The introduction of water resources to the Land of Wind put this vast desert nation on a fast track to development.
With Sunagakure and Rōran at the center, two canals served as hubs, creating numerous oases.
It wasn't just the Land of Wind that saw development; the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers did too.
These two countries were rich in water resources with rivers crisscrossing them. As water was drawn into the Land of Wind, the canals connected various rivers, leading to highly developed water transportation in both countries.
The Land of Rain led south into the Land of Rivers, and the southern part of the Land of Rivers bordered the sea. This allowed ships to travel directly from the sea northward into the Land of Rivers, or the Land of Rain, and then through the canals into the Land of Wind.
The Land of Rain, in particular, was surrounded by several countries. In the past, during wartime, it was a battleground, but now with developed water transport and the absence of constant rain, it had become a transportation hub. Trade flourished, traffic was heavy, and it grew increasingly bustling.
All of this could be attributed to Sarutobi Asuma, which further spread his reputation as a "God of Shinobi."
...
Konoha, Sage Domain.
Beneath the Sage Tree.
Sarutobi Asuma opened the System.
Thanks to the surge in reputation from various large-scale projects, the creation of the Azure Dragon Jianmu, and accumulated experience points, he had finally leveled up again.
His character was now level 49, with the next level being 50, but the experience required had already reached a staggering 10 million.
Constitution: 246
Agility: 206
Intelligence: 230
Charisma: 400
Of the four attributes, it was becoming increasingly difficult to increase any of the three besides Charisma.
Since the last update, his Constitution had only increased by 2 points, Agility by 1, and only Intelligence had risen by a slightly larger amount.
Sarutobi Asuma had allocated the attribute points from this level-up to Intelligence.
The further he progressed, the more important Intelligence became.
"The next crucial step is to continue upgrading the levels of various Ninjutsu and Dōjutsu."
"My Chakra Nature Transformations are all at least level 12, coupled with my formidable Chakra Control. If my Ninjutsu, including Kekkei Mōra, aren't raised to level 12, it would be a failure, a lack of effort."
This was why Intelligence was so important.
Next were Chakra Nature Transformation and Chakra Control.
Sarutobi Asuma cherished the 5 skill points he possessed.
However, recalling Tsunade's Rinnegan dōjutsu, his gaze fell upon the Substitution Technique.
The level 13 Substitution Technique had reached the realm of causality.
It could transfer any damage, including fatal damage, to an object bearing his chakra mark.
If he prepared enough Flying Thunder God Kunai, or stored Black Rods created by Yin-Yang Release in a pocket dimension, he would truly be unkillable.
Unfortunately, this could only be used on himself.
What if he upgraded it to level 14?
Could he use it on others?
"For the sake of my loved ones, even wasting a skill point is worth it. Besides, it can save my own life, so it's never a waste."
With that thought, Sarutobi Asuma used the skill point he had just obtained.
Level 13 Substitution Technique +1!
Ten minutes later, the initiation finished, but Sarutobi Asuma frowned slightly.
That's it?
The level 14 Substitution Technique did indeed meet his requirements.
Because he could prepare substitute objects beforehand, anyone who left a chakra mark on them could use these substitute objects to transfer damage, including fatal damage, while ignoring spatial distances.
But that was all it did.
It was effectively an expansion of the application range based on level 13.
"Fortunately, it still achieved what I hoped for."
Shaking his head inwardly, Sarutobi Asuma decided to make substitute dolls every day from now on.
"I'll carve them like Tsunade and the others, then have them leave their chakra marks one by one. They can be stored in the Progenitor's Sphere Space, a pocket dimension, or Daikokuten, where time is frozen."
Sarutobi Asuma secretly planned to hide some in various spaces.
With this, his worries about the future were completely resolved.
...
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was June of the second year of the Great Unification.
This day, Konoha welcomed a grand event, although this event had nothing to do with ordinary people, or even common folk.
Because this was the first Kage-level assessment for the Ninja World and the Alliance.
There were quite a few participants.
Jiraiya, Kakashi, Sarutobi Shinya, Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Kōta, Might Guy, Shimura Dan.
Also, Baki from Sunagakure, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer B from Kumogakure, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki Yugito Nii, and Darui.
Kitsuchi and Akatsuchi from Iwagakure; Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki from Kirigakure.
Konan and Nagato from Amegakure.
There were many spectators, including the previous Kage from the major ninja villages, as well as numerous Jonin.
The host was naturally Sarutobi Asuma.
However, Tsunade, Yūhi Kurenai, and Shizune were not present this time because they were all pregnant.
Sarutobi Asuma did not choose a location within the Ninja World for the assessment.
The destructive power of the Kage level was still very formidable, and it also required a spacious area.
