The chosen location for the transaction between Konoha and Kumogakure was the Land of Rice Fields. After the large-scale changes on the eastern front, the Land of Rice Fields was a relatively safe area, temporarily free from infiltration by Kirigakure.
However, this place brought back some memories for the older shinobi on both sides. Twenty years ago, they fought each other in this very place, yet they never expected to become allies today.
Even though both sides had maintained good relations in the past, they were still somewhat surprised by this recent development.
The lower and middle ranks of Kumogakure were completely unaware of the series of considerations made by the Third Raikage and other high-ranking officials.
While on patrol, they were informed that they would form an alliance with Konoha. However, due to their past relationship, neither side was too surprised by this decision, except for a few who mistakenly believed they understood national disputes.
Responsible for the transport were the Kumogakure shinobi who had grievances with Konoha in the past, specifically Sora's students from the First Joint Chunin Exam: Chik, Ran, and I.
They were now Special Jonin in the village, just one step away from becoming Jonin.
Although Kumogakure had learned a lot from Konoha, there were still some differences. For example, because the brotherhood of unity and bonds was a traditional culture of the Land of Lightning, Kumogakure placed great importance on the traditional three-person team and did not abandon this point; they always went everywhere together.
Konoha, however, had almost given up on the three-person team dynamic; although they maintained contact, they would send them to different places.
Konoha, on the other hand, chose Orochimaru as the person in charge. Orochimaru was an important member of the village's research department, highly regarded by the Second Hokage, and considered a candidate for the next department head.
He was only lacking in age and position, and he would be the quickest to start accepting the technical achievements of the Lightning Blast Tag.
Moreover, although he had been in the research department since graduation, his strength remained formidable, proving himself worthy of being the genius admired by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Besides him, his fellow disciples Jiraiya and Asuka were also present, marking a rare occasion for the three-person team.
Jiraiya and Asuka were the more outgoing types, chatting about various things on their way to the Land of Rice Fields.
Although Orochimaru's personality was still rather aloof, Fumori masaki had long known to pay attention to Orochimaru's psychological state and had previously asked their teacher to look after him, so he occasionally joined the conversation.
Upon reaching the designated location, the reconnaissance teams from both sides received information from each other, and their respective leaders met with the items for exchange.
Although they weren't very familiar, they had all reached the finals of the Joint Chunin Exam, so they had some impression of each other and a touch of nostalgia.
"Yo, I didn't expect it to be you guys," Chik greeted Jiraiya and the others.
This young man, with the traditional brown skin of the Land of Lightning, had now grown tall and robust, while his two companions, Ran and I, behind him, had completely opposite fair skin, creating a stark contrast.
"I didn't expect it either. It looks like you've also climbed to a high position in Kumogakure," Jiraiya said.
"Of course. After all, we are all students of the village's higher-ups. I remember you guys were students of Jonin Sarutobi of Konoha, right?" Chik said.
"Uh, you guys seem to be… uh." Jiraiya was a bit tongue-tied at this point; he hadn't paid much attention to their situation and didn't know who their teacher was.
Seeing him try and fail to imitate someone, Ran of Kumogakure couldn't help but chuckle softly.
She vaguely recalled that during the Joint Chunin Exam, this person named Jiraiya seemed a bit comical, or perhaps eccentric; in any case, he was a very interesting person.
"Speaking of which, is Heizo Hattori here with you, and also that Sakumo Hatake?" Chik looked around as if trying to find both of them.
Of course, he knew it was impossible; Jiraiya and the others standing before him were clearly the highest-ranking officials.
"They went to the Land of Grass to deal with Iwagakure and Sunagakure. You won't see them here," Asuka replied.
"Is that so? What a pity." Chik expressed some regret.
He still wanted to see the short guy who had defeated him, and Sakumo Hatake, who was skilled in Lightning Release and the champion of that year's Joint Chunin Exam, was also a worthy person to meet.
Now, however, he learned that the other party was not on the eastern front.
—Should I apply to sensei to be assigned to the battlefield in the Land of Grass? I must show that short guy how much I've changed over the years.
