Chapter 477: The Heavenguard Tower's Double Agent Scheme!
Chapter 477: The Heavenguard Tower's Double Agent Scheme!
In the following period, with Dong Ping's presence in the Heavenguard Tower, they made it clear that flying machines were off the table.
Although Uchiha Yai had previously rejected them, these factions believed that a deputy's refusal didn't mean much, so they didn't give up.
But now, with Dong Ping's personal rejection, the various factions had no choice but to accept defeat, at least when it came to official channels.
However, this 'defeat' only referred to acquiring the technology through legitimate means.
After all, they were ninjas! Theft, plunder... these were their specialties, so if the direct approach didn't work, they would resort to covert methods.
Spies from various factions immediately engaged in a 'double agent' game with the Heavenguard Tower, and with the fascinating developments, Yano Yu couldn't help but lament the situation.
There were too many spies! In the Heavenguard Tower, spies were no longer counted individually but by the hundreds.
Fortunately, the Heavenguard Tower had a well-established system, and their defensive measures were arguably the strongest in the Shinobi World, or they would have crumbled long ago.
For instance, surveillance cameras! These were available in the Shinobi World, but they required electricity, rendering them useless in ordinary cities and only functional in places like Konoha and Kyoto.
The Heavenguard Tower, on the other hand, had developed its power infrastructure from the very beginning, so naturally, they had these cameras.
Furthermore, the architecture was designed with security in mind, minimizing blind spots for surveillance.
And then there were the alarm systems!
Invisible light beams that triggered alarms when someone crossed them, effectively taking the wind out of intruders' sails.
These alarms weren't placed on the streets but on rooftops or in hidden passages, areas where ordinary people wouldn't venture.
Konoha didn't employ such measures due to the high costs, opting instead for the Security Department or the Shadow Division.
But the Heavenguard Tower had no shortage of funds, so they were willing to invest heavily in these areas.
It's worth noting that the Shinobi World had no shortage of technological advancements, even possessing computers.
(The original plot included surveillance and computers.)
The only drawback was the high cost.
Being exclusive to a small customer base, the production volume couldn't be increased, resulting in exorbitant prices.
This was why Orochimaru established the Sound Ninja Village—research was an expensive endeavor!
Currently, the Heavenguard Tower maintained excellent order, and at the slightest disturbance, Uchiha ninjas would arrive within minutes to investigate.
The household registration and temporary residence registration systems were particularly effective in addressing most of the problems.
Aside from the Heavenguard Tower's internal anti-spy operations, when Danzo returned to Konoha and reported the situation to the higher-ups, the Konoha leadership was enraged.
How audacious!
The Heavenguard Tower was under Konoha's jurisdiction, and they were determined to teach them a lesson. But upon closer inspection, they realized they had no leverage.
The Heavenguard Tower wasn't a part of Konoha; it was the private domain of Dong Ping.
Additionally, with half of the Southwest Ninja Army being reassigned, Konoha had lost its influence over the tower.
Among the ninjas in the Heavenguard Tower, only Team 404 and several dozen members of the Yuhi clan were registered in Konoha.
While there were numerous ninjas from smaller clans, they weren't ninjas before the relocation, so they wouldn't have been registered.
These factors combined to eliminate Konoha's ability to directly influence the Heavenguard Tower.
Economic sanctions were out of the question as well.
Currently, in terms of economics, the Heavenguard Tower might even surpass Konoha or be on par with it.
The maritime trade was incredibly lucrative!
Not to mention, with Dong Ping's agricultural strategy, both the River Country and Tea Country boasted abundant production, making it challenging to restrict them through trade.
As for the use of force?
Sorry, but they used to dare to think that way.
However, after the Heavenguard Tower's initial sweep of the Daimyo Alliance and subsequent surprise attack on the Mist Ninja Army using their flying units, followed by their counter-invasion of the Mist Hidden Village, such thoughts vanished from their minds.
Moreover, taking action against the Heavenguard Tower would be tantamount to civil war, and it was uncertain how many people would support such a move.
The Heavenguard Tower hadn't rebelled; they simply refused to hand over the flying machine technology, and they had valid reasons for doing so.
