Sandstorms rage, and lone smoke rises from the vast desert.
The Konoha delegation is moving swiftly through a desert.
They didn't need to worry about stepping on quicksand or similar things in the desert; ninjas could even walk on water, let alone quicksand.
The delegation consisted of six people. Among them, Meikyō and Shirakumo Tokinobu were arranged by Dan Katō to gain experience for an S-rank mission. One was Dan Katō's disciple, and the other was one of the first Jonin to join Dan Katō. Given their strength, Dan Katō would definitely prioritize them if there were any benefits.
Of the other four, apart from the Nara Elder led the delegation, the other three are all older than Meikyō, similar to Minato Namikaze they encountered before, and their ninja level is the same as Meikyō's —Special Jonin.
They are the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho – Choji Akimichi, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi, members chosen by the Nara Elder.
"Is this Rōran? Wasn't the intelligence supposed to be a very poor little country? How come it looks so prosperous?"
Choji Akimichi munched on a bag of potato chips, he gazed in amazement at the bustling, lively atmosphere and several tall buildings of Rōran.
This doesn't look like a city-state that has developed in the desert.
"Perhaps this Queen of Roran was more skilled at governing civil affairs."
Yamanaka Inoichi also said with some surprise.
Meikyō's expression remained calm, but inwardly she shook her head.
Building such a prosperous city in the desert was no easy feat, even though Rōran today was not the towering city it would be many years later.
To reach that level, it's not enough to simply be good at governing civil affairs; unless you can drill for oil underground.
However, although Rōran has no oil, it has something even more precious than oil.
Dragon Vein possessing almost inexhaustible Chakra and energy with space-time properties!
Judging from this, perhaps that Suna Rogue Ninja named Mukade has already arrived in Rōran and gained the Queen of Roran's favor. I hope this guy doesn't interfere with my plans, otherwise...
Meikyō frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
As for Nara Shikaku, he also felt that this mission might not be as simple as he had imagined, and that what was originally a sure thing would have some unexpected twists and turns.
If Konoha wants to win over Rōran, it must use both kindness and force. On the one hand, it must demonstrate the strength of the strongest ninja village to give Rōran confidence in Konoha's power. On the other hand, it must use the abundant resources of the Land of Fire to support Rōran's development and construction.
Judging from the current state of Rōran, it may not need material assistance from the Land of Fire.
[Sigh, S-rank missions are such a hassle. If I really become Jonin, won't there be even more trouble?]
This is Nara Shikaku moment.
The Nara Elder led his entourage to the gate of Rōran. After informing the guards, they were quickly invited to the palace by the Queen of Roran.
"The chief envoy of the Konoha delegation, Jonin Nara Shikahira, greets Queen of Roran."
"The deputy envoy of the Konoha delegation, Jonin Shirakumo Tokinobu, greets Queen of Roran."
The Nara Elder, or rather Nara Shikahira and Hyakukumo Tokinobu, bowed slightly to the Queen of Roran in the seat of honor.
She was a beautiful and dignified young woman with long red hair, wearing a crown. Beside her throne nestled a pretty little girl, who was looking curiously at the Konoha Ninja in the hall.
Following the two Jonin of the delegation, Meikyō and the others also bowed to the Queen of Roran.
This is already a sign of respect for Rōran; any heavier and Rōran would not be able to bear it.
The Land of Fire is the strongest of the Five Great Nations. As Jonin of Konoha, this is all they could do when facing the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.
Ultimately, the highest-ranking officer recognized by the Konoha Ninja is only the Hokage of Konoha.
"Please, everyone, no need for formalities."
The Queen of Roran raised her hand in acknowledgment, seemingly without any displeasure.
"Your Majesty, this is a document from the Third Hokage. Konoha wishes to establish good diplomatic relations with Rōran. If Your Majesty agrees, Konoha will provide protection to Rōran and will also propose to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire that Konoha provide Rōran with supplies..."
After Nara Shikahira finished reading, he handed the Third Hokage's document to an official beside him. After checking it to make sure there was no tampering, it was then handed over to the Queen of Roran.
After receiving the document, the Queen of Roran glanced through it. Apart from some additional polite words of praise, the contents were almost identical to what Nara Shikahira had said.
"What the Jonin said makes a lot of sense. I, Rōran, have always had a good impression of Konoha, a peace-loving ninja village. However, this matter is of great importance. How about I think about it carefully for one night before giving Jonin an answer?"
Before even entering Rōran, Nara Shikahira, like Nara Shikaku, had already seen the changes and development of Rōran and guessed that this mission might require more effort, so he agreed to it.
It only takes about one night.
After the meeting with the Queen of Roran ended, the six members of the Konoha delegation quickly and secretly gathered in Nara Shikahira's room for a meeting.
The reason for this clandestine approach was that the Queen of Roran assigned two servants to each Konoha Ninja, ostensibly for their convenience in serving them at any time, but in reality for surveillance.
This is normal. Every ninja is a humanoid weapon with immense destructive power, not to mention that the members of the Konoha delegation are all Special Jonin. In order to prevent anyone from causing damage within the territory and having a significant impact, the Queen of Roran would definitely send people to keep an eye on things.
Everyone, please share your thoughts.
Nara Shikahira glanced at everyone in the room with his cloudy eyes and spoke.
He was already a veteran ninja, and the current generation consisted of young and outstanding ninjas from Konoha, who needed to be trained.
"I'll go first."
As the person present who was second only to Nara Shikahira in age and status, Shirakumo Tokinobu was naturally the first to speak.
"It's obvious that the Queen of Roran is also hesitant. Judging from what we saw when we entered Rōran is developing very well now. The resources provided by the Land of Fire may accelerate their development, but they are no longer necessary. Moreover, Rōran's geographical location is closer to the Land of Wind, so it will inevitably waver between Suna and Konoha. I think what we need to do now is to make the Queen believe that Konoha has completely suppressed Suna, so that Suna cannot cause trouble for Rōran, which is allied with Konoha. Only then will the Queen of Roran truly agree to form an alliance with us."