Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 93: The Embassy and Education Reform

What is the biggest problem facing the Kazekage right now?

It's Shukaku.

The frequent rampages of Shukaku have brought enormous losses to Sunagakure. After witnessing Konoha's methods for handling the Three-Tails, it's only natural for Rasa to seize the opportunity to gain something beneficial.

Of course, Mangekyō Sharingan wasn't an option, so the solution lay elsewhere—the Four-Way Barrier Seal.

The Four-Way Barrier Seal was both a sealing technique and a barrier technique. It required four shinobi to activate it, with the sealing patterns pre-inscribed by a sealing expert beforehand.

Because the sealing patterns were pre-prepared, even shinobi who didn't know sealing techniques could successfully use it.

It was somewhat similar to the sealing techniques used by the Allied Shinobi Forces during the fight against the reanimated shinobi.

However, compared to the original Four-Way Barrier Seal used to suppress the Three-Tails, this version had undergone numerous improvements based on experiments with the Three-Tails. With the input of several sealing experts, it had become more effective.

Thus…

In Rasa's view, Haneda Fuji placing a plan document on the table before him was no coincidence.

"Konoha believes that it's necessary to strengthen the bond between allies, which is why this plan exists. If Sunagakure agrees, we can dispatch shinobi to assist with handling the Tailed Beast."

Rasa frowned.

A plan?

It seemed this had been prepared long before his arrival.

He picked up the document and began reading. The room was silent except for the sound of flipping pages.

After a while, Rasa stopped flipping through the pages.

The document's primary proposal was simple: Sunagakure and Konoha would establish embassies in each other's villages, with shinobi stationed there permanently to facilitate diplomatic communication.

The two sides could collaborate in various areas, and Sunagakure would have the opportunity to openly study Konoha's policies.

Though it wasn't explicitly stated, it was clear that the diplomats stationed in the embassies would be closely monitored.

"Lord Hokage, who does your village plan to send as the ambassador?"

"Koharu Utatane, Konoha's former advisor," Minato said with a smile. "If Sunagakure is willing, please send a shinobi of equal rank."

"..."

Rasa wanted to refuse outright.

Is this a joke?

Even though Sunagakure hadn't fully grasped the details of Konoha's recent political upheaval, they knew that Koharu Utatane was on the losing side.

The fact that she hadn't been eliminated outright was due to Minato's leniency.

But she had been an advisor, privy to many of Konoha's secrets.

Now, Konoha was asking for someone of equal status to be stationed in their village in exchange?

What choice did he have? It's not as if he could send Sunagakure's top officials to Konoha… or could he?

Thinking of the two elders who had retired and no longer held authority, Rasa's expression softened.

"I can agree to this plan and send someone of equal status to your village.

However, the Tailed Beast is a vital resource for our village. I cannot entrust it to outsiders. I hope you understand.

We are willing to exchange Sunagakure's sealing techniques for Konoha's in return."

Exchange?

Konoha's sealing techniques, passed down from the Uzumaki Clan, were unrivaled in the shinobi world. Even Kumogakure, which had created perfect Jinchūriki, fell short of Konoha in this area.

Minato's previously gentle expression hardened, and he sighed lightly.

"Lord Kazekage, neither the Five Kage Summit nor this plan is designed to take advantage of Sunagakure. Why can't you show some sincerity?"

Another document appeared in Minato's hands, which he handed to Rasa.

Behind Rasa, Maki noticed that after just glancing at the first few lines, the Kazekage's face darkened, his expression growing visibly tense.

"...We will exchange secret techniques of equivalent rank for your village's sealing techniques."

Rasa said coldly before abruptly standing, intending to leave the room. But Minato's next words froze him in place.

"The Four-Way Barrier Seal is a high-level sealing technique worthy of being added to the Scroll of Seals. May I ask, Lord Kazekage, what equivalent-level secret technique you plan to offer in exchange?"

The Scroll of Seals…

It was said to be a forbidden scroll personally safeguarded by the Hokage, containing immensely powerful techniques.

