Shinji wasn't particularly good at analysis, but he had peeked at the answers from an omniscient perspective.
Reversing the process from the answers naturally made it much simpler.
Ultimately, Mist Hidden was too weak, amounting to nothing.
Otherwise, if it were someone from Stone Hidden or Cloud Hidden here, they wouldn't even consider such issues.
Instead, they would have the same idea as Sand Hidden: how to devour the other two!
This was the difference in circumstances.
Mei Terumī began to ponder seriously after listening to the analysis.
Although there seemed to be two paths to choose from, in reality, there was only one: gamble.
Choosing neutrality and not taking sides.
In reality, it was self-deception and a slow suicide.
No matter who won, they would inevitably settle scores later. Even if they managed to survive, they would receive no aid.
Because everyone dislikes fence-sitters.
So, the question arose: who to bet on to win?
Logically, Konoha held the advantages of geography and popular support, and possessed a strong foundation.
The small group brought by the Kazekage alone couldn't stir up much trouble.
However, since Sand Hidden dared to act this way, they must have had some confidence and prepared targeted trump cards.
Now it remained to be seen whether Konoha's foundation was stronger or Sand Hidden's trump cards were stronger.
Mei Terumī was momentarily unsure. After all, this was a gamble involving her life and fortune. If she lost, she would be doomed.
In her helplessness, Mei Terumī had no choice but to look at someone again.
"Consultant Akagi, I need your opinion as a reference now."
"When you need me, you call me Consultant Akagi. When you don't, you tell me to get lost. Heh, women."
Mei Terumī was instantly embarrassed.
Just as she was about to use her trick of bending over and blowing into his ear again, Shinji seemed to be talking to himself.
"I've been practicing a powerful dōjutsu recently. I need someone to strike some extremely difficult poses to cooperate with my training. Unfortunately, these movements are extremely difficult, and ordinary people can't learn them at all. Alas."
Ten minutes later...
Mei Terumī lowered her leg from a split towards the sky, her face flushed, and she glared at someone with a seductive look.
"Practicing dōjutsu"? This was clearly just a pervert feasting his eyes.
"You might not believe it, but this is truly a method for practicing dōjutsu. Once I master it, you'll see how amazing it is."
Shinji wiped the drool that had accidentally escaped his eyes. Good, no nosebleed on his face.
His dōjutsu had now reached an extremely profound level, where all he saw when he closed his eyes were beautiful black legs... Pfft, no, it was about a magnificent bosom!
In short, it was an extremely profound level.
Mei Terumī didn't believe his nonsense and secretly cursed him in her heart.
Shinji knew this woman was unpredictable. If he didn't offer some "substantial" information now, she would start throwing a tantrum.
"Actually, although it seems you can choose to bet on either Sand Hidden or Konoha, in reality, you only have one choice: help Konoha win against Sand Hidden."
"Reason."
"The reason is very simple. The current Kazekage, Rasa, is an out-and-out ambitious man, while the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, is an old man who only wants to maintain the status quo and hand over Konoha intact to the next Hokage."
Shinji glanced at Mei Terumī, who was deep in thought, and continued, "So the answer is very obvious. Even if Sand Hidden wins in the end, Mist Hidden, which you represent, will gain nothing. You'll also have to guard against them turning on you and annexing Mist Hidden along with Konoha."
"By siding with Konoha, you won't have to worry about such things. As long as you act tough enough at the time, you can get what you want. Furthermore, you can even propose some conditions. After all, you just helped Konoha overcome a crisis. Both morally and logically, Konoha won't refuse aid to Mist Hidden."
"Moreover, in Konoha's view, the Land of Water, located far across the sea, is not Konoha's main enemy. Mist Hidden today also poses no threat to Konoha. Your alliance is a win-win situation."
Indeed!
Mei Terumī was just too caught up in the situation. After Shinji clearly analyzed the situation, she also realized that once she was drawn into this vortex, she no longer had a choice and could only see it through.
"Then shouldn't we warn the Hokage in advance and have him prepare in secret?"
Shinji shook his head. "It's not time yet. We don't even know what Sand Hidden is planning yet. If we go and warn Konoha to be careful, wouldn't that be like startling the snake and exposing ourselves first?"
"Instead, it's better to continue playing along with Sand Hidden. Once we understand their specific plan more thoroughly, we can deliver a stunning betrayal and turn the tide in one fell swoop."
Mei Terumī was stunned. "Can we really do it with just a few of us?"
"Don't underestimate yourselves. Although we are few in number, we are a crucial force. Otherwise, why would the Kazekage send Baki to appease and win us over?"
Mei Terumī took a deep breath. "You're right. I know what to do now."
"Remember to act the part and don't arouse suspicion. That part where you asked for supplies earlier was too fake; I could barely watch."
"Heh, I was just following your lead. Before criticizing others, why not criticize your own acting first?"
"Tsk tsk, as expected of a fickle woman. Crossing the bridge and then tearing it down."
"You're right, women are fickle. How about we chat about practicing dōjutsu again?"
Danger!
Sensing danger, Shinji immediately bolted.
"I just remembered I might have left the water boiling at home. Goodbye!"
A ridiculously poor excuse.
However, Mei Terumī still let him go.
The main reason was that those movements earlier were indeed too difficult, making her blush and her heart race just thinking about them.
At that time, she didn't know why, but she inexplicably agreed to that scoundrel!
She would definitely get her revenge next time.
...
As Shinji had predicted, the next morning.
Baki brought tangible sincerity.
He stated that the Kazekage had agreed and had sent a message back last night to prepare supplies and transport them to Mist Hidden.
Mei Terumī expressed her gratitude and asked for the transportation route, preparing to send people to escort them.
Baki quickly said it was unnecessary, but Mei Terumī insisted.
In the end, he had no choice but to agree.
Stalling was impossible, and trying to fool them with nonexistent supplies wouldn't work.
Baki had no choice but to quickly return and, after getting the Kazekage's approval, sent another message back.
After several attempts to use minor tricks that were all seen through in advance, Baki couldn't help but realize the difficulty of dealing with the consultant named Akagi.
However, after he mentioned it, the Kazekage didn't take it to heart.
So what if he's difficult to deal with?
No matter how difficult a strategist is, they will still die if stabbed once.
Besides, focusing only on small immediate gains limits one's vision for life. He was not a threat.
The Kazekage, Rasa, looked down at the entire Konoha with high spirits, then slowly clenched his fists, as if he were about to grasp the entire Konoha in his hands.
____________________
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