"What do we do after that?" Black Zetsu asked.
"Just keep an eye on things here and notify me if anything happens," Seiryu said, dispelling his clone on the spot.
…
Two weeks later, Miura Kazuo and Fugaku returned from their diplomatic missions to the Lands of Rice Fields and Hot Springs. Thanks to Seiryu's orders, Sound Village in the Land of Rice Fields, founded by Orochimaru, swiftly signed the alliance agreement, and the daimyo of the Land of Hot Springs, which had no ninja village, was persuaded by Miura to sign as well.
Upon their return, Seiryu summoned Inuzuka Ago and Aburame Shibi to his office.
Since Seiryu took office, the Inuzuka and Aburame clans had entirely replaced the former Koharu and Homura clans in Konoha's internal politics, inheriting their wealth and status.
After the capital of the Land of Fire moved to Konoha, the Aburame clan found their territory too noisy for raising bugs, so they asked to move to a quieter area. Seiryu compensated them generously, and even set aside a nature reserve for them to research new bug species.
As for the Inuzuka clan, the influx of Fire Country nobility into Konoha meant big business.
Everyone knew the nobility's pets provided endless D-rank missions for genin. Once the nobles heard how good the Inuzuka were at breeding dogs, they started ordering pets from them. Under Seiryu's guidance, the Inuzuka began raising puppies as pets if they weren't ninja dog material, and opened a pet-boarding service, giving even non-ninja clan members ways to earn money.
Ago even supported Seiryu's industrial policies, investing in a high-quality dog food factory on the southeastern coast. Using ninja dog recipes, their dog food quickly took over the Fire Country market.
Thanks to all this, both clans were deeply grateful to Seiryu, so when he summoned them, they immediately dropped everything and hurried over.
Seiryu, as usual, made tea for them, then smiled and said, "While I was away, you two worked hard supporting Kakashi. I haven't had the chance to thank you."
"Hokage-sama, there's no need. It's our duty," said Ago.
"Is there something you'd like us to do?" asked Shibi.
"How would you two like a promotion?" Seiryu smiled.
They were stunned. They were already Hokage advisors—was Seiryu stepping down?
"You probably know Elder Fugaku and our Left Minister just visited the Lands of Rice Fields and Hot Springs," Seiryu said. "We've signed alliance agreements. According to the treaties, Konoha will station troops on their borders with the Land of Lightning to help defend their countries."
"I'd like you two to take command of these garrisons," Seiryu continued.
"Us?" The two exchanged glances, shocked.
"That's right." Seiryu nodded. "I'll assign each of you a force of about 800 ninja from the village. Including the garrison already stationed on the border, each of you will command about 2,000 ninja. At your bases, you'll be the Commander of those troops—during peacetime, all decisions are yours."
Both were stunned. Seiryu was entrusting them with armies of 2,000 ninja each! Even the leaders of smaller villages didn't command that many, and their units would comprise nearly a third of Konoha's active ninja.
"But if we take so many ninja, won't Konoha's finances be strained?" Shibi asked. Normally, only Security and ANBU got salaries; regular ninja were paid per mission. Garrison troops were paid by the village. Taking 800 each meant all those ninja would stop bringing in mission revenue and need to be paid, costing a lot.
"Don't worry, we won't pay a penny," Seiryu smiled. "Remember, we're defending someone else's border; they'll pay the costs."
"I see. So not only does this not strain our finances, it lightens the load of the two border units currently stationed there," Shibi said. "But what about missions? Won't the village be short-handed with so many ninja gone?"
"No need to worry," Seiryu replied. "The Academy's graduation season is coming, so we'll soon have more genin. Plus, I plan to gradually reduce our mission load."
"Reduce the mission load?" Both were shocked.
In past ninja wars, villages fought over missions—wasn't this giving up income?
"Exactly," Seiryu said. "The mercenary model of ninja-for-hire is out of date. Soon, I'll reform the ninja system, and reducing missions is the first step."
Ago and Shibi didn't understand, but nodded. Seiryu had never made a bad decision and had brought their clans to greatness. If he had a plan, they'd follow.
…
Two more weeks passed. Officially appointed as Commanders of the Fire Army in the Lands of Rice Fields and Hot Springs, Shibi and Ago led their ninja to their new posts.
They were warmly welcomed by the local daimyos. For the daimyos, paying a little money for Konoha's elite to defend them was far better than building their own ninja villages—why not spend that money on pleasures instead? The economic cooperation in the treaty would also make them real money. All it cost was a bit of military spending—a bargain.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring Land of Lightning, when A of Kumogakure heard about Konoha's troops on two borders, he was furious. Even though the Land of Frost still separated them, Konoha's actions were as good as stationing troops right on his border, since the Land of Frost had always relied on Kumogakure for ninja.
A decided to do the same, moving his border troops to the Land of Frost to confront Konoha.
But his secretary C quickly stopped him.
"Raikage-sama, I don't advise moving our ninja to the Land of Frost," C said at the high council meeting.
"Why?" A asked, frowning.
"Because we're not ready for all-out war with Konoha," C said. "Our strength has grown, but we still can't defeat Konoha quickly. If the war drags out, the Land of Fire's deep resources will grind us down."
"Unless, like previous wars, we attack with the Lands of Earth and Water at the same time. But Mist is tied up, and as for Stone, I know that Tsuchikage—if we fight Konoha, he'll just wait and reap the rewards."
A could only smack the table in frustration and drop his plans for deploying to the Land of Frost. He was reckless, but not stupid. C was right—if they fought now, they might win at first, but they could never wipe out Konoha, and a war of attrition would doom the Land of Lightning.