Naruto: I Roamed the Ninja World as a Woman

Chapter 237 The Eastern Envoy to Sichuan for Negotiation

In the office of the Executive Residence.

Ayane Amamiya sat in the chair, crossed her legs rather inelegantly, and stretched out her arms, looking quite content.

After the "Daimyo of the River Country stepped down".

She has now completely seized control of the military and political power of the River Kingdom, both in name and in law, and in terms of actual strength.

Once the government order was issued, no one dared to disobey.

A young girl who has reached the age of marriage.

Now he has become the supreme ruler of the 200,000 square kilometers of land beneath his feet. Such an example is unprecedented in the thousands of years of history of the ninja world.

And the price to sit in this position?

Putting everything else aside, at least continuing to recuperate in a hospital ward, or rather, feigning illness, is no longer an option.

In fact, Ayane Amamiya is quite lazy when it comes to her work.

Apart from major matters involving the five great ninja villages, which she personally makes decisions on, most of the remaining trivial matters are handled by her secretary, Mei Terumi.

However, the matters to be discussed today are all of great importance.

Therefore, not only her, but also Ayane Amamiya's small group of people were all present.

"Let's start with the first thing."

Once everyone was present, Ayane Amamiya spoke first: "The first batch of one hundred battle puppets from the last deal with Sunagakure will arrive soon."

She looked at everyone and instructed, "These puppets aren't very intelligent, but if used properly, they can be at the level of a genin. Send a few to each department to test how they work. If there are any problems, report them to Sasori so we can make improvements later."

Sunagakure is a decent place.

Not only did they deliver to your door, but they also assigned a senior engineer like Scorpion to handle the puppet's after-sales issues.

Mei Terumi was somewhat surprised upon hearing this: "Wasn't the Dragon Vein temporarily closed? Where did Sunagakure get its production capacity?"

"I guess it was the Jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Beast who helped."

The girl shrugged, somewhat wryly: "The Sand Village really went all out to keep their promise to us, sending everyone, young and old, into battle—"

The current Jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Beast is an old monk named Bunpuku.

It's said this person is even older than Onoki. I really don't know how Sunagakure managed to persuade this seventy- or eighty-year-old to work on the assembly line.

The crowd chuckled softly as they imagined the scene.

"Now that the first batch of puppets has arrived..."

Mei Terumi asked curiously, "Have you started teaching Yekura Dust Release yet?"

"No."

Ayane Amamiya shook her head: "I plan to start next month, but it's hard to say when she'll be able to learn it."

Optimistic estimate.

It would take at least two years to learn Dust Release!

This number is due to Ayane Amamiya's unique advantage in teaching.

When the girl is in Sage Mode, her perception is greatly enhanced. She can fully detect any problems that Yekura encounters during her training and then provide in-depth guidance on the synthesis of Dust Release chakra.

If it were Tsuchikage Onoki himself who came—

Who knows how long that will take!

Mei Terumi listened thoughtfully: "So, in other words, the time of peace only lasts for a maximum of two more years?"

The people present were all well aware of their neighbor Sunagakure's ambitions.

Mei Terumi believes that the day Pakura finishes learning Dust Release will likely be the day when Sunagakure officially begins the Third Shinobi World War!

Ayane Amamiya, however, was not optimistic, rejecting the idea by saying, "Not necessarily."

"When you went to Loulan last time, you also saw the determination of Sunagakure. They were expanding their military without regard to the cost."

"If the Dragon Vein Factory is still there, then I can almost certainly conclude that Sunagakure will formally launch an attack on Konoha by the end of next year or the beginning of the year after, once its military resources are fully prepared."

She sighed: "But now—I can't say for sure."

Moreover, in the original story, Sunagakure used the disappearance of the Third Kazekage as a pretext to wage war against Konoha.

But now that I've intervened, that reason is probably no longer valid. I wonder what excuse Sunagakure will come up with then.

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

The country of the river is currently raking in money every day, and its overall development is on the rise. In this favorable environment, naturally no one wants war to break out.

"Oh, right, besides the puppets."

Ayane Amamiya added, "I plan to go on a trip next week, which will last about a month."

"You're going out again?!"

Takenaka Ridai, standing to the side, frowned, recalling the girl's previous trip to Loulan.

Does this mean we'll have to go out standing up and come back lying down again?

She immediately shook her head like a bell: "No, no, absolutely not!"

Ayane Amamiya waved her hand reassuringly, "Don't worry, I won't go too far this time."

