To Shimizu, the celebration banquet was quite boring.
At least the holiday TV shows in the DC world were quite interesting. Shimizu, with his ten-figure net worth, could enjoy almost all the entertainment that world had to offer.
However, this lively atmosphere was not bad, and this celebration banquet was only semi-entertainment in nature, also carrying a certain political significance.
However, Sasori obviously didn't like this kind of occasion. After staying for a while, he felt it was meaningless and went home to continue researching puppets.
Shimizu and Yekura continued to stay.
They were to go on stage as newly promoted Jonin in this war and receive commendation from the Third Kazekage—after today, Yekura would officially receive her Jonin designation.
After so many years of the Second Shinobi World War, Sunagakure's high-level combat power had suffered considerable losses. The Third Kazekage wanted to use these young, newly promoted Jonin to inform the shinobi world that Sunagakure still possessed sufficient power to suppress the situation, and to inform the daimyo that Sunagakure still had the power to protect the Land of Wind.
Before that, there was also a slightly performative Chunin Exam final.
Shimizu was quite interested at first because he saw several classmates from his ninja academy days.
But later, he continued chatting with Yekura.
There's nothing to see in a bunch of chickens pecking at each other. If these people have the potential to continue, there will naturally be opportunities to get to know them.
After the Chunin Exam finals and the Jonin commendations, the Third Kazekage began to announce a series of post-war arrangements planned at the Jonin Conference.
Including matters related to the construction of the canal and the affairs of the Canal Construction Leadership Team.
The initial preparations and investigations were basically completed, and this matter was finally on the right track.
"In summary, the construction of the waterway system connecting the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain will officially begin after the new year. The relevant personnel transfers and construction progress will be uniformly arranged by the Canal Construction Leadership Team. This temporary team is equivalent to a first-level department within the village. I will personally serve as the leader, and Jonin Shimizu of the Puppet Brigade will serve as the deputy leader…"
As the Third Kazekage spoke eloquently on the high platform, many people turned their attention to Shimizu, who was sitting next to Yekura.
As the youngest Jonin since the founding of Sunagakure, and as a disciple of Elder Chiyo and Elder Ebizo, Shimizu was somewhat famous. Even if they weren't familiar with Shimizu, most of the Jonin in the village knew of such a person.
This young boy, so young that it was unbelievable, had suddenly taken on such an important position!
The Third Kazekage had been in power for many years and acted prudently. He would never let Shimizu do such an important thing just because Shimizu was a disciple of the two elders.
After all, they had just learned the general situation of this grand plan from the Third Kazekage.
The Third Kazekage had to coordinate the overall situation. His role as the leader was definitely to support this team, so the actual work would definitely be done by other leaders of the team.
Chiyo and Ebizo were certainly qualified to serve as leaders, but with their status, they didn't need the Third Kazekage to come out and help.
Since Shimizu was placed in this position, it meant that Shimizu's role in it was irreplaceable, and the entire plan might even have originated from him!
Many Jonin thought of the report that the Third Kazekage had asked them to write last year after the negotiations had just ended.
Shimizu had a background, talent, and strength. Becoming a Jonin at this age meant that he would most likely become a Kage-level powerhouse in the future. Therefore, it seemed very necessary for those ninjas who still had the desire to improve to get along with Shimizu.
So at the banquet after the speech, many ninjas and even nobles from the Land of Wind came to talk to Shimizu.
The construction of the canal would definitely be a major event in the Land of Wind, and some people would definitely want to gain credit and benefits from it.
And without too much risk.
To participate in it, it was necessary to get along with Shimizu.
Fortunately, the Transparent World is a realm technique related to spiritual practice, rather than a talent. Shimizu had synchronized it from his incarnation in the Demon Slayer world early on. Coupled with the Mind's Eye Technique's high degree of control over the body, his acting skills had reached a new level, and the professional fake smile on his face made everyone feel harmonious.
This celebration banquet lasted until midnight.
One week later, early morning.
The First Line Sky Gate of Sunagakure.
The Third Kazekage, Chiyo, and a dozen elders and high-ranking officials of Sunagakure were seeing off the Sunagakure delegation.
"I've given you the people you wanted, but the daimyo is still unwilling to budge on the money. While ensuring the development of the village, I can only give you a budget of billion ryo at most."
Shimizu calculated in his mind and smiled at the Third Kazekage.
The Third Kazekage raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Hanzo is not an easy person to deal with. Even if Elder Ebizo helps you, don't overdo things."
"It's okay. According to our plan, it can greatly promote the economic transportation between the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind. If Hanzo sincerely wants what's best for the Land of Rain and wants to make his country rich and strong, he will definitely not refuse to build this canal. It's also beneficial to them. We only need to explain the pros and cons to them and let Lord Hanzo make his own choice.
If Hanzo disagrees and the funds are indeed not enough, we can also invite some great nobles and big merchants to invest, stipulating the dividends of tariffs and profits after the canal is built. We can definitely attract some investment."
The Third Kazekage thought for a few seconds and nodded slightly.
"Okay, this is also a compromise solution, but it's best not to do this unless it's absolutely necessary, otherwise there will be many unnecessary troubles and entanglements later."
"I understand, Kazekage-sama."
Shimizu nodded to the Third Kazekage.
The latter nodded in response and looked at Ebizo, handing the scepter in his hand to Ebizo.
The purpose of this delegation's trip to the Land of Rain was to select the starting point of the canal and carry out the initial construction work.
And when acting in the Land of Rain, it is inevitable to avoid Hanzo's Amegakure. In order to avoid misunderstandings, it is still necessary to send a delegation to negotiate with Hanzo openly.
That requires someone with enough weight, whose identity is equal to or close to Hanzo, to talk to Hanzo.
Ebizo is that person.
He served as the chief envoy, and Shimizu served as the deputy envoy.
"Elder Ebizo, I'll leave the next things to you."
"Leave it to this old man with peace of mind."
