But gradually, the Hidden Rain ninja began to feel resentful. Compared with the Sunagakure ninja they worked missions alongside, their incomes were practically worlds apart.
Why? After discussion and deliberation at the first Sand Village Congress chaired by Keiko, it had been concluded that the current way ninja earned money had certain problems and needed reform.
Originally, ninja mainly earned money by accepting commissioned missions through the village, and they still had to split the proceeds with the village. How was that any different from being a food delivery rider? Not only was the income unstable, but it also affected the village's defensive strength. It could also easily lead to an uneven distribution of resources—everyone would habitually seek out a particular ninja with a good reputation to take their orders.
So Keiko had carried out sweeping reforms to the system. In any case, there were hardly any missions to accept during wartime, and the village was not relying on that scattered pocket change to survive.
Wasn't the Hourglass Group industrializing while Moon Lake New District was undergoing development? The village treasury had finally built up some reserves. Taking advantage of the ninja tactical reforms—three-man squads becoming four-man squads—he reformed the system as well. The goal was to gradually turn ninja into a quasi-military force.
Through the tireless efforts of Ebizo, Baki, and the others, Sunagakure now had as many as twelve thousand registered ninja, surpassing even the prewar peak under the Second Kazekage, Shamon. Such reforms were undoubtedly a major undertaking.
The first step was to form nearly two thousand new-style combat squads, creating a standing armed force of more than eight thousand people, and place them under semi-military management. These ninja primarily improved their tactical and technical abilities through daily training, while the village treasury paid them military salaries