Struck It Rich!

"Hey sis, stop wandering around. They're just a bunch of mudskippers from Kirigakure. Do they even know anything about land warfare? If you ask me, there's no need to call for reinforcements at all!" Ebizo sneered.

Then he received a Byakugan from Chiyo: "I supported you before that Rasa didn't cripple Sunagakure, but don't you think about it? Sunagakure only has a little over three thousand combat-ready ninjas now Kirigakure didn't suffer any substantial losses in the Third Shinobi World War."

"Although the other side isn't good at land warfare, their numbers are at least two or three times yours. Sunagakure can't afford to be weakened right now. And even if we win, do you think that guy from the Land of Rain might take advantage of our misfortune?" Chiyo was somewhat speechless.

Ebizo silent. He lowered his head and sighed, then looked up at the sun in the sky at a 45-degree angle. "God is really unfair," he thought. "Konoha is working hard to improve itself, while Sunagakure is suffering defeat after defeat."

Lin remained silent, but listened attentively to her mother's analysis. She wholeheartedly agreed, acknowledging her mother's thoughtfulness and admiration.

Soon after

Chiyo stopped and looked in the direction of Konoha. She saw two people approaching the village entrance, accompanied by an envoy from Sunagakure.

"Two people? Isn't this a bit too hasty?" Ebizo suddenly looked at his older sister, Chiyo, and said.

Chiyo shook her head. "Have you forgotten Uchiha Kō, Senju Hashirama, Uchiha? If those three come, what's there to fear even if the Mizukage of Kirigakure were resurrected?"

Ebizo scratched his head, and it seemed to make sense. These three had already surpassed the limits of humanity; one of them could easily destroy a country. After all, the fighting strength of Konoha could not be judged by ordinary standards.

Lin stood there wearing the Kazekage Divine Robe, gazing ahead. He looked at the approaching person from afar, his eyes narrowing as if he saw Pakura. Then he rubbed his eyes; the distance was still too great.

It's alright, we'll see clearly in a moment. Anyway, the fact that Konoha sent people means they've sent enough to quell this war.

When Uchiha Izuna and Pakura were brought closer by the messenger, everyone became excited.

Chiyo, in particular, had her eyes shining. This time, they had sent Pakura and Uchiha Izuna —it was a sure thing! Just as Chiyo was about to speak, Uchiha Izuna spoke first, "Lady Chiyo, we have come to aid Sunagakure on the orders of the Hokage, Uchiha Kō. I wonder if Sunagakure's army is ready?"

He stepped in front of his wife, extending his hand to shake Chiyo's first. Only then did Chiyo realize that Pakura was now a ninja of Konoha. Her eyes dimmed slightly, and she opened her mouth, unsure of what to say.

Lin stepped forward and extended his hand to shake hands with Uchiha Izuna. Seeing Lin's Kazekage robes, Uchiha Izuna didn't refuse and shook his hand in return.

"You've come all this way from your village, why don't you come in and rest for a bit?" Lin said with a smile.

"No, pacifying the war is more important." These were the words of Pakura. Her expression was complicated, but her tone was very firm. Ever since her mother-in-law handed her over to Konoha as a bargaining chip, she had been a Konoha ninja for the rest of her life.

Although her husband, Uchiha Izuna, could handle all the negative comments and gossip for her, she was already married to Uchiha Izuna and naturally wouldn't want to cause him any trouble.

Seeing Pakura say this, Uchiha Izuna smiled slightly, took Pakura's hand, Pakura blushed, looked down at her toes, and did not struggle.

Chiyo sighed upon seeing this. She had made her choice, and she would see it through, even if it meant crawling on her knees. "In that case," she said, "I will lead the former Sunagakure Ninja to the front lines to fight alongside you two."

"Mother, no! You are getting on in years and can't afford any mistakes!" Lin hurriedly dissuaded her. "Let me go to the battlefield myself!"

"Nonsense! Lin, you are now the Fourth Kazekage, destined to lead Sunagakure. You are the Sunagakure's leader, how can you act so casually?" Chiyo rebuked angrily. "This matter is settled!"

Seeing Chiyo's determination, Lin couldn't bring himself to say anything, while Ebizo pulled Lin back, telling him to stop talking.

Thus, Sunagakure mobilized a thousand ninjas at the village entrance, under the command of Chiyo, while Uchiha Izuna and Pakura followed alongside Chiyo, heading towards Kirigakure.

This time, they need to pass through Konoha to reach the Land of Bears. Therefore, Uchiha Izuna has a token given to him by Uchiha Kō. He must show the token at each checkpoint in Konoha before he can pass.

The Sunagakure Ninja and Chiyo looked at the plains and residential buildings of Konoha with great envy; the people in the small village had already moved into two-story bungalows.

The Sunagakure is shrouded in yellow sand, food and water are scarce, and the climate limits their development, causing the entire Sunagakure to remain at a backward level compared to the Five Great Nations.

"Konoha is so wonderful," Chiyo exclaimed. "With land and climate like this, there must be plenty of food and water."

Pakura nodded. "Indeed, compared to Sunagakure, Konoha's geographical location is exceptionally advantageous."

