I Punch the Tailed Beast Ball

Chapter 431: Ordinary Chunin and Gold-Plated Slacker

The speed at which the Raikage and Tsuchikage agreed and their reasons gave Yagura an unreal feeling as if they had already given in.

Yes, Yagura used the word "given in."

Ordinarily, this word shouldn’t be associated with a ninja of Kage level. The Kage is a great nation’s top ninja and a significant village leader. With these two identities, the word "give in" shouldn’t apply to them. Even if the other side was intense, it should be more about caution than giving in.

However, Yagura now felt that the Raikage and Kazekage had given in. They weren’t just agreeing; they were even flattering Konoha, appearing to follow Konoha’s lead.

Yagura didn’t know what caused this.

What could make someone as unruly as the Raikage give in?

So, the cautious Yagura also joined the agreeing group.

Although the Raikage was a brute, it didn’t mean he was brainless. Even if he was, his subordinates had brains. If an old fox like Onoki agreed first, the conclusion was clear: agreeing was better than refusing.

Yagura didn’t want to be the odd one out, with everyone else agreeing while he refused.

If it had been in the past when Kirigakure was still strong, Yagura would have sought to understand why the Raikage and others agreed so quickly and why Konoha suddenly called for a Five Kage Summit. As the Mizukage responsible for Kirigakure, he would have ensured that Konoha wasn’t trying to infringe on their interests.

But now, Kirigakure needed more strength. They prioritized minimizing their presence, avoiding attention to their weakened state, and gradually recovering.

Behind Yagura, Mei Terumi was also confused and unable to understand the actions of the Kage. However, as a guard, she had no right to speak at the summit, only to whisper privately to her Kage if necessary.

"Seeing how everyone is so passionate about peace, I am truly happy. It seems we all are learning from our predecessors," Nagasawa said, smiling as he saw no one opposing.

Nagasawa’s smile seemed contagious, and everyone else smiled too, though it was unclear why they smiled.

"We in Konoha are planning to establish a Shinobi World Trade Alliance. Would any of you be interested in joining?" Nagasawa asked, distributing four documents to the other Kage.

"Shinobi World Trade Alliance..." Onoki said, taking the document, reading it seriously, and trying to decipher Nagasawa’s intentions.

He had thought Nagasawa would emulate Hashirama’s actions, gathering the other Kage to sign a peace treaty and agree not to wage war against each other. However, after the initial peace declaration, Nagasawa proposed a trade alliance.

Onoki found it challenging to understand why Konoha, a ninja village, would convene a Five Kage Summit to form a business alliance.

However, due to Konoha’s current strength and Nagasawa’s immense power, Onoki read the document thoroughly to ensure that no details were missed.

Soon, Onoki found something of interest. The document mentioned that members of the alliance would have the right to purchase particular goods from Konoha, including new types of ninja tools and charms, excluding the Summoning Steel Charm due to its low production and the fact that it required Nagasawa to make it personally.

Seeing the medical charms piqued Onoki’s interest. These were valuable and essential, and having the ability to purchase them directly would be advantageous.

After reading the document, Onoki clearly understood the proposed alliance. It was essentially a business partnership in which the villages could trade their specialties with each other, benefiting from slightly discounted prices for allied members.

Onoki didn’t find any harm in the alliance, only benefits, so he saw no reason to oppose it.

As Onoki finished reading, the others had also finished.

"Have you all finished reading? Are you interested in joining the Shinobi World Trade Alliance?" Nagasawa asked again.

"Sunagakure is willing to join," Rasa said before anyone else could speak.

Having read the document, Rasa was delighted. He had expected today’s summit to end with a peace treaty, but the alliance offered financial benefits crucial for the financially struggling Sunagakure.

"Hidden Stone will join," Onoki said after some thought.

Given the benefits and no apparent drawbacks, Onoki saw no reason to refuse.

After Rasa and Onoki spoke, the room fell silent. Neither the Raikage nor the Mizukage spoke, and Nagasawa and Minato remained silent.

"I need more time to consider this carefully," Yagura said after some thought.

Before being controlled by Obito, Kirigakure had a policy of minimal interaction with other villages. When a trade alliance was suddenly proposed, Yagura felt uneasy and unsure, needing to consult with knowledgeable subordinates or Kirigakure’s experts in this field.

Mei Terumi’s expression turned awkward, feeling helpless as she knew nothing about trade.

After Yagura, the Raikage also spoke, "I need more time to think this over."

While not stupid, the Raikage wasn’t knowledgeable about the business. His guard was also a typical Cloud ninja, skilled in combat but not in trade. They needed time to discuss and consider the proposal carefully.

"Welcome to the alliance, Tsuchikage and Kazekage. As for Raikage and Mizukage, take your time to consider. There’s no rush," Nagasawa said with a smile.

Unlike Hashirama’s approach of signing a peace treaty, Nagasawa’s trade alliance was a calculated move. The actual deterrent to wars was not the peace treaty but Hashirama’s immense power. Similarly, Nagasawa’s strength was what would prevent the villages from waging wars, ensuring a period of peace.

Nagasawa aimed to unite the great nations through trade by creating a trade alliance, gradually expanding the alliance’s scope to cover various aspects, and eventually forming a Shinobi World Alliance akin to the United Nations, promoting global peace.

The rest of the meeting consisted of detailed discussions about the trade alliance, with Nagasawa outlining the benefits and answering questions. Onoki tried to probe for more information but found no openings.

The meeting lasted until noon and ended at twelve. Since the Raikage and Mizukage hadn’t made their decisions, another meeting was scheduled for two days later, with a maximum of three meetings planned.

After the meeting, Yagura hurried off to relay the information to Kirigakure and consult his subordinates, leaving Mei Terumi behind.

"Would you like more food recommendations?" Nagasawa asked Mei Terumi as they walked together.

Feeling a bit heavier from all the recent indulgence, Mei Terumi declined, "No, thank you."

"That’s a shame. There’s a great barbecue place in Konoha," Nagasawa said, shaking his head regretfully.

"Barbecue..." Mei Terumi’s mouth watered. She rarely had the chance to eat such food, usually consuming meals meant to replenish nutrients and energy, not for taste.

"Don’t worry about gaining weight. With your training, you won’t get fat," Nagasawa said, like a devil tempting her.

"Where is this place?" Mei Terumi asked, rationalizing that she wouldn’t gain weight with her training and could indulge a little.

"It’s called Barbecue Q, just up the commercial street," Nagasawa replied smiling, feeling he was contributing to Konoha’s economy.

Mei Terumi noted the location and looked at Nagasawa, asking, "You said you were an ordinary Chunin. How are you now the Hokage’s advisor, sitting with the Kage?"

Seeing Nagasawa at the table had shocked her, leading to all sorts of wild speculations.

"You also said you were a regular Kirigakure ninja gaining experience, but now you’re the Mizukage’s guard," Nagasawa replied with a smile.

Their conversation had once included such details, with Mei Terumi claiming to be a slacker gaining experience while Nagasawa joked about being an ordinary Chunin.

"Let’s call it even," Mei Terumi said.

"Sure, but you owe me a meal for helping you out earlier," Nagasawa said.

"Fine," Mei Terumi agreed, finding the request reasonable.

"Time and place?" she asked straightforwardly.

"Anywhere is fine. A red bean dango will do," Nagasawa said casually.

"..." Mei Terumi was speechless, feeling this was too vague.

After reaching a fork in the road, they parted ways, with Mei Terumi heading back to the inn where the Kirigakure ninjas stayed. Despite needing to understand trade, she felt the need to participate.