CH - 94 Third Raikage
The unexpected demise of the Third Raikage echoed like a thunderclap, a Kage falling amid an astounding display of strength, single-handedly confronting and battling ten thousand Iwa ninjas over the course of three days and nights until exhaustion ultimately claimed him.
This astonishing news reverberated across the ninja world, leaving everyone in a state of shock. The abrupt loss of a Kage was a jarring event. Whispers of awe arose, and the legendary "Strongest Spear" and "Strongest Shield" titles were proven well-deserved. His prowess seemed to be on par with that of a legendary figure in the ninja sphere.
Yet, the astonishment did not stop there. Mere days later, another ripple coursed through the ninja world as news spread anew. The Mist Village had dispatched their Seven Ninja Swordsmen to infiltrate the Land of Fire, embarking on an assassination mission.
However, this endeavor ended in failure. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen encountered a squad of Konoha genin, and nearly their entire group was decimated, with just three of their members managing to escape the ordeal.
The news of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's near-defeat at the hands of Konoha Genin sent shockwaves yet again. These legendary swordsmen were infamous for their collective might, capable of decimating a small nation within a day when united. Their individual strengths were extraordinarily terrifying. Yet, they infiltrated the Land of Fire, only to encounter a group of Konoha genin who nearly wiped them out.
The stark contrast between their reputation and the reality was perplexing. Some even wondered, if Could this information be a result of misinformation spread by Grass Village?
However, once the authenticity of the news was verified, the entire ninja world found itself sighing once more. It was yet another reminder of the unpredictable nature of warfare. The Situation could change dramatically within an instant.
The prevailing notion was that with the Five Great Ninja Villages locked in warfare and the Four Villages' intentions to overpower Konoha, the latter would be in dire straits. the reality proved astonishingly different.
Konoha had yet to make a decisive move. The villages of Iwa and Kumo had already endured substantial losses. Following the incapacitation of the formidable Seven Ninja Swordsmen by Konoha genin, Kirigakure Village also experienced severe setbacks. Amidst this, Konoha must be basking in their success, unable to conceal their amusement.
…
As the sudden changes in the war rippled through the ninja world, Grass Village's temporary headquarters in the Land of Rain was equally stirred into action. The village intensified its production efforts in response to the evolving circumstances.
Throughout the temporary base, an atmosphere of dedicated production took hold. Driven by their necessity for living spaces and basic necessities, as well as the promise of substantial rewards, the workers who had known the hardships of war were resolute in their commitment. With unwavering diligence, they carried out their tasks as instructed, throwing their entire selves into the production process.
Surveying the report before him, Akihiko's expression reflected contentment. He issued a clear directive, "Continue the production efforts and also communicate to the village that we can capitalize on the opportunity to sell Ninja inner armor."
As the production period progressed, the initial challenges posed by integrating new workers into the process began to fade. Under the guidance of their experienced colleagues and with the aid of the machinery developed by the Scientific Ninja Tools division, the productivity of the workers experienced a notable improvement. With increasing familiarity with their tasks, it was anticipated that their efficiency would continue to rise in the coming days.
A significant quantity of goods had been successfully manufactured and stored within the warehouse. Now was the opportune moment to initiate the selling process. This period of heightened tension was the most conducive time for such sales. Once peace was restored, the demand for ninja vests and inner armor would inevitably decrease.
In Peace times, the primary focus of ninja villages was on providing specialized equipment, including vests and inner armor, for their chunin and jonin ranks. While customized gear might come at a higher cost than mass-produced alternatives, the benefits were manifold. The tailor-made nature of these items ensured an optimal fit, maximizing comfort and mobility for those higher-ranking ninjas who engaged in more complex and demanding missions.
The sudden surge in demand for ninja vests during these tense moments was a strategic opportunity. Under normal circumstances, other ninja villages might not even consider providing such equipment to newly graduated genin, as it was often deemed unnecessary.
The rationale behind this was fairly straightforward, the battlefield was an unpredictable and hazardous environment. Given that these freshly graduated genin typically possessed only basic jutsu and combat skills, there was no guarantee of their survivability on the front lines.
