"Ah, the ambassador from Kumogakure has arrived, it really took long enough," Ryun said flatly.
The ambassador from Kumogakure first bowed. "The delay in the negotiations due to my physical condition was my fault." Having now received a confirmed reply from the Fourth Raikage, A, even though he had just stepped out to use the restroom, he spoke with confidence.
"Hmm, and what is the esteemed ambassador's consideration?" Ryun looked the Kumogakure ambassador up and down.
The Kumogakure ambassador smiled slightly. "The Fourth Raikage-sama anticipated the Hokage-sama's request, and prepared these in advance." After speaking, the ambassador took out a small notebook and offered it.
Ryun gave Hatake Sakumo a look. Sakumo understood immediately. He took the notebook, quickly flipped through it to confirm nothing was hidden inside, and then handed it to Ryun.
Ryun took the small notebook, occasionally glancing at the Kumogakure ambassador as he did. The ambassador remained calm and composed, projecting an air of confidence. If not for the surveillance watching, Ryun would have suspected it was a different person.
Ryun finished reading the notebook, placed it on the table, interlocked his fingers, propped his elbows on the table, and rested his chin on the back of his hands. "The Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure's sincerity is quite sufficient. If I do not go, it would instead seem I lack courtesy," Ryun said calmly.
"Luming," Ryun called out suddenly.
Nara Luming stood up and cupped his hands. "Your subordinate is here!"
"In five days, I will go to Kumogakure. You will manage all village affairs in my absence," Ryun stated calmly. This sentence was directed at Nara Luming, but was actually meant for the Kumogakure ambassador, and by extension, the Fourth Raikage, A.
"Your subordinate understands!" Nara Luming accepted the order, screaming internally. As if you, Hokage-sama, are constantly working in the Hokage office even without this matter.
But in front of an outsider, he naturally could not show this.
The Kumogakure ambassador was pleased. "What the Hokage-sama says is correct. Then, this humble one will take this good news back to report to our Raikage-sama!" He turned to leave, but a voice suddenly came. "Ambassador, please wait."
The ambassador's body stiffened. He forced a smile as he turned back. "Does the Hokage-sama have any further instructions?"
"What has been the customary gift value from each village for a Raikage's succession ceremony?" Ryun really did not know this, as the Third Raikage was already in office when he became Hokage.
The Kumogakure ambassador was stunned. What was this about? He looked at Ryun's eyes and understood. Ryun genuinely did not know. He was about to say five hundred million.
Ryun's aura suddenly changed. He narrowed his eyes and stared intently at him. Nara Luming rubbed his forehead. Making this guy spend money was simply too difficult for him!
The Kumogakure ambassador gritted his teeth and lowered his head. No matter what, he had to say it. "In reply to the Hokage-sama, five hundred million silver is the minimum customary value!"
Seeing this, Ryun deflated. Five hundred million! How many takeout meals, how many bowls of Ichiraku Ramen could that buy! But since his intimidation failed, he had to accept it. "Fine. Thank you, Kumogakure ambassador, for the information. Let Nara Luming see the ambassador out. I will take my leave now."
He seemed as if his soul had been drained. Seeing this, Nara Luming's mouth twitched. My Hokage-sama, you weren't like this when you were profiting from the war.
And now Konoha's monthly cash flow already reaches tens of billions of silver. Would you really lack this bit of money?
Ryun suddenly thought of something! A clever idea struck him. He sat back in his seat, his head no longer hurting, his back no longer aching, and he chuckled happily.
When Nara Luming returned after seeing the ambassador off and saw Ryun like this, he began to suspect he had been driven mad by the stimulus. Was it really just over five hundred million silver? Was it worth it?
"Hokage-sama, what is this?" Nara Luming looked at him with some concern. He very much wanted to ask, 'Have you gone mad?' but felt it was impolite.
"Luming, I just remembered something. If I let Minato succeed me, then could we earn back this money?" Ryun grinned.
Nara Luming was shocked. He stood up and pointed at Ryun. "Hokage, I tell you, don't even think about it! Now our Konoha's monthly cash flow is in the tens of billions. We don't lack this bit of money."
Ryun returned to his previous listless state. "Oh."
Seeing him like this, Nara Luming was both angry and amused. Wanting to abdicate to earn back five hundred million silver! How many people in Konoha covet the position of Hokage? And who else could single-handedly suppress everyone, making them submit?
Only Ryun, number one in strength, number one in achievements, number one in leadership and economic development ability, makes people dare not scheme for this position!
And so, Nara Luming began to present plans in the office. One was for Ryun's attendance at the Kumogakure succession ceremony. The other was for village governance after Ryun's departure from the village.
Ryun listened, nodding repeatedly, indicating he understood. Hatake Sakumo only remembered one point: protect Ryun's safety and prevent anyone with ulterior motives from approaching the Hokage.
And so, after the three-person group finished discussing everything, they all stood up and headed towards their respective homes.
Iwagakure
"Deidara! What are you doing! Put it down! I told you to put the clay down!" Onoki was furious, pointing at Deidara and scolding.
