Due to the exorbitant cost of aircraft construction, air travel was currently a privilege reserved for the elite. Furthermore, as the occupation of "pilot" didn't exist in any nation outside Konoha, the operational planning of the airports depended entirely on Leaf personnel.
The early stages of Loulan's development and construction required a massive infusion of manpower and resources, making frequent flights between the two locations essential. Though Konoha hadn't formally dispatched a diplomatic mission to finalize the alliance before, the stakes had now been upgraded.
Hiruko personally led the team, with Mikoto Uchiha, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi serving as the core support members. Their mission: to officially sign a treaty with Queen Sara of Loulan, forging a "Community of Shared Destiny." From this day forward, Loulan would be shielded from external interference, ushering in a new chapter of peace and stability.
Konoha shinobi would become the only legally recognized armed force in Loulan. To further deepen this integration, the Leaf established schools in the region, dedicated to discovering and nurturing local talent. After rigorous testing, these students would be awarded forehead protectors, and the most exceptional among them might even be granted the precious Wood Release serum. In the future, these home-grown ninjas would become the primary shield for this beautiful land.
For this journey, five planes were deployed, each serving a distinct purpose. One was a sprawling, low-occupancy VIP business jet tailored specifically for Hiruko and the Konoha high command. The cabin was exquisitely furnished, with seats laden with vintage wines, artisanal ice creams, and gourmet chocolates. With a simple touch of a screen, passengers could enjoy supermodel-level service provided by high-end service robots. On one side of the cabin, an LCD display allowed passengers to order any delicacy they desired, delivered with precision by the automated staff.
These were the fruits of Hiruko's concepts brought to life by Konoha's researchers. It must be said that because the shinobi world possessed chakra—a transcendental substance—the boost it gave to scientific research was staggering. Once a direction was established, even mediocre scientists could replicate the hard-won inventions of Hiruko's previous world with ease. Scientific progress in his old world had been limited by materials science; if they'd had chakra back then, they likely would have left Earth behind eight hundred years ago.
Hiruko and the others were currently immersed in a customized buffet feast. Hiruko's gaze drifted toward Mikoto. Having not seen her for a few days, her figure seemed even more striking.
Mikoto's silhouette was lush and perfectly proportioned, a masterpiece sculpted by nature. Her chest was full and broad, like two gently rising hills. Her waist, while not as slender as a young girl's, possessed a unique, ripened beauty. When she walked, that waist swayed subtly like a willow branch in a light breeze, carrying an air of languid charm. Her hips were full and perky, like a sun-ripened peach, exuding an inviting aura that made every step seem like a silent temptation.
Hiruko looked away after a few seconds, chanting internally that he was a man of integrity! Damn that Fugaku, tempting me every day like this.
Mikoto, seemingly oblivious, had taken a fancy to a specific flavor of ice cream and was ordering it frequently. Since boarding, she had been lost in her own world of culinary delight. Meanwhile, Inoichi was absorbed in a tablet, scrolling through data.
Suddenly, Hiruko felt Mikoto's gaze lingering on him. A prickle of curiosity rose in his heart, and he spoke up. "Lady Mikoto, why do you keep staring at me? Is there something you wish to say?"
"My apologies, Lord Hiruko. I was just wondering... why the Queen of Loulan would agree to this alliance so readily. She almost seemed impatient."
Mikoto looked at him, her face clouded with doubt. In her view, while the treaty was filled with the humanitarian glow of the Hidden Leaf and would boost Loulan's economy and prestige, it essentially touched upon a nation's core sovereignty. The Uchiha were a clan that lived for ancestral glory; Mikoto found the Queen's logic baffling. To her, this was no different from handing over her country. Had the proud Uchiha been in Loulan's position, they likely would have chosen death before accepting such "aid."
"Everyone has their own considerations and pursuits. Not everyone has an insatiable hunger for power and status," Hiruko said slowly. "For some, the desire for authority and family glory isn't everything. They value the peace and well-being of the common people above all else."
Queen Sara was such a monarch. She had once hoped Loulan's poor could prosper, and after the turmoil she had faced, she had become even more resilient. Her primary goal now was the welfare of her subjects. She knew her own limitations and thus didn't mind Konoha's "infiltration" and "assimilation." To her, as long as her people survived happily, she was content.
Hiruko gave a simplified explanation of Sara's mindset to Mikoto. He didn't mention that Sara's acceptance also stemmed from the fact that Minato—and a Naruto from an unknown timeline—had saved Loulan in the past. Sara harbored an inexplicable affection for Naruto. Even with her memories sealed, she often dreamed of a nameless hero from the Leaf. Because of that "bond," she was naturally inclined toward the village. To this day, she kept the chakra blade Naruto had left her as a memento, believing her dreams were real.
