32 Chapter 32
"Chiyo Elder, have you ever considered the possibility that allowing foreign individuals to enter the Shinōbi Academy could attract a large number of wealthy people?" Hitoshi's eyes gleamed with excitement as he tapped his fingers on the table, a smile playing on his lips.
Upon hearing Hitoshi's words, both Chiyo and Pakura were startled, their expressions frozen in shock. They didn't know how to respond.
Chiyo's water glass slipped from her hand and shattered on the ground, a clear indication of the impact of Hitoshi's statement.
"Why would you even suggest such a thing, Hitoshi? Allowing noble children and descendants of foreign businessmen to enter the Shinōbi Academy and learn our Ninjutsu—this is utter nonsense!" Chiyo's anger was evident in her furious outburst.
Before Hitoshi ascended to the position of Kazekage, Chiyo was addressed by name. But ever since Hitoshi became Kazekage, he referred to them as Kazekage and had never called them by name. This time, Chiyo's anger was truly palpable.
"I have to agree, Kazekage-sama. This idea of yours is simply foolish," Pakura added, expressing her dissatisfaction.
"No, I don't think it's foolish at all. In fact, I believe it's a positive step.
By allowing our children to learn Ninjutsu and other Ninja Villages to learn our techniques, we can foster understanding and cultural exchange.
I see it as a beneficial opportunity," Hitoshi maintained his smile, disregarding Chiyo's increasingly displeased expression.
His demeanor seemed almost foolish, and it only added to Pakura's growing annoyance. However, Chiyo managed to regain her composure.
"Hitoshi, I don't understand what you're thinking. You're not a foolish or simple-minded person," Chiyo managed to suppress her anger and asked calmly.
Today had brought her an unexpected surprise, but she understood that surprises were often just that.
"I believe that fostering true peace in the Shinōbi World is essential. Daimyo is not a fool. Constant confrontation only leads to further conflict with ordinary people.
In this case, it may be better to seek harmony and mutual understanding," Hitoshi stood up and walked towards the window, gazing down at the flourishing Sunagakure below, his voice calm and composed.
Yet, the intensity in his eyes grew deeper, making it difficult to fully comprehend his intentions.
"I don't fully grasp your meaning. What exactly are you trying to convey?" Chiyo, now composed, sought clarity, drawing upon her years of experience.
The more Chiyo pondered, the less she understood Hitoshi's words.
What did he mean by blending with each other, understanding each other, and opposing the ordinary person?
The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, established the Ninja Village system to avoid conflict with ordinary people, ultimately subjecting them to the control of Daimyo.
Now, Hitoshi seemed to suggest compromising.
"Sunagakure has amassed a significant amount of resources. If we are to sell these resources, we must do so through commercial means, that is, through ordinary channels.
And in this process, we need to find a fusion.
By opening up Sunagakure, we can sell land, while Shinōbi Clans and Shinōbi consume internally, ensuring they do not become wealthy. The ones who can truly afford to consume our products are ordinary people," Hitoshi turned around, his words carrying a meaningful tone.
As the village head of Sunagakure and the leader of all Shinōbi in Kaze no Kuni, no one understands the village's issues better than him.
The problems faced by businesses, both present and future.
"But how does this relate to opening Shinōbi Academy and allowing their descendants to study?" Chiyo began to grasp the concept, having heard recent complaints from her daughter-in-law about her struggling toy business.
"It's a matter of business dealing. It's a precarious situation when there is no one to protect it.
Since there is someone to protect it, why can't that protective power be in our own hands?" Hitoshi's sneer accompanied his words, already striking a chord with some individuals.
"If we want to have control over power, we must infiltrate. Through cooperation, we can provoke, and through provocation, conflict can arise," Chiyo continued to elaborate on Hitoshi's line of thought.
"Yes, you're absolutely right. In that case, we can relinquish certain powers.
As for us, we will focus on developing core technologies. As long as we firmly hold onto those core technologies, the most vital element, we need not worry about the rest," Hitoshi's intentions were becoming clear.
"If it were just basic Ninjutsu, Shinōbi Clans and Shinōbi wouldn't mind," Chiyo finally understood Hitoshi's plan.
However, she may not fully grasp the significance of this plan, but she will not impede Hitoshi's intentions.
"Pakura, please help me arrange a meeting with Minister-sama. Schedule a tea appointment in my office three days from now.
At the same time, spread the word to the merchants visiting Sunagakure.
If they purchase a house in Sunagakure, their children will have the opportunity to study at Sunagakure Shinōbi Academy."
With Chiyo's approval, Hitoshi wasted no time in giving instructions.
In Sunagakure, there are only two individuals who can potentially halt Hitoshi's plans: Chiyo and Shamon.
Shamon unconditionally supports Hitoshi, leaving Chiyo as the remaining influential figure.
As Chiyo had heard from Ebizo, the Elder Group is responsible for administration, and they are all direct descendants of Shamon. Even the largest Shinōbi Clan in Sunagakure has received favors from Hitoshi.
As long as no fundamental interests are at stake, no one will stand in his way.
Over the next three days, Sunagakure was filled with excitement and anticipation.
The news of Sunagakure Shinōbi Academy's groundbreaking policy spread like wildfire. Owning a house in Sunagakure granted access to the village's residency, allowing children from any country to enroll.
This revelation shattered the mystique surrounding Ninja Villages.
The existence of Shinōbi began to be perceived as a profession, gradually moving away from secrecy and becoming more inclusive.
In the Kana Clan meeting room in Sunagakure, Pakura sat opposite Clan Leader Gyosu.
"Pakura, are the words circulating outside truly from Kazekage-sama?" the elderly Gyosu inquired, his cloudy eyes open.
"Yes, Lord Clan Leader. What should we do?" Pakura responded respectfully.
Gyosu, not only her Clan Leader but also her family, had granted her permission to report on her interactions with Hitoshi.
"Understood. You may go," Gyosu said, his eyes flickering with a hint of brightness. He coughed twice, signaling for Pakura to leave.
Once Pakura had exited the room, Gyosu picked up a document that detailed the turnover of their newly opened Kana Clan sauna shop.
"The enigmatic veil of the Hidden Villages is gradually lifting. These are times of change," Gyosu murmured to himself.
He possessed a broader perspective than most individuals, a result of his experiences during the Sengoku period. As an ordinary person raised amidst captivity, he was thrust into warfare alongside other Shinōbi Clans. After surviving various threats, he witnessed the emergence of the Ninja Village era, which separated Shinōbi from ordinary people, allowing them to sustain themselves through missions.
Clans gradually formed, and warfare evolved into a period of intense brutality. Small-scale battles involving hundreds of combatants gave way to large-scale conflicts engulfing the entire Shinōbi World.
Now, with Hitoshi's decision to open Sunagakure to the outside world, Gyosu sensed that he was grasping a fragment of the bigger picture.
