiraiya had been engrossed in training in Sage Mode at Myobokuzan, spending all his time with those Toad. Recently, he had just achieved some success in his Tsunade Konoha, intending to impress Tsunade and win her heart.
" Lord Hokage, Jiraiya is heartbroken... no, he wasn't in a relationship at all. Anyway, Lord Hokage, Jiraiya is now a superb worker!"
"Oh~"
Uchiha Nan instantly understood: Jiraiya outwardly flirtatious simp who, while liking Tsunade, also acted like a pervert.
Although these are minor flaws that won't prevent Jiraiya from becoming an excellent ninja in the Jiraiya, they are major taboos in dating. No girl likes a womanizer.
Of course, if you're handsome enough, capable enough, and rich enough, and most importantly, if the girl really likes you, then that's a different story.
You can have multiple relationships at once.
There's nothing wrong with being philanthropic!
Just like Duan Zhengchun, the Prince Duan, he was a womanizer but not promiscuous; he truly fell in love with those girls, his heart splitting into many pieces.
Even with a sword piercing his heart, he's still whispering sweet nothings. If that's not true love, what can be called true love?
Come to think of it, Jiraiya was truly an extremely unsuccessful simp.
Even without her appearance, according to the original storyline, Tsunade only regarded Jiraiya, Jiraiya never as a potential romantic partner.
Otherwise, a random passerby like Dan Katō wouldn't have suddenly appeared and become lovers at a speed that Jiraiya could hardly imagine. If Dan Katō hadn't died young, Tsunade certainly wouldn't have remained single her whole life.
It's unbelievable how proactive a girl can be when she likes someone.
Uchiha Nan also looked at Jiraiya with pity.
"Since Jiraiya a good ox and a good worker, let's make the most of him!"
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Uchiha Nan patted Orochimaru on the shoulder, indicating that Orochimaru should make full use of everyone's labor force and not waste it, as waste is shameful!
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Uchiha Nan returned to the Hokage Building; he still had a lot of things to deal with.
The loyal ministers and generals of the Land of Fire seem to be getting restless lately.