Chapter 153 Konoha Pact Plan
Konoha attached great importance to the visit of Takigakure.
As soon as the Takigakure leader's convoy arrived at the entrance of Konoha, Uchiha Touhuan and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was practically the village's mascot and spent his days attending various ribbon-cutting ceremonies but had been forcibly dragged there today, were already waiting.
A red carpet nearly a hundred meters long stretched out from the gate.
Iwata Sawaki felt overwhelmed as soon as he got out of the car; the scale of the welcome ceremony was comparable to that of the Kage of some major ninja villages.
While Iwata Sawaki was slightly bewildered by Konoha's extraordinary hospitality, Uchiha Touhuan had already stepped forward and warmly shook hands with him.
"Welcome to Konoha from Takigakure. On behalf of Konoha, I extend a warm welcome to all of you," Uchiha Touhuan said with a smile.
"Hehe, Iwata, it seems like it's been a long time since we last met." Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled beside him. "The last time we met was when your Takigakure village came to Konoha for the Joint Chunin Exams, wasn't it?"
"Third Hokage, Fifth Hokage," Iwata Sawaki bowed slightly, greeting the two in turn.
"Chief Iwata, let's go into the village first. Konoha has prepared a grand ceremony for our guests from afar," Uchiha Touhuan said with a smile.
After the Takigakure group walked onto the red carpet, a group of Fire Release ninjas specially transferred from the guard unit by Uchiha Touhuan began releasing fireworks into the sky, instantly creating a lively atmosphere at the village entrance.
Under Uchiha Touhuan's arrangement, the group went directly to the high-end restaurant owned by Gato, where they were treated to the highest level of hospitality. Afterward, they were taken to Konoha's most luxurious hotel.
The next day, Uchiha Touhuan sent Kakashi, who served as the Hokage's assistant, to lead Iwata Sawaki on a tour of Konoha's newly built factories. The scale of the new industrial zone in western Konoha left Iwata Sawaki in awe.
The afternoon's itinerary included a visit to the ninja guard unit, followed by dinner.
At Uchiha Touhuan's instruction, the guard unit put on a mini-military parade.
When thousands of guard ninja saluted the reviewing stand in unison, shouting their loyalty like a tidal wave, Iwata Sawaki was utterly stunned.
He couldn't understand how Konoha had managed to train such a disciplined ninja force.
If such a force were on the battlefield, unleashing their ninjutsu together, even a powerful elite Jonin like himself would have to temporarily retreat.
At dinner time, Iwata Sawaki was dumbfounded as he watched the plates of delicious-looking beef and seafood being served in the cafeteria. The people queuing at the food window must be a whole team of genin, right? Do the genin of Konoha eat this well? Even he, in Takigakure, didn't get to eat this kind of food every day.
Judging from the ninjas' nonchalant expressions, it wasn't hard to tell that they genuinely ate this well regularly, and it wasn't just a special treat for him!
"Hehe, Mr. Iwata, today's menu was originally supposed to include salmon, but we haven't been able to get any quality salmon from the port these past few days, so we've used a lower-grade fish instead.
However, to ensure the team members get enough nutrition, we've added an extra serving of lobster today. I hope Mr. Iwata won't mind," Kakashi said with a smile.
"Konoha ninjas…do they always eat this well?" Iwata Sawaki asked with some difficulty, truly shocked by the standard of the food.
"Of course, Mr. Iwata is also a ninja, so he should know that ninjas consume a lot of energy every day during work and training. Our security force is the elite of Konoha, so our daily training volume is even greater. Therefore, the ninjas need more nutrition," Kakashi said.
"I understand," Iwata Sawaki nodded.
By now, Iwata Sawaki no longer doubted his choice. Konoha's size and demonstrated strength were superior to Iwagakure's. More importantly, Uchiha Touhuan's friendly attitude towards him was something that Onoki, who was usually arrogant towards small countries, could never match.
"Hokage, assist Your Excellency." Thinking of this, Iwata Sawaki called out to Kakashi after finishing his meal.
"What is it, Mr. Iwata?" Kakashi turned around and said with a smile.
"I wonder when Your Excellency is free. I came here today to discuss cooperation between our two villages," Iwata Sawaki said.
"His Hokage has been very busy lately. He's not only the Hokage of Konoha, but also the Grand Minister of State of the Land of Fire. He has many things to handle every day.
Perhaps Mr. Iwata could stay in Konoha for a couple more days? Once His Hokage has finished his work, he will naturally summon you." Kakashi followed Uchiha Touhuan's instructions and dealt with Iwata Sawaki.
