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No matter the rift between Sunagakure and their daimyo, Konoha had to clarify its stance first.
Whether Konoha spoke up was their business, but whether Sunagakure believed them was another matter.
If you don't clarify and they don't believe you, that's a separate issue.
By stating its position clearly, if Sunagakure still had doubts, then the problem was on their end.
Conversely, if Konoha didn't clarify, Sunagakure might suspect ulterior motives.
After all, the Land of Wind's daimyo had been sending Konoha quite a bit of "warmth" over the years.
So much that even Sunagakure was jealous.
"There are plenty of misunderstandings between the daimyo and the village. This matter doesn't have much to do with Konoha. On the contrary, I and the Kazekage owe Konoha thanks for escorting the daimyo to the Land of Fire's residence."
Chiyo's smile didn't waver as she laid things out plainly, even expressing gratitude.
'See that? That's class!' Tsunade shot Kazuki a look.
Kazuki ignored her, choosing to tune her out.
'Class, my foot. If Sunagakure didn't need Konoha's help, if they weren't wary of provoking Konoha, you think they'd let this slide? You could figure that out with your toes—no class needed.'
"Chiyo, the attack on the Land of Water's daimyo—your village had nothing to do with it, right?"
Though it was redundant, Tsunade still asked.
The formalities had to be observed, or Konoha risked becoming a suspect.
At the very least, Kirigakure would be displeased, seeing Konoha as aiding Sunagakure.
Chiyo's smile vanished, her aged face filled with anger:
"Hokage, do you think Sunagakure would do something so laughable and war-provoking? I admit it's somewhat tied to the village. Several patrol teams went out on missions and didn't return on time. Both I and Kazekage-sama suspect they were controlled by an enemy, then sent under the guise of village orders to 'welcome' the Land of Water's daimyo, only to launch an attack. The village has some evidence, but unfortunately, Kirigakure won't accept it."
"Is it the Akatsuki?"
Sunagakure and Kirigakure's conflict was their own business, not Konoha's concern.
But the high likelihood of Akatsuki involvement forced Tsunade to care.
If the Akatsuki could spark a war between Sunagakure and Kirigakure today, they could drag Iwagakure, Konoha, and Kumogakure into it tomorrow.
Once all five great ninja villages were embroiled, the entire shinobi world would face the ravages of war.
Chiyo shook her head slightly, regretfully:
"The village has no direct evidence proving it's the Akatsuki's doing—just suspicions."
"Then state your purpose for coming to Konoha."
Without direct evidence, talk was meaningless.
Besides, even with evidence, the war might not stop. The Land of Water's daimyo had become a driving force behind it.
With Yagura's ambiguous stance, the war train was already unstoppable.
"On behalf of the village, I've come to Konoha to purchase a batch of supplies."
Chiyo paused for a few seconds before adding:
"All kinds of supplies."
From daily necessities to war materials, Sunagakure needed them—and in large quantities.
"For regular supplies, you can negotiate directly with the Fire Daimyo. As for war materials, I'm sorry, but at this time, Konoha can't sell them."
Tsunade didn't beat around the bush, laying it out plainly.
Regular supplies? Fine.
Buy as much as you want from the Fire Daimyo.
War materials? Sorry, Konoha can't support Sunagakure there.
First, Kirigakure would likely object, straining relations between the villages.
Second, with the shinobi world's undercurrents growing stronger, Konoha might get dragged into war any day.
That meant Konoha couldn't casually sell off its stockpiled war materials.
Chiyo met Tsunade's gaze calmly, laying out her terms:
"Sunagakure can provide various minerals Konoha needs in exchange for war materials."
Pay with money?
Sorry, Sunagakure didn't have that kind of cash, but they had plenty of minerals.
Sure, Konoha wasn't short on minerals, but mining them was a pain!
With enough minerals, process them, and you could turn a tidy profit.
Konoha—and the Land of Fire—had no shortage of craftsmen.
What they lacked were artisans skilled enough to craft high-level ninja tools.
But those top-tier craftsmen were rare in every village.
Having a mining prodigy made you bold.
Chiyo's move was no different from those oil tycoons in another world.
"Well…" Tsunade hesitated.
If Sunagakure offered money for war materials, she'd definitely refuse.
But minerals… that was harder to turn down.
With a large supply of minerals, Konoha could refine them into weapons, equipment, or other materials.
Sunagakure would get what they wanted, and Konoha could keep its economic pillars running with the mineral supply.
That way, even if war broke out, Konoha's economy wouldn't take too big a hit.
The catch? The minerals had to be plentiful.
Konoha wasn't short on minerals—they were just hard to mine. Unlike Sunagakure, which had Rasa, the mining prodigy.
Let's be real: when it came to mining, Magnet Release was the best. It was hands-down the top bloodline limit for digging up resources in the shinobi world.
"Fine, but Konoha wants all kinds of minerals. If Sunagakure can trade its stockpiled minerals, Konoha will agree to a deal for war materials."
Before Tsunade could wrestle with a decision, Kazuki stepped in and agreed.
Paying with money? No way. Trading with minerals? Konoha wouldn't say no to that.
Even if the deal with Sunagakure upset Kirigakure, Kazuki didn't care.
Konoha's commercial ties with Kirigakure's sea routes weren't a big deal. If push came to shove, they'd just partner with Kumogakure instead.
What Kirigakure could do, Kumogakure could too.
It'd just be a bit of a hassle to switch partners.
Konoha didn't lack minerals—it lacked large quantities of mined ones.
Since Sunagakure could provide them, why not seal the deal?
"Good. I'll contact the village immediately to have the minerals sent over."
Chiyo didn't even ask about the price ratio, agreeing on the spot.
At this point, even if Konoha fleeced them, Sunagakure had no choice but to accept.
'Hey, I haven't agreed yet!'
Seeing Kazuki and Chiyo wrap up the deal, Tsunade rolled her eyes.
She felt like her role as Hokage had been reduced to a mascot.
"Shizune, take our guest to the designated rest area."