035 Reborn as the Third Kazekage

"Here, take this." Tsunade handed over a kunai.

"Uh, thanks..." Arashi accepted the kunai with a faint look of disdain, thinking to himself, Seriously?

She's the Princess of Konoha, and for my birthday, she just gives me a kunai? Talk about underwhelming.

Almost as if reading his mind, Tsunade shot him a glare.

"Don't underestimate this kunai. It's one of my granduncle's relics! See the Flying Thunder God seal on it? I wouldn't part with this if it weren't your birthday!"

"Oh, really? A relic from Lord Tobirama? That's amazing!" Arashi immediately examined the kunai with newfound respect. Sure enough, the handle bore the distinctive seal of the Second Hokage—a genuine treasure!

"By the way, I need to return to Konoha tomorrow," Tsunade said suddenly.

"Huh? But I thought you were assigned to support us in Sunagakure for three years. It's barely been a year!" Arashi frowned in confusion.

"It's just a quick trip. The village sent word that Lord Akimichi Torifu's old injuries have worsened, and his condition might be critical. Since I performed the original surgery, I need to see it through," Tsunade explained.

"Fair enough. I'll arrange an escort for you."

"No need. I'll go alone. If all goes well, I'll be back in half a month." Tsunade smiled.

"Alright, then. Send me the travel expenses for reimbursement," Arashi quipped.

"Thanks! I'll take you up on that," Tsunade replied with a grin.

...

Sunagakure, Shule River

Rasa meticulously honed a blade against the whetstone, pausing occasionally to test its sharpness before sprinkling water and resuming. His leadership style starkly contrasted with Arashi's. While Arashi set up rules and let systems run smoothly, Rasa preferred hands-on involvement, believing his lack of natural talent required extra effort. On days without administrative duties, Rasa worked alongside the factory workers, sharing meals and tasks. His approachable nature earned him immense respect from the staff, nearly everyone in the factory trusted and admired him.

"Done! Time to attach the hilt," Rasa declared, handing the finished blade to a craftsman. He wiped his sweat with a towel and vacated his workstation. After all, he was the factory director and had other pressing responsibilities to attend to.

This assembly-line system, proposed by Arashi, divided ninja tool production into forging, hammering, grinding, and assembly teams. The new method not only boosted efficiency but also safeguarded the secrets of Damascus steel forging.

The factory's core technology—the casting process for Damascus steel—remained tightly controlled, entrusted only to the original team of senior craftsmen personally trained by Arashi. The forging workshop was strictly off-limits, guarded by ten elite Sunagakure jonin. These senior craftsmen enjoyed unparalleled benefits, including private apartments in Lake Tsuki New District, guaranteed employment for family members, and free education for their children. Workers operated in shifts, with generous leave to reunite with their families.

During this era of chaos, such a livelihood was a dream come true. Even attempts by spies from the Land of Iron to bribe the craftsmen failed miserably, the would-be saboteurs were swiftly apprehended by the workers themselves.

"General Manager, a delegation from the Land of Lightning has arrived. Representative Shibuya is waiting in the reception hall," Rasa's assistant, Karuke, reported while carrying a stack of documents.

Rasa donned a welcoming smile. "Let them wait a moment. Offer them tea, I'll be there after I change."

"Keep up the good work, everyone. Tell the kitchen to add fish stew for lunch," Rasa instructed the workers, prompting a cheer from the crowd.

...

"What?! Two thousand kunai? Three thousand tactical boots? Five thousand tactical vests? And thirty thousand cans of rations? Delivered in three months?! Are you joking, Shibuya-san? Do you have any idea how packed our schedule is? Orders are already lined up through next June!" Rasa exclaimed, throwing up his hands in exasperation.

Shibuya, his eyes bloodshot from stress, bowed deeply.

"Rasa-san, I know this is a lot to ask. But the front lines are desperate, and I've sworn an oath to the Third Raikage. Please, I beg you!"

"Shibuya-san, you don't have to bow like that. As your friend and business partner, I want to help. But we can't conjure supplies out of thin air."

"I'll pay a 20% premium!" Shibuya pleaded, his desperation palpable.

Rasa rubbed his chin thoughtfully and exchanged a silent glance with Karuke, who subtly shook her head.

"Fine. No extra charges," Rasa said with a sigh. Shibuya blinked in confusion.

"You're my friend and a valued partner. I won't let the Raikage take your head. Karuke, notify the workshop supervisors. We'll take this order," Rasa declared, slamming the document onto the table with finality.

"Thank you!" Shibuya grasped Rasa's hand, tears welling up in his eyes.

"However, no discounts this time," Rasa added, smirking.

"Fair enough!"

"And payment in cash would be appreciated."

"I've already brought the funds. I can pay immediately!"

"You can sleep well tonight, Shibuya-san. I, on the other hand, won't," Rasa muttered, rolling his eyes.

...

"Wake up! Nawaki, wake up!" Tsunade screamed through the pouring rain, her voice raw with desperation.

She poured every ounce of her chakra into her healing jutsu, her hands trembling as they hovered over Nawaki's broken body. His shallow breaths were punctuated by gushing blood from the gaping wound in his chest, exposing organs struggling to hold on.

"Let it go, Tsunade. It's too late," Orochimaru said somberly.

Around them, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane closed in, their faces heavy with sorrow.

Nawaki, the grandson of the First Hokage, had charmed everyone with his dreams of becoming Hokage. His untimely end left them heartbroken.

"Those damned shinobi from Kirigakure! They're no better than bandits! We should launch a full-scale attack and raze their village!" Danzo growled, seething with anger.

The tragedy unfolded when a Kirigakure retaliation targeted defenseless civilians after Konoha's raid on their secret outposts. Nawaki had fallen victim to a trap while playing outside the village.

"Enough, Tsunade. Let the boy pass in peace," Hiruzen urged softly.

"Shut up, you old man!" Tsunade snapped, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Unless... unless we perform immediate organ transplants!" she muttered. Her eyes lit up with sudden hope.

"Old man! Fly me and Nawaki to Sunagakure immediately! My granduncle's Flying Thunder God kunai is there, and I have a lab! I can save him!"

(T/N: It is probably about: The Flying Thunder God Formation is a specialized group technique that allows multiple users to teleport others by synchronizing their chakra.