Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand

"What!? He refuses to meet? Why? Has the Kazekage become so arrogant now?"

Danzo's expression turned sour as he spoke.

"Danzo-sama, what are you saying? Kazekage-sama is simply too busy with official matters to make time right now," said Yamashita Tetsu, the head of Sunagakure's Intelligence Department, politely.

"And what exactly is the Kazekage so busy with?" Danzo's words were sharp, almost biting.

Hearing this, Yamashita Tetsu's smile faded.

"It seems unnecessary for Kazekage-sama's daily affairs to be reported to Konoha, doesn't it?"

The implication was clear: Konoha was overstepping its bounds.

"I have no intention of interfering with Kazekage-sama's affairs. However, my visit concerns an important matter of cooperation between Konoha and Sunagakure. This is not something that should be delayed," Danzo said, softening his tone slightly in response to Yamashita's firm stance, though his words still carried an air of superiority.

"Danzo-sama, let me be frank with you. At this very moment, Kazekage-sama is meeting with the Third Raikage. Do you expect Kazekage-sama to abandon a meeting with another Kage to entertain a mere minister? Wouldn't that be improper and disrespectful?" Yamashita Tetsu said with a hint of amusement.

Hearing this, Danzo fell silent, standing in place and contemplating the situation.

"When will I be able to meet Kazekage-sama?" Danzo finally asked after a long pause, his earlier domineering demeanor noticeably subdued.

"Let me check..." Yamashita Tetsu flipped through some documents. "Ah, here it is. The day after tomorrow, at 2:30 PM, in Hall No. 3. See? It's already scheduled. There's no need to rush, Danzo-sama. Please enjoy your stay in the meantime."

Danzo thought for a moment and nodded slightly. "Fine, the day after tomorrow it is."

With that, he turned and left the office.

"Idiot! And this guy calls himself Konoha's 'Darkness'? What a joke!" Yamashita Tetsu muttered under his breath.

Yamashita Tetsu wasn't lying. At that very moment, Jinghang was indeed in the Kazekage Building's primary reception hall, having a lively conversation with the Third Raikage.

"Little brother, this thing is amazing! With this, we won't need to assign ninjas as messengers anymore. It'll greatly improve our operational efficiency. I really don't know how you folks in Sunagakure managed to develop this," the Third Raikage said, pointing at the radio set on the table.

"This is just a minor trick. It's not that hard to produce. I'll send a communications unit to Kumogakure to install the equipment and train your personnel. I believe your village's communication system can be fully operational within half a year. Then, if you have anything to say to me, just send a message directly!" Jinghang replied with a smile.

"Haha, you're straightforward, little brother. How much for these 200 sets of equipment?"

"Brother, you're joking. These things are hardly worth mentioning."

"No, no. Friendship is one thing, business is another. We can't mix the two."

Now, look at that perspective, that magnanimity, that sense of propriety. This is the demeanor of someone capable of great achievements—far better than Danzo, who haggles over smuggling tobacco and tea.

"Alright, we'll sell them at cost price—200,000 ryō per set. As for the training fees, we'll waive them. After all, I should at least show some goodwill. But you'll need to cover the food and lodging for my team," Jinghang said, half-jokingly.

"Haha, no problem. I'll make sure your people are well-fed and taken care of," the Third Raikage replied with a hearty laugh.

"Oh, and take this as well." Jinghang pulled out a book and placed it in front of the Third Raikage.

"And what's this?" The Third Raikage picked up the book and examined it. The cover read: Tales of Gutsy Ninja, Author: Jiraiya.

"This is an inspirational novel written by Jiraiya, one of Konoha's legendary Sannin. It was just published recently. We're also using it as a cipher book."

"A cipher?"

"Yes. While this radio technology is innovative, the principles behind it aren't overly complex. I believe it won't be long before other villages crack it. So, telegrams need to be encrypted. From now on, communications between Sunagakure and Kumogakure will use this novel as a cipher base. Of course, we'll need to change the cipher periodically."

Jinghang smiled as he explained.

"You're certainly meticulous, little brother. But why choose this particular book?" the Third Raikage asked.

"Oh, because it's not selling well, and it's written by someone from Konoha. It won't easily arouse suspicion," Jinghang said with a mischievous grin.

"I see. So, in a way, we're indirectly boosting the sales of Jiraiya's novel?" the Third Raikage chuckled.

"A few hundred copies won't make much of a difference."

Hehe, Jiraiya's first novel indeed didn't perform well. It wasn't until he shifted to the more risqué Icha Icha Paradise series that he found real success.

"Alright, the matter of the radios is settled. But, little brother, there's another favor I need to ask of you," the Third Raikage said.

"Speak freely. As long as it's within my power, I'll do it," Jinghang replied with a smile.

"Your village's chakra amplification and weakening agents are quite remarkable. I wonder if..." The Third Raikage hesitated, as everyone knew these agents were strategic weapons. Asking for them was akin to requesting access to nuclear weapons.

Jinghang and Rasa exchanged a knowing smile.

"Raikage-sama, these agents are produced by the Silver Sand Pharmaceutical Corporation."

"Yes, I know."

"Silver Sand Pharmaceuticals is a private enterprise in Sunagakure."

"Yes, so?"

"So, if you want the agents, you'll have to buy them."

The Third Raikage was momentarily stunned, then broke into an excited grin.

"Jinghang, are you playing a trick on your big brother?"

"Haha," Jinghang and Rasa laughed heartily.

"The chakra amplification agents will soon be available on the market. Silver Sand Pharmaceuticals has already partnered with the Hourglass Group, and their products will be sold in stores across the ninja world. If Kumogakure needs a large quantity, you can place an order directly with Silver Sand Pharmaceuticals. As for the chakra weakening agents..."

"Yes?"

"Well, these agents are essentially toxins. Naturally, they can't be traded openly. You'll need to arrange a time and place, ensure proper safeguards, and conduct the transaction privately. Does that work for you?" Jinghang said.

"No problem, that's perfectly reasonable. I'll have Dodai handle this personally," the Third Raikage readily agreed.

"The first-generation weakening agent is already mature, and the corresponding antidote has also been developed."

Rasa pulled out a small metal box, clearly prepared in advance. Inside were two syringes, one red and one green.

"The green one is the weakening agent, and the red one is the antidote. Raikage-sama, make sure you don't mix them up," Rasa said with a smile as he closed the box and handed it over.

"Even if I forget my mother's name, I won't forget this," the Third Raikage said, carefully examining the box.

For toxins, especially "military-grade" ones like this, having a corresponding antidote is essential before deployment. Otherwise, accidental friendly fire could be disastrous.

Of course, Jinghang and Rasa had also left a contingency in place. The chakra weakening agent had already been developed up to the fourth generation. While the first three generations were fully functional, the most advanced versions remained a closely guarded secret. Even with strong alliances, some things simply couldn't be shared.

"The amplification agents will be sold at an 80% discount off retail price. As for the weakening agents, they'll have to be sold at full price. After all, companies need to make a living too. I hope big brother understands," Jinghang said apologetically.

"Of course, of course! Being able to purchase them at all is already a huge favor," the Third Raikage said, expressing his gratitude repeatedly.

"Oh, one more thing," Jinghang added.

"What is it?"

"Konoha is also interested in these," Jinghang said, pointing to the metal box.

~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~

Welcome to visit my Patreon, read the early chapters, and enjoy your reading!

 patreon.com/DarkGolds