Naruto fell silent for a few seconds after hearing that.
"I see. Then it really is hard for them to develop."
"Yes." Sai nodded. "Right now, Sarada can barely keep the people of the Land of Rain fed. There's no way for them to truly rise through peaceful development, unless they attack other countries and seize resources."
Naruto tapped his fingers lightly on the table, thought for a moment, then spoke slowly.
"In this day and age, who besides Konoha would dare make a move?"
"Let Shikamaru know later. Have him arrange for a Konoha merchant caravan to make a special trip to the Land of Rain."
"They can negotiate to buy what few handicrafts they have, or open shops directly in the Land of Rain. Either way is fine."
"Give them a little help getting started."
Sai asked no questions. Even though he did not understand why Naruto wanted to go out of his way to support the weak Land of Rain, he still nodded obediently.
"Understood."
The scene on the Sky Screen shifted, returning once again to the Land of Rain, where the rain fell year-round.
Inside the base's Meeting House, the atmosphere was unbearably heavy.
Sarada sat at the wooden table, her brows tightly knitted and her face clouded with worry.
Over the past few days, she had sent out group after group to travel through neighboring countries and visit local merchants' guilds. They had swallowed their pride and offered all sorts of incredibly favorable terms, all to attract foreign merchants to do business in the Land of Rain.
But every attempt had ended in rejection.
Not a single merchant from any country was willing to establish a business in the Land of Rain.
The reasons they gave dealt Sarada a heavy blow.
The dumping ground of