The Head of the Land of Rain Healthy Drinking Water Transportation Company? What in the world is this? After just one night, this man has transformed into the head of a Healthy Drinking Water Transportation Company. What on earth transpired last night?
Nevertheless, the prospect of Getting any money from her was utterly implausible. Chiyo took a deep breath, fixing her gaze on the Grass Village leader and Hanzo.
"I came here this time with the hope..." she began, but her sentence remained unfinished.
"Don't concern yourself with that at the moment. I heard that the Sand Village is here to discuss cooperation with the Grass Village," Akihiko nonchalantly waved his hand, picked up the Grass Village product catalog, and handed it over with a smile. "The Grass Village boasts a diverse range of products highly sought after in the ninja world. There's undoubtedly something fitting for your requirements."
He glanced at the image of the confident Konoha Elder, Homura Mitokado, before fixing an awe-inspiring gaze on Chiyo. "Do you aspire to achieve your dreams? Do you desire to become a prominent figure? Do you yearn to lead the impoverished Sand Village to prosperity? If so, don't hesitate! Right before you is an opportunity."
He pointed at the picture of Homura Mitokado and continued, "There was once an elderly man, quite advanced in age, sandwiched between two partners weighing him down. He was obscure, lacking strength and influence, teetering between sides. However, he seized an opportunity! After collaborating with the Grass Village in the movie business, he instantly earned a profit of 100 million and continues to engage in fruitful partnerships, securing a bright future. He is no longer shackled by the partners suppressing him!"
If Homura Mitokado were to hear your words, he might consider sewing your mouth shut. Chiyo's expression twitched as she observed the 'success examples' in the catalog, then raised her gaze to the Grass Village leader. It became apparent that the Grass Ninja Village's leadership was not without its flaws.
But Before she could voice her thoughts, the Grass Village leader turned to the next page, indicating a portly individual donning the Iwa Ninja headband. "He was once the son of a notable figure in the village. Despite being kind-hearted and honest, he possessed poor aptitude and faced disdain from everyone in the village. However, he persisted. One day, he arrived in the Grass Village, and his fate took a turn. He gained newfound confidence, embarking on a transformed life."
Akihiko offered a slight smile. Yet, witnessing Chiyo's composed demeanor, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. She deserves to be an ancient relic from the founding of the Sand Village, to be still unmoved by his fervent speech. Nevertheless, Akihiko pressed on. He raised his fist, intensified his enthusiasm, and exclaimed, "Therefore, Why should other ninja villages thrive while the Sand Village lags behind? The opportunity is right before you. With just a signature, you can enjoy the same advantages as others. Don't hesitate to sign up for a prosperous future for the Sand Village. Seize this moment, and the future will be yours!"
As the words echoed in the room, Chiyo, alongside Hanzo and Kakuzu, regarded Akihiko with disbelief. The rapid rebuilding and development of the Grass Village suddenly made sense—with a leader like him willing to discard all dignity for the sake of profit.
However, Chiyo swiftly composed herself, took a deep breath to steady her emotions, and sighed, "Thank you, Grass Village Leader, for presenting this opportunity to the Sand Village. I, too, wish for prosperity, but unfortunately..." She chuckled with a tinge of bitterness, "Sand Village simply has no money."
Regardless of the opportunity, as long as they remained poor, extracting money from them was an insurmountable task. Yet, the Grass Village leader seemed unfazed, applauding and smiling. Shifting his attention to Kakuzu, he exclaimed, "We've got a potential customer!"
While Chiyo pondered this, Hanzo efficiently placed a document in front of her. "How about considering a loan? Take a look at the terms."
Chiyo couldn't help but question the Grass Village's ethics. Loans in a ninja village? What happened to the principles of quality and ethics for a ninja village?
Her confusion deepened as she perused the terms on the document—collateralizing even tailed beasts. This proposition seemed utterly absurd. Were tailed beasts mere assets for collateral? These beings held immense power, crucial to a ninja village. Which village would really dare to treat them as mere collateral?
