Konoha Notes

Chapter 193 Planning
"The suggestion put forward by Kumogakure is not entirely unfeasible," Shuji said after thinking for a moment.

He looked at Tsunade and began to outline the specific operational strategy: "The key is that we don't need to make it too complicated in the early stages. We can try to approach it in a more flexible way."

“A relatively safe approach is to announce this practical exchange activity as a task assigned by the village.”

In this way, the selection and dispatch of participants, as well as their treatment, security and subsequent compensation during the mission, can all be incorporated into the existing ninja village management system.

Having established rules to follow saves a lot of trouble from having to create new rules on the fly, and makes it easier for the ninjas in the village to understand and accept them.

"However, the location of this event...whether it should be held at the newly built special venue in Kumogakure is still up for discussion."

"After all, based on Yunyin's previous practices and our own estimates, once such activities take shape, they could involve expected revenues of up to hundreds of millions of dollars."

“Even if the actual benefits are reduced due to various factors, this is by no means an amount that can be easily given up. If we relinquish the hosting rights to Yunyin for the long term and exclusively, it means that we are handing over the potential source of the greatest benefits to others, which is not in the village’s interest.”

After further organizing his thoughts, Xiu Si gave a preliminary conclusion: "My opinion is that we can tend to agree to Yunyin's proposal, but the specific venue arrangements and the resulting revenue distribution plan must be the core issues to be discussed in the next round of negotiations."

"In addition, there are some specific issues that need to be clarified. Konoha's dispatch of ninjas to participate in such activities is not within the framework of the Chunin Exams and does not involve ninja rank promotion assessments."

"Then, the village needs to pay the participating ninjas the corresponding mission rewards according to the normal mission dispatch procedure. This is a considerable fixed expense."

"At the same time, practical exchanges will inevitably generate medical expenses, and there may even be extreme situations that require compensation. These potential costs also need to be included in the total cost and clarified before any possible distribution of benefits."

It's not fair that Konoha bears the personnel costs and risks while Kumogakure reaps the majority of the profits thanks to its location advantage.

Besides the economic benefits, the point in the Cloud Village's proposal to "dispatch a certain number of mid-level and excellent genin" is also worth considering. The definition of the term "mid-level" is rather vague.

In theory, this usually refers to the Chunin rank, but strictly speaking, Special Jonin are also considered the backbone of the ninja village. This scope needs to be clearly defined.

There are still many details to be discussed. In particular, this kind of practical exchange activity between two major ninja villages, which is semi-public and semi-performance-based, ultimately involves more than just economic calculations. It also involves strategic considerations such as demonstrating external influence, assessing the strength of each other's new generation of ninjas, and even the clash of ninja styles under different training systems.

However, these more specific terms will naturally be left to be negotiated at the formal negotiating table, and it is not something that can be completely settled in a short period of time.

"Kumakuya's proposal is very valuable."

Tsunade stood by the window, looking at the Hokage Rock in the distance.

"If this can be achieved, the Hidden Cloud Village and the Hidden Leaf Village can establish a new kind of bond that goes beyond conventional mission cooperation. Long-term and stable exchanges and cooperation may allow the relationship between the two sides to develop in a more solid direction."

Then, she looked at Shuuji and assigned him a new task: "Last time you went to Kumogakure as their representative and were well received. According to etiquette, you will be in charge of the reception and liaison work for the Kumogakure delegation during their stay in Konoha this time."

"You've witnessed firsthand the Chunin Exams held in Kumogakure, and you know more about their operating methods and some of their underlying ideas than anyone else in the village."

"Having you host us will also demonstrate our attitude."

While advisors Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado are undoubtedly experienced, this is their first time dealing with the specific operations of such a completely new field as "fully commercializing ninja combat." Shuji, with both theoretical planning and practical experience, is the best person to bridge the gap between the two sides' ideas.

"I understand."

After leaving the Hokage's office, Shuji walked down the corridor. Just as he stepped out of the Hokage building, a familiar figure came into his view.

"Hey! Captain!"

The purple-haired girl smiled and waved to him.

Shuji stopped in his tracks. It had taken him two months to travel from the village to the Land of Lightning.

During this period, the fifth squad was essentially in a state of rest and recuperation, leaving only Mitarashi Anko in the village. She either had to temporarily team up with other understaffed squads to perform some low-level tasks, or she had to arrange her own time.

Hongdou chose to apply for leave and go away to practice spiritual cultivation.

"You're back?" Xiu Si watched as she walked a few steps toward him.

Hongdou walked up to him with a grin and said quickly, "Yeah! I just finished completing the leave cancellation procedures and was just about to see what tasks I can take on."

"To be honest, I was really shocked when I came back! I thought I had gone to the wrong place. There was such a huge construction project outside the village entrance!"

"I heard it's for the Chunin Exams."

"Ah...it must be related to Shuuji..."

Having not seen her for a long time, she seemed to be talking more than usual. Xiu Si didn't interrupt, but listened quietly until she finished speaking before asking:
"How has your cultivation progressed?"

Red Bean scratched her cheek with her finger: "I feel... like I've hit a bottleneck. I haven't felt any significant improvement in my physical skills and movement speed lately."

After all, Orochimaru's snake ninjutsu, to become stronger later on, basically relied on body modification, or even directly developing cursed seals.

Red beans clearly cannot develop in that direction.

"As for the technique, I have completely mastered the Twin Snakes Killing Each Other."

Upon hearing this, Xiu Si frowned almost imperceptibly, raised his hand and gently tapped her head with his knuckles: "There's no need to put so much effort into this kind of suicidal technique."

"Hehe... After all, it's an S-rank ninjutsu, isn't it?" Anko shrank her neck and cleverly changed the subject. "Shuji just finished a meeting. Does he have a new mission?"

"The delegation from Kumogakure has arrived, and the Fifth Hokage has put me in charge of their reception." Shuji explained briefly, then glanced at the sky, where the setting sun was beginning to paint the horizon. "However, there's no rush to make arrangements now. Formal contact can begin tomorrow."

His gaze returned to Anko: "Now that you're back from your training, Itachi hasn't been too busy lately."

"A get-together?" Hongdou's eyes lit up.

"Yes, a get-together."

(End of this chapter)