"No problem."
Tomoki turned around, smiling at the somewhat nervous Sunagakure Team Leader.
"Hokage-sama, are you interested in the Rouran Ancient Kingdom? I happen to know quite a bit about it, so why don't I give you a thorough introduction?"
The Sunagakure Team Leader, who doesn't deserve a name, was clearly a man of etiquette. He didn't immediately get to the point but instead started chatting with Tomoki.
"Then, I appreciate your trouble!"
Tomoki gladly accepted. Since Sunagakure didn't bring it up, Tomoki naturally wouldn't rush to invite the Hidden Sand Village to join.
After the decline of the Rouran Ancient Kingdom, its legacy was taken by the Land of Wind. Although the Hidden Sand Village's relationship with the daimyo wasn't great, it still knew much more about it than Konoha.
A real kingdom, of course, couldn't be clearly described in just a few panels in the original work.
Most of the time, the Sunagakure Team Leader spoke, and Tomoki only occasionally asked one or two questions.
In this way, Tomoki listened to stories for almost an entire morning and toured the Rouran Ancient Kingdom again.
When the sun reached its zenith, and it was time for lunch, Tomoki extended an invitation.
"Sir, how about you join me for a meal? Firstly, as a thank you, and secondly, I'd like to ask you a few more questions."
The Sunagakure Team Leader, who had been holding back from discussing business all morning, naturally wouldn't refuse.
Thus, led by Tomoki, they arrived at a one-bedroom, one-living-room apartment.
When traveling, one naturally wouldn't eat a lavish meal, but it was rare to have hot dishes, and the supplies were purchased in the Land of Wind.
For Tomoki, it was exotic cuisine, but for the Sunagakure Team Leader, it was the taste of home.
Both of them ate with great relish.
After the meal.
Tomoki personally brewed a pot of tea. That's right, Tomoki had also learned this essential skill for important figures, and he did it quite well.
He wasn't incredibly skilled, but he was at least no worse than Fugaku or Hiashi.
The two of them sipped tea while continuing the morning's topic, discussing matters concerning Rouran for a while.
When the pot of tea was empty, Tomoki picked up the last cup in front of him and spoke.
"Thank you for your time today, sir. I'll see you out!"
Although he said he would see him out, Tomoki merely held his teacup without moving, his meaning clear: be smart and leave on your own.
The Sunagakure Team Leader understood, and because of that, he became anxious.
Just telling some stories completely unrelated to Sunagakure, being able to have lunch with Konoha's Hokage, and even drinking tea personally brewed by him, seemed very worthwhile.
But the Sunagakure Team Leader's goal wasn't this. He didn't want to tell stories, nor did he lack this meal or a cup of tea.
Although Tomoki's status was evident, he should feel honored, but that's a lie!
He was a Sunagakure Ninja, not a Konoha Ninja. Tomoki wasn't Rasa, so he felt no honor whatsoever.
Everyone knew that as the Sunagakure Team Leader, he certainly wasn't here to tell stories, eat, and drink tea with the Konoha Hokage.
But Tomoki consistently avoided discussing other matters, only talking about the Rouran Ancient Kingdom's history.
At this point, the Sunagakure Team Leader had no choice but to bite the bullet and state his true objective.
"Hokage-sama, I wonder if the Sunagakure ninjas could also receive the baptism of the Dragon Vein's power?"
No matter what Konoha was doing, as long as their own people could experience it, even if they still couldn't replicate Konoha's method, they could at least understand what those pods were for.
After speaking, the Sunagakure Team Leader looked at Tomoki somewhat nervously.
"Hmm~"
Tomoki pondered for a moment, setting down his teacup while slightly furrowing his brow.
In that instant, the Sunagakure Team Leader broke out in a cold sweat because Tomoki's aura had changed, as if a sleeping lion had opened its eyes.
This made the Sunagakure Team Leader, whose intuition was sharper than average, feel as if a giant mountain was about to crush him, leaving him without a burial place.
"Konoha and Sunagakure are both regular members of the Shinobi Alliance. Logically, I shouldn't refuse, but for something like this, can a mere team leader like you make the decision? Have Rasa come and talk to me!"
Tomoki still spoke with a gentle smile, but the Sunagakure Team Leader didn't see it that way.
There was great terror here and now!
He wanted to escape immediately, inform the Village of everything, and let Rasa decide.
But if he did that, what good was he as a team leader?
Did the Village have to rely on Rasa for everything? For Sunagakure, and for his own future, he would stake everything!
"Hokage-sama, Sunagakure doesn't request to receive the Dragon Vein's power on a large scale like Konoha. We only need one or two slots!"
After saying this with great determination, the Sunagakure Team Leader seemed to lose all strength, his posture becoming somewhat timid.
Looking at the Sunagakure Team Leader, who could still speak clearly despite his deliberate pressure, Tomoki mentally complained about how unreliable 'aura' was.
He figured only those newly graduated Little Brats would be scared speechless; every mature Ninja could overcome their inner fear.
No longer targeting the Sunagakure Ninja, Tomoki thought to himself.
You Sunagakure ninjas brought this upon yourselves; I couldn't drive you away even if I wanted to!
"If it's just one or two people, then it's not a big problem."
Not only had his goal been achieved, but also because he no longer felt the immense pressure like a collapsing sky, the Sunagakure Team Leader let out a huge sigh of relief and immediately said,
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
While bowing deeply, the Sunagakure Team Leader thought to himself, Konoha's Hokage-sama is far less strict than Rasa-sama in everyday life.
"You're welcome!"
Tomoki's classic smile returned to his face, and then he said,
"Now, let's discuss the price!"
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