Therefore, he directly transported everyone to his Progenitor's Sphere Space.
At this moment, everyone stood on various mountain peaks, and below them was a vast valley, or rather, a basin.
Before the event even began, Sarutobi Asuma had even applied the Light-Heavy Rock Jutsu to all the spectators.
This way, after the participants battled and created a basin, the spectators could also fly into the air.
When Orochimaru was ready, Sarutobi Asuma announced loudly, "Who wants to go first?"
Everyone looked at each other, and then all their gazes turned towards Jiraiya.
Jiraiya was taken aback. Kakashi said, "Jiraiya-senpai, you have the highest seniority here."
"Uh..."
Jiraiya felt a bit awkward. He looked left and right, and indeed, it seemed to be the case.
After all, among the participants, even his own students were present.
Such as Konan and Nagato.
Fortunately, Jiraiya was thick-skinned and soon walked out with a hearty laugh, saying, "Asuma, can I use a summoning beast?"
"Of course, summoning beasts are part of combat strength, there's no doubt about that."
Sarutobi Asuma said.
Jiraiya nodded, even leaping and sprinting down from the mountain into the basin.
Sarutobi Asuma looked at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru stuck out his tongue, looking at Jiraiya below with a playful smile.
Jiraiya noticed this and had a sudden bad feeling. He immediately entered Sage Mode, then made hand seals and summoned Gamabunta.
Orochimaru made hand seals. "Impure World Reincarnation!"
Beside him, a clone that had been placed there was immediately transformed into a figure that everyone was very familiar with.
The Third Raikage!
"Jiraiya, don't disappoint everyone!"
Orochimaru chuckled.
The Third Raikage had opened his eyes by this time. His personality was not controlled, and he had actually been informed beforehand, so he knew the reason for his reappearance.
However, seeing some familiar figures around, especially his own son, he sighed and said, "I never expected to be of use even after death!"
Sarutobi Asuma smiled. "Third Raikage, please serve as the opponent for the younger generation, and let them witness the demeanor of a Kage!"
"No problem!"
The Third Raikage nodded, then without further ado, his figure shot up, landing with a rumble in the basin, a hundred meters opposite Jiraiya.
"One of the Sannin back then, I didn't expect to face you in this manner."
The Third Raikage looked at Jiraiya, whom he knew quite well.
Jiraiya became famous during the Second Great Ninja War, and by the Third Great Ninja War, he was already a figure who could stand on his own.
The Third Raikage, coincidentally, had died during the early stages of the Third Great Ninja War.
"Use your full strength, old man won't hold back!"
"The title of Kage must be treated with great caution!"
As the Third Raikage finished speaking, a dense electric light appeared around him.
"Don't worry, Third Raikage, I will go all out. After all, my disciples and the younger generation are watching from above, and I don't want to embarrass myself here."
Jiraiya said with a smile, but his eyes were serious. He said to Gamabunta, "Be careful. This guy is the Third Raikage, famous throughout the Ninja World for his speed and offensive power!"
"He's known as the possessor of the strongest spear and the strongest shield!"
Gamabunta gripped the hilt of his sword, his eyes fixed on the Third Raikage.
Suddenly, the Third Raikage moved, like a flash of lightning.
"He's coming!"
Jiraiya let out a light shout, his body also sinking slightly.
Gamabunta pressed his stomach and unleashed a super-large water sphere from his mouth.
Boom!
The water sphere exploded.
The Third Raikage didn't dodge or evade. Using his palm as a spear, he pierced directly through the highly condensed and fast-moving water sphere.
"As expected of a monster that can suppress the Eight-Tails!"
Gamabunta grumbled.
Jiraiya, who was on Gamabunta's head, had already attacked with a killing blow.
Sage Art: Wind Style: Rasenshuriken!
Accompanied by a piercing, sharp buzzing sound, the Wind Style: Rasenshuriken drew an arc, heading straight for the Third Raikage.
However.
The Third Raikage suddenly increased his speed and directly evaded this attack.
Rumble!
The Wind Style: Rasenshuriken collided, kicking up sand and stones.
But the Third Raikage bypassed them from the side and charged towards Jiraiya and Gamabunta.
Jiraiya and Gamabunta immediately used their ninjutsu.
Fire Style combined with oil, Toad Oil Flame Bullet!
Empowered by Sage Mode, this Fire Style was incredibly ferocious.
However, the Third Raikage did not dodge, instead splitting the Fire Style in two like a lightning bolt.
Haruno Sakura and the others watching from the mountain were stunned.
The Third Raikage had also been in action during the last Ninja World War, but they weren't on the same battlefield, and he was quickly dealt with by Uchiha Yashiro and the others.
