Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

After I die, who cares about the deluge!

This mentality can be used to describe the high-ranking officials and nobles of the small country sandwiched between the five great nations in the ninja world today!

They never care about the country's development or the people's lives; they only care about their own pleasures!

If war breaks out, they will inevitably lose a lot.

The best thing is that war doesn't break out now.

This can only be described as the helplessness and tragedy of small countries. Whether their leaders are incompetent or wise, they are powerless to change this reality.

Even if it means you send out a Kage-level powerhouse!

But it still doesn't affect the overall situation; just look at the former Amegakure to know!

Hanzo the Salamander is a man who is known as a demigod!

However, he could not truly change the fate of the Land of Rain and Amegakure. Of course, you could also say that Hanzo was not strong enough. If he had the power of Madara Uchiha with his Eternal Eyes at his peak or the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, then he could indeed have changed the fate of the Land of Rain.

But that person is someone who can mold and shape the entire ninja world at will!

Throughout the history since the emergence of ninjas.

Just these two!

It can only be regarded as a very unique example!

Therefore, these small countries can only passively accept their fate, except that the current situation in the ninja world has changed slightly!

Sunagakure, one of the five great ninja villages, has completely entered a period of decline.

Konoha, which once dominated the ninja world, has also begun its decline!

Let's leave aside the Hidden Mist Village, which is far away on the sea frontier.

In the current ninja world, Kumogakure and Iwagakure are actually the most powerful!

Moreover, the latter possesses the power to dominate the ninja world!

252. The following developments

P.S.: I've only written less than half of the second update, so I probably won't be able to post it at noon. I need to take a short nap to prepare for work this afternoon. I'll post the remaining two chapters tonight. That's all!

This also forces the high-ranking officials and nobles of these small countries and remote villages on the continent to fully consider their own positions in the new landscape of the ninja world. Leaving aside those who are just waiting to die, those who still have some ambition will certainly hope to preserve their country as much as possible, or even to further develop their country.

In this case, they must consider which side they should lean towards in the face of the upcoming international situation. This does not only refer to the choice during the outbreak of war, but it can also be said that the choice of stance has already begun in the coming peaceful era.

One very obvious point is which ninja village will be assigned to when missions are issued within our country in the future! Kirigakure is too far away, and Sunagakure is too weak, so they can naturally be ruled out. In the past, we didn't need to worry too much; if it was far away, we would choose the nearest one, and if it was in the middle, we would generally choose Konoha, after all, they won three Shinobi World Wars. But now the situation is different. The Uchiha clan has left to join Iwagakure, and Orochimaru has defected!

As one side gains and the other loses, the other gains.

Whether Konoha can still overpower other ninja villages is a question mark, especially in the Land of Hot Springs, where it is said that Kumogakure has always held the advantage, and Iwagakure has now returned with the momentum of a great victory over Sunagakure!

These small countries sandwiched between the three kingdoms really need to seriously consider their own position!

Don't underestimate the issue of mission issuance. Even a small country is still a country, and its size is considerable. The share it receives is definitely not small. This is not only a matter of attitude, but also concerns the proportion of 'resources and funds' that each ninja village can obtain in the future!

There are only so many countries!

The task quota is also laid out here!

Whoever gains more will inevitably lose less!

Naturally, this is a crucial issue that directly relates to the strength, weakness, and even survival of the ninja village!

However, these are the issues that the daimyo and nobles of the small countries and villages on the continent have to consider. Since their establishment, the five great ninja villages have almost only had eyes for each other. When dealing with these small ninja villages, they often only look at the results and do not value the so-called process. To put it bluntly, how you see it and what you think is your business, but how you do it is the most important and only point!

Of course, this is not a matter that can be resolved overnight. With the ninja world entering a period of stability again, the leaders of the various small and medium-sized ninja villages have plenty of time to consider things carefully. This decision cannot be made all at once. After all, no matter how strong the Hidden Cloud Village and the Hidden Stone Village are now, the strength of the Hidden Leaf Village is still deeply ingrained in people's hearts!

