Success in Experiment, New Policy Begins

Sunlight spilled across the training ground, where only the chirping of birds could be heard.

Although they had emerged victorious in the previous battle against Kirigakure.

Facing such a disadvantage in numbers, they had been forced to gamble with their lives.

There had simply been no better way.

Deep down, a sense of unwillingness remained; if the Land of Whirlpools had as large a population as the Land of Water.

The enemy would not have decided to invade so easily.

Perhaps the Weasel Tank created by the Second Uzukage could solve part of the problem.

As everyone held their breath, watching the Weasel Tank in the center.

"Bang, bang."

The engine began to pulse.

The engine of the Weasel Tank finally emitted a roar.

The heartbeats of those present rose and fell in rhythm with the sound of the engine.

The Weasel Tank, which had been stationary, finally began to move slowly.

The crowd in the training ground erupted into enthusiastic cheers, feeling as if they were in a dream.

Those who had refused to believe it spoke up.

"This is truly incredible."

"It seems that in the future, ninjas might even be replaced by ninja tools."

The smiles on everyone's faces could not be hidden.

Uzumaki Ashina was also grinning from ear to ear, hurrying forward to speak to Uzumaki Shori.

"Quick, have them test whether it can fire shells."

"Understood, I was just about to have them test that."

Uzumaki Shori replied while issuing commands.

The Weasel Tank began to move more and more smoothly, and Uzumaki Shori began to direct the operation.

"First, pick up the shell, load it into the chamber, and use chakra threads to control the direction of the muzzle."

The clansman operating the machine understood instantly and replied.

"Second Uzukage, rest assured, I will follow your instructions."

The muzzle began to rotate slowly, and the hearts of those present began to flutter with anxiety, yet under the operator's control, it actually aimed directly at the spectators.

"Turn the muzzle away, you bastard, are you trying to kill us!"

The crowd scattered immediately, cursing as they ran.

After being scolded, the operator, unable to refute, carefully familiarized himself with the controls until he finally aimed the muzzle at the target, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he pulled the firing lever with his chakra threads.

"Boom!"

The sound of the cannon fire echoed once again across the training ground.

Uzumaki Shori breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, thinking that his basic goals had all been achieved, and said.

"That will do, everyone come down now."

Uzumaki Ashina gathered everyone together and said.

"Keep the Weasel Tank a secret today; do not let other nations find out about it."

Uzumaki Shori walked over, and seeing that everyone was present, he hurriedly said.

"Since everyone is here today, I believe it is time to make some changes to the national policies of the Land of Whirlpools."

"Wait for me at the Uzukage Hall, we will hold a collective meeting to discuss this."

Everyone agreed in unison.

Uzumaki Shori walked over to Tsunade and whispered.

"You and your teammates go explore for a while; I won't have time to look after you since the Land of Whirlpools is holding a general assembly."

Tsunade stood where she was and nodded in response.

Before long, Uzumaki Shori walked into the Uzukage Hall with the others and sat down in the seat of the Uzukage.

As the First Uzukage, Uzumaki Ashina felt it necessary to understand the thoughts of the Second Uzukage.

"Second Uzukage, I wonder what exactly needs to be changed in the Land of Whirlpools now?"

"The ninja village system was pioneered by the First Hokage. As the strongest ninja village on the continent, we relied on Mito Uzumaki to imitate Konoha in every way."

After listening to his father, Uzumaki Shori spoke up.

"Konoha's model was indeed the most advanced for the environment of that time, but we are not a powerful nation like Konoha; we are a small country surrounded by great powers."

"Wars between nations are happening constantly now. They have the capability to launch attack after attack because they possess a massive population and an economic foundation far superior to our own."

"The Land of Whirlpools connects to the sea on one side and the mainland on the other. We have relied on Konoha to dodge many crises, yet in this battle, Konoha did not appear."

After speaking, Uzumaki Shori glanced at everyone present.

"Reform in the Land of Whirlpools is imperative."

Seeing that the Uzukage's reform was inevitable, Uzumaki Jiro responded actively.

"Originally, we were aligned with Konoha, but since the Third Hokage took office, they have drifted further and further away from us. Could we change the relationship between both sides through a marriage alliance?"

"Everyone, look, aren't our Uzukage and Tsunade, who is currently in the city, a perfect match?"

As the granddaughter of the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, Tsunade held a status more noble than anyone else present.

However, having seen the interactions between the Uzukage and Tsunade over the past few days, there was truly a chance.

Hearing this topic, everyone revealed smiles and voiced their agreement.

Upon hearing this, Uzumaki Shori was instantly dumbfounded. He hadn't expected the conversation to shift to himself, so he could only feign seriousness and speak up.

"What Jiro says is not without merit. I believe a marriage alliance can serve as the first objective of today's meeting."

"Well said. Then the first proposal is passed unanimously."

Hearing this, Uzumaki Ashina chuckled inwardly and spoke up.

Seeing that everyone agreed, Uzumaki Shori indicated the start of the next proposal.

"Currently, our country's population is only a little over twenty thousand. After the appearance of the Weasel Tank, logistics will become a major problem for us. The population of the Land of Whirlpools will be unable to meet the needs of the entire nation."

"It just so happens that the war in the ninja world is intensifying. Civilians are always the victims in the wars of ninjas; we can absorb a sufficient population from among them."

"Lord Second, this will not do. The Land of Whirlpools is inhabited by our Uzumaki Clan; how can we allow civilians from other countries to enter?"

Elder Keimei said righteously.

For a ninja clan, maintaining the purity of their bloodline was a guarantee of their strength.

Usually, those who married clan members were ninjas capable of extracting chakra. Suddenly attracting an outside population was a challenge for the elderly Uzumaki Keimei.

Uzumaki Shori began to explain, "Elder Keimei, I know that for you, the inheritance of the Uzumaki Clan's bloodline is the most important thing, but there must be people capable of carrying it on."

"As long as we have the population, the next time we face a battle like the one with Kirigakure, we will not appear so passive."

Hearing this, Elder Keimei opened his mouth, but the words would not come out. He sighed to himself, acknowledging that he was right; only by surviving is there hope.

Uzumaki Shori scanned his surroundings, and seeing that no one else objected, he continued.

"To attract civilians from other countries, we can also offer some incentives. If civilians come, we will arrange housing and farmland for them. Those with specialized skills who come to the Land of Whirlpools may even be granted a settlement fee of fifty thousand ryo."

A house in the Land of Whirlpools costs about one hundred thousand ryo; providing housing plus a reward would allow those with specialized skills to live very well.

Talented people are welcomed everywhere.

Everyone present nodded in agreement. Without some incentives, how would those with specialized skills come to the Land of Whirlpools?