Escape From Konoha

Before going home, Shiraishi first went to the military base training ground.

The flying ninja tool carried a soldier, flying in the sky, making a vibrating sound in the air.

In the center of the training ground, targets were placed every ten meters.

The flying ninja flying from high altitude directly pressed the magazine on the flying ninja tool, and silver-white metal balls quickly ejected from the high altitude, and landed on the target in the center of the training ground.

Boom boom boom!

The continuous explosions made people's ears buzz.

The bursting fire illuminated the person's face.

Even more than the power of the detonating talisman, after the explosion of these metal balls, the area where the targets were located on the exercise ground was completely turned over. Large potholes appeared on the exercise ground. It was basically unusable until it was repaired. state.

"Can the power of metal bombs be increased further?"

After Shiraishi read it, he asked Dr. Pianqi beside him.

The opponent is a senior scientific researcher from the Kingdom of Ghosts' military, focusing on the military industry. In recent years, he has developed a lot of advanced military equipment for the Kingdom of Ghosts.

After watching the flying ninja's performance, Shiraishi was still a little dissatisfied with the power of the metal bombs dropped from the air.

"Of course, we can continue to improve."

Dr. Pianqi nodded without hesitation.

This was originally a test of the waters. With the first complete test product, it is undoubtedly much simpler to improve on this basis.

"However, this requires updating the system equipment of the chakra compressor. Sooner or later, maybe we can produce a super bomb comparable to the Tailed Beast Jade level."

Dr. Pianqi said so confidently.

Thinking of such a situation, Dr. Pian Qi couldn't help but look forward to it.

"I will let the other departments work with you to study it."

Compared to Dr. Kataki who is still looking forward to it, Shiraishi understands what kind of terrible weapons science can create in the future.

Not to mention the Tailed Beast Jade, bombs more terrifying than the Tailed Beast Jade can also be created.

However, it is still too early to say this now.

The technology of the Demon Country has not yet reached the level of being able to manufacture nuclear bombs, so targeting the Tailed Beast Jade is one way to do it.

"It's a pity that there is no war in the Kingdom of Ghosts now, and it is unknown whether these metal bombs can be used on the battlefield to form a suppressive force. This is all unknown."

There is no reference for comparison.

So-called military weapons are like this.

Data analysis is, after all, only on paper.

Whether the product is satisfactory requires market feedback and user experience.

On the contrary, the country of ghosts, which does not need war to build its reputation now, will not put these weapons on the battlefield for the time being.

Although Dr. Pianqi was very confident in the weapons he developed, he ultimately lacked the necessary 'advertisement'.

Acting is not real fighting, these weapons need an opponent.

Shiraishi also understands this truth. Although the Kingdom of Ghosts also used modern firearms such as long-range artillery during the war in the Kingdom of Wind, the lethality in the face of highly mobile ninjas was not very optimistic.

On the contrary, the air force's suppression of land forces is very effective.

Of course, this may also be because the number of artillery brought to the Kingdom of Wind was insufficient at that time, and the fire coverage was not fully taken care of.

At that time, I just wanted to test the effectiveness of these armaments, and I did not place any hope of victory on these unsystematic firearms.

"The Land of Rain."

Shiraishi mentioned this country.

"The Land of Rain?"

Dr. Pianqi tilted his head.

"Sell these bombs, together with the flying ninja tools, to the Country of Rain at a high price, and let them fight against the Country of Fire. Use their war to tell us the answer."

What are the advantages and disadvantages of dealing with ninjas, and what areas need to be improved? There is no better place to talk about it than war.

The Kingdom of Ghosts is now unable to directly participate in the war in the Kingdom of Rain, nor can it participate. Once it participates, Konoha Ninja Village will not stand still.

The ninjas who are currently active in the Land of Rain are all ninjas from the Daming Mansion of the Land of Fire, and they are only hiding behind the scenes and have not come to the front of the stage.

The kingdom of ghosts cannot break this balance, so sending troops from the kingdom of rain is only a deterrent, and it is impossible to really participate.

Even if the kingdom of ghosts wants to participate, Nagato probably won't let it.

Because once a war breaks out between the kingdom of ghosts and the kingdom of fire, the place of war is likely to be the kingdom of rain.

Then it's not just a small fight, it is very likely that the Rain Country will become a wasteland where no one lives under the confrontation between the two countries.

