Yakitori Meeting (2)

Everyone knew Danzo's words were harsh and cold-blooded, but everyone also knew he was right.

"Then... when do you think... would be the right time... for this war... to end?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked helplessly.

"I think your idea of massing troops in the Land of Rain is still a good one, brother. It's just about... two years too early?" Keiko looked at Mitokado Homura, who enjoyed running projections. He believed Konoha's strategist had surely done the relevant work.

"At most... two and a half years." Mitokado Homura finally finished the skewer of chicken skin that was nearly cold. After thinking back, he gave his answer.

"Then... two and a half years." In the end, his pitiful sense of justice had still lost to reality. As Hokage, just as Keiko had said, he could not gamble with the lives of Konoha's children.

"Also, I have a proposal," Danzo spoke again.

"Move the military exercise from the Earth-Thunder Border to the Land of Rivers, and increase its scale a little—say, three thousand men. Publicly, we'll claim it's ten thousand..."

"Why?" Rasa asked.

"Because there are several secret Hidden Mist Village bases there. They've grown quite large and have repeatedly harassed Konoha's borders. We might as well wipe them out in one stroke while we have the chance!"

Danzo swept his arm out, his voice brimming with killing intent.

Keiko nodded in agreement. Six thousand troops against a few secret Hidden Mist Village bases would be a piece of cake. It was also a perfect opportunity to take the newly reorganized ninja squads and freshly promoted ninja out for a test run. Training the troops and honing their teamwork—only ninja who had seen blood were ninja capable of fighting.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also basically agreed with the proposal, but he had yet to pull himself out of his earlier mood. He merely said flatly, "Danzo, you'll be responsible for organizing this when the time comes," then continued drinking alone.

Keiko looked at Rasa.

"Hand over your current work to Yura first. I'll leave Yashamaru with him. Then you'll be responsible for this military operation. Once it's finished, return to the village with me. I have other arrangements for you."

"Yes." Rasa indicated his compliance.

"Alright. We've discussed about enough, and eaten about enough. How about we move on to the next activity?"

"What would that be?" Hiruzen Sarutobi was already a little drunk.

"How about a few rounds of pai gow?" Keiko asked with a wicked grin.

"Oh! Then... a few rounds?" The two looked at each other and smiled, as though they had found kindred spirits. Everyone broke into laughter. It was as if the weighty matters of war and state they had discussed earlier had merely passed by like a gentle breeze.

Early the next morning, after the newly appointed Rain Shadow, Nengshen Jingang, completed his inauguration ceremony, Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and Wind Shadow Keiko issued a joint peace declaration. They hoped Hidden Stone Village and Hidden Cloud would exercise restraint, cease the war, and avoid further devastation. Both sides agreed that three months later, they would hold a military exercise involving ten thousand men in the Land of Rivers.

To safeguard military security in the Wind-Fire-Rain-Hot Water region. The newly appointed Rain Shadow Nengshen Jingang also voiced his approval and support for the peace declaration and military exercise, immediately declaring that he would send eight hundred troops to bolster its momentum. Thus, the declaration was also known as the Wind-Fire Declaration or the Wind-Fire-Rain Declaration.

This left both Ōnoki and A utterly confused, unable to discern the true intentions of the three Kage. Neither side dared act rashly, and both coincidentally chose to temporarily cease hostilities and wait to see what happened. They also dispatched large numbers of people to gather intelligence. Thus, the Shinobi World fell into a temporary peace, though that peace might not last very long.

Keiko and Hiruzen Sarutobi were both very satisfied with this outcome. They agreed to meet again in the Land of Rivers three months later.

Hiruzen Sarutobi left with his team, but Keiko was in no hurry to depart. Led by Rasa, he toured the factories of the Hourglass Group. He also cordially met with worker representatives and delivered an impassioned speech before the many workers.

"You are the backbone supporting Sunagakure's economy, and you represent the most advanced productive forces and the direction of development. Your hard work and efforts will receive appropriate rewards as well. I, Keiko, promise you this.

Any worker who earns the title of senior technician will enjoy housing, education, and other related benefits in Moon Lake New District. As long as everyone works hard together, we will surely create a better tomorrow!"

The passionate speech drew an enthusiastic response from the workers. One after another, they declared that they would work diligently, produce fewer defective goods, and contribute to the construction of the Hourglass Group.