She took down the map and pointed her index finger at the land on the east side of the Land of Rivers: "I'm going here to teach Yekura Dust Release while also surveying the desert environment of the Land of Wind."

"Is this... the desert that Sunagakure ceded back then?"

Mei Terumi looked at the map and suddenly remembered the "greening the desert" project she had discussed with Sunagakure.

She asked in surprise, "Are you preparing to start greening the desert?"

"That's only one of the reasons."

Ayane Amamiya smiled and added, "At the same time, I also plan to take this opportunity to observe the environment of the Land of Rivers—"

Her fingers moved.

It traverses the map along the markers representing major rivers, crosses the land of rivers, and finally disappears into the vast sea to the east.

"The river-land's outlet to the sea is closest to us."

Ayane Amamiya changed her tone and said solemnly, "Although we don't have much trade with Kumogakure and Kirigakure now, we absolutely cannot entrust this place to outsiders."

Speaking of which...

She had not previously realized the importance of this location.

However, a few days ago, due to the death of the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers, the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning and the Third Raikage jointly sent a letter of condolence and sympathy.

Also in the letter.

The Third Raikage expressed an unusually enthusiastic desire to befriend Amegakure, even mentioning his long-standing admiration for Ayane Amemiya's unparalleled beauty and extending a warm invitation for her to visit Kumogakure.

This incident, however, served as a reminder to the girl.

Her gaze was drawn to the harbor of the neighboring River Country.

"In that case, shall we launch an army eastward and seize the seaport?"

For the first time since remaining silent, the goat spoke, his tone tinged with excitement: "Although the Land of Rivers has its own ninja village, it is weak and isolated, and hardly a threat!"

"With our current strength, we don't need you to take action to deal with the Land of Rivers."

He patted his chest and said in a deep voice, "With just five hundred ninjas, I can take over the entire Land of Rivers within half a month."

Goat, who comes from the Rain Shadow Dark Division, is naturally not a peace lover.

He did not want Sunagakure to launch an attack on Konoha, simply because such a war would be of no benefit to the Land of Rivers.

But if it's for one's own benefit—

Of course, we should do whatever is most efficient!

In short, once the goat realized the importance of the sea outlet, it immediately changed its tune.

"That being said, starting a war now would be without a legitimate reason."

"Besides, the situation in the ninja world is on the verge of exploding, so it's not a good idea to be the first to stick your neck out—"

After considering it for a moment, Ayane Amamiya shook her head and rejected the idea, saying, "In any case, let's first increase trade with the Land of Rivers and try to assimilate them peacefully!"

In order to achieve the goal.

She never cared whether the methods she used were clean or not.

However, unless absolutely necessary, Ayane Amamiya does not want to resort to violence and harm innocent people.

Nara Shikame walked into the Hokage's office with a bitter face.

Perhaps it was because she had met Ayane Amamiya before at Kikyo Mountain.

After learning of Sarutobi Shinnosuke's capture, the village surprisingly recalled him from the border to send him as an envoy to the Land of Rivers for negotiations.

Although life is full of disappointments.

But this is just too disappointing!

Pushing open the door to the Hokage's office, Nara Shikame greeted him listlessly, "Greetings, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen Sarutobi forced a smile onto his old face behind his desk.

Seeing the other man's tearful face, he immediately stood up from his chair, affectionately took the ninja's arm, and said with a smile, "Shikamaru, I know this mission won't be easy. But among all the ninjas in the village, who else besides you can take on this task?"

The Hokage pulled Nara Shikanaru to the sofa next to him and sat down with him.

"Besides, you are in your prime, the perfect age to build a career."

"I know you resigned from your position as the leader of the Jonin team to avoid trouble and not want to get involved in the Hokage competition."

The old man patted his arm and said kindly, "But when a new Hokage takes over, are you going to stay on the sidelines for the rest of your life?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words had a very clear implication.

If you do this job well, the benefits in the future will be enormous!

Nara Shikame is way past the age of eating flatbread.

But at this moment, he had no choice but to put on a show and assured him, "Don't worry, Lord Hokage, Shikame will do his best."

Done.

Before the Hokage could reply, he continued, "According to intelligence, in addition to Shinnosuke, the captured person is Might Guy, who previously served as the guardian ninja of the Land of Rivers."

Nara Shikamei hesitated for a moment, then asked, "How should we determine the appropriate level of negotiation?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he whispered, "Shikame, Shinnosuke may be my son, but he's also the head of the Anbu. From the village's perspective, Shinnosuke absolutely cannot be allowed to fall! Do you understand?"

Nara Shikamei sighed inwardly.

