[The Battlefield of the Land of Stone]
A mineral vein had been discovered here, but because Sunagakure and Iwagakure had started fighting, no one could mine it.
Now, the area near the vein had already become a battlefield.
Both Sunagakure and Iwagakure were launching probing attacks.
Geographically, the Land of Stone was nothing but rock, which gave Iwagakure an advantage.
Iwagakure's group-style ninjutsu was also dazzling here, since they could alter terrain. Their defense was far stronger than Sunagakure's side.
Usually, Sunagakure's casualties were three times those of Iwagakure.
Sunagakure's situation was already a mess. Over the years their development had been weaker than Iwagakure's.
The village was poor, its population small, and finally, when faced with this great fortune, they could only watch as it slipped from their grasp. It was like knives cutting into their hearts.
A man of great wealth should not sit beneath the hall. Even though the Kazekage Rasa also wanted to make money, after the first clash with Iwagakure, he had withdrawn his troops.
After all, one slip-up, and Sunagakure would be finished.
Since the frontline was tight and Rasa couldn't personally direct things, he sent Chiyo over here instead.
Although Rasa and Chiyo didn't get along, in times like these, there was no room for infighting.
He also allocated a large number of troops for Chiyo to command.
———
At Sunagakure's encampment.
Chiyo stared at the sand table in front of her, lost in thought.
On it were marked which Sunagakure units they had, and which Iwagakure units were on the opposite side.
There was one biggest label on it, written: "Kitsuchi", with a note behind it saying he led four brigades.
Each brigade consisted of four squads, and each squad had three people.
That meant, counting Kitsuchi himself, this unit had nearly fifty people.
Because Sunagakure had disputes over choosing a commander, they had already fallen behind Iwagakure.
Now, those fifty people were already using earth-style ninjutsu near the gold mine to change the terrain.
At this point, it was easy to defend and hard to attack.
Once Iwagakure began building defenses, Sunagakure, already at a disadvantage, would have no chance of gaining any benefit.
Yesterday, Sunagakure had made a probing attack. They killed only one enemy, but lost two of their own.
If Sunagakure didn't disrupt things soon, Iwagakure would likely begin mining.
"Why don't I go," The one standing beside the sand table, Pakura, spoke.
Chiyo slowly shook her head, "This battlefield situation is not in our favor. You are the face of our Elder faction, so you cannot be risked."
Pakura also knew that this mission wasn't a skirmish like before, but a siege battle, with high casualties.
"Elder Chiyo, someone has come asking to see you, carrying your token."
"Hm?", Chiyo was puzzled, but then thought of something and quickly said, "Let them in."
"Yes!"
Soon, a person cloaked from head to toe entered.
When this person came in, he glanced left and right.
Chiyo waved her hand, and the other Sunagakure shinobi withdrew, leaving only Chiyo and Pakura.
Both of them were strong enough that their safety wasn't a concern.
The person lifted his hood. It was Uchiha Rengoku.
This Rengoku was the clone who had mined the Water of Life with Orochimaru in the Land of Rivers.
Only with a clone's Shadow Escape could he have arrived this quickly.
The token he carried wasn't real either. It had been created with Transformation Jutsu.
But that didn't matter. As long as it worked.
Rengoku's appearance made both Chiyo and Pakura's expressions harden. After all, a man's reputation precedes him.
The title of number one in the ninja world had been earned with real strength.
"Clan Leader Rengoku, how come you have time to come here?", Chiyo asked.
Rengoku got straight to the point, "I know Sunagakure is short of manpower here, so I came to act as a broker."
Sunagakure was indeed in a state of being stretched thin. The only one holding things up was Pakura.
But the Elder faction didn't want Pakura to take risks, so they truly were lacking people.
Chiyo asked curiously, "Who does Clan Leader Rengoku want to introduce?"
Rengoku smiled, "You should know the Akatsuki organization, right?"
Others might not, but Chiyo certainly did. After all, her younger brother Ebizo was in intelligence.
"Yes, I've heard of them. That organization should be quite strong."
Rengoku nodded slightly, "I'll introduce them to help you deal with Iwagakure."
Chiyo thought briefly, "How much do they want?"
Rengoku raised one finger, "They want ten percent of this vein's profits."
This number was within Chiyo's acceptable range. She didn't haggle over money, but instead asked, "The method?"
As expected of someone seasoned. Chiyo always asked the key question.
"Akatsuki has many strong people. They can directly beat Iwagakure into submission."
"Then they'll force a negotiation with you to share the mine's profits."
"No matter how the talks end, they'll always take ten percent of your total mining revenue."
Chiyo gave Rengoku a deep look, "And from Iwagakure's side, they'll also take a cut, won't they?"
Rengoku only smiled without answering.
After a short pause, Chiyo directly agreed, "No problem. When will they arrive? Iwagakure is already building fortifications."
Chiyo was very proactive. After all, for Sunagakure this was a deal without cost.
They were at a disadvantage anyway, and if they could still make money while at a disadvantage, what was there not to like?
If the fighting dragged on, Iwagakure might be able to take losses, but Sunagakure couldn't afford the wear and tear.
Rengoku wasn't surprised at Chiyo's decisive choice.
After all, Chiyo was shrewd with age and could see the balance of interests at a glance.
"They're already on the way. At most, they'll be here in a day."
The Land of Rain and the Land of Stone were right next to each other. It probably wouldn't even take a full day.
Hearing Rengoku's words, Chiyo's eyes flickered with a strange light, "So Clan Leader Rengoku was certain I would agree?"
Rengoku only smiled, not answering that question. Instead, he brought up another matter, "There will be two people coming. One of them is an old acquaintance of yours, so don't be too surprised."
Chiyo's expression gradually turned ugly.
Rengoku was a little surprised, "Oh? Looks like you've guessed."
"Well, of course. You'd care about your own grandson."
Chiyo drew a deep breath, then probed, "Clan Leader Rengoku, you even know this, it seems you have deep ties with Akatsuki."
Rengoku shook his head slightly, his face still wearing a formulaic fake smile, "What ties? The Uchiha used to be mercenaries too."
"Today's allies might be tomorrow's enemies."
"Everyone's just out to earn profit."
Chiyo didn't comment on Rengoku's explanation, "Then I'll thank Clan Leader Rengoku this time."
Rengoku waved his hand, "Just mutual benefit."
Chiyo didn't ask what dealings Rengoku had with Akatsuki. She knew where the line was.
"There are matters in the clan, so I won't stay longer," After speaking, Rengoku covered his face again and put on his cloak.
Chiyo stood up, "Then this old woman won't keep Clan Leader Rengoku."
Rengoku waved his hand, and with a flicker of his body, disappeared from the tent.
Pakura had stayed silent the whole time. Her status and strength were still a little lacking.
"Elder, in Akatsuki, who is your acquaintance?", Pakura asked in puzzlement.
Chiyo frowned, "Sasori."
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