The Marriage Between Konoha and Suna 2

There were only a few hours left in the chaotic 52nd year of Konoha.

Just like last year, the children from the orphanage, as well as guests from all over, filled the Hokage mansion.

Luckily, Makoto had anticipated this and expanded his mansion early on, so it barely fit.

Under Nono's care, a large number of small children happily ran around the living room, playing games. The well-dressed dignitaries were mingling and telling each other about the year's harvest.

Every now and then, there were a few retired ninjas dressed as journalists carrying cameras, looking for excellent shots and locations in the crowd.

For the people of the Land of Fire, this year was another bountiful year.

Everyone had been tired for a year, and it was time to take a break... But Makoto couldn't.

Even though Sandaime had taken the initiative to help block out many of the not-so-important guests, there were still some guests that Makoto himself had to meet in order to do so.

In the dark-colored study, Makoto, who still had some physical inconvenience, hugged Haku and received Ryusei.

-After all, it was a change of body, so it would take more or less a little time to get used to it.

"It's really comforting to see that your body is still so healthy."

Ryusei put his stance rather low as soon as he came up.

Nowadays, he had already fully took over Kusagakure, but in the face of the gold daddy, especially the gold daddy who was able to cut open the heavens and the earth with a single sword, Ryusei still acted quite submissive.

"Ah, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have spoken to you with this current appearance... Is there anything going on in Kusagakure lately?"

Makoto asked softly as he pet Haku's soft hair - before, after little Temari knew that she was green, she cried and cried for a long time. Luckily, Makoto was resourceful and dragged Pakura down with him, so little Temari went wailing to trouble Pakura.

Pakura should be better at dealing with this little princess, three cups... no, two cups of milk tea should be able to handle it.

Temari is still very small, three cups can not drink.

Still, Haku is cute.

"Thanks to your blessing, everything is fine in the Land of Grass, nothing to worry about."

Even though it was just an everyday repartee, Ryusei was really not lying.

Because there was no need to go to war, and at the same time the income was guaranteed, so for a year, Land of Grass froze smoothly, and there was not a single piece of big news that could make it to the newspaper. Now on the newspaper, are some chicken and dog small things.

...Everyone is poor and afraid, now that life has taken off, they are busy making money.

"That's good... But if that's the case, why did you come over in person?"

It's not a big deal for hidden villages and hidden villages to give each other annual gifts, but it's a bit strange for the leader of a hidden village to run to Konoha even on the day of the New Year's Eve.

Ryusei also didn't dare to hide it and told the truth.

"It's like this, recently some people who have nothing better to do feel that the Land of Grass, as it is now, with no industrial base at all, is really too dangerous. So... so..."

Wise people everywhere, before the Konoha United Fruit Products took shape, there were wise people in the Land of Grass who felt that it was not right, and had been strongly opposed to it.

Now Land of Fire goods are starting to be dumped in large quantities within the Kusagakure... Though on the surface, it's making everyone's lives better. Because they could buy more industrial goods at cheaper prices, but...

Some people are always worried.

They still want their own industry.

Even light industry.

Ryusei scoffed at this concern, but after all, it involved Konoha, and Ryusei didn't dare to handle it casually anymore, so he specially came over to ask Makoto for his opinion.

"Let it go first."

"...Let it go?"

"Well, it's actually a good thing to do. Having the desire to awaken is better than being an object of oppression for the rest of one's life... This is something Hokage should address. Those big factory owners are indeed abominable, I can suppress them now, but I can't suppress them forever... But the main conflict right now is still the big nobles and the big landowners, so let's just leave it for now. One step is still too dangerous."

In a simple sentence, there was a huge amount of information.

Ryusei was shocked, but after hesitating for a moment, he still bowed deeply.

"I understand!"

... ...

After sending away Ryusei, Makoto welcomed the second guest of the day.

This person was plain and ordinary, looking like a tea head of a tea house.

But to be able to appear in Makoto's study at this time, he was certainly not an ordinary person - he was a retired ninja of Konoha.

Konoha had many ninja who could not continue fighting due to injuries and had to withdraw from the front line.

In the last year, Makoto tried his best to make proper arrangements.

Those who wanted to continue to shine went to Shikaku's place, engaging in trashy tabloids and traffic.

Those who wanted to teach, went to a ninja school - a group of veterans from the battlefield, dealing with a few little brats is still very easy, and teaching real taijutsu.

