Land of Earth, Hidden Sand Village troop encampment.
Baki had just finished his communication with Rasa, his mood slightly agitated.
He had received a mission from Rasa to take over three resource points occupied by Konoha.
Baki didn't understand how Rasa had managed it, nor did he care; he only knew that Hidden Sand Village would be great again.
The reason for everything was simple: it was a transaction between Tomoki and Rasa.
The team heading to Rouran Ancient Kingdom this time was quite large, and Tomoki himself was leading it.
To reach the Dragon Veins, they had to cross the Land of Wind.
And the team wasn't just a few people who could hide their tracks.
If they couldn't hide, they could only resort to diplomatic means.
Therefore, Konoha used three resource points in the Land of Earth to exchange for the Rouran ruins located in the desert of the Land of Wind.
Hidden Sand Village was naturally well aware of the Dragon Veins.
They had also conducted relevant research, as a natural, giant Chakra source was undoubtedly a treasure.
Unfortunately, Hidden Sand Village's capabilities were limited, and they concluded that the Dragon Veins' Chakra could not be utilized by Ninja.
It wasn't entirely unusable; to utilize it, one could only do so within the Dragon Veins' radiation range.
Unless Hidden Sand Village moved to Rouran Ancient Kingdom, the Dragon Veins would be like a tasteless chicken rib.
Of course, while the Dragon Veins might be a chicken rib, Konoha's demand for it, and Sunagakure's eager agreement, also had other reasons.
Although it's useless for my Sunagakure, if it's useful in your Konoha's hands, then my Sunagakure would rather no one use it than let your Konoha use it.
This was in line with the rules of the Ninja World, so Konoha's payment was not as simple as just three resource points.
After some negotiations, in addition to joint use, Sunagakure's researchers would also participate throughout the entire process.
Logically speaking, Tomoki would never agree to such a thing.
However, the matter of the Dragon Veins was an exception; Rasa thought the Dragon Veins were a good thing and insisted on getting involved.
Tomoki had no reason to refuse.
It remained to be seen whether Rasa and his group would still be so happy once they understood what converted Chakra meant and what they would have to face.
Friends, Tomoki never thought he had too many.
By then, Konoha and Sunagakure would form the strongest alliance, becoming grasshoppers on the same rope.
A few days ago, when Tomoki and Rasa reached an agreement.
He was also wondering if every world had a natural corrective force.
Ever since Tomoki became the Uchiha Clan Head, a series of his actions had caused Konoha and Sunagakure to drift apart.
But now, they were forcibly pulled back together, just like in the original story, bound as one.
Even if Rasa hadn't died, Gaara hadn't become Kazekage, and Tsunade hadn't become Hokage, after the Dragon Veins expedition, Konoha and Sunagakure would be completely bound.
Tomoki's conjecture naturally couldn't be proven, so he didn't dwell on it; in any case, for Tomoki and for Konoha, these were all good things.
When Baki approached Shikaku and explained his purpose.
Shikaku, who had also received instructions from Tomoki earlier, did not hesitate and readily handed over the resource points.
He began discussing the handover matters with Baki.
More than ten kilometers away from the Konoha troop camp, at the Hidden Rain Village troops' location.
Nagato was alone in his tent, deep in thought; even Konan had been asked to leave by Nagato.
Nagato, who had participated almost entirely in the Allied Shinobi Forces' actions against the Land of Earth and Iwagakure, was recalling everything he had seen and heard along the way.
Nagato had matured somewhat, understanding that whether in war or peace, there was one crucial element: interest!
Because of interest, blood-related brothers could quarrel and even come to blows.
And also because of interest, two sides entangled in hatred could put aside their disputes and work together.
He once believed that the chains of hatred were the strongest barrier between people, but during this operation, Nagato discovered his own shallowness.
Everything was laid bare during the operation; it was true between people, and it was true between villages.
Nagato wrote the word 'Interest' on a blank piece of paper and continued to ponder.
The decisive battle between the Allied Shinobi Forces and Iwagakure made Nagato frown; it wasn't out of admiration for Roshi, the last Tsuchikage, nor was it out of praise for the Iwagakure Ninja's readiness to die.
There was only one reason: the disparity between the two sides was too great, and too few Ninja had died.
Nagato, who believed he understood Tomoki's plan, realized that relying on war to deplete Ninja was simply unrealistic.
The casualties of the Allied Shinobi Forces were too small.
Looking at the blank paper again, Nagato seemed to grasp some clue.
If the Land of Earth and Iwagakure wouldn't suffice, then to completely deplete the Ninja.
They would need greater interests, stronger enemies!
And there was only one choice left.
Nagato picked up his pen and wrote two more words on the blank paper: Konoha!
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