The following days saw a period of stable development. Both the Northern Lands villages and the other ninja villages were secretly accumulating strength.
Since the alliance between the Northern Lands and Iwagakure, both sides have experienced explosive economic growth.
The most obvious manifestation of this phenomenon is that at this time, the scale of Northern Land Village had developed to be no less than that of Konoha, and was even more prosperous.
A tram line has been installed in the village, and bus service is also being arranged.
Every household now has electricity, and we have truly entered the electrical age.
Iwagakure has also undergone a dramatic transformation. It already possesses a history spanning over a hundred years and has accumulated abundant resources; all it lacks is the impetus for reform.
After the two villages began trading, the village's wealth started circulating, Ōnoki was surprised to find that his family's funds had not only not decreased but had actually increased.
Moreover, the villagers' lives are getting better and better. For Ōnoki, who only wanted to develop ninjas and never thought about developing the villagers, this situation was an unexpected joy.
Because his policies improved people's lives, the public's love and support for him reached new heights.
The other ninja villages also seemed to have realized the benefits that the Northern Lands brought to Iwagakure, and they all wanted to strengthen trade with the Northern Lands.
Because there was no directive from higher authorities, many supplies were being rationed for other villages, and some technologies were also under blockade.
The supply and manufacturing of automobiles, the supply of Chakra Armor, and other similar items will be gradually opened up after in-depth cooperation.
Many people have ideas, but few have the courage to take that step, though they do exist.
Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha, extended a cooperation proposal to the Northern Lands.
This scene greatly surprised the other ninja villages, because the Land of Fire and the Land of Gold are neighboring countries, and the Northern Lands is the greatest threat to Konoha.
The Tsunade was able to muster the courage to take this step proves that she has changed the focus of her hostility, or rather, changed her policy toward the Northern Lands, and is now considering cooperating with them.
At the beginning of the cooperation, it certainly won't be like Iwagakure, where they immediately started building tracks, opening trains, and connecting the two places on a large scale.
However, it is certain that several highways will be built leading to the Northern Lands. The first highways to be built are those Capital City of the Land of Fire to the Northern Lands, and those leading to the Capital City of the Land of Gold.
Meanwhile, the Northern Lands also agreed to send technicians to help the Land of Fire build its railway.
Of course, the entertainment and food industries of the Northern Lands have also set up shop in the country, and Ichiraku Ramen from Konoha has also opened a branch in the Northern Lands.
These business negotiations were handled by Pakura and Anko, while Konoha sent Shikaku Nara and Asuma.
Thus, the two villages began to establish initial cooperation. Seeing that Konoha had taken this bold step, the other ninja villages became even more eager to act. Instead of the Land of Lightning Land of Wind, the first to jump out was the Land of Water!
The power in the Land of Water is now in the hands of Elder Genji of Kirigakure.
Since Yagura went into seclusion, Genji has taken over the reins of power, but because of his advanced age, he has had Mei Terumī assist him.
The reason she was able to climb to this position was that after Mei Terumī discovered that Yagura was under a Genjutsu, she led a group of ninjas to suppress him, and the Northern Lands played a part in this.
Kirigakure entered the Kage era, but the village had just lost the Mizukage, and the effects of the Bloody Mist Graduation had not yet subsided.
For the sake of the village's stability, Genji did not rush to hand over the position of Mizukage to Mei Terumī, but instead allowed her to take over the power step by step.
"I never imagined Mei Terumī possessed such courage. It seems Kirigakure is about to be reborn!"
In the Golden Shadow Office, Hozuki Mangetsu sighed, with Kisame, Ringo Ameyuri, and others beside him.
Since Orochimaru was still in seclusion, this plenary meeting was chaired by Pakura, who also wanted to see what these cadres from Kirigakure thought.
"We had a verbal agreement before that we would only start cooperating if we helped each other become the Mizukage. Isn't it too hasty now?"
Kisame spoke up at the opportune moment, and his words also caused everyone to ponder.
"We've only just begun cooperating with them. It will probably take some time before Mei Terumī becomes the Mizukage, and we can't ignore their goodwill!"
Ringo Ameyuri also hails from Kirigakure, chimed in, saying they would be very happy to see cooperation with their former village.
Just like those who have left home, they all hope that their hometown will get better and better. Even though they have now moved to the city, this original aspiration has not changed.
"I plan to first improve transportation between the two places, establish a shipping company, and make trade between the two places more convenient!"
Seeing that no one else had any objections, Pakura also expressed his opinion.
Aside from the ninjas from Kirigakure, no one else would have any objections, but Kakuzu still expressed his opinion.
"Business has grown big, but I'm getting a bit overwhelmed. I need to get an assistant!"
He's now using Shadow Clones to count money, which shows how busy he is.
"Weren't you enjoying counting your money so much? And you wouldn't let anyone interfere with your work? What? Now you want to relax a bit?"
Bai teased him about his money-grubbing behavior, and everyone smiled when they heard it.
Despite being quite old, Kakuzu showed no embarrassment whatsoever and continued to complain:
"If it were just counting money and doing accounting, I could handle it by myself. But I also have to make reports and do statistics! I don't even have enough time to count money right now, where would I find the time to do all that!"
Upon hearing this, the others suddenly realized that too many trivial matters had distracted him from counting the money.
"Let's see who here isn't too busy with their work..."
Before Pakura could finish speaking, everyone rushed to say they were busy, and in the end, they still couldn't come up with a suitable candidate.
"We're all too busy. How about we let Koyuki or Ryuzetsu help you out? They need to take on more work now!"
The others' eyes lit up when they heard this; yes, why hadn't they thought of that?
Neither of them liked fighting and killing; they simply completed their tasks on time and in accordance with the quota each year.
"Alright! I have no objection!"
Kakuzu immediately agreed, and after this brief interlude, they discussed the details of their cooperation with Kirigakure.
Not long after, the Northern Lands once again reached an agreement with Kirigakure, and the Land of Gold and the Land of Water established several large trading ports.
Furthermore, transportation between the two countries has been upgraded from small boats to giant ships.
As a result of this phenomenon, the Land of Fire also joined the cooperation with the Land of Water.
Seeing the commotion in all directions, even the Land of Lightning, which was originally located in a remote corner, could not sit still and also sent people to negotiate with the Northern Lands.
Even though they now have close ties with Konoha, the interactions between the two places always revolve around the Northern Lands.
The Land of Lightning also requested that the Northern Lands send technicians to build railway tracks there, and some less important technologies would also be shared.
From this perspective, only the Land of Wind remains uninvolved. It's not that they don't want to improve their transportation capabilities like other countries, but rather that desert areas are unsuitable for building railways.
However, if they can't build a railway, they can build more highways. That's exactly what they did. In this regard, the Northern Lands doesn't need to get involved; Konoha can assist.
At this point, the ninja world has ushered in a new reform, and a new pattern has gradually taken shape!