Naruto: The Strongest Sage.

"Lord Aoba, we are all clear about one thing. Konoha's transformation was completed under your leadership. The rest of Konoha is just the executors. So, we need your help."

The current Mei Terumi doesn't have the strong aura of the later Mizukage, but her queenly demeanor has begun to emerge.

She is loyal to Kirigakure. Even at this point, she is still trying her best to save Kirigakure. She even took the initiative to find Aoba to seek help.

"Then tell me first, what do you or you want?"

Aoba's directness made Terumi Mei pause. They really wanted Konoha's help. But the resources needed to rebuild Kirigakure were not something that could be obtained by just asking.

And what they need is not just actual resources. In fact, what Kirigakure needs now is political and even military protection.

In the previous battle, Iwagakure was cautious and protected itself. Although it was injured, its vitality was not damaged. However, Kumogakure was seriously injured.

I heard that not only was the advance army annihilated, but even the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki is unknown. Kumogakure is negotiating with Konoha, hoping to get the Eight-Tails back. This matter is currently being argued over.

As the biggest winner, Konoha naturally doesn't care. They are now the most powerful ninja in the world and have no rivals. But Kirigakure is in trouble now.

According to Terumi Mei's estimation, the remaining foundation of Kirigakure is probably not even as good as that of Kusagakure.

After years of bloody mist, the previous civil war, the death of the Mizukage, and the loss of the tailed beast, most of the village's most important resources were lost. The entire Kirigakure has become second-rate, or even third-rate.

In this case, you can't just rebuild it if you want to. Will those small ninja villages that were previously oppressed and plundered by Kirigakure have any ideas?

Will the Kumogakure, who just suffered a great loss, have any ideas? Will the Iwagakure, who always want to take advantage, have any ideas?

Kirigakure has fallen, but the village's reserves of ninjutsu and secret techniques still exist. These things are now like a piece of fat meat, emitting an alluring aroma.

Mei Terumi couldn't imagine what would happen to Kirigakure if things continued like this. It would most likely become the next Whirlpool Country.

"We need Konoha's protection to help us rebuild Kirigakure. In return, we are willing to sign a military alliance treaty similar to the one we signed with Sunagakure."

This means, we are willing to be your younger brother, but you have to protect us.

"Haha, interesting. Mei Terumi, take a look at what this is?"

Aoba said as he handed Terumi Mei a document. Terumi Mei took it and looked at it, and was stunned on the spot.

"..."

The document came from Kirigakure. It was a document from Kirigakure's official capacity, requesting the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Konoha.

Obviously, there are some wise people among the remaining Kirigakure. They know that their situation is not good and they must immediately cling to the strongest thigh in the ninja world in order to survive. But in this case, what Mei Terumi said before becomes a little ridiculous.

After all, her words were not enough, and the other party had sent official documents.

"You see, I'm a little confused. Who among you is the true representative of Kirigakure?"

Aoba's words almost made Terumi Mei despair, but then she vaguely understood something.

Kamikawa Aoba didn't refuse directly, which meant that there was still hope. But the other party's expression clearly showed that he wanted more.

"Kamikawa Aoba, what do you want?"

This time, it was Mei Terumi who asked this question.

"Hehe, that depends on what you can give. Mei Terumi, before all this happened, have you ever thought that Kirigakure would end up like this? Or, have you ever thought that one day, the ninja world would become what it is now?"

Aoba said this, without giving her time to respond, and turned and left, leaving behind Mei Terumi, who looked thoughtful.

Mei Terumi was able to rise to the top in the original plot, so her intelligence level must be good. She thought about it for a while and understood what Kamikawa Aoba meant.

At this time, her followers came forward.

"What on earth does this guy mean? Will he help or not?"

Most people didn't understand, but Mei Terumi had already vaguely guessed what Aoba meant. Unfortunately, she didn't like the result.

In the Hokage's office, Aoba was drinking with Tsunade. Tsunade was in high spirits recently, and she would ask Aoba to drink with her from time to time.

The main reason is that Shizune is now in a hot relationship with Kakashi. No one is watching her, so she is becoming more and more unscrupulous.

"Tsk, tsk, I thought you were going to devour those Kirigakure guys skin and flesh. I didn't expect you to be so patient. This is unlike you before."

Tsunade complained while staring at Aoba. Considering this guy's bad character, she had every reason to doubt what Aoba thought of Mei Mei.

"Don't think I'm such a dirty person. I admire from the bottom of my heart those who risk everything to save their homeland. That's why I gave them some time to think it over."

"Haha, think about it, you're just letting them discover the cruel truth themselves. Isn't that even more cruel?"

"But this way they will be more likely to accept it. The demise of Kirigakure is inevitable. Not just Kirigakure, but all other ninja villages except Konoha will inevitably decline and even disappear."

This is the ultimate goal of the Aoba Project.

He did not want to eliminate the profession of ninja. But he was ready to eliminate the ninja village system. This was also inevitable to integrate the power of the ninja world.

This process was destined to be long and even filled with war and blood. But under his planning and promotion, all this had become the trend of history, an irresistible one.

"So, as long as I can keep doing my job as Hokage, one day I will become the first Hokage to unify the five villages?"

Tsunade, holding the bottle of wine, sat directly on Aoba's legs and whispered in his ear.

"According to my plan, it's pretty much like this."

"Really? Then I'm curious, why don't you want to be Hokage? Now that you want to, there is no force that can stop you from becoming Hokage."

"There's no particular reason, I just feel a little bothered."

"Really? I thought you just liked to play with the Hokage. I heard that women with special identities would make you men more excited? You're not doing this, are you?"

Tsunade always speaks without restraint when she is drunk. Aoba doesn't tolerate her and directly blocks her mouth.

"Wait a minute, there's news from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ohnoki is arriving soon, and wants to meet with us in person."

"Let him wait." Aoba responded impatiently, then pressed Tsunade to the floor.

(End of Volume 2)