At the entrance of Konoha Village, Fumori Masaki stood with some high-ranking personnel, watching Bunpuku and his entourage arrive. Nearby Anbu members and Konoha ninjas hid, remaining vigilant. Although they were in the heart of Konoha Village, it was almost impossible for enemies to appear. However, it was precisely at such times that carelessness could occur, so Fumori Masaki maintained the necessary vigilance.
Looking at Bunpuku, who was dressed in Kazekage attire, Fumori Masaki was pensive. In his memory, Bunpuku, who had been imprisoned in the tower, was a gaunt old man who looked like he could collapse at any moment, trembling and barely resembling a human. The current Bunpuku, though still thin, possessed the demeanor of a high monk.
After leaving the tower and becoming the Kazekage of Sunagakure, Bunpuku's life underwent a major turning point. He would no longer die alone in the tower, forgotten by the world, as he would have in the normal timeline. Now, everyone in Sunagakure knew Bunpuku's true name, not just the name of Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast.
"Welcome to Konoha Village, Lord Kazekage." As Bunpuku and his group approached, Fumori Masaki immediately stepped forward and extended his hand to Bunpuku. The latter paused for a moment before realizing what was happening and likewise extended his hand to grasp it.
At the same time, Konoha ninjas, who were further from the village gate, immediately raised their devices and pressed the shutter, causing flashes of chakra to light up repeatedly. They were ninjas from Konoha's propaganda department, and the handshake between the Hokage and Kazekage was excellent material for their work. They had to record this moment.
The traditional method of recording portraits in the ninja world was through paintings, which were time-consuming and dependent on the artist's skill. Fumori Masaki, however, had the research department create a unique ninja world camera, primarily based on a secret technique of the Yamanaka clan. This secret technique could capture the caster's thoughts and materialize them onto paper. In the past, Yamanaka clan members used this method to quickly record desired scenes, and with great realism.
This camera did not use light for imaging but rather a special "film" created by the Yamanaka clan using their secret technique. With chakra, it could temporarily record the user's observed mental images. Later, it would require the Yamanaka clan to materialize these images. While many people could use it, the actual imaging still had to be done by Yamanaka clan members.
Therefore, this camera could not yet be considered a widespread tool, but as a transition between the two, it undoubtedly played a very important role in the development of ninja world technology. As long as the need for the Yamanaka clan's secret technique to extract thoughts could be overcome, it could become more widely used.
Bunpuku naturally noticed the situation over there. He had never seen a camera and didn't understand its purpose, so he curiously asked, "Lord Hokage, what is that...?"
"That is a ninja tool that records our friendly moment. You can think of it as a tool for quickly creating portraits," Fumori Masaki replied, knowing what Bunpuku was referring to.
Bunpuku was immediately astonished. He knew that Konoha Village had produced new ninja tools like explosive cannons during the war, but he never imagined they also had such a special ninja tool. In the past, recording portraits required the artist to rely on powerful memory and drawing skills.
And looking at the tools those Konoha ninjas were holding, it seemed they could also create drawings in a short time. This was incredibly advanced technology. Bunpuku seemed to gain a deeper understanding of the gap between his village and Konoha Village.
"You don't need to worry about it. Just do what you need to do. It's not like it's something to hide," Fumori Masaki chuckled, tightly holding Bunpuku's hand.
Then, the others also began to greet each other. Many pictures of the visiting delegation and Konoha's high-ranking officials were taken by the propaganda ninjas. Once the Yamanaka clan members developed the images, it would be time for the propaganda department to begin its work.
After both sides exchanged greetings, Fumori Masaki accompanied Bunpuku as they walked into the village.
Everyone else followed. Upon entering the village, the Konoha ninjas responsible for security set up a boundary, and beyond that boundary, many Konoha residents had gathered, looking at the Sunagakure visiting delegation.
In the past, the leaders of other ninja villages had visited Konoha, but those were always during the Chunin Exams. Given the secrecy of ninjas, it was naturally not for the public to observe. They were only there to watch the Chunin Exams and did not need to be seen by others. This time, however, was different. The visiting delegation, led by Bunpuku, represented an attitude of friendly cooperation with Konoha Village, and this was something the Konoha residents needed to know.
On the way to the Hokage's office, Bunpuku once again observed the situation inside Konoha Village. He saw clean streets, orderly houses, beautiful plazas, and various other surprising things.
A large number of Konoha residents had gathered nearby. Their appearance showed that they lived well here, wearing beautiful and clean clothes. Compared to the monotonous Sunagakure, Konoha Village was a vibrant world, incredibly prosperous.
Bunpuku had already imagined Konoha Village in his mind, and the Land of Rain was already quite astonishing, but Konoha Village still exceeded his expectations. His expression seemed to be noticed by Fumori Masaki, who asked, "Lord Kazekage, what do you think of our Konoha?"
