Afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, casting slanted patches of light across the classroom floor. The air smelled of chalk dust and the old paper of books.
At the front of the classroom, a middle-aged Chunin teacher lectured on the modern history of the Land of Wind in a steady but monotonous voice. He focused mainly on the "glorious achievements" of successive Kazekage and how Sunagakure had fought valiantly in each Shinobi World War.
Most of the students, including some from clans, were growing drowsy. They had heard it all countless times before, and it was steeped in the village's official narrative.
Temari sat up straight and appeared attentive, though her gaze occasionally drifted out the window. Kankuro, meanwhile, was secretly fiddling with a new puppet part under his desk.
Shira was also looking out the window, but his mind was racing, the teacher's voice reduced to a distant murmur.
He appeared to be daydreaming, but he was actually sorting through the vast, complex, and often cruel information he knew about this world as a transmigrator, considering it alongside what he had observed firsthand during his time in Sunagakure.
The Land of Wind's geographical position really isn't all that favorable... Shira analyzed it calmly. The map on his desk showed that most of the Land of Wind consisted of vast deserts and the Gobi, dry and subject to little rain, with scarce usable farmland. This gave it a weak agricultural base and limited the population it could support.
The major towns and oases, including Sunagakure, were concentrated in a handful of areas near borders or water sources.
As for resources... Shira recalled what he had seen and heard, as well as the information he had read. It's not as though the country has nothing. There are minerals beneath the desert, such as certain special metal ores. The lightweight wood used to make puppets has to be obtained from particular oases or imported.
But the problem is that extracting, transporting, and processing these resources is expensive, and there isn't enough variety. Many strategic supplies and daily necessities are heavily dependent on imports.
As a result, Sunagakure's economic lifeline was quite fragile, relying heavily on funding from the Daimyo of the Land of Wind and commissions from missions at home and abroad.
Whenever international tensions rose or the Daimyo cut funding, the village would find itself strapped for resources. This economic dependence profoundly affected the village's foreign policy and internal decisions.
Compared to that, Konoha in the Land of Fire...
The fertile green expanse at the center of the map appeared in Shira's mind. Located in the center of the continent, with a pleasant climate, fertile land, abundant and varied resources, and a huge population. Its exceptionally favorable geography has helped it build up immense national strength. It truly is the strongest shinobi village.
Iwagakure in the Land of Earth has many mountains, making it easy to defend and hard to attack. The country has abundant mineral resources and is highly self-sufficient.
Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning lies on a plateau. Its people are fierce and value martial combat. Its technology also seems quite advanced. Later on, it even has black tech like the Chakra Cannon. Its strength is second only to Konoha's.
Kirigakure in the Land of Water sits isolated overseas. It once became closed off and fell into decline because of the Blood Mist Policy, but it has abundant ocean resources, and its location provides a natural barrier. It also has plenty of powerful fighters. It has two Jinchūriki, Yagura and Utakata, as well as many other experts, like Kisame and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Of course, Kirigakure's Blood Mist Policy had driven those powerful fighters away... The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, had also been controlled by Obito. Kisame, that honest guy whose Chakra reserves rivaled a Tailed Beast's, had even been duped into leaving by Obito! Even more absurdly, Guy's dad, Might Duy, had kicked the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist down to a lucky trio.
Thinking of that, Shira felt that Sunagakure and Kirigakure really did have something in common.
Compared objectively, Sunagakure's situation was indeed difficult. Its basic conditions were among the worst of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
If Sunagakure wants to truly break out of this predicament, it can't just focus on mission commissions and the Daimyo's funding. It has to find new sources of income.
Shira's fingers traced patterns on the desk unconsciously. Perhaps there's unique value to be found in the desert itself? For example, could they take advantage of the huge temperature difference between day and night and the intense sunlight to grow certain drought-resistant medicinal herbs or special crops?
Or tame and breed certain desert creatures to obtain unique materials like leather and venom? The Puppet Technique is one of the village's specialties. Could it be developed not just for combat, but for more precise and civilian applications too?
