Land of Water...
"What is your view on this?" The Daimyo of the Land of Water opened his folding fan, casually fanned himself a few times, then covered his mouth and said, "Should we assist the Land of Whirlpools in arresting the Yuki clan?"
As soon as he finished speaking...
"Daimyo." A minister of the Land of Water stepped forward and said, "This is something our Land of Water absolutely must not agree to."
"First, Kirigakure is, and always will be, the ninja village of the Land of Water. The Yuki clan are also citizens of the Land of Water. If the Land of Water, based on the words of another nation, moves to arrest its own citizens and infringes upon the interests of its own ninja village..."
"It will undoubtedly damage the reputation of the Land of Water."
"When the Daimyo before last heeded the advice of the First Mizukage, Byakuren, and initially established the ninja village, the essential purpose was to end the turmoil of the Warring States Period and thereby pacify the chaotic world."
Although later the Land of Water's military gradually became relegated to gatekeeping, and the ninja villages instead became the primary military force of various nations, it cannot be denied...
The chaotic world was indeed pacified. The internal clan struggles transformed into wars between nations, shifting the domestic conflicts. This is why over the past few decades, the overall strength of each nation has significantly increased!
"If the Daimyo arrests a domestic clan because of a nation that is unrelated, or even hostile, to the Land of Water..." the minister said respectfully, "it is bound to cause chaos!"
"And furthermore..."
"Based on the messages sent back by Minister Aomi, the Fourth Mizukage will definitely not pay the thirty billion."
Kirigakure probably cannot come up with thirty billion at this time either...
"Therefore, this ninja sword will ultimately cost the Land of Water over sixty billion ryo to purchase." The minister clasped his hands in a formal salute and said, "Although Frostmourne is a national treasure of the Land of Water said to have been passed down for a thousand years."
They weren't sure if the Land of Water truly had a thousand years of history, but that's what the stone tablet said anyway.
"But awakening the Sword Spirit is far too harsh."
"It not only requires peerless strength but also requires gaining the recognition of its Sword Spirit!"
"For the Land of Water, it is practically useless."
"If it were merely ten-odd billion, perhaps we could agree, but sixty-odd billion is a bit too much. It would inevitably bring instability to the Land of Water and give other nations an opportunity to take advantage!!"
Moreover, the Land of Water does not have such a strong individual. Those who possess such strength are within Kirigakure. But given the current situation in the ninja world...
The Daimyo's court's control over the ninjas and ninja villages is weakening. If we obtain the ninja sword and hand it over to the village ninjas...
It will surely further boost the prestige of the ninja village!
"Therefore, your subject believes..." The minister raised his head and looked at the Daimyo with clear eyes, saying, "Frostmourne is not suitable for the Land of Water!!"
Furthermore, if the Land of Water takes it...
The current fate of Konoha will be the future fate of the Land of Water!!
"This..." The Land of Water Daimyo frowned upon hearing the minister's words. What the minister said indeed made sense, but...
Having his own country's national treasure in someone else's nation still felt somewhat uncomfortable!!
"In that case!" The Land of Water Daimyo sighed and said, "Let's refuse..."
However, as soon as he finished speaking...
"Daimyo, your subject does not agree with Minister Sora's view." A somewhat fat, bald minister stepped out and said, "Currently, the tensions between the Daimyo's courts and the ninja villages in various nations is intensifying daily."
It's all because of that Redism from the Land of Whirlpools!!
The policy of one nation, one village created by the God of Shinobi back then did pacify the chaotic world. It was indeed a great policy, but who would have thought that now...
It has gradually divided the Daimyo's court's control over the domestic military power!!
"Therefore, if the relationship between the Daimyo's court and the ninja village does not improve." The minister said respectfully, "A conflict is inevitable sooner or later. And as for the strength of the Daimyo's court's military now..."
It was better before; there were quite a few ninjas who couldn't make ends meet and would join the military to protect the homeland. But now...
Most have joined the ninja villages. Outside, there are only a few small fries left. Coupled with the ninja villages' zero tolerance towards rogue ninjas within their own countries...
It is now difficult for the Daimyo's court to find even a few ninjas to join. The only ones still joining the military are the gradually obsolete samurai!!
"If the Daimyo's court possesses Frostmourne by then, the situation will undoubtedly be better!!"
After all, the power of the legendary ninja swords...
Many people are well aware of it. As long as there is a strong individual within the country wielding it, even if it's not awakened, the ninja village would not dare act rashly!
