Trade Negotiations

On the way back, Uchiha Kō and Chiyo discussed the details of the border trade, including the specific goods, quantities, and prices to be traded.

The Sunagakure lacks clean water the most, and water is the source of life. If they can make a deal with Konoha and obtain enough clean and cheap water, then Sunagakure will have solved a major problem.

However, Uchiha Kō emphasized that the initiative was in Konoha's hands, and that Konoha had the right to close the trade market should a conflict occur.

Even if Chiyo was dissatisfied with this, there was nothing she could do. The resources were in Konoha's hands, and whoever had the resources was the boss.

"We'll leave everything to Konoha's decision, but what's the price and quantity?" Chiyo asked, seizing the opportunity.

Uchiha Kō smiled. "It will definitely be cheaper than your village's. As for the exact price, I'll need to go back and hold a meeting before I can decide, since it involves the overall interests of Konoha."

Chiyo remained silent, then finally nodded. When they arrived near Mt. Kikyo, the two teams parted ways, agreeing to sign a contract together there a week later.

Konoha

Uchiha Kō stretched. "You two did a good job. Izuna got a sword, and Pakura adapted to the Four-Tails' Chakra and techniques. You've worked hard."

The two exchanged a glance, then cupped their hands in thanks. "We dare not take credit. If it weren't for the Lord Hokage's intervention, we don't know how long this stalemate would have lasted."

"We're all on the same side, no need for formalities. You two have worked hard, please go back and rest," Uchiha Kō said with a smile.

Uchiha Izuna had no objections, but Pakura hesitated, looking at Uchiha Kō. Uchiha Kō understood her meaning and smiled, saying, "Regarding the opening of the trade, I will provide Sunagakure with fair and impartial terms regarding quantity and price."

Pakura breathed a sigh of relief, then held hands with Uchiha Izuna and walked towards the Uchiha Clan Compound. Uchiha Kō suppressed his smile; there was no way around it, even though Pakura had become Konoha resident, she would still unconsciously care about Sunagakure.

After all, that was the place where she was born and raised, which could also be called her maternal home. Naturally, Uchiha Kō wouldn't let her not help her maternal home at all, so he could only sigh.

Upon returning to the village, after Uchiha Izuna and Pakura had left, Hatake Sakumo appeared beside Uchiha Kō, awaiting instructions. "Sakumo, go and inform Lu Ming to wait for me in the Hokage Office. I have something important to discuss with him later."

Hatake Sakumo nodded and replied, "Understood, Lord Hokage!" After saying that, his figure disappeared in an instant. Uchiha Kō looked up at the Hokage Building not far away. The building had been renovated and gradually transformed from its original unique Hokage -style architecture into the Konoha Administrative Building.

The Hokage Building has six floors, and Uchiha Kō's Hokage Office is on the fifth floor at the far east end. This avoids the noise and temperature control issues on the top floor while also demonstrating his authority.

When Uchiha Kō was not around, Nara Rokumei would work in the easternmost building in Uchiha Kō's place. When Uchiha Kō was around, Nara Rokumei would fulfill the duties of a secretary, staying close to Uchiha Kō's side.

Soon

Uchiha Kō entered the administration building. The Anbu Ninja standing guard at the entrance bowed to him in respect. Uchiha Kō nodded and went inside, slowly walking up the stairs to the fifth floor.

Then he walked towards his Hokage Office to the east, where Nara Rokumei was working. Hearing his footsteps, Shikanaru tidied up his work, then stood up at the door, ready to welcome the Lord Hokage back and prepare for their discussion.

Uchiha Kō walked to the door and saw this scene, and couldn't help but chuckle, thinking, "Lu Ming is getting more and more well-behaved."

"Lord Hokage, welcome back." Nara Rokumei bowed slightly. Uchiha Kō smiled and said, "No need for formalities. We're so close, I've told you countless times. Don't worry about these formalities."

Nara Rokumei smiled slightly, "Propriety cannot be disregarded." Uchiha Kō, sitting at his workstation, smiled and pointed at Nara Rokumei, "You, you."

"By the way, the battle with Kirigakure this time didn't have any major problems. It's just that Sunagakure, having witnessed Konoha's abundant resources, wants to open trade with Konoha."

"Sunagakure lacks water and food, so Lu Ming, what do you think is a suitable price?" Uchiha Kō flipped through the official documents that Lu Ming had just completed and began to read.

Nara Rokumei frowned, then lowered his head in thought. The Lord Hokage meant that Sunagakure had seen the prices of Konoha's supplies, but he felt they were a bit low and wanted to raise them.

However, these words cannot be spoken by Uchiha Kō; Nara Rokumei must consider them and offer a suitable price.

Nara Rokumei slowly began, "Currently, a bottle of water costs 1 ryo in the Land of Fire. If we open the trade market, I suggest setting the price at 2 ryo, and doubling the price of food as well."

"Even so, it's still many times cheaper than the prices inside Sunagakure, while our profit can reach 3 to 4 times. This way, it won't hurt the relationship between the two families, and it won't look too bad."

