Chapter 220: Redhead with Mixed Feelings
Yellow sand filled the sky,
And cities of sand rose one after another.
The Land of Wind was a formidable nation built upon desert terrain. Eighty percent of its land was loose desert, rich in mineral resources, oil, and gas—these being the very foundation of its national power.
However, these natural advantages couldn't provide for every citizen. As a result, the Wind Country often relied on trade, exchanging its resources for food, water, and other essentials from neighboring lands.
Within this harsh desert land, the Sand Village stood as the military backbone of the nation. In the ninja world, its status rivaled that of Konoha. But unlike Konoha's equal relationship with the Fire Nation, the Sand Village's standing in the Wind Country was not as fortunate.
Though powerful, the Sand Village often acted as a scapegoat for the nation's political losses. Used as compensation for past defeats, they remained tethered to the whims of the state. Unlike Konoha's prestige, Sand lacked autonomy. Their financial support could be cut for any number of reasons—excuses cloaked in policy.
And Sand could do nothing.
They lacked military might to challenge other great nations, nor had they made any notable achievements in recent wars. Often, their actions led to lost lands or failed missions. They didn't even have the face to ask for more funds.
Fortunately, in recent years, the rise of the Trade Alliance had brought change. Through it, the Wind Country and the Sand Village found some relief. The alliance allowed merchants from various lands to trade goods, transforming stored resources into profit or valuable exchanges. Naturally, both the nation and the village placed great importance on this new network.
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"Although the Rain Country's resources don't compare to ours, they primarily overlap—minerals, mainly."
Inside the Kazekage's office, located at the heart of the Sand Village, Fourth Kazekage Rasa discussed the recent developments with Elder Chiyo.
"To join the alliance and receive protection," Rasa continued, "the Rain Country's representative has been extremely humble—willing even to sell off resources at a low price. All he asks for is peace, and he wants no part in any disputes."
Rasa narrowed his eyes as he looked at the old woman seated across from him. "Although it sounds like a good deal... Elder Chiyo, what do you think?"
"There's no doubt," Chiyo rasped, her voice worn with age, "that this is a severe disadvantage to us."
She leaned forward slightly. "The influx of similar resources at a lower price will inevitably reduce the Wind Country's influence and profits within the alliance. The extent is unclear, but the outcome is certainly negative."
Rasa asked, "Then how should we prevent this?"
"Two options." Chiyo's tone dropped, becoming stern. "First... have the Rain Country change its joining conditions."
She paused. "Or... send someone to interfere with their meetings—undermine the Rain Country's image and influence, and resist their entry into the alliance."
It was true that the Rain Country's inclusion would benefit the alliance overall. Once a mid-tier nation, its infrastructure and resources had survived the destruction of Hidden Rain Village. Their membership would enhance the alliance's stability—and the stability of the ninja world as a whole.
But if that stability came at the cost of the Wind Country and Sand Village, it was no longer a "benefit."
Neither the Wind Country nor Sand Village were known for sacrificing themselves for the greater good.
"Then it's settled," Rasa said decisively. "I'll instruct Elder Ebizo to contact the Rain Country's envoy privately to gauge their position."
He pulled a scroll from his desk and began to write. "If negotiations fail, we proceed with disrupting the meeting."
"This consultation will have many attendees," Rasa continued. "If we act quietly, there's no need to deploy a large force."
"Especially since our available manpower is limited."
Due to the cessation of open warfare in the ninja world, the Sand Village had few chances to demonstrate strength. Now, their only opportunities lay in these alliance meetings and military drills.
Which was why the delegation sent to this event was significant.
"I must stress," Chiyo interjected, "that any mission involving interference with alliance matters must be assigned to Jonin Maki. Though Suna is experienced, he lacks Maki's composure and skill."
Her gaze narrowed. "My brother has ties with Sunagami—I fear he may issue the wrong orders and endanger us."
"Sabotaging a summit isn't minor," she added. "Our strength means we won't be ousted from the alliance over this, but stealth is essential."
Rasa nodded and said nothing more, returning to his writing.
Just then, a deafening boom erupted outside the window, and the very earth trembled beneath their feet.
