Konoha: This Uchiha is extremely sneaky

Chapter 471 Enjoying the Scenery?

"Lord Shikaku, are Konoha serious about these new terms?"

Mei Terumi, who had been asked by Master Yuan to come along and broaden her horizons, looked at the negotiation terms that Shikaku had handed her again with some disbelief.

Looking around at the Mist Ninja, he saw a group of equally bewildered Mist Ninja.

They lost the war, but they didn't even have to pay compensation; Konoha even offered them a loan.

I've never even heard of such a thing, let alone seen it.

"..."

Nara Shikaku twitched his lips and looked at the Mist Ninja opposite him. Thinking of his own expression when he first heard about this, he wasn't surprised anymore.

"This is a loan provided by Konoha in the spirit of friendly neighborly relations with Kirigakure, with all the terms and conditions clearly stated!"

Seeing that Mei Terumi still seemed a little incredulous, Shikaku tapped the table helplessly and raised his voice to remind her.

"These loans... need to be repaid!"

Seeing that the Mist Ninja on the other side still looked like they were afraid of falling into a trap, they were still calculating the interest on their fingers.

Lu Jiu disagreed.

The only downside to this loan is the long contract term; the interest rate is really low, less than 15% per annum. Compared to the high-interest loans that are common in the ninja world, it's a bargain.

The current situation in Kirigakure is that there are a large number of wounded in the village, and the families of the ninjas who need compensation simply don't have any extra money.

Compensation is also an issue they have to face.

"Should I try to get some oversight of the loan disbursement process?"

The Nara clan likely has a large stockpile of medicines. If they could take this opportunity to distribute them directly to the Kirigakure ninja under the guise of loans, wouldn't that be...?

Thinking about the various powerful families eyeing him after returning to the village, Lu Jiu felt a headache coming on.

The Hokage specifically stipulated that a portion of these loans should be distributed as urgently needed supplies for the Hidden Mist Village, such as medicine, and these allocations would be handled by loan supervisors.

Their clan wants to get a share of the profits, but they're having a headache.

"There's one more thing!"

Upon seeing the Mist Ninjas on the other side still discussing things like loans, Shikaku remembered the Hokage's instructions and quickly interrupted their discussion.

"Your village's Mizukage suffered serious injuries due to that mysterious person's sneak attack. Although he has received meticulous care from Konoha these past few days, his condition is becoming increasingly dire."

Upon seeing the Mist Ninja opposite him, and hearing that he was the Mizukage, Shikaku's expression immediately changed. Shikaku didn't dwell on the specific reason for this change.

"When does your village plan to bring the Mizukage back?"

The reaction from the Mist Ninja was quite interesting. During the two days of negotiations, they didn't mention their own Mizukage at all, as if he didn't exist.

"...Haha! The matter of the Mizukage is of great importance; we need to discuss it carefully!"

Upon hearing that the Mizukage was still alive, both Mei Terumi and the other high-ranking members of the Kirigakure ninja present wore awkward expressions.

However, no one suggested bringing the Mizukage back to Kirigakure; instead, they all started laughing it off.

Two more days passed.

Konoha and Kirigakure reached a very surprising agreement.

Konoha will lend Kirigakure a huge sum of money to restore Kirigakure's devastated economy. Of course, part of the loan will be used to purchase urgently needed supplies such as medicines produced by Konoha.

Aside from the repayment period being as long as thirty years and the interest rate being a bit high, the Mist Ninja had nothing to complain about. After all, they were already dirt poor, and having a sum of money to restore the village was a good thing.

At the same time, the Mist Ninja are also responsible for helping the Land of Fire to eliminate the pirates located on the eastern coast.

Of course, the most important thing is the handover of the Fourth Mizukage and the captured Kirigakure ninja.

The Fourth Mizukage, according to Konoha, will be handed over to Kirigakure immediately after the agreement is signed.

As for the prisoners, that will have to wait until the Mist Ninja begins to fulfill their promise and wipe out the pirates.

And Toshiro, who had been staying at the Mist Ninja's residence for the past few days, reappeared before these Mist Ninja.

"These people... seem a bit reserved!"

At the signing ceremony, the Mist Ninja were chatting in small groups, but with the arrival of Toshiro...

These people glanced at it quickly, then immediately shut their mouths and lowered their heads in respect.

"A powerful figure like the Hokage will become the center of attention wherever he goes."

No sooner had Toshiro finished speaking than the trembling Genshi took over the conversation.

A pair of cloudy old eyes were fixed on Toshiro beside him, revealing a complex and unfathomable expression in his gaze.

"Is it strong? The Mist Ninja is quite good too. They've only been having a tough time these past few years. In ten or eight years, it will be a prosperous village again!"