The Flying Thunder God Technique, mastered by the Fourth Hokage, was rumored to have originated from it.

That scroll represented the very foundation of Konoha's power.

Was the Four-Way Barrier Seal truly worthy of being included in it?

Recalling that some of the shinobi who had used the technique earlier weren't even jōnin, Rasa narrowed his eyes slightly.

Perhaps it truly was…

The technique's low usage threshold made the scrolls the key factor.

If one person mastered the Four-Way Barrier Seal, it would essentially mean the entire village could use it.

This was incredibly valuable for Sunagakure's current situation.

"..."

In the end, Rasa left the meeting room without a word.

When it came to high-level techniques, he needed to consult Sunagakure's leadership. After all, unlike the Fourth Hokage, he couldn't make decisions unilaterally.

"Completely captivated by the allure of the technique," Minato said with a faint smile. "And later, distracted by Yekura's situation… he didn't even notice our true goal."

Many of the policies adopted by other villages in the shinobi world were directly copied from Konoha's systems.

Ordinarily, this wouldn't be an issue, as Konoha wouldn't dig its own grave. However, Konoha's upcoming development plans weren't something that could simply be copied to achieve similar results.

Thinking of this, Minato turned to Haneda Fuji. "Are you sure there's no need for further preparation? Launching an intelligence network through this embassy initiative might be a bit premature."

Once the embassies were established, Konoha would have the opportunity to infiltrate spies into Sunagakure—something that couldn't be fully prevented, even with close monitoring.

Of course, Rasa likely understood this as well and intended to do the same.

"There's no need. The shinobi I've chosen are natural-born spies," Haneda Fuji said with a soft chuckle.

Hearing this, Minato looked thoughtful.

"Fuji, what did Koharu Utatane request in exchange for agreeing to this? She didn't make things difficult for you, did she?"

Haneda Fuji's expression remained calm. "She made no requests. She'll send one of her clones to Sunagakure."

Minato: "..."

Yakumaru: "..."

Minato and Yakumaru, who was standing in the shadows, both glanced at Haneda Fuji's composed face, their lips twitching.

Exchanging a former advisor for one of Sunagakure's "high-level officials" was one thing. But sending over a disposable clone?

That was just too much…

"Well, now that the meeting is over, Minato, it's time to get back to work," Haneda Fuji said, cutting off any potential complaints from Minato as he placed a stack of documents on the desk.

Minato's expression shifted slightly, and he let out a wry smile.

Why did it feel like there were more and more tasks piling up lately? Was it just his imagination?

Picking up one of the documents, Minato read its contents in silence for a long time before finally speaking.

"Fuji, how long have you been planning this?"

"The current environment is perfect for it," Haneda Fuji replied.

Hearing this, Minato turned his gaze toward him.

"With the shinobi clans suppressed and no wars on the horizon, we now have the capacity and time to explore new directions," Haneda Fuji said softly.

"Yakumaru, take a look at this." Minato passed the document to Yakumaru instead of giving a direct response.

Taking it, Yakumaru began reading.

The plan proposed establishing a new school in Konoha.

The admission requirements would be more relaxed compared to the current ninja academy.

This new school would not require students to identify as shinobi before graduation. It would place a greater emphasis on ideological education and practical life skills. The graduation age would be raised to 16, and the option to graduate early would be abolished.

These were the primary details outlined in the document.

As Yakumaru read through the proposed curriculum and the idea of raising the graduation age to 16, he recalled a particular phrase:

"What we pass on to the next generation is slaughter."

From childhood, shinobi were educated to prepare for killing, with no alternative paths provided. Those deemed strong enough were sent to the battlefield.

Through countless battles, they honed their skills while warping their minds.

Was this normal?

The First Hokage had established the ninja villages to prevent children from going to war.

But over the years… who had upheld that ideal?

Who had sought to change it?

Heroes, cannon fodder—it didn't matter. Sending children without fully-formed values into battle was fundamentally wrong.

(End of Chapter)