However, out of trust in that child, he had indeed increased intelligence reconnaissance toward the Village Hidden in the Sand during this period.
From the information he had obtained, the current Village Hidden in the Sand truly seemed somewhat abnormal. While all the ninja villages of the major countries were reorganizing their forces and preparing for war, the Village Hidden in the Sand, on the contrary, had been frequently appearing within the borders of the Land of Wind and in surrounding small countries, as if anxiously searching for something.
This made the third Hokage realize that Shinichi's judgment was very likely true. Even if it was not explicitly stated as death, a long period of disappearance meant life or death was unknown.
And when life or death was unknown, it often also meant that the person was already dead.
Therefore, the third Hokage planned to further accelerate and intensify war preparations next, and at that time, the funding gap would expand even further.
As for the commission before him, the mission content was simple to the point of being almost childish.
There was no need to travel to dangerous lands, no need to fight for life and death.
He only needed to arrange a duel on the Konoha and organize some villagers to watch, and they could obtain a huge reward of no less than five hundred thousand ryo and possibly as high as two million five hundred thousand ryo.
Although compared to the consumption of war preparations, it was only a drop in the bucket, it was still money delivered right to their door. There was no reason not to take it.
The only thing that needed consideration was reputation.
Not the reputation of the ninja of Konoha, but the reputation of the client.
After all, he was merely a samurai.
The third Hokage evaluated calmly in his mind. Being able to make a name in the Land of Iron, this client's swordsmanship must indeed have its unique merits. But this was Konoha.
His thoughts had not even formally shifted to whether the samurai would win or lose.
Subconsciously, he had already begun to consider: Who should be sent, someone who could make the fight lively, allowing this samurai patron who had come from afar to enjoy himself and display Konoha's magnanimity, yet also be able to firmly control the situation at the crucial moment so that the other side would not lose too embarrassingly?
After all, the other party was a generous guest. Letting the guest come in excitement and leave satisfied was proper hospitality, and it also concerned Konoha's demeanor.
Having spent a large sum of money, what the other party likely hoped for was an intense contest that could stir fighting spirit and verify what he had learned, rather than a crushing defeat that would shatter confidence in an instant.
Thinking of this, the third Hokage already had a decision in his mind.
He picked up his brush and, in the instruction column of the commission document, smoothly wrote his opinion and decision: "Approval granted. Classified as an A-rank special cooperation mission. The mission department will coordinate and select appropriate personnel to participate."
"The match venue may be arranged at the third training ground. Villagers and off-duty ninja may be permitted to watch, provided they are moderately organized. The event will be conducted under the name of a ninja–samurai exchange seminar. Be sure to control the rhythm of the matches, ensure that they stop at the appropriate point, and maintain a friendly atmosphere. Payment will be collected according to the agreed terms."
After writing the final character, he lightly blew the ink dry and handed the commission document to Anbu standing nearby.
"Notify the mission department. Execute according to this."
"Yes!"
The Anbu took the scroll and vanished in an instant.
One day later, on Konoha's main avenue, the afternoon sunlight warmly spread over the bustling street.
Several villagers gathered at the entrance of a dango shop, eating snacks while animatedly discussing fresh news.
"Have you heard? A samurai from the Land of Iron spent a huge amount of money just to come to our Konoha to find someone to spar with!"
A middle-aged man started the conversation first, his face full of excitement at the prospect of watching a spectacle.
"I know, I know! There were notices posted all over the street just now, saying there's going to be some kind of ninja and samurai exchange."
A housewife beside him responded, her tone tinged with curiosity.
"They said it'll be at the third training ground tomorrow, and we're welcome to come and watch. They're making such a big fuss! But that samurai must have some guts."
"Gut? That outsider just doesn't know their place!"
A well-dressed man who looked like a shop owner lifted his chin and snorted through his nose, carrying the particular arrogance of a Konoha local.
"The Land of Iron? No matter how hard the samurai train, what tricks can they possibly pull off? Just a country bumpkin. This is Konoha! The foremost of the Five Great Ninja Villages! Ninjas are the real power! With his little bit of strength, can he stand up to our Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Genjutsu? Even with swordsmanship, we in Konoha are number one in the world!"
"That may be true."
A younger craftsman scratched his head, "But I heard that samurai named Isshin is quite young and has already made quite a name for himself in the Land of Iron. Maybe he really does have some ability. Besides, he submitted a proper commission and paid money. Making such a big event, he's probably just trying to see what it's like, or, well… maybe he wants to use Konoha's reputation to boost his own fame?"
"Boost his fame? That outsider country bumpkin wants to step on Konoha to make a name for himself?"
The shop owner raised his voice, drawing glances from passersby nearby.
"Keep dreaming! Does he think the ninja of Konoha are pushovers? If you ask me, just send any decent Chunin, and he'll learn what a gap in strength really means! I'll definitely go watch tomorrow and see how he ends up."
"Going to watch isn't bad. Consider it as seeing something new."
"I actually think that by daring to challenge ninjas from Konoha, regardless of win or lose, his courage is quite impressive."
"Anyway, there's going to be some excitement. No reason not to go!"
A chaotic mixture of voices rang out, a mixture of curiosity, skepticism, disdain, and anticipation, spreading with the flow of people.
The news that a samurai from the Land of Iron had come to challenge them was like a small spark, igniting a faint flicker in Konoha's calm daily life.
Most people waited with a superior, condescending curiosity for this exchange whose outcome seemed predetermined.
...
The next day, at the small training ground where Team 10 was stationed.
Shizune was like a cheerful little bird. As soon as they assembled, she eagerly hopped in front of Shinichi and Kurenai Yuhi, her eyes sparkling as she spoke excitedly, "Have you heard? A samurai client from the Land of Iron has come to the village! I heard he's very young. This afternoon at the third training ground, he's going to spar with the ninjas of our village!"
"Anyway, we don't have any missions this afternoon, and there's no training scheduled either. Let's go watch together, okay? I've never seen a real samurai from the Land of Iron before. I wonder if they're really like what the books say, each one especially tall and strong, with stern faces and carrying such longswords."
As she spoke, she used her hands to gesture an exaggerated length, her face full of curiosity.
Kurenai Yuhi brushed her hair by her ear and smiled gently, nodding. "I don't mind either. The samurai of the Land of Iron have always been mysterious and rarely leave their country. Being able to observe their swordsmanship and combat style up close should broaden our horizons."
She also felt a bit interested. As a ninja who trained in Genjutsu and swordsmanship, Kurenai naturally had curiosity about the practical techniques of different schools.
Check my Patreon for more chapters and novels, Patreon.com/SweetestDeath