Chapter 36

Continuous war leads not only to its decline but also to the improvement of weaponry. In this world, the most powerful weapon is human. It's quite natural that under such conditions, monsters like the first Kage emerge. Even the most numerous clans cannot deploy many people, so the strength of each shinobi affects the survival of those around them. Constant battles and self-improvement contribute to the creation of the strongest fighters. In other words, personal development was prioritized above all else.

After the formation of hidden villages, the situation changed somewhat—with the accumulation of "meat" during periods of relative peace, war shifted from individual clashes of a few shinobi to large-scale battles. Personal development gradually lost its previous significance, as even the strongest could be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.

With the emergence of such shinobi and relative calm between countries, trade flourished. However, prolonged wars continued to stifle technological progress for the same reasons as before. Adding to this the general distrust among people, the habit of secrecy, and the ability to eliminate competitors, stagnation—and sometimes regression—in scientific development ensued, as occasionally even the sole bearers of knowledge were destroyed.

As long as periods of peace between countries do not extend beyond a couple of decades, any dreams of scientific and technological progress are futile. Given the nature of shinobi, this is hardly possible. Perhaps one of the Hidden Villages might dominate all others, but preceding this would be centuries of warfare that would set back advancements by hundreds of years.

In principle, what use is such development if the outcome ends up like in the past world? A mediocre shinobi can be likened to a tank in terms of potential destruction, while the strongest is akin to a missile launcher. However, the final outcome differs in consequences.

Even if someone like Madara levels several mountains and forests, a few years later, the area will again be teeming with greenery. In contrast, after an artillery bombardment, little can grow in the polluted environment. Even the impact of a meteorite, something only the strongest few in history could achieve, doesn't match the aftermath of an atomic or hydrogen bomb explosion.

So as long as chakra and those who wield it exist, the arms race will continue in this direction, safeguarding the planet's atmosphere from the fate of my past world. Indeed, even the most potent poisons created in Sand and Grass originate from plants rather than chemicals. Even the deadliest chakra from the strongest bijuu mainly harms living beings but leaves the land bare without life. It's for the best, really.

Lost in thought, time flew by unnoticed, and after two hours, we found ourselves near the bandit camp, which had yet to awaken. Only the guards remained alert, whom we easily detected and circumvented thanks to Kanade's Byakugan. Well, our first serious mission is about to begin.

***

Upon surveying from the tallest trees around the bandits' temporary camp, it immediately became clear that among their leaders were individuals with brains—the location was chosen considering the mobility of shinobi and excluding stealthy attacks from above, which Leaf shinobi love to conduct on competitors unfamiliar with such terrain.

The size of the clearing between the forest giants also ruled out attacks by techniques from under the cover of trees. To achieve this, one would have to venture into the open area, falling within the sight of the camp's sentries. Considering there were no nearby bushes for cover, it was the correct tactical approach.

I've got more interesting stuff on patreon (up to 90 chapter)

patreon.com/Chill76