"It's incredible. If possible, I truly wish I could live here," Bunpuku replied, coming back to his senses, with a hint of regret. "However, I am not a person of this village, and I likely won't be in the future."
"Then you can try to build your own village into this kind of appearance," Fumori Masaki said. "Lord Kazekage's purpose in coming here surely includes this aspect, right?"
Bunpuku smiled. He had no doubt that Fumori Masaki would know his thoughts, and he himself had no qualms about admitting it. For his village, this was only natural. As the leader of Sunagakure, if he didn't have this idea, then he would be an unqualified leader.
Everyone arrived at the Hokage's office. At this point, the Konoha residents could no longer watch and could only reluctantly see the Sunagakure delegation enter the Hokage's office. They then dispersed, but their discussions did not cease. They also looked forward to the upcoming newspapers, which would surely publish news of this visit.
"Lord Kazekage, thank you very much for visiting our village. This plays an important role in strengthening the cohesion of the alliance." Before the official activities began, Fumori Masaki and Bunpuku entered a room to speak privately.
"Lord Hokage, I should be the one saying thank you. After the victory in the war, you did not impose overly harsh measures on Sunagakure, allowing us the opportunity to embark on a bright path again. All of this is due to your benevolence," Bunpuku said.
"Haha, there's no need for such flattery. You are the Kage of a village, equal in status to me. We should converse as equals," Fumori Masaki chuckled.
"This is a necessary expression of gratitude, Lord Hokage, please accept it," Bunpuku gently shook his head.
"Since Lord Kazekage says so, I will accept it. This visit involves many activities, and I hope you, Lord Kazekage, can cooperate fully. As I said before, this is a necessary means to strengthen the cohesion of the alliance," Fumori Masaki nodded.
"I understand, of course. For Sunagakure, this is also the best method. I truly hope the alliance can function normally, and that both our countries and ninja villages can achieve stable development. Regarding this, I also have many questions that I need to ask. I wonder if Lord Hokage can answer them?"
"Of course. However, I hope some things can be discussed privately. As for what should be said publicly, I hope Lord Kazekage can consider it carefully."
"That would be wonderful," Bunpuku smiled. At this moment, he suddenly felt a tremor from Shukaku within him, and he couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
Noticing Bunpuku's unusual expression, Fumori Masaki's gaze sharpened slightly and he said, "Lord Kazekage, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Bunpuku's expression returned to calm. "It's just that the Tailed Beast within me is a little restless. As you know, I am a Jinchuriki, and I don't possess the powerful abilities of Lady Mito of your village. Calming a Tailed Beast is not an easy task."
"With Lord Kazekage's abilities, being able to control a Tailed Beast without any rampage occurring is a rare and valuable feat. Other ninja villages have experienced Tailed Beast rampages."
Among the Five Great Ninja Villages, only Sunagakure and Konoha Village had never experienced a Tailed Beast rampage. The Jinchuriki of both villages were able to control their Tailed Beasts, while other ninja villages had experienced Tailed Beast rampages in their early stages, causing residents to feel great fear towards Tailed Beasts, which led to the rejection of Jinchuriki.
"We will have some activities coming up, and I hope Lord Kazekage can participate fully. This is the relevant list. Some questions can be answered within it, while others should be discussed privately. I have also indicated which questions can be asked and which cannot. Lord Kazekage, please take a good look at it." Fumori Masaki pulled out a scroll and handed it to Bunpuku, who took it and slowly began to read.
"Well, I'll have to consider it carefully. You know, I was just an old monk before, and I'm not very skilled at such matters, and the activities Lord Hokage is holding are things I've never heard of," Bunpuku said to Fumori Masaki after finishing reading, with a hint of helplessness in his tone.
"It's alright, our village is also doing this for the first time. Lord Kazekage can discuss it thoroughly with the people from your village," Fumori Masaki said. Such activities for welcoming foreign guests and conducting external propaganda had never been done by ninja villages, which were historically closed off. Even for Konoha Village, this was a first.
"You must be tired from your long journey. Lord Kazekage, please rest well first. We will have a luncheon before the official activities begin." Fumori Masaki stood up and escorted Bunpuku to the accommodation prepared for the Sunagakure delegation.
Looking at Bunpuku beside him, Fumori Masaki discreetly glanced at his palm. The mark left by Son Goku, the Four-Tails, was slightly red. That was the result of him injecting chakra into it. Although it wasn't the power of the Four-Tails, it was still natural energy, and it seemed to have caused some reaction.
Bunpuku's expression earlier allowed Fumori Masaki to confirm that Shukaku within Bunpuku must have also sensed this power. Therefore, discussing the Tailed Beasts with Bunpuku in the future should become smoother. Perhaps Shukaku would even proactively demand to know.