The photo was taken during the time of the first Raikage.
At first, people thought it was just a mistake, like dust on the telescope, or "ghosting" during photography. This wasn't uncommon.
But with daily records, there were more and more similar records of alien activity.
Kumogakure had to face a problem squarely—
"There really is a life form on the moon, and they are standing above humanity, watching us."
Killer Bee said, "The moon is so barren. Every Raikage has believed that one day, these monsters hiding on the moon will come down and start a war with humans."
"Humanity needs the power to fight them."
This is why Kumogakure is constantly expanding its military.
Current ninjas and Ninjutsu can't really fight enemies from space. They need stronger power.
This is also why Kumogakure Ninja, from top to bottom, instills the idea of "never surrender."
Because their imagined enemies are not ninjas from other villages, or even humans, but aliens from the moon.
For two different races, once they choose to surrender, the surrendered side will become livestock.
Sasuke held up the photo with both hands: "But why didn't Kumogakure want to spread this news? To get more people to join your plan."
Secretary Mabui replied:
"Because of selfishness."
The resources in the world that can be used to improve the military are limited.
If the news is told to the world, the result will be that the whole world will expand its military together, and in the process, they will compete with each other, turning into war, or even...
"We can't rule out that some people, for the sake of profit, power, or so-called peace, will actively hunt down the resistance and turn to the aliens, becoming 'human traitors.'"
Sasuke felt the gazes on him.
"Why are you looking at me?"
Killer Bee coughed lightly: "It's nothing."
Before Danzo died, he revealed the contents of his deal with Uchiha Itachi in front of all the Root members, Kakashi, Asuma, and others.
In the ninja world, walls have ears, let alone when it's shouted out in the open.
The news that Uchiha Itachi had gone crazy was no longer a secret to the leaders of the major ninja villages. Even within the Akatsuki organization, Pain and Konan were aware of Akatsuki.
However, after this news leaked, it dispelled some of Pain's previous suspicions about Uchiha Itachi. Instead, Pain felt that Uchiha Itachi's ideas had a lot in common with his own—
Both wanted to bring peace to the world through the pain of blood and fire.
It's just that Pain's pain was for others, and Uchiha Itachi's was for his own people.
Linto brought the topic back: "The 'selfishness' you mentioned refers not only to others, but also to Kumogakure itself, right?"
Killer Bee was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
That's right.
Kumogakure naturally has its own selfishness.
In order to fight the aliens who might arrive at any time, they have invested heavily in the military, becoming bigger and stronger, and undertaking the obligation to protect humanity. Naturally, they yearn to gain corresponding power.
To make the ninja villages follow Kumogakure's lead and dominate the world.
Originally, with generations of planning, Konoha was old, Kirigakure was courting death, Sunagakure Village was poor, and Iwagakure was timid. This generation was the time for Kumogakure to rise. But no one expected...
Secretary Mabui looked at Linto and sighed in her heart.
The problem came back around.
Should Kumogakure continue its military expansion?
If they don't, and each village focuses on developing production, then it's like others are stocking up on guns while they're stocking up on food. When the aliens come down, they might really become livestock.
If they continue, the risk of war for Kumogakure still exists.
Linto thought for a long time and gave his answer:
"Military investment will continue, but reduce actual production. Focus on military technology research. And Kumogakure and Kirigakure will build a laboratory together for joint research."
He saw that the faces of the three people opposite him were not right.
This was natural. In the eyes of Killer Bee and the others, Kirigakure had been the Village of the Bloody Mist for more than ten years. How could it have the ability to conduct joint research? They were about to find a way to refuse when they heard Linto add:
"I will provide Orochimaru's biotechnology."
Killer Bee shook Linto's hand: "I will prepare people immediately and form a joint research team."
Linto nodded.
He decided to burn more paper money for Orochimaru when he got back. No, burning paper money wasn't enough. He had to make him some paper dolls and paper snakes.
As for the Fourth Raikage Ai's memories and Ninjutsu discs, Linto would return them to Kumogakure based on their cooperation.
If everything went well, he would return them in three years.
Three years later, Kumogakure would become Killer Bee's village, and the world situation would have already changed.
Ai, with his crippled body and ideas stuck in the past, should reflect on his actions with pain and retire peacefully.
With the core issues settled, the remaining details and specific coordination matters would be handled by Terumi Mei and Killer Bee. Linto didn't need to worry about this.
He only needed to review everything after all the details were discussed and nod to confirm.
"After this negotiation, Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Konoha will teach 'Awakening Thought' courses.
Sunagakure Village is said to be very poor. As long as we can find a way to adjust the course content according to their situation and increase production, teaching in Sunagakure Village won't be difficult.
On average, each village brings me 10 soul fragment gains per day, which is 40 points per day, and 1200 points per month..."
"As expected, 'passive income' is fascinating."
Not only soul fragments, but as several villages adjust their technology trees and increase productivity, the ninja world will have more stable time. The thought of awakening will be hidden beneath the calm river, radiating outward from the ninja villages.
…
"Samui, come out."
Raikage's bodyguard Darui knocked on the prison door.
"Who won?" Samui asked.
"The Fourth Raikage-sama lost."
"Huh?"
Samui asked who won. Shouldn't the normal answer be Kumogakure won, or Linto won? Why did he say the Fourth Raikage lost?
"The situation... is a bit complicated," Darui said.
In the short term, the loss of Raikage Ai, the payment of reparations, the serious injuries of a large number of Ninjutsu team members, and the reduction in military spending will all affect Kumogakure's combat power.
But in the long run, having someone share the military and scientific research investment for the "alien war," and obtaining Orochimaru's biotechnology, will only make Kumogakure stronger than before.
"...The elders have appointed Killer Bee as the acting Raikage. If everything goes smoothly, he will be officially promoted from acting."
After listening to the description, Samui's mind couldn't quite process it.
What was going on?
She had only been in prison for a few days. First the Raikage stepped down, then Linto defeated a village by himself, then her unreliable teacher came to power, and now there were aliens...
When she came back to her senses, Samui was in front of the conference room in the Raikage building.
She gave Darui a look, asking why he brought her here.
"And you," Darui said, "will be fully responsible for the Kirigakure coordination matters."
"Me?"
Samui had just been imprisoned for "betraying the ninja village," waiting for her punishment.
Now, because of Linto's victory, she was suddenly becoming the person in charge of coordinating with Kirigakure. No matter how you look at it...
It looked like she had betrayed the village and was enjoying wealth and glory!
Samui's expression was very ugly.
Just then, Darui opened the door to the conference room. She saw her teacher sitting in the Raikage's seat, Raikage's secretary Mabui, and Linto, who she hadn't seen in a long time.
Linto smiled.
"His smile is really good-looking."
Samui thought, and thought of the smile she had been practicing.
She thought she had practiced better than before.
But at this moment, Samui couldn't smile at all.
Her face was cold.
Same as always.
---
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