Chapter 96: 96. Danzo: No One Understands Cultural Exchange Better Than Me
When Shisui delivered the news to Danzo, he wasn't particularly surprised.
After all, he had made his stance clear: if they didn't accept the terms, war would follow.
Given Sunagakure's current predicament, Rasa's weak leadership, and the pressure from previous rounds of negotiations, it was highly likely they would accept these conditions.
Of course, Danzo believed the most critical factor was the aggressive, war-ready image he had cultivated over the years.
When Danzo said, "If you don't accept, we go to war," no one—whether from Sunagakure or even Konoha—would doubt the sincerity of his threat.
That was the crux of these negotiations.
A threat only holds weight if it can be backed by real consequences.
Peace achieved through struggle endures.
Peace achieved through compromise perishes.
Danzo understood this truth, proven countless times by history.
Now, he was simply using the events of this world to prove it once again.
"But sensei, I have some questions."
Standing nearby, Shisui looked at the treaty signed by the Kazekage himself, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Go ahead."
Danzo held his first disciple in high regard.
If Shisui had questions, Danzo saw no reason not to answer them.
Seeing that Danzo wasn't being evasive, Shisui felt reassured and boldly voiced his doubts.
The treaty consisted of seven main points.
First, the reparations were self-explanatory.
Second, the "leasing" of the mines was also easy to understand.
After all, iron ore was crucial for any nation or ninja village.
The output of iron ore directly determined how many weapons and tools could be forged.
However, Shisui was still confused about the 15-year timeframe.
"Sensei, how did you decide on the 15-year period?"
Danzo raised two fingers in response.
"There are two possible scenarios for Sunagakure's future development."
"First, their situation continues to deteriorate, and they remain unable to recover."
"In this case, Konoha could either annex them or extend the lease period."
"Second, Sunagakure rises again due to unforeseen factors."
"If they manage to recover and their strength rivals or even surpasses Konoha's, then given the geographical constraints, Konoha wouldn't be able to maintain control over these mines."
After all, the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind were separated by the Land of Rain.
Even if Konoha could exert influence over the Land of Rain, the mountain range between Rain and Wind would still pose a significant obstacle.
This terrain was unfavorable for Konoha.
Shisui's eyes widened in realization.
"So, the timeframe isn't as important as the village's strength, right?"
Danzo was pleased with Shisui's insight.
"The international order of the ninja world boils down to four words: the strong prey on the weak."
"If you're strong enough, you can break most rules."
Though he was reluctant to admit it, Shisui was no longer as naive as he once was.
He knew this was the reality.
So, he moved on to his second question.
"About this 'autonomy in the leased zone,' are you planning to send some Konoha ninjas there?"
Danzo nodded again.
"If Konoha sends its own technicians, they'll naturally need protection."
"Of course, the number of protectors is up to us. If Sunagakure tries to harm our interests, we can retaliate."
Shisui swallowed hard.
Of course, Danzo's idea of "protection" was never just about protection.
But this part was still relatively easy to understand.
What puzzled Shisui the most was the fourth clause: Sunagakure and Konohagakure would establish a treaty of friendship, setting up friendly ports at their borders.
"What do you think of the Land of Wind's resources?" Danzo asked.
Shisui answered without hesitation. "Barren."
Apart from steel, sea salt, and some special herbs, the Land of Wind had almost no useful resources.
Shisui even wondered if they had been relegated to that desolate desert because they couldn't compete with the other four great nations.
"If their resources are so scarce, what do they need to do?"
Danzo pressed.
"Import resources?"
Shisui knew this one.
"So, sensei, you're hoping to sell Fire Country's goods to the Land of Wind through these ports?"
Danzo nodded once more.
"Not just that. Beyond resources, we also need to engage extensively with the Land of Wind's citizens and ninjas, spreading Konoha's culture and the Will of Fire."
"We need to make them understand that Konoha is the best—our goods are the best, our lifestyle is the best, everything about Konoha is the best."
Shisui listened, only half-understanding.
After all, in the ninja world, no one seemed to care much about culture or values.
Danzo explained further:
"Imagine you're a citizen of the Land of Wind. Every day, even every moment, you see, hear, and feel how great Konoha is—its food, its environment, its culture…"
"In such a situation, how would you feel?"
Shisui paused, then hesitantly replied, "I'd… feel envious?"
Danzo gave a faint smile and continued:
"Now, let me ask you this: as an ordinary citizen of the Land of Wind, after witnessing Konoha's superiority, if someone told you that by providing a little information—or even without that—you could leave the Land of Wind and move to Konoha, enjoying the same wonderful life as its citizens, what would you choose?"
Shisui fell silent, stunned.
From the perspective of Uchiha Shisui, he would undoubtedly choose to remain loyal to his village and reject such an offer.
But he also knew he could only speak for himself.
In this world, due to the existence of feudal lords, people's sense of national identity wasn't particularly strong.
For most, it was simply a relationship of paying taxes and being taxed.
So, for the average person, being offered a chance to move to a place they've long admired and live a happy life—it wouldn't take much deliberation to make that choice.
"What if you were a ninja?"
"If leaving Sunagakure meant you could become a proud Konoha ninja, enjoying Konoha's benefits and treatment, what would you choose?"
"Or, to take it a step further, if Konoha's forces entered the Land of Wind, would its citizens and ninjas fight to the bitter end, or would they embrace the glorious Konoha Empire?"
Danzo spoke in a calm, almost hypnotic tone, like a demon gently luring people into the abyss.
Shisui suddenly felt a deep sense of dread, realizing that such a scenario could very well become reality.
And the mastermind behind it all, the demon tempting the world, was standing right in front of him.
For the first time, Shisui felt profoundly grateful for one thing: this man was on Konoha's side.
"You're terrifying, sensei."
Shisui said this with complete sincerity.
Danzo simply chuckled.
"These are just some rudimentary ideas."
"And the prerequisite for all this is that Konoha must lead the ninja world in strength, technology, and economy. Only then can we become the beacon of the ninja world."
Even so, Shisui was still deeply shaken.
Danzo's explanation had opened a new door for him, revealing how easily people's hearts could be manipulated.
"So, the part about regularly holding exchange activities is also meant to…"
Shisui was beginning to understand.
He seemed to grasp the significance of the sixth clause.
Danzo gave him an approving look. "You're catching on. I want to use these exchanges to let Sunagakure's younger generation learn about Konoha, fall in love with Konoha, and then…"
"Become Konoha!"
Shisui was utterly speechless.
Truly, this was the work of the Darkness of Shinobi.
To be honest, these tactics would be considered child's play compared to the politicians of Danzo's previous life.
But in the ninja world, Danzo could confidently declare: No one understands cultural exchange better than me.
No one!
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