After feeding them that inspirational drivel, Keiko gathered the group's upper management for a meeting in the conference room.

"This visit of mine is partly to pay respects to Hanzo of the Salamander, and partly to announce two resolutions concerning the Hourglass Group." Keiko calmly swept his gaze around the room before finally settling it on Rasa and Yura. Seeing that everyone was listening attentively, Keiko continued.

"The first concerns personnel appointments. Minister Chiyo, who heads both the village's Intelligence Department and ANBU, has repeatedly informed me that she is advanced in years and lacks the energy to continue holding such an important position. Following discussion by the Hearing Committee, it has been decided that Rasa will return to the village and assume the post of Minister of the Intelligence Department.

ANBU's functions overlap significantly with those of the Intelligence Department, so it will be abolished. Some of its personnel will be incorporated into the Intelligence Department, while the rest will be reorganized into the Action Division, directly under the Intelligence Department. Akasuna Guimu will serve as its director. As for the Hourglass Group..." Keiko pointed at Yura.

"Yura will serve as general manager, and Yashamaru as deputy general manager."

Rasa, Yura, and Yashamaru immediately rose to their feet. "We accept the village's arrangements."

Rasa looked awkwardly at Keiko, then glanced at Karura. Keiko understood at once and added, "Karura will also be transferred back to the village to serve in the Intelligence Department. Her specific position... hmm... will be decided later." Karura's face reddened, and she secretly pinched Rasa's thigh beneath the table. Rasa's expression did not change as he calmly sat back down.

Keiko saw it all and merely smiled faintly before continuing.

"There is one more matter. Yura, it will mainly be entrusted to you. Oh, right, and Yashamaru as well." Keiko paused to take a sip of tea.

"Rasa and Yashamaru both participated in my talks with the Third Hokage. You should know that this war has entered its final stage. It will end in no more than two and a half years."

Yura's expression changed when he heard that. "If there's no more war, the business of the ninja tool factory and canned food factory will inevitably be hit hard."

"I'm afraid so. Large orders may no longer come in after this," Keiko said with a nod.

"Then..." Yura looked at Keiko. For the moment, he could not think of a better solution.

Keiko did not keep them in suspense. "That is why we must change our current sales model."

Yura and Yashamaru both pulled out little notebooks and began taking notes like schoolchildren.

"Over the next two years, you have one task: establish stores throughout every country and shift from wholesale to retail. Heh, if the mountain will not come to me, then I will go to the mountain."

Yura and the others' eyes lit up. Keiko continued confidently.

"Konoha has a trade agreement with us, so opening stores there won't be a problem. As for Hidden Stone Village and Hidden Cloud, we can gradually negotiate through diplomatic channels. You had fairly good relations with merchant caravans from both countries before, didn't you?"

Rasa took over.

"Mr. Shibuya from Hidden Cloud and Mr. Hattori from Hidden Stone Village both have good relations with us. They also have influence among the upper echelons of their respective countries."

"Mm, very good. That way, we will have basically secured the three great countries of Earth, Thunder, and Fire. As for Hidden Mist Village... sigh, let's set that aside for now."

"My lord, I have something to ask. Everything else is manageable, but we currently lack people with business expertise. Since we are going to establish so many stores, where will we find people to run them?" Yashamaru asked.

"Good question!" Keiko nodded appreciatively.

"The technical schools in the village and Moon Lake New District established business departments half a year ago to train commercial talent. But those children are still too inexperienced and need practical training. We will first open stores in our own village and Konoha, and let the children intern at those two locations. We can cultivate them from there. Also, if I remember correctly, the Hourglass Group has a sales department and a reception office, doesn't it?"

"Yes, but they are not large in scale," Yura replied.

"It doesn't matter if they are small. Select a group of capable, quick-witted people and send them to Moon Lake New District Technical School for training first. Once the framework is in place, the flesh will gradually fill out."

"Yes, I'll make the arrangements immediately." Yura was already utterly impressed.

"Alright, that settles the work matters. Rasa, take some people back first. Coordinate with Granny Chiyo to hand over the Intelligence Department's work."

"Yes. And what about you, my lord?" Rasa asked.

"Me?" Keiko smiled.

"I'm going to pay a visit to an old senior of the Shinobi World."