"Aren't you going to try to keep Jiraiya here?"
Although he used a few tricks, Shikaku felt it was actually fine.
After all, Tsunade losing the gamble was her own business; as long as Bai Ye paid, both parties probably understood, and as long as they didn't interfere too much with each other, it would be fine.
Shikaku was also happy to see Tsunade stay in the Village to teach Medical Ninja, as the Village's Medical Ninja were no longer as glorious as they once were.
Tsunade's importance was self-evident, and while Jiraiya might not be as important to the Village as Tsunade, he was still a Kage-level combatant. Shouldn't they at least try to keep him?
Shikaku had just seen from Bai Ye's attitude that he didn't seem to want to try for Jiraiya; otherwise, he wouldn't have even offered any conditions.
"He won't stay in the Village. He has his own matters to attend to, so there's no need to interfere too much with him. If the Village has problems, he will return."
The Child of Prophecy.
Is it worth spending a lifetime searching for this so-called Child of Prophecy?
Bai Ye didn't know, but he also didn't interfere with Jiraiya's thoughts.
It's just, with his appearance, is Naruto still the Child of Prophecy in this life?
"I understand. Then the Village can initiate the Medical Ninja plan. We can select some people with good medical talent for training. It seems everything is really going according to your plan now."
"Then you should be able to handle it, right?"
"What? You're going to be a hands-off boss again?"
Who is the Hokage, anyway?
Shikaku really wanted to throw in the towel now.
"I need to leave Konoha for a period of time, so I temporarily need your help to handle some matters in the Village."
"You're leaving Konoha?"
Shikaku was stunned by Bai Ye's words, then immediately prepared to stop him.
What a joke! You, a Hokage, are going to leave the Village for a while after only being in office for a few days?
"Yes, Hidden Mist Village is already having internal problems. I plan to go there to handle some matters. This is also related to the plan I mentioned before. Don't worry, I'll be back very soon."
"Come on, boss, how long does it take to get from the Land of Fire to Mist Ninja Village?!"
"What if I use space-time Ninjutsu?"
"You?!"
Shikaku's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Bai Ye. He could even use space-time Ninjutsu?
And if that's the case, when he dealt with the Third Hokage, Bai Ye didn't even use many of his techniques?
"Alright, I'm entrusting the Village to you. For this period, just do as you did before!"
With that, Bai Ye patted Shikaku's shoulder and then disappeared directly from the Hokage's office.
Leaving Shikaku staring at the documents, on the verge of tears.
It's not like being Minato's Hokage assistant anymore!
Why does it feel like everything has changed since he took office again?
Hidden Mist Village.
Bai Ye had used Kamui to come here once before and had gathered information on the situation in Hidden Mist Village.
Currently, Mei Terumī and Gengetsu Hozuki had already begun planning their operation and were preparing to act soon. Bai Ye's purpose was partly to see if there was a chance for a lottery draw, and partly to implement a portion of his plan.
Since Kirigakure was making the first move, he might as well switch his target from Sunagakure to Kirigakure.
"Ao, what's wrong?"
In a secret meeting room in Hidden Mist Village, Mei Terumī looked up at Ao, whose expression was somewhat unusual, with a hint of surprise.
"Someone!"
"Who?"
Mei Terumī's heart jolted. Gengetsu Hozuki and the other individuals planning the rebellion, who were nearby, all looked around vigilantly.
If what they were doing now were discovered, their families would also be wiped out.
"Ah ha, I've been discovered!"
"You weren't even hiding, were you?"
Ao looked towards the corner. A figure emerged from the shadows. He hadn't noticed them at all just now. If the person hadn't intentionally revealed themselves, he wouldn't have even realized someone had infiltrated the area.
"Nice to meet you, Mei Terumī. I'm here to discuss cooperation with you!"
Bai Ye had considered whether to try a different approach for cooperation, but then he thought, with his current strength, if he still had to be timid, he might as well just commit suicide with a block of tofu.
Besides, he wasn't begging for cooperation. If they didn't cooperate, so be it. Later, he would just change his plan and make Kirigakure his first target for destruction.
Since they were in internal strife, he might as well just eliminate them all.
"Who are you?"
"Uchiha Bai Ye, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha!"
"The Hokage of Konoha? You actually dare to come to our Kirigakure?"
