A few days later, in the Hokage's Office.
Tsunade smiled as she approved the note.
"First Shisui, then Yakushi Kabuto. Do you really want to lead a team? Why not add one more for you, just enough to form a squad."
This was the application for Yakushi Kabuto to transfer to the hospital.
Ryoho Kyohiko shook his head.
"Not necessarily leading a team. I can take them in first."
Leading a team… it hadn't been completely decided on the Anbu's side yet. It was still too early. Besides, there wasn't much to gain from it, and his two current students each had their own purposes. Uchiha Shisui represented the Uchiha and had extremely strong talent himself. Yakushi Kabuto had talents in multiple areas like medical arts, research, and Sage Mode, with an equally high upper limit. As for a third person… Ryoho Kyohiko hadn't considered it yet. After all, as his disciple, they might very well ascend to the position of Hokage in the future. Each one had to be chosen carefully.
After Tsunade finished approving, she suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, there's a commission."
As she spoke, she pulled out a mission scroll from the side and tossed it to Kyohiko. Ryoho Kyohiko caught it. After looking at it for a few moments, a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. Kazahana Sosetsu… the Land of Snow.
Tsunade complained.
"Previously, the delegation from the capital mentioned and promoted the business of ninja mineral development to the Land of Snow's envoy. Kazahana Sosetsu has only just replied. His efficiency is really slow, but his commission is too ridiculous!"
Then, she chuckled.
"But our relationship with the capital has eased. These three old things have been overjoyed lately, praising it nonstop!"
Ryoho Kyohiko sneered.
"The nobles of the capital are like that. As long as they get benefits, they don't mind helping us get benefits. That's their rules of the game."
He had no respect for this set of rules, but he still needed the other party for now, so there was nothing much to say. A normal exchange of interests was not something to be thankful for. However, the Land of Snow… that place was indeed rich in mineral resources and had its own set of train transport systems, making transportation very convenient. Furthermore, south of the Land of Snow was the Land of Earth…
Compared to Kazahana Doto, Kazahana Sosetsu, who focused on development and environmental transformation, had a vastly different policy for governing the country. He was indeed a target worth winning over.
Ryoho Kyohiko thought for a moment.
"I want to make a trip to the Land of Snow."
"A trip to the Land of Snow? You?"
A look of surprise appeared on Tsunade's face. "Is it necessary?"
Although the Land of Snow was vast, its environment was harsh and sparsely populated. In Tsunade's eyes, apart from trade, it didn't have much mission value. In fact, this commission could be said to be one of the few major commissions from the Land of Snow in all these years.
However, Ryoho Kyohiko's considerations were different. Tsunade was looking at their economic value, while Kyohiko was interested in Kazahana Doto's subordinates who were researching the Chakra Armour—calculating the time, Doto's Chakra Armour should be almost ready. Going now was the perfect time to pick the fruit.
Tsunade didn't know about this and thought Kyohiko was just planning to run the mission personally. Surprised, she felt that Kyohiko was simply crazy.
"Even if you go, what can you do? His mission request is simply impossible to achieve."
Kazahana Sosetsu's mission—to change the climate of the Land of Snow. Even if it was Kyohiko, Tsunade didn't think he could complete such an arduous task. After all, even ninjas have their limits, and natural disasters and climate are often the most difficult forces to contend with.
"Of course I can't change it. And, given the Land of Snow's situation, there is no solution that can completely change their climate."
Even in the original timeline, Kazahana Sosetsu's so-called "environmental transformation machine" was, in essence, something that couldn't be kept running for long. How could such a thing truly bring spring to the Land of Snow?
But Ryoho Kyohiko had other plans. For example—greenhouses. Compared to large machines, the technology for greenhouses was lower, more realistic, and the utilization rate was higher. The only problem was… he didn't know if the climate of the Land of Snow was suitable.
Ryoho Kyohiko didn't mention the Chakra Armour, but approached it from the angles of "greenhouses," "mineral resources," and so on.
Tsunade did not object.
"Then go quickly and come back quickly. With our current strength and reserves, even if Madara and the three ninja villages he has allied with make a move together, we still have the ability to hold on until you return."
"I need a few days to prepare. The work of the Police Force also needs to be concluded. Let the Land of Snow's envoy wait for a week."
"Alright."
***
At the Police Force headquarters.
Uchiha Fugaku introduced Uchiha Yashiro.
"Clan Head Inuzuka, this is Yashiro. He is currently my deputy captain here. If you have any matters, you can speak with him. We will do our best to coordinate and resolve them."
