Hearing Shiro's words, the gathered leaders ceased their objections.
After all, the Kazekage himself had offered to personally solve the funding crisis, effectively removing the largest obstacle from the path. If you still object after that, aren't you just asking for trouble?
Besides, once these projects are completed, everyone benefits. What is the issue? Do you not want to live a prosperous life? Are you naturally fond of suffering in the sand?
Soon, the first major meeting after Shiro's succession concluded successfully. Everyone filtered out of the room, leaving only Shiro, Lady Chiyo, and Elder Ebizo.
Shiro remained seated at the head of the table, taking a slow sip of water from his cup before breaking the silence.
"We have finished discussing civil development. I asked the two of you to stay so we could discuss Sunagakure's ninja development strategy. Tell me, what is your honest assessment of Sunagakure's current strength?"
Chiyo and Ebizo exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of Shiro's intentions, and chose to remain silent.
Seeing that neither Elder was willing to speak first, Shiro stated his analysis bluntly.
"In Konoha, the younger generation boasts the Third Hokage's three disciples and Sakumo Hatake, all of whom possess clear Kage-level potential. Among the older generation, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, and Torifu Akimichi all wield Kage-level strength. Furthermore, consider their secret technique clans: the Ino–Shika–Cho trio combined can stall a Kage-level opponent, and the Uchiha clan head can single-handedly match a Kage. The remaining clans—the Inuzuka, Hyuga, and Aburame—all possess strengths ranging from near-Kage to Elite Jonin."
"So, Elders, honestly... what do you think of Sunagakure's strength in comparison?"
Hearing Shiro's cold breakdown, Chiyo and Ebizo felt a heavy weight settle in their stomachs.
How was it? What *could* they say? Initially, they had convinced themselves that their village was powerful, a force to be reckoned with. But after hearing Shiro's ruthless summary, was there even a comparison to be made?
"Then, Lord Kazekage, what exactly are you planning...?"
Chiyo was the first to lose patience and ask.
"Lady Chiyo, do not rush. Read this first."
Shiro spoke unhurriedly as he pulled a sealed document from a drawer. Stamped on the cover were the words: 'Talent Acquisition Program.'
Talent Acquisition!
This was the core strategy for Sunagakure's future. Previous plans could only improve the village's logistical capability, but the lack of high-level combat power was a difficult reality to change. Although Sunagakure was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, before the advent of Magnet Release, it was infamously known as the "Three-No Village": no bloodlines, no secret techniques, and no resources. Thanks to Lord Shamon, Magnet Release was developed, and thanks to Monzaemon, the Puppet Secret Technique was born. But after that? Nothing! At most, Pakura and her Scorch Release would appear during the Third Great War, but that was years away.
Therefore, based on Sunagakure's desperate reality, Shiro proposed this Talent Acquisition Program. The core content of the plan was simple... stealing people!
Stealing bloodlines! Stealing geniuses! Stealing land! Stealing water!
Anything Sunagakure lacked could simply be taken from elsewhere!
Of course, this tactic was inspired by Kumogakure, another of the Five Great Villages.
One must understand that while Sunagakure might be poor, dilapidated, and fond of opportunism, it generally tried to maintain the responsibility and credibility expected of a major ninja village.
After all, they couldn't afford to lack credibility. Being situated in a desolate desert already made client missions difficult to acquire. If they also lacked a reputation for trustworthiness, even fewer people would come to issue tasks.
But for the survival of the village, this aggressive acquisition was necessary.
Look at Kumogakure. They stole bloodlines and stole jutsu, transforming from a collection of barbarians into a powerhouse capable of suppressing Konoha after the Third Great War. What did they rely on?
They relied on absolute shamelessness! Attempting to steal Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki! Trying to kidnap the heiress of the Hyuga clan! When they got caught, they turned around and blamed the victim, demanding reparations, and somehow faced no consequences.
With such blatant examples of success laid out before them, why wouldn't Suna copy it?
Shiro even suspected that the Magnet Release users appearing in Kumo later in history were originally stolen from Suna.
If Konoha hadn't produced two god-like anomalies in the end, Kumogakure probably would have become the strongest Hidden Village.
After reading the entire document, Chiyo and Ebizo felt their heads throbbing.
Both of them once again had the nagging illusion that they had chosen a madman for a Kazekage.
Although Sunagakure was poor and the environment harsh, the people were simple and honest. Lord Shamon had been meticulous and ethical. How did that environment produce such a character? This plan was outrageously dark. Chiyo suspected that if this document were leaked, the Land of Rain, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Earth would immediately cease fighting each other and jointly crusade against the Land of Wind.
Look at the headings: *Operation: Hollow Out the Land of Rain*, *Operation: Acquire the Kamizuru Clan of the Land of Earth*, *Operation: Uzumaki Survivor Rescue and Integration*, and even *Operation: Uchiha Clan Relocation*!
Seriously, Lord Kazekage, are you insane?
"Lord Kazekage, isn't this plan a bit... extreme?"
Chiyo truly couldn't find the right words to describe the audacity of it.
Seeing the constipated expressions on the faces of the two Elders, Shiro knew the contents had shocked them to their core.
"Do not worry, Elders. The plan is only in the preparation phase for now. I can feel that the wars of this world will only become more intense. This time we could retreat calmly, but when the day comes that we have nowhere left to retreat, we must have the ability to contend with the monsters of this world."
"Therefore, we must become strong—ruthlessly strong, without holding anything back!"
Saying this, Shiro clapped his hands together: "Magnet Release: Gold Brick Technique."
Heavy blocks of solid gold materialized on the conference table with a dull thud. A rough estimate put their value at about two hundred million Ryo.
"Elders, I plan to head to the front lines for a short while. I leave the remaining civil construction work to you."
Shiro then immediately used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished, not giving Chiyo or Ebizo a chance to argue.
"Sister... what do we do now?"
Ebizo snapped back to reality after Shiro left, staring at the empty chair.
"What do we do? How should I know what to do? Quickly, destroy this thing! Don't let a fourth person find out about this matter."
Having said that, she wove signs for Fire Release and incinerated the document to ash.
"Wait, Sister, shouldn't we try to stop Lord Kazekage? If this were discovered by the other nations..."
Ebizo watched Chiyo burn the evidence without further comment and quickly spoke up, panic rising in his voice.
"Stop him? Are you going to go, or am I? Have you forgotten the chakra outburst from earlier? Who in this village has the power to stop him?"
"Furthermore... the Kazekage is right. Sunagakure's foundation is too shallow. We lack everything. If we lose just one war, we won't have another chance to recover. If Shiro hadn't resisted the pressure earlier, we might have already been forced to surrender as a defeated nation."
"So, we might as well take a gamble. If we lose, the outcome is the same—ruin. At worst, we just ask the Kazekage to mine more gold dust to pay for our mistakes."
"Besides, we might not lose. Shiro's strength is formidable, and he is only 19 years old. If we can keep this secret for a few years and allow his strength to mature, he might very well reach the level of legends. If the matter is exposed then, we won't need to fear anyone."
"Alright, you go take charge of expanding the academy. I will take charge of building the hospital and training the medical corps. I am very busy and don't have time to chat with you here."
With that, Chiyo stood up and walked toward the door, her mind already racing with plans.
"Sigh... let's hope so."
Ebizo sighed deeply, looking at the pile of gold bricks, then stood up to follow his sister.