Once Orochimaru and the others brought the items back to the camp, they immediately began preparations to transfer them to the western front. First, they had to be sent to Konoha Village, and then transferred from Konoha Village to the western front. During this period, Orochimaru first began to research the scroll of the Lightning Blast Tag. As a ninja with a scientific spirit, he quickly formed a general concept. In principle, it was naturally very similar to the Explosive Tag, the only difference being the material.
The nature of lightning-style chakra is completely different from that of fire-style chakra; therefore, it is impossible to create Lightning Blast Tags using the same methods as Explosive Tags. Konoha Village had previously tried to research Lightning Blast Tags on its own, but due to material issues, they had been unable to achieve low-cost production and couldn't maximize the power of Lightning Release.
However, Kumogakure Village, as a village that has used Lightning Release for many years, is indeed very knowledgeable about the nature of lightning-style chakra. It is highly likely that they have materials within the Land of Lightning that are suitable for lightning-style chakra. They had long since achieved the requirement of low-cost production of Lightning Blast Tags, with output that would not be inferior to Explosive Tags, and the power they could unleash also exceeded the previous prototypes from Konoha Village.
Nevertheless, with this information in hand, Orochimaru believed that the village could quickly master the production of Lightning Blast Tags. The only problem might be the raw materials; the Lightning Blast Tags used by Kumogakure Village were all made from materials found in their own country, and it was uncertain whether Konoha Village would have the same.
Orochimaru understood some of the Hokage's thoughts and knew that he was willing to trade with other countries, but the control of strategic resources could not be entirely entrusted to other countries, unless that country could be trusted. For example, the small countries that cooperated with Konoha Village, whose peace and status depended on Konoha Village, so Konoha Village could safely purchase raw materials from these small countries at a reasonable price.
Kumogakure Village, however, is one of the Five Great Nations. Although they are currently allies, their underlying threat cannot be denied. Orochimaru knew that Kumogakure Village was a very adept village at learning, and their current trade for Explosive Cannons with the village might stem from this. In the future, they might also become Konoha Village's biggest competitor.
Orochimaru thought that finding alternative or more suitable materials within the Land of Fire should be the focus of Lightning Blast Tag production. Of course, another issue was the need to increase the number of lightning-style ninjas to boost the output of Lightning Blast Tags.
After writing down his thoughts in a report, Orochimaru had someone send it back with the convoy. He himself wanted to research it, but he currently had combat responsibilities and was stretched too thin. However, the people in the Research Department should also be able to shoulder the responsibility.
The Research Department was a new department established after the village's founding, possessing a scientific spirit that was lacking in previous ninja clans. Those admitted were, without exception, individuals with research capabilities. Even if they weren't as outstanding as Tobirama Senju or Orochimaru, they were certainly more prominent than others.
At this moment, Orochimaru couldn't help but think of Akemi, wondering how she was doing in the Research Department. After he left, she was working alone, and he wondered if she could handle it.
Of course, Orochimaru himself felt there wouldn't be any problems. After all, she was personally trained by the Second Hokage and himself; she couldn't be worse than others. It was just that after not seeing that warm-hearted girl for so long, his heart couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic.
Orochimaru reached into his combat uniform and pulled out something from a deep pocket—it was the amulet Akemi had given him before he left. This item seemed to be effective, as Orochimaru had never encountered any major threats since the start of the battle.
However, Orochimaru knew in his heart that this thing couldn't be real. Otherwise, how could that kid Jiraiya, who also carried an amulet, have run back to the medical outpost covered in wounds, only to return here after recuperating for a while?
Even so, Orochimaru vaguely felt that when he carried this amulet, it was as if he was protected by some kind of power.
"Yo, Orochimaru." Jiraiya's voice suddenly rang out behind Orochimaru, followed by a hand reaching over and pressing on Orochimaru's neck. "What are you looking at? Huh, isn't this the amulet Akemi gave you?"
"I told you before, don't do that, it makes people uncomfortable," Orochimaru said with a hint of helplessness in his tone.