At this moment, Orochimaru spoke, his voice as hoarse as ever, saying, "Alright, without further ado, let's begin the transaction now."
Chik glanced at Orochimaru. The other's skin was also very fair, but unlike the fair complexion of the people of the Land of Lightning, it was a somewhat sickly pallor.
However, compared to his impression, Orochimaru's complexion seemed to be a bit better than in the past, more vibrant, and more pleasing to the eye.
"Alright, alright, you're so cold, yet also so impatient," Chik chuckled and instructed the people behind him to bring up the items.
"We are in a time of war right now. Letting even a short period pass could result in many deaths," Orochimaru said indifferently.
"Do you know about the poison gas tactics Sunagakure has been using recently?"
By this time, several days had passed since Fumori masaki arrived at the camp. On the day of Tsunade's official appointment to the medical department, she had already handed over her duties at the camp and immediately set off.
At the same time, the poison gas tactics used by Sunagakure had also spread to the eastern front, startling all the Konoha shinobi.
Kumogakure, which had not yet officially entered the Land of Grass campaign, even with reconnaissance shinobi, had not yet encountered the large-scale use of poison gas by Sunagakure, and thus it had not entered the Kumogakure reconnaissance shinobi's field of vision.
Therefore, Kumogakure was currently unaware of the poison gas tactics.
"What poison gas?" From Chik's reply, it was clear that they indeed did not know about Sunagakure's actions.
"It's like this," Asuka said with a solemn expression, describing Sunagakure's poison gas.
This method was even more cruel than conventional ninja techniques; it could involve not only shinobi but even civilians.
Without anti-poison gear, it would be a devastating blow to shinobi as well.
Chik and the others' expressions all darkened.
They had never expected Sunagakure's methods to be so extreme. According to Asuka, even Konoha was severely lacking in gas masks, making it impossible to prepare any for Kumogakure.
In other words, if Kumogakure encountered it, they would face great trouble.
"Tsk, as expected, that village is poor and scared," Chik said, repeating what he had said to the Sunagakure shinobi in the Forest of Death back then.
"Can't gas masks be mass-produced quickly?" I, the wise one in the team, asked.
"After some research, it should be possible to mass-produce them quickly, but it cannot be guaranteed that the masks can block all types of poison gas," Orochimaru replied from a professional scientific perspective.
"The principle of the gas masks used by Amegakure is to filter out toxic substances, thereby preventing the invasion of poison.
However, not all poisons can be filtered out. They previously faced the poisonous salamanders of the Land of Rain, and that was their primary consideration.
Although they seem to have luckily blocked Sunagakure's poison gas now, there's no guarantee that Sunagakure won't produce poisons that cannot be filtered."
"So, you also cannot guarantee that anti-poison gear can be fully utilized?" I continued to ask.
"Hmm, and some poisons are effective just by contacting the skin. The salamander also has similar poisons, and Amegakure also uses special outer clothing to protect against poison." Orochimaru shook his head slightly, "Poison is not something that can be solved with a few words.
The best method is still to research an antidote."
"Does Konoha's Medical Department have that capability?" I asked earnestly.
"Of course. There is already a medical ninja heading to the western front to research an antidote. That person is a student of our Hokage-sama, so you don't need to worry," Orochimaru said with a smile.
"The Hokage's students, Heizo Hattori and Sakumo Hatake, are they? Do they have other fellow disciples? Are you talking about the Hyuga clan member? He shouldn't be a medical ninja, should he?" Chik thought for a moment and said.
"Definitely not. That person shows no signs of being a medical ninja," Ran said, then recalled something and let out a soft "Oh."
"Could it be the blonde one? She seemed to be sitting next to the Hokage's wife, didn't she?"
Jiraiya nodded with an expression of "that's right." Orochimaru merely smiled slightly and said, "Good that you know. You don't need to doubt her abilities. She is the most talented medical ninja in our village.
She will definitely be able to research an antidote to counter Sunagakure's poison."
"Then we shall wait and see. As allies, I imagine Konoha will provide us with the antidote, right?" I smiled slightly.
