For Naruto things were as boring as things could be. He sat alone in his hotel, well as alone as having Koyuki blasting music around the house, as she walked back and fourth with a group of woman behind her trying to take measurements for her dress since the last one fit small now. He had a pile of paper on his desk and he couldn't help but just look at the pile as he was growing tired of signing things. The music dwindles for a moments before he heard a large bang.
"I'm sorry Koyuki-sama I didn't mean to-"
"Enough, just make sure you don't drop another one. Those marble bust heads are quite expensive." Before the music was raised again.
Naruto sighed before he grabbed the bottle of sake, he debated whether drinking it would help, but the fur ball wouldn't let him get intoxicated so it was more for taste then actual relaxation.
That was the thing with being a boss. When you needed advising there was no one to help, any decisions you wished you had a hand in making was all left up to you. And if said decision were to be made, and back fired well, you were on your own.
Which he felt tremendously. Zabuza was once again acting head of Asguard the village was being rebuilt, the government was being filled and he had nothing left to worry about. Which made things boring.
Crash.
He wasn't really bored more like in need of something to do, more then just reading and signing things.
"That was a relic-"
Then came Konoha. He received there scroll and read it from top to bottom, more then once of course. Did he immediately signed it and prayed they'll arrive sooner. No. Instead he just played with idea of meeting his sister and former comrades. News that Nami was now acting Hokage was refreshing, since he no longer had to worry about being pounced on at any moment by the very big and angry Konoha. But it also had its downsides. For starters, well, Nami expected more of him because they were related. Something he himself knew was to expected. But he wasn't fond of making decisions based on how well he knew someone.
Taking a sip out the bottle he placed it back on the desk.
Then there was the fact that they would have to travel to the land of snow.
Taking another sip.
With a group of very formidable shinobis.
He sipped it slowly but much longer then before.
So, he has been delaying there reply but today was the cut off date, and he had to reply. The pros of this is that, with Konoha help he could keep Mizu in control. Prevent a war they might not win, alone.
They could keep the raikage from attacking since they'll help as a good deterrent, while also keeping everyone eyes away from Asguard. While he continued to built his vast empire. But then came the cons, he would be obligated to cooperate with Konoha on any matters that they see fit as they know they have the upper hand. Something that if he recalls, he was killed for last time. This also meant he wouldn't be able to recuperate his revenge on said lady. So that meant no Boom. No boom meant he wouldn't be able to grow, since he'll have to turn a blind eye to The land of water, land of fire, land of clouds. Which left the land of rain and the land of stone. The land of stone held an alliance with the land of water, so that's a no go. And the land of rain was in the middle of them all and was unwanted. Which meant he'll have to settle for small lands, ruled by Damiyo that we're insignificant and in places that couldn't help him if he were to stage an attack.
You could see where my problems lie. But if I were to deny this request then all those places would turn their eyes to me. And I would be powerless against four hidden villages. So his best wish would be that Mizu still hated him for what he did last time and the little blow up but considering that Koyuki already paid them for the ships it was pretty much useless to try and hold my breath and wait on that. So that meant he could talk to his war advisers but they would tell him it wouldn't be in his best interest. Again. Nothing.
Crash.
He took a sip of Sake.
Maybe he'll just use his new found powers to walk up to every village and blow them to kingdom-com. Unwise.
Or he could sign it, and ask for them to ignore his pursuit of Mizu but that wouldn't be in Konoha interest since the fighting could take place on there lands or at least close enough that they would have to help, but like any smart nation they'll side with the winning side. And he was an underdog and unlike the movies underdogs don't always win. Especially not in the world of Shinobi.
Which left him with one option.
"Sign the damn thing already." Koyuki said as she sat next to him. She was wearing a lady suit. Naruto nodded before picking up the pen and signed.
"There, did you die."
Naruto shook his head.
"That's not the point, the point is that we are now in alliance with the same people that cared little for us a week ago. And we could not spread our empire as far as we would've liked."
"That's what happens when you act reckless."
Naruto nodded.
"A foot paw on my behalf"
"I'm pretty sure that's not how the saying goes."
"What do you want?"
Koyuki smirked.
"We are going to the land of fire to meet with you're sister in order for them to provide us with minerals that we need to continue our pursuit into flying birds, I was wondering if you would like to come with us."
Naruto shook his head.
"I am in no mood for road trips. And my sister isn't going to help with my situation so you could go."
"My former husband wouldn't let me leave the village without him."
"Well he is no longer here, and you are leaving the village without him."
Koyuki frowned before she reached for a scroll and read it through.
"The Mizukage wishes to hold a audience with you."
"The Mizukage wishes to see if I am in still alive."
"Would you entertain her? It would be beneficial to us, since they have been our biggest buyer in boat manufacturing not to mention they have been docile in their pursuit of any and all Asguard shinobis."
Naruto shook his head.
"The further we are from each other the better it'll be."
"You sound scared."
"More like trying to avoid unnecessary contact with enemies."
"Former enemies."
"All in the same."