Mei Terumī's vigilance intensified. At the same time, the few people around her briefly exchanged glances, ready to strike immediately if Bai Ye made any move.
Then, she glanced at Ao, and after receiving his affirmative nod, she confirmed that the person in front of her was indeed Bai Ye.
Ao was responsible for intelligence, and with his Byakugan, he could tell if the person in front of him was disguised.
"I'm here to discuss cooperation with you. Are you interested in hearing me out?"
"Kirigakure and Konoha have a mortal grudge!"
Gengetsu Hozuki glanced at Bai Ye, not rushing to act. The main reason was that, according to previous intelligence, Bai Ye had easily defeated Hiruzen Sarutobi and successfully ascended to power.
So, their actions might not necessarily be a match for Bai Ye.
Moreover, since the other party was here to cooperate, and on their territory, there was even less need to rush.
"If you put it that way, all Ninja Villages are hostile, but sometimes, profit is the most important thing. Hasn't the Fourth Mizukage's rule already exhausted Kirigakure? After you overthrow the Mizukage, it won't be that simple to recover!"
There are no eternal enemies in the world. As long as the interests align, enemies can also come together.
"What do you mean?"
Mei Terumī frowned, actually somewhat understanding Bai Ye's meaning, but what kind of cooperation was Bai Ye proposing?
"An alliance. We can form a military alliance with Kirigakure, and at the same time, we can engage in mutual economic trade. Konoha will sell grain and various other supplies to Kirigakure, as long as Kirigakure opens its market to us. Your Kirigakure goods can also be sold to us. Then, we will take control of Land of Waves, and both sides can use Land of Waves as a transit point for business. How about that?"
This?!
With such immense benefits laid out, was the newly appointed Hokage of Konoha a fool?
"You mean you want to form a military alliance with our Kirigakure and also provide us with supplies?"
Gengetsu Hozuki's voice was filled with disbelief as he spoke.
How could this be possible?!
What good would Konoha get from doing this?
"Exactly, that's what I mean. As long as you fully open your market to us, there will be no additional conditions, and the prices of supplies won't be too outrageous. If you think it's too expensive, you don't have to buy!"
Bai Ye stated his conditions directly.
To Mei Terumī and the others, these conditions seemed like Bai Ye was giving them benefits.
Konoha was currently the largest Village in the Ninja World, and a military alliance with Konoha offered numerous advantages.
Konoha and Mist Ninja Village were relatively far apart, so their interests wouldn't clash as much as with other Ninja Villages.
Moreover, after this civil war and the previous Blood Mist Policy, their Kirigakure's strength was already not what it used to be. Now, Konoha actively seeking cooperation clearly exceeded their expectations.
Adding to that, Bai Ye mentioned opening the market. Of course, they could open it! Due to the Blood Mist Policy, Kirigakure was currently severely lacking in supplies. Allowing Konoha to do business here, while Konoha would earn some money, was clearly a beneficial thing for Kirigakure's recovery.
Do Uchiha people have no brains?
Offering such favorable terms for cooperation, this was simply the epitome of someone who was foolish and had too much money!
"Are you sure?"
When Mei Terumī spoke those words, her voice was somewhat hurried.
From her tone, Bai Ye knew it was already done.
It might seem like Konoha was taking a loss, but once Konoha's goods flooded Kirigakure, they would then use extremely low prices to completely crush all of Kirigakure's local products.
You'll need to import Konoha's seeds to buy grain, Konoha has good quality and inexpensive goods, and you'll need to import meat and other foods from Konoha. At the same time, all markets will be open to Konoha.
Once their luxury goods completely enter, they can siphon off another portion of money. At that point, your finances and food will all be dependent on them.
And in terms of military strength, they are still no match for Konoha.
Financial hegemony, military hegemony, and food hegemony.
Whoever has the biggest fist has the biggest say. Control finance, and you control the country. Control grain, and you control humanity.
As long as he took a small loss in the early stages, controlling Kirigakure later would be a simple matter.
The Land of Water was currently dirt poor, and with the various troublesome actions caused by the Mizukage being controlled by Obito, now was the easiest time to control Kirigakure.
"Of course, we came here for cooperation. Konoha loves peace the most. As long as you open your market to us, we'll just earn some money."
"Let us think about it, how about that?"
Although they had already made up their minds, Mei Terumī and the others decided to discuss it further.
