A few days after the Mist probing attack, I stood on top of the gate with Shikaku and Shisui standing behind. Down the road, the appearances of Sand shinobi were gradually coming into focus as they neared, and Pakura was leading the group of nearly a hundred with Maki at her side. I gave the signal to open the gates then jumped down, along with Shikaku and Shisui, to greet our guests.
"Kazekage," I said with a slight bow of politeness. "Thank you for assisting us against the Mist."
"It is only right that we honor our alliance and support you properly, Commander Sarutobi," Pakura replied.
"This is Shikaku Nara, our strategist, and my personal student, Shisui Uchiha, who will show your people to the quarters that we've prepared for your people," I introduced.
"Maki, my student," Pakura replied, introducing the girl next to her. "Lead the troops with Natsue and follow Shisui; I have matters to discuss with the commander."
"Yes, sensei," the girl agreed with a confident nod.
Shisui and Maki separated from us then led the Sand ninjas into our camp. Shikaku gave me a look, not really hiding his displeasure at having the risk of Sand ninjas within our walls, but the counterargument of letting them roam around the region overruled his objections. While the Sand troops shuffled in, I led Pakura and Shikaku through a narrow gap of the gate then down a side route to the command center.
I summoned a clone, which headed downstairs to prepare some tea, to Pakura's mild interest and Shikaku's complete disinterest. He sat down at the map table, next to his stack of reports, without a word yet readied his empty cup anyways. I approached the other side of the table where the pieces were arranged and began to explain.
"Our coastline, and these outposts are that we've set up. Three days ago, the Mist tried probing our defenses, though Fugaku and I repelled their attempt. Our relay system allowed us to respond within minutes and without too much loss, but it's just the first of many."
"True... they strike when convientant and will wait for you to drop your guard," Pakura agreed.
"Which is why we are waging a defensive war. There is little to gain from invading their territory, not to mention the stupidity of attacking them in their homeland where they have the advantage," I commented as my clone returned with a tray that had a kettle, cups, and a small bowl of lemon-honey candies.
"So, how would you like to utilize my troops then?" she asked with a hint of suspicion, crossing her arms.
"We've prepared several options for you to choose from and assign as you see fit, though we will have a few minor requirements," I said then sat down in one of the chairs around the table and gestured to another that she could use. Once she sat across from me, I started with the simplest. "As you'll notice, our numbers are thin here in the main camp, so we can hire fifteen of your people to supplement our camp guard and patrol duties at a set rate of XXXXX ryo per day, which will be deducted from the war debt."
"Fair," she replied with a nod and accepted a tea cup from my clone.
"Because of our strategy, I can't spare ninjas to assist the merchant ships currently, so we can sub-contract their requests to you to assign as you wish, but this is where some of our requirements come in. If your people travel the ocean, a jonin must lead the team accopanying the merchant ship while a large convoy may require more due to being a target for the Mist. If it is across the land, at least two chunins must be on the team that escorts the traders. We'll negotiate the deals with the merchants, and seventy percent of the commission will be applied to your debt while the remaining thirty percent can be paid out directly or tallied and reported monthly to the Village to send back to Suna; of course, applying it all to your debt is possible," I explained the next idea as I added one of the candies to my tea and sipped on it when I paused.
Pakura smirked at that.
"We also have a potential method for you to combat the Mist in the open waters or assist with sailing merchants, a pair of ships. Fugaku secured two of the ships that the Mist used when they attacked, and they seemed to be in good condition. Since he turned them over to the Village for war credit, I can rent or sell them to you directly or add the cost to the war debt. Do those offers sound reasonable to you?"
"They do. Do you have any 'sub-contracts' ready for my people?" Pakura asked.
"Too many," Shikaku grumbled as he stood up and gave her a scroll. "I've categorized them by destination with Wind Country locations at the beginning of the list."
"Thank you," she replied, taking the scroll.
"I have another way for you, specifically, to kill more Mist ninjas... With my clones, I can carry people over short distances to reinforce an outpost using my Flying Thunder God technique. Currently, Fugaku is the main one that accompanies me, but your strength makes you another good candidate," I offered.
"So, you'll have me accompany you during Mist raids?"
"That is the main idea, but there could be a time when I may be forced to leave you in the field or ask to send you with one of my clones alone to support some of our troops. Considering your position, it has risks that I can't hide, so consider it carefully. You can refuse to be deployed, but I could be called away to support another outpost at any time," I explained.
"I'll consider it properly," she assured.
"Good... we've also prepared identification bands that your people can wear, marking them as allies, which will make moving around on your field missions easier. I'll have Shisui bring them to you later today," I added.
"Thank you for the consideration. I'm sure that the bands will be helpful."
"They will be," I said with a nod, standing up.
Pakura finished the last of her tea then stood up as well. She held out a hand, saying, "To the beginning of a properous alliance."
"And a long," I agreed, shaking her hand.
When our hands touched, I felt a scrap of paper against her palm. We let go, so that I took the paper with me, and then she left with a casual nod. Shikaku did not notice anything and returned to his chair after grabbing a candy for his tea. I finished my tea then carried the tray back down to my living area where I finally looked at the note she had passed me.