If you can't participate in the war, but you want to verify the performance of these new bombs in actual wars, you can only sell them to the Kingdom of Rain, and use the war in the Kingdom of Rain to provide feedback on the performance of the weapons.

Dr. Pianqi quickly understood this truth.

Big countries are chess players and small countries are chess pieces.

The current Kingdom of Rain is very weak, so it can only be reduced to the fate of a pawn.

After all, Shiraishi is also a high-ranking official in the Kingdom of Ghosts.

Naturally, I don't mind helping other small countries if I can, but once the issue involves the interests of my own country, I have to fight for it without giving in.

Fortunately, the performance of these weapons does not require the blood of one's own people to react.

After all, arms are the most profitable industry in the world.

Compared with the crooked ways of pornography, gambling and drugs, selling directly to the outside world in the name of the country is the real way to make money.

"So, Shiraishi-sama, do you want to ask for some ninjutsu again this time? Is it the so-called sacred tree material?"

Dr. Pianqi asked curiously.

He knew that Shiraishi was a ninja, as long as he was a ninja, he was more inclined to choose ninjutsu and the like.

"No, the current ninjutsu system of the Demon Country has been very complete with the documents and materials of Uchiha, Hinata, and the Uzumaki clan. There is no need to exchange ninjutsu. And there is no need for the sacred tree. I The reason for exchanging for the branches of the sacred tree is to improve the desert environment of the Kingdom of Wind."

The Kingdom of Wind now has part of the land that is under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Ghosts.

In this regard, Baishi is also naturally concerned. In the future development strategy, the desert land will be reused.

"This time I plan to exchange resources such as silver and copper from the Land of Rain."

Shiraishi said what he wanted to exchange for.

Although the country of ghosts is not so short of mineral resources such as silver and copper, Shiraishi will not dislike these resources too much.

It’s hard for a clever woman to make a meal without rice. There are too many things he wants to do, and resources are the basis for building all industries. In Shiraishi’s view, the more these resources, the better.

Moreover, with the current technology of the Land of Rain, it is difficult to effectively use these resources. From a long-term perspective, the harm to the Land of Rain will outweigh the benefits.

But in the Land of Rain, there aren’t many options for reference now.

Although Nagato went to the battlefield, he obviously didn't want to take action himself, otherwise his strength would be exposed.

Hanzo, the last Sanshouyu who showed his true deterrent power, has died due to Konoha's conspiracy.

No matter how strong a person is, he must serve the entire country and the Ninja Village.

If they were alone, Konoha and Sunagakure might not dare to provoke Hanzo.

But Hanzo is the leader of the Hidden Rain Village and the protector of the Land of Rain. This is Hanzo's weakness.

In the same way, the current Aegakure and Rain Country are also Nagato's weaknesses.

With Hanzo's lesson learned from the past, Nagato is more inclined to hide himself in the face of no real power to protect the Rain Country.

However, hiding oneself means that Yuyin Village has lost its strongest deterrence. In this civil war, it has also been exposed that Yuyin Village's combat effectiveness is seriously insufficient.

Therefore, when the Kingdom of Ghosts was unable to participate in the war, the Kingdom of Fire dared to continue to entangle with the Kingdom of Rain, because if it delayed, victory would belong to the Kingdom of Fire.

Now Nagato is already thinking about the gains and losses after taking action.

In this case, then help him again.

Use the war in the Kingdom of Rain to advertise the Kingdom of Ghosts.

After that, there will be a steady stream of countries purchasing arms from the Kingdom of Ghosts.

In this way, the Demon Country can occupy a dominant position in the arms market of the ninja world.

The Demon Country, which occupies a dominant position in the arms market, is equivalent to controlling the war market in the ninja world.

The premise is that the Kingdom of Rain can win the battle beautifully in the conflict with the Kingdom of Fire.

Regarding this point, Shiraishi felt that he needed to make a careful calculation.

"I'll leave it to you, doctor, to improve the power of bombs. I will think carefully about when to sell new weapons to the Kingdom of Rain."

"yes."

Dr. Pianqi understands that there are many benefits to putting new weapons into the battlefield of the Kingdom of Rain.

But equally, there are huge risks.

For example, the subsequent backlash of the Fire Nation, where the Time Rain Nation will go, whether it will affect previous transactions, and what the future international situation will be like, all require convening high-level meetings from the military and government to discuss. There are many aspects involved. You should not only focus on the fruits you are about to get, but also consider the hidden dangers.

