Facing the impact firearms were having in the Land of Wind, the Third Kazekage gradually realized that it was not a good thing for firearms technology to be monopolized by the Land of Whirlpools and the Dawn Organization. It would have far-reaching effects on the military balance of the Land of Wind, and even the entire Ninja World.
Especially now, reports from the front lines showed that Konoha had begun using firearms extensively, with excellent results. They had greatly boosted the combat power of Konoha's genin and chunin, and the Third Kazekage could no longer turn a blind eye.
Considering the unique geography and resources of the Land of Wind and Sunagakure, the Third Kazekage began to realize that firearm production and use should be controlled by Sunagakure itself, rather than relying entirely on supplies from the Land of Whirlpools.
The Third Kazekage knew that although the Land of Whirlpools was willing to sell firearms, it was Konoha's ally. If Sunagakure and Konoha broke out into a larger-scale war, relying on external purchases would leave Sunagakure in a passive position.
The Land of Whirlpools might even choke off Sunagakure's supply at a critical moment, leaving it unable to obtain weapon replenishments.
Thus, the Third Kazekage made a crucial decision: Sunagakure had to master firearm production technology and could no longer rely solely on outside supplies.
He ordered Sunagakure's technical department to study the existing firearms and rapidly improve its own production capabilities.
At the same time, he ordered a covert investigation into the manufacturing process behind the Land of Whirlpools' firearms, as well as reverse-engineering weapons captured from the front lines, to ensure that Sunagakure could independently produce similar—or even more advanced—firearms.
The Third Kazekage also understood very clearly that the nature of war was changing.
As an emerging weapon,