Chapter 21

Within the mansion of the Kaze no Kuni Daimyo, the Daimyo was once again roaring in frustration.

"So, what you're saying is that Sunagakure didn't even bother to hide their tracks and it's blatantly obvious that they were behind it," the scar-faced Daimyo exclaimed in disbelief.

He had suspected that it was Sunagakure's band of miscreants who had orchestrated the robbery against him and the nobles. After all, he knew well enough how devious and cunning they could be.

However, the Daimyo never imagined that Sunagakure would be so careless, leaving behind such clear evidence that pointed to their involvement.

The Daimyo couldn't believe it. The mighty Sunagakure, with its vast resources, had not even bothered to dispose of the bodies or hide the evidence.

"Daimyo-sama, this is the information we obtained at great cost, even sacrificing several lives. It's not that Sunagakure was lazy in hiding their actions, but rather they were brazen about it. Please don't discredit our efforts," the scar-faced informant said angrily, his tone seething with intense frustration.

The Kaze no Kuni Daimyo's eyes flickered with a glimmer of understanding as he looked at the scarred face before him.

He couldn't help but question his own decision to have someone with such limited intellect assist him in unifying Kaze no Kuni and gaining complete control over its military and political power.

Enough is enough.

This is Sunagakure we're talking about. Even if we lost in battle, they still have three or four Kage-level Shinobi and numerous Jonin. They follow an elite recruitment policy. How can we compete with just a few Jonin and Chunin? It's absurd.

"Yes, this is the information you obtained at great cost, and I will compensate you accordingly. As for those who have family members remaining, gather their information and send it to me. I will ensure their safety within my mansion," the Kaze no Kuni Daimyo said dismissively, waving his hand in a perfunctory manner.

"Yes, I am grateful, Daimyo-sama. We are willing to go through water and tread on fire for you. I will do whatever it takes," Scarface said excitedly.

He was a staunch supporter of the Daimyo's cause. His ancestors had been samurai who served the Daimyo, and even after transitioning to the shinobi profession, their loyalty remained unwavering.

After Scarface departed, the Kaze no Kuni Daimyo sat in his seat and began to contemplate.

"Sunagakure has separated its military and administration. They have secured their finances and no longer rely on me. So, what should I do?" the Daimyo mused, turning his head as he searched for a solution. Suddenly, he clenched his fist, his face filled with determination. "Those wretched Sunagakure shinobi, they are a force to be reckoned with. Once they lift the chessboard, we will have nothing left to play."

..........

Within the chamber of Kaze no Kuni, all the high-ranking members of Sunagakure, including the clan leaders, several elders, and the Jonin, had gathered. Only Ebizo, Bunpuku, Yasuke, and a few others were absent.

Hitoshi's gaze swept across the assembly, his eyes resting on the clan leaders, the elders, and the Jonin of Suna Shinōbi Village. A sense of pride swelled within his heart.

These were the individuals he had saved, especially the Jonin, who had fought alongside him and had now become a formidable force.

He contemplated the possibility of defying fate and changing his life through war. However, he had failed in his previous attempts, losing to the hearts of the people and the corrupt system of Kaze no Kuni. Despite this setback, he still possessed enough resources and strategies to rise again. He realized that violence alone would not guarantee success; he needed to employ a different approach, one that leveraged softer forms of power.

Hitoshi no longer believed that building walls and amassing resources would be enough to secure victory. He drew inspiration from the successful experiences of historical figures like Emperor Zhu Chongba, who rose from humble origins to become a revered ruler.

"Dear colleagues and comrades-in-arms, our plan has already yielded results. We have witnessed green areas emerging outside Suna Shinōbi Village, and the border of Ame no Kuni is becoming lush with vegetation. This demonstrates that when we invest our efforts into improving our lives, our living environment can be transformed," Hitoshi passionately addressed the gathering.

"Consider this: Are you willing to cling to the notion of Shinōbi dignity, living a life fraught with constant danger? Or would you prefer to set aside your pride and use your skills to shape a better living environment? To find love, raise a family, and grow old together. These choices are in your hands," Hitoshi presented the options to the assembly, without coercion, fully aware that meaningful change could only come through open discussion.

The clan leaders, elders, and Jonin exchanged glances, seeking the wisdom of their peers before making a decision.

"Kazekage-sama, even if you amass wealth, you will still be susceptible to surveillance. How can we protect the fruits of our labor?" An elder stood up and raised the question, maintaining a tone of open discussion rather than challenging.

Hitoshi was prepared for such inquiries and had a solution in mind. "We will establish a dedicated army and train Shinōbi for full-time defense. They will not be tasked with executing missions but instead focus on guarding our homes and defending the country. They will follow the orders of their superiors, and the Ninja Village will ensure they receive regular payments," Hitoshi responded.

However, not everyone was convinced by this approach. A Jonin voiced her dissent and walked forward, supported by nodding heads from those around her. They believed that Shinōbi were meant to be fighters and saw little value in a non-combat role.

Hitoshi shook his head and rejected their perspective. "No, it's not that simple. In my view, Shinōbi are capable of more than just fighting," he refuted.

"Let's set aside the discussion on this matter for now. Consider Shamon-sama, for example. His expertise lies in research, and the discoveries he makes can be more valuable than victories on the battlefield. Likewise, Lady Chiyo possesses exceptional skills in detoxification and has the power to save countless lives. We have Shinōbi who excel in various other fields. Their unique abilities and talents have the potential to bring about more meaningful advancements than mere combat prowess," Hitoshi explained, emphasizing the broader contributions Shinōbi could make to society.

Hitoshi's voice fell, and all the people present started to think about it. They hadn't thought about this before, but now that they think about it, it is true.

Especially those Elder and Shinōbi Clan Clan Leaders, who are in a higher position and understand the power of these "specialties" better.

Shamon's strength is not too high. The existence of Kage Level at the bottom, the Magnet Release and Sealing Jutsu he studied, and the Dissection of One-Tails Shukaku, have brought Sunagakure strength to the next level.

This is the reason why Shamon is standing still.

"Indeed, as Kazekage-sama said, my wife and I don't like to fight. What we prefer is to study Puppet."

A red-haired The handsome young man came out and supported Hitoshi.

When everyone saw this young man, he didn't say anything. He is Chiyo's son and Ebizo's nephew, and he is noble.

The most important thing is that he is the best Puppet researcher in this generation.

He has a large number of Puppet and Puppet operations that are simple and convenient, which improves the overall strength of Sunagakure.

"I also agree with Kazekage-sama, our clan's Secret Jutsu, if used to solidify the ground and fix sand into soil, it is better than fighting."

A small clan followed Break the silence.

"Yes, our Secret Jutsu can be used to find water veins."

"Everyone say this, think about it, our Secret Jutsu , It's also very good to do something else. The family makes money and they don't need children to go to battlefield."

"That's correct, Lord Kazekage. The Ninjutsu I have researched also falls under the same category. We can serve the community in more beneficial ways," Shamon affirmed, supporting Hitoshi's viewpoint.

In the following discussions, the Shinōbi of Sunagakure, enlightened by this new perspective, began to open up their minds. They realized that their clan's secret techniques and unique abilities could be utilized beyond the confines of traditional Shinōbi duties. They no longer felt the need to adhere strictly to the old ways.

Why exert themselves when they could generate wealth? Why strive for a hard life when they could have a comfortable lifestyle? Why risk their lives when life itself was precious?

The concept of Shinōbi dignity, once held so dearly, now seemed trivial in comparison to the benefits and opportunities that awaited them.