He handles polite formalities with ease.

"Lord Hokage, what are your thoughts on the future development of the ninja world?"

Yuan Shi was very curious whether the Fifth Hokage, who proposed the loan plan, had a different vision for this chaotic world than Hashirama Senju.

The current situation of the five great nations is basically formed according to Hashirama Senju's wishes.

Could this Hokage from the Uchiha clan have a different idea?

"I do have some plans... but I haven't been Hokage for very long, so let's talk about it later!"

After a moment of surprise, Toshiro didn't try to hide it too much.

"...Would it be convenient for you, Hokage, to share your thoughts?"

Upon hearing Toshiro's words, Genji's expression immediately changed. In his view, if Toshiro, this Uchiha, had any ambitions, it was most likely to unify the ninja world or something like that.

The enemy has already defeated the Fourth Raikage, and there is an alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure. Now, the Mist Ninja are in this situation.

If the other party really has some kind of idea, how should the Mist Ninja deal with it?

Will they stand behind Konoha, aiding and abetting evil, or will they step forward to oppose it?

"Haha, Elder Yuan is overthinking it!"

Upon seeing the expression on the other person's face, Toshiro knew that the other person must be overthinking things, and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"I have no intention of ruling the world or bringing peace to the ninja world. At most, I just want to gather the Kage from each village together and have them sign some agreements that everyone can agree on!"

"is that so?"

Seeing Toshiro laughing heartily, Genji was still somewhat incredulous. He had seen Uchiha Madara before, and he still had a deep impression of what the other man looked like.

He wouldn't be surprised at all if Toshiro, as his junior, had ideas like ruling the world.

"I know Elder Yuan has doubts about the agreement I offered this time, but that doesn't matter. Time will tell!"

This old guy is beating around the bush; isn't it because he has some doubts about the agreement he proposed to return?

Although those loans had high interest rates, they were by no means conditions that a defeated nation could obtain.

"Lord Hokage, and Elder Yuanshi, this way please~"

While Toshiro and Genji were talking, Mei Terumi and Shikaku Nara appeared in front of them, each with a large group of people.

"Is this the agreement you've reached?"

On a long rectangular table, besides several agreements drafted by both parties, only two pens lay quietly on the table.

Upon seeing this, Toshiro didn't hesitate at all and immediately took the lead in signing his name.

As for the Mist Ninja, the agreement was signed by Genji as their representative.

As for Yagura, he is still unconscious and will not be handed over to the Kirigakure until the agreement is signed.

"Is it all signed?"

Looking at the contract that Mei Terumi handed him, Genji was still somewhat lost in thought. Even now, he was still wondering if Konoha had some kind of conspiracy.

He only spoke up to test the Hokage.

But... things went so smoothly that he could hardly believe it.

"Alright, next we will hand over the Mizukage to you, and you Mist Ninja will, according to the contract, dispatch ninja to wipe out the pirates at sea!"

"From now on, Konoha will disburse the loan to Kirigakure on time, as stipulated in the contract."

With a slight smile, Toshiro reminded the Genji opposite him.

"Yagura?"

Upon hearing Toshiro mention Yagura's name, Genji's previously relaxed expression suddenly became somewhat tense.

Not only him, but all the Mist Ninjas who participated in the signing of the agreement also had a somewhat somber expression.

The way everyone looked at Toshiro became resentful. In their eyes, it might be better news if the Mizukage died in battle.

Now that they've brought him back, does this mean the Mist Ninja are going to have to go through another upgraded version of the Blood Mist policy?

"I wonder, Hokage-sama, if you plan to stay in Kirigakure for a few days? Although our Kirigakure village's scenery isn't as beautiful as the Land of Fire, it still has its own unique charm!"

Looking at the ninjas around him with their eyes gleaming, Master Yuan felt a great headache. Although they were missing Bai Shuang, there were still quite a few ambitious people among them.

"Well…"

Stunned by Yuan Shi's words, Toshiro glanced at the Mist Ninja around him but did not refuse their request.

What nonsense about appreciating the scenery? Isn't he just trying to put on a show of force and prevent the people in his village from starting a fight?

"Since Elder Yuan has invited me, I will linger for a few more days!"

The next few days will be a very troublesome time for Kirigakure, as Yagura will no longer be able to serve as the Fourth Mizukage.

Given the nature of the Mist Ninja, it would be impossible to select a new Mizukage without going through a bloody and fierce battle.

This old man, Master Yuan, actually managed to think of using himself to stabilize the situation and temporarily suppress those ambitious people in the village who were eager to make a move.

Even Toshiro had to admire the old man's audacity.

(End of this chapter)