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Resets Weekly! [Monday]
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Everyone knew that while Danzo Shimura's words were harsh and cold-blooded, they were undeniably accurate.
"So… when do you all think… this war… should end?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, his tone tinged with helplessness.
"I think your idea of stationing troops in the Land of Rain is still a good one, brother," Jinghang replied, "but maybe… it's about two years too early?" He glanced at Koharu Utatane, who was fond of simulations, believing that Konoha's analysts must have already considered this scenario.
"At most… two and a half years," Koharu finally said after finishing the now-cold chicken skin skewer. She paused to recall her analysis before giving her answer.
"Then… two and a half years it is." In the end, Hiruzen's sense of justice succumbed to reality. As the Hokage, he couldn't gamble with the lives of Konoha's children, just as Jinghang had pointed out earlier.
"I have another proposal," Danzo interjected.
"Let's move the military exercises from the Earth-Lightning border to the Land of Rivers. We can also increase the scale a bit—say, three thousand participants—but publicly declare it as ten thousand…"
"Why?" Rasa asked, his tone cautious.
"Because there are some secret bases belonging to Kirigakure in that area," Danzo explained, his voice tinged with malice. "They've been expanding and frequently harassing Konoha's borders. We might as well take this opportunity to wipe them out!"
Danzo waved his hand decisively, exuding a murderous aura.
Jinghang nodded in agreement. Deploying six thousand troops to deal with a few secret Kirigakure outposts would be a sure win. It would also be an excellent opportunity to test the newly reorganized ninja squads and train the fresh recruits. After all, only ninjas who had seen blood could truly be called warriors.
Hiruzen, still caught up in his earlier emotions, gave a faint nod of approval to Danzo's suggestion. He simply muttered, "Danzo, you'll be responsible for organizing this," before returning to his sake.
Jinghang glanced at Rasa and said,
"Delegate your current tasks to Yurara. I'll leave Yashamaru to assist him. You'll be in charge of this military operation. Once it's over, return to the village with me—I have other plans for you."
"Yes," Rasa replied, indicating his compliance.
"Well, we've discussed most of the important matters, and the food is nearly finished. How about we move on to the next activity?" Jinghang suggested.
"What's that?" Hiruzen, now slightly tipsy, asked.
"Let's play a few rounds of Pai Gow," Jinghang said with a mischievous grin.
"Oh! Well then… shall we?" Hiruzen's eyes lit up as he exchanged a knowing glance with Jinghang. The two burst into laughter, as if they had found a kindred spirit. The rest of the group joined in the laughter, and the heavy discussions from earlier seemed to dissipate like a passing breeze.
The Next Day
The following morning, shortly after the new Rain Shadow, Nōshin Kongō, completed his inauguration ceremony, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jinghang jointly issued a peace declaration. They called on Iwagakure and Kumogakure to exercise restraint, cease hostilities, and avoid further bloodshed. The two villages also announced plans to conduct a joint military exercise in the Land of Rivers three months later, involving a declared force of ten thousand troops, to maintain the security of the Wind-Fire-Rain-Hot Water region. The newly inaugurated Rain Shadow also expressed his support for the peace declaration and the military exercise, pledging to contribute 800 troops to bolster the effort. This declaration came to be known as the Wind-Fire Declaration or the Wind-Fire-Rain Declaration.
This move left Ōnoki and A utterly baffled. They couldn't discern the true intentions of the three Kage and dared not act rashly. Both chose to temporarily cease hostilities and observe the situation, dispatching numerous scouts to gather intelligence. And so, the ninja world entered a state of temporary peace—though everyone knew it wouldn't last long.
Both Jinghang and Hiruzen were satisfied with this outcome. Before parting, they agreed to meet again in three months in the Land of Rivers.
Hiruzen and his team departed, but Jinghang didn't leave immediately. Instead, under Rasa's guidance, he toured the Hourglass Group's factories and personally met with worker representatives. Addressing the gathered workers, Jinghang delivered an impassioned speech.
"You are the backbone of Sunagakure's economy, representing the most advanced productivity and developmental direction. Your hard work and dedication will not go unrewarded. I, Jinghang, hereby promise that any worker who attains the title of senior technician will enjoy housing, education, and other benefits in the Moonlake New District. Together, with everyone's efforts, we can create a better tomorrow!"
