Analyzing the Ninja World Starting from Konoha

"As expected, you can't hide it from Shinku-sensei."

Aoba smiled, took the teacup, drank it all in one gulp, and then asked.

"That's the situation."

Aoba briefly recounted the situation in the Azure Swamp, omitting his embarrassing state of almost having his chakra drained, and only emphasizing the war and current situation between the summoning beast clans.

Shinku sighed deeply after hearing this.

It's lamentable how constant the conflicts are in the ninja world; I never imagined that the world of these strange beasts would be just as cruel.

"Alas~ Where there is light, there is shadow; where there is life, there will never be conflict, and the same is true for summoned beasts."

Even a clan protected by such a powerful summoning beast can decline; indeed, nothing lasts forever in the ninja world.

However, Shinku solemnly explained to Aoba that the relationship between ninjas and summoning beasts is one of cooperation, that they are partners and comrades-in-arms, not a subordinate or superior-subordinate relationship. He even cited the example of the Three Legendary Sannin, as well as the Sarutobi clan and Enma.

Aoba understood and nodded solemnly.

This wasn't just meant for Aoba; it was also a signal to the lizard clan that Konoha was powerful and that Aoba had connections.

Even the contractors of the Three Holy Lands are from Konoha. If you take the benefits from Aoba and then don't work, you'd better think carefully about the consequences.

Finally, Aoba released the summoning, raised his teacup and clinked it against Yuhi Shinku's, everything understood without words.

A few days later, all the goods belonging to the Chamber of Commerce were loaded onto the trucks.

Shinku glanced at the long convoy and fell silent.

"Aoba, is this what you meant by 'a little over'?"

More than a dozen large trucks were fully loaded; is this a little overloaded?

The quantity of goods was more than double that on the original list.

"Heh heh, Ms. Shinku, calm down."

Aoba quickly defended himself, saying that it was a bit excessive, "It is a little bit too much... but I'll pay more."

"Is this about money?!"

Shinku was furious and wished she could pull out her belt and whip him to death on the spot.

"Don't worry, the commission will also be increased."

Hearing this, Shinku calmed down a little.

This means that Aoba is still young and shouldn't always try to find loopholes, be clever, or take advantage of others.

Qingye humbly accepted the instruction.

Seeing Aoba being scolded, Kurenai and Asuma were secretly delighted.

Asuma, in particular, couldn't suppress the urge to smile.

But since the goods have already been loaded, we have no choice but to deliver them.

As the long convoy slowly set off, Shinko frowned.

"Aoba, isn't the amount of supplies we've purchased a bit too much this time?"

In addition to the medicinal herbs on the task list, Aoba also secretly placed a large number of additional food orders and almost emptied the market in the Land of Honey of all available food.

Based on his understanding of Aoba, he shouldn't do anything absurd.

unless……

"Teacher Shinku, you may not have noticed, but the price of grain in the Land of Honey, although lower than in the Land of Fire, has still increased by 30% since last month."

"You mean...?"

"A businessman's sense of smell is often more acute than that of a ninja."

Aoba didn't answer directly, but calmly looked into the distance. "Whether there's a war or not, food will always be a hard currency. Even if I can't use it all myself, I can transport it back to the Land of Fire and resell it, which will make me a lot of money."

Shinku gave Aoba a deep look.

Although Aoba's words were a bit mercenary, his insight was indeed sharp.

He had been watching from the sidelines for the past few days and hadn't even noticed the changes in grain prices.

……

The journey back was tedious and boring.

Because they are carrying a large amount of cargo, their travel speed will definitely be much slower.

Such a long convoy must have attracted a lot of covetous eyes, but Red and Asuma easily dealt with them.

Having undergone special training before their arrival, Kurenai and Asuma are now quite strong, and they can easily deal with ordinary wandering ninjas.

If the two of them can't solve it, Aoba will step in.

"Aoba, what's that on your shoulder?"

Hong had noticed the little thing on Qingye's shoulder long ago, and after holding back for a long time, she finally asked about it.

As soon as she finished speaking, the little lizard suddenly opened its golden vertical pupils and spoke in human language.

"Greetings, Lord Red. My name is Blue Lizard."

"Ah! It spoke!"

Hong was startled and quickly withdrew her outstretched finger.

Seeing this, Asuma pretended to be mature and explained, "Of course summoned beasts can talk. Our Sarutobi clan's summoned monkeys can also use ninjutsu."

Although he said that, he still glanced at the little lizard called the Blue Lizard a few more times.

Talking ninja beasts are just ordinary summoning beasts.

They were also curious about where Aoba had found it; he hadn't seen anyone for only a few days and had already acquired a new summoning beast.

Are summoning beasts so easy to contract now?

However, there was nothing he could do if Aoba didn't tell him.

……

A little over a month later, shortly after the convoy had crossed the border of the Land of Fire.

A loud eagle cry pierced the sky.

Shinku looked up.

Something's happened.

His expression instantly turned serious.

"The convoy needs to pick up speed!"

At his command, the entire team sped up dramatically.

Despite the increased speed, the massive convoy still took nearly a week to reach Konoha.

When passing through the gates of Konoha, they underwent multiple checks, with even the Anbu being mobilized.

Even before they officially entered the village, they could clearly feel the tense atmosphere.

The number of guards at the village entrance has doubled, and the villagers coming and going are in a hurry, with some worry on their faces, and they often gather together to talk in hushed tones.

"You all go back and rest first. I'm going to report the mission to the Hokage." Shinku said this and then used the Body Flicker Technique to disappear from the spot.

The hot pot restaurant manager was in charge of coordinating the distribution of supplies, and Aoba and his two companions simply dispersed on the spot.

As she walked along the road, the intermittent chatter of the surrounding villagers reached Aoba's ears.

"Have you heard? Something terrible has happened in Sunagakure..."

"Yes, it seems like their shadow..."

A word, though not loud, was exceptionally clear and entered Qingye's ears.

The Third Kazekage of Sunagakure has gone missing!

……

In the autumn of Konoha Year 47, Aoba had just celebrated his 14th birthday.

In the same year, the third-generation Kazekage mysteriously disappeared.

The village of Sunagakure, having lost its leader, descended into unprecedented chaos and began searching the entire ninja world for the Kazekage, an event that caused a huge uproar.

You should know that it is the shadow of one of the five great nations.

The unexplained disappearance of their own shadow not only drew ridicule from many but also alerted the villages.

After their search proved fruitless, Sunagakure turned its attention to Konoha, demanding the return of the Third Kazekage. At the same time, they amassed a large army on the border, their forces poised to strike at the Land of Fire.

The Konoha leadership isn't stupid; Sunagakure is trying to pin the blame for the Kazekage's disappearance on Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that war was inevitable.

He immediately ordered the reinforcement of troops to be stationed along the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.

……