On the way back, Ryun and Chiyo discussed the details of the border trade, including the specific goods to be traded, the quantities, the prices, and so on.
What Sunagakure lacked most was clean water. Water is the source of life. If they could reach a trade agreement with Konoha and obtain enough clean, cheap water, it would solve a major problem for Sunagakure.
However, Ryun emphasized that the initiative in these matters lay with Konoha. If conflict were to break out, Konoha had the right to close the border market.
No matter how dissatisfied Chiyo was about this, there was nothing she could do. The resources were controlled by Konoha. Whoever has the resources holds the power.
"We will follow Konoha's decisions entirely. But may I ask what the price and quantity will be?" Chiyo seized the opportunity to ask.
Ryun smiled. "It will definitely be cheaper than your village's prices. The exact amounts need to be decided after I return and hold a meeting, as this involves the overall interests of my Konoha Village."
Chiyo fell silent, then finally nodded. When they reached the vicinity of Kikyōzan, the two teams parted ways, agreeing to meet there again in one week to sign the agreement.
Konoha Village
Ryun stretched. "You two did well. Izuna acquired a sword, and Pakura has adapted to the Four-Tails' chakra and techniques. You have worked hard."
The two looked at each other and cupped their hands. "We dare not claim credit. Had the Hokage not intervened, who knows how long the stalemate would have lasted."
"We are all comrades here, no formalities are needed. You have both worked hard, please go back and rest now." Ryun said cheerfully.
Uchiha Izuna had no objection. Pakura looked at Ryun as if she wanted to say something. Ryun knew what she meant, so he said with a smile, "Regarding opening the border market, the quantity and price issues, I will ensure fairness and justice for Sunagakure."
Pakura breathed a sigh of relief. Then, hand in hand with Uchiha Izuna, she headed towards the Uchiha clan district. Ryun's smile faded. It couldn't be helped. Even though Pakura had become a Konoha shinobi, she still unconsciously cared about Sunagakure.
After all, that was the place where she was born and raised, one could call it her original home. Ryun naturally wouldn't prevent her from helping her at all. He could only sigh about it.
The moment he returned to the village, after Izuna and Pakura left, Sakumo appeared beside Ryun, waiting for instructions. "Sakumo, go notify Luming. Have him wait for me in the Hokage's office. I have important matters to discuss with him shortly."
Sakumo nodded and replied, "Understood, Hokage-sama!" After speaking, his figure vanished in an instant. Ryun looked up at the Hokage Building not far away. The building had now been renovated, expanding upward from the originally distinctive Hokage-world style architecture, becoming the Konoha Administration Building.
The Hokage Building had six floors. Ryun's Hokage office was on the fifth floor, at the far east end. This avoided the noise and temperature regulation issues of the top floor while still demonstrating authority.
When Ryun was absent, Nara Luming worked in the office at the far east end on his behalf. When Ryun was present, Luming performed the duties of a secretary, closely following Ryun.
Soon
Ryun entered the Administration Building. The Anbu shinobi on guard at the door bowed in respect. Ryun nodded and walked in, slowly ascending the stairs to the fifth floor.
He then walked towards his Hokage office at the east end. Inside, Nara Luming was working. Hearing the footsteps, he organized his paperwork, stood up, and waited by the door, ready to welcome the Hokage's return and prepare for the upcoming discussion.
Seeing this scene when he reached the door, Ryun couldn't help but think, 'Luming is becoming more and more formal.'
"Hokage-sama, welcome back." As he spoke, Nara Luming bowed slightly. Ryun smiled. "No need for such courtesy. We are so close, how many times have I said not to worry about these tedious formalities?"
Nara Luming smiled slightly. "Propriety must not be abandoned." Ryun sat down in his work chair and pointed at Luming with a laugh. "You, you."
"Anyway, the fight with Kiri this time didn't have any major issues. It's just that Sunagakure witnessed Konoha's abundant resources and wants to open a border market with us."
"Sunagakure lacks water and food. So, Luming, what do you think is an appropriate price?" Ryun opened the paperwork Luming had just prepared and started reading it.
Nara Luming frowned, then lowered his head in thought. The Hokage's meaning was that Sunagakure had seen the price of Konoha's supplies, but he felt it was a bit low and wanted to raise it.
But these words couldn't be said by Ryun himself. Nara Luming needed to think it over and propose a suitable price.
Nara Luming slowly spoke. "Currently, a bottle of water costs 1 ryo in the Land of Fire. If we open the border market, I suggest setting the price at 2 ryo. The price of food should also be doubled."
"Even so, it would still be many times cheaper than the prices inside Sunagakure. Our profit margin could reach three to four times. This wouldn't harm the relationship between the two villages, and our approach wouldn't be too unsightly."
Ryun nodded. "Alright, let's do it that way. This matter is entrusted to you, Luming." After speaking, Ryun stood up and patted Nara Luming on the shoulder.
