Chapter 283: Chapter 283: Kyohiko, You are Truly Remarkable!
"You brat, being a hands-off manager all day, have you properly handled the village’s affairs?" Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn’t help but lecture.
Kyohiko coughed lightly. "It’s alright. Currently, Shūsaku has already met up with Yahiko and Konan. Next is the matter of the three-party cooperation."
"Three-party cooperation..." Sarutobi Hiruzen was silent for a moment, then asked, "What do you plan to do?"
"Establish a middle ground between the three countries, the Land of Rivers. In addition, the Sand Village had a proposal before, which I can optimize. It just depends on whether they are willing or not."
"What proposal?"
"An environmental modification plan!" Kyohiko answered.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t react at first, but then he recalled the situation between the several countries in his mind, and soon... a line was formed in his mind.
"You want to use the water of the Land of Rain to improve the desert of the Sand Village?"
"Yes. To transform a desert, one must first improve the water source and soil. This is a very long-term project."
By stretching out the time, Konoha’s ninja would have the opportunity to live with the people of the Land of Wind, allowing those people to get used to Konoha ninja. After that... it would be a step-by-step encroachment!
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a long time and said, "Why would the Land of Rain agree?"
Kyohiko glanced at him, a trace of helplessness on his face. "Sandaime-sama, has your brain become stiff from all the research recently? They have an absurd amount of rain. Why wouldn’t they agree?"
The Land of Rain likes to rain, but the people of the Land of Rain don’t like it. If they could divert some of the water vapor and reduce the rainfall, they would be more than happy.
And the key was—modifying the terrain! This required the agreement of multiple parties and could not be achieved by one person’s word alone. But in terms of the result, the Land of Rain would divert a portion of its water vapor, and the Land of Wind would receive a portion of water vapor...
Konoha would get commissions from both countries, or some concessions regarding the Land of Rivers. All three parties would be happy!
Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood Kyohiko’s meaning. This was indeed a win-win-win situation. Especially since a small change could also make the connection between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain closer.
For Konoha, this was not originally a good thing. Neither of those two were weak on their own. Once they were fully united, the power of the Sand Village plus the Rain Village could even have the ability to directly confront Konoha or the Stone Village.
However, that was in the past. When Konoha had not yet produced powerhouses like Kyohiko and Minato, nor had Tsunade returned, and Jiraiya and Orochimaru were not working together. The current Konoha was completely different from the Konoha of the past, which had suffered heavy losses in successive wars.
It could be said... it already stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world!
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn’t help but exclaim, "Child, it’s not that my brain is stiff, but the wars of the past... I’ve never fought such a rich war!"
Kyohiko was silent. He did believe this point. The death of Senju Tobirama back then and the loss of a large number of effective forces in the war had indeed dealt a heavy blow to Konoha.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was only silent for a moment before quickly waking up from his memories. He laughed self-deprecatingly. "As an old man, I often recall some things from the past. My apologies!"
"It’s nothing. No matter what, you have given a lot for Konoha in the past, and now..." Kyohiko paused here.
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s eyes were a little unfriendly. "As an old man, I should have retired, but I’m still being pulled over by you to be exploited!"
"Ahem, you’ve worked hard!" Kyohiko coughed lightly. "The bright future of Konoha, as well as the Land of Fire, rests on your shoulders!"
"You kid, when I was in my position back then, you never flattered me like this." Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn’t help but laugh in anger.
However, he wasn’t really angry. On the contrary, to have something to do and be needed in his old age, Sarutobi Hiruzen had passed the confusion since his resignation and gradually found the position where he should be.
An advisor, to check for omissions and fill in gaps, to assist in governance. At the same time, to exert his greatest ability to help Konoha continue to move forward. For example—the knowledge in his own mind.
As Kyohiko had said, in the field of basic ninjutsu, there were indeed few in Konoha, and even in the ninja world, who could compare with him. Especially in the five-element combination ninjutsu.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took the puppet scroll and the design plan. "I’ll make it as soon as possible. Also..." He was suddenly silent for a few seconds.
Then, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "If we can research the wind and fire attributes, can we make one for Asuma?"
"Of course. But, Sandaime-sama, do you think Asuma will accept such a gift?" Kyohiko asked in return.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned for a moment, then said, "Why not? I’m doing it for his own good..."
"In your eyes, it is indeed for his own good, but not necessarily in Asuma’s eyes. Don’t you understand yet?" Kyohiko sighed.
