At this moment, Bunpuku finally spoke, his gaze fixed on Uchiha Mirror as he asked, "Lord Mirror, your village expresses such a desire to maintain peace and guarantees it will never invade our country. Is there anything that can prove this? So far, our country has sacrificed a great deal, and your village doesn't seem to have provided a sufficiently weighty response."
The vice-envoy next to him was surprised, glancing at Bunpuku. He hadn't expected Bunpuku to ask such a question. He had to admit, this was also something he cared about deeply, but due to their disadvantaged position in front of the other party, he didn't dare to ask such a question directly, yet Bunpuku did.
This made the vice-envoy feel a sudden realization. So, this was why the Kazekage had called Bunpuku over? The Kazekage hadn't told him the full reason, causing the vice-envoy to start imagining things in his mind. His respect for Bunpuku grew. Just for daring to ask such a question, even as a peace advocate, he hadn't lost the dignity of being a Suna-nin.
"Indeed, trust is mutual. Since we have the advantage, we should also give you some confidence." Uchiha Mirror nodded slightly and said to the Nara clan ninja beside him, "Show them the documents."
The Nara clan ninja handed three documents to the Suna-nin. The vice-envoy lowered his head and slowly read the title on the cover: "'Proposed Ninja World Alliance Construction Plan.' What is this?"
"Regarding the reason for this war, our Hokage-sama believes it's due to the lack of proper communication channels between both sides, and the failure to achieve mutual cooperation and win-win relationships in national affairs. This made your village feel an internal threat. Although we believe we have no such intentions, you probably won't easily believe us. Therefore, Hokage-sama believes that a channel to maintain relations among the Five Great Nations should be established, and this is the Ninja World Alliance," Uchiha Mirror replied.
While the other two Suna-nin were shocked, Bunpuku had already begun to read the "Proposed Ninja World Alliance Construction Plan." He had previously learned about this from his student, Karura, but because Karura... Chapter 392 Proposed Ninja World Alliance Construction Plan (Page 1/5)... was a prisoner of Sunagakure, she knew about it due to her status, but of course, she couldn't know the specific terms, which was what Bunpuku needed to confirm.
If the Ninja World Alliance proposed by the Hokage could truly protect the interests of Sunagakure, then Bunpuku felt there was nothing unacceptable about it. Although Sunagakure might not become the leader of the Ninja World Alliance, given the size of the Land of Wind, its status as one of the Five Great Nations would definitely be secured. That would be enough; seeking more wouldn't benefit the Land of Wind.
Uchiha Mirror's words conveyed through Karura were very clear: the Land of Wind had limited internal resources. If it were to become the hegemon of the ninja world, it would have to plunder from the outside world, and its two neighboring countries were both very powerful. To the north was the Land of Earth, and to the east was the Land of Fire. Both were formidable enemies that the Land of Wind would find difficult to contend with.
Although there were small countries separating the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, according to the principles of the Ninja World Alliance, these small countries would also join. Any act of aggression against any country would be seen as a provocation to the entire Ninja World Alliance, and the Land of Fire would inevitably seek justice for weaker nations.
Even if the Land of Wind didn't join the Ninja World Alliance system, it would be effectively isolated. The Land of Earth to the north was very troublesome, and the countries to the east, forming a unified front with the Land of Fire, would be even stronger than the Land of Fire alone, making victory impossible. Thinking this way, it might be better to just join the Ninja World Alliance. If they couldn't be the hegemon of the ninja world, living their lives as a first-class powerful nation didn't seem so bad.
Bunpuku carefully read all the clauses of the "Proposed Ninja World Alliance Construction Plan."
Because it was only a draft, the specific terms were not yet very clear. It was merely Masahiro Kazamori's vision for the Ninja World Alliance, just as Bunpuku had heard from Karura. As long as the Land of Wind joined the Ninja World Alliance, given its size as one of the Five Great Nations, it would be able to hold a permanent seat in the Ninja World Alliance, forming the permanent five seats with the other four Great Nations.
In the Ninja World Alliance, if any member nations had disputes in the future, they would no longer resort to force but would instead resolve them through negotiation... Chapter 392 Proposed Ninja World Alliance Construction Plan (Page 2/5)... Whether it was politics, economy, defense, or culture, everything would be integrated within the framework of the Ninja World Alliance, forming the many nations of the Ninja World Alliance into a unified and led entity.
The Ninja World Alliance envisioned by Masahiro Kazamori required a leader, otherwise the Land of Lightning or the Land of Earth would surely challenge it. Therefore, the voting power within the Ninja World Alliance would be distributed based on each nation's capabilities and influence, and the Land of Fire would undoubtedly have the most. Once the hegemony of the Land of Fire was established in the future, forming the Ninja World Alliance would further solidify the leader's identity.