"What does it matter? Everyone's like this. We're fellow disciples, and brothers," Jiraiya said with a smile. "Why are you looking at that amulet?"
"What does it have to do with you?" Orochimaru tucked the amulet inside his combat uniform.
"Tch. But, this thing actually seems useful. You haven't suffered any serious injuries yet, have you? It really is showing favoritism." As Jiraiya said this, he was clearly thinking of his previous bad luck when he encountered an ambush by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, resulting in his blood-soaked return.
"That's because you were too careless. Even good luck is useless," Orochimaru said. "Besides, this thing can't really be useful."
"That's not necessarily true. Akemi specifically got this from a shrine. Maybe it really does have magical powers," Jiraiya said casually.
"If it's really that useful, then if we all got one, wouldn't we win the war without bloodshed? Just thinking about it makes it impossible," Orochimaru replied.
"If you think it's useless, then why are you still keeping it?" Jiraiya glared at him.
"That's my freedom," Orochimaru said expressionlessly, then stood up from his chair and said, "Alright, go carry out your mission. You need to be careful and not be as careless as last time. You were lucky to escape that time; next time might not be the same."
"I know, why are you nagging like Hiruzen-sensei? You weren't like this before," Jiraiya said as he left the tent with Orochimaru.
The convoy leaving the eastern front outpost arrived at Konoha Village unimpeded and was received by the members of the Military Equipment Department. A portion was taken to the Research Department as samples, while the rest began the production of "shells" with chakra storage blocks. Once everything was ready, they would be transported to the western front.
At this moment, Fumori masaki was visiting the Military Equipment Production Department, watching the busy figures. Konoha Village had now adopted partial mechanical collaboration. Although it was far from the industrial production in Fumori masaki's memory, it already had a rudimentary form and was moving in that direction.
The Explosive Cannon, this new type of ninja tool, is different from other ninja tools. Its structure is more complex; just one takes as much time to produce as a large number of kunai and shuriken. If mechanical collaboration were not incorporated, relying solely on manpower would result in very low output. After all, the production of Explosive Cannons places great emphasis on standardization, and producing a qualified part is a troublesome task.
To meet the production demands of the Explosive Cannon, all the artisans in Konoha Village and ninjas learning craft production, except for those making ordinary ninja tools, were put into its production. Even so, the total output of Explosive Cannons was still an issue. Fortunately, the ninja forces were not a massive army to begin with, and these quantities of Explosive Cannons were already sufficient.
Of course, in Fumori masaki's mind, this level was far from satisfactory. After the birth of the Explosive Cannon, the production of Explosive Tags would also increase, and as other new ninja tools were developed, the output of various items would have to increase, otherwise, the full power of the new ninja tools could not be unleashed.
If new ninja tools were merely regarded as powerful individual tools, it would truly be a waste of resources. These tools, which can operate independently of human power, will unleash a force that will mark the beginning of collective suppression over individuals. On the battlefield, they will have an unparalleled effect, as the current state of Iwagakure Village clearly demonstrates.
Just like Ii's initial associations upon seeing the Explosive Cannon, Fumori masaki could foresee that in future conventional battlefields, the role of ordinary ninjas would be not much different from that of the currently outdated samurai. Only high-level ninjas might still be able to act individually, but even on the front lines, their impact might not be as significant as in the past, possibly reverting to traditional ninja combat styles.
—In a way, this might even be a return to simplicity.
Fumori masaki saw that the production and assembly of military equipment were proceeding very smoothly, and he said to the head of the Military Equipment Department beside him, "Thank you for your hard work. You've done an excellent job during this period."
"It is all thanks to the Hokage-sama's patronage," Wakayama Shoichi, the head of the Military Equipment Production Department, replied respectfully.
