Future Development

Chapter 27: Future Development

"I never expected Sunagakure to change so much in just half a month.

"These past two weeks have surpassed everything I saw in the first half of my life."

After discussing business, Chiyo walked to the window and looked at the crowds below, as well as the greenery gradually appearing in the distance, sighing with emotion.

"It's not bad, but this is only false prosperity for now. In another half month or so, it'll enter a period of genuine prosperity."

Counting the days on his fingers, Yunqing spoke confidently.

Once the news that Sunagakure allowed settlement spread, those who wanted to come would need at least twenty days, while the slowest might even take several months.

However, with the Sand Shinobi's guarantees, the slow would become faster, and the fast would become even faster.

After careful calculations, Yunqing concluded that the major merchants would arrive in Sunagakure within a month.

Their arrival would only mark the first wave of prosperity. Following close behind would be their large shipments of goods.

For that reason, Yunqing had specifically ordered people to use Earth Release to build a large warehouse.

He was simply waiting for them to arrive so he could collect a round of storage fees.

"Good. Then I'll wait another half month. By then, the Uzumaki Clan should have arrived as well."

Chiyo shook her head without questioning Yunqing.

As an Elder of Sunagakure, publicly questioning the Kazekage was the gravest mistake.

"The Uzumaki Clan... They chose your Medical Ninjutsu as their admission ticket, and they've also paid part of the customary tribute."

As though he had only just remembered, Yunqing pulled out a scroll and tossed it to Chiyo by the window.

"Medical Ninjutsu? They know it?"

Chiyo accepted the scroll in confusion and examined it closely.

"They do. Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki both researched it before. Otherwise, where do you think Tsunade, now one of the famous Sannin, got the foundation for her Medical Ninjutsu?"

Yunqing sneered.

In a short time, the Sannin had each found their own path. They repeatedly earned merit on the battlefields against Iwagakure Ninja and Cloud Ninja, their fame already resounding throughout the ninja world. At the same time, the Konoha White Fang had also carved out his own reputation.

"I see. Their direction of research differs from ours.

"The Uzumaki Clan follows ninjutsu-based medicine, just like Princess Tsunade. We follow pharmacology."

By the time Yunqing finished speaking, Chiyo had already read through the scroll. It recorded the Uzumaki Clan's research into Medical Ninjutsu.

In Chiyo's eyes, it was crude, but it already possessed the foundations of an independent school.

It only needed careful consideration and gradual additions and refinements. Sooner or later, it would become a complete system.

"You aren't afraid?"

With a smile in his puzzled gaze, Yunqing looked at Chiyo, wanting to hear her explanation.

"Afraid? What is there to fear? First, our research directions are different.

"Besides, if they can surpass us in a short time, that is their own ability."

Chiyo shook her head indifferently.

Although she felt a sense of crisis, it was not enough to make her afraid.

She was the Flower of the Hidden Sand, renowned in the First Great Ninja War. She would not be frightened so easily.

"You have ambition. As expected of Elder Chiyo."

Yunqing looked at Chiyo approvingly.

If Chiyo had shown jealousy toward the capable at this point and wanted to crush the threat before it could grow—

Then Yunqing would personally step in and support the Uzumaki Clan.

Even if they posed no threat to you, and even if they truly threatened your position, you could only choose to strengthen yourself rather than destroy them.

Having read the original Naruto, Yunqing understood all too clearly the harm caused by internal strife.

Once internal strife began, the outcome would never be good.

The more you fought internally, the weaker the ruling forces of the Ninja Village became. The more you worried about others seizing power, the more you weakened them. Then you only grew weaker and weaker.

For details, please look to Konoha Ninja Village.

If Tsunade had not taken power after the Third Hokage died, with Jiraiya supporting her and cheats like Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke around, it was questionable whether Konoha could have lasted until the Fourth Ninja World War.

In Yunqing's eyes, Sunagakure could tolerate many things, but the one thing it absolutely could not tolerate was someone engaging in internal strife.

Internal strife had to be strangled in the cradle.

Appropriate competition helped a Ninja Village develop healthily, while endless internal conflict would only lead it toward destruction.

Seeing Yunqing's astonished expression, Chiyo could not help laughing.

"I'm already old. This is your young people's era now. I won't fight over such useless things. Instead of that, I'd rather spend more time with my Grandson, Sasori."

"Elder, you are truly magnanimous."

Yunqing could not help praising her.

After Chiyo left, Yunqing thought back on their conversation and felt that he was a bootlicker—one wagging his tail, terrified that his master might take the wrong path.

Checking the time and seeing that it was time to get off work, Yunqing packed up his things. There was nothing going on with development, and he was exhausted.

Yunqing decided to relax today.

"My, my, I haven't visited the young ladies in several days. I'll go have some fun today."

Counting the days on his fingers, Yunqing decided to pay a visit to those fallen young ladies.

As soon as he thought it, he acted. Yunqing used the Body Flicker Technique and swiftly departed.

"Lord Kazekage, there are still a few matters that require your handl...ing."

Just after Yunqing left, Pakura entered. Seeing the empty office and the open window, black lines ran down her face.

First came anger, then helplessness, and finally resignation. In just a few seconds, Pakura's heart went through three stages.

In the end, Pakura closed the window, tidied the office, placed several documents on the desk, shut the door, and left work.

The others in the Kazekage Building watched Pakura leave right on time, shook their heads, and could only express their envy.

Being the Kazekage's secretary was both a good and bad job. When the Kazekage summoned you, you had to be there—that was the bad part. When the Kazekage got off work, you could also get off work—that was the good part.

But if most people were given the choice, they would tell you that they refused.

I don't want to be a Kage's secretary. That job really isn't fit for a human being.

As he walked toward the fallen young ladies he intended to visit, Yunqing also observed the changes in Sunagakure.

Seeing the family crests on the shops lining the streets, with only the occasional shop owned by civilians or ninja, his heart stirred slightly.

"It's still unbalanced. Resources have limited too many people's development.

"It seems that the next stage will require adjusting where resources are directed."

Yunqing thought as he walked.

Only by laying a solid foundation could they move faster and faster in the future. Otherwise, it would become a disaster.

What economic development feared most was distortion. When that happened, strong medicine would be needed to cure the serious illness.

"How should I do this?"

As soon as the thought came to him, Yunqing began to worry over it.

The Sand Shinobi's supplies were truly limited. There were not many resources available in the desert.