After finishing his discussion with Karura about the Jinchuriki matter, Yuji began selecting the candidates who would accompany him to Konoha.
His four students were naturally going. Pakura, Yashamaru, and the other two in sequence. Then Baki and Yura.
Among the newer generation, two squads of Sand Village newcomers led by Shira were included.
Worth noting was that all six members of these two squads had not yet graduated from the ninja academy. But given this rare opportunity to participate in the exchange gathering with Konoha, bringing them out of the Sand Village to see the outside world and get a feel for the ninja world's broader landscape made sense.
Beyond them, three Chunin-level fighters were also selected from the village's various skill track teams, chosen for their relative talent.
As for Kimimaro, Temari, and the others, they were still too young.
However, to smooth things over with the little Sand Village princess, Yuji still brought Temari along under the guise of a sightseeing trip.
Everyone understood that this so-called exchange gathering was in practical terms a head-to-head competition between representatives from both villages. Given how recently the Great Ninja War had ended and the lingering tension in the Sand Village and Konoha's relationship, both sides' newer generation fighters would certainly be going all out. Nobody wanted to lose.
Beyond the competition participants, the support personnel accompanying the Sand Village delegation were also quite impressive. Shimizu leading a Sharingan transplant guard unit, several Jonin with lightning-attribute body enhancement techniques and Third Raikage cellular transplants, all capable of formidable combat.
Some of these fighters had been temporarily recalled from the front lines, pulled away from their current mountain-breaking and canal-digging assignments in other countries. But given that this was the first genuinely formal diplomatic-level exchange between the Sand Village and Konoha since the Second Great Ninja War, it naturally warranted serious attention.
Most critically, for the Fourth Kazekage to personally travel to Konoha carried an inherent degree of danger. The Sand Village could not take this lightly.
That said, because the Sand Village's military strength had largely been converted toward agricultural and industrial work, with most forces either supporting Akatsuki's reconstruction in the Land of Rain or conducting terrain modification work in other countries, those tasks also carried significant importance. So despite Chiyo and other senior figures repeatedly requesting a larger escort deployment, Yuji did not mobilize too many people.
The entire group traveling to Konoha numbered fewer than forty in total.
In his assessment, this was sufficient. If any unexpected variables arose after arriving in Konoha, they could manage an initial response. Too large a group would actually be counterproductive.
After all, they were entering the enemy's main base. Bringing more people would not create any kind of deterrent standoff. It would more likely lead to unnecessary casualties.
Beyond that, Yuji had considerable confidence in himself, and this also served to demonstrate the Sand Village's bearing toward Konoha.
Of course, whether it was Minato or Hiruzen, Yuji was certain neither of them would actually move against him. The consequences would be beyond what Konoha could absorb. Neither of them was foolish enough to attempt it.
So while this trip to Konoha appeared risky on the surface, the calculation was actually relatively safe.
After finalizing the roster, the Sand Village sent its reply to Konoha expressing willingness to establish a friendly relationship, and a date was agreed upon.
A few days later, Yuji set out with the group.
Their route took them directly across the Land of Wind, through the Land of Rain, and then into the Land of Fire, where Konoha personnel would be waiting to receive them at the border.
Along the way, Yuji observed that throughout the Land of Wind, large numbers of civilians had been mobilized in accordance with the Daimyo's office and Sand Village development plans and were being deployed to various locations to begin desertification management work. Some teams were heading toward neighboring countries to participate in the terrain modification projects.
The Land of Wind's desertification management campaign was still progressing relatively slowly at this stage. The mountain barriers in neighboring countries had not yet been broken through and the climate had not yet changed.
But the village had already dispatched Earth Release ninja to construct windbreaking terrain formations in certain areas, while Water Release ninja were using their techniques to help civilians plant vegetation suited to desert conditions.
This was a long and arduous undertaking that could not be rushed.
Yuji and the others moved quickly while also making inspection stops at various project sites along the route.
Upon entering the Land of Rain, Yuji was able to see Shira, Fuma Isamu, and others, and also Yahiko, whom he had not seen in quite some time.
