Chapter 208 Rebuilding Land of Whirlpool
Starting from East Harbor, you can go all the way to Konoha along the flat post road. There are many roads and complete infrastructure. From this point, you can see how wealthy Land of Fire is.
When the group of people crossed Konohagakure's Central Avenue, Shikaku led Sōji in the direction of Hokage Building, but Sōji's footsteps slowed down when passing Konoha Ninja Academy.
On the school playground, a group of seven or eight-year-old children were practicing basic Kunai throwing. A Konoha Chunin was standing by the target wall correcting their gestures one by one.
"Konoha's Genin training has been planned since the school entrance age."
Shikaku followed Sōji's gaze, with a hint of just the right amount of pride in his tone.
"These children may be Chunin Ninja Exams players in a few years. Of course, in more than ten years, they may also be people sitting at the negotiating table."
"Ninja Academy of Hidden Mist is also expanding its enrollment."
At this time, Sōji also withdrew his gaze, changed the subject, and struck a new topic in a light but precise tone, "In addition to the regular courses, Sealing Technique will also be offered elective courses next year."
"Karin's Sealing Technique studied under Qing, and can already independently complete the seal transformation Taijutsu. When she reaches Jonin's qualifications, these skills will need to be passed on to the next batch of students."
Hearing this, an imperceptible fluctuation flashed in Shikaku's eyes.
It's not that he didn't realize that the core purpose of Sōji's words was not to introduce Hidden Mist's education reform, but to throw out the introduction of Land of Whirlpool Sealing Technique.
The signature of the Uzumaki Clan is all kinds of weird Sealing Technique.
Karin is Uzumaki Clan, who studied under Qing, and Qing's Sealing Technique originated from the Land of Whirlpool's demise that year, and Hidden Mist took the opportunity to harvest a large number of Sealing Technique secrets.
From the moment Land of Whirlpool broke off, this line of inheritance of the Uzumaki Clan has been a legacy of history that Konoha cannot speak of and cannot swallow.
Back then Land of Whirlpool and you Land of Fire were wearing the same pair of pants, but now they are gone. As the original big brother, you don't want to help people rebuild their homes?
However, Sōji did not mention this aspect directly. When talking to smart people, you don't need to explain some things too clearly.
In this regard, Shikaku did not answer, and he could not answer it.
Immediately, Shikaku responded in a calm tone, "Sealing Technique's talent training is indeed not easy. It is a good thing that Hidden Mist can work hard in this area!"
This is Shikaku Nara's style. Faced with a shrewd temptation, he will not accept it without preparation.
Kakashi tilted his head and glanced at Sōji, a thoughtful light flashed in the exposed eye.
Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma looked at each other for a moment, then looked away. Kai whispered to Mangetsu from behind, "Your captain talks as little as you, but every sentence is scary!"
Mangetsu ignored it expressionlessly.
The reception banquet will be held in the reception room on the second floor of Hokage Building.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi attended in person, accompanied by many key members of Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura and Konoha Jonin Commander.
The dishes at the banquet obviously took a lot of thought, and were mainly Land of Fire's mountain delicacies.
But there are also a few seafood dishes that are obviously adapted to the taste of Land of Water. Even the utensils used to display the dishes are celadon shallow bowls close to the Land of Water style.
Three generations were sitting at the main table, smoking pipes, and there was no hint of politicians' calculations on their kind-hearted faces, only the kindness of an old man to the guests who came from afar.
He first asked a few questions about the current situation between Sōji and Tsunade, and then expressed his admiration for the progress of Karin and Sealing Technique.
Finally, he even specifically asked about Yingying's age. When he heard that he was only twelve years old, the old man shook his head repeatedly and lamented that life is a scary life.
In response to this, Sōji responded one by one, with thorough courtesy, but always maintained a just right sense of distance.
At the end of the meal, when the desserts were served, Sandai finally got to the point.
"Captain Sōji, regarding the matter of uniting with Chunin Ninja Exams, Shikaku should have mentioned the preliminary plan to you on the way."
As he spoke, Sandai placed his pipe next to the ashtray and folded his hands on the table, "Konoha's idea is that each of the three parties will send the best Genin to compete under fair rules."
"Konoha has prepared a draft for the specific plan for the exam, and a formal three-party discussion will be held tomorrow morning in Hokage Building's conference room."
"Sunagakure's representative Baki Jonin will arrive next week, and we can make a final plan then."
