Treasure Land

Clinking glasses and clattering dishes.

Hoshino Maki took the opportunity of the banquet to check the pulse of the Akatsuki members, but the results were disappointing.

Although the Akatsuki members had poor living conditions, they were all strong and healthy, with only minor ailments that were either treatable or not. Hoshino Maki had lost big on this meal.

He cast a dissatisfied glance at Nagato. You kid, with your delicate appearance, how do you expect to achieve world peace in the future if you don't have any problems?

Nagato, sensitive as he was, felt Hoshino Maki's gaze and shivered, quickly shifting his cushion closer to Yahiko.

Hoshino Maki shook his head. It makes sense. This time, they're going to the Hidden Rain Village to seek medical treatment with Konan, so the members must be elites. Those who are truly ill wouldn't come.

Konan sat quietly in a corner, watching Yahiko laugh heartily, occasionally showing a knowing smile. When her gaze shifted to Hoshino Maki beside her, it became complicated.

She couldn't remember when she started to realize that the scars on her body were unsightly and began to wear robes to conceal them, regardless of the season.

But as a woman, she also longed to wear a floral white dress in the summer and go to the Riverside to feel the breeze with Yahiko.

Of course, for Yahiko and the dream of Akatsuki, personal emotions were too insignificant. But everyone needed a little daydream, didn't they?

Konan touched her forearm through her sleeve, feeling as if the scene from her dream had drawn a little closer.

A maiden's heart matures faster than boys her age, and she had heard some things from the village aunties.

Men couldn't control themselves.

That person was just a man who said one thing and meant another.

Wait, why am I thinking about this?!

Konan pressed her icy hands to her flushed cheeks, a sense of inexplicable guilt swirling in her mind.

"Konan, what's wrong?"

Yahiko asked curiously, swallowing a mouthful of grilled meat.

"N-nothing."

Seeing everyone's eyes on her, Konan forced a smile.

After the meal, the Akatsuki members politely declined Hoshino Maki's invitation to stay.

They had a place to stay in the Hidden Rain Village, and they knew the vast difference in their statuses. Saving Konan was already a tremendous kindness, so they couldn't possibly accept an invitation to stay.

Yahiko had initially thought of letting the recently recovered Konan stay there and picking her up the next day, but Konan was adamant about leaving with everyone, so he didn't insist further.

Deep within the Mountain Graveyard, a wall inexplicably bulged, and a white, humanoid figure emerged halfway. "Nagato had contact with someone from the Hidden Sand Village today."

An old man with tubes sticking out of his back, dressed in simple clothes, sat on a chair made of wood. To his left lay a long scythe.

He was emaciated and looked ancient, but his spirit seemed quite good.

"Anything special?"

"That officer from the Hidden Sand Village was very concerned about the Akatsuki members."

"Did he notice Nagato's Rinnegan?"

"Probably not. He didn't show any particular concern for Nagato, but rather more for Yahiko and Konan."

Uchiha Madara nodded. "Continue to monitor them. The Hidden Sand Village can't stir up any trouble."

After a pause to adjust his breathing, he continued, "Focus on the Uchiha. Any good targets?"

White Zetsu revealed a mysterious smile. "There is indeed. A child who just passed the Genin exam."

"Oh? Is there anything special about him?"

"Nothing special. His ninjutsu and taijutsu are barely decent, and he's a bit clumsy. However... he has the heart of a Hokage, a pure heart."

"Hokage."

Uchiha Madara murmured the word twice, then suddenly burst into unrestrained laughter, his voice echoing in the empty Mountain Graveyard for a long time.

The negotiations proceeded as usual. After three more days, the Cloud Ninja finally chose to compromise.

A received news from the rear: a secret message from a spy in the Hidden Stone Village indicated that the Stone Ninja were gathering troops and seemed to be making a move.

The Hidden Cloud Village, constantly facing probing from the Hidden Stone Village and Konoha, was already on edge. Ōnoki's sudden actions made them realize that the negotiations could not be dragged out any longer.

"We hope to complete the handover within three days."

A's face was terrifyingly grim.

He had traveled far and wide, and even rested his legs on the Eight-Tails, but this was the first time he had suffered such a humiliating loss.

The defeat was dealt by Pashira, the negotiation was agreed to by his father, and the village elders told him to make concessions, but why was he the one signing this disgraceful agreement?

Is this how things are done?

This is bullying an honest person!

In the ninja world, agreements were just scraps of paper. As long as your fist wasn't bigger than mine, I could tear it up whenever I wanted. The Cloud Ninja had done this sort of thing before.

But now, the Cloud Ninja desperately hoped that the other party would be honest and trustworthy, and wouldn't learn from them.

Of course, the Sand Ninja didn't need to learn, because they weren't much better than the Cloud Ninja. They simply lacked the strength and had no right to tear up agreements between the Great Nations.

Another reason the Cloud Ninja were eager to complete the exchange as soon as possible was the increasing cost of living for the prisoners.

A held the daily living expenses table for the prisoners provided by Hoshino Maki, and his face was so angry he was about to twist.

Abalone and lobster at every meal, plus shiatsu massage, 24-hour air conditioning, nearly 100,000 a day. Even the Daimyo wasn't this extravagant!

Didn't Sunagakure claim to be short on food? Were they really starving themselves to feed the Cloud Ninja?

He didn't believe the Sand Ninja would be so selfless. Without a doubt, this person in front of him was trying to bleed him dry again. If this continued, he genuinely feared his Blood Essence would surge and he'd disregard the bigger picture and slap the other person to death.

After the Cloud Ninja conceded, both sides finalized all the details that afternoon. A ignored Hoshino Maki's outstretched hand, slammed the conference room door shut in a huff, and left. Dodai even had to bid farewell to Hanzo on his behalf.

The Cloud Ninja一行 left the Land of Rain. Everyone knew A was in a bad mood and kept their distance, afraid of becoming his punching bag.

Only Killer B, shaking his head and humming a rap too advanced for normal humans, walked rhythmically to A's side.

"Hey, Big Brother, is that person named Hoshino Maki making you unhappy?"

A was long accustomed to his brother's unconventional ways. He shook his head and said calmly, "I'm not unhappy. I'm worried that the appearance of such a person in Sunagakure will threaten Kumogakure's plans."

"Him? But Gyuki told me he was very weak."

A was patient with his brother. "Sunagakure lacks many things, but what it lacks most are intelligent people. Hoshino Maki is intelligent, and his strength isn't as weak as you think, otherwise, he wouldn't have captured so many of us."

"Hey, Gyuki, did you hear that? You didn't lie to me, did you?"

Killer B conversed with the Eight-Tails within him. The Eight-Tails angrily thrashed its tail. "Why would I lie to you? That guy's Chakra is indeed very weak!"

Killer B scratched his head, looking a bit confused.

His CPU was fried.

Meanwhile, a young man wearing a straw hat passed the Leaf Ninja's inspection and entered Konoha Village with his luggage. He looked up at the distant Rock Face and said with a smile, "What a Treasure Land."

Thanks to @逝去的浮云 for the monthly ticket!