After making a deal with Tsunade, the 'Body Enhancement Surgery' business in Konoha Village changed hands. Orochimaru then freed up his time and stationed a clone in Sunagakure Village.
Besides earning some extra money, it also served as a way to stay in touch with Sunagakure Village, making it convenient to control them during critical moments.
Just like now.
"Are the Sand Nin dissatisfied with my surgery results?" Orochimaru smirked, a hint of mockery in his smile. "By all accounts, they shouldn't be. If this were Konoha, this surgery would be in high demand."
Kazekage Rasa and Granny Chiyo's expressions turned a bit awkward upon hearing this.
An opportunity to strengthen the village was right before them, yet financial issues meant they had to let it slip away. As top officials of a village, their position was truly awkward.
However, as the saying goes, a family's dirt shouldn't be aired in public. Orochimaru bringing this matter up so directly was clearly meant to mock them, and it was quite annoying.
"Orochimaru, let's be straightforward," Granny Chiyo said, her brows furrowed and her voice grave. "You know about our village's financial troubles. Why come here and say such unpleasant things?"
Hearing Chiyo speak, Orochimaru showed no reaction, but Kazekage Rasa spoke first. "Elder, there's no need to say that. I believe Lord Orochimaru is here to discuss something else."
As he spoke, his gaze fixed on the smiling Orochimaru before him. "Whatever you have to say, please just say it directly."
"Kazekage-sama is indeed perceptive."
Orochimaru licked his lips and chuckled. "I have a deal that requires the cooperation of the Sand Nin. After it's done, all future Sand Nin who undergo 'Body Enhancement Surgery' will receive a 10% discount."
"Are you serious?" Granny Chiyo couldn't help but ask.
In transactions between ordinary people, a 10% discount wouldn't mean much. But when scaled up to deals between villages, it represented a massive flow of capital. Even Granny Chiyo, an elder, couldn't help but be tempted.
Kazekage Rasa's eyes also flashed with a glint. He never expected the other party to offer such an irresistible deal right off the bat. However, as the leader of a village, he maintained some reason and didn't immediately agree.
"Please tell us what you need first, Lord."
It had only been a little over a week since the Akatsuki Organization attacked Konoha. As a participant in that war, Rasa knew firsthand how terrifying their leader, Pain, was as an enemy. If Konoha wanted to counter-attack the Akatsuki Organization and enlist Sunagakure Village as an ally, Rasa was somewhat reluctant.
Or rather, the previous offer was far from enough.
"Rest assured, this has nothing to do with Konoha. It's a private commission of mine."
Orochimaru pulled up a chair and sat down, leaning back slightly. He smiled, "This commission requires no fighting at all. It's just a formality, a bit of acting."
Kazekage Rasa and Chiyo also sat down, waiting for him to continue.
"I plan to trade with Queen Roran for the Dragon Veins, but the Roran people are being somewhat uncooperative."
Orochimaru smiled. "I can't exactly kill them all with force, so I need your cooperation to put on a show."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Kazekage and Elder of Sunagakure Village before him changed their expressions.
The Dragon Veins of Roran were essentially a piece of chicken to the village – not tasty enough to eat, but a shame to throw away. But their intrinsic value was immeasurable, and being within the Land of Wind, how could they hand them over so easily?
Just because they couldn't utilize it now didn't mean they wouldn't be able to in the future. Although the village and Konoha were currently on good terms, from a long-term perspective, this trade should absolutely not go through.
However, looking at it another way, there would be no future without the present. Given Sunagakure Village's current conditions, the top priority was to escape their predicament and reverse the village's gradual decline.
"Lord Orochimaru, the value of the Dragon Veins is immeasurable,"
Kazekage Rasa said, his brow furrowed. "To give away the Dragon Veins for such a small thing is to underestimate Sunagakure Village greatly."
In other words, the offer wasn't enough.
"Tsk... indeed, a mere discount is far from comparable to the Dragon Veins."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow but then shifted his gaze, "But perhaps you've misunderstood something, Kazekage-sama. The Dragon Veins do not belong to Sunagakure Village."
Kazekage Rasa was momentarily stunned.
It was true that Roran was nominally within the Land of Wind, but the desert was vast and sparsely populated. If no one objected, the Land of Wind's territory could eternally extend westward, even encompassing Mount Myōboku.
The reason the Roran people hadn't openly declared their independence was their apprehension towards Sunagakure Village. However, in substance, they had no real affiliation with the Land of Wind.
