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"..." Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent. He knew that regarding the matter of forcing Orochimaru to defect, he was actually primarily respons
"..." Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent. He knew that regarding the matter of forcing Orochimaru to defect, he was actually primarily responsible. If he hadn't let Danzō scheme against Orochimaru, then these subsequent matters wouldn't have occurred.
"Well, I can give you ten minutes to consider," Shinji chuckled lightly. This matter really depended on how Hiruzen Sarutobi weighed it.
"I agree. Take me there. I will personally talk to my student," Hiruzen Sarutobi said after a long silence. Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, went outside the All-Purpose Shop, consulted with an ANBU member, and then came back inside.
"Just you alone going, Lord Hokage?" Shinji looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who didn't bring anyone else, speaking somewhat curiously. You're going to another village.
"Yes, just me alone. I believe there won't be any problems in Otogakure, which wants to be a neutral party, right?" Hiruzen Sarutobi stated calmly. He had actually considered this problem initially, which was why he went out to instruct the ANBU ninja.
"Naturally. Since that's the case, let's prepare to depart," Shinji turned his head and gave some instructions to Karin and the others. Only after Karin confirmed repeatedly that Shinji would return tonight did she agree not to follow today. Subsequently, after a flash of light, Shinji and Hiruzen Sarutobi vanished from the All-Purpose Shop.
...
...
Hiruzen Sarutobi only felt his vision go black, and then he arrived in an unfamiliar place. Although looking around, the scenery was still similar to the All-Purpose Shop, the differences were still noticeable.
"This is Otogakure?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked curiously.
"Yes. Let's go outside," Shinji didn't hesitate, leading Hiruzen Sarutobi outside. Just after coming out, Hiruzen Sarutobi discovered that the style of most buildings was exactly the same as Konoha's. Even the Otokage office building not far away looked exactly like his Hokage office building.
Along the way, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the passing villagers. Each face carried some longing for a new life, and everyone bowed upon seeing Shinji. Having been Hokage for so long, Hiruzen Sarutobi could naturally see the true feelings in these villagers' hearts. They genuinely felt life in this Otogakure was quite good. This made Hiruzen Sarutobi somewhat curious. Otogakure had been established for less than a year; what magic did Orochimaru possess to actually manage a village so well? Could it be that he... misjudged Orochimaru?
"Lord Hokage, this Otogakure isn't bad, right?" Shinji walked ahead, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi behind, who was lost in self-doubt.
"Ah? Oh, it's not bad. Very suitable for retirement," Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't react immediately, but still retorted.
"Right? We plan to build this Otogakure into a major tourist village later on. When Lord Hokage brings his family over then, I'll give you a 20% discount."
"Then I thank you. By the way, what is that?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said unhurriedly, but soon noticed the forging factory and iron smelting plant in the distance.
"Oh, you mean that? That's the forging factory and iron smelting plant. The kunai and shuriken I showed you were processed separately in those two places," Shinji didn't hide it, directly stating the purpose of those two factories.
"It's here..." Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze swept back and forth between the two factories before retracting his gaze.
"How about it, Lord Hokage? Why not come retire in our Otogakure when the time comes?" Shinji said jokingly.
"That sounds quite good..."
...
...
The two chatted casually while walking towards the Otokage office. Along the way, a few people dressed as Otogakure ninjas saw this scene and went ahead first to the Otokage office to report.
"Arrived. Let's go up, Lord Hokage," Shinji stated calmly, then without waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi's reply, directly opened the door and walked in.
"Lord Otokage! I hope our Kumogakure can reach a strategic cooperation agreement with your Otogakure. Then all our Kumogakure's ninja tools will prioritize procurement from your side. How about this condition?" Before getting close, Shinji and Hiruzen Sarutobi heard a resonant voice.
"This voice, could it be?" Hearing this voice, Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly frowned. This voice was too familiar, familiar to the point he started frowning upon hearing it.
"Fufufu, Lord Raikage, this is really somewhat difficult. But we can still discuss other matters... Eh... Boss Shinji, you're back?" Yes, currently negotiating with Orochimaru and Kakuzu was precisely the Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure. And after hearing Orochimaru's words, the Fourth Raikage's gaze also shifted over. He didn't recognize Shinji, but the person behind Shinji was very familiar to him.