"Well I'll leave you to it, I'll be back before nightfall." Naruto nodded as he continued to look at the mess on his desk.
Then it hit him.
The last movie of the Icha Icha paradise was to be released today.
'I need a break anyways.'
Small city outside of the land of snow.
"It displeases me that the emperor would not come himself to discuss matters of this importance."
Koyuki nodded.
"We have had many meetings to discuss matters of this importance without my fiancé before."
Nami frowned.
"What happened to Brien."
"He's fine, just couldn't bend the knee to Naruto. Now how much."
Nami nodded saving that piece of information for later.
"My delegates say that you are asking for previous metal. They agreed on the sum on 1.2 billion Ryo."
Koyuki nodded.
"To be paid over the span of three years."
Nami shook her head.
"A year. And the contract says four years."
Koyuki frowned.
"You are asking for a huge amount of money. This price is only paid to villages in times of war, or when they are preparing for war."
"Konoha has its secrets, as I'm sure the land of snow has its."
"I see." Koyuki said. Thinking it over. That was a lot, even for the land of snow. Which meant she'll have to rearrange every other products yearly budget to accommodate for this one project.
"We can't match that offer." Nami nodded.
"As expected, that's why we also agreed that if the emperor were to meet with me, we could reduce the price to four hundred million to be paid over the next four years."
"That's less then half of what you were formally asking. Why would Naruto presence be needed, unless you re trying to harm him in some way."
"I take offense to such insults. I simply want to make sure that he is indeed my brother and not a fraud." Koyuki frowned. She didn't come here expecting to set up a meeting with Naruto. A meeting said person already said no to.
"Then we wouldn't be in need of you're services. Good day Nami-Sama."
Nami nodded as she got up and left the room.
Nami walked out the village with Shikamaru and Kakashi.
"Anything?"
"Nothing. She was extremely meek on anything concerning Naruto. And even decline our counter offer. She willingly crippled her own village in order to prevent us from coming in contact with him."
Shikamaru frowned.
"Why would they do that? It doesn't make any sense."
"Because Naruto doesn't want to meet us." Nami nodded agreeing with Kakashi.
"Matters little, he'll be a fool to refuse our other offer, and today's the cut off, I'm guessing he already agreed. Which means we'll see him eventually."
"We'll see his ambassador. The contract Saids nothing about him having to interact with us."
Nami frowned.
"So we'll be seeing a lot more of Koyuki-Sama."
"And since we just kind of insulted her, I'm guessing she won't be so willing to help moving forward."
" Matters little, she's also once again engaged to Naruto. I'm guessing she needs him to maintain her hold on the land of snow."
Shikamaru jaw kicked.
"So now, we are at a stand still with the biggest supply of weapons in the world. While also be allies, not to mention the fact that they are willingly and happily supplying everyone else. Because everyone else bends to there every word."
Nami nodded.
"Konoha is back at full power, we also have the hidden sand. And the trinity. So even if they don't want to help, they'll ignore us since we are in close range of there center city."
"Be careful thinking like that Nami. Right now you just denied a full lion it's lunch. If they would've been in desperate need of what ever it was you blocked, we would've been in trouble."
Nami stood quiet as she slid into her chariot.
"Judging from Naruto behavior I'm guessing he's also stuck."
"Stuck, of just waiting for the day Mizu messes up. Then we'll be dragged into a war he's been waiting to start. If we're smart we'll start talking to Mei-san."
Nami shook her head.
"We can't play friends with Naruto enemies after we just became allies. That'll be in violation of our treaty not to mention disrespectful to both sides, we would look weak."
"So what are we going to do."
"Nothing for now. Just wait and see how things play out."
Back in the land of snow.
Naruto just got out the movies as he walked over to the buisness building. Of course his heavy detail around him. It was nightfall by now so Koyuki should be around by now.
Arriving at his office he wasn't surprise to find Koyuki sitting behind the desk.
"How did it go?"
"They declined our offer, because you wouldn't show you're face."
Naruto nodded.
"Anything else."
"They wanted six billion ryos." Naruto nodded.
"Why did you say no then?"
Koyuki nodded.
"Because they were moving funny. Why need so much, when we have done deals for less then that before in the past and now you show up and there minerals are twice as expensive."
"Maybe they're preparing for war."
"I thought the same but with who?"
Naruto shrugged doesn't matter. We aren't in any type of shape to go to war with any of them.
"What of the land of water?"
"The Mizukage? Hates you. And the only thing keeping her at bay is Konoha and there new found alliance with the land of sand." Naruto nodded.
"So we're at war?"
"No. We're at a stale mate."
"What are you going to do."
"Nothing. We'll wait for the land of water to mess up. But for that we need to have someone there."
"What are you proposing?"
"No better to start a war then to make it look like they're the bad ones.."
"You're trying to manipulate a world war."
Naruto shook his head.
"I wouldn't be the first one."
Koyuki rubbed her forehead.
"Naruto, lets focus on our wedding. Before we try to destroy the world." Naruto nodded.
"Fine."