I, Konoha's Sage of Life-Chapter 172: Maki? That’s a Nice Name

Sunagakure's lodging was just one courtyard away from Amegakure's.

In fact...

The courtyard between them was occupied by Konoha's ANBU. If either side made a move, Konoha would know immediately.

"Elder Chiyo, all of Konoha's young genin have disappeared. Looks like they've made preparations in advance."

"How could they not hide? This is the Chūnin Exams—with the entire ninja world watching."

Elder Chiyo spoke slowly.

She stood up and looked outside, her gaze falling on Konoha's still-bustling nighttime scenery.

Such sights were unthinkable in Sunagakure.

"Only Konoha can afford such extravagance and command such power. If it were us in Suna... heh..."

She let out a quiet sigh.

Right now, Sunagakure was not far from being the laughingstock of the shinobi world.

The Third Kazekage—hailed as the strongest in their history—had mysteriously died. Not only was his body never recovered, even the cause of death remained unknown.

They'd started a war...

And lost.

Thoroughly beaten. The village was still reeling from the defeat, and Rasa had no choice but to seek out mineral resources for the feudal lord to win back his support.

"One day, Sunagakure will rise again," said Yekura.

"Will it? That's going to be hard," Chiyo replied. "Haven't you noticed? Missions in our northern territories have dropped sharply. Konoha's already setting things up behind the scenes."

She didn't blame Yekura.

The girl was just a jōnin. While she'd been involved in some of the village's bigger decisions, there were many deeper currents she wasn't privy to.

Still...

She was a very capable jōnin.

Chiyo had considered mentoring her.

The only issue was...

She and Rasa didn't seem to get along.

"The north?"

"Speak of the devil—Konoha's people are here. Let's meet them. This young man is no ordinary visitor."

Chiyo's expression turned solemn.

Kanda Kyoichi.

Back during the Battle of Kikyo Pass, he'd been an unknown—just another name no one had heard of. But in less than two years, his name was now printed in every ninja village's handbook.

In short, just four words:

Don't fight head-on!

There was no need for sensory detection—Yakura had already seen the visitor.

A young jōnin, barely twenty years old. That age for such a rank was rare across the entire shinobi world.

"I've long heard of your reputation, sir. I was a bit disappointed when I heard you planned to retire, but I didn't expect you'd personally lead a team for the Chūnin Exams."

Kyoichi smiled as they met.

He truly held some respect for Ebizō.

The man had extensive intelligence networks—his intel rivaled even Danzō's. Unfortunately, Sunagakure was too weak. No matter how much you knew, strength was still the deciding factor.

Without power, all knowledge was ultimately empty.

"Jōnin Kyoichi, if you have something to say, let's talk inside. I just happened to bring a few specialties from the Land of Wind."

Ebizō didn't seem too old yet.

He was in his fifties.

His appearance was plain and unremarkable, but this very man had, more than once, turned the tides on the battlefield for Sunagakure through strategy and cunning—winning against stronger foes with weaker forces.

Kyoichi dared not underestimate him.

Inside, the two sat facing each other while Yakura brewed tea nearby. The other Sunagakure shinobi were outside training in the courtyard, leaving only the three of them here.

"What are your thoughts on Konohagakure, sir?"

"It's very prosperous—far more than Sunagakure," Ebizō answered honestly.

"Konoha's prosperity comes from a favorable environment and a decent location. Just behind our village is a vast forest, where this year's Chūnin Exams are being held."

"Hmm..." Ebizō remained silent, just listening.

Kyoichi didn't pause. With eloquence and energy, he dove into a sweeping account of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama—his legendary feats, subduing the other villages, dividing the Tailed Beasts.

But...

Konoha's glory was, to Sunagakure, a history of shame and loss.

Yakura's expression had already turned unpleasant.

Ebizō, however, remained calm. He occasionally exchanged a few lines with Kyoichi, even marveling at the First Hokage's strength and the Second Hokage Tobirama's wisdom.

Clearly a man of great deeds.

Neither got to the point. Instead, it was Yakura who grew impatient and said with irritation, "Jōnin Kyoichi, if you came just to tell us about Konoha's glorious history, then there's really no need."

"Yakura!"

Ebizō barked sharply.

What's the rush?

He cast a glance at Yakura.

Staying unmoved like a mountain was the best way to gauge what this young man was really after. But surprisingly, Kyoichi wasn't impatient—rather, it was his own people who were growing restless.

"I've said so much—couldn't you hear the message?"

"You're saying that if Sunagakure wants to change, we have to start by improving our environment—build roads, promote trade, right? But you're not from the Land of Wind. You don't understand. Changing the environment... is easier said than done."

Of course Ebizō understood.

Kyoichi was making it clear: if you want wealth, you need good roads, a hospitable environment, domestic stability, and profitability.

Then merchants would come.

Otherwise...

Who'd want to venture into some desolate wasteland?

But...

What's the point?

The Land of Wind lacked the resources and money—so nothing could be done.

"There's greenery along the southern coast of the Land of Wind. It's not a poor country—the only one that's poor is you, Sunagakure. But that's also because your thinking is too rigid."

"Oh?"

Ebizō looked up at Kyoichi.

Here we go.