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent again.
"I will give him a chance. But this chance is only a ticket to fight for the armor. Whether he can get it or not depends entirely on his ability," Kyohiko answered.
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a long time and finally nodded, a trace of lament in his eyes. "Perhaps, you are right." He waved his hand and left with the things, not mentioning his request again. Even though—this request was something he had summoned up the courage to say.
***
Outside Konoha Village.
"Yahiko, this should be your first time in Konoha, right?"
"Yes, I didn’t expect—" Yahiko looked at this vast and prosperous land, a mixture of excitement and sadness in his eyes.
Konoha Village. The strongest ninja village in the current ninja world. At the same time, as an important village in the most fertile Land of Fire, it could also be said to be one of the most prosperous villages in the ninja world.
What was sad was—a place like the Hidden Rain Village might never be able to reach this level in a lifetime.
Kyohiko glanced at him. He couldn’t know Yahiko’s inner thoughts, but combining the changes in his emotions, he vaguely felt that at this moment, Yahiko should be thinking about the Hidden Rain Village.
Just right... He pondered for a moment and said, "Yahiko, your ideal, I remember, is to change the Hidden Rain Village, right?"
"Uh, yes." Yahiko nodded.
On the side, Konan looked at Kyohiko with vigilance. She vaguely felt... the next words would be the main point of this trip!
Kyohiko said, "Then, you now represent the interests of the Hidden Rain Village, not yourself, nor Yahiko as my friend."
Yahiko was silent for a few seconds, then nodded lightly. "Yes." He represented the interests of the Hidden Rain Village. Even if not for Hanzō, Yahiko would never do anything to betray the Hidden Rain Village.
He took a deep breath. "So, in this transaction, I will definitely stand on the side of the Hidden Rain Village..."
Konan’s fingers pinched a piece of paper, already prepared to make a move if Kyohiko’s attitude was not right, even though the two of them together might not be the other’s opponent. But, they had to try!
"That’s great!" Kyohiko smiled.
Huh? Yahiko and Konan were both stunned. This was not what they had expected!
"Personal feelings, in this kind of alliance, are the easiest to interfere with one’s judgment. If you make some decisions because of our relationship..."
"After you go back, you may not get the approval of Hanzō and the other ninja."
"This is a test." Kyohiko explained with a smile.
Yahiko was silent. Of course, he knew this principle, but making such a choice had nothing to do with these interests, gains and losses. He just would not choose to betray the Land of Rain, that’s all.
Kyohiko changed the subject. "Back to the main topic. You represent the Land of Rain. Then there is a transaction that is beneficial to both the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind, and our Konoha is willing to help facilitate it."
"What transaction?" Yahiko frowned—how did it get to the Land of Wind again?
Kyohiko looked at him. "Remember the mountains between your Land of Rain and the Land of Wind?"
"Of course." Yahiko nodded. The terrain of the Land of Rain was a smooth path to the north, all the way to the bays of other northern countries. But to the south, it was surrounded by mountains on three sides. The mountains of the Land of Birds, the Land of Wind, the Land of Rivers, and the Land of Fire surrounded them.
Kyohiko smiled. "This transaction is to cut through the mountains between you. This way, part of the water vapor from the Land of Rain will go to the desert in the north of the Land of Wind."
"Ah?" Yahiko was stunned for a long time. He blinked, his eyes full of shock. "Are you kidding me? How is that possible..."
"As I thought. Then, come with me." Kyohiko’s hands rested on their shoulders.
The next second—Flying Thunder God!
In an instant, the three of them arrived in the outskirts. It was a wasteland here.
Yahiko was at a loss. "What did you bring us here for?"
"To do a simple experiment." Kyohiko grinned. Then, he looked at Konan. "In a moment, I need you to simulate the limit of the sky."
"The limit of the sky?" While Konan was still not understanding.
Kyohiko’s hands formed a seal, and in an instant, the earth trembled. The next moment, a huge, slanted "mountain" rose up before their eyes.
Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!
Yahiko’s eyes widened, looking at the mountain-like Earth Flow Wall, his face full of shock. This was... too exaggerated! Konan’s mouth was also wide open.
Kyohiko, however, seemed to have completed a very easy ninjutsu. "Now, Konan, I need you to create a layer of clouds above it."
"I understand." Konan was thoughtful, vaguely understanding Kyohiko’s idea. She did as he said.
Then... "Yahiko, I need you to cooperate with me to create more water vapor."