But all of this requires a stable international environment, a far-sighted leadership, and enough initial capital.
His gaze happened to sweep across Temari and Kankuro in the row ahead. Is the current Kazekage their father, Rasa? He's more inclined to use existing resources to maintain the status quo, even at the cost of long-term interests in exchange for brief stability, as with the Pakura incident.
Under his leadership, Sunagakure will probably struggle to make any groundbreaking progress. It might even continue to be pushed back and forth in the power struggles of the great nations.
Hmm... I have a god's-eye view of things, but I absolutely mustn't let that make me stubborn and conceited. Still, I can't just sit and wait for death, letting things continue as they are.
A trace of worry also rose in Shira's heart. If things really continued like this, Sunagakure's future did not look bright.
Comparing their strength, the current Sunagakure has a serious shortage of successors among its top fighters.
Shira analyzed the situation calmly. There was no doubt that Rasa was at Kage Level, and Granny Chiyo and Ebizo were the village's last reserves of strength, but they were getting on in years.
Among the middle and younger generations, aside from a few elites like Jonin Baki, there were not many experts capable of handling things on their own. Compared with Konoha's star-studded lineup of Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi, Guy, and others, the gap was obvious.
As for his own village, when Sasori left, he had conveniently ambushed and killed the Third Kazekage, meaning Sunagakure had lost two top fighters at once.
Sasori, the village is handing out relief rations. Please come back, I'm begging you, QAQ.
Most important of all is the external threat, the organization called "Akatsuki." Shira's heart sank.
Not long into the Shippuden period, the Akatsuki would make a move against Gaara. It would deal Sunagakure a devastating blow.
And then there's Black Zetsu, the most filial child in the Shinobi World, Obito, and the other masterminds behind the scenes... Shira felt a sense of helplessness.
In the face of a conspiracy that engulfed the entire planet, an individual's power seemed so insignificant, especially for a weakling like him as he was now.
So what can I do? Where does Sunagakure's future lie?
Shira could not help asking himself. He knew how the original story ended, but he hoped there could be fewer sacrifices along the way.
First, I have to find a way to keep Gaara alive and support him in becoming Kazekage. He's the key to changing Sunagakure's future. And once I'm strong enough, with Gaara being so receptive to advice, plus the bond I'm building with him now, I should have a chance to become his right-hand man!
Shira's gaze grew resolute. That would give me a say, letting me use some of the knowledge I learned on Blue Star to make practical suggestions for Sunagakure's development! At the same time, I have to find a way to deal with the Akatsuki's attack. Maybe I can use my information advantage to make some targeted preparations in advance.
Second, I need to look for opportunities to develop. Maybe I can start small, like using knowledge from my past life to suggest ways to improve agriculture and optimize resource use? Or try to promote closer ties with Konoha? After all, the two countries are neighbors and have a foundation for cooperation.
Shira's thoughts raced as he considered the possibilities. He realized that many of his ideas were beyond what his current status and abilities allowed, which left him feeling lonely and pressed for time.
"Shira!"
A slightly displeased shout pulled Shira out of his deep thoughts and back to reality. He jerked his head up to find the whole class staring at him. The teacher at the front of the room was looking at him with a frown.
"I just asked, what do you think was the key turning point in Sunagakure's battle against Hanzō of Amegakure during the Third Shinobi World War?" the teacher repeated.
Shira opened his mouth. He had been so absorbed in thinking about world affairs and plans for the future that he had not listened at all.
He could hardly say, "The key turning point was that Hanzō was later killed by Pain, and Amegakure changed hands," could he?
He stood up awkwardly and stammered, "Well... um... maybe because... a prolonged war of attrition put enormous pressure on the supply lines?"
The teacher pursed his lips at the answer, which was not outlandish but was hardly brilliant either, and motioned for him to sit. "Hmm, supplies were one important factor, but the key lay in the tenacious will of our Sunagakure warriors and their correct tactical choices..."
Shira: ...