Chapter 151: Konoha Pact Plan
Konoha placed exceptional importance on the visit from Takigakure.
As soon as the Takigakure leader's motorcade arrived at the Konoha village gate, Uchiha Douhuan and Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage—who had practically become the village's mascot, spending most days rushing between various ribbon-cutting ceremonies but was forcibly dragged over by Uchiha Douhuan to 'do business' today—were already waiting there.
A red carpet nearly a hundred meters long extended out from the main gate.
The moment Iwata Sawaki stepped out of the carriage, he felt overwhelmed by the favor. The scale of this welcoming ceremony was comparable to welcoming the Kage of some major ninja villages.
While Iwata Sawaki was slightly bewildered by Konoha's exceptionally high-standard reception etiquette, Uchiha Douhuan had already gone up to meet him, shaking his hand cordially.
"Welcome, gentlemen from Takigakure, for your visit to Konoha. On behalf of Konoha, I express a warm welcome to all of you," Uchiha Douhuan said with a smile.
"Hehe, Iwata, it seems we haven't seen each other in a long time," Sarutobi Hiruzen chimed in with a chuckle from the side. "The last time we met was when your Takigakure village came to our Konoha to participate in the Joint Chunin Exams, wasn't it?"
"Lord Third Hokage, Lord Fifth Hokage," Iwata Sawaki bowed slightly, greeting the two sequentially.
"Leader Iwata, let's enter the village first before talking. Konoha has prepared a grand ceremony for our guests from afar," Uchiha Douhuan said with a smile.
After the Takigakure delegation walked onto the red carpet, a batch of Fire Style ninjas specially transferred by Uchiha Douhuan from the Security Department began launching firework ninjutsu into the air. For a time, the village gate area was bustling with extraordinary excitement.
Under Uchiha Douhuan's arrangement, the group went directly to the high-end restaurant Kado opened. After hosting the Takigakure delegation with the highest standard of reception, they were then taken to stay at Konoha's currently most high-end hotel.
The next day, Uchiha Douhuan dispatched Kakashi, in his capacity as Hokage Aide, to lead Iwata Sawaki on a tour of Konoha's recently established numerous factories. The scale of the new industrial district west of Konoha left Iwata Sawaki amazed.
The afternoon itinerary was a tour of the Security Department, followed by dinner together there.
Under Uchiha Douhuan's instruction, the Security Department directly held a small-scale military parade performance.
When several thousand Security Department ninjas saluted the main platform in unison, shouting "Loyalty!" like a tsunami, Iwata Sawaki was shaken beyond words.
He didn't understand how Konoha managed to train such a highly disciplined ninja force.
Such a force, once on the battlefield, if they were to release ninjutsu in coordination, even an elite Jounin as strong as himself could likely only temporarily avoid their spearhead.
And come dinnertime, watching platter after platter of delicious-looking and fragrant beef and seafood being brought out from the cafeteria, Iwata Sawaki was even more dumbfounded. The ones currently queuing at the food service window should be a squad of Genin, right? Konoha's Genin eat this well? One must know, even for him back in Takigakure, such food wasn't available every day.
And looking at the expressions of these ninjas, who seemed accustomed to such food, it was easy to tell that these ninjas genuinely ate this well normally, and it wasn't specially prepared for his visit!
"Hehe, Mr. Iwata, today's menu originally featured salmon for the fish dish, but these past few days the harbor hasn't received salmon meeting the quality standard, so it was substituted with a lower-grade fish. However, to ensure the members' nutrition keeps up, an extra portion of lobster was specially added today. I hope Mr. Iwata doesn't mind," Kakashi said with a smile at this point.
"Konoha's ninjas... normally eat this well?" Iwata Sawaki managed to ask, truly shaken by this standard of rations.
"Of course. Mr. Iwata is also a ninja, so you should naturally know that a ninja's daily work and training consumes a large amount of energy. And our Security Department is Konoha Village's elite force, so the daily training volume is even greater. Consequently, the ninjas require more nutrition," Kakashi explained.
"I understand," Iwata Sawaki nodded.
By now, Iwata Sawaki no longer doubted his choice. Whether it was Konoha's scale or the strength it displayed, both surpassed Iwagakure. More importantly, the attitude of goodwill released by Uchiha Douhuan towards him was something Onoki, who was always somewhat arrogant towards small nations like theirs, could never compare to.
"Lord Hokage Aide," thinking of this, Iwata Sawaki called out to Kakashi after finishing his meal.
"Mr. Iwata, is there something?" Kakashi turned back, saying with a pleasant smile.
"I wonder when Lord Hokage might be available? I came this time wishing to discuss matters of cooperation between our two villages with Lord Hokage," Iwata Sawaki stated.
"During this period, Lord Hokage is very busy. Lord Hokage is not just the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, but also the Grand Minister of State for the entire Land of Fire. There are many matters to handle each day. How about Mr. Iwata enjoys Konoha for a couple more days? After Lord Hokage finishes the matters at hand, he will naturally summon you proactively," Kakashi replied, handling Iwata Sawaki according to Uchiha Douhuan's instructions.
