As Kurotsuchi watched Shihōin Naraku put away the documents, she felt a pang of regret.
Two years of priority rights to accept missions along three trade routes.
That represented an enormous amount of profit.
Without that portion of mission payments, Iwagakure, whose strength had already been recovering slowly since the Fourth Shinobi World War ended, would apparently have to lie low for a long time.
There was nothing she could do about it.
Since they had agreed on the terms beforehand, she could not go back on her word now.
"You're far too kind, Tsuchikage." Naraku smiled. He could tell Kurotsuchi was deeply unhappy.
But you're the ones who need support.
Besides, honestly, Iwagakure is already getting off cheap.
Faced with Naraku's slightly teasing words, Kurotsuchi forced the corners of her mouth upward. "This is a token of Iwagakure's goodwill. Please do accept it."
The two then exchanged a few more words about the cleanup following the meteor shower several months earlier before ending their pleasantries.
Once they had more or less finished discussing official business, Kurotsuchi stood up, ready to rest at her assigned lodgings.
Naraku signaled for Shikaku to arrange for someone to take Kurotsuchi to rest, and Shikaku nodded.
Watching them leave the Hokage's Office, Naraku raised an eyebrow. "It seems Kurotsuchi has grown quickly after losing her grandfather's protection."
Kurotsuchi could not yet be called a competent Tsuchikage, but she had indeed improved a great deal.
If she kept this up, she would become a capable Tsuchikage, just like Ōnoki.
Naraku sat back down in his chair and turned his gaze toward the window.
"Sunagakure and Iwagakure are here. That just leaves Kirigakure and Kumogakure."
Kirigakure was isolated overseas, after all. Reaching Konoha required a sea voyage, which took considerable time.
It was understandable for Mei