"Is that so?" Iwata Sawaki hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Alright then, I'll wait here for His Hokage's summons."
After leaving the hotel where the Takigakure group had been received, Kakashi returned to the Hokage's office immediately.
Uchiha Touhuan, who was making tea, poured Kakashi a cup before asking, "How is it?"
"That guy's reaction is stronger than you expected; he can't wait to see you." Kakashi finished his tea in one gulp and raised an eyebrow. "This tastes a bit different from what you usually drink."
"It's tea that Gato gave me last time. I was just trying it out." Uchiha Touhuan said.
"You seem quite leisurely." Kakashi said. "But when are you planning to see him?"
"No rush. Let him wait a couple of days. Someone will be more eager than him." Uchiha Touhuan laughed.
"Alright, then let him wait two more days." Kakashi nodded.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and soon, news of Iwata Sawaki, the leader of Takigakure, visiting Konoha reached Onoki's ears.
"Iwata Sawaki, visiting Konoha at this time?" Onoki frowned. Although Uchiha Touhuan and Onoki had cooperated very well in dividing Village Hidden in the Grass when Uchiha Touhuan came to the village, and even signed a non-aggression pact, Onoki had used the signed and stamped contract as a table leg as soon as he brought it back to the Earth Shadow's office.
Therefore, Onoki knew that Uchiha Touhuan probably wouldn't take the contract seriously.
So, this non-aggression pact, to put it bluntly, was more like a tacit understanding between the two sides to temporarily maintain restraint and engage in mutual maneuvering.
And in the game between great powers, the pawns are naturally the surrounding small countries.
In the past few days, Onoki had been paying close attention to the reactions of the surrounding small countries to the contract he signed with Uchiha Touhuan.
The Land of Rain hadn't responded, which was understandable. After all, although Hanzo was old, his salamanders weren't old yet. As long as he could still summon salamanders, this method of widespread poisoning would have a certain deterrent effect and be enough to serve as a means of self-defense.
Furthermore, Onoki is one of the few people in the ninja world who knows of the existence of Akatsuki. He knows that there are currently a group of powerful rogue ninja in the Land of Rain.
As for the Land of Grass, the resources there have long been divided up by him and Uchiha Touhuan. As for their troublesome daimyo, neither he nor Uchiha Touhuan take them seriously; they're just there for amusement.
Therefore, the key to their struggle is actually the Land of Waterfall.
Among the small ninja villages, Takigakure is the most unique, as they possess a tailed beast. Although the Seven-Tails alone is not enough to pose a significant threat to Konoha or Village Hidden by Rocks, it still has a certain deterrent effect, so larger countries won't easily provoke them.
However, the new Jinchūriki of Takigakure has not yet matured, which gives Onoki an opportunity.
For Onoki, the ideal state for Takigakure was to maintain its current strength without the power of the Tailed Beasts. This would allow Takigakure to serve as an excellent buffer between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, giving them time to react to any actions taken by the Land of Fire.
He assumed Uchiha Touhuan shared this view, but it seemed Touhuan wasn't satisfied with the status quo; he wanted Takigakure to completely side with Konoha.
Onoki couldn't tolerate Takigakure's complete allegiance to Konoha. Based on the information he'd received from Han, a single Nine-Tails could defeat both of their village's Tailed Beasts; adding a Seven-Tails would be disastrous.
Onoki pondered for a moment while looking at the ninja world map before calling out, "Hui Tu."
"Father." The door to the Earth Shadow's office opened, and a seemingly simple-minded man entered.
"Keep a close eye on Takigakure's intelligence. Report any unusual activity to me immediately," Onoki ordered.
"Yes," Hui Tu nodded in acceptance.
"Hopefully, Iwata Sawaki will be sensible," Onoki muttered, looking at the map of the ninja world.
Meanwhile, in Konoha, after ignoring Iwata Sawaki for two days, Uchiha Touhuan finally extended an invitation for a meeting just before Iwata's impatience reached its limit.
Early that morning, Iwata Sawaki changed into the formal attire representing the leader of Takigakure and entered the Hokage's office.
"Mr. Iwata, I'm very sorry. I've been very busy these past few days and have neglected everyone from Takigakure. I hope you will forgive me," Uchiha Touhuan said with a smile.
"You're too kind, Hokage," Iwata Sawaki quickly replied. However, as soon as he entered the Hokage's office, his eyes were drawn to a map hanging prominently in the office, bearing the words "Konoha Pact Plan."
Read 15+ Chapters Advanced chapters ahead at Patreon.
[email protected]/Horizons685
(End of Chapter)