033 Reborn as the Third Kazekage

"Ha!" "Ha!" "Ha!" "Ha!"

In the training grounds of the Sunagakure Ninja Academy, hundreds of children were practicing punches in unison. Leading the exercise were Kazekage's student, Hidan, and the Konoha "exchange student," Might Guy. Their punches were executed with precision and vigor, filling the air with energy and intensity.

The taijutsu instructor at the Sunagakure Ninja Academy was none other than "foreign teacher" Might Day. Thanks to his exceptional performance in the past two battles, this wiry, bearded ninja had earned the respect of both parents and students alike. Even the Kazekage personally invited Might Day to join the academy's curriculum development team as a taijutsu textbook editor.

Arashi, as the mastermind behind these reforms, placed great emphasis on taijutsu. He firmly believed that taijutsu was a fundamental measure of a ninja's capabilities and played a critical role in determining survival on the battlefield. This perspective was shared by veteran ninjas like Ebizō and Chiyo. After all, ninjas lived by the sword, fought in the blood-soaked trenches, and could not rely solely on flashy techniques and strategies. Without solid taijutsu skills, survival was a gamble.

Even those with kekkei genkai or secret clan techniques were a minority. Fancy tactics and complex plans were useless without the foundation of raw physical skill. And frankly, given enough time, anyone could learn those tricks. Just look at the legendary ninjas of the First Shinobi World War—Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, A, Reto, Gengetsu Hōzuki, Mū—each of them was a master of taijutsu, capable of extraordinary feats of physical prowess.

Arashi's Educational Reform Plan elevated taijutsu and physical conditioning to new heights, even making taijutsu a mandatory part of the graduation exam. He extended the typical six-year ninja academy program to seven years to allow an additional year for building a strong taijutsu foundation. To further this initiative, Arashi instructed Ebizō to establish a dedicated Taijutsu Research Division and a Taijutsu Curriculum Development Team. These groups compiled and streamlined unique taijutsu techniques from various clans, creating a series of taijutsu programs tailored for different age groups.

Under Arashi's directive, the goal was clear: remove unnecessary movements, prioritize efficiency over aesthetics, and develop techniques with real combat in mind. These moves emphasized quick, decisive action—capable of defeating an enemy with a single strike. Killing techniques were preferred over disabling ones. Arashi proudly named this system "Magatsu Taijutsu."

...

"Stop!" Might Day clapped his hands to signal the end of the drill. "That's enough for today's practice. My teaching methods might be different from what you're used to, but remember this: techniques are static, but people are dynamic. You'll never know where your opponent's next punch will land. The speed of thought often lags behind the speed of reaction. So, the most important thing is to train your muscles and body to respond instinctively. For example…"

Before finishing his sentence, Duy launched a swift roundhouse kick toward Hidan. Without hesitation, Hidan ducked low and countered with a sweeping kick of his own.

"Excellent!" Duy leaped lightly to avoid the attack. "Everyone, take note! Hidan's response was spot on. Instead of blocking with his elbow, which would have been risky given the power of a roundhouse kick, he chose to dodge low. If I had used full strength, blocking could've resulted in a broken arm, which would severely limit his combat effectiveness. By ducking, Hidan minimized his movement while setting himself up for a quick counterattack. Let's give him a round of applause!"

As applause filled the air, Hidan scratched his head sheepishly, clearly flattered by the attention.

"All right! Pair up and start sparring. Let's go!"

...

Meanwhile, outside Sunagakure, the world was engulfed in chaos.

The war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure had reached a fever pitch. The battle left both sides with heavy losses. The Third Tsuchikage had hoped to lure the enemy into a trap by retreating, but the Third Raikage, with his vast experience, advanced cautiously, countering every move. The stalemate drained both sides of resources, manpower, and finances. The cost of kunai, shuriken, and explosive tags—manufactured in the Land of Iron—had doubled, and both nations' treasuries were nearing depletion.

In contrast, Konohagakure faced little pressure. Having secured two consecutive victories in Amegakure and formed an alliance with Sunagakure, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, could focus on reorganizing troops and consolidating internal strength. He was biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to intervene in the Iwa-Kumo conflict with a decisive blow.

However, Kirigakure remained a thorn in Konoha's side. After their failed attempt to ambush Sunagakure, they shifted their aggression toward Konoha. Border skirmishes became frequent, and recently, Kirigakure ninjas infiltrated the Hyūga Clan and killed Hyūga Momotsuki, stealing one of his Byakugan.

This audacious act enraged the Hyūga Clan. Hiashi Hyūga immediately petitioned Hiruzen to launch a punitive expedition against Kirigakure to retrieve the Byakugan. Hiruzen faced a dilemma. Attacking Kirigakure would be costly and logistically challenging, as much of the journey involved traversing waterways. However, ignoring the issue risked alienating the powerful Hyūga Clan and disrupting the village's unity.

Ultimately, Hiruzen chose a middle path. He issued a strongly worded diplomatic warning to Kirigakure while secretly organizing a formidable strike force led by Hiashi Hyūga and Orochimaru. This force systematically destroyed Kirigakure's coastal outposts, appeasing the Hyūga Clan and sending a clear message to their enemies.

Amidst the chaos, Sunagakure flourished under Arashi's leadership. Safely removed from the battlefields, the village not only secured a two-billion-ryō interest-free loan from Konoha but also ramped up production in its industries. The development of the Lake Tsuki New District progressed rapidly, with Sunagakure's factories producing sandglass ninja tools and canned goods that sold exceptionally well. Damascus ninja blades, along with pork, fish, and peach cans, became sought-after items, especially in Iwagakure and Kumogakure.

Following Arashi's directive, two new products—tactical boots and vests—were introduced. Both became instant hits among ninjas worldwide, further establishing the Sandglass brand as a symbol of quality.

In addition, the Desert Highway Construction Bureau was officially formed. With six crystal-release ninjas as its core team, the bureau successfully experimented with constructing crystal tunnels. The Sunagakure-Lake Tsuki Expressway project began construction and was expected to be completed within two years.

As the villagers often said: "While the world burns outside, Sunagakure thrives within."