Shuji felt this squad-leading trip to Cloud Village's gains proved acceptable. Mainly targeting that abandoned laboratory in mountains. Though lacking physical gains, this still counted as gaining much.
Similar to Shuji's thoughts, Cloud Village also felt this joint Chūnin Exam's gains proved good.
Inside the Raikage's office, Samui was reporting. "As of now, direct revenue through ticket sales, surrounding lodges, dining, plus licensed merchandise has exceeded initial estimates."
"Cumulative spectator numbers approach eight thousand. Public attention and discussion enthusiasm regarding competitions remain consistently high. Generally expressing expectations for next similar activity hosting."
Mabui supplemented issues requiring improvement. "Large numbers of spectators flooding in within short periods placed pressure on village internal and affiliated village logistical support systems, especially food and lodging, which experienced periodic tensions."
"Simultaneously, due to scattered deployments responding to crowds, regular monitoring intensity in some peripheral areas somewhat weakened."
Raikage A patiently listened to these reports. Even though he held little interest in specific numbers, as Kage, understanding these proved necessary duties.
Conclusions both secretaries compiled proved clear. Hosting joint Chūnin Exams brought extremely high direct economic benefits. Even because Cloud Village's insufficient preparations failed completely releasing all revenue potential.
Indirectly brought village prestige increases plus internal cohesion strengthening also proved considerable additional value.
"Konoha's side," the Raikage looked toward Mabui. "Regarding the next joint Chūnin Exam, what is their attitude?"
Mabui said, "According to intelligence, Konoha seemingly plans hosting their village internal Chūnin selection exam as usual in September."
After contemplating, A said, "Samui, go ask whether Konoha's side intends inviting us participating in September's joint exam."
"Simultaneously confirm their thoughts regarding subsequent Cloud Village and Konoha joint exams."
Joint exams' direct income proved considerable. Potential indirect gains likewise could not be overlooked.
Konoha's side, though previously Shuji revealed willingness maintaining exchanges in informal occasions, that ultimately was not formal written commitments.
If this cooperation form could be fixed, forming long-term conventions, Cloud Village could obtain one stable and sustained fiscal growth point over future periods.
"Yes."
When Shuji received verbal messages that Cloud Village hoped conducting informal talks, he felt unsurprised.
From observing crowds surging within Cloud Village and vigorous commercial activities during this exam, he predicted Cloud Village would come knocking again.
In this era's shinobi world, large-scale cross-village public competitive events proved uncommon. For ordinary citizens and merchants, such activities possessed powerful attraction. Generated economic benefits proved obvious.
Even in that entertainment-abundant world in his memories, top sporting events' commercial value always remained high.
Samui arranged the meeting location in one small reception room at the Raikage Tower.
After simple courtesy greetings, Samui directly cut to the main topic. "This joint Chūnin Exam, up to now, both Konoha and we achieved some expected results."
"Wonder how Shuji-san views this form of exchange?"
Shuji answered, "For genin, being able to witness different villages' combat styles on competition stages proves good tempering opportunities."
Samui nodded, expressing recognition before seemingly casually mentioning, "We understand Konoha seemingly plans hosting Chūnin selection exams in September."
Regarding this intelligence spreading out, Shuji felt unsurprised. After all, this was no top secret. Having notified Sunagakure, they also as usual informed other minor shinobi villages.
One purpose of hosting exams was precisely through continuous low-rank shinobi exchanges, strengthening alliance bonds between Konoha and Sunagakure.
Having no other shinobi village shinobi as foils would not work.
"Cloud Village is willing fulfilling ally responsibilities, likewise dispatching people participating in Konoha's exam this time," Samui said.
"Simultaneously, we also hope borrowing this opportunity, exploring with Konoha whether our two villages' joint exam model can be fixed."
"Negotiating hosting frequencies both sides can accept, making this become one stable, long-term exchange activity between Cloud Village and Konoha."
After being urgently recalled once, Enblade worried whether the village discovered something. When leaving the village again, he strictly followed reported action plans, methodically investigating in Fire Country's eastern regions. His conduct showed no abnormalities.
That masked man claiming to be Uchiha Madara required him gathering clan members still possessing "backbone," unwilling accepting current circumstances.
These people, Enblade knew of their existence. As people with consistent viewpoints, they always maintained considerable exchanges.
Besides already fallen comrades, those Uchiha at Fire Capital were his closest companions.
However, Uchiha Shisui was there.
Since that time at eastern camp when Shisui followed that man's orders, using Sharingan to subdue himself, Enblade understood Shisui perhaps remained a clan strong person. However, he leaned more toward obeying village will.
Like current clan leader Fugaku, they seemingly all satisfied themselves with limited space the village provided, deceived by false peace and slight concessions.
The Uchiha infiltrating ANBU plan, viewing now, instead became important channels for Konoha leadership infiltrating and influencing Police Force interiors.
To break current circumstances, relying on clan existing forces seemingly already proved hopeless. The sole variable seemingly fell upon that "Madara."
As long as he could suppress the clan leader with absolute ocular power, perhaps integrating clan forces and seizing Konoha leadership became possible.
After several cautious counter-tracking confirmations, Uchiha Enblade quietly changed directions, hastening toward Fire Capital.
Through several days' observation, utilizing familiarity with Uchiha patrol habits, Enblade finally found opportunities, establishing contact with one closely-related clansman transferred to Fire Capital, Uchiha Takehbi.
In one concealed corner, after Takehbi confirmed no one around, he asked, "Enblade? Why are you here?"
"Aren't you under Itachi's command, responsible for Hokage Tower duties?"
"Temporary mission." Enblade spoke concisely before asking, "Where is Shisui?"
"Shisui several days ago received temporary daimyo commissions, leaving Fire Capital executing other missions. Return date undecided," Takehbi answered.
Shisui was not present?
This was an opportunity. Bypassing Shisui, directly communicating with Fire Capital clansmen.
Since they handled daimyo's close protection missions, if methods could be found using genjutsu influencing the daimyo, having him proactively propose guard personnel replacement requests to Konoha...
Then they could logically collectively return to the village, escaping current disguised external deployment situations.
"Takehbi," Enblade lowered his voice. "Assemble clansmen. We need talking. Regarding... our clan's true future."