A monstrous chakra surged through the entire village.
"Oh no! Shukaku's lost control again?!"
Rasa dropped his brush and looked out the window, his brows furrowing.
And then—he froze.
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"That space-time gate... it really can be stabilized."
"In that case, we may need to rethink our priorities—focus on Plan B."
"At present, only the Rain Country fits our criteria... but their foundation is too weak. Hidden Rain is gone. What remains is little more than a minor state. We'll need to convene a family council to choose a new direction."
At the Hyuga Clan's meeting hall, new challenges emerged.
After the Saki family's encounter with interdimensional giants, they had expressed interest in cooperating with the Hyuga. However, Nozomi Saki was aging and lacked the strength to travel swiftly. Ryosuke and his companions didn't wait. They returned to the village ahead of him.
There were pressing matters to discuss with Hiashi.
Upon learning of the outcome at Saki Castle, Hiashi grew excited, accelerating plans for the clan's independence—a goal Ryosuke himself supported.
Within days, the clan recalled key members from missions abroad.
"This is promising," one elder declared, raising his hand. "The Rain Country may be chaotic, but our intervention would give us significant influence. We could dominate the region with minimal effort. I support this plan."
"I agree," another chimed in.
But the oldest elder, his voice slow and deep, broke the rising enthusiasm.
"There's something you've overlooked. The Spacetime Gate's certification rules... they're too perfect. Too complete. It suggests someone—or something—is enforcing order."
He scanned the room with cloudy eyes.
"This isn't something that occurred naturally. There's a guiding hand behind it."
"To connect across time... that's not within the reach of even the greatest jutsu."
He paused.
"It's very likely... that the being behind it surpasses even the Sage of Six Paths."
At those words, Ryosuke looked at the old man with renewed attention.
This clan elder had a lot on his mind. The other people at the conference table looked solemn as well, weighed down by the Great Elder's words.
"I think if this being had malicious intentions, with the ability to connect various worlds, things wouldn't need to be so complicated."
"What if... he just sees this as a game?"
"I don't know why, but that thought is depressing."
Overthinking was a common problem for members of the Hyuga clan.
For a moment, the topic in the conference room shifted from the family's future development to the mysterious being behind the space-time gate.
Ideas were proposed one after another, but the responses grew fewer and fewer until the entire hall fell into a heavy silence.
Everyone frowned, unable to wrap their heads around the idea.
Was their world truly nothing more than a game in the eyes of some higher being?
"Great Elder, I don't think this is something we should be discussing right now."
Hinata, seated next to Ryosuke, suddenly stood up, breaking the silence.
"No matter the reason behind such interference, we aren't in a position to ponder it."
"Rather than dwelling on the unknown, we should be focusing on Shanks' attitude toward us. The Hyuga must never become a stepping stone for other worlds. We should seize this opportunity and rise to greatness!"
Her tone was calm and resolute. Though aware of the implications, perhaps due to her youth and lack of experience, she deliberately avoided going too deep into the topic.
The Great Elder realized that raising such an unsolvable issue in this meeting was premature. He quickly nodded and changed the subject.
"Hinata-chan is right. This matter is beyond our reach for now. Let's set it aside and focus on more pressing concerns."
At that moment, Ryosuke, who had remained silent, finally spoke.
"Shanks arrived with the head of the Saki family. Based on the speed and time of an ordinary carriage, they should've arrived several days ago."
...
"Is this the Leaf Village?"
At the entrance of Konoha,
Amid the flow of people coming and going, a red-haired man in a black cloak stepped down from a well-crafted carriage pulled by two sturdy horses.
An old man with white hair but sharp eyes followed him.
"It looks... different from what I imagined a nation's core military institution to be," Shanks muttered, scratching his head in confusion.
He stared at the humble village, which seemed no different from any other small settlement. It was difficult to accept that this was Konoha, once hailed as the strongest force in the ninja world.
After witnessing places like Sky Island, Sabaody Archipelago, and Fishman Island, this modest village didn't quite compare.
Land of Fire at least, retained some retro architectural charm.
