"Alright, you can go now."
The Third Kazekage watched Qingshui leave his office, then reached out and pressed a bell on his desk.
*Whoosh!*
An Anbu ninja, clad in black uniform, instantly appeared before the Third Kazekage and knelt on one knee.
"What is Rasa doing right now?"
The Third Kazekage asked the Anbu.
"Lord Third, the vice-minister is currently hosting the Mist Hidden envoys, as per your instructions."
The Anbu bowed his head slightly as he replied.
"Call him over. There are some things I want to ask him."
The Third Kazekage tapped his fingers on the desk and said.
Qingshui had already submitted a perfect answer.
Rasa's window of opportunity was now incredibly small.
"Yes!"
The Anbu ninja responded, then instantly leaped out the window.
Meanwhile, in the commercial district of Sand Village's outer city, Rasa walked down the street with a faint smile on his face, alongside a stout man with long brownish-orange hair, carrying a cloth-wrapped greatsword, and standing nearly two and a half meters tall.
"Well, Mr. Suikazan, the prosperity of Sand Village isn't any worse than Hidden Mist Village, is it?"
Rasa said to Fuguki Suikazan, who was built like a Little Giant, with a sense of pride.
"The prosperity of Sand Village truly exceeds my expectations."
Fuguki Suikazan turned his head, and thanks to his height and stature, he could clearly see every corner of the street.
Compared to Sand Village, Hidden Mist Village, which had been implementing the Blood Mist policy for many years, was indeed far behind.
However, Fuguki Suikazan couldn't directly state this in front of someone from another village.
"But Sand Village is indeed prosperous, yet what does that have to do with you, Mr. Rasa?"
Fuguki Suikazan turned back, looking at Rasa with a half-smile.
He had thoroughly prepared before his departure, specifically consulting the Hidden Mist Village's intelligence unit to get a good understanding of Sand Village's current situation.
The Third Kazekage's direct disciple at his side, the high-ranking and influential vice-minister of the Sand Anbu, had a diminishing chance of becoming the Fourth Kazekage with each passing day.
People like Qingshui, who were not only powerful fighters but also possessed strategic minds and excellent governance skills, were rare among ninjas who had started killing with blades as early as twelve, or even younger.
According to Gen'yū, the last person with such a profile was Tobirama Senju.
He was a formidable fighter, exceptionally skilled at governing the village, and his policies were emulated by various major ninja villages. He was also a master of research.
No one wanted to see Sand Village produce another figure like Tobirama Senju.
"I am a person of Sand Village. How could Sand Village's state have nothing to do with me? Mr. Suikazan, what do you mean by that?"
Rasa's face slightly darkened.
"Is that so? I heard that the current state of Sand Village has the most to do with your village's Jonin Qingshui. Such an outstanding individual will likely become Sand Village's next Kazekage, won't he?"
Fuguki Suikazan looked at Rasa with narrowed eyes.
"That's not necessarily true. The Kage of a village can only be held by the strongest in the village."
"Is that so? It seems Lord Rasa believes you are the strongest in Sand Village?"
Rasa did not reply.
Even if he felt unwilling to admit it, he knew that Qingshui's strength likely surpassed his own.
"It seems Lord Rasa isn't very confident, are you?"
Fuguki Suikazan chuckled.
"With Qingshui's abilities, I think... if Lord Rasa wants to gain an advantage in the competition, these next few years might be your last chance. Don't forget how young he is; perhaps only by achieving enough merits in these final years can Lord Rasa surpass Qingshui?
And what merit could be more significant than leading Sand Village to victory over Konoha?"
Fuguki Suikazan noticed an Anbu ninja leaping towards them in the distance. He reached out and patted Rasa's shoulder. Seeing the fluctuating expression on Rasa's face, he chuckled, appearing quite amiable and innocent.
Rasa was the Third Kazekage's disciple; his words should have some influence on the Third Kazekage's decision, right?
...
...
After leaving the Kazekage Building, Qingshui went to the Puppet Force again.
Sasori was recently preparing for his Jonin promotion and was out on a mission.
However, it was currently not wartime. Although the number of missions was considerably higher than during previous peaceful times, high-level missions suitable for a Jonin were still not abundant.
During peacetime, the difficulty of being promoted to Jonin was naturally higher than during wartime.
Even though Sasori had connections and his elders were high-ranking officials in the village, the necessary procedures still had to be followed. At most, once he met the requirements, he would have a smoother process than others and wouldn't be held back.
