Ch 55. Fututre x Family

Within a few hours, Razor and the other ninjas emerged from the medical chambers, experiencing what felt like a rebirth. The surge of vitality coursing through their bodies filled them with an almost indescribable joy. Each ninja, now acutely aware of the potential of these devices, was brimming with excitement for the future.

More than just a physical transformation, they recognized the significance of these advancements. As warriors trained in discipline and secrecy, they instinctively understood the importance of confidentiality. The Land of Lightning had long been a formidable force, but now, with its borders closed except for controlled trade, they knew what needed to be done, which was to grow stronger. Strength was the key to securing their future.

As the excitement subsided, more ninjas took turns using the medical chambers, eager to undergo the same rejuvenation. Meanwhile, the Third Raikage, satisfied with the progress, left Dodai in charge and returned to his office, leaving the Daimyo's guards. There was much to be done.

Across the Land of Lightning and the Land of Snow, key strategic locations were heavily guarded by elite ninjas. Even domestically, every train carrying cargo, resources, and valuable goods was protected by ninja escorts. Bandits and mercenaries had all but disappeared from the Land of Lightning, but rogue ninjas and people with interests may still eye these resources.

The demand for missions remained high, particularly for long-term assignments, and with the onset of full-scale trade operations, the Raikage had to personally oversee the deployment of additional forces.

This was the beginning of a new era for Kumogakure. While he wouldn't need to micromanage every detail once things stabilized, in these crucial early stages, the Raikage had to handle matters directly.

Perhaps the most astonishing development was the dramatic shift in the composition of Kumogakure's ninja ranks, as the amount of ninjas increased drastically over the last few years, and is increasing steadily the composition of ninjas has changed. Historically, nearly 90% of the village's shinobi were dedicated to combat and mission assignments. Now, that percentage had dropped significantly. At least 40% of Kumogakure's ninjas were now engaged in non-combat divisions such as research, barrier and sealing teams, medical squads, infrastructure, agriculture, and even education. The ninja system was no longer confined to the battlefield, it had integrated deeply into the country's foundation.

With the Land of Lightning closing its borders, security had been further tightened. Sensory barriers were established in major cities, and the Land of Snow, now fully under Kumogakure's control, was continuously monitored with no blind spots. The lines between the military and civilian sectors were blurring. The old system, where shinobi fell under the direct control of the Kage while civilians remained under the Daimyo, a model established by the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, was beginning to erode. Instead, a more unified and efficient structure was taking shape, one that promised greater strength and prosperity.

However, such rapid changes also brought challenges. Despite halting most foreign missions, Kumogakure was facing a shortage of ninjas. The economic shift, the continuous expansion of infrastructure, and the integration of new technologies created a constant demand for skilled personnel. Even non-shinobi found an abundance of opportunities beyond traditional farming and manual labor.

The recent absorption of Uzumaki refugees, along with the acceptance of select civilians who demonstrated ninja potential, was no longer a burden but a strategic advantage. With advancements in smelting technology, ninja tools could now be mass-produced with unprecedented efficiency. However, the most critical resource for sustaining a ninja village wasn't weapons, it was the ability to support its warriors with essential resources like food and medicine.

Ninjutsu requires energy. As Ron often remarked, even in this world, energy was conserved. Therefore ninjas, by nature, consumed more food and had greater physiological demands than ordinary people. However, with the implementation of terrace farming, selective breeding of crops, and improved agricultural techniques, these challenges were being met with ease, so Kumogakure was growing steadily, uninterrupted.

Roughly eight to nine hours after the initial activation of the medical chambers, the Daimyo and other high-ranking officials finally emerged. Like the others before them, they, too, experienced the peculiar yet effective jolt of the now-infamous Nokia ringtone, a sharp, piercing sound designed to snap the brain out of deep sleep. Even just two hours in the chamber was equivalent to a full night's rest. After eight hours, the effects were akin to sleeping for over a day. As more individuals used the machines, the ringtone would become a standard awakening mechanism, ensuring users didn't remain groggy or detached from reality upon waking.

Afterward, the Daimyo and the Third Raikage gathered at the Raikage Manor, where Raiya had prepared a grand meal. The entire family was present, sharing a rare moment of warmth and unity. The room buzzed with conversation and discussions about the future, with Ron joining in from time to time. Both the Daimyo and the Third Raikage found deep satisfaction in these talks, feeling a sense of fulfillment in shaping the path ahead. Even Ay, as the future Raikage, listened intently, absorbing the weight of the responsibilities that would one day be his.

Despite being at the heart of these transformative changes, Ron remained somewhat distant from the finer details of governance and strategy. While his insights guided the discussions in the right direction, he was more preoccupied with studying various ninjutsu scrolls, an oddity among those present. He was the catalyst for many of the advancements unfolding in Kumogakure, yet he preferred to remain on the periphery of decision-making, allowing his family to carry out his vision. It was never an issue; they understood his nature and supported him in their own ways, ensuring that he had the freedom to pursue his own path rather than be burdened with leadership, and none of these people present were dumb or incompetent, but as ninjas and leaders, they truly, understood various intricacies of the world, Ron only needed to guide a little bit, with ideas out of the norms.

Ron, in turn, felt a quiet but profound happiness. In a world of power and politics, he had something far more valuable a family that understood and supported him.