The number of missions allocated to Sunagakure multiplied several times, which directly raised the income of Sunagakure's Ninja by several levels. Hope was now widespread.
The Third Kazekage's decision to immediately seek friendship and alliance with Konoha after taking office was also an extremely correct choice. Now, every household in Sunagakure has various advanced electrical appliances and convenience facilities. This has greatly increased the villagers' happiness index.
Their loyalty to the village has also naturally become higher. In the past, there were rogue Ninja wandering everywhere in the Land of Wind, but now they are almost nowhere to be found. With such a good life, who would choose to be a wandering Ninja?
"I have ordered a banquet to be set. Go and rest well first. A maid will be along shortly to attend to you." The Third Kazekage was very hospitable and had prepared excellent accommodations for Jiraiya—certainly much better than the one Torifu and his party stayed in when they came here previously.
Sunagakure was now developing on all fronts. Thanks to the sand-preventing forest outside, there were virtually no sandstorms within the village. The energized villagers had begun to invest themselves in various industries, such as grape cultivation and their traditional silk scarf weaving. Things were improving year after year.
Jiraiya immediately washed his face upon entering the apartment. He was a young man, but the journey had made him look like a weary old man. The wind on the road had filled his hair with sand, making the cleaning process quite troublesome. However, he had a banquet to attend shortly and needed to look presentable. When traveling, he represented the spirit of Konoha Village. If he were traveling for pleasure, his appearance wouldn't matter, but he was currently Konoha Village's envoy. He had a mission and naturally needed to look refreshed.
After thoroughly cleaning the sand out of his ears, hair, and nose, he put on the new clothes he had packed. He looked completely transformed. Before, he was as miserable as could be.
Meanwhile, Shinku, who was delivering the invitation to Iwagakure, didn't have the same problems as Jiraiya. Although the Land of Earth was similar to the Land of Wind in having an extreme climate, it was only dry and lacked trees. It did not have the relentless wind and rampant sand that never seemed to cease.
Shinku had already arrived at the gate of Iwagakure. The journey under the scorching sun had made him incredibly thirsty. Fortunately, he had researched the Land of Earth before leaving and stored a large amount of fresh water in his sealing scrolls. This prevented him from being severely dehydrated when he reached Iwagakure. Normally, he wouldn't be in this state, but Shinku had been traveling on a bright, sunny day. The sun was baking the earth, and the temperature rose quickly, making him desperately thirsty.
"Stop! Who goes there!" As soon as Shinku reached the gate of Iwagakure, a blade was instantly pointed at him. The draw was quick, almost instantaneous. Shinku didn't dodge simply because he didn't want to. He was an envoy; once he stated his purpose, Iwagakure would not harm him.
"I am Yuhi Shinku, an Elite Jonin of Konoha Village. I have been ordered by the Hokage-sama to request an audience with the Tsuchikage-sama of Iwagakure."
The Hokage's order was not something to be ignored! The Ninja immediately moved the blade away from behind Shinku. "So you are here on the Hokage-sama's order. I apologize for my sudden action. I will return now to inform the Tsuchikage-sama."
Shinku nodded. "Guarding the hidden village is your duty. It's something you must do, and I understand." The Ninja smiled at this, then quickly ran back into the village.
Shinku took this time to look around Iwagakure. It looked like a gigantic earthen fortress, only without a roof. The surrounding area was very flat and vast—a boundless plain. After being accustomed to the lush forests around Konoha Village, Shinku suddenly found the scenery of the Land of Earth quite interesting.
However, he didn't have time to admire it. Ōnoki had already flown out of the village.
"I remember you! You were in that battle. You are a Ninja the Hokage trusts deeply." Ōnoki had seen Shinku in the Land of Rain but didn't know his name.
"It is my honor that Tsuchikage-sama remembers me. I am Yuhi Shinku, an Elite Jonin of Konoha Village."
Ōnoki nodded upon hearing this. "Good, I remember you now!" He then continued, "Since you came on the Hokage's order, hurry and tell me. What urgent matter does the Hokage have?"
Shinku bowed slightly to Ōnoki, then pulled out the invitation from his robe and handed it to Ōnoki. "The Hokage-sama will be getting married in half a month and specially invites Tsuchikage-sama to attend the ceremony."
"Ah!" Ōnoki was absolutely astonished, his mouth wide open! He hadn't expected this at all. The Hokage-sama was getting married! He thought Konoha Village wanted to discuss a new round of cooperation, perhaps involving a new electrical appliance they had invented. But the Hokage-sama's marriage was even more important than those things!
"Is... is this true! The Hokage-sama is really getting married? Who is the bride?"
Shinku smiled. "It's the eldest daughter of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Naori. She and the Hokage-sama have known each other since childhood, helping and supporting each other until now. They are finally getting married."
Ōnoki hadn't known that the Hokage had such a childhood sweetheart story. He couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"That truly is a beautiful love story. Too bad I'm already married, hahaha!" Ōnoki was flying in mid-air, followed by a group of Iwagakure Ninja, perhaps elders or others. They all looked quite old. They were currently discussing quietly. The Hokage-sama was getting married, so Iwagakure naturally had to show its respect! They needed to select a suitable gift; they couldn't let Iwagakure lose face!
"The Kazekage must have been notified too, right? We'll see whose gift is better, hahaha!"
Jinshū also smiled. "Tsuchikage-sama, you jest. Both you and the Kazekage-sama are allies of Konoha Village and dear friends of the Hokage-sama. No matter what gift you send, the Hokage-sama will be very happy."
Ōnoki's heart swelled with joy at this. A dear friend of the Hokage-sama? He hoped that was true. Being friends with the Hokage had many benefits.
"Who was sent to notify the Kazekage? Do I know him?"
"You should know him. It was Jiraiya."
Ōnoki nodded. "That young man. Among the three teammates, he's the one I admire most. The other two are a bit strange."
Shinku hadn't expected to be on the same page as the Tsuchikage. Orochimaru was always busy with his snakes, and Hiruko was single-mindedly researching his Bloodline Limits. They were certainly two of the oddballs of Konoha Village. However, both of them had good personalities and were very friendly to people, so no one avoided them because of what they researched.