Pakura's eyes passed over the scrolls that exuded alluring light and the Loan Agreement that was enough to fill the abyss, and finally settled on Sōkyū Hatake's face with a playful smile.
The oppressive air in the office seemed to be stirred by this sudden "solution". Chiyo and Ebizo had deep doubts under their furrowed brows. They could clearly see the cold chain called "control" behind the agreement.
However, Pakura's mood is completely different.
[He really has a solution!]
This thought was like a warm current, quietly dispelling the fatigue and anxiety that had been accumulated in her heart for the past few days. Seeing Sōkyū Hatake easily come up with a plan that could solve Sunagakure's urgent needs and might even change the future, Pakura felt an almost blind trust and a sense of satisfaction in being valued deep in her heart.
She was Fifth Kazekage who was "arranged" by Sōkyū Hatake. This identity itself means that everything about her is closely connected with the man in front of her. In her opinion, the rise and fall of Sunagakure is more like an industry that Sōkyū Hatake entrusted her to manage, and she Covet has proven that she has the ability to take good care of this industry for him and even increase its value.
"Your Excellency Sōkyū Hatake," Chiyo's voice was hoarse as she tried to make a final struggle.
"Article 3... Open the market and introduce courses... This is related to the foundation of Sunagakure! The local industry is still in its infancy, how to resist the impact of Rōran products? Ninja Academy's courses are the foundation for shaping the next generation of ninjas. How can we easily..."
"Elder Chiyo." Pakura spoke, her voice calm but with unquestionable Kazekage majesty, directly interrupting Chiyo's words. She He stood up, walked to the desk, glanced at the two elders, and finally landed on Sōkyū Hatake. His eyes were complicated, but there was no hostility, and even a trace of... dependence that was not easy for Frisk?
"What is Sunagakure facing now? It's a disaster! It's a desperate situation where even the ninja salary can't be paid next month! It's the threat that those banks may send people to demolish Kazekage Building at any time!"
"What Rōran provides is life-saving money! It's technology that is enough to give us a breather and even a chance to stand up!" She picked up the Financial Agreement and ran her fingertips across the ridiculously low Annual Interest Rate.
"Without these, even if we abolish all departments and send all ninjas to forage in the desert, we still can't fill the hole left by Rasa! Let alone develop it!" She pointed to the scrolls left by Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Orochimaru.
Pakura's tone became firm, even with a hint of Sōkyū Hatake's "of course".
"As for local industries? Without funds and technology, how can they survive? Do they rely on feelings? Rather than letting them be forced to death by loan sharks, it is better to seek transformation and survival space under the impact of Rōran commodities! Introduce What's wrong with Rōran's courses? Don't we Sunagakure ninjas need to learn how to use Chakra more efficiently? Don't need to understand new technologies? Standing still is the real path to destruction!"
Her words were resounding, and she completely criticized the "Sunagakure independence" that Chiyo and Ebizo tried to maintain. Between survival and the illusory "independence", Pakura chose survival without hesitation, and she firmly believed that what Sōkyū Hatake brought was the right path.
"Lord Kazekage..." Ebizo wanted to say something more, but seeing the unreserved trust in Sōkyū Hatake in Pakura's eyes and the almost paranoid determination "for the good of the village" in her words, he could only sigh deeply and swallow his words.
He understood that the heart of the new Kazekage had long been tied to Sōkyū Hatake. In her eyes, the future of Sunagakure might be part of the expansion of Rōran's territory.
The smile on Sōkyū Hatake's face deepened, with a hint of satisfied appreciation. Pakura's reaction was completely within his expectations, and was even more "cooperative" than he expected.
Not only did she accept his plan, she also took the initiative to "persuade" the internal resistance for him. This loyalty and dependence, cultivated by him personally, was more effective than any coercion.
"Fifth Kazekage Master has indeed seen clearly." Sōkyū Hatake clapped gently, breaking the stagnant atmosphere in the office.
"Time is money, efficiency is life. Now that Lord Kazekage has made a wise decision..." Sōkyū Hatake picked up the pen on the table and handed it to Pakura gracefully.
Pakura did not hesitate at all. He took the pen and signed his name on the thick stack of agreement documents - Pakura. The writing was smooth, with a sense of relief from a heavy burden, and even a faint sense of accomplishment in completing the task for Sōkyū Hatake.
"It's a pleasure to cooperate, Master Fifth Kazekage." Sōkyū Hatake extended his hand.
"Happy cooperation, Your Excellency Hatake." Pakura stretched out her hand to shake his hand. This time, her palms were no longer cold, but instead held a hint of warmth.
She looked into Sōkyū Hatake's eyes, as if to say: Look, I achieved the first step and lived up to your "arrangement".
With the signing of the agreement, invisible gears began to rotate at high speed.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi let out an excited laugh, and immediately rushed to Ore Vein Area with the drawings and several named Sunagakure puppet masters. He asked "Coaching" how those "primitives" mined correctly and efficiently.
Orochimaru took his seeds and formula leisurely, and headed to the designated Experimental Field Area under the complicated gaze of Chiyo.
Rōran's funds were poured into Sunagakure's depleted financial account like rain, and those loan shark debts that were like reminders were paid off immediately. Finance Department's ninja almost cried with joy when he looked at the sudden astronomical figures on his account.
"How is it? I told you, this matter is very simple." Sōkyū Hatake stood in front of Kazekage's Office's window with his arms around Pakura, looking at Sunagakure who was starting to get busy below.
The huge economic pressure seemed to dissipate overnight, and the deficits that kept her awake at night seemed so insignificant in front of the torrent of resources brought by Sōkyū Hatake, and the solution was so "simple". She felt unprecedentedly relaxed, and even had a sense of admiration that "Sōkyū Hatake is indeed omnipotent" grew in her heart.
However, as Chiyo and Ebizo looked out the window at the village that was gradually being penetrated by Rōran technology, Rōran products, and Rōran concepts, and watched Pakura look at the back of Sōkyū Hatake with dependence after taking off his burden, they felt a deeper chill in their hearts.
Sunagakure's economic lifeline, future development direction, and even the thoughts of the next generation of ninjas are all firmly held in the palms of those invisible hands at this moment. The price is far heavier than they imagined. And their Kazekage is willingly leading Sunagakure on this carefully designed path.