Of course...
If the Land of Water continues to maintain the old way, where the ninja village possesses the nation's military power, and the Daimyo's court manages the nation's politics, livelihood, and economy, that is also feasible.
But, having seen the absolute control the Land of Whirlpools' Daimyo has over military power, what Daimyo wouldn't want the same?
I heard that in the Land of Fire, there are rogue ninjas whispering beside the Daimyo, saying that the power of ninjas should be in the hands of the Daimyo's court...
"Therefore, the Daimyo's court should have its own reliable ninja military!!" The fat minister said respectfully, "Otherwise, the Daimyo's court will inevitably be constrained by the ninja village!!"
Although Minister Sora also made sense...
If the legendary ninja sword is in hand, the Land of Water will have more confidence. By then, it could also attract more ninjas to join the Daimyo's court!
"Then..." Hearing the fat minister's words, the Daimyo frowned again and asked, "What do you all think?"
Buying is acceptable, not buying is also acceptable...
This Daimyo is in a difficult position!!
"This..." The ministers below immediately looked at each other. Both of them made valid points, and they didn't know what to do.
"In your old subject's view..." At this moment, another elderly minister stepped out and said, "The Land of Water's purchase of the ninja sword does not need to be publicized. Let others continue to believe Frostmourne is in the Land of Whirlpools."
"At the same time, regarding the Yuki clan, we can proceed secretly and quietly." The old minister's face showed a trace of ruthlessness as he said, "Demand that the current Mizukage cooperate fully!"
"Otherwise, the Land of Water will cooperate with the Land of Whirlpools to reclaim the three hundred billion in war reparations that Kirigakure lost!!"
This...
Hearing the old minister's words, the Land of Water Daimyo hesitated again. Doesn't this mean the Land of Water still pays the sixty-odd billion??
The Land of Water buys the lives of the Yuki clan for thirty billion...
Although, in secret, the Daimyo court's reputation won't be damaged, but...
His heart aches for the money!!
After taking out sixty-odd billion, the entire country will undoubtedly have to tighten its belt!!
"Minister Sora, what is your view?" The Daimyo pondered for a moment, looked at Minister Sora, and asked, "What about Minister Taku's suggestion?"
"Your subject..." Minister Sora frowned. It indeed made sense!
If a nation's military power is long held by a single ninja village, it is indeed detrimental to the Daimyo court's management of the country, but...
Taking out over sixty billion will inevitably affect domestic life!
Whether it's the Daimyo court or the citizens...
His heart simply cannot bear it!!
He sighed helplessly...
"The Daimyo already has a decision in mind." Minister Sora shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "Why ask your subject again?"
...
"Are you leaving?" Uzumaki Jun looked at Jiraiya and said, "Actually, you don't need to worry. Konoha will not be destroyed."
There are still a few eternal genin in the village...
I believe they can survive this wave of difficulties.
Moreover...
Apart from Kumogakure who will truly fight, the other villages are basically just going through the motions.
"I am one of Konoha's Sannin." Jiraiya shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "If you release Minato, Orochimaru, and the Konoha ninjas, I will not leave."
"Sure." Uzumaki Jun narrowed his eyes and nodded, saying, "As long as Konoha repays all the war reparations, you can come and take them!"
"..."
Take? Take nothing!!
Hundreds of billions? Selling off Konoha probably wouldn't raise that much money!!
But Minato and Orochimaru ultimately don't belong in the Land of Whirlpools, after all...
Konoha needs them!
Jiraiya shook his head with a bitter smile, sighed, and said, "I will go discuss this with the old man!"
Probably, in the end, the old man will only ransom back a few people!!
Uzumaki Jun shrugged. If they come too late to ransom people, after going through the entire process, probably...
Most will have become pro-Land of Whirlpools.
"Tsunade still hasn't come!" Jiraiya sighed melancholically, then, with a smile on his face, said, "In that case, I'll take my leave first!"
"En!" Uzumaki Jun glanced subtly at a spot not far away, narrowed his eyes, nodded, and said, "Go!"
Then...
"Summoning Technique!!" Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta, sat on him, and left stylishly.
And Uzumaki Jun...
Watched Jiraiya's retreating figure, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up, and he murmured, "It's time to establish a credit system within the country!!"
I hope when you return to the Land of Whirlpools, you can pay off all the debts~
Otherwise...
You'll be spending the rest of your life in prison.
Did you really think you could take people away without paying??
You must be dreaming.
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