Chapter 28 It's all because of poverty
Three days later.
After two days of planning and reorganization, Konoha sent Orochimaru and most of its troops back to the ninja village, leaving only Sarutobi Shinnosuke and 300 ninjas in the Land of Rivers to guard against a possible return and surprise attack from Sunagakure.
On the way back to Konoha.
Souji, Asuma, and the other two leaped and bounded across the branches of the large tree, traveling in a very 'ninja' traditional way.
The three genin had all sustained some injuries in the previous battle, but none of them were serious.
After two days of rest, they were able to carry out normal activities without any problems.
"Mr. Mochizuki, did you really kill the Sand Village Jonin?" Asuma asked.
"It's true, haven't I already told you several times already?"
"How did you do that?"
"Of course, it's all thanks to the strength I've honed over time.
As long as I'm stronger than my opponent, I'll naturally win."
In fact, besides my own years of hard work, there was also a little bit of help from the system, but I don't need to tell anyone about these details.
"Tell me more details! I want to learn!" Asuma complained.
"What's the use of just listening to this? If you really want to improve, wouldn't it be better to go back to Konoha and find some skilled people to spar with and guide you?"
"Um... okay."
Asma felt that it made sense, so he didn't say anything more.
Since experiencing the great war and witnessing the deaths of many Konoha ninja, Asuma's mindset has begun to change.
He has become more concerned about improving his strength, and his personality seems to have matured and become more stable.
At least he no longer tries to show off in front of Kurenai Yuhi like before.
Growth is a good thing, but the cause of this growth is not good.
Ultimately, these kids, barely ten years old, shouldn't have experienced war at all.
However, this is not something I can control.
"I'll go back and train with Ebisu-sensei," Asuma murmured.
Who is that?
"Our original team leader, a Jonin."
"Ebisu...did he have a son named Ebisu?"
"Yes, Mr. Mochizuki knows him?"
"I guess so."
Ebisu... who later became Konohamaru's tutor, a lecherous sly man who, despite being only a special Jonin, shamelessly believed that receiving his guidance was the best way to become Hokage.
He tutored the Hokage's grandson, his father tutored the Hokage's son, and his whole family worked as teachers for the Hokage family.
As the four walked, Kurenai, who had been keeping a stern face the whole time, suddenly spoke up:
"Mr. Mochizuki."
"Um?"
"Why exactly did Sunagakure launch a war against us?"
The commander was slightly taken aback, not expecting this little girl to suddenly ask such a profound question.
Moreover, when Kurenai asked the question, Asuma and Kei Hyuga also showed curious expressions, clearly quite concerned about the issue.
The commander hesitated, wondering if he should tell these things to children who were just over ten years old.
But considering they've been on the battlefield themselves, what is there that they can't listen to?
So the commander calmly said:
"There are many reasons for wars in the world, but almost all wars in the ninja world are due to poverty.
As the saying goes, even a tael of silver is not enough to make the five kings and ninjas. This time, Sunagakure launched a war, also because of poverty."
"poverty?"
All three were surprised by this unexpected answer.
"This is the case for all ninja villages in the world.
They may have some revenue or output, but it only accounts for a small part of the total income of the ninja village.
The main source of income for the ninja village is still the mission rewards from various countries."
"We are all ninjas, and we can do the same things. So naturally, the basis for each country to decide who to entrust a mission to is which ninja village is stronger."
"Of the five great ninja villages, Konoha has always been the strongest! This is certainly a good thing, as we can get the most and the highest-level missions.
But wouldn't this mean we're taking away business from the other ninja villages, causing their income to drop and making them poor?
Naturally, the other ninja villages will be hostile to Konoha."
"this..."
The three were still just children, and ninja education wouldn't be easily involved.
The overall operation and maintenance of the ninja village was also a matter of great importance, so the three of them looked as if they were listening to gibberish.
After a long pause, barely managing to process this information, Asuma said again:
"That's the problem of other ninja villages, isn't it?
They're not strong enough to compete, what does that have to do with Konoha?"
"That's true in principle, but people can't survive on principles alone.
For example... if Kurenai likes Kuba, would you immediately want to challenge Kuba, beat him up, and prove to Kurenai that you are better than Kuba?"
"W-what the hell?!
What, what does this have to do with me?!"
Asma's face flushed red instantly, and he panicked, unable to speak coherently.
Kurenai was also somewhat embarrassed.
Although she vaguely knew what Asuma was thinking, she was still young at the time and didn't have any particular thoughts about this kind of thing... or even about Asuma himself.
Kei Hyuga, however, remained unmoved, still smiling, as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Ignoring the three's reactions, the commander continued:
"In short, that's how it is.
Mission rewards are the main source of income for ninja villages, and it's a matter of vital importance to every ninja village.
If people in their own village are living in poverty, no one will think they are less skilled.
There's no way around it, so be it... On the contrary, if you can't compete, then compete until you can!"
"Actually, the difference in strength between the five great ninja villages isn't that big.
Take this time, for example. Even though Sunagakure is generally considered inferior to us, it still took us a lot of effort, and in the end, we still had to lose hundreds of ninjas before we could defeat them."
"There is never a guaranteed victory in any battle.
Even powerful Jonin have been killed by Genin.
Let alone the five great ninja villages, which are not far apart in strength.
Each side believes that it is not necessarily inferior to the other ninja villages. In the end, the true outcome can only be determined by actual fighting."
"You may think this is unreasonable, but for all the major ninja villages, it is a matter of survival. Even if it is unreasonable, we have to start a war!"
Listening to what Souji said, Asuma and Kurenai crossed their arms, looking on with expressions of difficulty in understanding.
"But didn't the Kazekage of Sunagakure disappear?
Without their strongest Kage, their fighting strength has been severely reduced.
Wouldn't it be impossible to win a battle like this? Why would they start a war with us at this time?"
Kurenai Yuhi asked.
"Precisely because the shadow has disappeared, we must wage war," the commander replied.
"As I just said, the basis for each country to decide who to entrust the mission to is strength.
With the Kazekage missing, you think that the Sand Village's combat strength has been severely weakened, and others think the same way.
If you were the daimyo of each country, would you entrust the mission to the Sand Village?"
"No… I understand.
That's why Sunagakure wants to start a war with us now. It's to prove to the daimyo that we are very strong and that we can entrust missions to them with confidence," Kurenai Yuhi said thoughtfully.
"Yes, that's it." The commander nodded.
"Moreover, it's not just us.
Sunagakure is simultaneously waging war against Konoha and Iwagakure, and because the three sides are using the Land of Rain as a battlefield, they are also actually fighting against Amegakure in the Land of Rain."
Speaking of the Land of Rain, Souji couldn't help but think that this would be his next battlefield.
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End of this chapter...