Konoha Notes

Chapter 196 Prototype
Hokage building, conference room.

Maki sat upright in the guest chair, his back ramrod straight.

In contrast, Shuuji, sitting opposite him, appeared much more relaxed in his posture.

“It has been two years since we last met, Mr. Machi.”

“Indeed, Jonin Shuji’s responsibilities are becoming increasingly heavier than before,” Maki replied cautiously.

"How are Elder Ebizo and Elder Chiyo doing?"

"Thank you for your concern. The two elders have always been in good health."

Maki patiently replied to Shuuji's meaningless greetings.

Only when he saw that Xiu Si seemed to really intend to continue this mundane conversation and consume the scheduled meeting time did he stop hesitating and take the initiative to steer the topic to the main point.

"Regarding the upcoming Joint Chunin Exams and related matters, Sunagakure has some new developments and issues, and hopes to have a frank discussion with Konoha, our ally."

"Last year, Elder Chiyo seemed to have promised that Sunagakure would unconditionally participate in the joint Chunin Exams held by Konoha within three years." Shuji gestured for the other to continue, while casually mentioning, "This is only the second year."

Maki said solemnly, "Now it is my turn to say this. Although it is shameless, for the future of the village, Sunagakure hopes to negotiate with Konoha and reach a new treaty."

He paused briefly before presenting his first argument: "Based on past practices in the ninja world, the joint Chunin Exams shouldn't be held so frequently. This exceeds the normal needs for exchange."

Shuji calmly replied, "It is customary, but the agreement reached last year by Elder Chiyo on behalf of Sunagakure and Konoha, whether in writing or verbally, did not make any clear restrictions on the frequency of the event."

Maki immediately chimed in, softening his tone: "Exactly. Therefore, we have no intention of criticizing Konoha for seizing this point in the agreement and actively holding the exam. After all, the Chunin Exams are gradually evolving into an important event that can bring huge prestige and practical benefits."

"Even if Konoha takes advantage of the agreement to hold the event three or four times a year, it's within the realm of understanding as long as they have the capability. Sunagakure has no grounds to object to this."

At this point, he revealed the Sand Village's card: "But the treaty does not stipulate a minimum number of participants that we must send each time, nor does it restrict our right to hold the Chunin Exams on our own."

"Sunagakure also has the ability and venue to independently host the Chunin Exams. Even if it can attract fewer tourists than Konoha, three hundred or five hundred people will still bring some revenue."

"After all, compared to fulfilling obligations that have no future benefits, we have to find a more valuable way out."

"They've changed their negotiation strategy." Shuuji understood. The people of Sunagakure were no longer relying solely on displaying a tough, even slightly overbearing, attitude, as they had when facing difficulties before.

However, this card isn't big enough, especially this year, as the previously closed-off Kirigakure has unexpectedly shown interest in participating.

Of course, judging from Zabuza's immediate request to visit the venue and learn more about the process, Kirigakure's ultimate goal is most likely to create their own system in the future.

But that's a story for later. At least for now, Kirigakure's involvement is a good card for Konoha.

Play the cards that are usable first.

“Of course it is.” Shuji smiled faintly, his tone very tolerant. “Sunagakure can hold the exam however it wants.”

"The envoys from Kirigakure have arrived. With their participation, this year's Chunin Exams will surely be just as exciting."

Maki's face tightened slightly; Kirigakure's participation was indeed unexpected. Even if Sunagakure adopted a passive attitude this year, sending only the bare minimum to participate perfunctorily, as long as Kirigakure participated in the Chunin Exams for the first time, the ticket sales and merchandise revenue for Konoha's exams this year would be considerable, given the "gathering of the four great ninja villages."

It was even more profitable than the one held by the Hidden Cloud Village.

For a fleeting moment, he considered withdrawing from the tournament to express Sunagakure's determination, but he quickly suppressed the thought.

Without sufficient leverage and follow-up measures, it is a reckless move to force an opponent with far superior overall strength and currently in a favorable position to abandon the bottom line of the agreement. This will only invite more severe countermeasures.

The other side hasn't even played the supply card yet, but if Konoha raises the price of Sunagakure's goods even slightly, they'll be in a lot of trouble this year.

In the current ninja world, Konoha has signed peace agreements or ceasefire treaties with all the major ninja villages, and the overall atmosphere is trending towards easing and development.

If Sunagakure were to actively stir up trouble at this moment and disrupt this fragile environment, the first to suffer would likely be Sunagakure itself.

Without sufficient and visible expectations of success, they are unlikely to be the first to take this dangerous step.

Seeing that Maki couldn't find any more words, Shuuji suddenly changed his tune: "However, Sunagakure's request is not entirely incomprehensible."

"However, what we hope to see is a realistic and appropriate figure, not a vague request."

"Regarding this, please go back and think it over carefully, and come up with a more specific plan. We'll discuss it again next time."

After saying that, Xiu Si stood up, indicating that today's meeting could end there. Hong Dou, who had been quietly waiting in the corner, immediately followed suit.

"Shuji, didn't you just refute him? Why did you give in first in the end?" As they left the meeting room and walked down the quiet corridor, Hongdou couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"Refute?" Xiu Si shook his head. "It's not a matter of refuting. There's no such thing as refuting your opponent at the negotiating table."

"Today, it's just that the situation is favorable to us this year, and he doesn't have enough cards to play, nor are they good enough."

Such a large profit brought about by the commercialization of the Chunin Exams cannot be monopolized by Konoha alone, or by Konoha and Kumogakure alone, forever.

If Konoha succeeds this year, Kirigakure will follow suit next year, and Sunagakure will also follow suit in other ways.

The new tournament they prepared together with Yunyin was also discussed and agreed upon. They ate for a year, but what happened next?
Other ninja villages aren't stupid. Even without the combined influence of Konoha and Kumogakure, they can still organize similar events within their own spheres of influence, albeit on a smaller scale.

At that time, all sorts of "practical exchanges" and "elite competitions" will pop up haphazardly all over the ninja world, which will only distract the market and lower overall profits, and will not benefit anyone.

It would be better to take advantage of the current situation, where Konoha and Kumogakure have an initial advantage, and start preparing to try to establish a more orderly framework for competition or cooperation.

If the three villages of Sunagakure, Kumogakure, and Konoha first reach a preliminary agreement on the frequency, scale, and distribution of benefits of the joint Chunin Exams, there is hope that Kirigakure, which has shown interest, will also be brought in.

If a relatively stable cooperative model can be formed among the four major ninja villages, what about the remaining Iwagakure village?

At that time, it will be Iwagakure that needs to seriously consider whether to separate itself from this gradually forming new system.

(End of this chapter)