"Sarutobi-sensei, is it too few to bring only me as an escort?"
Orochimaru followed Hiruzen Sarutobi, leaping through the trees.
"No matter how many escorts I bring, they don't know the Flying Thunder God Technique. If an accident occurs, no Ninjutsu is as convenient as the Flying Thunder God Technique."
Hiruzen Sarutobi had considered the possibility of an accident. Orochimaru knew the Flying Thunder God Technique, and if an accident occurred, she could easily use the Flying Thunder God Technique to take him away.
"Indeed, for me, who has mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, it would be effortless to take you and flee. However…"
Orochimaru paused here, then changed the subject: "As Hokage, attending an important meeting with only one escort seems a bit shabby. It gives the impression that Konoha has no one left to use."
Orochimaru was not concerned about Hiruzen Sarutobi's safety, but rather Konoha's reputation.
"Indeed…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought about it; it was true. When they arrived in the Land of Rain, if the Kazekage of Sunagakure brought two escorts and he only had Orochimaru, they would be outmatched in terms of presence and numbers.
"Orochimaru, how about we go back to Konoha and call Jiraiya?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought of Jiraiya, who had been idle in Konoha recently, often peeping and causing screams to frequently erupt from the women's bathhouses and hot springs, leading to rumors of a white-haired pervert who liked to peep at women bathing spreading throughout Konoha.
"Sarutobi-sensei, we are almost at the border of the Land of Fire."
Orochimaru reminded Hiruzen Sarutobi of their current location, giving a warning glance to Ichikishimahime, who was floating nearby.
"Then let's go to the Land of Rain like this!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave up the idea of returning to Konoha.
On the other side, Ōnoki led five elite Jonin to the Land of Rain.
The Land of Rain was no longer the Land of Rain it once was, no longer a small country that the Land of Fire, Land of Earth, and Land of Wind could manipulate as they pleased.
Since cooperating with White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company, the Land of Rain had become a major grain exporter, exporting large quantities of grain annually. Not only that, the White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company's industries in the Land of Rain also brought in large amounts of revenue for the Land of Rain.
The Land of Rain also gained the confidence to declare itself a neutral country and designated battlefields where major powers were allowed to fight.
Therefore, it was impossible for him to bring too many people to the Land of Rain.
The Sunagakure side arrived in the Land of Rain earlier. The two escorts the Third Kazekage brought were Chiyo and Ebizo.
"Truly astonishing…"
The Third Kazekage walked through White Snake Hub Town, finding it hard to believe that the Land of Rain could have such a developed town. The adjacent White Snake Electric Town was no less prosperous than White Snake Hub Town.
"Lord Kazekage, with the Daimyo constantly wanting to cut expenses, I believe Sunagakure must make changes."
Chiyo said with a serious expression and a solemn tone.
"Chiyo, don't forget that Sunagakure is the Sunagakure of the Land of Wind."
The Third Kazekage knew what Chiyo wanted to say.
But if Sunagakure chose to cooperate with White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company like the Land of Rain, it would mean that Sunagakure could no longer participate in wars.
This would be equivalent to giving up its position as one of the Five Great Nations' Ninja Villages. The Daimyo of the Wind Country could completely support a new Sunagakure.
If Sunagakure didn't make changes… Chiyo didn't continue speaking, feeling increasingly that Sunagakure should make changes sooner rather than later, instead of waiting until it was impossible to change before considering it.
"Sister, I've warned you. Lord Kazekage will not agree to your proposal."
Ebizo looked at Chiyo. As early as the day she returned to Sunagakure from Konoha, she had mentioned this idea to him: cooperating with White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company to change Sunagakure.
Not only could it break free from the constraints of the Daimyo of the Wind Country, but it could also allow Sunagakure to develop.
But she thought too idealistically and didn't consider the consequences.
"Wow! I never thought the Land of Rain would become so prosperous!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was like someone entering a big city for the first time, looking at everything in White Snake Electric Town, attracted by the youthful and beautiful young women, the mature and charming young wives, and the still graceful older women on the streets, looking at them with rapt attention.
"Sarutobi-sensei, you wouldn't want Aunt Biwako to know that you came to the Land of Rain and didn't do any official business, just staring at women, would you?"
Orochimaru coughed lightly. It had to be said that in this regard, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya were truly a born master-disciple pair. There were no master and disciple who got along better than them. Not only were they both lecherous, but they also both liked to peep.
"Orochimaru, what nonsense are you talking about? I am observing the changes in the Land of Rain! I really didn't expect the Land of Rain to change so much."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said seriously, his gaze drawn to a well-endowed woman walking by. The way she walked was truly a sight of surging waves. His wife, Biwako, really couldn't compare.
"Cough!"
Hearing Orochimaru's cough, Hiruzen Sarutobi reluctantly withdrew his gaze and said, "Alright, let's go to the meeting place."
Ichikishimahime floated beside Orochimaru, complaining, "He's a pervert, just like that guy named Jiraiya!"
"Sigh…" Orochimaru sighed inwardly. The former Sarutobi-sensei wasn't this blatant. As he got older, he became less and less secretive about his fondness for young women.
Thankfully, he only looked and didn't think about getting a younger wife or anything, otherwise, Asuma Sarutobi wouldn't exist.
White Snake Transportation Hub, located in the center of White Snake Hub Town.
Rather than saying it was built in the center of the town, it would be more accurate to say that the entire White Snake Hub Town was built around the transportation hub.
On the second floor of the largest warehouse in the White Snake Transportation Hub, a temporary meeting room had been set up. On the walls hung two cloths, one with the character "Fire" and the other with "Wind," representing the identities of the Hokage and Kazekage who had come for the meeting.
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