Disheartened, Makoto also gave enough pension to let them go fishing as an air force. The younger ones, they will try to find a daughter-in-law for them, anyway, it is not like they can not afford to give birth.

But in this large group of retired ninja, there are still some people who really can no longer fight, but do not want to retire, still want to fight for Konoha... So Makoto made up some simple intelligence gathering work for them as much as possible.

Most of these people are responsible for commercial tasks in Arasaka, and they report on prices in various places.

And today this...

"Hokage-sama!" This one is from the Genins, probably the first time to report directly to Hokage on a mission, more or less a little excited, but the good thing is that the meaning is still expressed in full, "The four daimyos, we met at the tea house where I work. Although separated by a wall, but I still try to accurately memorize the content of their conversation..."

Don't underestimate ninjas, especially this kind of ninjas who knew they couldn't fight anymore, so they liked to swordfight - this one in front of him had found a way to enhance his hearing.

The physical detection method is crude, but the effect is good.

Because the enhancement is hearing, did not use jutsu, but instead avoided the detection of the experts around the Daimyo.

This intelligence came suddenly, but it was really important.

"The four daimyo will be allied... to the underwater tunnel between the Land of Water and the Land of Thunder..."

"Interesting."

Makoto turned this crucial to the core intelligence around in his mind a few times and came up with some very interesting scenarios. However, these scenarios were still just a prototype, if they wanted to take shape completely...

In the end, despite the physical inconvenience, Makoto held the other party's hands.

"This information of yours is very important, but I can't publicize your name... This time, let's label with it as an S-rank mission, and please be sure to work hard in the future as well!"

"Really... I just did some... gratitude!"

Nowadays, Konoha ninjas basically don't lack money as long as they are practical and willing to do it. But for this retired ninja, what he valued wasn't money either...

Makoto surposely stayed with him for a little while longer, talking to him for a while about his son's achievements in the ninja school before allowing him to leave.

Makoto leaned his back against the chair, seriously calculating.

Haku knew that the current Makoto was not comfortable with using his hands, so she obediently began to organize the confidential documents on the table for Makoto - the little girl wanted to do something for Makoto, but she was just too weak, so she didn't know where she seemed to have to be his hands.

It was nice that the soft and cuddly loli cared so much about herself.

It's just that after Haku organized the documents, he suddenly spoke.

"This way, is it really good... daimyo guys... that honorable..."

Makoto smiled and rubbed against Haku.

"It is because the daimyo are so honorable that we have to ensure their safety."

The four daimyos are deliberating behind closed doors, and as a rule, they should not be eavesdropping... But as the de facto daimyo payer, he does not know the content, how can he know whether it is safe or not?

Maybe one of the daimyos can not think for a moment, with the same filial piety emperor, come to an imperial conspiracy against the other daimyo, direct heavenly execution, then how can we do?

"So..."

Haku, like a small adult, nodded seriously.

...Although Minatsuki and Nono were both gentle women similar to Yamato Nadeshiko, however, Haku and Temari did not develop towards this aspect.

T/N: 'Yamato Nadeshiko' is a Japanese term meaning the "personification of an idealized Japanese woman", who is poised, decorous, kind, gentle, graceful, humble, patient, virtuous, respectful, benevolent, honest, charitable, and faithful

With the current appearance of Temari, if she continues to develop, her mantra will probably evolve into a powerful woman like "I will count to three...".

While Haku's words... are more or less a bit dark...

I don't know how two gentle mothers can raise such two daughters... it doesn t matter.

He has been like this in his life anyway, and it is better for the younger generation not to restrain too much and let them follow their nature.

Anyway, they are essentially good girls, and the pursuit of good understanding is rather erasing them.

... ...

The third guest who came in was also an old acquaintance.

It was a representative of the Industrial Faction.

"Yo, Makoto, you're still alive."

The industrial faction representative's tone was a bit more casual.

"Ah, I don't want to fight anymore, all I want now is to get a wife, have two kids, and raise a dog."

"Is one wife... enough?"

Makoto and the representatives of the industrial faction laughed at the same time.

Both sides sensed that the other side wanted to draw closer to each other - in the first place, there was no need for them to become enemies.

It was good to earn money together and have fun together.

During the whole year of cooperation, both sides profited a lot from the cooperation. Anyway, the industrialists didn't want to think too much, they simply wanted to produce goods and sell them, and whoever got in their way would be killed.

They don't really care about the shit that goes on between ninjas and daimyo.

