Jiraiya ultimately decided to sign the agreement, taking a batch of goods with him.
As the traveling Toad Sage of the ninja world, there was no doubt he'd be able to spread Sunagakure's business across the continent.
The shinobi world had been in chaos for far too long. And Sunagakure, located in the desert with scarce water and few attractive resources, needed a bit of "strategy" if they wanted to draw more people in—to show the world how much the village had changed.
However...
"Mind telling me why… it's been nearly half a month, and…" Rasa stared at the black-and-white duo in front of him, speechless. "Why are you two still here?"
In fact, hadn't the number of unfamiliar people in the village been increasing lately?
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Don't tell me… you've transferred all the White Zetsu here?"
"Of course not~ The shinobi world's huge. Other areas need White Zetsu for surveillance too. I just redeployed some of them," said a grinning Black Zetsu, teeth bared. "After all, this place is going to be Mother's base."
"???"
What the hell do you mean by base?!
Rasa's face twitched as he stared at Black Zetsu. "This is Sunagakure. And I'm the Kazekage of Sunagakure!"
"We know. But Mother can only manifest here, I've got no choice," Black Zetsu said, spreading his hands helplessly. Then he flashed a grin. "Why don't you hand over that… thing?"
"You're dreaming."
"Relax, Fourth Kazekage. Since Mother told me to behave, I won't stir up trouble. And... from a certain perspective, we're actually on the same side."
"Who's on the same side as you?" Rasa rolled his eyes and snapped. "I've sworn to become a protector of the shinobi world, to lead its people toward a happy, prosperous life!"
"Hey, we're working toward peace too~!"
"You think I'm some idiot like Uchiha Madara or Uchiha Obito?!"
"You do know things." Black Zetsu narrowed his eyes at Rasa. "I did some digging into your background. Aside from being the Third Kazekage's student and having Magnet Release, there's nothing particularly special. So… who told you all this?"
"You…" Rasa blinked. "Why don't you take a guess?"
"..." Black Zetsu stared silently for a moment, then muttered, "Hagoromo? Hamura? Some backup the Sage of Six Paths left behind? Or... maybe you learned it from those damn toads?"
"Too bad, wrong on all counts." Rasa smiled meaningfully but didn't pursue the topic. Instead, he changed his tone and expression, his face turning serious as he looked at Black Zetsu. "Sunagakure is one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. We've always been committed to peace and the future of the shinobi world. We're not some den of corruption. What exactly do you take us for? Pack up your people and leave."
"If I'm not mistaken… Sunagakure's got several major construction projects coming up that are seriously understaffed."
"And so what? I've got an entire neighboring country's worth of population waiting for me to tap into. And at the current stage of the shinobi world… recruiting people is way too easy."
After all, war had created a massive wave of refugees.
"But White Zetsu doesn't need to eat, doesn't need to rest, doesn't poop, isn't afraid of heat or cold, can burrow underground, and even go underwater…"
However, before he could finish—
"Say no more."
To Black Zetsu's stunned surprise, Rasa suddenly reached out and shook his hand warmly.
"From now on, White Zetsu will be recognized as Sunagakure's Model Worker No. 1. Whatever you want this village to be—go for it."
How could he forget such ideal workers?
Hardy, diligent, obedient, tireless, and not even requiring food or sleep.
With a grin that was both welcoming and slightly sinister, Rasa beamed:
"Now that you've come to Sunagakure, you're one of us. Sunagakure welcomes you!"
...
Late Konoha Year 49.
The shinobi world, long used to the war up north, was finally beginning to relax. The tension that had followed Kumogakure's surprise attack on Konoha had faded.
Taking advantage of the situation, each of the great nations and hidden villages began to develop quietly, aiming to close the gap between themselves and the Land of Fire… and the other major powers.
Meanwhile...
Thanks to the footsteps of a certain perverted white-haired hedgehog, Sunagakure's products had begun to appear in obscure countries and minor shinobi villages across the world.
Among them, the talking glass figurines and the Gold Panner Gift Pack sold the best. As for the four-wheel drive cars...
The shinobi world didn't seem quite ready to accept them.
...
Early Konoha Year 50
A new manga titled "Dash! Yonkuro (Let's & Go!!)" quietly debuted.
Author: "Tobi."
Although the author wasn't very well known, the refined illustrations and confident linework made it clear—
This wasn't the work of a rookie artist.
...
March, Konoha Year 50
Sunagakure completed development of its first large black-and-white digital gaming machine.
"Brick Break, Snake, Tetris, Gomoku, Go... these are some pretty familiar games~" Rasa murmured as he stared at the enormous metal gaming console that looked bulkier than a computer from two thousand years ago. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly. "But right now, this thing probably has no real market value."
Ordinary people couldn't afford it, and those who could probably weren't interested in such a massive machine. Why waste time on this when you could grab a buddy and do a one-on-one ninjutsu duel? Way more exciting than some clunky black-and-white screen.
After fiddling with it for a bit, he glanced over at Advisor Chiyo, then fell into thought.
"It needs a redesign. First, shrink the size and lower the cost—make it small enough for shopkeepers to display outside their doors. Second, upgrade the visuals—go full color, and add more game content."
For example—Fist of the Shinobi King 50… or maybe Fist of the Shinobi King 51. At that point, who would even want war?
Let everyone settle things through esports.
Just imagine the future—
Madara Uchiha, controlling Hashirama Senju, screaming that "Hashirama is trash! Can't even combo or ult properly!"
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi, playing as Danzo Shimura, would gently advise the Danzo-player Hiruzen: "You… need more practice~"
A bunch of ninjas shouting at arcade cabinets, pounding on the controls when they lost, yelling—
"Boss! Four more tokens!"
That sight...
Truly beautiful!
"So, the road to gaming development… still has a long way to go~"
...
Late Konoha Year 50.
The war between Konoha and Kumogakure began to stall out.
Ten years of fighting had taken a toll that neither side could afford. Mid-level combatants were depleted, and their remaining strength was clearly stretched thin.
Especially on Konoha's side...
During the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha had fought on four fronts. The Fourth Hokage had died. The Legendary Sannin had either left or gone rogue. And yet they still had to fend off Kumogakure's assaults and Kirigakure's harassment.
It was utterly exhausting.
Late Spring, Konoha Year 51
Both Konoha and Kumogakure seemed to be harboring thoughts of a ceasefire. But neither wanted to be the first to "surrender," and so the war hit a stalemate.
Autumn, Konoha Year 51
Kumogakure finally extended an olive branch, declaring, "No fight, no friendship!" and expressing a desire to ally with Konoha and protect peace in the shinobi world together.
Konoha, too, readily accepted, acknowledging Kumogakure's shared ideals of maintaining peace in the ninja world.
No side surrendered.
And yet—
The war… ended.