"That goes without saying. Our village is very friendly to its allies," Orochimaru said with a smile.
At this point, the subordinates of both sides had confirmed the goods. The research scroll for the Lightning Blast Tag and the custom-made Lightning Blast Tags were delivered behind the Konoha shinobi, while Konoha's Exploding Release Cannon, technical scrolls, and the agreed-upon money were delivered to the Kumogakure shinobi.
With this, the transaction was complete.
"So this is the Lightning Blast Tag? It's my first time seeing one." Jiraiya took out a talisman with the character "Lightning" written on it, clicking his tongue and feeling an urge to use it.
"Try it," Orochimaru seemed to read his fellow disciple's mind and nodded at him.
"Huh? Is that okay?" Jiraiya was slightly taken aback.
"It's fine. It's a good opportunity to see the power of the Lightning Blast Tag," Orochimaru replied.
"Alright!" Jiraiya took out a Lightning Blast Tag, infused a small amount of chakra into it, attached it to a kunai, and swiftly threw it forward.
With a hand sign, the surface of the Lightning Blast Tag quickly sparked with electricity. The kunai flew out like an arrow formed of electric light, then flashed with countless twisted lightning bolts, exploding like fireworks.
"Amazing, is this the Lightning Blast Tag? Not only can it unleash Lightning Release, but it can also increase the speed of a throw," Jiraiya mused.
"It's equivalent to providing a propulsion force before the explosion, isn't it? If it were launched like an Exploding Release Cannon, it would be like countless lightning spears piercing through earth release," Orochimaru said.
On the Kumogakure side, seeing Konoha's actions, Chik was quite curious and wanted to try it out, but he was stopped by I.
One must know that the destructive power of the Exploding Release Cannon was extremely strong; if they experimented in this place, what would the ground be reduced to? Were they here to trade or to plow the land?
That being said, looking at the dark Exploding Release Cannon in front of him, I couldn't help but reach out and touch it.
From its cold surface, he could almost feel a scorching power. It was rumored that this ninja tool had crushed the Iwagakure shinobi, forcing them to stay behind and look for opportunities to counterattack.
The design concept of this ninja tool had already surpassed traditional ninja tools. I had a vague premonition that once this design concept was further developed, it would completely change the landscape of ninja warfare.
Perhaps in the future, apart from high-level shinobi who could still operate independently, the fighting styles of ordinary shinobi would change.
One must know that current ninja warfare, to some extent, carried the shadow of samurai warfare. Large groups of shinobi battled each other on a piece of land, at most maintaining the characteristic separation of shinobi.
However, it still resembled samurai warfare, and after the appearance of the Exploding Release Cannon, it became even more so.
If ordinary shinobi only needed to use such powerful ninja tools for large-scale bombardment, then perhaps only high-level shinobi could still act alone.
Thinking of this, I couldn't help but chuckle softly.
To some extent, did it not resemble a return to the operational characteristics of traditional shinobi?
However, could shinobi fighting in that manner still be considered shinobi? Frankly, Konoha's current shinobi seemed to be less and less like shinobi.
This was a consensus within Kumogakure, but no one could guess where Konoha's Hokage intended to lead the village's shinobi.
Of course, despite these thoughts, the Exploding Release Cannon was a good thing, and good things must be used.
I believed that in the future, the village should research and develop ninja tools unique to Kumogakure based on the Exploding Release Cannon, such as throwing ninja tools with even greater destructive power and speed, or other types.
I couldn't help but recall the strange things in the fairy tales written by Konoha's Hokage, and an incredible thought popped into his mind: could those things also be possible to realize?
"All in all, the transaction is over. From now on, let's fight side by side and do our best," I collected his thoughts, stepped forward, and extended his hand towards Orochimaru.
Orochimaru looked at him and also extended his hand, while Jiraiya and Chik, Ran and Asuka also shook hands with each other, swearing an oath of future alliance.
Afterward, both sides took their traded goods back to their respective strongholds, and the next step was to research the results of the transaction.