Chapter 195

The young shinobi are brimming with energy and refuse to acknowledge their inferiority to others, particularly the Sannin who are in their middle and later years. Each of them clings to their own unrealistic dreams—one dreams of gambling, another dreams of happiness, and the third dreams of longevity. Despite their age, they hold onto these dreams as if they were carefree and youthful.

The video footage from the first Shinobi World Martial Conference was sent back to the Great Hidden Villages, but it underwent extensive editing. The purpose of the edits was to highlight each village's strengths and undermine their opponents' performances. For instance, Konoha focused on showcasing the Sannin and Namikaze Minato's standout moments, creating an illusion of invincibility. The other Hidden Villages followed suit, emphasizing their own struggles and downplaying their leaders' defeats. These manipulations led to a polarized perception of each village, understood only by those in the know.

While peace prevailed within the Five Great Hidden Villages, the rest of the world was engulfed in chaos. The Five Great Countries, in particular, experienced unrest. After the "accidental" death of the daimyo, the regions under their control descended into chaos. The people suffered from food scarcity, and refugees were scattered everywhere. Ambitious individuals took advantage of the situation, seeking power amidst the turmoil. Sadly, the suffering of the common people was overlooked, as their struggles rarely affected the upper echelons of power.

Inside the Kazekage building in Sunagakure, the highest decision-making level gathered to address the influx of refugees from Kaze no Kuni. Hitoshi, with a slight smile, proposed a straightforward solution—providing relief through employment. He suggested offering jobs to the refugees, such as digging ditches, planting trees, and building houses. Hitoshi believed that employment held more value than simply providing food. Offering work would instill hope and a sense of purpose within them.

Hitoshi explained that Konoha had agreed to deliver food to Sunagakure, and it was likely that the other Hidden Villages had made similar agreements. He acknowledged Konoha's unparalleled food production capabilities and stressed the necessity of accepting their aid for the sake of peace. Hitoshi knew that Konoha's motivations were both financial gain and the preservation of peace.

With Hitoshi's plan set in motion, millions of refugees in Kaze no Kuni quickly found employment. Hitoshi ensured that wages were paid promptly and opened grain shops throughout the region, allowing everyone to purchase food whenever needed. Sunagakure's approach became a model for other countries, inspiring them to implement similar strategies. Konoha reclaimed fertile fields and constructed infrastructure, Iwagakure repaired roads and established pathways through the barren mountains, and Kaminari no Kuni focused on land reclamation and drainage. Mizu no Kuni concentrated on water facilities and became a significant producer of food alongside Konoha.

Troublemakers and bandits were no match for the shinobi teams. A combination of a Jonin, two Chunin, and six Genin proved sufficient to subdue most bandits. Meanwhile, other teams led by Rasa, Namikaze Minato, Fourth-Kage Ai, Kitsuchi, and Yagura dealt with bandit nests formed by wandering shinobi and samurai. The Shinobi World enjoyed a period of peace, with occasional disruptions caused by the sons and daughters of the Shinobi World who believed they could challenge the status quo.

However, the strength of the Five Great Hidden Villages remained unmatched. Your Excellency Black Zetsu, the "son" of the Shinobi World, acknowledged that while he could defeat Jonin, Kage-level shinobi could easily overpower him. The Five Great Hidden Villages boasted multiple Kage-level shinobi, making them formidable adversaries.