After all, being a ninja in this world was similar to being a samurai in history — it was a noble class.
Asking them to lower their pride and change their long-held beliefs was impossible... unless one had a technique that could reshape and control the consciousness of all ninja in the world.
Kagetsu didn't have any grand dream of sparking a revolutionary change in society for the sake of the people or the ninja.
But if it meant gathering more wealth and talent — if it helped him secure funding for his experiments — then he was definitely interested.
Right now, the profit within Konoha had already been carved up by all the major ninja clans. Trying to snatch a share from them would come with overwhelming resistance. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ noⅴelfire.net
Not to mention, both he and Orochimaru had supporters who came from those same clans.
Even if Orochimaru was bold and fearless, with the outside world always on the verge of war, they couldn't act so recklessly just yet.
"Can we make money?" Orochimaru asked bluntly.
"Of course," Kagetsu nodded seriously.
"The village won't give you much funding," Orochimaru replied again. "Even though we're backed by the wealthy Land of Fire, the village doesn't have much money after covering all essential expenses. Especially since we just came out of war — we may have defeated Iwagakure, but thanks to sensei's decision, we didn't get any real compensation from them."
"I just need the Hokage's approval and a few people to help me."
Kagetsu was well aware of the village's current financial situation.
Even if there were still reserves, they had to be used for restoring civilian life and training personnel across various departments.
"Tell me your plan. Don't tell me you're really going to plant trees in the desert for Sunagakure?"
Orochimaru said jokingly, then fell silent as he saw the serious look on Kagetsu's face.
All shinobi knew that ninjutsu could change terrain, but actually doing it on a large scale—especially transforming the environment—was something only a handful of legendary shinobi could achieve.
Shinobi of that level were already considered high-ranking figures with considerable influence in their villages.
Using Wood Release to plant trees in the desert? Unless the First Hokage came back to life, that kind of thing was nearly impossible.
The harsh desert environment would even weaken the power of Wood Release.
For a moment, Orochimaru's sharp mind was truly at a loss. He had always known Kagetsu had wild and unconventional ideas, often out of sync with traditional shinobi ways of thinking.
He used to think it was just a quirk of the Nara clan's genius.
After so many years of being master and student, Orochimaru thought he had finally caught up to how Kagetsu's brain worked—but now he realized, Kagetsu still had more "surprises" in store for him.
"Only a major project can move the Daimyō of the Land of Wind to invest. I believe the Land of Wind's treasury isn't as rich as the Land of Fire's, but it's still one of the Five Great Nations.
A better environment and fertile land could attract more people to settle there, bringing the Daimyō more wealth.
And let's be honest—don't those nobles in the Land of Wind also dream of having their own oasis in the middle of the desert?
All it takes is some money to start with.
If missions like escorting merchants, fighting bandits, or eliminating enemy shinobi are valid...
Then why shouldn't environmental restoration be considered a mission too?"
"This is a long-term mission, one that only we, Konoha, can complete! Irreplaceable, the only one of its kind!"
"Given how the people of Sunagakure and those nobles from the Land of Wind are so envious of the Land of Fire's territory, if such an opportunity were to present itself to them, they surely wouldn't be able to resist, right?"
"What if they can resist?" Orochimaru also believed that the nobles and ninjas of the Land of Wind wouldn't be able to hold back, but Kagetsu's idea seemed a bit too far-fetched.
It seemed like a mission of such scale had never been undertaken by ninjas before.
To reshape an entire country's environment?
Who would have ever thought of such a long-term and continuous task?
Ninjas are typically hired for quick, competitive jobs!
But if successful, it really does seem like only Konoha could handle this mission. Aside from the hidden forces related to Uchiha Madara, only Konoha has access to Wood Release!
In fact, if it weren't for the development department preserving the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, even if the Land of Wind ordered it, Konoha would be powerless.
"Then let's treat it as a way to research the power of the Ryūmyaku veins," Kagetsu's plan was very flexible.
"Wood Release ninjas are the village's treasure. Right now, only a few members of the Senju clan can truly use Wood Release and have reached the level of jonin.
You need to actively communicate with them," Orochimaru passed the responsibility.
Although Wood Release was revived by him and Kagetsu, his reputation among the Senju clan wasn't good.
After all, so many Senju clan members had died during the Wood Release experiments at his hands. Even though most had volunteered, it's impossible to avoid some resentment.
Now, those who awakened Wood Release are highly valued in the Senju clan, especially those who have distanced themselves from the village's power core.
The remaining Wood Release users mostly changed their names and joined the Education Department as teachers, their presence nearly forgotten at the bottom.
"I can meet with Tsunade-san," Kagetsu calmly mentioned Tsunade.
Although it was somewhat unethical, as the princess and de facto clan leader of the Senju clan, Tsunade still had some influence on this matter.
"Also, there's one more person I hope you'll agree to meet."
"Who is it?" Upon hearing Kagetsu's request, Orochimaru felt uneasy. He had a feeling that the person Kagetsu was about to mention would be troublesome.
As expected, when Kagetsu said the name, Orochimaru immediately fell silent.
"Are you sure?" Orochimaru looked at Kagetsu and repeated the name dryly: "Kushina Uzumaki?"
"Yes, I need the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina Uzumaki, to join this plan. To spread the power of the Ryūmyaku vein, it's not just limited to transforming the country of Roran. The sealing techniques she possesses are crucial! She is the best candidate for an advisor," Kagetsu confirmed.
"My teacher and those two advisors are going to drive me crazy," Orochimaru frowned.
Clearly, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki would have to leave the village often, and perhaps even stay outside for long periods.
Without the Hokage's permission, Kagetsu couldn't invite someone as sensitive as Kushina Uzumaki.
"Why not have Minato-san protect her?" Kagetsu suggested. "Also, isn't Kushina-san strong enough to protect herself?"
Kagetsu understood that Orochimaru was worried about the possible assassinations and attacks the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki might face once she left the village, but Kushina herself was strong enough to handle it.
"Alright, we'll do it that way, but only if you can reach an agreement with the Land of Wind and Sunagakure. If you can gather enough money, there won't be any pressure."
Orochimaru thought for a moment and came to a conclusion.
This was a big plan, and it would require the client's approval.
As long as this "environmental management" project could get the endorsement of the Land of Wind and Sunagakure, Konoha wouldn't resist the task.
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