Hence, the necessity for ninja equipment was most apparent in these critical moments. The emphasis on equipment during these tense periods was a reflection of the recognition that, during times of heightened conflict, even those at the lower ranks required protection and gear that could potentially tip the scales in their favor during engagements.
"Therefore, we must accelerate production," Akihiko's tone carried a gravity as he addressed Yoshinori beside him. "Simultaneously, we must fortify the village's defenses. Given the significant losses incurred by the three major ninja villages, as well as the precarious situation of the Sand Village, Grass Village, positioned between these two nations, could potentially become a battleground due to unforeseen developments."
The emergence of unforeseen circumstances remained beyond anyone's foresight. Yet, no ninja village wished for their territory to become a battleground. His oversight here certainly improved matters. While he couldn't cover the entirety of the Land of Rain, ensuring the security of a smaller region posed no challenge.
With his statement concluded, Yoshinori nodded in solemn agreement. "Understood."
"Keep in mind the safety of all villagers and children. But also remember, we are not to be underestimated. Anyone who dares to instigate trouble will be met with resistance," Akihiko emphasized, ensuring that no appearance of weakness was entertained. His expression remained serious as he continued, "...Even if it demands every ounce of my strength, I am prepared to safeguard the Land of Grass with my life."
Upon absorbing the weight of the leader's commitment, Yoshinori's lips quivered faintly. He responded with resolute conviction, "Leader, rest assured, the Uzumaki clan stands ready to protect the Land of Grass alongside our comrades."
The leader upheld the significance of life, yet his approach was not inflexible. If the Land of Grass was provoked, the leader would not hesitate to take action. This was precisely why the Uzumaki clan and the Chinoike clan had come to respect a nation that was once scoffed at by the entire ninja world.
Naturally, the Land of Grass was far from weak at present. The leader possesses power comparable to that of a demi-god in the ninja world. Among the clans with Bloodline Limits, the Uzumaki, the Yuki, and the Chinoike stood prominent.
Simultaneously, within the academy, while the students might not match the top-tier clan children in Konoha, on the whole, Grass Village's childrens unquestionably surpassed the freshly graduated genin from any other ninja village.
Therefore, even if they were to engage in war against the Five Great Ninja Villages, they harbored minimal trepidation. Naturally, if confronted by a single village, Grass Village might not guarantee victory, but neither would it experience a humiliating defeat. Yet, declaring an all-out war on the Five Great Ninja Villages akin to Rain Village was undoubtedly beyond their capacity.
"No need to be overly concerned. In fact, if things continue on this path, it's possible the war might conclude soon," Akihiko reassured while regarding Yoshinori's earnest demeanor, offering a comforting pat on his shoulder. He continued, "By the way, how is the progress on the Thunder Car and the surveillance-type ninja tools that I had mentioned earlier?"
Regarding the Thunder Car, its potential to enhance transportation capacity is evident. Once a railway is established to directly connect with the Land of Rain, it would considerably expedite the movement of minerals and various goods.
Regarding the surveillance-type ninja tools, they could significantly reinforce border monitoring. While the Land of Grass is currently safeguarded by sealing formations, an additional layer of security can only be advantageous.
In time, Grass Village might not require the same reliance on ninjutsu that Nagato did in the original future. They could incorporate surveillance tools and techniques for oversight. Akihiko also recalled the Third Hokage's telescopic jutsu, which facilitated real-time espionage over the entirety of Konoha.
"It's making good progress. Regarding the Thunder Car, we've made significant strides. As for the surveillance ninja tools..." Yoshinori contemplated for a moment before continuing, "Actually, Leader, do you recall the concept of cameras?"
"You mean..." Akihiko's memory was jogged, recalling a discussion about building a camera-like device similar to CCTV from his previous life.
"Yes, The research institute is currently gearing up to explore this concept," Yoshinori affirmed with a bright smile creasing his aged features. "I'm confident that we'll yield results before too long."
Akihiko, reminded of the somewhat bulkier monitoring devices used during Naruto's Chuunin Exams in the original future, returned the smile and said, "I'm putting my trust in you."
Just as their conversation concluded, an air of urgency entered the room. Mubuki, the head of Grass Ninja Village's Intelligence Division, burst in, his expression serious. "Leader, we've received a letter from Konoha!"
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