Even happy to see it... but that kind of talk belongs to the heart.

The merchants had been upset as to why there were multiple nobles on their heads, sharing an extra hand in things they could handle on their own.

"I was going to say more to you, but the way you are now... then I'll make it short. I came this time, mainly three things. The first thing is that the decree to allow the Land of Wind laborers to enter through the border has finally been opened from above, and the mouths of the other countries have loosened."

The Land of Fire has been short of workers this year, especially skilled workers.

The small country is not enough to eat, but also want to eat the big country.

The Land of Wind, which has the best relationship with the Land of Fire, is naturally the first to suffer... Previously, those guys at the border of the Land of Fire were still using various reasons to constantly obstruct, but now it is considered to be liberalized from the legal level.

If it was before getting the information to hear this matter, Makoto would only be simply happy, but now it seems to be...

"Well, what about the second one?"

"You, it's really not surprising at all... We just hope that in order to increase the development of new models, we need a lot of funds. I need your nod as the major shareholder."

"No problem."

This is all due, nothing to say.

"Finally... that aircraft carrier you mentioned, the Ministry of War has decided to further increase the budget. On top of the original foundation, the Ministry of War is prepared to add two more, forming three carrier battle groups at once."

"...Three?"

This time Makoto really was a bit happy.

Because of the existence of Super Kage as well as various strange ninjutsu, the carrier battle group wasn't as powerful as the one on earth, but in this era, the carrier itself wasn't a carrier, it could be viewed as more of a technological battle.

There are some things, just having drawings is useless, always need to do it.

The more you do, the more experience you have.

In the case of no shortage of funds, to engage in a large project, can greatly promote the development of science and technology.

The aircraft carrier is a major weapon, the need to support the whole society. A big project down, can bring not know how many industry progress... Of course, the premise is not bad money.

During the era of Boruto, Land of Water had an aircraft carrier battle group. I didn't think that now, Land of Fire was going to have one as well.

"What's with the sudden..."

"Who knows? Maybe it's because it feels like there's too much money coming in on the books, and one that doesn't get it right, it still has to go to war with the Land of Water's normal army... can't keep using ninjas."

"...Good thing too."

... ...

After sending away the representatives of the industrial faction, many people came one after another after that.

There was the director of the Konoha Research Institute, who told Makoto that the miniaturization of the Chakra Center had been successful in the lab, and that given a little more time, it would be ready for mass production. But here is a problem - you pinch a hand-cranked generator is actually not difficult, but want to link all the chakra centers, then basically have to phase out the current power system, rebuild a national grid...

There are the lords of the smaller nations who have deliberately traveled lightly to Konoha, and after months of hard work, they've more or less tasted the sweetness of it now. But now the situation in the Land of Water... They are asking Makoto about the next commercial actions, but also testing Makoto's political intentions...

Even more, Kakuzu cursed and wrote a letter full of foul language complaining that those big merchants are 'really fucking inhuman', even if the price is high, the stuff is still rotten, often substituting the best for the best. That's not how money is made. Uncle Kakuzu wants to kill people after seeing it... Makoto said you can do whatever you want, I won't stop you anyway...

The best thing is that the mission of the Angel of Peace, finally completed... Although in order to complete this task, Makoto paid a huge price, and even directly drew a large amount of money, so that the TV set manufacturers to sell at a discount.

If it wasn't for the fact that it was only a little bit short, he wouldn't have...

Tossed a whole year, although Makoto and the other countries were tossed around, but really calculated, the harvest is still very big.

Economic and political matters aside, Makoto's ninja points had reached 38.5.

Of course, there was bad news.

And it was still sudden.

"Hokage-sama!"

With a shrill cry, Uchiha Fugaku rushed in.

Ninjas from large clans were basically more disciplined, after all, that was their foundation.

Especially the head of the clan, that is more every word and action, all the time by countless people's attention.

But at this time, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't care less.

He even excitedly opened the Mangekyo... Of course, he is not here to rebel.

-It was his second son, Uchiha Sasuke, who turned into a girl.

"Is it cute?"

"Very cute... But Hokage-sama, that's not the problem!"

"Ah, sorry sorry sorry..."

Makoto barely stifled a laugh at his words... No, he was shocked and extremely surprised.

"Surprisingly, there is such a thing? Is it only Sasuke like this?"

"I don't know how it is in other clans, but in the entire Uchiha lineage, it is true that only Sasuke is being... How could this be!" 