He'd been waiting a long time, and now the main course was finally being served.

"My, my... I didn't realize we've talked for so long. I'm so sorry to have taken up your rest time. Let's continue this conversation another day."

Kyoichi glanced outside and, pretending to be surprised, offered a polite bow and took his leave.

Yakura twitched at the corner of his eye.

"How vile!"

"Ha! If you get angry, you've already lost a step. This kind of opponent is hard to deal with—but if you just don't take his words to heart, you can stay mentally sharp."

Ebizō chuckled, unbothered.

At his age, what couldn't he let go of? Even if Kyoichi deliberately left every sentence half-finished, he could still glean plenty of meaning from the fragments.

Besides...

Kyoichi had been very clear.

Commerce.

He was right—if Sunagakure wanted development, it had to invest in commerce. But it couldn't be the south—the affluent southern lands were already under the control of the daimyo and nobility.

Not so easy.

But still...

What exactly was that kid trying to say?

Commerce, environment...

Could he be suggesting trade with the north?

Ebizō furrowed his brow in thought.

Even though he told Yakura not to dwell on it, deep down he couldn't help speculating on Kyoichi's true intent. That kind of vigilance came with the job—it was hard to turn off.

Kyoichi had no way of knowing how well Ebizō slept that night.

But for him, he slept quite soundly.

He even had a dream.

The next day, he didn't go looking for Ebizō. Instead, he pretended to be handling accommodations for the other nations' shinobi, but actually paid a visit to the police force.

The students were training well here.

As for the Uchiha situation—Kyoichi had already learned a bit through the Anbu.

Fugaku's handling of the matter...

Well, let's just say it was very Fugaku.

In Kyoichi's eyes, he was the classic indecisive type—wanting everything, but ending up with nothing.

If he refused to deal with those few stubborn Uchiha elders, he'd dig his own grave sooner or later.

But that was fine...

Now that half the police force had already merged into Konoha, if the Uchiha caused real trouble, the village wouldn't just stand by. By then, the Uchiha would lose the chance to exit with dignity.

Besides...

If Fugaku didn't fall, how could Shisui rise?

That guy had been building Shisui up as the next heir, but once Itachi grew up and showed his talents... well, things might not go as planned.

People change.

Just like Hiashi.

He couldn't possibly imagine now that after his own child was born, he'd eventually use the Caged Bird technique against Hizashi.

Kyoichi was busy "managing" various affairs and had no time for Ebizō—and Ebizō didn't seek him out either. But from what Kyoichi knew, he had already begun secret contact with Amegakure.

Ebizō thought he was being discreet.

But...

He didn't know that Yahiko was Kyoichi's man. The day after Yahiko contacted Ebizō's people, the news was already on Kyoichi's desk.

Ebizō wanted to freeload?

Kyoichi wasn't bothered. Sooner or later, Ebizō would realize—

In the end, the matter would come back to him. And by then, Sunagakure would still have to pay the price.

The day after Iwagakure's arrival—

An Iwa jōnin came to see Kyoichi. He delivered the agreed-upon payment and reparations, and even asked Kyoichi to return the IOU. Kyoichi was straightforward.

He released both Ōnoki's son and Roshi.

The two hadn't been imprisoned together, so Kitsuchi had no idea what had happened to Roshi. But when they stepped out and saw each other, the look they exchanged said it all—

Free at last.

No sooner had the Iwa delegation left, Ebizō finally lost his composure.

Watching Iwagakure's carts of goods being hauled in, he thought they were here not just for compensation but also business.

There was no way he could stay calm.

If Iwagakure had already reached a deal with Konoha—what did Sunagakure have left to offer?

Clearly, he couldn't wait anymore.

So Ebizō came with "sincerity."

"Jōnin Kyoichi, Ebizō-sama invites you to continue the conversation from the other day. These are some tokens of goodwill from Sunagakure."

A shinobi brought the items to Kyoichi's place.

Tsunade frowned slightly.

What's this kid up to now?

She knew Kyoichi had been in contact with Sunagakure, but not the details. Judging by the situation, though, it looked like Kyoichi had the upper hand—and Ebizō couldn't sit still.

"I understand. Today... I have a meeting with Tsunade-hime, so I don't have much time. When I'm free, I'll be sure to visit."

"Yes!"

The shinobi nodded and turned to leave.

But something about him looked familiar to Kyoichi.

"You're already a jōnin at your age. What's your name?"

The other man paused for a moment.

Young...

It wouldn't be a problem if someone else had said it.

But...

He and Kyoichi were about the same age. The other was already a renowned figure in the shinobi world, while he was still just a special jōnin. So hearing it from Kyoichi felt—

Utterly sarcastic.

A moment of silence.

He lowered his head and said, "My name is Maki."

"Maki, huh? That's a good name. I'm sure you'll become a strong shinobi."

Kyoichi narrowed his eyes slightly, then gave a faint smile.

"In your presence, no one dares call themselves strong. Please extend our village's greetings to Tsunade-hime. Ebizō-sama is still waiting for my return..."

"Go ahead. I'll definitely come visit when I have the time."

Maki...

So it was him. He'd just removed the cloth that once covered half his face—that's why Kyoichi almost didn't recognize him.

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