Uchiha Kō nodded. "Yes, that's settled then. I'll leave this to you, Lu Ming." With that, Uchiha Kō stood up and patted Nara Rokumei on the shoulder.

Then he strolled leisurely out of the Hokage Office. See? Having a powerful external brain saves so much trouble!

Nara Rokumei sighed. If only Sunagakure hadn't experienced the prices in the Land of Fire, Sunagakure would have been thronged with people buying a bottle of water for 50 ryo.

He used to keep track of the prices of supplies in Sunagakure; a bottle of water could sell for 100 ryo!

It must be said that Lu Ming knows a lot and has a wide range of knowledge. He is not only familiar with Sunagakure, but also with Kirigakure, Kumogakure and even Iwagakure.

He knew that sooner or later, the battles between nations would shift from military force to economic warfare.

Therefore, Nara Rokumei made plans early on, so that when that day came, he and Konoha would not be caught off guard.

He just hadn't expected this day to come so soon! After Uchiha Kō left, Nara Rokumei began to think alone about the pricing, quantity, and other items in the trade market besides water and food.

Uchiha Kō returned home and, upon seeing Tsunade, immediately rushed forward and embraced her.

"My dear wife, I miss you so much!" Uchiha Kō pouted and kissed Tsunade to cheek like a silly goose.

This amused Tsunade. "You rascal, you've only been gone a day, and you're already so clingy!"

"A day apart feels like three autumns, hehe." Uchiha Kō didn't find it cloying or embarrassing at all.

Tsunade touched his face and pinched it. "You're so sweet-talking!"

Uchiha Kō grinned foolishly, occasionally Tsunade on the cheek. "Sigh, pregnancy is awful! There are so many things I can't do."

Uchiha Kō sighed inwardly.

Sunagakure

Chiyo returned to the village with the Sunagakure ninja forces, where Kazekage Rin and Elder Ebizo were already waiting at the village entrance.

Accompanying them were the heads of various clans. After Chiyo approached, Kazekage Rin stepped forward and said, "Mother, you must be tired from your long journey."

Chiyo shook her head. "This time, Sunagakure barely had to lift a finger; Konoha handled it for us."

Kazekage Rin was taken aback, then smiled. "In that case, what should we do to thank Konoha?" He glanced at the ninjas behind Chiyo; they had suffered almost no losses.

Chiyo glanced at her. What was there to thank? Pakura had already given up Konoha! But she still had to put on an act.

"I suggest that Lord Kazekage write them a letter of thanks to express his gratitude and propose a lasting alliance with Konoha!" Ebizo smiled.

To everyone's surprise, both Kazekage and Chiyo gave him strange looks. Finally, Kazekage laughed and said, "That's only right, that's only right! How about we have Ebizo write it for us?"

Chiyo gritted her teeth. Could she still keep her younger brother? Was he from Konoha or Sunagakure?

Ebizo didn't seem to mind, and simply nodded, "I will!" The clan ninja couldn't help but sigh. If Ebizo weren't Chiyo Chiyo's younger brother, his political acumen would be... wow.

While Ebizo certainly performed well on the battlefield, demonstrating skillful command and numerous strategic ideas, his political acumen was far from adequate.

Lin organized an army to enter the village and encouraged and comforted the ninjas. The clan leaders couldn't help but nod in approval, thinking, "Lin is an excellent kid."

After finishing her business with the ninja squad, Chiyo called her son and younger brother over.

"Did you know that Pakura is now the Four-Tails Jinchūriki of Konoha?" Chiyo's voice was low and hoarse.

Ebizo stared wide-eyed, his face filled with disbelief. Lin, though somewhat taken aback, quickly regained his composure.

"So, Mother means..." Lin narrowed his eyes, a hint of interest stirring within him.

The Four-Tails Jinchūriki! There are only nine such beings in the entire Ninja World, each of whom could be considered a village's trump card, a nuclear weapon-like existence!

If we can bring Pakura back, Sunagakure will suddenly have a stronger foundation!

Chiyo shook her head with a complicated expression. "Don't think about those unrealistic things. We already sent Pakura away for a political marriage, and now she's the Four-Tails Jinchūriki of Konoha. You can't bring her back whether you take her or not."

"Even if we can bring him back, who will stop Uchiha Kō when he gets angry?" Chiyo sighed.

Lin was stunned for a moment, then sighed. In the end, it was simply a matter of being outmatched in strength. What else could he do but bear it?

"However, my son, don't be discouraged. There's also good news: Konoha is willing to trade with Sunagakure, which will solve the problems of water and food scarcity." Chiyo smiled as she said this.

"That's great, Mother!" Lin laughed. Although they couldn't bring back the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, if the water and food problems could be solved, Sunagakure could grow its population, and the population lost in this battle could be replenished.

Ebizo nodded in agreement; as Sunagakure, he was also very excited about the news.

Chiyo said, "Don't be too happy yet. Although Uchiha Kō agreed to the trade, the price hasn't been set yet." Her words immediately brought the two back to reality.