Obviously, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't accept this kind of thing at all, and he saw it as a kind of the harshest provocation to the Uchiha clan.

-Almost like the feeling of someone sneaking into your house in the middle of the night and shaving your cat into a bald head, right?

It's a pity that Danzo hung up, and now there's no one to take the potshot.

Makoto is starting to miss Danzo a little bit.

Even in the Boruto era, as long as things related to conspiracy, just throw them at Danzo.

It was a pity that he hung up too early now.

Only one more bitter elder brother to suffer.

"It must be the Akatsuki organization... that's right... but if it's the Akatsuki organization, why didn't they take the opportunity to kill a few people... there might be some kind of conspiracy in there! , must think long and hard!"

"In the end, I understand, I will order the Anbu and increase the inspection of the village. Now that everyone is preparing for the New Year, they are indeed slacking off a bit..."

Makoto perfunctorily spoke to Uchiha Fugaku, then suddenly thought of something.

"By the way, was Sasuke's body altered by Ninjutsu? Wouldn't it be fine to change it back then?"

Uchiha Fugaku clenched his fists, his expression incomparably sad.

"That's an extremely high-end jutsu, all the elders in the family said they've never heard of it... I'm afraid that Sasuke he... he's really going to be a girl for the rest of his life..."

This is not quite good, Asura and Indra, the pair of old enemies who have tormented each other for countless years, this time finally have a chance to reconcile.

...Speaking of which, isn't it the influence of these two guys, their chakra reincarnators seem to have never had a girl... damn Shodaime and Madara wherever there is one that is a female, it wouldn't be so bad as to mess up like this now...

This pair of clueless and unhappy can't be allowed to continue tossing their weight around.

Let the hatred, end in this generation.

"This way... Fortunately, Sasuke is still small now, and there is not much gender consciousness... How about just raising it as a girl?"

...At that moment, Uchiha Fugaku finally understood why people from other villages liked to call Makoto the scum of the world.

... ...

After tossing and turning, when Makoto ended the meeting, it was again already early morning.

Because she was too sleepy, Haku had already fallen asleep.

Makoto handed this cute child back to Minatsuki.

It was the same last year, he was always unable to have a proper New Year's Eve with his family.

But... it's just for these few years, right, so bear with it for now.

The last to arrive was Pakura.

Pakura's eyes were filled with killing intent.

It looked like he wouldn t be able to take his anger away without violently beating Makoto for a few hours.

After... resolving the matter of the hand bow, it was no surprise that this big one was drawn over again.

Really big.

"You fellow, ready for the realization!"

It looked like Pakura already knew about Makoto's verbal nonsense.

As Hokage, his every word and action would be watched, and it was only natural that it would be circulated.

Makoto had always taken it for granted to pay the price and reap the fruits.

But just getting his ass kicked by her wasn't what Makoto wanted either.

So... when Pakura came behind Makoto and prepared to give him a guillotine, Makoto skillfully called out.

"Mom!"

Pakura's entire body went numb.

Then the shot was even harder.

Makoto was beaten to a pig's head.

Twice.

By the end of the beating, Pakura's hands were sore. So she lifted Makoto's collar and pressed him against the wall.

"You guy, why do you always have to tease me! Make me angry, don't you know that it's rude to say such things to women?"

"I can't betray Temari or the village!"

"What the hell do you want me to do!"

Pakura was genuinely anxious.

Temari was too young to keep Hokage widowed, and even the Kazekage felt it was a bit much.

So as for the matter of Makoto opening a harem, his father-in-law had been indifferent.

But that alone wouldn't do.

Then until Temari grew up, stuffing a few women of Suna origin around Makoto wasn't something unacceptable.

Makoto had been teasing Pakura, which would have been good.

After all, Pakura was reliable and had been single.

But as far as Pakura herself was concerned, it was betraying Temari... But as she herself said, she could not betray either the village or Temari.

"I don't know."

"...Don't know? For such reasons?"

"Right."

Makoto couldn't tell her that since a long time ago, he had noticed that she had a very strange sweet scent like Terumi Mei.

It was faint at first, but then it got stronger and stronger.

"You guy... to hell with me!"

-When the Terumi Mei, who was fighting against the wind and snow and whose heart was inexplicably on fire, rushed to Konoha as hard as she could, what she saw was the scene of Hokage and Suna Diplomat posting together.

...Kisame who came along with him silently retreated to the end of the crowd of companions.