Two weeks later.
Mei Terumi received accurate information; unexpectedly, both Iwagakure and Kumogakure would be participating in the Chunin Ninja Exams.
This news was also unbelievable to her and Yuzuru.
"I have a feeling things aren't that simple."
Yuzuru couldn't help but say.
"Indeed, that's a bit too far-fetched. Are they really that close? The Third Shinobi World War was a bloody war."
Mei Terumi shook her head as well; she couldn't understand what Ōnoki and Ai were thinking either.
"They can't be flexing their muscles too, can they?"
"I think it's more likely they're gathering intelligence."
Yuzuru stroked his chin.
"That's really hard to understand."
"It doesn't matter. Since they've all participated, we can't refuse. Let's proceed according to plan and have the six of them prepare."
"Um."
Watching Yuzuru leave, Mei Terumi continued working.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Wind.
A steady stream of various metal ores and oils were sent back to the Land of Water using the improved Heavenly Transfer Technique.
Both the mines and oil fields are surrounded by ample garrison troops.
The people from Sunagakure who work here show no sign of displeasure; even though it's the same work day after day, they are still willing to do it.
There was no other way; they were terrified of poverty in the past. Now, they receive a steady stream of money every month. Regardless of whether they are ninjas or not, this alone makes most people in Sunagakure grateful.
You have to understand, there wasn't such a good thing before. If a family didn't have a business or any ninjas, they would live in Sunagakure solely on the meager village subsidies.
But now, they can earn money on their own and have enough to eat, which is much better than the ninja village back then.
At least, working here can actually support a family. In the village, a Genin has to constantly do missions just to support an entire family, which can be life-threatening.
Even if family members wanted to help, there was nothing they could do, because not everyone could become a ninja. Therefore, in Sunagakure, the ninja in one's family were their only support. Others had a hard time finding work because Sunagakure's economy and trade were not as prosperous as other villages.
The economic boom was certainly gratifying; Sunagakure had never been so wealthy. But then came a new problem: the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams.
They agreed readily at the time, but now they've finally realized something's wrong, because they haven't invested much in training ninjas over the past two years.
Almost every household's ninjas and men went to work in mines or oil fields, and even the number of missions decreased significantly.
In other words, Sunagakure couldn't field anyone to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams.
"Tell me, what should we do about the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams?"
At the Kazekage Building, Rasa and Chiyo, along with their group, were troubled by this matter.
In the past two years, they have made a fortune, and Sunagakure is no longer so poor. At least, every household has a decent house, and the streets are no longer so dilapidated.
The Sunagakure is now completely transformed and richer than ever before, but the problem lies in another aspect: an insufficient number of ninjas.
"Actually, the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams are basically just a way for each village to flex their muscles and demonstrate the strength of their younger generation."
Ebizo couldn't help but say.
"Everyone knows that, the problem is, we can't even field people to flex our muscles right now."
Chiyo glared at him.
"This time, it won't just be large countries participating; many smaller countries will also be attending."
"Surely our ninjas aren't even as good as those from a small country?"
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
"I think we need to face this problem squarely. In the Shinobi World, ultimately, it's the ninja's strength that matters. We have indeed neglected the training of ninjas in the past two years."
Chiyo spoke first.
"That being said, our Sunagakure has indeed been improving since the ninjas started having stable jobs. Both the village itself and the people's lives are much better than before."
One of the senior executives couldn't help but say something.
"Yes, we Sunagakure have never lived so comfortably before."
"It's all because you're indulging in pleasure that the younger generation of ninjas has declined."
Chiyo angrily tapped her cane.
"You can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. What do you mean we're indulging in pleasure? The village is rich now, isn't that a good thing? Besides, isn't the purpose of being a ninja to make money? Now that there's such an easy way to make money that benefits the whole village, why not take advantage of it?"
"Yeah yeah."
"What about the younger generation in that village? Are we just going to send them all to the mines? Aren't you afraid of war breaking out suddenly?"
"Even if war breaks out, with the Sea Region Academy there, who would dare to declare war on them? They have a base and troops stationed in our Land of Wind Sea Region Academy. Even if others want to attack us, they have to get past them first. This is a cost-free guarantee, so why not make good use of it?"
"I think you're right. The Sea Region Academy is located in the Land of Wind. Surely no one would dare to ignore them, right? That mysterious Mr. Lan's strength is unfathomable."
Seeing that many people agreed with him, the executive continued:
"Don't forget, most of our talented young people went to the Sea Region Academy. Those who stayed in the village were just a bunch of ordinary people with mediocre talent. So what if Joint Chunin Ninja Exams? Does that represent the geniuses of Sunagakure? Definitely not."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.
"Yes, it's not that Sunagakure talent; on the contrary, we have many geniuses, but they've all gone to the Academy for further studies."
"Is this the case in other villages as well?"
"That's right!"
These words immediately eased the tense atmosphere.
Oh dear, so we're all the same.
"I knew it! How could this possibly happen?"
Chiyo seemed to be convinced as well, gave a cold snort, and finally said:
"However, we still need to select some suitable Genin to go. Find some young and capable Genin, and teach them seriously this month. Just make sure they're not too mediocre."
"Yes, in that case, let's do as Chiyo says."
And so, the Sunagakure Village's high-ranking officials, who were initially filled with worry, came to accept things after this strange persuasion.
It can only be said that one is born in hardship and dies in comfort; this is true.
This group of people has become complacent with their affluent lifestyle and lost their fighting spirit.
And this is exactly what Yuzuru would like to see.
Let them live in their own world. The false sense of security brought by the Academy, coupled with the increasingly prosperous economy of Sunagakure, will lead them step by step toward destruction.