Hokage Tower, conference room.
Maki sat upright in his guest chair, spine straight.
In contrast, Shuji sitting across from him appeared much more casual.
"We haven't met for two years now, Maki-san."
"Indeed. The responsibilities Jōnin Shuji shoulders are growing heavier compared to before." Maki responded cautiously.
"Are Elder Ebizō and Elder Chiyo in good health?"
"Thank you for your concern. Both elders have always been well."
Maki patiently responded to Shuji's meaningless pleasantries.
Not until watching Shuji seemingly truly planning to continue this kind of small talk and consume the scheduled meeting time did he stop hesitating and proactively guide the topic toward the main point.
"Regarding the upcoming joint Chūnin Exam and related matters, Sunagakure Village has some new circumstances and issues. We hope to have honest communication with Konoha as allies."
"Last year Elder Chiyo seemed to promise Sunagakure would unconditionally participate in Konoha's hosted joint Chūnin Exams for three years." Shuji indicated for him to continue while casually mentioning, "This is only the second year."
Maki said solemnly, "Although it's shameless for me to say such things now, for the village's future, Sunagakure hopes to negotiate with Konoha and reach a new treaty."
He paused briefly before throwing out his first point. "From past shinobi world conventions, joint Chūnin Exam hosting shouldn't be this frequent. This exceeds normal exchange needs."
Shuji answered calmly, "Conventions are conventions. But last year's agreement Elder Chiyo reached with Konoha on Sunagakure's behalf, whether written or verbal, made no clear limitations on hosting frequency."
Maki immediately responded, his tone softening somewhat. "Precisely. Therefore, we actually have no intention of criticizing Konoha for seizing this point in the agreement text and actively hosting exams. After all, current Chūnin Exams are gradually evolving into important activities that can bring enormous prestige and actual profits."
"Even if Konoha's side uses the agreement's advantages to host three or four times a year, as long as they have the capability, it's within understandable range. Sunagakure has no standing to oppose this."
Reaching this point, he revealed Sunagakure's card. "But the treaty didn't stipulate a minimum number of participants we must dispatch each time, nor did it restrict our right to independently host Chūnin Exams."
"Sunagakure Village likewise possesses the capability and venues to independently host Chūnin Exams. Even if the number of tourists we can attract doesn't match Konoha's, whether three hundred or five hundred people, it can always bring some profits."
"After all, compared to fulfilling agreements with no future returns, we must seek more valuable paths forward."
So they've changed negotiation strategies. Shuji understood in his heart. Sunagakure's people no longer relied purely on displaying tough or even somewhat domineering attitudes as when encountering difficulties before.
However, this card wasn't big enough, especially this year when the previously isolated Kirigakure Village also unexpectedly showed participation intentions.
Of course, from Zabuza's request to observe the venue and deeply understand processes from the start, Kirigakure's ultimate purpose was most likely also wanting to set up their own system in the future.
But that was for later. At least right now, Kirigakure's participation was a good card for Konoha.
Cards that could be used could naturally be played first.
"Naturally that's possible." A faint smile appeared on Shuji's face, his tone seeming very tolerant. "However Sunagakure wants to host exams is fine."
"Kirigakure's envoys have already arrived. Presumably with their participation, this year's Chūnin Exam will likewise be very exciting."
Maki's face tightened somewhat. Kirigakure's participation was indeed unexpected.
Even if Sunagakure adopted a passive attitude this year, only dispatching minimum teams to perfunctorily compete, as long as they had the gimmick of Kirigakure's first participation in joint village Chūnin Exams, with the banner of "four great shinobi villages gathering," Konoha's exam ticket and peripheral profits this year would definitely prove very considerable.
Perhaps even higher profits than that competition Cloud Village hosted.
He momentarily flashed the thought of withdrawing to express Sunagakure's determination, but this notion was quickly suppressed by Maki.
Without sufficient leverage and follow-up methods, casually using the bottom line of breaching agreements to force an opponent whose comprehensive strength far exceeded their own and whose current momentum was thriving proved foolish. It would only invite more severe retaliation.
The other side hadn't even played the resources card yet. If Konoha raised prices even slightly on things given to Sunagakure, they would have a hard time this year.
In today's shinobi world environment, Konoha had already signed peace agreements or ceasefire treaties with all major shinobi villages. The overall atmosphere trended toward easing and development.
If Sunagakure proactively stirred up waves at this moment, breaking this fragile environment, those first harmed would probably be Sunagakure itself.
Without sufficient, visible success expectations, they couldn't possibly take this dangerous first step.
Watching Maki temporarily unable to find more arguments, Shuji suddenly changed his tone. "However, Sunagakure's request isn't entirely incomprehensible."
"It's just that what we hope to see is an appropriate number established on a realistic foundation, not a vague request."
"Regarding this point, please have Maki-san go back and consider clearly. Bring out a more specific plan. We'll talk again next time."
Having said this, Shuji stood up, indicating today's meeting could end here. Anko, who had been quietly waiting in the corner, immediately followed.
"Shuji, didn't you already refute him just now? Why did you loosen up first at the end?" Leaving the conference room and walking in the quiet corridor, Anko couldn't help lowering her voice to ask.
"Refute?" Shuji shook his head. "Can't call it refuting. There's no such thing as refuting opponents at negotiation tables."
"Today was just that this year's situation favors us. The cards he can play aren't numerous or good enough."
The huge benefit brought by Chūnin Exam commercialization couldn't forever be monopolized by Konoha alone or by Konoha and Cloud Village together.
As long as Konoha also succeeded this year, next year Kirigakure would follow. Sunagakure would also follow through other methods privately.
The new competition being prepared with Cloud Village was the same. After negotiating properly and profiting for one year, what about afterward?
Other shinobi villages weren't fools. Even without the combined appeal of Konoha and Cloud Village working together, they could likewise organize similar activities within their own spheres of influence, even if on smaller scales.
By then, various "combat exchanges" and "elite competitions" sprouting messily across the shinobi world would instead scatter the market's attention and lower overall profits. No good for anyone.
Better to take advantage of the initial settled pattern, while Konoha and Cloud Village held first-mover advantages, to start preparing now and attempt establishing a more orderly competition or cooperation framework.
If Sunagakure, Cloud Village, and Konoha first reached preliminary agreements on joint Chūnin Exam frequency, scale, and profit distribution, they could hope to pull interested Kirigakure in as well.
If they could form a relatively stable cooperation model among four major shinobi villages, what about the remaining Iwagakure Village?
By then, Iwagakure would need to seriously consider whether to remain outside this gradually forming new system.