By the time he returned to his residence, it was already five in the afternoon. The teachers like Karura who had been attending lectures at the Academy had already returned.
Ryuji casually greeted people he met on the way, then eagerly headed into the newly built workshop.
He first checked the cultivation status of the Sage cells, then began his research on the necklace.
To maximize squeezing the value out of this necklace, the natural course was to first thoroughly research the sealing formula left inside by the First Hokage, then extract the Chakra within for research or to enhance the potential of the Wood Release user.
Finally, auction off the necklace.
However.
This newly built workshop lacked black-tech items like the Observation Device and 3D Printer. It wasn't even equipped with the most advanced research tools of this era. Research progress was very slow.
Just trying to clearly see the internal details of the necklace's crystal was difficult.
Regarding this, Ryuji wished he could return to Sunagakure immediately.
But that was impossible.
Before settling the matter of the Wood Release user, he couldn't possibly leave.
He could only console himself while slowly conducting his research.
The revolutionary pioneers of his previous life created all sorts of miracles under harsh conditions… why couldn't he?
"Ryuji, are you there?"
Suddenly, the Third Kazekage's voice came through the mental link.
Ryuji paused, sealed the research progress in hand, then replied in his mind, "I'm here. What's the matter?"
"Is it convenient to talk?"
"I'm in the workshop, alone."
"That's fine." The Third Kazekage took a breath and continued, "The allied forces of Iwagakure, Kusagakure, and Kumogakure have launched their attack on Konoha."
"About that, I already guessed."
"The allied forces total over 20,000, attacking from two directions, the Land of Grass and the Land of Rice..."
At this point, the Third Kazekage's voice grew hesitant.
"I was thinking... if Sunagakure were to also send troops against Konoha now, Konoha would be finished."
"And then?" Ryuji replied calmly. "In a four against one situation, we could probably win without much loss, right? Then we'd be wiped out by the Allied Forces who suffered little loss?"
"..." The Third Kazekage was speechless.
These risks Ryuji mentioned were things he had also considered; they were almost certain to happen.
After all, there was an absolute gap in military strength between the Allied Forces and Konoha, and Konoha lacked a natural defensive barrier like a desert climate. From the Allied Forces' perspective, taking down Konoha was a sure thing; there couldn't possibly be any accidents.
If an outsider came to take advantage and share the spoils at this time, they'd definitely turn on that outsider.
But as the saying goes, with 100% profit, they dare to...; with 200% profit, they dare to...; with 300% profit, they can...
Faced with such huge profits, the Third Kazekage was still deeply tempted.
He thought it was worth a try.
What if the Allied Forces didn't end up attacking them?
Or, what if the Allied Forces suffered excessive losses in the war and couldn't do anything to them in the end?
Ryuji could guess some of the Third Kazekage's thoughts.
Yes, nothing in the world is absolute.
The situation could indeed develop in a positive direction, but it could equally develop in a negative one.
What if Konoha, feeling certain defeat, decided to break the pot since it's broken anyway, wanting to take down Sunagakure as a cushion before dying?
What if Konoha ceded benefits to make the Allied Forces stop their attack, then turned to attack Sunagakure?
What if the Allied Forces swiftly annihilated Konoha, then conveniently wiped out Sunagakure?
Clearly, future development plans were already made, clearly the outside world was busy with war and had no time to interfere with their own development. Wouldn't it be better to just sit back and watch the tigers fight, focusing on their own development?
Taking on risks far exceeding the potential gains for a small advantage... what kind of dog-brained thinking is that?
However,
Though Ryuji was angry enough to curse, he still had to give the Third Kazekage some respect. He could only slowly explain the pros and cons to him, persuading him to abandon this unrealistic idea.
In reality, the Third Kazekage understood all this. He had also convened a Jonin Meeting to discuss it and knew that sending troops now would bring more harm than good to Sunagakure.
He was just tempted by the immediate profits, finding it hard to make a firm decision.
The reason he consulted Ryuji was also hoping Ryuji could dissuade him.
So, this matter was easily resolved.
After the Third Kazekage agreed not to consider sending troops against Konoha, he continued, "Besides this matter, there are two other things to tell you."
"What things?"
"One is about Gelel Stones."
"Oh." Ryuji's eyes lit up, and he inquired with slight excitement, "Did you find the Gelel Stone Vein?"
"No, it's that the team I sent to search for Gelel Stones has gone missing."
"Missing?"
Ryuji paused, then fell into thought.
'Gelel Stones contain powerful Chakra, so it's normal for people to covet them.'
'Although according to the movie's plot, the Gelel Stone vein was still well-preserved 17 years in the future, that doesn't mean no one is looking for them now.'
'It's also possible people searched but didn't find them.'
'Now, because of my actions, Sunagakure sent Shinobi to search for the Gelel Stone Vein, drawing the attention of those who covet Gelel Stones, who then took action… this is highly possible too.'
Understanding the key points, Ryuji asked, "Did you send people to search for them?"
"I sent Pakura with ten teams to look. Even if they encounter unknown enemies, it shouldn't be a problem."
"That's good." Ryuji's expression eased slightly. "Report to me immediately when there's any new progress on this matter."
"Alright!" The Third Kazekage nodded and continued, "The last matter is about the Land of Iron."
"The Land of Iron?"
"Someone from the Land of Iron came to Sunagakure, hoping to hire us to attack Amegakure."
"???"
Ryuji blinked, his face full of question marks.
'The Land of Iron is east of the Land of Fire, while the Land of Rain is northwest of the Land of Fire. Two countries with no connection at all… how did they become enemies?'
"While the Allied Forces launched their attack on Konoha, Hanzo also led his village's Shinobi to invade the Land of Iron," the Third Kazekage explained.
'Why would Hanzo attack the Land of Iron?'
Ryuji remembered there was such an event in the original work.
The future general of the Land of Iron was currently a middle-aged samurai. He would have a decisive battle with Hanzo at a waterfall and suffer a crushing defeat.
'But the Land of Iron is a neutral country without a Shinobi Village. Why would Amegakure attack it?'
'Could it be to seize Chakra Metal Mines?'
'However, though the specific reason was unknown, Hanzo's timing was indeed excellent.'
'The Allied Forces attacked Konoha; aside from Sunagakure, the surrounding villages had no time to spare for him.'
'And Sunagakure... he probably thought Sunagakure would also join the war against Konoha to share the profits!'
'In that case, the Land of Iron hiring Sunagakure to attack Amegakure made perfect sense.'
'Whether to force Hanzo to withdraw his troops or to distract his focus, it was a strategy that served both purposes.'