It's late March now, and indeed, it's time to arrange this matter.
The content of the letter roughly states that they're allowed to send out twenty to thirty students with a talent for becoming Medical Ninjas, who will receive six years of Medical Ninja training at the Konoha Ninja School. The costs for the six years of materials and accommodation will be split in half, with Konoha covering one half and Hakushi covering the other half.
However, the costs for materials used in experiments will not be covered by Konoha and will be entirely paid by Hakushi.
Hakushi nodded, feeling the requirements were reasonable and overall satisfying him.
"How many people are currently studying Medical Ninjutsu here at headquarters?"
Hakushi asked.
"There are a total of forty-one people."
The man thought for a moment and answered.
"Select twenty-five people and arrange for their safe delivery to Konoha the day after tomorrow morning. Take the sea route around the Land of Tea, then proceed to the Land of Fire."
Considering that the Land of Rain, Land of Grass, and Land of Rivers may all become war zones, traveling by land would be very dangerous. It would be troublesome if they accidentally got caught up in the war.
"Yes. Oh, by the way, Lord Hakushi, there has been a very strange rumor circulating in the Ninja Realm recently."
Remembering something, the man lowered his voice and spoke very cautiously.
"A strange rumor?"
"This rumor has not been confirmed yet, but it is said that the Third Kazekage of the Hidden Sand Village seems to have disappeared."
The man spoke in a very low voice, as this matter was too significant. The sudden disappearance of one of the Five Kage is no small matter.
Hakushi was immediately surprised upon hearing this news.
"The Kazekage has disappeared?"
"Yes, and it seems to have happened at the end of January. The Great Ninja War has been raging for over a month, yet the Third Kazekage has not shown up, nor has he taken any action. Now, many people are increasingly suspecting the truth of this news."
After hearing this, Hakushi showed a look of doubt on his face.
The Third Kazekage disappeared at the end of January, but it was not until February that the Hidden Sand launched a war against Konoha. So, who's responsible for commanding the Hidden Sand forces? Those high-ranking officials of the Hidden Sand?
I initially thought the disappearance of the Third Kazekage happened after the war started, but now it seems that's not the case.
But... how could a Kazekage, one of the contemporary Five Kage, suddenly disappear?
Could there be a conspiracy from the Hidden Sand behind this?
"Lord Hakushi, should we send someone to investigate this matter?"
Hakushi shook his head and said, "No need, it's none of our business. Our current role is that of drug dealers, and there's no need to do anything unnecessary. Let the ninjas fight; we're just responsible for making money."
Even though he was surprised by the Kazekage's disappearance, Hakushi thought it over carefully and realized it had nothing to do with him.
Regardless of whether the Kazekage is present, the Hidden Sand Village still has to purchase medicine from us. The disappearance of the Kazekage will not sever this collaboration.
Rushing into this matter might instead expose ourselves and raise suspicions from the Hidden Sand.
During this war, making money from selling medicine is our task, and there's no need to meddle unnecessarily.
After the man left, Hakushi continued to wander in the school. As he was about to return, the ground began to bulge, and Earth General started to form into a human shape.
Earth General merely handed a note to Hakushi. Hakushi glanced at the note's content and furrowed his brow.
"Those strange white creatures have started infiltrating Konoha again, heading toward the Uchiha Clan Land, haven't they?"
Earth General nodded, indicating that this was indeed the case.
"This never ends; what exactly are these people trying to do?"
Hakushi was utterly baffled.
To be honest, Hakushi was very wary of the mastermind behind these mysterious white creatures.
The pressure from that Sharingan was terrifyingly intense, leaving a lasting impression on Hakushi.
However, these people must be plotting something; otherwise, they wouldn't repeatedly infiltrate Konoha and investigate the Uchiha Clan Land.
The conspiracy is more significant against Konoha, or rather, against the Uchiha.
Who exactly is their target?
These were all questions Hakushi did not know the answers to.
"This time, follow those people and see where they settle."
As he spoke, a snake-like flow of water suddenly emerged from Hakushi's sleeve, attaching to Earth General and disappearing.
"Be cautious. If something seems off, leave immediately. It's enough to determine their location, and try not to delve too deeply."
Hakushi was very worried that Earth General's investigation of these mysterious individuals might lead to an encounter with the mastermind behind it all, someone with a strong Sharingan, so he had the Water Clone accompany Earth General to ensure they could retreat if they ran into danger.
Earth General nodded and re-submerged into the earth to investigate the mysterious white creatures.