"Alright!"
A few minutes later, the scene was filled with a thick fog, so thick that you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.
Following that—Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!
The wind howled. Under the blowing of the storm, the water vapor quickly swept towards the "mountain." After encountering the slope, it quickly rose up, all the way to the "summit"...
Finally, when it encountered the "cloud layer," it quickly accumulated and turned into a vast white cloud. Immediately, a heavy downpour formed on that slope.
Yahiko’s eyes widened. At this moment, how could he not understand that Kyohiko was demonstrating the mysteries of nature for him. This was the origin of the Land of Rain!
After a long shock, he swallowed and said, "So, the reason the Land of Rain exists is—"
"That’s right. Although you are not by the sea, you are surrounded by mountains on three sides. Only the place bordering the Land of Earth and the Land of Grass is a plain, and that direction is exactly the direction of the sea breeze," Kyohiko answered.
Upon hearing this, Yahiko nodded repeatedly. "Indeed, the further south you go, the more frequent the rain. Near the direction of the Land of Earth and the Land of Grass, the rain is indeed slightly less." He took a deep breath.
So, this was the truth. He bit his finger. "So, cutting through the mountain can divert a part of the water vapor, so that it no longer falls on the Land of Rain, but goes to the desert in the north of the Land of Wind?"
"That’s right." Kyohiko nodded.
"Kyohiko, you are truly... remarkable!" Yahiko completely understood! If so, it was indeed very beneficial to both sides.
But, "What about your Konoha?" He was puzzled.
The Land of Wind gets water vapor and can transform the desert environment. What about Konoha? Playing the good guy?
Kyohiko grinned. "That’s not a problem you need to consider."
"..." Yahiko was speechless. He vaguely felt that Konoha would definitely get more benefits, but he couldn’t figure it out for a while. But after thinking for a moment, he said, "Will the Sand Village agree?"
"The main body of this plan is actually your Land of Rain. The Sand Village will definitely agree," Kyohiko answered.
Yahiko was thoughtful, then nodded. "Indeed. But, I think the Sand Village benefits more. They should make concessions in other aspects."
"Let’s discuss this point at the tripartite meeting," Kyohiko said with a smile. "Now, you go to Hokage-sama’s office and talk about the cooperation between our two villages."
"Us? You’re not going?" Konan retrieved the paper from the sky and was a little surprised to hear this.
Kyohiko smiled. "No need. I have more important things to do!"
Huh? Is there anything more important than allying with us?
Yahiko and Konan were first stunned, then speechless. This guy, they vaguely felt, just didn’t want to do this kind of troublesome work!
Forget it. Yahiko sighed. "We are too familiar with you. Your absence is indeed more suitable for us to perform."
"Then, shall I send you over?" Kyohiko looked at the two of them.
Yahiko and Konan looked at each other, then hesitated for a moment before nodding lightly. "Alright!"
The next moment, they were directly sent to the door of Tsunade’s office by Flying Thunder God. As for Kyohiko himself, he did have more important things to do.
Added-Weight Rock Technique! This gravity-enhancing ninjutsu was currently only possessed by the Hidden Stone Village, and even in the Hidden Stone Village, not everyone could master it.
Grandmaster-level Added-Weight Rock Technique... Kyohiko closed his eyes, merging and comprehending the memories.
After a moment, he opened his eyes. The next second, without needing to form hand seals, chakra rushed to his arm, and instantly, his body was covered with a thick layer of rock.
Following that—
Boom!
The huge city wall he had created with one hand was instantly blasted with a huge dent at the bottom. "The power is not weak, but this kind of one-sided, unbalanced force, no wonder Ōnoki’s back is no good." Kyohiko couldn’t help but complain.
The next moment, he released the jutsu, and then—he suddenly threw a punch.
Boom!
An astonishing force erupted from his fist. Coordinated with the Monstrous Strength technique, it directly caused the Earth Flow Wall to collapse. Amidst the roar, Kyohiko used Flying Thunder God to get out of the circle, looking dusty and disheveled.
"Ptooey, ptooey!"
"I didn’t expect the power of this in conjunction with Superhuman Strength to be so strong."
"But, the so-called Super Added-Weight Rock Technique is just the product of researching this jutsu to the extreme."
Kyohiko waved his fist. The Added-Weight Rock Technique was strong, but for him, its strongest effect was not for combat.
"If I can create a continuously maintained Added-Weight Rock effect, I can achieve stronger gravity training."