"There are things that we need to discuss in private. Find an opportunity."
I burned away the note with a bit of Fire chakra then dusted off my hands. Although I was curious about what she wanted to speak about privately, it would have to wait until the evening. I may have the spare time with Shikaku handling most of the daily duties, but Pakura would need to make sure that her people were settling in well. With nothing better to do for now, I headed down the stairs and summoned my clones to begin another long grinding session. Shisui trained with a couple of my clones in the agility course before dropping off the marked identification bands; I was not going to let Sand ninjas run around our territory without some way to keep an eye on them, even if I did trust Pakura.
When the evening finally came around, I sent out my Space-Time clone to pick up Pakura while I finished cooking. I topped a bowl of rice with vegetable curry then had a clone bring it up to Shisui while I portioned out another bowl's worth. Space returned with Pakura at her side, and Pakura glanced around with some mild curiosity.
"Have you eaten? I've got enough to share," I commented, holding up the freshly made bowl.
"I have, but thank you," she replied politely.
I shrugged, grabbed my chopsticks, and walked over to the table with my bowl. Sitting down, I asked, "So, why did you want to speak to me privately?"
Pakura chuckled, shaking her head, then sat down across from me. "Is there anything that you should tell me about? Perhaps, framing me for an assassination of one of your Village Elders?"
"I'm not sure what you are talking about," I lied after a few bites of food. "Danzo was assassinated by what our people believe was Scorch Release, but I don't remember any formal accusation brought against you."
"Perhaps not by your people, but Rasa's faction had plenty of accusations about me abandoning my post, acting without orders, and allowing a 'possible' attack, that never happened, along the coast while I was acting rogue," she retorted.
I took another bite of my curry with a smirk then asked, "And what are they saying now?"
She smiled and chuckled, "The few that are still alive sing my praises."
"Then it seems like everything has worked out."
Pakura rolled her eyes but stopped pushing since she could tell that I would not answer directly. Taking out a scroll from her pouch on her belt, she placed it on the table between us and explained, "I've talked with a few of my most trusted advisors and gone over a few of the suggestions you mentioned before. Sadly, it is not as simple as you believed. Any form of aqueduct would be annexed by the Daimyo as soon as he heard about it. The valuable herb garden, salt-tolerant crops, and animals bred for heat would be great additions, but without more water, those ideas aren't feasible either. I had the general information that we collected written in this scroll, no security details, but I wanted to give it to you in case there was something else you could think of."
I laid my chopsticks down over the bowl and took the scroll. Looking over the contents, I found information and prices for the crops that I suggested, animals, and the shortest paths back to the Sand Village with the price of purchasing the land.
"So, even if you purchase the land proper, you believe the Daimyo will claim ownership of the aqueduct?" I questioned.
"He doesn't care about land, but he does care about water. That was the one thing all my advisors could agree on," she answered.
"Hmmm..." I mused, drumming my fingers on the table. "Would he care or investigate if you were to perform 'field exercises'?" I asked.
"I would doubt it as long as we did not disturb any of the oasis."
"Then building it below ground and hide any evidence. The desert sands already swallow up roads and trails, so this would just be working with it rather than against it," I replied.
"But... over such long distances, the water would end up incredibly deep to reach Suna."
"Maybe, but you could use windmills to assist you in a couple of ways. Either you could station them along the underground pipe to raise the water to a higher channel or simply make an underground lake near your village and pump up the water with windmills. Placing the windmills along the route does increase the chances that the Daimyo would figure out about your underground pipe, but it does give you a better chance at catching any breaks in the line as it will happen over time," I suggested.
She blinked with surprise at how easily I solved her concerns, making me chuckle.
"I have been considering methods for assisting you since Umiwake, so don't be so surprised. I've already told you that I don't think like the Elders that have put your people into this situation," I explained. "I even have a few more ideas for gathering water, but it will take some testing to see how viable they are."
Pakura shook her head with a soft chuckle and remarked, "You talk about solving the fundamental determinant of our Country like it is a small problem."
"Oh... this won't solve the water situation for your Country, just maybe your Village, and it will take years to fully implement these ideas on a scale large enough for your village," I interjected.
"Well, that makes me believe you a bit more. You're not a complete miracle worker," she replied with a casual smile.
"No, not a complete one, but I do plan on delivering more than a few miracles throughout my life," I chuckled.
She gave me a look then shook her head and decided not to comment on that statement. Instead, she stood up and said, "Thank you for meeting with me discreetly."
"Not a problem. My clone can take you back, if you are ready."
"Thank you, I would," she agreed.
I stood as well then offered her my hand, saying as we shook, "I hope for a long future with our two nations working together as allies and even friends."
"I do as well."
Pakura gave me a nod then looked at my clone who walked over. My clone placed a hand on her shoulder, and she looked at me one last time before she vanished with my clone in a flash of silver. I sat back down and resumed eating as a smile came to my face. It seemed like Pakura was truly willing to work on this alliance and was listening to my suggestions.
"As long as I prevent the Konoha Crush plan and keep him retired, I've done my duty as the old man's daughter," I thought to myself.
A/N: Sorry about the delay, I finished the chapter late.