"Infinite Tsukuyomi?" Tsunade and Jiraiya were visibly shocked after hearing Keiko's description.
"That's what they call it, at least. But they've had a hand in several recent wars, as though many things happening behind the scenes were all instigated by them," Keiko said firmly.
"Could the Uchiha be involved? Tell me, what do you usually call your leader?" Tsunade gripped a White Zetsu by the neck. Under that immense force, White Zetsu's neck instantly twisted into a grotesque shape, making Keiko and Jiraiya feel a chill run down their spines.
"I... will not... betray... Lord Madara..."
Everyone in the room was shocked, except Keiko. Everyone understood just how terrifying that name was.
"Could some schemer be using Madara's name to stir up trouble? Forget the Battle of the Valley of the End for a moment—even if Madara had survived until now, wouldn't he be over seventy?" Jiraiya counted on his fingers.
"Whether it's true or not, I don't think we can afford to take it lightly," Keiko said.
"Should we report this to the Hokage?" Tsunade asked.
"Report what? How are we supposed to report it? Take these freaks with us? Even we don't fully understand what's going on. If one of my subordinates came to me with a report like this, I'd throw him out myself." Keiko shook his head. Indeed, expecting Hiruzen Sarutobi to spare the time to investigate the vague possibility of Madara was unrealistic. Besides, the entire Shinobi World was still at war. Who had the mind to bother with this?
"Then what do you think we should do?" Jiraiya scratched his head.
Keiko thought for a moment. "Here's the plan. For now, only the three of us know about this, so don't spread it around and cause unnecessary panic. Once I return to Sunagakure, I'll arrange for someone to gather information on this organization. As for these four, Tsunade, you can continue interrogating them or keep researching them. Sunagakure will provide whatever you need." Of course, he had no intention of investigating. He had the entire manga in his head—why bother? He only needed to pass along information from time to time.
"Mm." Jiraiya and Tsunade agreed.
"We must thank Lord Fukasaku and Lord Shima again."
Keiko turned and bowed to the two sages.
"You are too polite, Kazekage-sama." Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima returned the bow.
"Honored Sages, I want to learn Sage Jutsu. Would it be possible for me to form a contract with Mount Myoboku?" He still needed to learn Sage Jutsu. Otherwise, he would never feel at ease.
"I'm sorry, but our Toad Clan truly cannot adapt to Sunagakure's dry climate. Also, we generally do not form contracts with shinobi outside Konoha, to avoid the tragedy of our own kind killing one another." Sage Fukasaku spoke with a trace of apology.
"That really is a pity." Keiko was somewhat disappointed.
"But Sunagakure also has summoning clans skilled in Sage Jutsu. Why travel thousands of miles to find us at Mount Myoboku? What, didn't your village elders tell you?" Sage Shima asked.
"They really didn't. I've only been Kazekage for a few days. I've been busy fighting wars and handling diplomacy." Keiko scratched his head.
"You deserve a beating. The Weasel Clan's Weasel Mound and the Lizard Clan's Komodo Island are no less formidable than the Three Great Sacred Lands. You're the Kazekage, yet you don't even know that. Tell me, don't you deserve a beating?" Sage Fukasaku was clearly displeased by Keiko's ignorance. Keiko's eyes, however, lit up.
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Sizzle!" Accompanied by a shrill quenching sound, a Rambo Dagger with beautiful patterns appeared before everyone's eyes.
"It's so beautiful." Pakura could not help but sigh in admiration as she looked at the dagger.
Keiko's hands never stopped moving. He first ground the blade, starting with a grinding wheel and then a whetstone. Next, he picked up a file and sharpened the serrations on the spine one by one. Finally, he fitted the knife with a handle and installed a small compass at the end of it. The entire process flowed as smoothly as clouds and water, leaving the gathered craftsmen clicking their tongues in amazement.
"Ding!"
Keiko suddenly swung the knife at a Kunai resting on a rack nearby. The Kunai instantly split into two pieces. The crowd broke into another round of astonished exclamations, and soon the workshop was filled with applause.