At the very least, they couldn't agree immediately. What if Bai Ye went back on his word?
Moreover, they could continue to discuss whether they could add any other conditions.
"Of course, I'll come back to see you at this time tomorrow."
"Okay!"
"Shall I arrange accommodation for you?"
Seemingly arranging accommodation for Bai Ye, but in reality, it was to monitor him.
If Bai Ye were allowed to wander freely in Hidden Mist Village, they wouldn't feel at ease.
"Of course."
Bai Ye nodded, understanding their thoughts.
"Then stay at my place. I'll have someone prepare accommodation for you."
This was a secret meeting room of the Cho Family. To prevent any accidents, Mei Terumī decided to arrange for Bai Ye to stay at the Cho Family residence, which would also make it easier for them to monitor Bai Ye.
Bai Ye didn't refuse and settled comfortably into the room arranged by Mei Terumī.
Activating Observation Haki and using the Rumble-Rumble Fruit to spread it, Bai Ye now had a clear understanding of the internal situation of Hidden Mist Village.
Mei Terumī and the others' discussions, as well as some confidential intelligence within Hidden Mist Village.
"Get ready to act. Pakura, who was sent from Sunagakure as a sacrificial lamb, has arrived. Remember the previous arrangements."
"Yes!"
"Begin the operation!"
Pakura?
Bai Ye heard the Anbu's whispers and a hint of surprise flashed in his heart. This woman was still alive?
In the original work, there was no detailed description of when Pakura died, but it was most likely during the Blood Mist period, because after Mei Terumī took office, she would most likely not ask Sunagakure for this again. Her primary goal was most likely to lift the Blood Mist and restore Kirigakure.
She should probably be considered a Kage-level expert, right?
But after experiencing betrayal, it seemed she wouldn't be easy to recruit.
For a moment, Bai Ye hesitated a little, but then he felt that this should give him a chance for a lottery draw.
Mei Terumī would definitely succeed here, so she might not give him a chance for a lottery draw. Then coming here seemed to be missing something.
Looking at the direction the Anbu left with Observation Haki, a thoughtful look flashed in Bai Ye's eyes. Then, the pupils of the Cho Family Ninja monitoring Bai Ye outside the room showed a Mangekyo pattern, and then they too disappeared.
"Strange, what just happened?"
The Ninja looked inside the door, and after confirming that Bai Ye was still there, he secretly thought he was overthinking things.
And in the basement, Mei Terumī was currently discussing the conditions Bai Ye had proposed earlier with Gengetsu Hozuki and the others.
"Is there some conspiracy, Gengetsu Hozuki?"
Mei Terumī was indeed initially overwhelmed by Bai Ye's various conditions, but after she reacted and calmed down a bit, she worried if there might be some conspiracy involved.
After all, there was no reason for Konoha people to support them.
"He knows too much about our Kirigakure's situation. I think it's very dangerous."
Ao expressed his opinion. He believed that Bai Ye knew too much about Kirigakure, and such a person was too dangerous.
Moreover, these conditions, no matter how you looked at them, seemed entirely beneficial to Kirigakure.
The other party wasn't doing charity, so how could they be so generous to Kirigakure?
"Maybe that Uchiha kid is interested in Mei Terumī?" Gengetsu Hozuki joked, but upon seeing Mei Terumī's displeased gaze, he quickly rephrased, "I think we should see if there's anything Konoha needs from us. The other party can't be here for charity!"
Actually, his previous remark wasn't baseless.
He had been thinking about what in Kirigakure would be worth the other party's attention.
After thinking it over, he couldn't come up with anything. Gengetsu Hozuki just made a joke to ease the awkwardness, but it seemed Mei Terumī had an excessive obsession with marriage!
"What do we have?"
Mei Terumī carefully considered Gengetsu Hozuki's words. The basis for cooperation between two parties was that one had something the other needed.
And Kirigakure's current situation was that they had nothing.
They used to have strong military power, but it was worthless in front of Konoha. Moreover, after the Blood Mist Policy, Kirigakure's internal structure was already out of balance. Powerful Ninja either defected or were killed by the Blood Mist, and not many survived and remained in the Village.
There weren't many Kekkei Genkai left in the Village either; they all died in the Blood Mist Policy.
Could it be that the other party really just came to make money?
Thinking this, Mei Terumī couldn't help but fall into deep suspicion.