Bunpuku didn't care who the leader of this Ninja World Alliance was; whether it was the Land of Fire or someone else, it wouldn't concern the Land of Wind anyway. As long as the Land of Wind could secure its rights on the basis of a permanent seat among the Five Great Nations, he believed that if this Ninja World Alliance could truly be established, with the Land of Wind's size and status, things couldn't get too bad.
Once the Ninja World Alliance was established, the Land of Wind would not need to worry about aggression from member states. Even the Great Nations would not be able to engage in such activities, otherwise it would subvert the founding purpose of the Ninja World Alliance, and the Land of Fire would never agree. In this way, the Land of Wind would indeed not need to maintain excessive military strength, only enough to defend its homeland.
Within the framework of the Ninja World Alliance, the economic systems of both sides would also be integrated. Bunpuku wasn't very clear on the specifics, such as currency unification and tariff abolition, but on the basis of peace, the Land of Wind would certainly be able to achieve better development for its people. For Bunpuku, this was already satisfactory.
Bunpuku put down the document. Because the Ninja World Alliance was still in its nascent stage, it couldn't truly be established if the Five Great Nations couldn't reach a consensus. However, at least the Land of Wind could be the first to join, and bringing in other countries in the future would only make the Ninja World Alliance larger and more stable.
"I understand your village's sincerity. Personally, the plan drafted by your village is very attractive and can guarantee our interests." Bunpuku first spoke to Uchiha Mirror... Chapter 392 Proposed Ninja World Alliance Construction Plan (Page 3/5)... and then looked at the two Suna-nin beside him, "What do you two think?"
"Ah, ah?" The vice-envoy snapped back to attention, realizing Bunpuku was asking him. He quickly picked up the document again, glanced at it roughly, "Hmm, indeed, if this is the case, the Land of Wind can indeed gain many benefits and make us feel at ease. However, this matter is not something we can decide."
"I understand, you still need to go back and discuss it, but the offer is on the table." Uchiha Mirror said, "As long as you become a member of the Ninja World Alliance, we will take care of every country, maintaining their rightful status and rights. No matter how weak the Land of Wind is among the Five Great Nations, it is still one of the Five Great Nations, not comparable to just any small country."
Although Uchiha Mirror's words were a bit harsh, the vice-envoy and the other Suna-nin found them understandable, because Sunagakure's strength was indeed not great. Compared to the other four ninja villages, at least the other four ninja villages weren't restricted by their own daimyo!
However, as Uchiha Mirror said, no matter how weak, it was still one of the Five Great Nations. Not to mention other small countries, even the Land of Waterfall, which ranked sixth and possessed a Tailed Beast, would not be an opponent for Sunagakure. The power gap between the Five Great Nations and ordinary small countries was so obvious. Of course, being strong is one thing, but actually fighting is another.
For example, the Land of Rain led by Hanzō was considered weak in terms of strength, but in the original timeline, it somehow managed to cause setbacks for the three great nations, forcing them to cease hostilities.
"If we can agree to join the Ninja World Alliance, can your village be more lenient in other aspects? The Land of Wind has suffered significant resource losses. I believe if your village can provide some assistance, Sunagakure will certainly be very grateful to your village." Bunpuku said, naturally referring to the next issue of compensation.
"The amount of compensation cannot change; this is fundamental. Your country must pay the price." Uchiha Mirror said, "However, it can be paid in installments, and there can also be room for discussion regarding the ownership of the mines."
...Chapter 392 Proposed Ninja World Alliance Construction Plan (Page 4/5)... "How exactly do you mean?" Bunpuku asked next. Uchiha Mirror and Bunpuku then began discussing the issue of reparations. The vice-envoy, who should have been responsible, now had a bewildered expression, not knowing what he was doing. He wanted to interject, but because the other party was Uchiha Mirror, and Bunpuku had previously shown an equally imposing demeanor in front of him, he couldn't manage to join the conversation. Soon, Uchiha Mirror and Bunpuku's discussion concluded. They had initially agreed on the specific details of the reparations. War reparations could be paid in installments and could be compensated with resources such as ore, including funds for ransoming prisoners of war. Regarding the ownership of the mines, they would be jointly developed with Konohagakure, with specific measures to be implemented on the commercial side.
"Please go back and discuss it thoroughly. We truly hope to coexist with the Land of Wind on the basis of cooperation." Uchiha Mirror earnestly said to Bunpuku, "We also hope that your village has wise high-ranking officials to cooperate with us. The Third Kazekage and others in your village are truly too short-sighted. Indeed, Bunpuku is as rumored, a farsighted person. I truly hope someone like you can become the Kazekage."
The Suna-nin beside him instantly froze slightly.
"Who the high-ranking officials will be depends on Sunagakure's own choice, not something one person can decide." Bunpuku lowered his gaze slightly, "But I will do my utmost to ensure Sunagakure and the Land of Wind have a bright future."