"It seems that I have to trouble the Raikage-sama again... In the next year, I will personally visit Kumogakure Village. Among the ninja world, apart from us, the Kingdom of Demons, only the Kingdom of Thunder is most eager for the decline of the Kingdom of Fire. At present, the interests of the two countries are completely consistent, so there is room for maneuver."

As the head of the military, the person he visited was Raikage.

As for the name of the country of thunder, it can be negotiated by the government's diplomats.

◎

Konoha.

In the Hokage's home.

With the arrival of the end of the year, Hiruzen was temporarily relieved of his heavy responsibilities and had rare free time to rest at home.

But the house was also very deserted.

His wife, Sarutobi Biwako, died during the Nine-Tails Rebellion when she delivered the baby for her predecessor, the Nine-Tailed Jinchuuriki.

The eldest son Sarutobi Takashi also died on the battlefield in the Land of Wind, as did his daughter-in-law Sarutobi Uruko.

The second son Sarutobi Asuma did not agree with his philosophy, so he moved away from home when he was a teenager and lived alone.

Now, he is the only one left at home, a lonely old man, and a grandson who is waiting to be fed.

The hired servants have also gone home to prepare for the New Year, and will come to help after the New Year.

Looking at the empty environment, Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh. Soon, he put away his mind and concentrated on practicing calligraphy at home.

In the afternoon, there was a knock on the door at the entrance.

Hiruzen put down the writing brush he was practicing with and walked towards the entrance hall to open the door.

"You're here, Shikaku, you're here faster than I thought."

The person who came to visit him was Nara Shikaku, the jounin squad leader of Konoha.

"After all, it's Hokage-sama who summoned me...although it's very troublesome."

Shikaku scratched his head and said grumblingly.

With the end of the year coming, he had a rare opportunity to take a break, and he also had to review his son Nara Shikamaru's studies and teach him. Therefore, even during the New Year, not much of the burden on him was lifted.

He is the Jonin squad leader of Konoha. Every word and deed represents the face of Konoha, and he cannot be careless in any way. Especially in terms of educating his children, he undoubtedly devoted all his efforts.

Hiruzen smiled and led Shikaku into his study.

"Then, Hokage-sama, why did you summon me during this break?"

Lu Jiu asked puzzledly.

Speaking of this matter, Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh and said: "I didn't want to trouble you at first, because Tsunade sent me a letter, and I was a little unsure about some of the things she said in the letter, so , I need you to discuss it with me."

"Is that so?"

Shikaku nodded, but his mind became active.

At this time, I couldn't wait to discuss it with him. It would definitely not be a trivial matter.

"Don't you plan to come back at the end of the year, Tsunade-sama?"

"If she doesn't come back, she has something to do at Shigu Forest."

Ritsu replied.

"What about Jiraiya-sama?"

"Jiraiya will come back and stay for a few days to exchange information with the village. Not only does he want to investigate Orochimaru, but also the information from the Kingdom of Demons will be handed over to him."

Although he knew that Jiraiya was reckless and even stubborn in some aspects, Hiruzen knew that Jiraiya had a strong ability to collect information, so that Konoha would not be blind to the outside world and know nothing.

Jiraiya is by no means dispensable to Konoha. As long as the two of the Sannin are still alive, they are the Dinghai Shenzhen to Konoha.

"Okay, let's not talk about the two of them. This is a letter written by Tsunade to me. It's a bit long. You read it slowly and I'll make you a cup of tea."

Hiruzen took out Tsunade's letter.

This was no ordinary letter. There were more than a dozen sheets of letter paper, and the content inside was very substantial, which made Lu Jiu interested.

If it is just a simple condolence, half a piece of paper is enough, there is no need to write so much.

A few minutes later, Hiruzen re-entered the study, brought tea in and placed it next to Shikaku.

But at this moment, Lu Jiu obviously had no intention of drinking tea. He stared at the letter paper, reading the letter word by word without skipping any content.

After a few more minutes, Shikaku finished reading all the contents of the letter, took a deep breath, and the expression on his face became serious.

The content of the letter written by Tsunade was very simple. It was not a simple greeting to the village, but an investigation report.

Compare the various countries in the ninja world, including the Land of Fire, with the newly-rising Demon Kingdom.

