"Simply put, you build a giant water pipe from Amegakure all the way to Sunagakure. That way, whenever the rain over Amegakure floods, the extra water flows through the pipeline straight to Sunagakure. Then you filter it a little, and it can be used for drinking and daily needs.
"If pipes are too hard to make, digging a 'Rain–Sand Grand Canal' works too. After all, you border the Land of Rain. The straight-line distance is only a few hundred kilometers. Get a few hundred Earth Release ninja, and you could probably dig it out in about a month.
"If that still doesn't work, research seawater desalination. Find a way to make seawater drinkable…"
Yuu spoke casually.
But Pakura's eyes lit up, as if a bolt of lightning had flashed through her mind and she had faintly grasped a spark of inspiration.
At first, Yuu's ideas did sound a little ridiculous, but…
in theory, they were not completely impossible.
After all, ninja could accomplish many things with ninjutsu. Even digging a grand canal connecting the Lands of Wind and Rain was possible.
And manufacturing giant water pipelines was theoretically possible as well. Amegakure was most famous for its pipeline technology. The entire village was built like a futuristic city. In architecture alone, it could be called number one in the ninja world.
However…
Sunagakure and Amegakure had fought plenty of wars over the years. The last major one had been during the Second Ninja World War, when both sides had nearly beaten each other's brains out. Although they had stopped fighting now, their relationship could not be called good. They were merely temporarily leaving each other alone.
If Sunagakure really went to Amegakure to discuss such a project, then with Hanzō of the Salamander's way of thinking, he might very well feel, "Even if Amegakure doesn't want this water, even if we pour it into the sea, we still can't give it to Sunagakure."
Thinking of this, Pakura's expression dimmed again.
On the other side,
Yuu was also thinking.
He was not trying to help develop Sunagakure. Instead, he was considering another problem.
The transportation industry in the ninja world really was not very developed. Most of the time, transporting goods required manpower. Although there were sealing scrolls, if it was long-distance trade between countries, delivery would still be troublesome.
Then…
could Flying Thunder God be used for this?
In the original story, the Flying Thunder Formation mastered by Genma Shiranui's squad was a ninjutsu capable of long-distance teleportation. If that technique could be further simplified and improved, increasing the maximum weight of a single teleportation, then in theory, they could build a "courier unit" and improve the efficiency of commercial trade.
If it could not be deployed on a large scale, that was fine too.
As long as he could open a fast lane for his family's Raw Cola, that would be enough.
At that time, he could talk to Mikami Tajima and build several bottling plants across the ninja world. Konoha would produce the syrup, then ship it to each factory for dilution and bottling. They could directly replicate the modern world's cola sales pipeline. The money-making efficiency would be undeniable. Maybe they could earn one Asuma a year.
Yuu planned to discuss this idea with Namikaze Minato later and see whether it was feasible.
For a while,
both of them fell silent, each thinking their own thoughts. Only the wind and sand blew past the rocks, and time seemed to freeze in contemplation.
After a long while,
"Let's go."
Yuu spoke. "There's still some time before night falls. We need to find a place to rest before then. At least somewhere flat enough to set up a tent."
"Mm."
Pakura finished the remaining flatbread, rested for a moment, and stood up. Her eyes looked slightly unfocused as she gazed toward the distant rolling dunes. Suddenly, she asked, "That 'North Water to South Transfer' you mentioned earlier… is it really possible?"
"…Hard to say."
Yuu told the truth. "The project is too massive. It would require the leaders of both countries to have enough courage and vision. And during the process, there would definitely be many unexpected difficulties. Well, you're not the Kazekage, so why think so much? Just take care of yourself."
"Kazekage…"
Pakura did not ask anything else. She only pulled her hood lower and quickened her pace.
The golden sea of sand stretched endlessly. Two figures in sand-colored cloaks moved like tiny black dots toward the Death Desert.
…
At the same time,
inside the Mountain Graveyard, beneath the massive Demonic Statue of the Outer Path,
Uchiha Madara sat with his eyes closed. One hand rested on the White Zetsu before him. Through its vision, he "saw" the scene at the border of the Land of Wind. A puzzled look appeared on his face.
"Mikami Yuu, and Sunagakure's Scorch Release ninja, Pakura…
"What are they going to the Death Desert for?"
"We still don't know, Lord Madara."
The one speaking was Black Zetsu. "Judging from the current situation, Mikami Yuu and Pakura's operation should be self-initiated. They have not mobilized Konoha or Sunagakure's forces. And from the looks of it, they are most likely searching for something… Lord Madara, should we take this opportunity to eliminate them?"
"…"
Uchiha Madara narrowed his eyes slightly. Looking at the image of that boy who so closely resembled the silver-haired enemy in his memories, killing intent stirred in his heart.
Even now, Madara was not one hundred percent certain that Mikami Yuu was Senju Tobirama's "reincarnation." But there should be at least a fifty to sixty percent chance.
Even if he was not a "reincarnation," if he continued growing at his current speed, it was hard to guarantee he would not become a second Senju Tobirama.
Precisely because of this, Mikami Yuu had received special attention from Uchiha Madara, even more than Nohara Rin and Namikaze Minato. That was why he had learned Yuu's whereabouts so quickly.
If he wanted to act…
then under the current circumstances, this was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity. He could make this hateful "imitation" disappear completely without anyone knowing, just like how he should have erased Senju Tobirama entirely back then…
However, as a member of Minato's team, Mikami Yuu was an important part of the plan to push Obito into despair and turn him into the perfect chess piece. Disrupting a game that had been arranged for decades just because of a shadow resembling Tobirama… was not worth it.
Thinking of this,
Uchiha Madara shook his head. The aura rising from him receded like a tide, and his voice returned to a calm, undisturbed state.
"No need. This boy is still useful. He is one of the catalysts that will stimulate Obito into awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan and embracing the darkness. Removing him now would be too early."
Black Zetsu still hesitated a little. "But if he masters Flying Thunder God…"
"So what?"
Uchiha Madara snorted coldly, disdainful. "Senju Tobirama knew Flying Thunder God too, didn't he still die in the forests of the Land of Lightning? It's just one space-time ninjutsu. I have nine ways to kill him. Nine!"
"…"
Black Zetsu wanted to say something, but stopped.