Whatever else might be said, Mei Terumi's trip to Konoha had given her tenure as the Fifth Mizukage an excellent start.
At the very least, the first fire she had lit upon taking office had burned fiercely.
Ever since Mei Terumi had sent word of her successful negotiations with Konoha back to Kirigakure, she had indeed received a chorus of praise.
Kirigakure's merchants had already begun organizing caravans, preparing to head to Konoha for commercial cooperation.
In the past, such normal commercial activities had been severely restricted by Kirigakure's isolationist policies and bloody controls.
Of every ten caravans that set out from Konoha or Kirigakure, having even a third reach the other side's territory had been cause for celebration.
In truth, although Kirigakure stood isolated overseas, it had no shortage of resources.
The same was true of Konoha, which occupied the most prosperous land in the shinobi world and possessed abundant resources.
If they could truly establish healthy commercial exchanges, it would indeed benefit both sides, but the Kirigakure of the past, the Bloody Mist Village, had truly struggled to achieve that.
Now, however, things were indeed moving in a positive direction, and Mei Terumi deserved much of the credit.
It could be said with certainty that Mei Terumi's position was now thoroughly secure.
That was why Shihōin Naraku looked at Mei Terumi so strangely, unsure why she was sighing.
"The gap between Kirigakure and Konoha is so vast that it's rather disheartening. I wonder when Kirigakure will ever have the same vibrant atmosphere as Konoha."
Without venturing out, one could never know how vast the world was.
Mei Terumi knew how severe Kirigakure's losses over the years had been, but only after seeing Konoha's prosperity with her own eyes had she realized just how far behind they were.
"If