The Nara Clan had sent two members to negotiate the detailed terms with the Sand on behalf of Kagetsu.
Meanwhile, Rasa and Kagetsu stood silently by the window of the tower, letting the others argue, while they looked down at the neat and orderly streets and buildings below.
"What are you all really after?"
Suddenly, Rasa turned his eyes away from the window and looked at Kagetsu standing next to him. He couldn't help but ask.
"What do you mean, Kazekage-sama?" Kagetsu blinked and asked in return.
"I've never seen a mission before! Ninjas are born into killing and violence. They're just tools in the hands of the daimyo. Only the medical ninja system created by Tsunade gave ninjas a different kind of purpose."
"You and your teacher… what were you two thinking? Sending a Wood Release ninja to plant trees in the desert?" Rasa was confused.
That was Wood Release!
The First Hokage ended the Warring States era using Wood Release, earning the title of God of Shinobi! Any ninja would naturally view Wood Release with deep awe and admiration.
Especially after members of the Senju clan started awakening Wood Release again, this awe only became stronger and more rooted in people's hearts.
Even if everyone knew their Wood Release couldn't compare to the First Hokage's, this Kekkei Genkai was still considered one of the most top-secret powers of any village—guarded just as tightly as a Tailed Beast.
Now they were sending them out not to fight, but to research how to plant trees in the desert?
Did Orochimaru already have that much authority right after becoming Hokage?
"Chakra is a mysterious force. Ninjas use it not just for battle and killing, not just to inflict violence on others.
If we shift our mindset a bit and apply ninja power in other ways, it can lead to incredible results.
Like turning the Land of Wind's deserts into green oases. Helping the people of Land of Wind become prosperous. When ordinary people thrive, the economy improves.
When you're a Chunin or Jonin, maybe it's enough to just follow orders and be a useful tool for the village. But once you become a Kage… that's a whole different game."
"You really believe this cooperation can help improve Sunagakure's economy?"
Rasa understood what Kagetsu was saying—and he truly felt the same way.
Ninjas and Kage are truly two completely different roles!
The experience gained during the ninja years either doesn't adapt well or has no use at all once you become a Kage.
Even the problems you face, which are confusing, seem to grow bigger each day.
It's really like playing a completely different game!
A ninja only needs to take on missions from the village and collect the payment.
But for the Kage, can they also take on missions and earn money?
No, the Kage has to bring in merchants for the village, get military funds from the Daimyo, and beg the nobles for donations.
If all of this fails and there's no external income coming in, what will the Kage do when the village's finances are stretched too thin, and people are struggling?
Rasa decided to use his Kekkei Genkai to mine gold in the desert and then use the gold to cover the village's financial losses.
And this is just one part—money alone!
The distribution of resources, managing the various factions in the village, training the ninja, and planning for the future.
Ninjas only need to focus on fighting, but the Kage has to consider so much more.
This period of time has been painful and torturous for Rasa. It took him a while to realign himself and fully understand the situation he was facing.
So, when it came to talking about Kage, he really felt deeply and believed that Kage was a worthy successor, one with the vision to lead the entire village.
Rasa is now focused on gathering more funds because, with money, he can plan for the future of the village.
Without funding, the village's development will be severely limited. Especially with the current situation where the Daimyo of the Land of Wind keeps sending difficult tasks to Konoha Village, Suna's future seems as bleak as a desert with no end in sight.
This time, he personally went to cooperate with Konoha, hoping to get a share of the big project to fund and develop the village.
"As long as the alliance is still intact, Konoha can provide a large amount of food to Suna every year at a low price, as well as resources like explosive tags, Healing Tags, kunai, and materials."
"If the relationship is close enough, Konoha could even accept a batch of Genin and Chunin-level ninjas from the Land of Wind for training every year. This would help Sunagakure build and improve its medical system," said Kagetsu in a calm tone.
The words shocked Rasa, causing him to momentarily lose his focus. But soon, he regained his composure and didn't immediately agree. Instead, he began to carefully consider Kagetsu's proposal.
Undoubtedly, this was a great offer!
Putting aside the tempting conditions like food and resources for now...
Everyone wants to establish a medical system as complete as Konoha's, but so far, only Konoha, with Tsunade, has truly achieved this.
Konoha's teams are actually able to assign a medical ninja to more than half of their squads!
The rest of the squads have ninjas who are skilled in basic medical ninjutsu and can perform emergency treatment on themselves and their teammates.
Konoha's system has always been the model for other villages to learn from and replicate.
However, when it comes to something as complex as this, it's not simply about learning and trying hard to copy it perfectly.
Rasa was truly envious of Konoha's medical training system.
If he could replicate this system in Sunagakure, it would be a highlight of his time as the Kazekage!
Just like how the second Kazekage is remembered for creating the Puppet Jutsu, this would be something that would surely be remembered.
The local benefits would also boost his prestige and increase his influence in the village. This would reduce his need to constantly worry about competitors and opponents.
But he also knew that this system was very costly! If Sunagakure didn't have enough funds, even if he knew how to build this medical system, he would have to put it on hold.
Rasa's heart had already been pounding in his chest, and the next words from Kagetsu only added fuel to the fire.
"The One-Tail should also be due for a new Jinchuriki, right?" Seeing Rasa's changed expression, Kagetsu quickly added, "But this is just based on some information I've deduced."
"You should know that both of Iwagakure's Jinchūriki were once captured by Konoha, but after the war with Iwagakure, they were returned to the village."
"Konoha already has the Nine-Tails, and they have no interest in the Tailed Beasts. But if Sunagakure needs it, Konoha can offer sealing assistance."
"No need!" Rasa immediately rejected Kagetsu's offer without a second thought.
Although Konoha's sealing techniques for the Tailed Beasts are unique in the entire Shinobi world, Rasa didn't expect Konoha to provide their best sealing method to help Sunagakure seal the One-Tail.
Moreover, the Tailed Beasts are a critical strategic asset for a village, and such power must be fully controlled by the village.
Handing the Tailed Beast over to Konoha for sealing... who knows if they might tamper with the seal? If the Tailed Beast goes berserk later and causes significant damage to the village, who will take responsibility for the loss?
Therefore, no matter what, Rasa would never allow a Konoha ninja to touch Sunagakure's Tailed Beast.
"How about offering the sealing knowledge, then letting Sunagakure's ninja learn and improve their own sealing techniques after mastering it?" Kagetsu spoke again. Fresh chapters posted on ɴovelfire.net
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