Wakayama Shoichi spoke from the heart. The responsibilities of the Military Equipment Department in the past belonged to artisans. Even with the addition of ninjas, those ninjas were typically those with no talent for combat, but rather with certain talents in other areas—such as craftsmanship and equipment production. They were never highly regarded by clans with powerful individual combat abilities—of course, some frustrated and untalented clan ninjas also considered joining, but they had little influence. Therefore, the Military Equipment Department, like the Research Department, had a very large proportion of small ninja clans and civilian ninjas in its early days, all wholeheartedly serving the village.
Later, with the emergence of the Explosive Cannon, the orders for Explosive Tag production began to grow at a rapid pace, no longer controllable by a single ninja clan. And the Military Equipment Department, primarily composed of artisans, was unable to produce such jutsu-related tools. Thus, some powerful related ninja clans began to intervene. As new ninja tools developed, more and more areas would require jutsu intervention, and ninja clans, which traditionally emphasized secret techniques, would inevitably be drawn into it.
However, Fumori masaki has always placed great emphasis on the official power of the ninja village. Ninja clans can be allies, but they must never be allowed to supersede the village, causing the village to lose control over them. Especially after ninja clans began to participate in commerce, in Fumori masaki's view, they were capital that needed to be regulated.
Therefore, the enterprises in which ninja clans participated were all supported by the official Konoha Village. Although ninja clans were involved, they had no controlling power. In this regard, the Military Equipment Production Department was the same. Although the proportion of ninja clans in it began to increase, Fumori masaki still insisted on keeping the previous leaders in place to restrain the ninja clans' participation.
And the ninja clans still focused on cultivating individual strength, with little interest in production. They did not want to invest a large amount of manpower in military equipment production, as it was too demanding and would hinder the training of powerful ninja clan members. Moreover, the Explosive Tag market alone was not something a single ninja clan could monopolize. They thus reached an agreement with Fumori masaki; since there were other commercial enterprises participating in profit-sharing, there was no need to dwell on military equipment production.
In the eyes of the original staff of the Military Equipment Production Department, Fumori masaki had protected their interests and dignity. They were naturally very grateful to Fumori masaki. They understood that their only way to repay the Hokage, given their lack of background, was through their diligent work and struggle.
Wakayama Shoichi was a descendant of a fallen small ninja clan. His family was very knowledgeable about ninja weapons, and later gradually transitioned to an artisan's lifestyle. Relying on his familiarity and the ninja art inheritance of a small ninja clan, he rose to the position of department head. Because he himself was a descendant of a fallen family, he had no ninja clan arrogance and paid great attention to commoners of humble origins, earning him much support.
At this moment, they had arrived at the assembly area for the newly delivered Lightning Blast Tags. As they watched people busy with assembly, Fumori masaki asked, "Does the Research Department have any new opinions?"
In addition to researching jutsu, the Research Department also conducts research on weapons. The Explosive Cannon was developed by the Research Department, and the Military Equipment Production Department has very deep cooperation with this department, which also has a strong civilian character. As soon as the Research Department comes up with a new design, the Military Equipment Production Department discusses its feasibility, production capacity, and so on.
"Yes. It is said that Orochimaru, the Special Jonin of the Research Department, wrote a report on his thoughts regarding the Lightning Blast Tags. After internal discussions within the Research Department, they have new ideas for the original design plan and are planning to discuss them with us," Wakayama Shoichi replied.
"When?" Fumori masaki asked.
"This afternoon. Would you like to attend?" Wakayama Shoichi asked.
Fumori masaki nodded and said, "Hmm, I want to know the village's progress on new ninja tools. Since that's the case, I'll come and listen when you start your discussion this afternoon."
"I understand," Wakayama Shoichi quickly agreed, giving an instruction to his adjutant. The adjutant nodded and immediately turned to leave to inform the relevant personnel of this matter.
Thus, that afternoon, personnel from the Research Department and the Military Equipment Production Department gathered in the conference room within the Research Department, feeling a bit nervous about the upcoming meeting. They knew that the Hokage would be attending this meeting, and everyone treated it with caution. It was a rare chance to make an impression on the Hokage, and no one could afford to be disrespectful. If they performed well, they might even be noticed by the Hokage, and then promotions or anything else would not be a problem.