Even disregarding the fact that only forty years have passed since the rise of the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha, Konoha alone was the biggest winner of the three Shinobi World Wars. Today, Konoha still maintains a regular ninja force of nearly 20,000, and with the presence of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, among other powerful figures, Jiraiya and Tsunade are still in their early forties and in their prime!

The title of the number one ninja village still belongs to Konohagakure!

This is why Kumogakure still keeps a close eye on Konohagakure. During this period, no one thought Iwagakure was stronger than Konohagakure; it was a matter of foundation!

Unless Konoha suffers a devastating defeat, far more horribly than the one against Sunagakure, it is unlikely to truly shake its status as the number one ninja in the world!

Before this incident occurred, the small countries closest to Konoha had to consider things carefully, including the Land of Hot Springs, which is currently in chaos. The daimyo, high-ranking officials, and nobles of that country are all turning a blind eye, neither daring to fully assist Konoha nor daring to completely side with Kumogakure. They can only turn the tables every time someone comes to them!

It's not that they really want to be opportunistic, but the Land of Hot Springs really doesn't have much of a choice. The two major ninja villages have a combined total of three to four thousand ninjas stationed within the Land of Hot Springs. The power represented by these ninja forces is enough to wipe the Land of Hot Springs off the face of the earth several times over!

It can be said that in the current ninja world, the Land of Hot Springs is the most tragic country!

Unless one of the two villages, Konoha or Kumogakure, completely collapses and withdraws from the territory of the Land of Hot Springs, the Land of Hot Springs will suffer for every day the two villages remain locked in a stalemate!

However, these are all issues between Konoha, Kumogakure, and the Land of Hot Water. After seeing the ninja world return to peace and the Fourth Shinobi World War that they had worried about did not break out, the other small countries and villages also buried themselves in their own worlds one after another.

Sunagakure was also defeated in battle. After Rasa led the main force back to the village, he had to deal with accusations from all sides and handle many miscellaneous affairs. He had no intention of participating in any affairs in the ninja world!

The Hidden Mist Village, far out at sea, was plunged into an even bloodier and more brutal internal strife due to Obito's further reckless actions.

Black Zetsu, under Obito's orders, led a large group of White Zetsu around the world to scavenge talent for the Akatsuki!

During this period, Nagato and Konan were equally indifferent to the many events in the ninja world. After killing Hanzo and taking over Amegakure, they completely closed Amegakure off and focused on building their own organizational power!

The Tailed Beast Capture Project is a massive undertaking!

Manpower, supplies, financial resources, etc.

The preparation time for these events is measured in years. As things stand, it will take at least seven or eight years for the Akatsuki to complete their initial preparations. This is why Obito was so happy to pursue his revenge plan. Since there was still time, he might as well satisfy his personal desires in advance!

Black Zetsu also saw this point clearly, and instead of stopping Obito's actions, he reminded him not to be overconfident and thus expose his presence!

A thousand-year-old dream!

Finally, after decades of waiting, we see the dawn of success!

With the most important prerequisites, such as the Rinnegan and the Ten-Tails' husk, already met, the next step is simply to steadily carry out the tailed beast capture plan. When the Infinite Tsukuyomi is released, the mother can be rescued from the seal of those two rebellious sons!

Right now!

Black Zetsu cannot tolerate any mistakes!

The turbulent and unpredictable world of ninjas.

The open confrontation between major powers, and the covert clashes.

Furthermore, the bizarre behavior of these various demons and monsters meant that beneath the seemingly calm surface of the ninja world, there was actually a constant surge of turbulent waves!

The ninja world is always rife with conflict.

It will never be peaceful or tranquil.

However, these are not really related to the current commanders, or rather, they are temporarily disconnected for a period of time.

253. Half a year

After ending the great war with Sunagakure and signing the corresponding agreement, and after numerous formal and informal negotiations between the two countries' kage and daimyo, the two great nations and the two great ninja villages finally reached a certain level of understanding. As mentioned before, this war actually lasted for a little over half a month, but the subsequent treaty wrangling, signing, and most importantly, implementation issues took up more than half a month.

In this world where the technology tree has gone completely astray, long-distance communication between major powers remains a very serious issue. While video calls are possible, the financial and material resources required are astronomical, making it affordable only for the five major powers. Although Jiang Si himself has complained about this more than once, he currently has neither the time nor the energy to engage in technological research!