In the original movie history, Naruto had traveled back in time to stop Loulan's destruction. Sara and her people grew up with stories of the hero in their dreams, treating the chakra blade as a family heirloom. Put simply: if Loulan were being pressured by a "poor" nation like the Land of Wind, Sara would have fought to the death for her sovereignty. But against Konoha, Naruto's "honey trap" (albeit accidental) had done the heavy lifting.
Hiruko even suspected that upon meeting Naruto again, Sara might break Minato's seal. Her "Memory Tree" was already stirred by her dreams. This likely had to do with the Dragon Vein's power; her clan shared a contract with it. In a sense, they were unique spiritual mediums, Dragon Vein Priestesses who linked humanity to the earth.
In the grand scheme of things, Naruto, the "Child of Destiny," seemed to have a fateful connection with priestesses. In the sense of myth, he was like a divine child. It was a pity he wasted so much potential focusing only on his "fated" bond with Sasuke, but Hiruko would happily take the surplus resources for himself.
At 11 AM, the flight from Konoha landed at Loulan International Airport. Hiruko stepped off the plane to a warm reception from the stationed Leaf ninjas. The airport had essentially become a Leaf outpost.
The sun was scorching in the vast desert, and the group donned sunglasses. Surrounded by a phalanx of Leaf ninjas, they looked less like diplomats and more like underworld bosses on a tour.
"We have dinner with Queen Sara tonight. The treaty is a done deal, so there's no need for haste," Hiruko told Mikoto with a smile. "Tomorrow morning, Her Majesty will formally announce the news to the nation. What we really need to do is map the terrain, adapt to the climate, and scout the surrounding nations."
"At the very least, we must return to Konoha with detailed intelligence so Minato can have a concrete grasp of this desert."
Beyond Loulan, several smaller nations and countless tribes were scattered across the sands like tiny islands. In this land, the legend of "one man destroying a nation" was no myth; most were impoverished groups struggling to survive. If Konoha wanted to use Loulan as a pier to penetrate the Land of Wind, they needed to look at the entire region. These small nations were perfect tools—whether for exploitation, support, or conquest. Even the cutthroat bandits had their uses.
Hiruko wasn't planning on staying long; his presence was to show Konoha's commitment and signal to the clan families that they had Minato's blessing to take missions in the desert.
"I understand. I'll have them gather as much intel as possible," Mikoto nodded, a gentle smile on her face. To her, Hiruko was her son Itachi's master and a close confidant of the Hokage. That was why the clan had encouraged her to stay close to him.
However, a shadow flickered in her eyes. Hiruko's reputation and methods were well-known. The fact that Fugaku felt so comfortable letting her spend so much time around Hiruko caused her a pang of sadness. She knew all too well that Fugaku would sacrifice anyone for the Uchiha clan.
Looking at the melancholic Mikoto, Hiruko felt a surge of appreciation. That aura of a mature woman in distress held a very specific kind of attraction for him.
Choza Akimichi scratched his head, looking troubled. "Gathering intel... that's not exactly the Akimichi specialty. The ANBU would be better at this, but they're busy with the situation in the Rain Country."
Hiruko chuckled. "Don't worry. Your clan has a unique talent for engineering and construction. Leave the spying to us; your 'Expansion Jutsu' is perfect for clearing land and moving earth with staggering efficiency."
Under the blazing sun, black smoke rose from the ruins of an abandoned settlement deep in the desert. A handsome youth with fiery red hair and a special scroll on his back wandered aimlessly through the sands.
"How dull. Not a single qualified specimen to be found," the youth sighed.
This was Sasori of the Red Sand, the genius puppeteer of the Land of Wind. His skill in crafting "Human Puppets"—retaining the chakra and Kekkei Genkai of the deceased—was unparalleled. His masterpiece was the Third Kazekage, whom he could manipulate to use Iron Sand.
Sasori was an army unto himself. He wandered where he pleased, leaving ruins in his wake. To him, the small desert nations were just ants.
"I heard the Leaf people have arrived in Loulan," Sasori murmured to himself as he walked against the wind. "I hope the quality of their ninjas is high enough to provide some decent 'materials'."
As a master shinobi, he had his own intelligence network and hidden bases, living a life of relative luxury compared to the wandering rogues struggling for their next meal.
The next day, the signing of the alliance went flawlessly. Queen Sara was perfectly cooperative and even showed little resistance to Hiruko's desire to study the Dragon Vein. Hiruko was in a grand mood; he could finally observe the sealed power in the light of day without having to sneak around at midnight.
However...
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: [email protected]/c/wildsparkstudios
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 100 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.