The next morning—
Sunlight streamed through the window, falling across Uchiha Ren's face.
He slowly opened his eyes, rubbing them out of habit before walking to the window and pushing it open.
A cool breeze rushed in—
Instantly waking him up.
Yugakure's hot springs truly lived up to their reputation.
After soaking, it felt as if all fatigue had been washed away. The heat left his skin flushed, and once he stepped out, his entire body felt light and refreshed.
He had collapsed into bed—
And fallen asleep almost instantly.
"…That was a great sleep."
Stretching lazily, Uchiha Ren stepped out of his room.
The Five Kage Summit wouldn't begin until tomorrow.
Which meant—
Today was free.
He might as well explore this so-called paradise of the ninja world.
—
Yugakure wasn't large.
After a quick tour, Uchiha Ren lost interest.
At first glance, the scenery was pleasant.
But after a while—
It became dull.
The village's economy was fragile.
All essential goods had to be imported.
With nothing but hot springs—
They couldn't even farm.
The villagers relied on selling local specialties and handmade crafts.
Small-scale.
Low efficiency.
Outdated tools.
Uchiha Ren shook his head.
This place had potential—
But it was completely undeveloped.
If it were him—
He'd turn it into a full entertainment district.
Bathhouses.
Massage services.
Private rooms upstairs—
Ahem.
Maybe even a casino on the third floor.
Combined with Konoha's entertainment industry—
This place could become the most luxurious spending hub in the ninja world.
…What a waste.
The locals were still too simple-minded.
After finishing his walk, Uchiha Ren turned back toward his lodging.
At a street corner—
He ran into someone.
"What a coincidence, Hokage-sama!"
The Third Kazekage, Rasa, greeted him with a smile.
Of course—
It wasn't a coincidence at all.
He had been waiting.
—
In Rasa's view, the Five Kage Summit was meaningless.
They would argue.
Sign some agreements.
And then go back to fighting later.
Pointless.
But as one of the Five Great Villages—
Sunagakure had to attend.
Since he was here—
He might as well gain something.
And Uchiha Ren—
Was the perfect target.
Konoha had grown rich recently.
Their prosperity was no secret.
Even the intelligence reports were filled with envy.
"…The Hokage truly is remarkable…"
"…If only Sunagakure could be like this…"
The tone was obvious.
If not for loyalty—
They might have defected already.
—
"Third Kazekage, what a pleasure."
Uchiha Ren smiled and shook his hand.
Rasa had already made up his mind—
Sunagakure needed a backer.
And acknowledging Konoha as the strongest—
Wasn't shameful.
After all—
During the First Great Ninja War, Sunagakure had only followed Kumogakure to pick up scraps.
And ended up getting beaten badly.
Reality—
Was harsh.
Konoha remained the strongest.
—
Soon—
They sat in a private room at a restaurant.
Drinks were poured.
After several rounds, Rasa began to complain.
"The Land of Wind… is nothing but desert."
"Even water is scarce… let alone farming."
His voice carried exhaustion.
Rasa—
Had spent years acting as a "gold miner" for his village.
Supporting Sunagakure with his Magnet Release.
And yet—
The results were still insufficient.
Uchiha Ren watched him calmly.
He knew Rasa's future.
Worked tirelessly his entire life.
Then—
Killed by his own subordinate.
Turned into a puppet.
Even summoned later through the Impure World Reincarnation.
Truly tragic.
—
"Hokage-sama… Kumogakure and Iwagakure are still eyeing Konoha."
Rasa leaned forward.
"We should cooperate."
Uchiha Ren sighed.
"I've been worried about that as well…"
They understood each other instantly.
Rasa wanted an alliance.
Uchiha Ren needed one too.
But—
He had the advantage.
"Let's be honest," Uchiha Ren said calmly.
"Konoha needs allies—but not specifically Sunagakure."
"I can work with Kirigakure or Iwagakure just as easily."
"If you want support… you need to offer something."
Rasa fell silent.
What could Sunagakure offer?
They had—
Sand.
And little else.
Still—
They were desperate.
"What do you want?"
Uchiha Ren tapped the table.
"I'm interested in your Magnet Release."
"Impossible."
Rasa rejected instantly.
"That's our core technique."
"Then… the One-Tail?"
"If that's your condition, I'm leaving."
Rasa stood up.
Furious.
Uchiha Ren's demands were unacceptable.
Uchiha Ren leaned back.
"Then leave."
"If you have nothing to offer, why talk about cooperation?"
Rasa froze.
He couldn't leave.
Not without securing aid.
"…I spoke rashly."
He sat back down.
"But your demands are too much."
Uchiha Ren smiled.
Everything was going exactly as planned.
Those earlier demands—
Were just pressure tactics.
Now—
The real proposal.
"I'll lower my requirements."
"I don't want the One-Tail."
"I want chakra."
"From the One-Tail—or from your shinobi."
"Konoha's chakra batteries require energy."
"We'll pay."
"Fair prices."
"But no free aid."
Rasa blinked.
…Chakra?
That…
Was acceptable.
Shinobi already used chakra for missions.
If they could sell it instead—
Without risking their lives—
That was far safer.
As long as the price was right—
It could work.
"…I agree."
He nodded slowly.
For shinobi—
As long as they weren't drained completely—
Chakra would recover.
Eat.
Rest.
Repeat.
Some might even sell chakra multiple times a day.
A stable income source.
Rasa's eyes sharpened slightly.
This deal—
Might actually save Sunagakure.
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