Worth noting was that Fuma Isamu had become the Fuma clan head. Fuma Kotaro had died on the battlefield, and with Isamu's clear-headed leadership, the Fuma clan had become considerably more compliant and manageable. The more problematic members had largely been dealt with by Sasori and Rasa, neither of whom were known for their gentle dispositions.
Throughout the Land of Rain, full-scale reconstruction was underway. Road planning, village construction, agricultural cultivation, supply transport, all of it proceeding with vibrant energy.
Along the route Yuji could see Akatsuki members and Sand Village ninja working together, the dynamic looking surprisingly harmonious.
The Land of Rain reconstruction plan was moving forward in an orderly way, so Yuji had little in the way of specific guidance to offer. He simply acknowledged Shira's and the Akatsuki members' efforts.
After all, he was the Kazekage. Yahiko had agreed to help with the reconstruction for the sake of the country. The cooperation between the Sand Village and Akatsuki was exactly that, cooperation.
Akatsuki were not Sand Village people. So their attitude when facing Yuji as the Kazekage was naturally different from how they were with Shira and the others.
The five-year agreement between Yuji and Yahiko had not yet reached its deadline. Akatsuki had not yet lost its footing.
And so the journey continued with various stops and delays along the way. After nearly half a month of travel, Yuji's group finally arrived in the Land of Fire.
What Yuji had not anticipated was that the person waiting to receive him at the border was none other than one of the Three Legendary Sannin himself. Jiraiya.
"Our first meeting, and yet the legendary Jiraiya of the Three Sannin himself has come to welcome us. I truly feel rather honored and a little overwhelmed," Yuji said, stepping forward a few paces with a smile toward the white-haired man standing on the main road in his wooden sandals and brown ninja attire, extending his hand.
"Lord Kazekage has quite a short memory. This is hardly our first meeting, is it?" Jiraiya shook his hand briefly and said with a quiet laugh.
Yuji's mouth curved slightly upon hearing this.
That time long ago when he, Shimizu, and Sasori had been spying on Jiraiya teaching Konan, the memory had faded considerably. But Jiraiya apparently still remembered it clearly. And more remarkably, he had been able to identify who Yuji actually was at the time.
This demonstrated that during that encounter, Jiraiya's perception abilities had already read all three of them quite thoroughly.
Of course, there was also the possibility that in the time since, Jiraiya had received some information from Mount Myoboku that clarified things.
In the original story, Jiraiya carried himself with a carefree and lecherous image and rarely showed his serious side.
But that was for people he was comfortable around.
In the current situation, this was a very formal occasion. And the person standing in front of him was the Fourth Kazekage. Jiraiya would naturally take it more seriously.
"The Fourth Hokage sent you to escort us. He must want to ensure nothing unexpected happens along the way," Yuji said, shifting the topic.
They had just entered the Land of Fire and still had a long distance to cover before reaching Konoha. Whether the journey through Konoha's territory to the village would go smoothly was genuinely uncertain. Because within Konoha, there were still quite a few elements that might harbor intentions against the Sand Village delegation.
Minato clearly did not want any incidents occurring. The only solution was to have Jiraiya escort the Sand Village group through, making certain that the more dangerous individuals within the village would not dare act rashly.
Otherwise, if the Fourth Kazekage was ambushed on Land of Fire soil, the implications would not need to be spelled out.
"I simply happened to have some free time and thought I would come along for a walk," Jiraiya said, releasing the handshake and falling into step alongside Yuji with unhurried ease.
"Besides, even without me, I suspect someone of Lord Kazekage's abilities would arrive at Konoha without much difficulty."
"That is true enough. Though if we were to bring a few bodies into your village, I imagine Konoha might not exactly give us the warmest welcome when we arrived," Yuji said lightly.
The group accompanying Jiraiya said nothing after hearing this. Their eyes narrowed slightly.
Jiraiya had caught the warning in Yuji's tone clearly enough.
The message was simple. This exchange gathering had been Konoha's invitation. It would be best if Konoha took it seriously and did not let any troublesome incidents arise from it.
Otherwise, everyone would end up looking bad.
...
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