Then, he leaned closer and said in a low voice.
"Clan Head Inuzuka, the people on our side are all a bit… I hope you can forgive them. If you have any problems, we can discuss them in private."
Inuzuka Tsume smiled.
"Don't worry, I am fully mentally prepared."
Their clan was the first batch of ninjas to join the Police Force. The rest of the ninjas were still under selection. As for the reason for joining here, Uchiha Fugaku was all smiles.
"Come with me. Regarding your living quarters and training grounds, Kyohiko has already made arrangements."
He led the way in front. After a while, Fugaku brought Tsume to a place near the training ground. Seeing this place, Inuzuka Tsume's eyes immediately lit up. Several new houses had been built here. Underground, there were also many dog houses, very well-built.
"This is for our Inuzuka clan?"
Uchiha Fugaku paused slightly, then explained.
"Yes. According to the plan, this place will be transformed into a ninja park that integrates training and exercise in the future. And your ninja hound team being set up here can better patrol the surroundings."
"In addition, for the patrol dogs trained in the Police Force, all their needs can be covered by the Police Force and the village."
"I understand."
Inuzuka Tsume nodded, a trace of surprise on her face.
This is to let them expand their scale and also conduct ninja hound training here… Ryoho Kyohiko wasn't kidding! Looking from afar, at the old training ground, one could vaguely see some traces of demolition. Konoha was already preparing.
"Well then, I hope we can get along harmoniously in the future."
"Mm."
Inuzuka Tsume nodded.
Uchiha Fugaku looked at the lake in the distance. In the lake now, many ninjas were hired to build various facilities, which was considered a D-rank mission. The cooperation between Konoha and the capital had deepened, and they had received more money, which could be used to improve Konoha's state. Money, expansion, consolidating public security… this was a closed-loop route.
"How can one person know so many things?"
Uchiha Fugaku lamented and was shocked inwardly.
If Kyohiko were about the same age as him, he wouldn't be so surprised. But in fact, Kyohiko was only twelve or thirteen now. Does there really exist a person in the world who is born with infinite wisdom?
***
A few days later, on the streets of Konoha, one could gradually see traces of the Inuzuka clan participating in patrols.
At this time, at the Anbu base. Nara Shikaku followed behind Yamanaka Inoichi, his gaze sweeping around, a look of confusion on his face. What mission requires me to come along?
Going deep inside and entering an office, he saw Ryoho Kyohiko at the main desk approving documents, while on the other side, Hatake Kakashi was propped up on one hand… checking intelligence listlessly. A slight smile touched Nara Shikaku's lips. Ryoho Kyohiko doing this was completely training Kakashi to be the next Anbu captain. How many people wanted such an opportunity but couldn't get it? But looking at Kakashi… obviously, this kid preferred to fight.
He looked at Ryoho Kyohiko.
"What mission requires me to come along?"
Ryoho Kyohiko said.
"It can be considered a very important mission. Of course, you are the team on the surface, while I will leave midway and act alone in secret."
Nara Shikaku took the mission scroll, then frowned slightly. The Land of Snow. Is that place so important?
Shikaku pondered for a moment and picked up another scroll. This was a blueprint written by Kyohiko, with ideas about growing vegetables and flowers in greenhouses.
"To bring spring to the entire Land of Snow is certainly something I can't do. But greenhouses are possible. We can profit from the Land of Snow with this plan, but that's not the main point…"
Ryoho Kyohiko took out a third scroll and tossed it to Nara Shikaku. Shikaku caught it, and after a few glances, he looked at Kyohiko in surprise. This was intelligence on Kazahana Doto, on which was written some of Doto's research and preparations outside, one of which was—
"My target is this thing."
Chakra Armour!
Nara Shikaku nodded.
"I know what to do!"
Chatting with a smart person was quite pleasant.
"Then it's settled. You choose the other members of the team."
Nara Shikaku answered.
"If we choose from your generation, let's have Gai, Kurenai, and Shiranui Genma come along. The three of them have relatively outstanding comprehensive abilities and are quite promising."
Among the younger generation, Kyohiko and Kakashi were too outstanding, overshadowing everyone else. And the war had ended quickly, so many people hadn't had the chance to be tempered and improve. The current Kakashi was already at a proper Jonin level. Just waiting for this year's evaluation, the village could officially remove the "special" from his title and make him an official Jonin. As for the others… among the remaining people, the strongest in terms of strength was Might Gai, who was now only a chunin. In fact, it had been a while since they had gotten a decent combat mission.