Qingshui estimated that Sasori would need until at least the second half of this year, or even early next year, to barely accumulate enough merit.
That wouldn't break his record, though.
Qingshui remembered becoming a Jonin two years ago, right after turning thirteen.
Sasori, on the other hand, still had two months until his thirteenth birthday, so he would likely become a Jonin about half a year later than Qingshui did.
This was still a very impressive achievement.
Sasori was certainly part of the Sand Village's core training sequence now, because a genius of his caliber, as long as he didn't die young, had a high probability of growing into a Kage-level powerhouse and becoming a pillar of a major ninja village.
Even Baki, who would become a Jonin a year later, had already been recruited into the Anbu by the Third Kazekage, serving as a squad leader within the Anbu and being transferred to the Kazekage Guard.
Although joining the Anbu would inevitably lead to suppression from Rasa, the deputy minister, Baki, as a member of the Kazekage Guard, could directly interact with the Kazekage. Rasa, even with his intentions, wouldn't dare to be too obvious.
As for himself and Pakura…
They could essentially be considered pillar-level ninjas of the village. Even if Pakura's strength was a bit lacking compared to most Kage-level powerhouses, she at least had the ability to contend with them. The gap was even smaller with someone like Rasa, who was a relatively weaker Kage-level ninja.
Back to the main topic.
Since Sasori, the chief researcher, was out on a mission, and he had also taken Jianye, a veteran main force who had been immersed in the new Puppetry for almost three years, Qingshui needed to personally oversee the Puppet Force if he didn't want the research progress to halt during this time.
By now, the composition of the Puppet Force had significantly changed from before.
The first five squads were still the same, primarily consisting of elite Puppet Masters, serving as the Sand Village's important elite combat units.
As for the Sixth Squad, although it was also a combat unit, it focused more on Puppet maintenance and logistical support compared to the other squads.
Currently, this place had become the main base for new Puppetry research and technological innovation. More than a combat team, it resembled a research facility.
Therefore, Chiyo was even considering whether to establish a seventh squad to share the original functions of the Sixth Squad, allowing the Sixth Squad to specialize in researching new Puppetry.
However, this idea was temporarily put on hold at Qingshui's persuasion, because he had other plans.
It had only been less than three years since the new Puppetry emerged, and it wasn't yet sufficient to establish a comprehensive talent cultivation mechanism. They could only rely on Sasori, a Puppetry genius whose progress far exceeded others, and Qingshui, the knowledge conveyor, to slowly guide the development.
Only after a few more years, when the talent system was perfected, could Qingshui shift some of the energy invested here to other areas.
Qingshui spent the rest of the morning teaching and guiding students in research.
Until the sun was high in the sky, around twelve noon.
Outside the Sand Village, on Commercial City Street.
Qingshui burped, hands clasped behind his head, taking a post-meal stroll with Pakura.
Lunch was at a newly opened restaurant on the street. The owner had moved from another country and was originally a chef who served the Daimyo. However, the new Daimyo had grown tired of the dishes after only a few months and simply replaced the entire team of chefs.
Qingshui thought the food was quite good. Several signature dishes were no worse than the delicacies prepared by top chefs for the Avatars in the Marvel and DC Universe.
As for Pakura, there was even less to say.
Having grown up in the impoverished Sand Village, even the ninja class, whose lives were much wealthier than commoners, after fulfilling the nutritional needs for ninja training, all their remaining wealth was spent on purchasing and maintaining ninja tools and allocating training resources. There was no extra money to enjoy themselves. Only during festivals or after a lucrative mission could they indulge a little.
Not to mention, the Land of Wind was not rich in produce. Although there were some local specialties, they couldn't compare to a fertile land like the Land of Fire.
It was only after the war ended, with their ninja ranks rising and incomes increasing, coupled with the immense changes the canal and new Puppetry brought to the Sand Village's commercial economy, that they could afford such leisure.
Unbeknownst to them, the two arrived at the main gate of the outer city.
"That person is…"
Pakura looked at the gate, at a Little Giant nearly two and a half meters tall, carrying a cloth-wrapped greatsword on his back, a hint of surprise in her voice.
"Fuguki Suikazan of the Mist Hidden?"
As a member of the renowned Seven Ninja Swordsmen in the Ninja World, Fuguki Suikazan had a considerable reputation.
"He's an envoy sent by the Mizukage. He should be returning now," Qingshui said, looking at Fuguki Suikazan's back.
