Free Web NovelChapter 303: Declaration Of War Of The Village Hidden In The Stones
At the third Hokage’s office.
"W-what?! Medical scrolls?! The kind that can be mass-produced?!"
The pipe in the third Hokage’s hand trembled violently as he stood up directly from his seat.
Although from the Anbu reports and the movements over the past few days, he had vaguely guessed that Shinichi, Tsunade, and Kushina gathering together must have been tackling some major project, likely related to medical or Sealing Jutsu, when the astonishing result known as mass-producible medical scrolls was officially reported, the surprise still far exceeded his expectations.
Without a moment of hesitation, the third Hokage immediately rose and strode out of his office toward Shinichi’s private laboratory.
Along the way, after the initial shock, the third Hokage’s thoughts began to rapidly evaluate the earth-shaking impact these medical scrolls could have.
First was the strategic level: Although they could currently only seal C-rank Ninjutsu like Healing Technique and Hemostasis Technique, the mere mention of mass production itself was the greatest force multiplier.
This meant that in the coming war, every frontline Konoha squad, perhaps even every single ninja, could potentially be equipped with at least one of these life-saving charms.
This would greatly increase Konoha’s ninja survival rates and sustained combat capability on the battlefield. Receiving stable treatment immediately after injury meant more wounded could survive long enough to be carried off the battlefield, and more elite combat power could be preserved.
This was not merely a revolution in medical and logistics; it was a strategic weapon that directly increased overall military strength. In a brutal war of attrition, even this slight increase in the survival rate, accumulated over time, could become the critical weight that determines the direction of the entire war.
Then there was the economic aspect: A gigantic money tree. Once the technology matured and production stabilized, the value of these convenient and efficient medical scrolls would become immeasurable.
Not only would Konoha itself have enormous demand, but the Fire Daimyo’s residence, officials at every level, wealthy merchants and nobles, and even other nations and ninja villages friendly with or neutral toward Konoha would probably wave enormous checks in desperation to purchase them.
This could fully develop into a brand-new pillar-level strategic industry for Konoha, continuously bringing wealth and resources to the village, which could then be fed back into construction, improve civilian livelihoods, strengthen military armaments, and support more cutting-edge research projects like this one...
However, economic returns were a long-term matter that required careful management. Right now, the third Hokage’s thoughts immediately focused on the most urgent application, war.
The more the third Hokage thought about it, the hotter the flames in his heart burned, and his pace unconsciously quickened once again. He practically wished he could fly straight to the laboratory and personally verify this miracle.
Inside the laboratory. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
When the third Hokage’s figure appeared at the doorway, the excitement within the room, which had only just calmed somewhat, instantly surged once again.
Kushina was the first to jump up, her face filled with a radiant smile, practically screaming praise, me, praise me, while carrying a hint of smug pride.
Tsunade crossed her arms with her chin slightly raised, while Shinichi stood to the side with a calm and gentle expression.
Shizune, Kurenai Yuhi, and Rin Nohara stood respectfully slightly farther back, their faces also glowing with the excitement of participating in the creation of history.
The third Hokage’s gaze immediately landed upon the pile of medical scrolls on the workbench.
He quickly stepped forward and, without even bothering to speak, carefully picked one up and began inspecting it closely.
It was actually successful! And the completion level was this high!
His own Sealing Jutsu attainments were extremely high, so he could naturally understand what was inside very quickly.
The third Hokage slowly closed the scroll, raised his head, and swept his gaze across the youthful faces before him, revealing a smile blooming layer upon layer like autumn chrysanthemums.
"Good! Good! Good! You’ve all done extremely well! You’ve rendered great service to the village. Konoha is proud of you!"
While praising them, another, more realistic thought flashed through the third Hokage’s mind.
Raw materials!
The forest in the Senju ancestral grounds certainly had considerable reserves, but it was by no means infinite.
He knew very well that the trees created through the first Hokage’s Wood Style all grew extremely slowly, and whether newly transplanted or cultivated saplings could still retain the same properties remained entirely unknown.
This meant that if medical scrolls were truly mass-produced and consumed as expected, then sooner or later, the supply of Shinichi Paper’s raw materials would very likely face exhaustion.
Thinking of this, the third Hokage secretly frowned inwardly.
Then, should they...
A thought appeared in his third Hokage’s mind, but then he quickly rejected it.
"Let’s observe for now. We’ll discuss it in the future."
At present, celebrating the achievement and planning its application are the most important matters.
Thinking of this, the third Hokage revealed another smile and enthusiastically conversed with the group of heroes who had created this miracle, with the topic rapidly shifting toward how to efficiently train personnel, establish production lines, and formulate standards.
Just as this medical miracle capable of changing the entire medical structure of the Shinobi World was quietly born within Hidden Leaf Village, the increasingly intense situation across the Shinobi World did not stop advancing because of it.
Konoha Year 47, May 5th.
An explosive piece of news spread throughout the entire Shinobi World like a thunderclap.
Using the disappearance and presumed misfortune of its own ninjas while carrying out missions within the Land of Lightning as justification, the Village Hidden in the Stones issued an official ultimatum to the Village Hidden in the Cloud, demanding permission to dispatch a large-scale search force into the Land of Lightning to conduct a complete and unrestricted search in order to ensure the safety of its ninjas and uncover the truth.
The excuse the Village Hidden in the Cloud had once used to declare war on Konoha was now being used by the Village Hidden in the Stones against the Village Hidden in the Cloud.
Heaven knew what the Village Hidden in the Cloud was thinking when they received that ultimatum.
According to rumors, the hot-tempered third Raikage, upon receiving the official document, flew into a rage and shattered the sturdy Raikage office desk with a single palm strike.
Thus, late that very night, the Village Hidden in the Stones officially declared war on the Village Hidden in the Cloud.
When the news spread, the Shinobi World was thrown into an uproar.
However, the Village Hidden in the Stones’ military edge did not immediately point toward the mainland of the Land of Lightning. Instead, they brazenly invaded the Land of Moon, a small vassal nation of the Land of Lightning.
Clearly, the Village Hidden in the Stones intended to use the Land of Moon as a springboard and frontline base.
At this point, among the Five Great Ninja Villages participating in the Third Shinobi World War, four had already entered the battlefield in full force: the Village Hidden in the Sand, the Village Hidden in the Cloud, the Village Hidden in the Stones, and Konoha, which was simultaneously at war with both the Village Hidden in the Sand and the Village Hidden in the Cloud.
Only the Village Hidden in the Mist, isolated overseas and separated by the vast ocean, had not yet officially entered the war.
But everyone with discernment understood clearly that it was only a matter of time before the Village Hidden in the Mist joined the conflict.
Because along the long southeastern coastline of the Land of Fire, the confrontations and friction between Konoha and the Village Hidden in the Mist had recently become increasingly frequent, the smell of gunpowder grew stronger by the day.
The killing and bloodshed between both sides under the name of mission conflicts had long since ceased to be new.