But he nodded and said, "Lord Hokage, I understand."

This answer was actually not unexpected.

In fact, if it weren't for the good relationship between Sakumo Hatake and Might Guy, he wouldn't have even asked.

That concludes the discussion of the negotiations.

He should have gotten up to say goodbye and go to plan the relevant preparations for the negotiations.

But Nara Shikame hesitated for a moment before speaking sincerely, "Hokage-sama, there's actually a question I've always wanted to ask you—"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said softly, "Between you and me, there are no such things to hold back. We can just talk."

"Since that's the case, then I'll just say it directly!"

"Lord Hokage—the rise of Amegakure is now unstoppable."

After considering his words for a long time, Nara Shikame finally said simply, "I think our strategy towards Amegakure should also be adjusted accordingly?"

Nara Shikamei had this idea in his mind ever since his last meeting with Ayane Amamiya.

Ayane Amamiya has this kind of strength at such a young age.

The next few decades will likely belong to the other side.

Why make things difficult for the other person?

To put it bluntly, the other four nations were able to endure under the shadow of the God of Shinobi, patiently waiting for Hashirama Senju to pass away.

So why can't Konoha now imitate the Shikoku of the past?

Nara Shikame gritted his teeth and made a firm decision.

Before the Hokage could answer, he blurted out his innermost thoughts like beans spilling from a bamboo tube: "Fourth Hokage—"

After I returned to the village, I heard that it was highly likely that Jiraiya would succeed him.

"But Jiraiya's disciple, Minato Namikaze, was also killed by the other side—"

Nara Shikamei said cautiously, "If we can't end our hatred during this period, won't this grudge only intensify after Jiraiya-sama takes over?"

After listening to his question.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time.

Just as Nara Shikanaru was wondering if he had asked too bluntly, he heard the Hokage sigh, "Shikanaru, how do you know I don't want to do this?"

"I can forgive the hatred of Minato's death on behalf of Jiraiya, and I can also soothe the loss of Fugaku's eye on his behalf."

"But who can forgive Kato Dan's death on Tsunade's behalf?"

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi took out another document from the drawer: "Even if all of the above can be persuaded, what about the Hyuga clan?"

Nara Shikamei was greatly astonished.

What does this have to do with Hyuga?

He took the document from the Hokage, and noticed that the words in the title were particularly eye-catching.

"A Proposal to Intensify the Gathering of Intelligence on the Rain Village Ninja and Fully Reclaim the Land of River"

And in the lower right corner of the cover, the signer is none other than the eldest elder of the Hyuga main family, Hyuga Yama!

Nara Shikame thought to himself, "Wow!"

Every day on the border, I was on high alert with Shuo Mao, fearing that if I made any mistake, the enemy would seize the opportunity to exploit my weaknesses.

As a result, the village side—

Are they all dreaming of taking back the Land of Rivers?

The eldest elder of this ravine, Hyugayama, has been a member of the main family since birth, living a life of luxury and privilege, always high and mighty.

Has he ever been to the battlefield?

Have you ever killed someone with a kunai?

Have you ever witnessed the earth-shattering power of Dust Release in that palm?

What's the difference between the words in this proposal and sleep talking?

What a terrible teammate!

"The deer cry."

"You need to know that the Hokage is not omnipotent."

"The Hokage is the Hokage of Konoha, but Konoha is not the Hokage's Konoha."

Seemingly noticing his indignation, Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his pipe and began to explain his predicament: "When the Hokage's opinion clashes with that of most of the villagers..."

He exhaled a smoke ring, then sighed and said, "There's only one possibility: the Hokage's idea wasn't correct, not that everyone else made a mistake! Do you understand what I mean?"

Nara Shikamei's Adam's apple bobbed upon hearing this.

He understood perfectly.

Both the Senju remnants and the Hyuga clan are groups with enormous influence in the village.

Even as the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't easily sway these people's thoughts.

But Nara Shikamei really wants to ask, do those people mentioned above really represent the attitude of most people in the village?

pity.

The ninja's remaining fighting spirit had been completely worn down by the previous questions.

Nara Shikamei was disheartened and no longer wanted to say anything more.

He said softly, "In that case, Lord Hokage, I'm going to carry out my mission."

"Go."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, feeling rather disheartened, didn't try to stop him. He simply waved and said, "Before you leave, remember to go to Tsunade and get two doses of poison."

"If, if it really is impossible—"

He tapped his pipe, then said in a barely audible voice, "Then I'll trouble you to find a chance to deliver the poison to Shinnosuke and the other guy—please!"