Then he leisurely walked out of the Hokage's office. See? Having a powerful external brain saves so much trouble.
Nara Luming sighed. If only Sunagakure hadn't seen the prices in the Land of Fire... If that were the case, they could even sell a bottle of water for 50 ryo, and people from Sunagakure would still come in an endless stream.
He had previously looked into Sunagakure's resource prices; a bottle of water could sell for 100 ryo there!
It had to be said, Luming knew a lot, his knowledge was extensive. Not just Sunagakure, but even Kiri, Kumo, and Iwa, he had some understanding of them all.
He knew that sooner or later, the conflict between nations would shift from military force to economic warfare.
To that end, Nara Luming had made preparations early on, so that when that day came, he and Konoha wouldn't be caught unprepared.
He just hadn't expected that day to come so quickly! After Ryun left, Nara Luming began thinking alone about the pricing, sales quantities, etc., for other items besides water and food for the border market.
Meanwhile, Ryun returned home. Upon seeing Tsunade, he hurried forward and hugged her.
"Wife, kiss kiss~ I missed you so much, wife~" As he spoke, Ryun puckered his lips like a fool, pressing his face against Tsunade's and kissing her.
This amused Tsunade. "You, it's only been a day since you left, why are you so clingy!"
"A day apart feels like three years, hehe." Ryun didn't find it clingy or embarrassing at all.
Tsunade touched his face and pinched it. "Your mouth is so sweet!"
Ryun grinned foolishly, kissing Tsunade's face from time to time. Ah, being pregnant is so troublesome! So many things they couldn't do.
Ryun sighed inwardly.
Sunagakure
The elderly Chiyo returned to the village with the Sunagakure shinobi forces. The Kazekage, Chiron, and the elder, Ebizō, were waiting at the village entrance early.
The clan heads had also come with them. When the elderly Chiyo approached, the Kazekage Chiron stepped forward and said, "Mother, you must be tired from the long journey."
Chiyo shook her head. "This time, our Sunagakure barely took action. It was Konoha who resolved the situation for us."
Kazekage Chiron was stunned, then smiled. "In that case, what should we do to thank Konoha?" He looked at the shinobi behind Chiyo; there were almost no losses.
Chiyo glanced at him. Thank them for what? We already gave them Pakura! But on the surface, they still had to put on a show.
"I suggest the Kazekage-sama write them a letter of thanks to express our gratitude and propose a permanent alliance with Konoha!" Ebizō smiled.
Who knew that both the Kazekage and Chiyo would look at him strangely. Finally, the Kazekage laughed. "That is only right, that is only right! How about having Elder Ebizō draft it on our behalf?"
Chiyo gritted her teeth. Could she still keep this brother of hers? Was he Konoha's or Sunagakure's?
Ebizō didn't mind and nodded. "I will!" The clan shinobi couldn't help but sigh. If Elder Ebizō weren't the elderly Chiyo's brother, his political sense, tsk tsk.
While Ebizō certainly performed well on the battlefield, commanding effectively and frequently devising strategies, he was still far lacking in politics.
Chiron organized the troops into the village and offered encouragement and reassurance to the shinobi. The clan heads couldn't help but nod; Chiron was an excellent young man.
After dealing with the matters concerning the shinobi forces, Chiyo called her son and brother.
"Do you know, Pakura is now Konoha's Four-Tails Jinchūriki." Chiyo's voice was low and hoarse.
Ebizō's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief. Chiron, though somewhat startled, quickly returned to calm.
"So, Mother, you mean..." Chiron narrowed his eyes, a flicker of ambition stirring in his heart.
A Four-Tails Jinchūriki! Beings like this, there are only nine in the entire shinobi world. Each one can serve as a village's trump card, a nuclear weapon-like existence!
If they could bring Pakura back, then Sunagakure would immediately have backing!
Chiyo's expression was complex as she shook her head. "Don't entertain such unrealistic thoughts. We already sent Pakura for a political marriage back then. Now she is Konoha's Four-Tails Jinchūriki. You cannot bring her back."
"Even if you could bring her back, who would stop Ryun's wrath when the time comes?" Chiyo sighed.
Chiron was taken aback, then finally sighed. In the end, it was the result of inferior strength. What could they do? Endure it!
"However, my son, don't lose heart. There is another piece of news. Konoha is willing to open a border market with Sunagakure. The problems of water and food resource shortages can be solved in the future." At this point, Chiyo smiled.
"That's wonderful, Mother!" Chiron laughed. Although they couldn't retrieve the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, if the water and food problems could be solved, then Sunagakure could develop its population, replenishing the losses suffered in this war.
Ebizō also nodded. As someone born and raised in Sunagakure, this news excited him greatly.
Chiyo, however, said, "Don't celebrate too early. Although Ryun agreed to the border market, the price hasn't been set yet." Her words immediately brought the two back to reality.
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