In terms of comparison, it includes but is not limited to national tax system, industry, economy, industry, agriculture, armaments, national system, etc.

It pointedly pointed out the various problems existing in most countries in the ninja world, and led to the only result - the rise of the ghost country, which was not accidental, but inevitable.

And it gave a fairly certain prediction that in the next ten years or so, the Kingdom of Fire will not be a match for the Kingdom of Ghosts at all.

In the new era opened by the Kingdom of Ghosts, the decline of the Country of Fire and Konoha is obvious.

This decline is not due to the weak military strength of the ninja, but to the overall level. Even in terms of military affairs, the Demon Country will become extremely terrifying as its overall national strength increases, and Konoha cannot compare with it.

Regardless of the combat power of the top ninjas, the backbone and the bottom will be completely outclassed by the Kingdom of Demons.

The Kingdom of Demons will become a behemoth that towers over all the countries in the ninja world.

These sharp insights made Lu Jiu feel the same way.

Because, when he and Hiruzen went to Daming Mansion last time, he also felt the horror of the Kingdom of Ghosts.

But Tsunade's current revelation allowed him to see the core part of it.

Although it was part of it, not all of it, it also caused an extremely intense turmoil in Shikaku's heart.

He knew that what Tsunade said was true. The Fire Country and Konoha were indeed in decline. This was an undisputed fact.

A few years ago, he could barely fight with Kumogakure, and both sides would win or lose.

But now if there is an all-out war with Yunyin, the result may be more losses than victories.

The Kingdom of Thunder has been vigorously developing ninja troops for decades, and is constantly expanding its armaments regardless of war or peace. On the other hand, Konoha does not have this desire, or it is indulging in the glory of the past and forgetting that Kumogakure Village is not the past. Yunyin Village.

Now the number of ninjas on the surface of Yunyin Village has surpassed that of Muye Village, and Yunyin has not stopped, and is still expanding its strength.

Because the Kingdom of Thunder is eager to compete for the number one power, Yunyin Village is also eager to defeat Konoha and become the number one ninja village.

The power of the daimyo and Raikage was concentrated to the outside world, forming a harmonious situation where the military and the government of the ghost country were completely unified.

This is a very scary thing.

The relationship between the daimyo of the country of thunder and Raikage is even more harmonious than the relationship between the daimyo of the country of fire and Hokage.

Not to mention, the country of ghosts, where the government and the military are completely unified.

Even if the country of fire does not have an advantage in terms of population and land, it will be a matter of time before they catch up. Maybe it has surpassed the Fire Nation.

"How about it, Shikaku, what do you think?"

Sun Zhan asked.

"If my guess is not wrong, Tsunade-sama... wants to reform the environment inside Konoha."

Shikaku gave this answer.

Hiruzen nodded, he had the same idea.

Among his three disciples, Jiraiya has the most honest character, Orochimaru is the most radical, and Tsunade is about the same, but because she has a kind heart, she will not take the unscrupulous path like Orochimaru.

Hiruzen also didn't know what kind of changes Tsunade's radical attitude would bring to Konoha if he served as the fifth Hokage in the future.

Whether it's good or bad, I don't know at all.

This was a very difficult place in his heart.

"If we follow what Tsunade said, the one-country-one-village system that the first generation of lords worked so hard to establish will likely fall apart, and a terrible civil war will break out in the great country. Neither we nor the daimyo want such a thing to happen."

The one-country-one-village system maintains balance because daimyo and shinobi villages check and balance each other.

According to Tsunade's approach, the one-country-one-village system will be completely unbalanced and lead to a major civil war.

Because this would not only violate the interests of the daimyo and nobles, but also the interests of the ninja clan within the ninja village.

Especially in Konoha, this is even more difficult.

The ninja clan within Konoha is very powerful and has always been the leader of the village.

Since the Hokage, all high-level officials who can participate in Konoha's decision-making are from the Ninja clan and have family shares behind them.

The establishment of the ninja school took a lot of effort. Although the ninja clan recognized the ninja school, they did not make the family's ninjutsu information available to the public, but continued to choose "family" education.

Common people will always accept the basics.

The teachings of the ninja clan extend the basic teaching to make the children of the family stronger.

One step ahead, every step ahead.

Therefore, there are only a handful of civilians who can stand out from the tens of thousands of Konoha ninjas, and most of them are backed by the ninja clan.

Hiruzen understood this, and Shikaku also understood it.

