"So, have you made up your mind?"
When Uchiha Yoichi saw Pakura again, he directly asked. He felt that Pakura's spirit had changed significantly, even though only a few days had passed.
Pakura took a deep breath, then asked, "If, if I lead the villagers of the Hidden Sand Village to join Konoha, how will you treat us?"
"Just like the villagers of Konoha. Once you join, you're family. Merit earns rewards, mistakes bring punishment. If anyone discriminates against you for surrendering, the Security Team will punish them according to regulations."
Uchiha Yoichi said calmly, "I have no reason to target the Hidden Sand Village's ninja civilians. The Ninja World is so big, you're the first to join, there will certainly be more opportunities for merit in the future...."
Hearing Uchiha Yoichi's words, Pakura realized that his target was not just their village. The other major Ninja Villages would certainly not escape.
Thinking of Konoha Lightning Fang's tough style and his war achievements, the more Pakura felt it was possible.
"I agree...."
Pakura took a deep breath and said, and after saying this, she felt as though a weight had lifted off her shoulders, her whole state telling her she made the best decision.
"What should I do?"
"Take the signed agreement back, continue being a Hidden Sand Hero. From now on, you, Pakura, will be the one supplying Hidden Sand Village with resources. Whoever you want to eat, they will eat!"
"With Konoha backing you, you just need to keep winning people's hearts. When your reputation in the Hidden Sand Village grows to where over half the people support you, lead them to join Konoha."
This is the method with the least casualties. At that time, if Pakura takes away half of the Hidden Sand's people, with Konoha's army outside, if the remaining Sand Ninjas still want to fight, only then will Uchiha Yoichi respect them.
Afterwards, Uchiha Yoichi discussed some matters with Pakura, mainly teaching her how to use resources to win people's hearts or control other ninjas.
In this situation, even if Rasa could dig up gold, it wouldn't matter; the gold can't be eaten. Now, even with money, they can't buy things.
The Uchiha Merchant Alliance will soon buy up resources from the Land of Tea, Land of Bear, and Land of Demons, completely isolating the Land of Wind.
Rasa, unless he becomes a masked mountain bandit, can't buy resources.
After the negotiations concluded, Uchiha Yoichi called for the Hidden Sand envoy and Hatake Sakumo to sign a new contract.
Sakumo came, looked at the agreement, then signed the name of the Fourth Generation Hokage and left. It took less than two minutes.
However, the Shaluo people were very reluctant. Even if they lowered the requirements for purchasing resources, they felt it should be negotiated with the Fourth Generation Kazekage. What did Pakura have besides the status of a Jonin in the Hidden Sand Village?
"Uchiha Assistant, isn't this wrong? Why let Jonin Pakura handle this...."
"Regarding the rumors about your village, Konoha has heard some. To be honest, I don't trust the Fourth Generation Kazekage; but for the sake of peace and the innocent villagers of Hidden Sand Village, we and the Fourth Hokage reluctantly agreed to your requests..."
Uchiha Yoichi calmly interrupted the Shaluo people and said, "If you can't accept this condition, then find another way. Remember, it's not Konoha begging you, it's you begging Konoha!"
"But...."
The Shaluo people were unwilling, wanting to say more, but seeing Uchiha Yoichi's expression, they swallowed their words.
They knew they had no room to negotiate and could only return to the village to report to the Kazekage.
"...I understand."
After leaving Uchiha Yoichi's office, the Shaluo people suddenly thought this must be Pakura's scheme, seeking external aid... no wonder she volunteered to come to Konoha.
Pakura sensed the Shaluo people's gaze, but she didn't mind. Everyone knew she and Rasa didn't get along, so it wasn't a big deal.
Moreover, she was the one who brought back plenty of resources, not Rasa; so what if she sought external help, Rasa wouldn't have evidence. How could they face her, the hero who could bring back resources?