Anyway, it's not like we don't have means of communication, is it?

Therefore, this protracted negotiation lasted from the end of April to the end of May, and finally came to an end in early June. Of course, some face-saving issues still needed to be considered in relation to the Daimyo of the Land of Wind. Sunagakure and Rasa, as the defeated party, had no human rights to speak of, but the Daimyo was different. The prestige of their status and position was incomparable to that of Rasa. Even Onoki, a veteran, had to maintain a certain degree of respect and deference in front of the Daimyo!

This is a matter of traditional etiquette, and there is a tacit understanding between the daimyo and the shadow!

However, it was just a matter of saving face and didn't really change anything. The final agreement only addressed the minor issues and saved face for the Daimyo of the Land of Wind. The core of the matter remained unchanged. With this, the problems between the two great nations could finally come to an end. The return of Hikari, Date, and Iwazetsu would also free Shoji from complicated administrative affairs.

Although this is the kind of 'power' that many people crave!

However, for Jiang Si now, the top priority is to further improve his personal strength. But cultivation itself requires a lot of time. He had been back in the village for a full month before.

The officers are almost always engrossed in their work.

He rarely has time to spend with his own family, and his own cultivation time is almost zero!

Now that he can finally return to the normal clocking in and out get off work routine, Jiang Si couldn't be happier, after handing over all his affairs to Huang Tu during this period.

"So!"

Jiang Si bowed slightly, paying homage to the yellow earth, and then turned and returned to his office area. His figure seemed to become much more cheerful and light at that moment.

Huang Tu, watching Jiang Si's departing figure, couldn't help but shake his head with amusement.

"Jiang Sijun is indeed different from ordinary people."

A hint of emotion also appeared on Huang Tu's honest face.

Date, standing to the side, nodded in deep agreement.

After spending this time together...

This really made Date feel that his previous views and judgments about Shoji and even the Uchiha clan were wrong, and that he really needed to revise his attitude and views.

Regardless, Shoji and the Uchiha clan have proven their value and significance, and they truly fought for the greater good and interests of the village, with no fault found in their attitude or actions.

Judging from Date's character.

He will not deliberately look at the Uchiha clan with prejudice again!

'Lord Tsuchikage's judgment was indeed the wisest and most correct!'

At this moment, Date couldn't help but sigh again at the decisive decision his Tsuchikage had made five or six months ago to accept the Uchiha clan!

That really requires courage and foresight to make that choice!

Shoji was unaware that after he left, Huangtu and Yida were lost in thought and reflection. Upon returning to his office area and looking at the 'routine administrative matters' on his desk, Shoji nodded in satisfaction.

This is the workload he should be doing.

That previous month was absolutely agonizing!

Having returned to his usual routine of going back and forth between home and work, Jiang Si was finally able to get back into his training rhythm. Based on his previous battles and reflections, Jiang Si planned to focus on training in physical techniques and illusion techniques in the coming period. He wanted to improve his speed in the former and strengthen his illusion combat ability by acquiring some common illusion techniques in the latter!

As for ninjutsu, it's not necessary for now. As a ninja at the 'Kage' level, ordinary ninjutsu can no longer provide any combat power enhancement for Shoji. Only forbidden techniques, and even more specifically, extremely powerful forbidden techniques, have any significance. Of course, Shoji has also included the Light and Heavy Rock Technique and the Heavy Rock Technique, which are exclusive to Iwagakure, in his training plan.

However, mastering these two techniques is obviously not so easy.

One is that Shoji is not from a traditional Iwagakure background, and the other is that Shoji's chakra nature is the traditional 'fire' and 'lightning' nature of the Uchiha clan. He originally did not have the Earth Release chakra nature, so the difficulty of learning and mastering advanced Earth Release techniques is self-evident. However, for Shoji now, it is only a matter of time.

Even though Shoji kept reminding himself not to waste any time or energy, the current situation in the ninja world was very stable. Even though the plot had changed, some major events might break out earlier than expected.

However, there will at least be a few years of stable period for Jiang Si to properly 'develop'!