Naruto: Nara's skill set is incredibly sneaky.

Chapter 152 That's called poverty alleviation!

After expending a burst of energy, Lu Shi stopped.

On the training field, only 42 people were still conscious. Lu Shi announced directly, "The rest of you are eliminated. The remaining people will rest for half an hour, and then enter the second test."

Onoki looked at the situation on the field with a somewhat solemn expression.

He could clearly feel the energy fluctuations just now.

It is an operation that targets only the mind.

Onoki didn't believe that this was Shikatoki's full strength. If Shikatoki got serious and used this move on a large scale, wouldn't that mean that the human wave tactic was completely ineffective against Shikatoki?

Moreover, Lu Shi has the ability to instantly wipe out all low-level combat forces.

Unlike Onoki, Rasa hadn't even considered that possibility; his mind was completely focused on the alliance.

This is the perfect opportunity.

Rasa coughed, drawing Minato's attention.

"Is the Kazekage sick?" Minato asked with concern.

Luo Sha shook his head. "I'm not sick, it's just that the Daimyo of the Land of Wind gave me a mission this time."

"Oh? What kind of mission?"

Minato looked at Rasa with curiosity.

Onoki, who was standing to the side, also turned his head.

Rasa didn't keep them in suspense, "The Daimyo hopes that Konoha and Sunagakure can form an alliance, and of course, Sunagakure shares this wish."

The daimyo of the Land of Wind and the Hidden Sand Village are notoriously at odds.

This mission is crucial for de-escalation.

That's why Sunagakure is so tense and anxious.

Upon hearing Rasa's words, Onoki smiled dismissively.

Minato's expression didn't change much. "Kage, you jest. Aren't we allies now?"

"Ahem, it's not the agreement signed after the defeat. We hope to establish a deep partnership with Konoha." Seeing Minato pretending to be confused, Rasa became anxious and decided to speak frankly.

"I see. That's not a decision I can make alone. After today's Chunin Exams, I'll call a meeting with the higher-ups of Konoha and give the Kazekage a proper answer." Minato said with a look of sudden realization, then spoke seriously.

Rasa felt that Minato was just going through the motions, but since Minato's attitude was so serious, he couldn't say anything.

He could only manage a forced smile. "We hope the Hokage will consider this carefully. We, the Sand Village, are very sincere this time. The Hokage can make any request."

"Of course, of course."

Minato maintained his smile.

Onoki shook his head.

As an observer, he saw it most clearly: Rasa and Minato Namikaze were simply not in the same league.

And where does Sunagakure get the audacity to shamelessly ask to sign an alliance?

Konoha's overall strength is currently terrifyingly high.

What about Sunagakure?

What can it bring to Konoha?

There's nothing there!

The alliance agreement signed between Konoha and Sunagakure is not mutual assistance; it's called poverty alleviation.

Minato clearly had this in mind, which is why he gave a perfunctory answer.

The half-hour break is over.

The deer reappeared.

Not a single word wasted.

Dark shadows instantly enveloped the entire area, and then everyone's shadow was pulled out.

These shadows committed suicide simultaneously.

This startled Onoki and Rasa, but fortunately, the examinees were all fine, only trapped in an illusion.

Deer would never kill someone for no reason.

Lu Shi adjusted the Shadow Imitation template, removing the template that shared damage and reinstalling the Illusion template.

The main purpose is to see how quickly these candidates can react to special situations.

Uchiha Shisui was the first to break free from the illusion.

Shika could only sigh, "As expected of the future being who possesses the strongest illusion technique, Kotoamatsukami."

It's important to know that Shikatoki's Shadow Imitation Technique can bypass the Sharingan, so Uchiha Shisui's reactions and strength do not rely on the Sharingan.

Time passed by, second by second.

Finally, in the tenth minute, the last ninja from Kusagakure realized he was under a genjutsu and broke free from it.

Lu Shi then spoke calmly: "The person who dispelled the illusion within 5 seconds will stay, and the others will be eliminated. There are exactly 14 people left. Come and draw lots, and the match will be held in three days."

"That's really efficient, and Shikatoshi's method addresses the weaknesses of these test takers." Onoki's eyes were deep.

"The Chunin Exams are over for today. Gentlemen, I have official business to attend to, so please excuse me," Minato said with a smile.

Onoki nodded and said, "Hokage, you're busy, don't worry about me."