"This is the Tsuchikage building of our Iwagakure! It's a landmark! Young Master Deidara, please, please come down!" Kitsuchi said helplessly.
"Brother Deidara is so awesome!" This voice drew everyone's attention. They turned to look at its source.
They found a black-haired girl with particularly long legs, wearing red clothes, cheering excitedly.
Onoki almost died of anger. He pointed at Kitsuchi. "Go! Go take Kurotsuchi back home!"
Kitsuchi smiled awkwardly. "Alright, alright, father, don't be angry, I'll go now!" After speaking, Kitsuchi walked towards Kurotsuchi.
Kurotsuchi's face changed. "Brother Deidara! Someone is trying to catch me!"
Deidara, who was currently on the roof, holding white clay molded into C4 and placing it on the rooftop, suddenly heard Kurotsuchi's cry for help. In a panic, he aimed his hand at Kitsuchi inside the window.
"C1 Spiders!" Instantly, his hand opened a mouth, from which several white spiders crawled out, heading towards Kitsuchi.
Kitsuchi's face changed. He quickly performed Earth Release, Earth-Style Wall! A thick earthen wall rose from the ground, blocking the spiders' path.
Seeing this, Onoki roared. "Everyone scatter, get down! That's that kid's Explosion Release clay! It's extremely powerful!"
Hearing Onoki's words, everyone scattered and lay flat on the ground.
"Little Sister Kurotsuchi! Run!" Deidara shouted loudly, then threw out Explosive Clay, Centipede!
The spiders and the centipede charged together towards Kitsuchi's Earth-Style Wall.
"Katsu! Hah!" Deidara placed his index and middle fingers in front of his mouth and shouted fiercely.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Instantly, the second floor of the Tsuchikage building was blown apart, the floor collapsing, and one could vaguely see the situation on the floor below.
Kitsuchi's Earth-Style Wall could no longer hold and collapsed with a crash. He panted heavily. Deidara was so young, his chakra level was only so-so.
Why was his so-called Explosive Clay so powerful!
"You rebellious disciple! You still won't come down for me? Do you want to level the Tsuchikage building to the ground!" Onoki, now covered in dust, looked at Deidara outside the window.
He gritted his teeth. This kid's courage was getting bigger and bigger. Blowing up pigsties and sheep pens wasn't enough, now he was blowing up the Tsuchikage building!
"Stupid old man, just approve a piece of land for me to practice Explosion Release, and I'll leave immediately! Otherwise, I'll have to prove that art is an explosion!" Deidara now taunted.
Onoki gritted his teeth. If Deidara weren't his disciple, he would have already fired a Particle Style at him! How dare he be so arrogant!
"Tsuchikage-sama, perhaps you should just approve a piece of land."
"Yes, if Young Master Deidara continues like this, the Tsuchikage building will be razed to the ground!"
"It won't be easy to repair then!"
"Yes, and Young Master Deidara's Explosion Release is really powerful!" The other staff in the Tsuchikage office now advised.
"Stupid old man! Hear that? Your lackeys are all advising you." Deidara laughed wildly and arrogantly.
This made the advisors who had just suggested to the Tsuchikage to approve land for Deidara turn their faces as black as charcoal!
We just spoke up for you, and you call us lackeys. Although it's true, your words are just too hurtful!
Tsuchikage Onoki now gnashed his silver teeth. "Fine, I agree!"
Hearing his goal was achieved, Deidara's lips curved upward. "Wouldn't it have been better to do this earlier, stupid old man!" Saying this, he jumped down from the roof, grabbed Kurotsuchi's hand, and ran off.
Tsuchikage Onoki now had tears in his eyes. How did he teach such a rebellious disciple! Isn't Particle Style good? Why must he learn this Explosion Release!
Kitsuchi came to Onoki's side and patted his shoulder. "Father, don't be angry. Actually, if we think about it from another angle, Little Deidara's Explosion Release couldn't even be completely neutralized by my Earth-Style Wall. Can it be understood that Little Deidara's Explosion Release can already rival Kage-level?"
"No one has walked Little Deidara's path before, but now it seems this path isn't so bad either!" Kitsuchi patiently persuaded.
Onoki nodded. "That's true. But I still don't understand, why not learn Particle Style! If he was willing to learn, he would definitely master my Particle Style!"
"Then, even if I unfortunately pass away, Iwagakure could still continue." Onoki sighed.
He himself believed Particle Style was the correct path, and therefore did not think much of Deidara's Explosion Release, even after seeing its power today.
He still thought it was just a petty trick, not comparable to Particle Style. Kitsuchi saw this and felt it unwise to persuade further, just sighing internally.
From the defense just now, he already knew Deidara's Explosion Release talent was top-tier, his strength was also first-rate, not inferior to Particle Style.
Instant activation, large quantity, explosion. How powerful that would be on the battlefield! It's a pity his father was obsessed.
Or perhaps, his father, the Third Tsuchikage Onoki, was too arrogant, only believing Particle Style was invincible under heaven! Unable to bear seeing his disciple learn something else.
This matter would have to be taken slowly. Persuading Deidara was a long and arduous road!
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