Entering the Game
"It's alright."
Ren turned around and looked at the somewhat nervous leader of the Hidden Sand Village with a smile.
"Hokage, are you interested in the Ancient Kingdom of Roran? I happen to know something about it; perhaps I could give you a proper introduction?"
The leader of the Sunagakure, who didn't even deserve a name, was clearly a man of principle. Instead of getting straight to Gate of Opening point, he chatted with Ren.
"Then, thank you for your trouble!"
Ren readily accepted, Hidden Sand Village didn't mention it, Ren naturally wouldn't rush to invite Sunagakure to join.
After the decline of the Ancient Kingdom of Roran, its legacy was taken over by the Land of Wind. Although Sunagakure did not have a good relationship with the Daimyo, it still knew much more about the village than Konoha.
A real country cannot be clearly described in just a few strokes in the original work.
The leader of Hidden Sand Village did most of the talking, with Ren only occasionally asking one or two questions.
And so, Ren listened to stories for almost the entire morning and toured the Ancient Kingdom of Roran once again.
When the sun was high in the sky and it was time for dinner, Ren extended an invitation.
"Sir, would you mind having a meal with me? Firstly, as a way of expressing my gratitude, and secondly, I would like to ask you a few more questions."
The Hidden Sand Village leader, who hadn't gotten down to business all morning, naturally wouldn't refuse.
And so, led by Ren, they arrived at the living room of the one-bedroom apartment.
When traveling, one naturally won't eat a lavish meal, but it's a rare treat to have some hot food, especially since the supplies were purchased in the Land of Wind.
It was an exotic flavor for Ren, but for the leader of Hidden Sand Village, it was the taste of home.
The two of them seemed to enjoy their meal immensely.
After the meal.
Ren personally brewed a pot of tea. Indeed, Ren had mastered this essential skill for important figures.
Even if he wasn't that great, he was at least no Hiashi than Fugaku.
The two sipped their tea and continued their conversation from the morning, discussing matters related to Rōran.
After finishing the pot of tea, Ren picked up the last cup in front of him and spoke.
"Thank you for your help today, sir. Let me see you off!"
He offered to deliver it, but Ren just held his teacup without touching it, his meaning clear: be sensible and leave on your own.
The Hidden Sand Village leader understood, but because of this, he became anxious.
Just by telling some stories that had nothing to do with Hidden Sand Village, I was able to have lunch with the Hokage of Konoha and drink tea personally brewed by him. It seemed like a worthwhile opportunity.
But that wasn't the Hidden Sand Village leader's purpose. He didn't want to tell stories, nor did he need a meal or a cup of tea.
Even though Ren's status is what it is, he should feel honored? Not at all!
He's Hidden Sand Village, not Konoha Ninja, and Ren isn't Rasa, so what honor could he possibly feel?
Everyone knew that as the leader of the Hidden Sand Village, he hadn't come to see the Hokage of Konoha to tell stories or have a meal and tea.
Ren never mentioned anything else, only talking about the deeds of the Ancient Kingdom of Roran.
At this point, the leader of Hidden Sand Village had no choice but to bite the bullet and reveal his true purpose.
"Hokage, would it be possible to allow the ninjas of Hidden Sand Village to also receive the baptism of the Dragon Vein's power?"
Regardless of what Konoha is doing, as long as their own people go up and experience it for themselves, even if they still can't replicate Konoha's methods, at least they'll understand the purpose of those pods.
After the Hidden Sand Village leader finished speaking, he looked at Ren with some nervousness.
"Hmm~"
Ren pondered for a moment, then put down his teacup, his brow furrowing slightly.
In that instant, the Hidden Sand Village leader broke out in a cold sweat, because Ren's aura had changed, like a sleeping lion opening its eyes.
This made the Hidden Sand Village leader, whose intuition was extraordinary, feel as if a giant mountain was about to crush him from above, and he was about to die without a burial place.
"Both Konoha and Hidden Sand Village are regular members of the Shinobi Alliance, so you shouldn't refuse. But can a mere team leader like you make this decision? Call Rasa over to talk to me!"
Ren continued to speak with a gentle smile, but the Hidden Sand Village leader didn't see it that way.
There is great terror here and now!
He wanted to escape immediately, tell the village everything, and let Rasa make a judgment.
But if that's the case, what use is he as a team leader?
Does the village have to rely on Rasa for everything? For Hidden Sand Village and for my own future, I'll give it my all!
"Hokage, Hidden Sand Village does not require the large-scale acceptance of Dragon Vein power like Konoha; only one or two slots are needed!"
After uttering those words with great determination, the Hidden Sand Village leader seemed to have lost all his strength and his figure became somewhat timid.
Seeing that the Hidden Sand Village leader could still speak clearly despite his deliberate targeting, Ren complained that aura was unreliable.
I guess only fresh graduates would be so scared they couldn't speak. Every mature ninja can overcome their inner fear.
Ren thought to himself, "I will no longer target the ninjas of Hidden Sand Village."
You Hidden Sand Village delivered yourselves to our doorstep; I can't drive you away even if I wanted to!
"If it's just one or two people, then it's not a big problem."
Not only had they achieved their goal, but also because they no longer felt that overwhelming pressure, the Hidden Sand Village leader breathed a huge sigh of relief and immediately spoke.
"Thank you, Hokage!"
As he bowed deeply, the Hidden Sand Village leader thought to himself, "The Lord Hokage of Konoha is far less strict than Lord Rasa in normal times."
"You're welcome!"
Ren put on his classic smile again and then said.
"Now let's talk about the price!"