Rasa hesitated for a moment before saying, "I hope the Hokage can give me a reply as soon as possible."

"certainly."

The water gate disappeared.

On the other side, just as he was about to go find Akane's deer, he stopped in his tracks because Minato activated the shadow warrior he had left in the other's shadow.

The deer disappeared from the spot.

The next second, he appeared in the Hokage's office and asked, "Minato, what do you want with me?"

Minato didn't waste any words and explained Rasa and Sunagakure's intentions.

Shika was somewhat speechless. "This Sand Village really doesn't understand the situation."

Minato was also somewhat helpless. "After all, this involves daimyo. You have more contact with daimyo from various countries, so give me some advice."

Lu Shi thought for a moment, then gave a playful smile, "Then let's agree to their terms."

"How so?"

Minato didn't deny Shikatoki; he knew very well that Shikatoki definitely had some bad ideas.

Why did the Daimyo of the Land of Wind want to forge an alliance?

"Hmm—because Konoha is too strong?" Minato asked, somewhat uncertainly.

"That's only one aspect. In reality, no matter what the battles between ninjas are like, they won't affect the Land of Wind. But the Land of Fire behind Konoha is a different story. If the Daimyo of the Land of Fire asks Konoha to attack the Land of Wind, then the Sand Village will have no power to fight back."

"In other words, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind just wants peace of mind! As long as the Sand Village and the Leaf Village form an alliance, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire has no reason to ask the Leaf Village to send troops!"

After listening to Shika's words, Minato nodded thoughtfully.

"So, you mean the Daimyo of the Land of Wind is only seeking his own safety and doesn't care about the fate of Sunagakure at all?"

"That's right!"

Shika gave a thumbs up. "That's why we can agree right away. We can even go a little further and ask for something, like money. Why not take it if it's free? As for helping Sunagakure if something goes wrong, that's a different price."

"Sunagakure won't refuse either; this is a great opportunity for the Daimyo of the Land of Wind to ease tensions!"

"But Sunagakure doesn't have any money!"

Minato was telling the truth. Sunagakure itself didn't have much industry; it was all yellow sand. The Daimyo of the Land of Wind didn't even like Sunagakure, which made Sunagakure even poorer.

Among the five great ninja villages.

Even the Hidden Mist Village, which is in the Blood Mist Village, is richer than the Hidden Sun Village.

Shikatoki chuckled mischievously, "Sunagakure may not be rich, but they have a great Kazekage! Rasa's Magnet Release allows him to extract gold dust from the sand—isn't that money?"

Minato suddenly realized, "So, all along you were plotting against Rasa."

"What do you mean by scheming?! This is the responsibility of the Kazekage! Rasa has no choice but to take it upon himself."

At this point, Minato knew what to do.

After refining the details, Lu Shi left.

Luo Sha was also somewhat anxious at this moment.

"Chiyo, Ebizo, what do you mean by Minato Namikaze?"

Ebizo sighed, "They look down on us."

Given Sunagakure's current situation, it's simply wishful thinking to think it can be on par with Konoha.

Luo Sha was somewhat agitated. "So, does this mean we've failed? How are we going to explain this to the Daimyo?"

"Not necessarily. The fact that Minato Namikaze didn't directly refuse means there's a chance. Besides, you proposed the title of Daimyo as planned. Minato Namikaze has to consider the face of the Daimyo of the Land of Wind no matter what."

Chiyo's words gave Rasa a glimmer of hope.

Chiyo's expression was somewhat grave. "I just suspect that Sunagakure might suffer a huge loss."

"A little sacrifice is normal as long as we can forge an alliance. Besides, the daimyo promised us 50 billion taels if things go smoothly—that's 50 billion taels!"

Luo Sha's eyes turned red when he mentioned 50 billion taels.

Before becoming Kazekage, all he knew was that Sunagakure was poor.

After becoming the Kazekage, Rasa discovered that Sunagakure was exceptionally poor.

When he has free time, he has to go to the desert to pan for gold in order to barely keep Sunagakure Village's income and expenditure balanced.

The daimyo is now willing to allocate 50 billion ryo. If they use it sparingly, it will be enough for Sunagakure for three years.

Moreover, as long as relations with the daimyo are eased, this kind of funding will definitely not be a one-off event in the future.

This is why Sunagakure values ​​its alliances so much.