The reforestation mission for the Hidden Sand Village was finally complete.
Yamato returned to the village to report the success of the mission.
Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura followed closely behind.
At the same time, a new group of medical-nin hopefuls had arrived to continue their training. The medical program was a long-term agreement between the Hidden Sand and the Hidden Leaf, providing both support and financial gain for Konoha.
Upon their return, the team was immediately summoned to the large meeting room within the Hokage Building.
Inside, Tsunade was seated at the head of the table, flanked by her newly appointed management team.
Among them were Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Hyuga Hiashi.
However, there were also a few unwelcome faces—Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzo—figures whom Tsunade had previously removed from power but who still sought to influence Konoha's future.
Naruto, Sakura, and Yamato exchanged puzzled looks.
Kakashi, however, immediately sensed something was off.
Tsunade sighed and rubbed her temples. "Kakashi, Yamato, what was your impression of the Hidden Sand during your time there?"
Kakashi kept his response brief. "Their strength is growing at an alarming rate. You can see it just by walking through the village."
Tsunade leaned forward. "Do you have any proof?"
Without hesitation, Kakashi pulled out a set of photographs he had discreetly taken.
While he hadn't been permitted in restricted areas, he had gathered valuable intel from the unrestricted zones.
"Beyond their expanding infrastructure, they've established intensive training regimens and formed specialized combat units," Kakashi explained, pointing to an image of Sand shinobi wearing advanced exoskeletal armor.
"They are ordinary soldiers, yet their equipment grants them strength nearly equal to that of trained shinobi."
The room fell silent as the Konoha officials studied the images.
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "Their attacks are sharp, their armor enhances their abilities, and those twin blades—" he pointed to one particular image "—can cut through ninjutsu."
The revelation caused an uneasy stir.
Shikaku spoke up. "Are they samurai from the Land of Iron?"
Kakashi shook his head. "No. They are ordinary people—civilians who have no chakra at all. Their strength comes solely from their technology. And they are responsible for maintaining internal security in the Sand Village."
The room erupted into murmurs of disbelief.
The idea that civilians could rival shinobi with the right equipment was unsettling.
If the Hidden Sand armed its entire population of 70,000, would that mean they had 70,000 shinobi-level fighters?
Tsunade frowned, realizing the weight of the situation.
Danzo, who had been quietly processing the information, suddenly stood. "This is a direct threat to Konoha. We must act now!"
Tsunade arched a brow. "And what exactly do you suggest?"
Danzo's mind raced.
For years, he had been sidelined, forced to operate from the shadows.
But now, with this new information, he had a chance to reclaim power.
"We must industrialize," he declared. "We must match the Hidden Sand's progress and surpass it."
He then gestured to Sai, who stepped forward with blueprints detailing iron refineries, weapons factories, and production facilities—stolen intelligence from the Hidden Sand.
Tsunade scowled. "You stole their plans?"
Danzo scoffed. "Ninjas do whatever is necessary to win. If the Sand comes demanding answers, let them place the blame on me. I will take full responsibility."
Tsunade sighed, rubbing her forehead. "This is reckless..."
Despite her reservations, the growing pressure from the council forced her hand.
The race had begun.
As Konoha prepared to counter the Sand's advancements, deep in the Hidden Sand Village, the architect behind their technological revolution, a man named Mufeng, received a new report.
A minor Konoha operative had been caught and sentenced to life imprisonment for espionage.
However, another—an informant named Sai—had managed to escape.
Mufasa smirked. "So Konoha is finally taking me seriously. Interesting."
Back in Konoha, Danzo convened in secret with Homura and Koharu.
"We must push Tsunade further. We need complete industrialization," he urged. "Konoha's future depends on it."
Koharu adjusted her glasses. "The logistics of such an operation are complex. Do you truly believe we can compete with the Sand?"
Danzo's expression hardened. "Konoha has superior resources, manpower, and infrastructure. The Sand may have had a head start, but we will overtake them."
Tsunade, meanwhile, sat in her office, staring at the factory plans.
Her gut told her that going down this path would lead to a new kind of war—one fought not just with chakra, but with industry, machines, and strategy on an entirely different scale.
She sighed and looked at Kakashi. "Kakashi, in your opinion... what happens if the Sand keeps growing stronger?"
Kakashi recalled what Mufasa had said to them before leaving.
"I personally feel that Lord Kazekage yearns for peace in his heart."
Shimura Danzo was unimpressed. His sharp gaze bore into Kakashi. "You are weak," he scoffed. "Are you in a genjutsu?"
Naruto clenched his fists, his frustration evident. "Kakashi-sensei is right!" he shot back. "I don't think old man Mufasa is not a bad guy!"
Danzo's face darkened, his patience wearing thin.
"You all seem to have been influenced by the Sand," he said coldly. "Talking back at such a young age..."
"Enough!" Tsunade's voice rang through the room, cutting Danzo off.
Her glare was sharp as a kunai. "I asked them to share their judgment, and I have my own judgment on what to do next."
Danzo wasn't ready to back down.
"Then, Hokage-sama, please judge," he pressed.
"Our enemy grows stronger by the day. Are we going to just stand by and do nothing?"
Tsunade let out a long sigh. Mufasa's words echoed in her mind.
"Stand by my side, Tsunade."
Damn it, was this what he meant by keeping up?
If they didn't follow closely, they'd be left behind—and forced to catch up under pressure.
She scanned the room, her golden eyes settling on the gathered council members. "What's your opinion?"
Nara Shikaku, ever the strategist, spoke up first. "My lady, even if we don't see the Suna as an enemy, their advancements are undeniable. We should learn from them."
Murmurs of agreement filled the room.
The thought of Sunagakure pulling together a force of 70,000 to 80,000 ninja-like soldiers was a terrifying prospect.
No one wanted to be on the losing side of history.
Tsunade sat back, feeling the shift in the air.
A wind was blowing from the Land of Wind, carrying with it the heat of the desert.
Under such heat, there was only one choice—run forward or be left behind.
A smirk curled at the corner of her lips.
If they had to run, she would make sure Konoha was at the front.
She slammed her fist onto the conference table. "Since we all agree, we'll begin industrial development immediately. Konoha will establish the Industrial Development Company to oversee this expansion."
Shimura Danzo straightened, a gleam of satisfaction in his eye.
His influence had won.
With his intelligence and experience, he was appointed the first chairman, reporting directly to Tsunade.
Danzo's ambitions flared. "The Kazekage's ambitions end here. In the future, the world will know the might of Konoha-brand ninja tools. We'll even sell them back to Hidden Sand Village!"
The room erupted in applause. Danzo's gaze flickered toward Tsunade.
In his mind, this was only the beginning.
Once the company grew, he would make sure she was out of the picture.
And so, Konoha's industrial revolution began.