Even Chiba Shiraishi in the Kingdom of Demons relied on the power of the Uchiha clan to get started.

In the ranking of the ninja clan, the Uchiha clan has always been ranked first after the decline of the Senju clan.

The connections, resources, and ninjutsu that this family controls are all for ordinary people as individuals, and it will be difficult to surpass them in their lifetime.

After thousands of years of accumulation, the wealth accumulated can not only be calculated by pure money.

That is the bloodline limited ninja clan with a longer history than the five major nations.

The Ninja Village was established, and the Ninja clan occupied the most power in it. This kind of thing cannot be changed and cannot be changed.

They all put in a lot of effort to form the village, so naturally they must be given the status and benefits they deserve, otherwise the Ninja Village will lose the loyalty of the Ninja clan.

Without the addition of ninja forces, Konoha would not have been able to defeat powerful enemies again and again in the past.

Therefore, the power of the Ninja clan is the cornerstone of the Ninja Village. On a larger scale, it is also one of the foundations for the implementation of the one-country-one-village system.

If this part of the interests were leveraged, neither Hiruzen nor Shikaku could imagine what the consequences would be.

"Reform is not appropriate now. Today's international environment does not allow us to do so."

Lu Jiu thought for a moment and gave his own suggestion.

It's not that he doesn't want Konoha to reform, but that he can't change now.

Unstable diplomacy in the world. At the same time, Daming Mansion is mired in the quagmire of the Rain Kingdom war. The Kingdom of Thunder and the Kingdom of Ghosts are eyeing each other. These external environmental problems have not yet been improved. If reforms are carried out rashly, these external forces will attack the Kingdom of Fire. country, Konoha will collapse on its own.

This kind of reform is not as simple as medical reform, and will not touch most interest groups.

If Konoha does not have a safe international environment and implements such reforms, it will soon perish.

The offer was great, but the timing was wrong.

Konoha has no time.

Most importantly, there is another point, that is, there are too many uncertain factors.

Any reform can only be used as a reference, not imitated.

The reform of the ghost country has high reference value, but it has no practical significance.

Unless... is to break down all class barriers and re-establish an order.

But how is this possible?

Even the country of ghosts would probably not dare to do this.

Doing this would be tantamount to offending the daimyo and nobles of all countries except the Demon Country, as well as the Ninja Village forces.

"Reject Tsunade's proposal?"

Sun Zhan asked.

"It's just that it's not the right time now. As for the future, no one knows what will happen. Maybe this is also a kind of temptation for Tsunade-sama."

Shikaku said meaningfully.

The day is clear.

He had already conveyed his intention to Tsunade through Jiraiya to let her serve as the fifth Hokage.

If Tsunade becomes dissatisfied with Konoha because of this kind of thing, then the gain outweighs the loss.

Moreover, he also saw the benefits of reform to Konoha. In the long run, it would be beneficial to Konoha.

But what is good for Konoha may not necessarily be good for the Fire Nation.

The two powerful political powers of Damingfu and Konoha cannot get along.

Therefore, specific situations can only be analyzed concretely.

He believed that there was no shortage of such talents in Konoha.

On the basis of the one-country-one-village system, this method might not only satisfy the common people, but also reassure the daimyo and nobles, as well as the ninja clan.

"Shikaku, this matter will be left to your Nara clan to handle. I will dispatch all the documentation you need."

Hiruzen said.

"Yes. I didn't expect that one day I would also make up for the history of the ninja world."

Lu Jiu said with a wry smile.

The reforms proposed by Tsunade did involve his knowledge blind spots.

No matter how smart he is, most of what he learned from childhood was how to manage the village, how to command the ninja troops, and assist the Hokage to balance the situation within the ninja village.

Therefore, the reforms proposed by Tsunade were something he had little or no exposure to.

(PS: Shiraishi’s idea is actually very simple. Although he hopes to break the monopoly of the class, first of all, Shiraishi is a person with a national stance. On the premise of ensuring that the interests of the Ghost Country are not infringed, he will assist other countries to defeat Invaders, even independent. From a class perspective, they are a group, but between countries, there are still trade-offs in interests, positions, etc., and you cannot help others for no reason. Whether it is the current Country of Rain or the Country of Waves, they are So. If Shiraishi really doesn’t ask for anything in return, then the first person to overthrow Shiraishi’s rule will be none other than the Demon Country’s own people.)