"Alright."
***
At the Konoha gate, the envoy from the Land of Snow had been waiting for a long time and finally saw the team appear.
"Are you Shikaku-sama who will be accompanying us to the Land of Snow?"
"Yes."
As Shikaku spoke, he turned and introduced the three behind him. "They are my subordinates, Might Gai, Yuhi Kurenai, and… Yamato."
"Hello."
Even though the three before him were all children, the ambassador of the Land of Snow did not dare to underestimate them. After all, he had heard that the captain of Konoha's Anbu was a boy of twelve or thirteen, very young. Who could be sure they didn't know that lord?
After some pleasantries, the group embarked on their journey to the Land of Snow. It was fine on land. At sea…
"Gai, I didn't expect you to get seasick!"
"Ugh! I, I didn't know either…"
Might Gai lay on the ship, not moving at all, as if he had lost all his luster.
Yuhi Kurenai covered her mouth and chuckled lightly. However, she was still very considerate and used a ninjutsu to make Gai temporarily fall asleep. Sleeping… at least it's not so painful.
"I didn't expect a taijutsu master like Gai to get seasick."
"The human body is just that strange."
Ryoho Kyohiko shrugged.
Upon hearing this, Yuhi Kurenai was taken aback, and then her face instantly turned rosy. Fortunately, they had already reached the north. The cold wind blew, making it impossible to tell if her face was red from the cold or from something else. She fidgeted with the corner of her clothes and looked around, then changed the subject.
"Can I participate in your mission?"
Ryoho Kyohiko asked back.
"What do you think?"
Kurenai pouted.
"Then forget it. But, if we follow this route north, will we encounter ninjas from the Cloud Village?"
Ryoho Kyohiko answered, looking at the ocean outside.
"Probably not."
The Cloud Village… if it had been a month ago, he wouldn't have been worried about them. Now it was hard to say. According to intelligence, the Kage of the Cloud, Stone, and Mist Villages had met in this sea area and reached some kind of alliance. A ninja war wouldn't come so quickly. But the three ninja villages might share intelligence and some shipping channels. So, this trip north, it was indeed possible to encounter trouble from the Cloud ninjas. But… if that were the case, he wasn't afraid of having a fight with them. The current Cloud Village was not the era of the Gold and Silver Brothers. Of the many Sage's tools, only the Amber Purifying Pot was still in the Cloud Village's hands. For him, the threat of the Cloud Village alone was not that great at sea.
A slight smile touched his lips.
"Don't be afraid. It's good if we run into them."
"Sigh, I hope so."
Yuhi Kurenai's brows were furrowed with worry.
If Might Gai were fine, she would have some confidence. But with Gai in this state… she sighed. It's best not to run into them!
***
What you fear is what you get!
Not far away, a ship was rapidly approaching. At the bow, Shikaku remained calm.
"Raise the flag of the Land of Snow first."
"Yes!"
The Land of Snow's envoy, Kojin Shun, raised the flag.
Soon, the distant ship waited for a moment, but still headed this way. Kojin Shun's face immediately stiffened. Then, he looked at Nara Shikaku.
"Shikaku-sama, your relationship with the Cloud Village should be quite good, right?"
"Mm… it's alright."
Shikaku nodded.
The Nara clan's business with the Cloud Village was still ongoing, but it had changed from monthly settlements to cash on delivery, and the goods transported there were also decreasing. Konoha and the Cloud Village would go to war sooner or later. The current dealings were just to maintain a superficial relationship.
Upon hearing this, Kojin Shun immediately let out a sigh of relief, then quietly waited for the Cloud Village ninjas to come over.
After getting closer, A's voice came from the distant ship.
"A ship from the Land of Snow? What are you doing?"
"We are returning from the Land of Fire…"
"What were you doing returning from the Land of Fire?"
A stood at the bow, asking through an amplification device.
Koji Shun looked at Nara Shikaku. Shikaku's face was calm. He took the device from the other's hand.
"Jonin A, I, Nara Shikaku, am under orders to escort Koi. What can I do for you?"
Nara Shikaku… The few Cloud ninjas beside A immediately got excited. A big fish from Konoha!
But at this moment, A vaguely felt something was wrong. Nara Shikaku was indeed a Jonin, but as the head of a clan in Konoha, he usually didn't lead teams on missions—for a mere escort, was it necessary for him to come?
"A, let's make a move! If we capture Nara Shikaku, we can get a lot of secrets and intelligence from Konoha!"
"Yeah! We're going to fall out anyway!"