"Everyone understood, right? Good. Now, following what I just did, each of you masters should make a dagger of the same specifications. Anyone who finishes within three hours can sign this employment contract for a monthly salary of six thousand ryo." Upon hearing Keiko's order, everyone hurried to find their workbenches and began.
"The White Fang I gave you last time was broken by the Hokage. This one is for you instead." Keiko sheathed the knife and handed it to Pakura.
Pakura lovingly turned the dagger over in her hands, her eyes full of delight.
Almost every shinobi knew at least a little blacksmithing. Back before the shinobi villages had been established, Kunai, shuriken, and the like were all forged by shinobi themselves or by their clans.
For one thing, only the user knew their own habits. For another, they could only truly trust weapons they made themselves. Later, after the shinobi villages were established, ordinary ninja tools were forged by specialized clans and sold through centralized channels.
Later still, specialized weapon manufacturers such as the Land of Crafts emerged, handling everything from production to sales. Their quality and prices were acceptable, and during wartime, the clans responsible for weapon production in each shinobi village simply could not keep up. As a result, they could only import some Land of Crafts products. Even so, many traditional shinobi still retained the habit of making their own ninja tools. Keiko was one such traditional shinobi. When it came to blacksmithing, he was an expert.
Keiko had originally intended to use the factory as a pretext to secure the upper reaches of the Shule River. But then he thought about it—since the factory was already open, wouldn't it be a waste if it didn't make money? It was wartime. What was most profitable? Naturally, the arms trade. Thus, Keiko decided to truly expand both the ninja tool factory and the cannery.
Canned food was simple. Using Napoleonic-era techniques, after more than half a month of tinkering, they had already developed three flagship products: braised pork, dace with fermented black beans, and canned yellow peaches. They were all packed in small stainless-steel tins, marked with simple images of a pig, fish, or peach for distinction, with the Hourglass trademark pasted on top.
At several dinner banquets where Danzo and Hanzo of the Salamander hosted Keiko, he proudly brought out his products and promoted them. After tasting them, both men were greatly impressed. When they learned that the shelf life could reach two years, Danzo immediately placed a large order for six thousand cans of each type, while Hanzo symbolically ordered one thousand cans of each.
This first batch was quickly distributed as supplies to Konoha and Hidden Rain shinobi. Konoha shinobi who had spent nearly half a year fighting outside, chewing on bland Soldier Rations Pills every day, were deeply shocked after tasting the various canned foods. They promptly placed more orders. Looking at the price list, canned pork cost thirty ryo per can, canned fish fifteen ryo, and canned yellow peaches ten ryo.
The prices were extremely affordable, and the canned food immediately became a hit. As word spread and the craze built, major merchants from Earth Country and Lightning Country also began placing sizable orders. Yura, the cannery director, became so busy his feet barely touched the ground. He led his team to acquire five nearby pig farms, ten fishponds, and four large peach orchards in succession. Only then could they ensure the orders would be completed smoothly.
Ninja tools? Those were somewhat more troublesome. The market for traditional, commonly used ninja tools had almost been monopolized by the Land of Crafts, so Keiko decided to take the opposite route and focus on premium products. The first product he introduced was a multifunctional dagger like the Rambo Dagger. As for its forging method, Keiko chose the most troublesome Damascus Steel process!
Damascus Steel had originally been a high-quality steel made by ancient people from Indian wootz steel through cold forging, naturally bearing patterns resembling wood grain. Blades forged from Damascus Steel were famed for cutting through iron like mud while remaining tough and unyielding. Unfortunately, the forging method for this steel had already been lost.
Fortunately, before transmigrating, Keiko had loved watching an American reality competition show—Forged in Fire! That show featured a method for making imitation Damascus Steel. Both in appearance and strength, it was nearly indistinguishable from true Damascus Steel. Moreover, almost without exception, contestants who used Damascus Steel would ultimately take first place.
"Director Rasa, please send someone to invite Danzo and Hanzo to dinner tomorrow night. We need to promote these knives too."
Before you continue