The Third Kazekage's Decision

At the training ground.

Kushina and Mikoto had finished their training.

As the only two people present who had never been to the battlefield, everyone wanted to see what they could do.

In the end, Kushina emerged victorious.

Under Uzumaki Mito's tutelage, Kushina's Sealing Technique wasn't particularly powerful, but she had already learned to use it proficiently.

Mikoto was already fifteen, yet she still hadn't awakened her Sharingan.

The more time Senju Genma spent with Mikoto, the more he noticed how different she was from the other Uchiha.

She was so gentle. She wasn't arrogant and aloof like the rest of her clan, looking down on everyone and treating people with indifference.

Still, Senju Genma thought Uchiha Mikoto would make a good wife someday.

Genma suspected that if he died in front of an Uchiha, Mikoto's talent might finally be brought out.

As a transmigrator and the young clan leader of the Senju Clan, Senju Genma knew the Uchiha Clan inside and out.

People had always believed that the Senju Clan valued love, not ninjutsu, as their source of strength, while the Uchiha Clan put the power of ninjutsu first.

But that wasn't true. No clan felt love more deeply than the Uchiha. They were the most emotionally intense clan in the Ninja World.

For an Uchiha to awaken the Sharingan, they needed a powerful emotional stimulus.

When they experienced intense hatred, grief, pain, or despair, special chakra surged through their brains and affected their optic nerves, changing their eyes.

The Sharingan was a mirror of the heart. Its power grew in tandem with the wielder's inner strength, allowing them to grow stronger at an astonishing rate.

The more sensitive an Uchiha was, the stronger their eyes became after they awakened intense emotions.

Senju Genma stepped forward and gently wiped the sweat from the two girls.

Their long red and jet-black hair fell over their shoulders, and their fair skin was as smooth as polished jade. Their dark eyes gleamed with mischief, and beneath their straight noses, their soft pink lips curved upward. One was adorable, the other beautiful, each in her own way.

The setting sun bathed the training ground, making the sweat on their skin glisten. They were a feast for the eyes.

Suddenly, Senju Genma frowned, feeling a chill run down his back.

He turned around and saw Uzumaki Mito glaring at him. Her narrowed eyes seemed to radiate palpable killing intent.

Senju Genma could only lament the missed opportunity. He put on a calm expression and sat down beside Uzumaki Mito.

Kushina and Mikoto exchanged glances, each seeing the other's disappointment.

Uzumaki Mito opened her eyes. "Genma, as the clan leader's wife, I've spent my whole life walking on thin ice."

"You need to understand that you'll be the clan leader one day. From now on, you must watch what you say and do!"

The clan leader's wife?

The clan leader?

Those were both positions of great responsibility!

Senju Genma nodded. "I understand, Lady Mito!"

The afternoon's training soon came to an end. After Uzumaki Mito went back to rest, Senju Genma and the others prepared to head home.

"Big brother Genma, I'm hungry. Let's go to Nakamura Ramen!" Kushina said as they walked home.

While Senju Genma had been away at war, Uzumaki Mito had ordered Kushina to stay in the clan compound. She'd been cooped up there for far too long.

Senju Genma paused, then nodded.

Otsutsuki Teuchi really was something. He'd won Kushina over with his cooking at such a young age. I should find time to ask him for some tips.

"Sure!"

"I'm coming too!" Tsunade raised her hand to make her intentions clear.

After finally returning to the village now that the war was over, what was the point of staying cooped up in the clan compound? Of course she wanted to go out and have fun with Genma!

Mikoto and Konan said they wanted to come along too.

The five of them left the clan compound together. They strolled along the way, soaking up the peaceful atmosphere, until they arrived at Nakamura Ramen.

Inside Nakamura Ramen.

Senju Genma ate his ramen and watched Teuchi bustle about.

There was a good reason Ichiraku Ramen would become so popular in Konoha.

Teuchi's ramen was getting better and better!

Too bad there was no "Ichiraku Ramen" yet, nor its best seasoning: Ayame's smile.

Time passed quickly, and the hard-won six months of peace were soon over.

Land of Wind.

Inside Sunagakure.

In the Kazekage's Office.

The Third Kazekage frowned at the mountain of paperwork piled on his desk.

Since Hanzo had surrendered to the Land of Wind, Sunagakure had gotten six months to recover.

But the village's situation hadn't improved during that time. Resources were limited, and tensions at home remained sharp.

The Third Kazekage, Chiyo, Ebizo, and the other advisors had worked hard to introduce a number of policies to ease the tensions within the village, but their efforts seemed woefully inadequate.

With resources scarce, economic growth had stalled. The Land of Wind's finances were already running a deficit, and the Daimyo was steadily cutting funding to Sunagakure.

The shinobi's incomes had begun to plummet, and discontent in the village kept growing.

When the Hardline Faction in Sunagakure realized that the country's problems weren't going to be solved, they began loudly proclaiming it, and their influence quickly swelled.

"Lord Kazekage, we can't go on like this," Ebizo said first, his voice anxious. "Rasa's Gold Dust is only a temporary fix. It won't solve our financial problems. At this rate, it won't be long before things turn into civil war!"

Chiyo sat in her chair, lost in thought. At last, she sighed helplessly.

"We've already tried everything we can. There are only two options left."

"We can follow the Hardline Faction's wishes and start a war of conquest to plunder resources, turning our internal conflicts into external ones."

"Or..." Chiyo glanced at the Third Kazekage and spoke slowly. "Or we can reduce the population through civil war."

The Third Kazekage raised his head and looked at Chiyo.

Chiyo had been a beauty in her youth. She was only in her early forties now, and still retained much of her charm.

But the Third Kazekage wasn't admiring her looks. He was marveling at how ruthless the woman was.

Reduce the population?

How many people would they have to kill before the country's resources were no longer scarce?

The Third Kazekage closed his eyes and thought for a long time. Then he spoke. "We'll go to war!"

"War? Are we going to keep fighting the Land of Rain? Or perhaps attack the Land of Earth, which is already at war with the Land of Lightning?" Chiyo asked, puzzled.

The Third Kazekage replied gravely, "We'll attack the Land of Fire!"

"Attack the Land of Fire? We can't possibly win, can we?" Chiyo was still confused.

The Third Kazekage thought for a moment, then said, "The Land of Fire suffered no significant losses in its war with the Land of Rain. It's clear that it will only continue to grow stronger."

"The Land of Water is isolationist and the weakest. The Land of Earth is locked in a fierce war with the Land of Lightning. The conflicts within our own country can't be reconciled, and our decline is inevitable."

"It's too dangerous for us to let the Land of Fire develop peacefully."

"The Land of Rain has little value. Even if we annex it, it won't do us much good!"

"The Land of Fire is prosperous. If we win, even a small piece of its territory will be enough for us."

"Even if we lose, it won't be a major problem. Konoha doesn't have the strength to wipe Sunagakure off the map, and under these circumstances, they won't be interested in the territory of the Land of Wind."

"At the same time, we'll weaken Konoha and reduce the number of shinobi in our village."

Ebizo and Chiyo exchanged complicated looks.

So you're the ruthless one after all!