Chiyo's lips twitched, but she composed herself, closing the contract and lifting her gaze to meet Akihiko's. "I appreciate this opportunity, but even with a loan, the Sand Village lacks the means to repay..."
Before she could conclude, Akihiko's applause interrupted her once more. Without awaiting Chiyo's further inquiry, a graceful figure approached with a tray of hot tea, placing it on the table without a word before preparing to depart.
However, Chiyo's focus sharpened as she observed the elegant silhouette, recognizing the figure's back. Her eyes widened in realization. "Pakura?"
Now the pieces fell into place. This morning, she hadn't been mistaken. Pakura had indeed been in the Grass Village. Moreover, The sudden appearance and disappearance of her… was a clear warning from the Grass Village.
Evidently, this person had already discerned the true purpose behind their visit to the Grass Village.
Chiyo's gaze sharpened as she directed her anger towards Akihiko. "Grass Village Leader, you're playing a dangerous game!"
Akihiko appeared oblivious, adopting a cheerful tone. "What's got you so riled up? Let's have a seat and talk things through calmly. Here, have some tea."
"You've hidden the hero of the Sand Village here," Chiyo accused, her anger palpable.
"Hero? Who are you referring to?" Akihiko deflected, then promptly called out, "Yakura, open the door and let the Sand Ninjas waiting outside come in. We can't leave them waiting; it's not polite."
'Yakura? Who was that?' Confused by the mention of Yakura, Pakura frowned and exchanged a complex glance with Chiyo. She used to hold great respect for these two elders, but it seemed that even though they were aware that Village was planning on betraying her, they still ignored it.
Sighing heavily, Pakura moved toward the door, ignoring Chiyo's attempts to halt her progress. But just as she neared the threshold, Chiyo's tone shifted. The elder sank back into her chair, weariness etched on her face. "Go ahead, Pakura. I see now why they call you the Wiseman of the Grass."
Sighing heavily, Pakura moved toward the door. Flustered, Chiyo abruptly stood up and called out to stop her, "Pakura!"
However, Pakura remained indifferent, and continued walking towards the door, ignoring Chiyo's attempt to call her back. As she approached the door, Chiyo, with a defeated expression, slumped back into her chair, closed her eyes, and muttered bitterly, "Fine, Very well. I see now why they call you the Wiseman of the Grass."
Akihiko couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the absurd title. He made a mental note that the next time they captured Danzo, his release would come with a hefty price tag—perhaps one billion.
Meanwhile, Chiyo, undeterred, opened her eyes and fixed a stern gaze on Akihiko. "Does the Grass Village not fear being encircled by the Sand Village and the Mist Ninja Village?"
Before she could conclude her warning, Akihiko casually interjected, "Yakura~"
Observing Pakura turn to open the door, Chiyo clenched her jaw, choosing to withhold further words. His calling out 'Yakura' every time she spoke something was simply infuriating. His behavior felt like a mockery of the ninja ethics she had known throughout her life. The irritation it caused made her grasp at her chest. Were it not for her mission, it might have triggered a heart attack due to her age.
With gritted teeth, Chiyo glared at Akihiko and demanded, "What exactly do you want?"
Akihiko, seemingly unfazed, responded, "Don't get angry. At your age, getting worked up is bad for your health. It doesn't matter if the Sand Village betrayed its own people. Perhaps you've mistaken the person. This is our Grass Village's servant—Yakura. In any case, we just want to do a little business."
He continued in an attempt to console, "Even if the Sand Village betrayed its hero, what's wrong with that? Besides, Mist Village isn't entirely innocent either."
His accusation left everyone in the room stunned. The connection between Sand Village betraying its hero and Mist Village's integrity seemed unclear and raised further questions.
His statement left everyone in the room baffled. What's even the connection between Sand Village betraying its own hero and Mist Village's integrity?