In Amegakure.
Rustle, rustle!
In the clouds and rain, a figure quickly materialized from sky-colored paper, finally appearing outside Hanzo's door.
Before long.
"Hanzo-sama!"
"Konan, why did only you come back? Did something happen?"
"Sir, the situation is like this…"
Konan described Konoha's proposal.
Hanzo listened carefully, then smiled.
"Since I sent you, I certainly trust you very much. You can decide for yourselves."
Konan replied respectfully.
"These matters concern the village and the country. We do not have the experience or authority to handle them."
Hanzo pondered for a moment.
"Opening the mountain. If it is indeed as you say, then it can basically be considered beneficial to both us and Sunagakure, and can be implemented."
"Then the cost…"
"Sunagakure must certainly bear more of it. Because for our Land of Rain, it is still unknown how much effect opening a gap will have," Hanzo answered faintly. "We cannot gamble money on unknown benefits."
Besides, Amegakure was already used to the rain. Sunagakure was different. For them, the water vapor from one gap could be a river, an oasis, a trade route… Hanzo didn't understand much of this, but his intuition told him that Sunagakure would surely reap greater benefits from this plan! So, Rasa would definitely make concessions.
"Then what about the cooperation north of the Land of Rivers?"
"This needs to be discussed with the Daimyo and nobles of the Land of Rivers. The interests of all parties need to be balanced. It is not something that can be negotiated in a short time. Let's postpone it for now."
As Hanzo spoke, he smiled slightly.
"You have done very well, fighting for considerable benefits for Amegakure and the Land of Rain. But what about your village? Do you have any plans?"
Konan lowered her head and quickly answered.
"That place was originally just to escape the war and strife. We have no intention of expanding. If the village needs us, we can contribute manpower at any time!"
Hanzo waved his hand.
"No need to be nervous. You are from the Land of Rain and Amegakure. We are natural allies. In the future, we can increase the intensity of our cooperation."
"Yes, we will completely follow your orders!"
Konan answered with determination.
Hanzo said.
"Go and inform Yahiko. He can decide everything in the negotiations in Konoha. He doesn't need to ask for my instructions."
As he spoke, he wrote down everything he had just said on a scroll and stamped it with the leader's seal.
"Go and do it boldly."
"Thank you for your trust, Hanzo-sama!"
Konan took it with her head lowered, then exited to the windowsill, quickly wrapping the scroll and disappearing from the spot.
Hanzo walked to the window and watched Konan leave. Yahiko, Konan, the Land of Birds. If a small ninja village wanted to resist a large ninja village and their alliance, they had to unite and rely on the large ninja village. Yahiko and his group, who were from Amegakure, were indeed the most suitable partners. In the situation where the village could not expand, splitting up and forming a closer alliance was far better than a simple expansion in numbers. Because the resources of the Land of Rain could not support the consumption of a large ninja village. This was also the reason why he was sincerely cooperating with Yahiko and Konan, and giving them opportunities and a stage to train.
In the future, Yahiko and Konan would become the backbone of Amegakure, and even—the next generation's leader!
***
Rasa had left. What Sunagakure needed to talk to Konoha about was mainly those things. Now, with the addition of the cooperation on the southern sea, he needed to go back and take charge of the overall situation.
Amegakure was different. The one mainly in charge of the situation in the village was still Hanzo. Yahiko and Konan, to put it bluntly, were just jounin with a rather special status. He could stay in Konoha for a longer time. The difference was—Yahiko's purpose was different. He was observing Konoha's operating model, thinking about whether Amegakure and the village in the Land of Birds could learn from and use it. Even if it was just learning a small part, it would surely be much better than them pondering blindly.
But after a tour of observation, Yahiko was a little desperate. Konoha's model was, without exception, built on the premise of "wealth." Only with enough money and trade routes could they attract more merchants and form a virtuous cycle. In addition, the peace of the Land of Fire was also something their small country could not replicate.
In a few days, he felt more and more that Konoha was like a snowball. After the initial accumulation, it would only grow larger and larger. If Konoha had the ability to digest the benefits brought by the snowball and timely convert them into strength, carrying out a virtuous cycle… then Konoha would truly become the number one village in the shinobi world. Even the other four great ninja villages probably couldn't be compared with Konoha. If the four strong ones united, they could compete with Konoha. But the problem was, Sunagakure had been crippled by Konoha and now could only live by looking at Konoha's attitude.