This place... it felt more like Foosha Village, where Luffy grew up.
"Ninjas aren't concerned with luxury or scenery."
Nozomi Saki, who had just finished the entry procedures with the gate ninja, approached him with a smile. "Hop back in the carriage. I'll introduce you to this so-called ninja village as we ride."
Still, Nozomi found something odd. In a world built around combat, wouldn't even a mountain recluse know what truly mattered in the profession?
He found himself growing more suspicious of Shanks' true background.
Though disappointed, Shanks returned to the carriage with Nozomi Saki.
Snap!
The coachman lightly cracked his whip, and the horses started moving again, pulling the carriage into Konoha.
Shanks leaned against the window, observing the village as it passed by.
The short buildings, the patchy forests and unmanicured grasslands all passed through his gaze.
"Ninjas are trained to fight in any situation."
Nozomi Saki, sitting beside him, spoke quietly. "Combat is their daily life."
"When war breaks out, raids and surprise attacks between villages are normal."
"Cliffs, waterfalls, rugged terrain that hinders ordinary people, are nothing to a ninja. Border defenses are meaningless against them."
"So instead of spending time and money building a grand village, practicality takes precedence. After all, buildings are easily destroyed in war."
With Saki's explanation and the sight of figures darting across rooftops, Shanks gradually understood what a ninja village truly was.
As a military organization, aesthetics weren't important.
His earlier disappointment came from comparing this place to the standards of his own world.
In reality, low buildings and dense vegetation were more practical for guerrilla defense and rapid reconstruction after battle.
"So this is where Ryosuke lives... It's like a marine training ground," Shanks muttered.
Not far from the carriage, several children—barely ten years old—wielded sharp kunai, sparring seriously.
It was hard to believe.
And yet, none of the adults around them were surprised. No one stepped in to stop them.
"They''ve been raised to fight since childhood. If all ninja villages are like Konoha, then when the space-time gate truly opens, it might shake our world to its core."
That thought lingered in Shanks' mind.
This world wouldn't be as easy to negotiate with as the monster world.
If diplomacy failed, war could erupt—a war of unimaginable scale.
The idea weighed heavily on him.
What happened to the claim that jonin were the highest level of combat power?
Because of false intel at the start, things were now spiraling out of control.
But no matter what Shanks was thinking, he had finally reached an agreement with the Hyuga clan.
"This is the Hyuga compound."
The Saki family held considerable influence in the Land of Fire and Konoha. Their carriage encountered no obstruction and rolled directly into the heart of the village, stopping at the Hyuga clan gates.
"Is that Master Saki and Mr. Shanks?"
As the carriage stopped, the Hyuga gatekeeper approached and greeted them politely through the window.
Nozomi Saki nodded. "Yes. I am Nozomi Saki. Please inform the Clan head."
The gatekeeper smiled and replied, "Lord Ryosuke has already instructed us. You do not need an appointment."
He activated his Byakugan to confirm the visitors' identities, then gestured politely.
"I'll assign someone to guide you inside."
He called over a nearby Genin, who quickly greeted them, then climbed up beside the coachman to lead the way.
Inside the Hyuga compound,
It was even more dignified than the village itself. The ninjas here moved with purpose and precision.
As they passed the training grounds, Shanks caught a glimpse of what real ninjas in this world looked like.
Maybe... he shouldn't have unleashed his Conqueror's Haki so carelessly.
Perhaps he should have let them show their strength first.
Shanks regretted it.
In his world, top fighters often tested each other's resolve through sheer willpower.
If an opponent couldn't withstand the pressure of one's aura, there was no need to fight.
But this world was different.
Judging their strength based on whether they could withstand half of his aura had been shortsighted.
"You two. It's only been a few days, but you haven't changed one bit."
When the carriage finally stopped in the central courtyard of the Hyuga clan—the ancestral home of the main family—Ryosuke and several clan members were already waiting.
From the moment Shanks and Nozomi entered the village and registered, scouts had relayed the news.
Since the source of the current dilemma had arrived, they could no longer delay. After a brief internal discussion, the elders ended the meeting and came home to welcome their guests from afar.
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