Thus, a new round of friendly cooperation agreements between Hidden Sand and Konoha were signed, including the Chunin Exams and resource aid, as well as over a dozen other items. Once this news spread, the first to suffer would be the Hidden Rain Village.
Hanzo always thought it was the Hidden Rain Village that helped Konoha defeat the Hidden Sand. Although that was indeed the case, Hanzo's attitude was increasingly arrogant; he had already gained advantages from the war summary, yet still wanted to act as Konoha's 'benefactor.'
The Hidden Rain Village is also within Konoha's plan to conquer and annex. The Land of Fire, Land of Wind, Land of Rivers, and Land of Rain — once linked together, the world's largest nation would be born.
——————————————
Bang!
A burst of smoke from the Summoning Jutsu appeared, but dispersed in just a few seconds.
Then, a tall figure emerged from the smoke.
"Jiraiya, it's been a while since you came to Mount Myoboku. What brings you here this time?"
Gama Bunta spoke up. It was Jiraiya who had Gama Kosuke relay for him to be summoned here.
"Any fights recently?"
"No, I'm here to see the boss and the big sister. If there's a fight, I'll call you."
After greeting, Jiraiya headed toward the inner parts of Mount Myoboku; he had been here many times and knew where Fukasaku Sage and Shima Sage lived.
Watching Jiraiya leave, Gama Bunta shook his massive toad head and said, "Jiraiya, it seems the death of Namikaze Minato hit him hard; he still hasn't recovered...."
The last battle, Gama Bunta hadn't participated in. Dealing with the Rinnegan, large summoned beasts weren't very effective.
After walking for some distance, Jiraiya arrived at the home of the two sages: "Boss, Big Sister."
"Little Jiraiya? It's rare for you to come on your own, what's the matter?"
"Little Jiraiya, you came just in time, I've just prepared a hearty lunch. Join us."
Looking dispirited, Jiraiya waved his hand and said, "No need, Big Sister. Can I see the Great Toad Sage?"
"Why look for that old guy? If he's asleep, no one can wake him."
Shima Sage spoke. Usually, the Great Toad Sage was the one to call them, because when entering a dream, he could generally foresee future events, and couldn't be woken then.
"I have some questions...."
Fukasaku Sage thought for a moment and then said to Jiraiya, "Come with me, but as my wife said, if the great elder is asleep, meeting him won't help."
Even so, Fukasaku Sage led Jiraiya towards the Great Toad Sage's dwelling. He could see that Jiraiya was deeply confused now, but unlike the great elder, he couldn't foresee the future to guide him.
To Fukasaku Sage and Jiraiya's surprise, as they arrived, the Great Toad Sage awakened before they could even call out.
"Fukasaku, is this person next to you the new contractor?"
Seeing the great elder waking up confused, Fukasaku sage said loudly, "Great elder, he's little Jiraiya, he's come specifically to see you this time."
"Little Jiraiya?"
The Great Toad Sage fell silent, reminiscing, then slowly asked, "Who is little Jiraiya?"
After being reminded several more times by Fukasaku Sage, the Great Toad Sage finally remembered, "Oh, yes, little Jiraiya... I just happened to have something to find you for."
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya paused, then asked, "What is it you need me for, Great Toad Sage?"
"Hmm... little Jiraiya, while I was sleeping, I happened to see Hagoromo; he mentioned the Six Paths Chakra has shifted several times again, indicating another pair of Rinnegan might appear...."
"Great elder, I'm already aware of that. The Rinnegan belongs to my student, Nagato; he is now...."
Mid-sentence, Jiraiya suddenly reacted to what the Great Toad Sage said, hurriedly asking, "Great elder, did you say another pair of Rinnegan? Is it.... a new Rinnegan? Also, who is the Hagoromo you mentioned?"
"Hagoromo... is what you refer to as the Six Paths Sage, and the Rinnegan is his ability."
When talking about Hagoromo, the Great Toad Sage spoke slowly, as if recalling something.
"As for the Rinnegan, what Hagoromo told me should not be wrong....."