"Old man Sarutobi! It's actually you!" The Fourth Raikage instantly stood up from his chair. Streaks of lightning seemed to start appearing on his body. Yes, Kumogakure was currently still at war with Konoha. At this point in time, when the commanders of both sides met, they were bound to be exceptionally hostile.
"Fourth Raikage..." Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes narrowed. Truly enemies on a narrow road. Unknown when, Enma had already appeared in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand, transforming into an Adamantine Staff. The moment the two met, sparks already began to fly.
"Fufufu, Lord Hokage, Lord Raikage. This is Otogakure, a neutral village. Please, both of you restrain your emotions," Orochimaru licked his lips. This situation now was really somewhat beyond Orochimaru's expectations. After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was brought over by Shinji; naturally, Orochimaru wasn't aware of this point.
Hearing Orochimaru's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Fourth Raikage A glanced at each other, then snorted coldly. Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the Fourth Raikage for a while, then came to an empty seat and sat down. Watching Hiruzen Sarutobi's action, the Fourth Raikage also sat down with a boom. Seeing everyone had restrained themselves, the group also sat down.
Round table. Orochimaru sat in the main seat. To his left and right were Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Fourth Raikage. Kakuzu and Shinji sat opposite Orochimaru. Instantly, the atmosphere in the dim room seemed to become tense.
"Since both of you have arrived at this table, then now is a good time to also talk about the supply issue," Orochimaru spoke first. After all, this was Otogakure, and as the Otokage, he definitely had to speak first.
"Orochimaru, I want to sign an exclusive sales cooperation with your Otogakure. Our Konoha wants all the kunai and shuriken your Otogakure can sell externally. Consider our past teacher-student relationship," Hearing Orochimaru's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke first. He wanted to use the teacher-student relationship as a breakthrough point. This way, it would become the most appropriate and most justifiable way to successfully win this negotiation.
"Hehe, teacher-student relationship? Old man Sarutobi, you wouldn't forget how Lord Otokage defected from your Konoha, right?" The Fourth Raikage sneered. The beginning and end of Orochimaru's defection from Konoha, ordinary people might not know, but people of their level knew it clearly long ago. Besides, back then when capturing the missing-nin Orochimaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi put in quite some effort.
"Fufufu, Lord Hokage, regarding this matter, we still need to discuss it carefully at length. After all, our Otogakure is now just a neutral village doing business. As a neutral village, we naturally welcome all guests, so there won't be any exclusive sales," Orochimaru wouldn't give Hiruzen Sarutobi the situation of exclusive sales. Therefore, in terms of address, Orochimaru directly called him Lord Hokage, not Teacher Hiruzen. After all, if supply was only given to Konoha, not looking far, Kumogakure, currently fighting Konoha, definitely wouldn't agree. Then, Otogakure, originally a neutral force, would be seen as wearing the same pants as Konoha, eventually becoming able to only cooperate with Konoha.
"Moreover, our sales model is somewhat different from the Land of Iron's sales model. It's prepayment. After the payment arrives, production is arranged according to the payment arrival time, delivered in batches," Kakuzu stood up and said. As the financial manager, he was clearest about financial matters.
"Prepayment..." The Fourth Raikage mulled over the meaning in Shinji's words. This really was a new model. Generally, the Land of Iron practiced payment upon delivery. Meaning, as long as you brought money over, they would give you goods.
"Yes. The prepayment is 20% of the total amount. But we have a batch of stock now. It just depends on whether Lord Hokage or Lord Raikage makes the first move," Orochimaru now sat calmly like an angler, just watching which of you two would give money first...
"Since that's the case, our Kumogakure wants all the goods in this batch," The Fourth Raikage slammed the table and stood up directly. As long as confirmed first, then his Kumogakure's grassroots strength would gain a comprehensive advantage.
"Impossible! This batch of goods, our Konoha wants it!" Hiruzen Sarutobi also stood up, letting the enemy get their wish was just adding trouble for himself. Hearing the Raikage's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi directly laughed out of anger. Was he kidding? I haven't even spoken yet!