Most importantly, the Third Raikage at that time was under Orochimaru's control. Now he wasn't, and the clone was better than the White Zetsu of the past, allowing the Third Raikage to fully unleash his former strength.
Hearing Naruto and the others' exclamations, Killer B said, "He fought tens of thousands of Stone Ninja back in the day!"
"A... alone?"
Naruto almost dropped his jaw.
This was almost another Uchiha Madara?
Well, almost.
Below, the Third Raikage had closed the distance. Jiraiya leaped up, leaving Gamabunta's head.
Gamabunta drew his sword and slashed at the Third Raikage.
The Third Raikage flickered, evaded again, and then swept his palm, colliding with the flat of the blade.
Clang!
The long sword flew away.
Gamabunta was startled, and his body suddenly leaped up, soaring over the Third Raikage's head.
While in mid-air, Gamabunta turned, pressed his abdomen, and unleashed three consecutive water spheres towards the Third Raikage below.
Boom boom boom!
The three water spheres exploded in succession, creating large craters in the ground, water splashing and forming waves.
Although the Third Raikage avoided the direct attack of the water spheres, Jiraiya seized the opportunity.
Sage Art: Wind Style: Rasenshuriken!
This time, Jiraiya didn't throw it. Instead, he controlled it with his chakra arms, hitting the Third Raikage accurately as he was dealing with Gamabunta.
Wind counters Lightning, coupled with Jiraiya's mastery of Wind Release Chakra Nature Transformation being no less than the Third Raikage's mastery of Lightning Release, and the Sage Art enhancement.
This blow directly sent the Third Raikage flying, leaving a massive wound on him.
If it were flesh and blood, this blow would have been fatal.
Of course, Jiraiya had a slight advantage.
After all, Gamabunta was a summon comparable to a Tailed Beast.
"So amazing, just as expected of the perverted sage!"
Naruto cheered.
Then, looking at the massive Gamabunta, he couldn't help but feel envious, "What a huge summon!"
Haruno Sakura rolled her eyes, "Little San is also very strong!"
Naruto immediately felt awkward. "That, well, yes, hahaha..."
Next.
The Third Raikage's body was rapidly recovering. He stood up and looked at Jiraiya, saying, "Your strength, old man, doesn't need my recognition to know it's already reached the top."
Their battle didn't seem to have much technical skill.
But in reality, it required keen judgment of the opponent's openings and knowing how to play to one's strengths while avoiding weaknesses.
And Jiraiya consistently avoiding close combat with the Third Raikage was clearly the wisest move!
The first assessment ended.
Sarutobi Asuma immediately announced Jiraiya's promotion to Kage. Then, he took out a wooden carving of Jiraiya, saying, "Jiraiya, this is your reward for the assessment. Leave a chakra imprint inside, and it can save your life!"
Jiraiya took it curiously and instinctively injected chakra, discovering a jutsu within. His chakra was absorbed by the jutsu.
Then, he felt a strong connection to the puppet.
"This is..."
Jiraiya looked at Sarutobi Asuma.
"A Substitute Doll!"
Sarutobi Asuma chuckled, then looked at Kakashi and the others, "Who's next?"
"I'll do it!"
Kakashi stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Orochimaru, "Who is my opponent?"
"Don't worry, I won't disappoint you!"
Orochimaru laughed.
At the same time, information about Kakashi surfaced in his mind.
Storm Style Kekkei Genkai, Lightning Style Chakra Mode not inferior to the Third or Fourth Raikage, proficient in the Flying Thunder God Technique, mastered seven chakra nature transformations... Among his generation, besides Sarutobi Asuma, no one can match him.
"With such strength, even a regular Kage would have a hard time dealing with him!"
"In that case..."
Orochimaru once again performed the Impure World Reincarnation Technique, and two familiar figures appeared.
"Father!"
"Lord Third Kazekage!"
Temari exclaimed.
Naruto blinked, "Huh? Why are Kakashi-sensei's opponents two Kazekages?"
The Fourth Kazekage was also a bit displeased. He crossed his arms, looked at Kakashi, and said to Orochimaru, "Orochimaru, you bastard, do you think this young man needs two generations of Kazekages to deal with him?"
Orochimaru chuckled lightly, "No, I just think you are more suited for him!"
"He is Hatake Sakumo's son, his sword technique even surpasses Konoha's White Fang, he has mastered the Storm Style Kekkei Genkai, advanced Lightning Style, and the Fourth Hokage's Body Flicker Technique!"
The Fourth Kazekage's gaze sharpened, "Is that so... Then he is indeed qualified!"
He had suffered a great disadvantage against Sarutobi Asuma in the past, and Kakashi now seemed like Sarutobi Asuma from back then.
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