The money they paid periodically was less like taxes and more like protection money.
Of course, Sunagakure Village could also say that natural treasures belong to the virtuous, and might makes right.
But this argument might work on the Roran people, yet it wouldn't work on Orochimaru. His fist was equally, if not more, powerful, so this line of reasoning wouldn't solve anything. Instead, it would tear down their relationship and lead to direct confrontation.
"The transaction of the Dragon Veins has already been confirmed with Queen Roran, and the corresponding price has been agreed upon,"
Orochimaru subtly wove a lie, but the logic was convincing. "Sunagakure Village is not a party to this transaction. You are simply providing a service for the next engagement. The discount on surgeries is more than enough."
Kazekage Rasa frowned, finding himself unable to refute it.
Of course, it wasn't that Orochimaru's words were seamless. Fundamentally, Sunagakure Village was simply no match for Orochimaru or Konoha; they were far inferior.
In such a situation, if the other party spoke reasonably, they had to respond reasonably, having no means to upend the table.
If the power dynamic were reversed, there would be no opportunity to entertain such nonsense. They would simply flex their muscles and let Orochimaru and Roran understand the principle that 'the Dragon Veins belong to Sunagakure Village.'
"No, the village absolutely cannot agree to this."
Granny Chiyo, who had been listening to the entire transaction, suddenly declared, "This is simply an insult to Sunagakure Village."
She understood the principle of having to yield to superior strength, but while temporary compromise was acceptable, bowing to such an extent would damage the fighting spirit of the Sand Nin.
Having lived her entire life in Sunagakure Village, Granny Chiyo knew very well what was most important to the village.
The price Orochimaru offered was quite generous, but the very nature of this transaction, taking place on Land of Wind territory, yet bypassing Sunagakure Village, clearly showed a lack of respect.
Granny Chiyo's attitude made Orochimaru shake his head, thinking to himself, "Tsk... what an old fossil."
Spiritual beliefs and such were indeed important, but they could be guided and shaped. Sunagakure was far from comparable to Konoha in this regard, being too fixated on superficial matters.
Among the commoners and ordinary ninja of Konoha, who would think that the Hokage and Danzo of the Root were once companions? They were distinct, one light and the other dark.
Looking at the leadership of Sunagakure in this state, Orochimaru felt that the village's current predicament was no accident.
However, he had already prepared for the current situation.
Turning his gaze to the Kazekage, who looked conflicted and reluctant to clash with the village elder, Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "Elder Chiyo seems to have misunderstood. I absolutely have no intention of underestimating Sunagakure."
Granny Chiyo stared directly at Orochimaru, her gaze sharp and demanding. "But you have done so."
Chiyo was indeed a seasoned veteran of Sunagakure Village. After all, there were two types of elderly people in this world: one type becomes more fearful of death as they age, slowly becoming timid, like Danzo. The other type feels they have lived a full life and becomes braver with age. In this regard, they were practically invincible.
Having made up her mind, she paid no heed to Orochimaru's strength and was full of courage and spirit.
Even the Kazekage couldn't help but inwardly remark on the old woman's bravery. Although such thoughts could dampen morale, he himself couldn't remain completely calm under Orochimaru's imposing aura. He was far from the current Sunagakure Elder.
"This is just a misunderstanding."
Orochimaru didn't look at Chiyo. His gaze was fixed on Rasa, and he suddenly smiled. "Kazekage-sama, haven't you ever considered where the Roran people, who have lost the protection of the Dragon Veins and are carrying the funds from the transaction, will go?"
This question caused both the aggressive Chiyo and the pensive Kazekage to pause.
Indeed, after losing the Dragon Veins' protection, it would be impossible for the Roran people to survive in the desert. Setting aside natural disasters, they would have trouble evading human malice alone.
Possession of wealth invites trouble. At that point, the Roran people would be no different from children holding gold in a bustling market. Even Sunagakure would be tempted to play the role of bandits.
"In the transaction, I didn't agree to provide too much protection for Queen Roran," Orochimaru smirked, revealing his sharp white teeth. "But Sunagakure can do this."
"Sufficient population, and carrying a large amount of funds... what does this mean for Sunagakure Village at this time? I don't think I need to elaborate."
Granny Chiyo and Kazekage Rasa exchanged glances, and their eyes lit up.
They were moved.
