As for information about the Akatsuki, Reiner admitted he didn't know anything—he'd never even heard of them.
However, he did tell Uchiha Hikaru one other thing: Rōran's current queen, Tina, had always wanted to establish contact with Konoha.
She also hoped to send her shinobi to participate in the upcoming Chunin Exams held in Konoha, but Sunagakure had been blocking every attempt. As a city located within the Wind Country's borders, the Sand Village insisted Rōran had no right to maintain its own shinobi force or privately train ninja.
But in reality, Rōran had always functioned independently from the Wind Daimyō's direct authority. Technically speaking, they had every right to establish their own shinobi organization.
Still, the Daimyō feared Rōran's growing strength and allowed Sunagakure to continue suppressing their development.
Uchiha Hikaru found this… interesting. Perhaps this could become the second step in Konoha's integration with the broader shinobi world.
The first step, of course, had been the Hidden Mist Village.
He wasn't sure how the plans he'd set in motion before leaving were currently unfolding in Kirigakure...
Soon, Reiner led Uchiha Hikaru and Saya to a massive tent set up at the heart of the oasis.
From the outside, the tent resembled a yurt—just like the kind Hikaru remembered from his past life on Blue Star.
Reiner stopped just outside the entrance.
"Lord Hikaru, please go in. These discussions are above the rank of a Chunin like myself," he said with a polite bow. "It's time for me to return to patrol."
"I'm already honored to have met you today."
With that, he turned and jogged back toward the edge of the oasis.
Uchiha Hikaru pushed aside the tent's curtain and stepped inside with Saya.
Immediately, his eyes were drawn to a young woman seated at a low table. She had long, vivid red hair and wore clothing Hikaru instantly recognized—traditional garb of Rōran's ruling class. Her brows were furrowed tightly as she reviewed several documents on the table, muttering under her breath.
"The Wind Daimyō is really getting on my nerves," she grumbled. "How many times do I have to say it? We, the people of Rōran, will never submit to the Wind Country. Why do they keep interfering with our shinobi training?"
Noticing a shift in light cast across the table, she looked up—and froze the moment her eyes landed on Uchiha Hikaru.
Her eyes widened. In an instant, she stood up, lifted her skirts slightly, and approached him in small, elegant steps.
"Greetings, Lord Hikaru. I am Tina, current queen of Rōran," she said formally, extending a pale, slender hand.
Uchiha Hikaru met her gesture without hesitation, clasping her hand in his own.
"Hello, Your Majesty. I just heard from Reiner," he replied. "So… Rōran also wishes to take part in the Chunin Exams being hosted by Konoha?"
He released her hand as he spoke, maintaining a polite distance. Though he found Tina somewhat forward, he wasn't like Jiraiya—he knew how to draw a line.
Tina nodded with a composed smile. "Lord Hikaru is correct. Although our shinobi village is still young, we believe it has potential."
"We may not be on the level of the Five Great Villages yet, but at the very least, we're stronger than Kusagakure."
"This Chunin Exam offers us a rare opportunity—a way for Rōran to show itself to the world," she explained. "It will help us build a foundation for future trade and diplomacy."
Hikaru immediately understood the real reason behind Tina's interest.
"It seems Her Majesty is no longer willing to tolerate the Wind Country's suppression," he said, sharp as ever. "Otherwise, there would be no need for Rōran to train its own shinobi and step onto the international stage."
Tina offered only a helpless smile in return, tinged with bitterness.
"We had no choice. Ever since that rogue Sand shinobi, Centipede, attacked Rōran years ago, the city has been defenseless."
"The power of the ancient Dragon Vein beneath Rōran has nearly dried up. And anyone who tries to refine chakra near the ruins loses their mind."
"To protect ourselves, we were forced to relocate—and begin building our own military."
Hikaru wasn't surprised. After all, hundreds of years had passed. It was only natural that someone would eventually uncover traces of the Dragon Vein.
"Your Majesty is right. There's a difference between having a blade and not needing it, and not having one at all."
"Besides," Hikaru continued, "the mission to eliminate that rogue Centipede ninja wasn't even carried out under the Fourth Hokage. It's only right that Konoha offer support to Rōran now."
"Especially considering the volume of goods we can produce. You may find yourselves unable to keep up with demand."
At this, Tina's expression brightened. She waved her hand, visibly excited.
"That won't be a problem, Lord Hikaru. While we don't have a Kazekage who can manipulate gold dust like Sunagakure..."
"Rōran is blessed with vast chakra ore deposits."
"It's a mixed blessing, really. The Dragon Vein left the ruins uninhabitable for shinobi. But underground, we've found enormous amounts of chakra ore, some strange black flammable liquid, and other rare minerals."
The moment he heard this, Uchiha Hikaru realized just how vast Rōran's resources truly were.
No wonder the Wind Country wanted to annex them. The chakra ore alone was enough to tempt any village into war.
As for the black liquid—unless he was mistaken, it was likely similar to petroleum from Blue Star.
In a chakra-rich world like this, such a resource might be even more potent. He made a mental note to bring back a sample and have Orochimaru run tests.
After that, Hikaru spent the rest of the evening discussing Rōran and Konoha's future trade relationship with Tina, as well as details of the upcoming Chunin Exams.
All the while, he used his words with deliberate care—slowly nudging Tina's view in favor of Konoha. Everything to pave the way for what was coming.
By the time their talks ended, it was already late. One of Tina's attendants arrived to serve dinner.
But even then, Tina still looked reluctant to stop.
After all, her life had been shaped by loss and responsibility. Her mother, Queen Sarah, had died from exhaustion when Tina was still a child—forcing her to inherit the throne at just ten years old.
Her father had been assassinated during a dispute with the Wind Country only two years ago. She alone had survived.
Now, at twenty, she longed for connection—for love—for a normal life.
But she couldn't walk away from what she had to do. She carried her mother's final wish, her father's vengeance, and the weight of an entire nation.
She had no choice but to lock her heart away and move forward. All for one reason:
To make Rōran great again.
And now... here stood Uchiha Hikaru.
Stronger than most. More capable than anyone she had ever met. Handsome. Accomplished. Respected. Trusted by the Hokage himself.
He had offered her hope. A path forward. Protection, prosperity—and the promise of a future where she could stop merely surviving.
How could she not fall for him?
In both politics and affection... she was already his.
If only… if only he were Rōran's instead of Konoha's...
…
…
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