Konoha Village, the Hokage's Office!
The F4 Council was in a meeting.
"Damn it!" Chojin Shoko, the Elder Advisor, cursed, "What is Uchiha Dong Ping up to? He won't hand over such a thing. Is he planning to rebel like Uchiha?"
Shoko rarely lost her composure as an advisor, but Dong Ping had a long-standing grudge with her.
Back when Dong Ping had just graduated, the Chojin Clan had attempted to monopolize the healing potion market, and after being refused, they held a grudge, leading to numerous minor conflicts since.
Now that she had the chance, Shoko didn't mind throwing some mud his way.
"Shoko, Dong Ping is Dong Ping, and Uchiha is Uchiha. They can't be lumped together!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his cigarette and calmly reminded Shoko.
Yes, he was also displeased with Dong Ping, but he didn't have any extreme thoughts about it. It would be best if Dong Ping handed it over, but even if he didn't, Hiruzen wasn't thinking of resorting to underhanded methods. However, he couldn't let Shoko equate Dong Ping with the Uchiha.
"That's right, Dong Ping has nothing to do with the Uchiha!"
Mizuharu Kaen echoed in agreement.
This was non-negotiable!
The Uchiha situation was becoming increasingly volatile, and equating them with Dong Ping would only complicate matters.
Suppressing the Uchiha alone wasn't too difficult, as their strongest member, Shizuru Uchiha, was on their side. Without him, even if the Uchiha rebelled, they could quickly quell the uprising.
However, if they considered the Tenjingu as part of the Uchiha, Konoha would be in trouble.
After all, the Tenjingu had too many powerful members.
There were three known strong individuals, plus numerous unnamed elites whose strength was equally impressive, which made them a force to be reckoned with.
If the Tenjingu were to join the Uchiha rebellion, it would be problematic, even if the Sannin were still around.
Therefore, it was understandable why Hiruzen and Kaen were keen on distinguishing Dong Ping, or the Tenjingu, from the Uchiha.
"Hmph, Hiruzen, you're too soft!"
Danzo accused, displeased.
If Dong Ping were to be implicated in the Uchiha rebellion, the village would have an excuse to deal with him. After eliminating him, they could absorb the Tenjingu.
Once they assimilated the Tenjingu, they could make Konoha great again.
(In Danzo's mind, Konoha was invincible, and his stubbornness had its reasons!)
"Enough, let's discuss whether to research the glider... flying machine for now!"
Hiruzen naturally understood Danzo's scheme, but he was also clear that they couldn't push the Tenjingu to become enemies.
"We can start by investing one hundred million Ryo in the Ninja Tool Division and let them take the lead in development. Once we see results, we can invest more!"
Chojin Shoko, who was in charge of finances, spoke up.
One hundred million Ryo!
It was almost a joke of a number.
However, they had only seen gliders and believed that such technology had no technical complexity. With a little money, they could create them, and the flying machine, they assumed, wouldn't be much more complicated.
Hmm... Regarding this, Dong Ping could only say they were truly brave.
If they invested a hundred million Ryo and brought Orochimaru back to lead the research, they might have a chance at creating similar flying machines.
But one million Ryo?
Who was he looking down on?
Even Dong Ping, with his extensive accumulation of knowledge, had managed to create these flying machines.
Especially those few technologies, any one of them could change the world.
Chakra Core!
While it could only store chakra for a limited time, it solved the issue of 'universal' chakra usage, no longer restricted to one's own chakra.
This was a groundbreaking innovation! In the future, chakra could even replace various forms of energy.
Additionally, there were anti-gravity barriers, communicators, chakra materials, and more, all of high value.
Now, Konoha wanted to invest one million Ryo to initiate research, and they were entrusting it to the Ninja Tool Division.
Hmm... This money was as good as wasted.
Of course, if it were just for gliders, they could definitely create them.
The final decision, of course, wasn't one million Ryo, as Hiruzen wasn't that stingy.
One hundred million Ryo! And they would involve the Root Division in the research.
Just then, a special 'Shadow Division' member arrived to report.
(End of Chapter)
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