After parting ways with Karin, Aoba politely declined Uzumaki Kasui's dinner invitation.
He went to Tsunade's house.
"I'm here!"
"Mmm~", Upon walking into the living room, Aoba received a perfunctory response from Tsunade.
'Still angry?'
"Welcome, Aoba!", Shizune also walked out from the kitchen, dressed in a black long-sleeved kimono paired with an apron.
Her face showed a surprised expression.
"Shizune-nee, do you need any help?", Aoba asked her.
"No need, you just got here, just rest," Shizune went back into the kitchen.
He sat beside Tsunade, who looked full of worries.
"Sensei, did something troubling happen again this afternoon?"
Tsunade lifted her eyelids and said, "Kirigakure wants to trade Terumi Mei."
Aoba blinked and asked in confusion, "Isn't that a good thing? If Kirigakure wants to exchange, we can just propose some conditions."
Tsunade sighed again, "According to the intel you submitted, and ANBU's investigation, that Terumi Mei possesses two Kekkei Genkai, and is very likely to be the next Mizukage."
"If we ask for too much, Kirigakure definitely can't afford it. If we ask for too little, that's too much of a loss."
"This is a bit troublesome…"
"Then it is indeed quite tricky," Aoba also nodded.
Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, "I wanted you to give me ideas, not to nod along."
"Sensei, you're the Hokage," Aoba was speechless.
Tsunade rubbed his hair, "As a student, you must learn to proactively help your teacher solve problems, understand?"
Aoba didn't argue, and instead began to think.
A while later—
He spoke in a low tone, "If it's that troublesome, then let's not do it!"
"What do you mean?", Tsunade didn't understand.
"If Kirigakure can't pay that much, then let's ask for less money."
"Then what should we ask for?", Tsunade still had the talent for being a straight man.
"First, Kirigakure must return the Byakugan they seized on the battlefield."
"Mm, I've considered that too," Tsunade nodded.
The Byakugan has immense strategic value to any ninja village.
But because of the Caged Bird Seal, even though other villages covet it, it has almost never leaked out.
But accidents do happen.
Kirigakure's Ao obtained a Byakugan during the Third Ninja War.
Konoha once offered a bounty and issued a gold-rank wanted order for him, hoping to retrieve or destroy the Byakugan, but unfortunately never succeeded.
Now would be a good opportunity to retrieve it.
However, Tsunade felt that a single Byakugan still couldn't be compared to a future Mizukage with two Kekkei Genkai.
After all, in Kirigakure right now, they really couldn't find a ninja capable of becoming Mizukage.
"Anything else?"
"Next is power."
"Power?"
Aoba nodded, "That's right, didn't we take over Gato's shipping company? Kirigakure sits in the center of the ocean, they'll definitely try to restrict us. We can request complete maritime passage rights in Kirigakure's sea territory."
"Request that they may not threaten or interfere in any way with Konoha's ships passing near their waters. If Konoha's ships are attacked, they must provide protection."
Tsunade touched her chin, "From a long-term perspective, this would indeed save us a lot of money."
Ships passing through the waters around Kirigakure also had to pay tolls.
"Then we can also request a commercial port from Kirigakure."
"Commercial port? What's the use of that?", Tsunade didn't understand.
As military organizations of great nations, ninja villages just needed to fight on the front lines. They generally lacked political and business minds, so it's no wonder she didn't understand this.
Aoba smiled and explained, "A commercial port, as the name implies, is a place for commercial activities. Kirigakure has been a closed village all this time, right? Now that they're open to the idea of opening up, we can help them with that."
"Have them designate an area for our free trade. At that time, we can help them export local specialties, and also help them import provisions and food."
"Of course, for this port, Konoha must have all authority."
Tsunade fell slightly silent, pondering in her heart.
To be honest, she didn't really understand these things. Her only ways of making money before were either through healing or borrowing.
But she had absolute trust in Aoba. Since he said so, she would go along with it.
She also thought Kirigakure likely wouldn't refuse such conditions.
After all, it seemed like a win-win outcome.
Konoha would gain a long-term and considerable income, and Kirigakure could gradually open up with Konoha's help and align with the ninja world.
Meanwhile, the two villages could also form a friendly cooperative relationship across the sea.
All Kirigakure really needed to do was return the Byakugan to Konoha.
In the end, Tsunade nodded, "Alright then, let's do as you say."
"But there's still the possibility that Kirigakure might tear up the terms we negotiate once Terumi Mei is returned, or later fail to follow through."
Tsunade showed a worried expression again. After all, if it's not hard cash laid out in front of them, one can't help but feel uneasy.
Aoba shook his head, "As long as Konoha shows enough deterrent power, they won't dare. Why not invite Kirigakure to participate in the joint Chunin Exams too?"
"You're really not afraid that several villages will gang up on Konoha during the exams?", Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, then continued.
"This afternoon, I also received applications from Sunagakure and Otogakure to participate in the joint Chunin Exams. They also want to hold the exams with Konoha."
"Sunagakure and Otogakure?", Aoba slightly widened his eyes.
'Is Orochimaru still trying to carry out the Konoha Crush Plan?'
'No, that's not right.'
'Hiruzen is already dead, so Orochimaru's goal now is probably Sasuke.'
'As for Sunagakure...'
'Could it be that they're being suppressed by the Wind Daimyo and have no other choice?'
'Or is it that the Fourth Kazekage is still unfortunately offed by Orochimaru?'
'Come to think of it, it's quite ironic.'
'Sunagakure is clearly the Wind Country's own ninja village, yet the Wind Daimyo not only reduced their military capabilities, but also drastically cut their funding.'
'He even gave most of the missions to Konoha...'
'This kind of cuckold behavior right to their face is truly next-level.'
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