Amegakure had no other choice. The future of the shinobi world… I hope Kyohiko is a peace-loving person! Yahiko sighed inwardly.
***
In the forest outside the Anbu.
Hatake Kakashi wore a special outfit, brandishing a heavy blade, his whole body drenched in sweat, but he gritted his teeth and persisted. Over the past few days, his body had been improving at a rapid pace, it was just that he himself had not noticed.
"Ten times the gravity, plus his own chakra, he can maintain it for three hours. Not bad, just a little troublesome."
Orochimaru was recording data.
A new Chakra Armor had been created. The effect… could only be described as passable. Because the current version could only be opened up to ten times. Any further increase, and the increment of chakra consumption would increase significantly, making the cost-performance ratio extremely low.
"It can be used once it reaches ten times. The follow-up is optimization and iteration."
Ryoho Kyohiko looked at the pattern and pondered how to optimize it.
The principle of this armor was to increase the retention time of ninjutsu, so the design was not the same as before. However, this armor had only received a Hardening Jutsu as a reward… although that thing was useful, its effect was only relatively strong below the chunin level. Above chunin, it was as good as useless. Especially against Lightning Style ninjutsu. So, he had to ponder further and squeeze out its value! Ryoho Kyohiko was in deep thought.
Then, his eyes lit up.
"This design is actually more suitable for combining with the Hardening Jutsu and Earth Spear. The effect should be better."
"It's just average when combined with other things."
Ryoho Kyohiko quickly thought it over in his mind.
"Kakashi, how do you feel?"
"Better than ever!"
Hatake Kakashi was very excited.
These few days of training were better than half a year of physical training before—although it was also related to him being busy with official duties for the past six months and basically not training much. But this was only a few days' time! If he could persist in training, its value could be imagined.
"This…"
"No."
Orochimaru directly refused. "It's very expensive. And as Kyohiko said, it's more suitable for Iwagakure. We absolutely cannot let it leak out."
"Then, can it only be used in the Anbu?"
"On this point, Kyohiko already has an idea, right."
Orochimaru looked at Kyohiko.
Ryoho Kyohiko put away his pen.
"Mm, I just had some thoughts, but they're not yet perfect."
"The current plan is to first make a dozen or so pieces and distribute them to the key personnel for training. In addition, once a month or every three months, a competition will be held among the personnel who are active in training, study, and missions…"
The manufacturing cost of the Chakra Armor was not low. It was unrealistic for everyone to have one. So, as a reward for "monthly tests" or "quarterly tests," that was just perfect.
Orochimaru smiled.
"Not bad! With your method, they will actively become more and more competitive, and the village will become stronger and stronger!"
"Only through competition can there be improvement."
Is it over after graduation? The Ninja Academy graduation is just the beginning of a ninja's career! The old system, where one improved through missions until death, was nothing like this.
Upon hearing this, Hatake Kakashi shivered all over. Won't this drive everyone crazy with competition? He swallowed.
"Then, what about someone like me who is relatively busy?"
Ryoho Kyohiko answered.
"Outstanding geniuses are certainly priority targets for cultivation. Although it's not very fair, it's the fastest way to improve the village's high-end strength."
The foundation of a village depended on its chunin and genin. With the Ninja Academy's education system, the quality of this part of Konoha was definitely the highest among the five great ninja villages. The gravity armor training plan was mainly aimed at the jounin group. At the jounin level, even a small improvement in the body required a multiple of the effort. In this case, the gravity chakra armor was of great use.
His thoughts gradually became clear. He quickly recorded them down, preparing to go back and chat with Tsunade to see if they could finalize the entire reward system.
***
In the south, at the Land of the Sea.
A young ronin, a sword at his waist, leaped off a ship. On the ship, everyone waved and thanked him. He waved his hand and walked towards the shore of the Land of the Sea.
Before long, Kazuma walked slowly towards the street. Before long, he couldn't help but look in the direction of a pier. Kirigakure ninjas! A group of Kiri ninjas jumped off a ship.
He quickly walked over to a place to inquire. Only after asking did he find out—recently, many wandering ninjas and thieves had appeared at sea, so much so that the merchant fleets of the Land of the Sea were under considerable threat. The Land of the Sea had thus increased the employment of Kirigakure ninjas.
"Wandering ninjas?"
"How could there be wandering ninjas who dare to attack the passing merchant fleets of the Land of the Sea."
"There must be a problem!"