Uchiha Izuna replied, "Sunagakure is not bad either. It is rich in mineral resources, especially gold, which is a rare commodity even in the Land of Fire."

Uchiha Izuna's ability to speak significantly elevated the status of Sunagakure.

Chiyo Uchiha Izuna a deep look. "What does money matter when it comes to food and water?"

"Our Lord Hokage has a saying that goes, 'Money isn't everything, but you can't do without it,' so please, Chiyo- sama, stop being so modest." Uchiha Izuna's words were pleasing to the ear.

The ninjas of Sunagakure couldn't help but feel a bit of goodwill towards Uchiha Izuna, while Chiyo, who had experienced all sorts of trials and tribulations, stopped talking and instead observed her surroundings with a complex expression.

Uchiha Izuna also shut up at the opportune moment and continued to advance with the troops, just as the Sunagakure troops passed through the last town.

Uchiha Izuna spoke up, "How about we all go to this town and buy some food and drinks to eat on the way, or to take back and enjoy after the war?"

Chiyo frowned. "Izuna- kun, this is a war, not a game."

She was somewhat dissatisfied. Although Konoha provided manpower and resources and even allowed us passage, this was going too far! Why were you trying to sell us products?

"Hehe, Chiyo, you don't know this, but I felt sorry for everyone because I saw that you were eating only Military Ration Pill and drinking water that had been sitting in your water bottles for who knows how many days." Uchiha Izuna said.

Chiyo suddenly found herself speechless. Under the expectant gazes of the Sunagakure Ninja, she sighed and said, "Go buy whatever you want to eat."

Then they sat down to rest. Just as the Sunagakure Ninja were preparing to move, Uchiha Izuna spoke up, "Konoha welcomes those who come to dine and dash, but if anyone tries to dine and dash, or tries to ruin the friendship between Sunagakure and Konoha, don't blame me for being ruthless."

After saying this Uchiha Izuna drew his Ninja Blade and planted it in the ground. The Sunagakure members immediately tensed up and quickly said, "We will definitely follow the rules, please rest assured, Izuna!"

Uchiha Izuna nodded, then led everyone into the village to buy food and drinks.

"What? A bottle of water is only an ounce? Give me a hundred! No, give me a thousand bottles!" The Sunagakure ninja shouted, looking at the water in his hand.

In their Sunagakure, a bottle of water can cost anywhere from a hundred ryo to over a thousand ryo. But in Konoha, it only costs one ryo!

His voice instantly drew everyone's attention. "That's right, boss, I'll buy a thousand bottles too!" Looking at the crystal-clear water in his companion's hand, they knew it was top-quality water!

The shop owner was stunned; he never expected that such common water would cause these ninja lords to fight over it so fiercely!

"Yes, yes, there are over 100,000 bottles in total. Don't rush, everyone, one at a time~" The boss's face lit up with a smile. The cost price of this water was less than an ounce, but selling it at an ounce was double the price. Usually, only some villagers who had finished their work and were extremely thirsty would buy it. These people were practically his big spenders!

"Hey! Brothers, look what I found! This bread weighs 500g and only costs two taels of silver!" Another Sunagakure Ninja held up a loaf of bread, his eyes gleaming.

Seeing that they were big customers, the shopkeeper said, "Gentlemen, you are all big customers. How about this, I'll give you ten packs of bread. Open them and try them. If you like them, I have plenty more!"

The ninjas' eyes lit up instantly. What had they been eating these past few days? Military Ration Pill, like those wax pills—tasty and nutritious.

The owner of Konoha is so kind; he not only sells them water at a low price, but also bread!

They tore open the bread, took a bite, and were immediately stunned. The quality and taste of this bread were far beyond what they, as ninjas, could afford!

I guess only in Daimyo could you find bread with such a delicate texture and sweet taste!

"How much bread do you have? We'll buy as much as you need!" the ninjas exclaimed. The shopkeeper beamed with delight, replying, "Alright, please wait a moment, sirs, I'll have someone go and get it right away."

Two hours later, Chiyo opened her eyes. What was going on? Where were all my Sunagakure soldiers? Why hadn't they come out yet?

Just as she was lost in thought, more than a thousand soldiers from Sunagakure walked out with smiles on their faces, each carrying a scroll that was full of supplies and food purchased from the store.

"Grandma, are you really not going? There's plenty of good food and drinks there! And the prices are cheap, a bottle of water is only an ounce!" The Sunagakure soldier looked at Chiyo with a smile.

Chiyo was stunned. She looked at Pakura, hoping for an answer. Pakura nodded and told her it was true; water in Konoha was very cheap.

Chiyo took a deep breath and looked at Izuna. "Izuna- sama." Her address had changed from Izuna- kun to Izuna- sama. Uchiha Izuna knew that she wanted to talk business!

"Hehe, I understand what Chiyo is thinking. After this battle, as long as you ask, I'm sure the Lord Hokage will agree," Uchiha Izuna said with a smile.

Chiyo nodded, then ordered them to continue on their way.

6000 words still

Kirigakure, the burial place of Pakura from the original manga.

Stay tuned for the next installment!