Arms Race

Just as Kizaru was brewing a reform in Konoha that would change the landscape of the ninja world for a more comfortable work environment in the future.

Several other ninja villages in the Five Great Countries, feeling immense pressure due to Kizaru's astounding performance in the war, spontaneously initiated top-down reforms.

In the Second War, the Land of Wind's Sunagakure, which suffered the most significant losses and deeply felt Kizaru's strength, was the quickest to start the transformation.

With the support of the village's top officials, Elder Chiyo, who was redeemed by the village, as the last surviving Kage-level expert aside from the Jinchuriki, temporarily assumed the position of Kazekage.

After becoming the interim Kazekage, realizing the gap in strength between Sunagakure and Konoha, Chiyo convinced various factions in the village and modeled after Iwagakure, prepared to cultivate and assemble an elite Magnet Release unit.

Magnet Release, developed by the Second Kazekage in researching the Shukaku, was originally a hereditary secret technique only accessible to the direct descendants of the Kazekage line.

However, the high-ranking officials of Sunagakure, now in desperate need of replenishing their depleted strength, understood clearly.

Now was not the time to monopolize ninjutsu for their own status; Sunagakure urgently needed to cultivate a large number of new strong individuals to ensure its position among the Five Great Countries.

Therefore, Interim Kazekage Chiyo and other high-ranking officials of the village reached a consensus to open up the Magnet Release training method to the young generation of Sunagakure ninja who passed the trust screening and had suitable qualifications.

At the same time, the Daimyos and nobles of the Land of Wind, usually known for their indulgence and lack of ambition, did not reduce financial support due to Sunagakure's defeat. Instead, they increased their investment.

These Daimyos and nobles, often criticized by Sunagakure ninja as stingy fools, were, in fact, not foolish!

In the past, Sunagakure's strength could guarantee the Land of Wind's status as a major nation, which was sufficient for the pleasure-seeking Daimyos and nobles.

But now, with the loss of troops and morale, Sunagakure's strength had plummeted to its lowest point.

At this time, to continue to ensure the Land of Wind's status as a major nation, it was necessary to increase investment.

For the Land of Wind's Daimyos and nobles, what they needed was a Sunagakure ninja village that could ensure territorial security and the interests of the nobility.

They didn't need to compete for first place, but they must have the strength to guarantee everyone's status and interests!

It was because of this clear understanding that the Land of Wind's Daimyos and nobles increased the annual financial allocation after Sunagakure's strength significantly declined.

With increased financial support from the Daimyos and nobles, the opening of the Magnet Release bloodline training method, and the simultaneous development of Sunagakure, after experiencing a major defeat, began to focus on development.

Similar to Sunagakure, after being redeemed by Kumogakure, the Third Raikage, upon returning to the village, also reflected deeply and began reforming to enhance the village's strength.

Different from Kazekage Chiyo's approach, the Third Raikage believed that the previous defeat was due to the insufficient top-tier combat power of the village.

To cultivate individuals with Kage-level combat power, the Third Raikage decided to intensify the development of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

This time, the Third Raikage was extremely determined. He resolved to persist in the selection and cultivation of the perfect Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, regardless of how many clan members were sacrificed or how much damage it would cause to the village.

"Persist until a perfect Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was cultivated!"

At the same time, the Third Raikage approached the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning, admitted mistakes and responsibilities, and obtained more funds.

This fund was used on one hand for the cultivation of new ninja and on the other hand invested in the development of chakra weapons.

Not only the defeated Land of Wind and Lightning, but the Land of Earth's Iwagakure, which had not suffered any losses this time and had formed an alliance with Konoha, also increased its military development after witnessing the strength of Konoha and Kizaru clearly.

Among the Five Great Countries, except for the Land of Water's Kirigakure, which was closed off for development after the Second War, the other three countries, after experiencing a brief Second War and clearly witnessing the strength of Konoha and Kizaru, began to develop along the path of increased military investment.

In the Second War, almost single-handedly ended by Kizaru within a month, making Konoha the biggest winner.

In the future, as the major nations continue to increase their military development investment, the scale of the Third War may surpass previous ones.

Not only are the countries and villages making reforms for the future, but underground in the Land of Grass, an old man is also preparing for his future plans.

After failing in his confrontation with Kizaru and being rejected in his attempts at brainwashing and recruitment, Madara returned to his own base.

To ensure his future plans are not thwarted by Kizaru, and feeling the effects of aging, Madara decided to cultivate an "heir."

"Lord Madara, perhaps only Uchiha Inabi from the new generation of Uchiha meets your requirements."

Due to Madara's high standards, after lurking and observing in the Uchiha territory in Konoha for some time, White Zetsu only found one candidate who barely met the criteria.

"Tell me about that child." Reclining in his wooden chair, Madara slowly spoke.

"That child is the same age as Kizaru, awakened at the age of six, and just became a genin three days ago."

"Why did he awaken?" Understanding the source of Uchiha's power, Madara didn't care about awakening at a young age; he wanted to know about the child's emotions and bonds.

"Well..." White Zetsu, reporting the information, showed a strange expression, paused for a moment, and replied, "It is said that he awakened out of anger after being mocked by someone."

"This child has quite the temper!"

This was the first time Madara had heard of such a reason for awakening.

"What is his personality like?"

"Proud, impulsive, and proud of being an Uchiha!"

"Does he have someone he likes?" Not entirely satisfied, Madara continued to ask.

"No." White Zetsu replied.

"Does he have bonds and ideals?" Madara continued to inquire.

"For bonds, perhaps only Kizaru counts! His ideal is to catch up with Kizaru and become his lifelong rival."

Making this little guy awaken his Mangekyou Sharingan is too difficult!

"Give up on him!" Without any hesitation, Madara ordered.

"Lord Madara..."

"Continue to monitor the Uchiha. I have plenty of time." Interrupting White Zetsu, Madara said sternly.

"Understood, Lord Madara!"

"Go back!"

"Yes!"

After answering, White Zetsu, the information reporter, returned to the underground.