Deal

Ren looked at Rasa's appearance, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Kazekage Fengying, if you've been threatened, please say so. I still prefer your former arrogant self.

The kind-hearted Lord Hokage, unable to bear seeing human suffering, replied with a somewhat serious expression.

"No problem, how many can Hidden Sand Village send out?"

"I wonder if it's acceptable to base it on weight?"

Rasa, with his outrageous demands, quoted a price for a second fracture after the first one was broken—a compromise, really.

After hearing Rasa's words, Ren didn't speak, but gave Rasa a look that let him understand on his own.

Lord Kazekage has long since lost all sense of shame due to the daily persecution he suffers in the village.

However, in front of outsiders, she still wanted to regain her lost face, and communicating with Ren in a humble manner was Rasa's last line of defense.

Faced with Ren's look of utter disbelief, the Lord Kazekage couldn't hold back any longer.

She wanted to laugh to ease the awkwardness, but years of facial paralysis had made Rasa forget how to laugh.

The last time Rasa laughed was when he learned that Karura was pregnant with her third child; more than ten years had passed since then. Rasa has never laughed again.

With a smirk playing on his lips, Rasa spoke again, giving off a smug look.

"Hokage, Sunagakure is willing to provide protection, lodging, and other necessities for all Konoha Ninja who come to the Ancient Kingdom of Roran."

Ren nodded. From the solemnity in Rasa's tone, Ren understood that this protection was genuine, not surveillance disguised as protection, just like this time.

However, Ren wouldn't be interested in such things; food, drinks, and a tent only cost a few dollars.

But at least Hidden Sand Village showed the sincerity that was due, so Ren patiently listened on.

"In addition, Hidden Sand Village is willing to give up six resource points in the Land of Earth that it has already occupied. No matter which one, as long as Konoha takes a liking to it, Hidden Sand Village will give it to Konoha unconditionally!"

Rasa revealed the truly valuable information: Sunagakure's bottom line was actually eight, but Rasa wouldn't reveal it all at once.

Ren was somewhat surprised after hearing Rasa's words.

Sunagakure, being so generous this time?

Although Ren doesn't think much of these things, he is, after all, the Hokage of Konoha, while Rasa, though also the Kazekage, is fundamentally different.

When you have ten million, seeing sixty thousand is different from seeing sixty thousand when you have one hundred thousand.

For Konoha, which possesses advanced productivity, all the resource points in the Land of Earth are merely icing on the cake; they are not without value, but they are not of much value either.

However, the situation is different for Sunagakure. As the ninja village that is most concerned about the Land of Earth's actions among the Shinobi Alliance, everyone is well aware of Hidden Sand Village's thirst for resources.

Although just one resource point in the Land of Earth could expand Sunagakure several times over, given the current low overall productivity in the Shinobi World, it would be worry-free for a hundred years.

This illustrates the difference in size between a country and a village.

The Sunagakure's desire to convert ninjas has transcended a simple need; it has become an almost desperate urge to achieve their goal.

The reason it wasn't truly reckless was that Rasa still retained his rationality and didn't intend to resort to underhanded tactics.

Then let me see just how far your Sunagakure is willing to go!

A tentative thought arose in Ren's mind, but he smiled and shook his head.

"Not enough!"

Before Rasa could speak again, Ren continued.

"There are at least nine resource points; Konoha can choose any of them."

Ren only left Hidden Sand Village with one last safety net, wanting to see Hidden Sand Village reaction.

Looking at Ren's seemingly unquestionable expression, Rasa thought to himself that Konoha was ruthless, but his desire to achieve his goal became even more urgent.

The village's bottom line is eight resource points; just one more strike and we can achieve our goal.

The reason Hidden Sand Village was so eager to transfer Konoha's technology was that after discovering that Hidden Sand Village possessed Sage Mode -related technology, Konoha had already given up hope of developing it independently.

Today, Sunagakure has no contractors from the Three Great Sage Lands.

The only breakthrough lies with the few who have already been converted, but the difficulty of this is unimaginable. Hidden Sand Village is confident that they will eventually find a way, but that will take a very long time.

If you fall behind at one step, you'll fall behind at every step, and if you fall behind, you'll be vulnerable to attack.

Hidden Sand Village had a deep understanding of this: if resources ran out, you could always earn them, steal them, or rob them.

Once you have power, everything else will come to you.

There may be fools among the ninjas of Hidden Sand Village, but the Sunagakure as a collective is by no means stupid; it can see the true nature behind everything.

With power, you have everything!

To gain power, one can give up many things.

Money, resources, face...

It was so insignificant.

The goal was within reach, just one shot away.

Rasa was torn between trepidation, excitement, and calmness, but his face remained impassive as he spoke calmly.

"Hokage, nine resource points are too many. How about seven?"

"Kazekage, do you think I'm talking business with you?"

Ren asked indifferently, but as soon as he finished speaking, Ren finally saw the change in Rasa's emotions, and a bright smile instantly bloomed on his face again.

"However, since Hidden Sand Village is being so sincere, Konoha can't remain silent. Eight resource points—that's the bottom line!"

Despite the massive financial losses suffered by Sunagakure, Rasa saw a glimmer of light in Ren's smiling face as he looked at him again.

No longer with a stiff, crooked mouth, Rasa's lips naturally curled up unconsciously as he spoke very solemnly and quickly.

"Make a deal!"