"Is that so?" Iwata Sawaki hesitated upon hearing this. After a moment, he continued, "Alright then, I will wait here for Lord Hokage's summons."
After leaving the hotel where the Takigakure delegation was staying, Kakashi immediately returned to the Hokage office.
Uchiha Douhuan, who was brewing tea, saw Kakashi arrive, poured him a cup, and then asked, "How are things?"
"That fellow's reaction was even stronger than you anticipated. He's already impatient to meet you," Kakashi said, raising an eyebrow after draining the tea in his cup. "This flavor seems a bit different from what you usually drink?"
"The tea Kado sent over last time. Just trying the taste when idle," Uchiha Douhuan said.
"You sure are leisurely," Kakashi remarked. "However, when are you planning to meet him?"
"No rush. Let him wait two days first. Someone else will be more anxious than him," Uchiha Douhuan chuckled.
"Alright, then let him wait two more days," Kakashi nodded.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Soon, the news of Takigakure leader Iwata Sawaki visiting Konoha reached Onoki's ears.
"Iwata Sawaki, that fellow, visiting Konoha at this time?" Onoki's brow furrowed tightly. Although previously when Uchiha Douhuan came to Kusagakure, the two cooperated very happily in carving up Kusagakure and even signed a non-aggression pact, Onoki had used his copy of the signed and sealed treaty to prop up a table leg as soon as he brought it back to the Tsuchikage office. Therefore, Onoki also knew that Uchiha Douhuan's side probably wouldn't take this treaty seriously either.
So, this non-aggression pact, frankly speaking, was actually more like a tacit understanding between the two sides to temporarily exercise restraint while engaging in mutual strategic games.
And in the strategic games between major powers, the pawns were naturally the surrounding small nations.
These past few days, Onoki had been constantly monitoring the reactions of the surrounding small nations to the treaty he and Uchiha Douhuan signed. The Land of Rain hadn't responded, which was understandable; after all, although Hanzō was old, his salamander wasn't old yet. As long as he could still summon the salamander, that large-scale poisoning technique still held a certain deterrent power, sufficient as a means for their self-preservation.
Furthermore, Onoki was one of the few in the current ninja world who knew about the existence of the Akatsuki organization. He knew that within the Land of Rain, there currently existed a group of powerful rogue ninjas.
As for the Land of Grass, that little bit of oil had long since been completely carved up by him and Uchiha Douhuan. As for their jumping-up-and-down Daimyo, neither he nor Uchiha Douhuan took him seriously. Keeping him around as entertainment was also quite nice.
Therefore, the key to their strategic game was actually the Land of Waterfall.
Takigakure Village in the Land of Waterfall was the most special among the ninja villages of the small nations. After all, they possessed a Tailed Beast. Although just one Seven-Tails wasn't enough to pose a huge threat to Konoha or Iwagakure, it still held a certain degree of deterrence. Therefore, major powers wouldn't casually provoke them either.
However, Takigakure's newly appointed Jinchuriki had not yet matured, which gave Onoki an opportunity.
For Onoki, the best state for Takigakure was to maintain its current strength while no longer possessing the power of a Tailed Beast. This way, the Land of Waterfall could serve as an excellent conflict buffer between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth. Regardless of any actions the Land of Fire took, they would have time to react.
He thought Uchiha Douhuan thought the same. But now it seemed Uchiha Douhuan wasn't satisfied with the status quo; he wanted the Land of Waterfall to completely side with Konoha.
Takigakure completely siding with Konoha was something Onoki absolutely could not tolerate. After all, based on the information he got from Han, one Nine-Tails could already fight their village's two Tailed Beasts. Adding another Seven-Tails, wouldn't that be outrageous?
Onoki stared at the ninja world map, pondered for a moment, then finally called out, "Kitsuchi."
"Father." The door to the Tsuchikage office was pushed open, and a man with a rather simple and honest appearance walked in.
"Keep a close eye on intelligence from Takigakure recently. Any abnormalities they exhibit must be reported to me immediately," Onoki instructed.
"Yes," Kitsuchi nodded and accepted the order.
"Hopefully, that fellow Iwata Sawaki is sensible enough," Onoki murmured, looking at the ninja world map.
Meanwhile, on Konoha's side, after Uchiha Douhuan kept Iwata Sawaki waiting for two days, just before Iwata Sawaki's anxiety reached its peak, he finally sent him an invitation for talks.
Early this morning, Iwata Sawaki changed into the formal attire representing the leader of Takigakure and stepped into the Hokage office.
"Mr. Iwata, my sincere apologies. Official duties have been demanding these past few days, neglecting our guests from Takigakure. I hope Mr. Iwata can be understanding," Uchiha Douhuan said with a smile.
"Lord Hokage is too kind," Iwata Sawaki quickly replied. However, as soon as he entered the Hokage office, his gaze was drawn to a map hanging in the most conspicuous place, bearing the title "Konoha Pact Plan."
(End of Chapter)
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