Pakura saw that Qingshui seemed to know something and then looked at the two Anbu ninjas accompanying Fuguki Suikazan, not saying much more.
Fuguki Suikazan stood before the Sand Village gate, his expression not looking good.
The Third Kazekage had rejected the Fourth Mizukage's proposal to form an alliance and attack Konoha, stating directly that it was not yet the right time.
However, the Third Kazekage was also happy to let the Mist Hidden delay Konoha's recovery speed. He directly stated that if the Mist Hidden insisted on going to war with Konoha, then the Sand could provide assistance to the Mist Hidden with ninja tools and other supplies, requiring only a small fee, which would be absolutely good value for money.
In short, as long as the Sand Village didn't have to send troops, everything else was negotiable.
But the mission the Fourth Mizukage gave Fuguki Suikazan was to persuade the Third Kazekage to send troops…
"Since Yagura became the Three-Tails Jinchuriki and took the position of Mizukage, he's become somewhat temperamental. I wonder if there will be any punishment when I go back this time, sigh…"
Fuguki Suikazan felt a pang of worry in his heart and sighed, feeling a slight movement from Greatsword Samehada on his back.
"Hmm?"
Turning his head, Fuguki Suikazan looked in the direction of Qingshui and Pakura.
"You want their Chakra?"
Fuguki Suikazan retracted his gaze, turned back, and reached for the hilt of Samehada on his back.
"What do you want, Fuguki Suikazan?"
Following closely behind Fuguki Suikazan, an Anbu ninja couldn't help but turn his gaze, staring intently at the former.
"It's nothing, Samehada was just a bit hungry, so I fed it some chakra."
A portion of chakra condensed in Fuguki Suikazan's hand, feeding Greatsword Samehada.
The fat man knew that those two were not to be trifled with.
Even though the chakra on them was of high quality, and a type Samehada had never tasted before, they were still not people he could afford to provoke.
"Let's go quickly. We'll escort you out of the Land of Wind within two days. I don't know if you plan to travel by land or by sea."
The Anbu ninja followed Fuguki Suikazan's gaze, and as he spoke, a sense of relief washed over him.
With Qingshui and Pakura, two high-level combatants, even if Fuguki Suikazan wanted to cause trouble at the village gate, he wouldn't be able to stir up anything significant.
As long as he was safely escorted out of the Land of Wind, it would have nothing more to do with Sand Village.
"Let's go by sea, it's safer. I still need to avoid the Land of Fire and go to Cloud Hidden Village to deliver a message to the Raikage."
As Fuguki Suikazan spoke with a chuckle, he saw a few Chakra Energy Vehicles appearing on the road ahead, driving towards them. He then moved off the road and, along with two Anbu, left the Sand Village gate.
The Chakra Energy Vehicles slowly stopped, and out stepped a handsome, red-haired young man with an indifferent expression, carrying two bundles of Sealing Scrolls on his back.
Following him were Jianye and two Chunin whom Qingshui had seen a few times in the Puppet Force.
"It's rare for you to be waiting for me this time."
Sasori saw the two people not far down the street, his gaze quickly sweeping past Pakura before settling on Qingshui. He then walked over and spoke.
"Ah... ah, yes! Was your mission smooth this time?"
Qingshui almost didn't react, quickly asking.
He and Pakura were just out for a walk after dinner and coincidentally ran into him; they hadn't been waiting at all.
Based on his estimation, he had only roughly calculated that Sasori might return today, but he hadn't expected to actually run into him.
"It was alright. The Daimyo of the Land of Snow is indeed a capable and discerning person. He even sent his younger brother here, wanting to discuss cooperation with the village with the Third Generation."
Sasori pointed to a large-nosed young man who had just gotten out of a Chakra Energy Vehicle.
Dotō Kazahana carried a piece of clothing, observing the comings and goings at the Sand Hidden Gate, feeling that Sand Village was much more prosperous than the Land of Snow.
Qingshui also glanced at Dotō Kazahana.
The two brothers, the Daimyo of the Land of Snow, both seemed to be excellent research talents. The elder brother, Sōsetsu Kazahana, invented amazing technology that could turn snowfields into spring, and the latter also created items like Chakra Armor.
He could consider recruiting them.
-----------
Machine Translation by: https:// beta.randomtranslator.com/
Read 1111+ original & fanfic translations in English, Español, Português, Deutsch, Français, or Русский at: https:// beta.randomtranslator.com/
Join our Discord: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------