Kazuma had been hanging around the Land of Rivers for these few days and understood the thoughts and ideas of the wandering ninjas there. He thought of the purpose of his trip and suddenly understood. Konoha? It should be.
War is about to break out, he thought to himself.
***
In Kirigakure.
"Elder-sama."
"Sigh!"
Genji's brows were tightly knitted. He helplessly put down the scroll.
He leaned back and sat down.
"Regarding the matter of the merchant fleets, we have already sent more ninjas. I'm just afraid this is Konoha's counterattack."
"I'll go there!"
Hozuki Mangetsu volunteered.
Genji shook his head. Hozuki Mangetsu… although he was no longer forced to watch over the Three-Tails as before, he didn't have much power at the moment, and the missions given to him were very few. Currently, he was basically in a state of leading a team. In the same team as him were precisely Terumi Mei, Momochi Zabuza, and Ringo Ameyuri.
Of course, the main reason Genji didn't let him go was because of the village's orders. He took out a scroll.
"You take people to intercept this fleet. Don't kill anyone. Just rob the goods. Do it cleanly."
"Elder…"
Hozuki Mangetsu was anxious.
How can we cause destruction at our own doorstep?
"Child, go and do your work. I understand everything you said. But who can bear the price of failure now?"
Genji's tone became more and more sorrowful.
He had already realized that there was a problem with the Mizukage. But the previous Karatachi Yagura was already very formidable. The current Yagura had sealed the Three-Tails and actively became its Jinchuriki. His strength was even more terrifying than before. Besides Yagura himself, who else in Kirigakure could defeat him?
The current Kirigakure could still operate and maintain itself. If they did as Hozuki Mangetsu said and failed to defeat the other party, then… after the failure, what should Kirigakure do? Genji had to consider the consequences of failure.
"Go."
"This, yes!"
Hozuki Mangetsu left helplessly.
Outside, he looked up at the sky, only feeling that the air in Kirigakure was oppressive. The current situation of Kirigakure made him see no future.
***
In the Hokage's office.
Tsunade looked at the scroll in her hand, her expression gradually becoming grave. Another decision that affects the ninja system! She rubbed her brow. The benefits of Kyohiko's proposal were visible to the naked eye, but the flaws… as the ninjas worked harder and harder, how to ensure their safe training needed to be carefully considered. Otherwise, one misstep could lead to someone being trained into uselessness.
"Kyohiko, my suggestion is to first test the gravity chakra armor through multiple rounds. Don't just give it to someone like Kakashi to use…"
Ryoho Kyohiko answered.
"I understand. Subsequently, when the quantity increases, I will first test it at various levels."
But he paused.
"However, you should be clear that this is a reward enhancement for the genius and elite level, so the ones selected will surely be the more outstanding ones."
"Mm, also, whether it will have a developmental impact on children also needs to be taken into account…"
Tsunade continuously provided her own ideas from the perspective of a medical ninja.
Then, she put down the scroll.
"Compared to this, I think we should establish a ninja health review mechanism as soon as possible and summarize a set of training plans applicable to normal ninjas as much as possible."
Tsunade couldn't help but complain about the situation that had occurred over the past period—ever since the Eight Gates Release had verified its power and controllable safety, the number of taijutsu ninjas training like crazy had clearly increased. In the hospital, the number of injured in this aspect had also clearly increased.
"This, should be something the Konoha Hospital side needs to do, right?"
Ryoho Kyohiko looked up carefully.
Tsunade said in an annoyed tone.
"Where are the people? The Konoha Hospital, the medical ninjas are all very busy now, with research, treatment…"
"Fortunately, it's not a state of war. Otherwise, the shortage would be even more acute."
But what troubled Tsunade the most was—war was approaching! Currently, they could already foresee that a war would inevitably break out. This would be a war that would sweep the entire shinobi world, and there was almost no possibility of compromise, unless they could finally kill Uchiha Madara.
"There's still too little time!"
If he were given another ten years, Ryoho Kyohiko believed that with Konoha's current development speed, he could definitely suppress the entire shinobi world! But in the limited time, all they could do was to continuously improve the quality of the current ninjas and train and develop the ninjas with potential as soon as possible.
Tsunade put it aside and sighed.
"Your plan, I will arrange it together with the health review and training. Kakuzu's side, do you have any intelligence on them?"
"I've already had people stake out several black markets. It shouldn't be long before we can find his general location."
"Capture him as soon as possible."
"Understood!"