In just one year under Rasa's leadership, the population of Sunagakure had doubled. Fortunately, the shinobi world was free from the complications of ethnic and cultural divisions that often plagued other societies.
If that had been the case, even Rasa might have had concerns. But now, all he felt was satisfaction.
"Yes, Kazekage-sama. Especially in the past month, we've seen several hundred people arriving in Sunagakure each day, all seeking employment and a new beginning. The numbers are rising steadily. Once the River of the Flowing Sand opens for full navigation, the influx will only accelerate. The logistics department is already struggling to manage the volume."
Goshima, the head of the Education Department, added his own concern.
"Kazekage-sama, the situation is just as difficult at the shinobi academy. Even after our recent expansion, this year's admissions have already surpassed all our projections. We've enrolled eight hundred students so far. We've exceeded our capacity."
"Looks like the rest of you are facing the same problems?"
Rasa turned his gaze toward Ibara, Yashamaru, and Nonō.
All three gave a silent nod in agreement.
"I see. In that case, continue refining your proposals. Don't hesitate. Hire more staff where needed, expand wherever necessary, and don't be timid about scale. For instance, when drawing up the new academy plans, design it to accommodate ten thousand students. And it doesn't have to stop at just one. The village is no longer the size it once was. One school, one hospital—that's no longer sufficient. Don't worry about the funding. Once the River of the Flowing Sand is fully operational, much of the financial burden will ease."
"Understood!"
"One last thing. No matter what measures you implement, fairness is important, but more importantly, every action must prioritize the interests of Sunagakure's citizens. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Kazekage-sama!"
---
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
With seawater continuing to rush in through the River of the Flowing Sand, Lake Reto's water level rose steadily. By the third day, it had reached the target level, signifying that the entire navigation route was now fully connected from source to terminus.
However, this didn't mean it would be opened for full-scale public use immediately. To ensure safety and allow the Maritime Administration to adjust to real-time operations, a five-day trial period was announced. Even so, over a hundred vessels had already submitted applications for passage. Most of these were merchant ships, while others carried workers and civilians eager to relocate and start a new life in Sunagakure.
Though the shinobi world had enjoyed relative calm in recent years, the scars left behind by three successive great ninja wars still ran deep in the hearts of ordinary people. Many now yearned for safety and stability, a peaceful life free from conflict.
Naturally, the five great shinobi villages became the ideal destinations for such aspirations, protected as they were by powerful military forces. And among them, Sunagakure had rapidly become the most attractive choice.
First, Sunagakure was now considered the most stable of the five great villages. Public sentiment across the continent held that as long as the current Fourth Kazekage remained in power, the village would continue to prosper peacefully for decades. And Rasa, at just twenty-five years old, still had many decades of leadership ahead of him.
Second, since launching his village development strategy a year ago, Rasa had implemented a steady and pragmatic policy of openness. As long as an outsider could provide a guarantor and complete a basic registration, they were granted permission to enter and work in the village. This simple yet effective system gave Sunagakure an edge that the other four great villages had not yet matched.
Of course, this approach did carry risks, such as the potential infiltration of spies. But as had been said many times before, as long as Rasa held firm control over the village, such internal threats were unlikely to succeed.
The recent announcement that the Five Nations Summit would be hosted in Sunagakure only reinforced the world's confidence in the village. Very soon, Sunagakure would no longer just be one of the great shinobi villages. It would become the very center of the shinobi world.
According to unofficial sources, not only would representatives from all five great villages attend, but even the daimyō of each of the Five Great Nations were expected to travel to Sunagakure in person.
This revelation stirred both the citizens of Sunagakure and the outside merchants. They realized this gathering might surpass anything the shinobi world had ever witnessed. Anticipation buzzed through the village as everyone threw themselves into preparations, eagerly awaiting the arrival of this historic summit.
---
Sunagakure, Dragon's Oasis.
Inside the training grounds next to Chiyo's laboratory, an area had been cordoned off for a highly specialized purpose. Yahiko, who had recently undergone transplantation of both Sharingan and Wood Release cells, was sparring with Nagato. Nearby, Rasa, Chiyo, Honoka, Hana, and Konan quietly observed from the sidelines.
The experiment had been an undeniable success. Yahiko showed no signs of rejection or instability following the procedure. On the training field, his eyes whirled with fully matured three-tomoe Sharingan, and with precise hand seals, he executed Wood Release techniques with seamless ease.
This wasn't due to some hidden bloodline or exceptional compatibility. In fact, the Wood Release cells used in the procedure weren't direct samples from Hashirama. The original material Rasa had obtained from Danzō had long since deteriorated, the life force within completely expended. Likewise, the more potent samples Rasa had stolen from the future version of Danzō were deemed too dangerous for immediate use.
Instead, the cells currently supporting Yahiko's transformation were from White Zetsu—specifically those that had once parasitized shinobi from Kumogakure using the Spore Technique.
Unlike the volatile and overwhelming nature of Hashirama's cells, White Zetsu's were significantly more docile and easier to manage. However, they were also much weaker in vitality, incapable of producing Wood Release on par with even Yamato.
To overcome that shortcoming, Rasa made a bold move. He contributed his own cells to the fusion, bolstering the strength of the transplant. This wasn't just an experiment for Yahiko—it was also a preparatory trial for Honoka, who was scheduled to undergo a similar procedure soon.
Unexpectedly, the combination of Sharingan, White Zetsu cells, and Rasa's chakra created a nearly flawless balance. The modified White Zetsu cells exhibited life force almost on par with Hashirama's, while the ocular power of the Sharingan was noticeably enhanced. Yahiko's strength surged dramatically, leaping from Jōnin level to that of a Kage-class shinobi in one step.
There was only one flaw: because Yahiko lacked Uchiha lineage, he couldn't evolve the Sharingan beyond its three-tomoe form. The awakening of Mangekyō Sharingan required a unique emotional chakra that only the Uchiha bloodline could produce.
So far, Rasa had not moved against the Uchiha clan, meaning no viable source of their bloodline existed in his control. As a result, even with Chiyo's cloning capabilities, she could only reproduce unawakened Sharingan, essentially blanks.
That meant Rasa's ambition of mass-producing awakened Sharingan had reached a dead end. Of the five Sharingan eyes taken from Danzō, only three remained. Yet the outcome of the experiment was proof enough that the investment had been worthwhile.
Inside the training field, after several days of fine-tuning and adaptation, Yahiko had fully mastered his new abilities. Feeling the sheer power coursing through him, his heart swelled with a deeper sense of gratitude toward Rasa.
Eventually, Yahiko and Nagato concluded their sparring and walked toward the group. Yahiko looked straight at Konan, his voice brimming with confidence.
"Konan, I finally have the strength to protect you now."
Konan's cheeks flushed red, while Nagato gave a quiet, amused smile. The others subtly averted their eyes, choosing to politely ignore the exchange. Chiyo, however, was far less reserved.
"Hmph. Looks like you've adjusted just fine, brat. But what you do with that power from here on—that's your responsibility."
Despite her gruff demeanor, Yahiko felt genuine gratitude toward the older kunoichi. He bowed deeply in respect.
"Thank you, Chiyo-sama. I won't let this power go to waste."
"Hmph. That's your business. Honoka, Hana, come with me. The rest of you, stop wasting this old woman's time."