"This is our quotation list. You two can take a look and see how much you need?" Kakuzu smilingly took out the quotation list and handed it to Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Raikage. He loved doing this kind of thing the most. Wasn't it just quoting? Quoting meant collecting money!
"Hmph, let me see," The Raikage snorted coldly at Hiruzen Sarutobi, then took the quotation list. Upon seeing it, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyeballs almost popped out.
"One kunai costs 10,000 ryō?" Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't mentally prepared. Although he knew the kunai and shuriken forged by Otogakure were better than those from the Land of Iron and currently used ones. But this price... was double the original price! Yes, the selling price of a kunai from the Land of Iron was 5000 ryō.
"Hehe, old man Sarutobi, if you don't have money, then step down. Our Kumogakure accepts this price," the Raikage said disdainfully. Their Kumogakure was different from Konoha. Their Kumogakure was a military power. In terms of military budget, it was unknown how much more than Konoha's. So, although Konoha's comprehensive strength and financial resources were higher than Kumogakure's, in terms of military reserves, Konoha really didn't invest as much as Kumogakure. Therefore, this was why the Raikage could speak so wealthily, wanting to buy everything.
"Our Konoha has no money?" Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't stand this provocation, directly slamming the table and standing up.
"That might not be certain. Lord Hokage, according to our intelligence, the current Daimyō of the Land of Fire should have reduced investment in the military somewhat, right?" The Raikage stated calmly. Different from his appearance, he still had delicate observations regarding some other things.
"Hmph, then our Konoha buying these kunai and shuriken is still sufficient. Well, Lord Otokage, who are these goods sold to?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's anger was somewhat uncontrollable. Why did this Raikage keep opposing me?
"Actually, we can sell half to each. This way our Otogakure won't offend anyone. What do you two say?" Kakuzu suggested. Actually, this was also the routine discussed from the beginning. As long as the first batch of goods could be delivered to confirm their Otogakure could indeed mass-produce these kunai and shuriken, then this news definitely couldn't be suppressed afterward. Then subsequent orders from other countries would also continuously come back. They didn't even need anyone to go out and promote themselves. These two people were the best promotional tools!
This time, neither side had major objections. Both sides glared fiercely at each other, then signed and stamped on the contract prepared by Kakuzu. Subsequently, the contract was put away. Both sides cleared out all the goods Otogakure had rushed to produce over the past half month. Moreover, they each placed a new order here in Otogakure. According to the prepayment system, after paying a portion of the money first, the remaining payment would be settled together when they came to pick up the goods. Of course, Shinji wasn't worried about causing inventory backlog. Kunai and shuriken, as the most used weapons by ninjas, naturally had a certain usage rate.
After signing the contract, the Raikage left directly. Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't left yet, but looked complexly at Orochimaru and Shinji.
"Is there anything else, Teacher Hiruzen?" Orochimaru asked with his signature smile.
"Orochimaru, what exactly is going on with all this?"
"What what's going on?"
"I mean this Otogakure. Why didn't you choose to do it in Konoha back then when you had this technology?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said somewhat helplessly. If Orochimaru could have produced these technologies back then, at least now in terms of weapon supply, Konoha would be far ahead of other countries.
"Fufufu, Teacher Hiruzen. Even if I produced this technology back then, could you tolerate me?" Orochimaru looked mockingly at Hiruzen Sarutobi. He hadn't completely let go of some past events in Konoha yet.
"Sigh..." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed lightly, seeming deeply pained by Orochimaru's answer.
"Lord Hokage, if the transaction is already completed, then you can also go back first. Not seeing you off," Orochimaru looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi still pretending to be regretful, his face hardening, directly issuing the eviction order. If you knew this earlier, why did you act that way? Especially since this technology of Otogakure was actually provided by Shinji. Besides, even if Orochimaru possessed this technology back then and contributed it to Konoha, the outcome wouldn't be much better than now. Remember, at this stage, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō combined, would act against anyone they suspected. Konoha's White Fang, the Sannin, and many others. All perished under the suspicion of these two. This was very intriguing.
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