Compared to the offer that followed, the previous discount offered by Orochimaru was mere pocket change.
Leaving aside the population issue for a moment, the funds used to trade with Roran would be immense. With these people carrying the money staying in Sunagakure Village, it was practically like a lamb walking into a tiger's mouth. It was a win-win situation for the village.
This transaction was no longer simply 'Sunagakure cooperating in a play, and Orochimaru offering a partial discount on surgeries.' It was now about dividing Roran: one side obtaining the Dragon Veins, and the other gaining Roran's population and significant funds.
By this calculation, Orochimaru truly wasn't underestimating Sunagakure Village. Both parties were on equal footing at the negotiation table.
However, Sunagakure Village could actually profit even more.
"Before, you said you wouldn't provide too much protection for Roran..."
After exchanging glances, Granny Chiyo and Kazekage turned their attention back to Orochimaru. "Specifically, what level of protection are we talking about?"
"That's quite simple. It's just enough to prevent Roran from being completely destroyed and pillaged."
Orochimaru grinned, showing his rows of sharp white teeth. "Sunagakure Village should also not be too greedy. This transaction doesn't just involve the two of us; Queen Roran also holds a seat."
The rampant natural energy of the Dragon Veins still required Queen Roran's appeasement. He naturally wouldn't completely abandon her after the transaction.
If it were that simple, he might as well have just buried everyone with the sandstorm from before.
Granny Chiyo frowned. Her question was merely a probe, but Orochimaru's attitude was concerning.
If Roran were to integrate into Sunagakure Village afterward, Orochimaru's protection would be too intrusive, essentially planting a nail within Sunagakure Village.
This was absolutely unacceptable.
"Please don't overthink it. I have no interest in Sunagakure Village."
Orochimaru waved his hand. "It's only limited protection. As long as you don't go too far, I won't intervene in a 'normal' village integration."
The immense power of the Dragon Veins wouldn't be utilized only once. He should maintain a good relationship with Queen Roran, but this didn't mean he would satisfy all her demands.
Since the Roran people would be entering Sunagakure Village later, being annexed and integrated was the general trend. Opposing it was meaningless. He would only ensure the process was smoother, avoiding unnecessary harm.
Although there were three parties at the negotiation table, besides Orochimaru and Sunagakure Village, the third party was indeed quite weak, only able to play both sides.
But this was already a very good deal.
If Queen Roran could not control the Dragon Veins and was targeted by both Orochimaru and Sunagakure Village, she would have been completely consumed.
Now, Orochimaru had obtained the Dragon Veins and had an assistant to stably control natural energy. Sunagakure Village obtained a large amount of funds and population, giving them a chance to emerge from years of decline. And Queen Roran successfully protected her people.
Everyone was a winner. This was a three-way win.
There was no sign of a loser at the negotiation table, or rather, the loser wouldn't have had the opportunity to be at the table in the first place.
"..."
Granny Chiyo and Kazekage Rasa deliberated for a long time and found no reason to refuse. This was, in fact, an excellent opportunity.
"The conditions are very tempting," Granny Chiyo's attitude softened considerably compared to before. "So, what exactly do you want us to do?"
"As I said from the beginning, it's just a bit of acting."
Orochimaru smiled and, without being asked, picked up the teapot from the Kazekage's table and poured himself a cup.
...
After leaving the Kazekage's office, a smile appeared on Orochimaru's lips.
In reality, there was another layer to this transaction.
Although the surgery affairs in Konoha had been fully entrusted to Tsunade, the 'Body Enhancement Surgery' itself remained a good tool for accumulating wealth.
When the Roran people arrived in Sunagakure, for their livelihood and to establish themselves, their funds would flow into Sunagakure Village. Afterward, through the surgery, this extra capital would return to him.
This wouldn't have happened originally because Sunagakure Village's finances were indeed tight. But after he injected new capital flow, this stagnant pool would begin to flow again.
This was also a cycle, a cycle involving three parties.
He appeared to be giving much, but he would reclaim it all in a short time.
As for Sunagakure Village becoming stronger due to the influx of fresh capital, Orochimaru didn't care.
This wasn't underestimating the strength of the Sand Nin, but rather that he wouldn't give them the opportunity to stand on the opposing side.
On the contrary, if the conditions were right, they could even be used to his advantage.
"Now, all that's left is to wait," Orochimaru licked his lips. "Wait to meet that Queen tomorrow. She's still in the dark."
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