"Sunagakure's representative won't arrive until next week, but the formal discussion will take place tomorrow. Does it mean that Konoha encountered some obstacles when communicating with Sunagakure about the exam plan?" Sōji clicked lightly.
Hearing this, Sandai's smile remained unchanged, but his movement of picking up the tea cup was half a beat slower.
At this time, Shikaku took over the conversation at the right time, "Sunagakure has some different views on the venue arrangements for the knockout round of Miwa, but the two sides are already negotiating, so the problem is not big."
"That's just right!"
As he said that, Sōji put down his chopsticks and said in a calm tone that made everyone at the table prick up their ears, "Hidden Mist also has his own ideas about the arrangements for the first and second round of examinations."
"It's better to communicate Hidden Mist's demands to Konoha before the Sunagakure representative arrives. When Baki Jonin arrives, the three parties can directly come up with a plan acceptable to all parties, which will be more efficient."
"This is a pragmatic suggestion." Mitokado Homura nodded.
Sōji continued, "Hidden Mist suggested that our village should host the first round of written examinations.
"Hidden Mist happens to have a group of ANBU members who have just completed clerical training. There is no pressure at all in invigilating the exam, and Hidden Mist's confidentiality measures can also ensure that the exam questions will not be leaked."
"In the Miwa exam, the first round was originally the most valuable, but combined with the first round of Chunin Ninja Exams...
"It is also the best stage for the three villages to showcase their respective Genin comprehensive qualities, not just combat capabilities, but also intelligence analysis, tactical planning and teamwork."
In response, Shikaku exchanged a look with Sandai. This proposal was both pragmatic and sincere. Hidden Mist took the initiative to undertake the most tedious work of hosting the written examination in exchange for gaining a greater say in the examination structure.
"The first round is hosted by Hidden Mist. This proposal Konoha can seriously consider." The third generation nodded slowly.
"Then the next topic is the second topic. The reconstruction of Former Site of the Land of Whirlpool is currently in a frozen state. However, due to the stable situation in Kusagakure, the land transportation lines of the Water-Lightning Alliance have also become much smoother."
As he spoke, Sōji took out a neatly folded map from his sleeve and spread it out on the table.
Shikaku's pupils shrank slightly. The topic he had been waiting for for a long time was finally brought up by Sōji.
At this time, Sōji's finger lightly crossed the position of Land of Whirlpool on the map, "Land of Water is located on the east side of Land of Whirlpool, and Hidden Mist has begun to renovate the old post road leading to Former Site of the Land of Whirlpool."
"If Konoha is interested, Former Site of the Land of Whirlpool can be developed as Joint Protected Zone of the Three Kingdoms of Fire, Water, and Thunder. The three parties will work together to share the results."
"It can not only ensure the safety of Sealing Ruins, but also provide a new node for transit traffic between the three countries."
At this time, Shikaku stared at the small mark on the map, his brain running rapidly.
He has been deliberately avoiding the topic of Land of Whirlpool because the historical entanglement between Konoha and Hidden Mist on this issue is too deep, and if you are not careful, it will turn into a sovereignty dispute.
But what Sōji raises is not the issue of sovereignty, but Joint Protected Zone, which means making the cake bigger, with the three parties jointly developing and sharing responsibilities.
If Konoha refuses, it will be tantamount to voluntarily handing over the development rights around the Land of Whirlpool site to Hidden Mist and Hidden Cloud.
If accepted, it means that Konoha needs to further deepen cooperation with Hidden Mist under the tripartite framework.
Utatane Koharu on the side frowned slightly and was about to speak, but Shikaku took the lead and said, "The concept of the three parties Joint Protected Zone is very interesting."
"However, the specific plan needs time to be evaluated. The Former Site of the Land of Whirlpool's Sealing Ruins condition, the degree of ruins in the surrounding area, and the traffic safety of the old post road all require joint surveys before a detailed plan can be formulated."
"Captain Sōji's proposal, Konoha is willing to include it in the discussion agenda, but the specific negotiation time needs to be determined after the survey data comes out."
This answer neither refuses nor agrees, but drags the rhythm back to the technical details that Konoha is best at.
It needs surveying, it needs assessment, it needs time...
This not only gives Konoha room for full internal discussion, but also avoids making any substantive commitments on occasions like the reception banquet.
In response, Sōji glanced at Shikaku and nodded slightly, "That's natural. Hidden Mist can send a team to cooperate in the survey work. The specific time will be determined by senior Shikaku."
Shikaku raised his glass, and the smile on his lips finally became more sincere, "Let's have a drink tonight!"