His rousing speech elicited an enthusiastic response from the workers, who pledged to work harder, produce fewer defective products, and contribute to the growth of the Hourglass Group.
After this morale-boosting session, Jinghang convened a meeting with the group's senior management in the conference room.
The Hourglass Group's New Decisions
"This trip serves two purposes," Jinghang began, his tone steady as he scanned the room. His gaze finally rested on Rasa and Yurara. "First, to pay respects to Hanzo the Salamander. Second, to announce two major decisions regarding the Hourglass Group."
The room fell silent as everyone focused on Jinghang.
"The first is a personnel appointment. Chiyo, the head of the village's Intelligence and ANBU departments, has repeatedly expressed that she is too old and lacks the energy to continue holding such a critical position. After discussions with the review committee, it has been decided that Rasa will return to the village to take over as head of the Intelligence Department. Since the ANBU's functions overlap significantly with the Intelligence Department, it will be dissolved. Some personnel will be integrated into the Intelligence Department, while others will be reorganized into a new Operations Division under the Intelligence Department, led by Sasori Kuki. As for the Hourglass Group…" Jinghang gestured toward Yurara.
"Yurara will assume the role of General Manager, with Yashamaru as Deputy General Manager."
Rasa, Yurara, and Yashamaru immediately stood up and said in unison, "We accept the village's arrangements."
Rasa, however, hesitated to meet Jinghang's gaze. He glanced at Karuke, prompting Jinghang to add with a knowing smile,
"Karuke will also return to the village and take up a position in the Intelligence Department. Her specific role… will be discussed later."
Karuke blushed, discreetly pinching Rasa's thigh under the table. Rasa remained composed, his expression unchanged, as he calmly resumed his seat.
Jinghang noticed but merely smiled before continuing.
A New Sales Strategy
"Now, onto the second matter, which primarily concerns you, Yurara—and Yashamaru, as well," Jinghang said, pausing to take a sip of tea.
"Rasa and Yashamaru participated in my discussions with the Third Hokage, so they're aware that this war is nearing its end. In no more than two and a half years, it will be over."
Yurara's face turned pale. "If the war ends, the demand for ninja tools and canned goods will plummet…"
"That's likely," Jinghang nodded. "Large-scale orders will probably disappear."
"So…" Yurara looked to Jinghang, clearly at a loss for a solution.
Jinghang didn't keep them in suspense.
"That's why we need to change our sales model."
Yurara and Yashamaru immediately pulled out notebooks, ready to take notes like diligent students.
"Over the next two years, your primary task will be to establish retail outlets in various countries. Transition from wholesale to retail. If the mountain won't come to us, we'll go to the mountain."
Their eyes lit up at the idea. Jinghang continued confidently,
"Konoha already has a commercial agreement with us, so opening stores there won't be an issue. As for Iwagakure and Kumogakure, we can gradually negotiate through diplomatic channels. You've maintained decent relationships with trade caravans from those two nations, haven't you?"
Rasa nodded.
"Mr. Shibuya from Kumogakure and Mr. Hattori from Iwagakure are on good terms with us. They also have influence among their nations' upper echelons."
"Good. That covers the three major nations: Fire, Earth, and Lightning. As for Kirigakure… let's put that on hold for now."
"Lord Kazekage, I have a question," Yashamaru said. "We can handle everything else, but we currently lack talent in business operations. If we're opening so many stores, where will we find the people to manage them?"
"Excellent question!" Jinghang praised.
"The technical schools in the village and Moonlake New District established business departments six months ago, specifically to train commercial talent. However, those students are still inexperienced and need practical training. Start by opening stores in our village and Konoha. Let the students intern there to gain experience. Additionally, doesn't the Hourglass Group already have sales and reception departments?"
"Yes, but they're small," Yurara replied.
"That's fine. Select a group of capable and quick-thinking individuals and send them to the Moonlake New District's technical school for training. Once the framework is in place, the rest will naturally fall into place."
"Understood. I'll start making arrangements immediately," Yurara said, thoroughly impressed.
The Final Task
"With that settled, Rasa, you'll lead a team back to the village to transition the Intelligence Department from Chiyo."
"Yes. What about you, Lord Kazekage?" Rasa asked.
"Me?" Jinghang chuckled.
"I'm going to pay my respects to an elder of the ninja world."