Good Guy Danzo

"Lord Raikage, the strategy we previously set is no longer suitable."

Dodai's expression grew even more solemn. They had already set strategic goals for the upcoming Shinobi World War, and sacrifices would certainly not be few.

Yet the emergence of that kind of firearm now gave them a better option.

"Indeed, it's no longer suitable!"

Third Raikage also understood this point; it had to be changed.

"Moreover, the conditions for using that kind of firearm are very low. Anyone who can refine even a sliver of chakra can use it, and with sufficient resources and manpower, it can be mass-produced.

I'm afraid the Daimyo's administration over there will develop some ideas..."

Saying this, Dodai did not continue. This was not something he could decide; it required Lord Raikage to make the call.

At this, Third Raikage's expression grew increasingly grave, pondering the pros and cons within, before finally speaking after a long moment.

"Back then, Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha established Konohagakure with absolute strength, opening the shinobi village era.

Our Daimyo of the Land of Lightning was also forced by circumstances to support the establishment of Kumogakure, and for our shinobi village, there is mostly wariness..."

Recounting the events of the past, Third Raikage's expression was complex.

He was a person who had lived through the Warring States period and witnessed the dawn of the shinobi village era, and at the same time, he understood the numerous issues between the shinobi villages and the Daimyo's administration.

To be honest, he also could not understand why the First Hokage had established such a bizarre system, making the Daimyo's administration and their shinobi villages mutually awkward with one another.

Furthermore, back then both the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha possessed god-like power, and the First Hokage was even known as the God of Shinobi. Not to mention the two of them joining forces, which would have been enough to sweep across the entire world and unify the entire ninja world—had they done that, there would no longer be any wars.

The other four great shinobi villages had only dared to launch a Shinobi World War after the First Hokage passed away, and the outbreak of the Shinobi World War proved the flaws of the shinobi village system.

Now, the Second Great Ninja War already showed signs of emerging, and there would definitely be more in the future. With wars continuing like this, the suffering they brought was in some ways even worse than the Warring States period, and the scale of the war was constantly expanding.

Although this stemmed from the conflicts between their shinobi villages, it was also inseparable from the secret instigation and guidance of the Daimyo's administration.

If it were possible, that Daimyo and the numerous dignitaries would dearly wish for them, the shinobi and the shinobi villages, to vanish.

He was well aware of this. In the past, the Daimyo's administration had also been very strict with the village's financial appropriations, simply not wanting to see their shinobi village grow strong.

Regarding this, both sides found each other awkward and harbored mutual wariness.

Yet the shinobi village system had already taken shape and formed a mutual check and balance; they were powerless to change it. But now they saw an opportunity—an opportunity that could not be missed.

"If only one can exist between the Daimyo's administration and the village, this old man naturally hopes the village becomes that sole piece."

Saying this, Third Raikage's expression gained a touch of determination and resolve.

He was the Raikage of Kumogakure, standing on the village's side. This was his most fundamental stance and would never change!

Dodai was not surprised by Third Raikage's decision; this was also the Third whom he knew.

"Then the research and development of those firearms will need even tighter security. Keeping it in the village certainly won't do; I'm afraid it must be moved to Turtle Island, and the personnel must be those who can be trusted absolutely—better fewer and finer rather than taking in any riffraff."

Dodai brought up the security measures for developing the firearms, hoping to move it to Turtle Island.

Turtle Island was formed from a giant sea turtle, capable of moving freely on the sea and even diving into the ocean. It was extremely covert and very suitable for carrying out such top-secret research.

"You shall arrange this matter!"

Third Raikage endorsed this proposal. This matter indeed required absolute secrecy, and not the slightest leak could be permitted.

"Also, realizing those concepts he proposed won't be easy, and it will inevitably require comprehensive sealing techniques as assistance."

Dodai brought up the matter of firearm development. Relying solely on Kumogakure's existing foundation would certainly not work, mainly because they lacked the basics in this area.

"Then we will increase our investment in the Land of Whirlpools plan; this old man will lead the team there personally."

Third Raikage concurred deeply, understanding that Dodai was referring to the Uzumaki clan of the Land of Whirlpools.

They had already been thinking of attacking the Land of Whirlpools, with the goal of acquiring high-level sealing techniques to complete the Tailed Beast Jinchuriki project.

The end of the First Shinobi World War lay with the First Hokage's wife, who had displayed terrifying destructive power comparable to the First Hokage in the form of a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki.

Having witnessed the strength of the Tailed Beast Jinchuriki, all of their great shinobi villages had set their sights on it.

Although they had purchased a tailed beast from Konoha at the First Kage Summit, the tailed beasts were completely untamable, let alone capable of being utilized effectively.

Instead, they were dragged down by having a large portion of their forces tied up just guarding the tailed beasts, and if a tailed beast went berserk, it would cause massive losses.

They had constantly been plagued by this, and the First Hokage's wife had provided them with a line of thought.

So tailed beasts could be used like that!

It was just that sealing a tailed beast for a long time and in a stable manner was not easy; it required top-tier sealing techniques as assistance, and in the ninja world, only the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques were the strongest.

Moreover, the First Hokage's wife was a clansman and the strongest individual of the Uzumaki clan, capable of controlling and utilizing even the strongest Nine-Tails, showing just how powerful her sealing techniques were.

"According to the intelligence we obtained, that Third of Konoha has already sent people three times to invite the Uzumaki clan to join Konoha. The First Hokage's wife is advanced in age, so suppressing the Nine-Tails must be a great strain for her right now, and his patience should be nearly exhausted."

Dodai revealed a piece of intelligence, bringing forth new ideas for the strategy against the Land of Whirlpools.

Third Raikage did not say much, waiting for Dodai's following words.

Dodai did not beat around the bush and continued speaking, "Sealing techniques are not easy to learn, nor are they easy to apply, and most of the Uzumaki clan's high-level sealing techniques are developed based on their own physical traits. In particular, their consumption of chakra is astonishing.

If we want to make better use of sealing techniques, we need to acquire the Uzumaki clan, and to acquire the Uzumaki clan, we must find an opportunity to sever their ties with Konoha.

Perhaps we can utilize that identity of Lord Raikage's disciple for this matter, having Konoha cooperate."

Originally, they had only wanted to acquire a sealing technique capable of perfectly sealing the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails, but now that they had higher and greater demands, their target naturally had to expand accordingly.

"You arrange it!"

Third Raikage understood, leaving this matter to Dodai to handle.

Although Dodai was young, he was exceptionally brilliant in strategy and was his confidant, making him the most suitable person to do these things.

"Do you think there is a connection between these firearm concepts and Shimura Danzō and Konoha?"

He suddenly asked a question. Some things had to be guarded against; if these were all Konoha's schemes, or if Konoha already possessed a large number of firearms that were even more advanced and powerful, the upcoming war would inevitably be a disaster for Kumogakure.

"The possibility is low. Neither Hiruzen Sarutobi nor Shimura Danzō could have this kind of boldness, and moreover, we only need to monitor the circulation of iron across various places to confirm it."

Dodai shook his head slightly. He had read the intelligence files on Konoha's higher-ups; aside from Shimura Danzō, whose mindset and ideology were relatively radical, the others belonged to the conservative type.

Furthermore, Konoha's internal affairs were not peaceful either.

"Then that means our Kumogakure has struck gold!"

Third Raikage laughed once more, a hearty laugh.

Shimura Danzō really was a great guy!