One month later...
"Akihiko-nii, Yahiko, Nagato, and I are doing well. Please don't worry. Nagato also asked for your help in taking care of his mother, Fuso-nee, and assuring her not to worry!"
Akihiko was left speechless at that moment. He was taken aback by their words. Was this their rebellious phase? They didn't even want to come back home?!
Akihiko looked at the letter in his hand, feeling at a loss for words. It was a letter just received from the Kusa-nin, stating that these three kids had informed them that they were involved in a significant undertaking and wouldn't be able to return temporarily.
As for the nature of this endeavor, Akihiko had no idea. All he knew was that these three kids... "It has been over a month since they last studied!"
Don't they realize how worried Fuso is? Don't they understand the concern of the teachers at the academy? Aren't they aware of how many people in the village are worried about them?
He had initially planned for these three kids to experience real-world situations, but now they had turned around and disappeared, and they had been gone for over a month! If it weren't for this sudden letter, he had intended to go there himself in a few days.
Although he occasionally received intelligence from the Kusa-nin stating, "Master Yahiko and the others haven't been captured by Amegakure!" Akihiko and Fuso were still concerned that something might have happened to the three kids!
Akihiko let out a helpless sigh and arranged for the letter to be delivered to Fuso. Then, he turned his attention to the individuals gathered before him. Today marked an important meeting, with most of Kusagakure's high-ranking officials in attendance.
During this period, there had been no significant events in the Land of Grass, or even in the entire ninja world. However, there was a palpable sense of tension in the air, hinting at an impending storm.
Regarding the tens of thousands of workers who had arrived in the Land of Grass earlier, everything was proceeding as planned. Reports from various units indicated that everyone was working diligently and with great enthusiasm.
Their dedication to their work was truly remarkable! The prevailing theme in the Land of Grass revolved around construction, as they aimed to establish a new era for the Land of Grass in the ninja world. Consequently, one could find various slogans adorning the landscape, reflecting the spirit of the Land of Grass:
{ I take pride in my work! }
{ Unity is strength in the Land of Grass! }
{ Together, let us create a beautiful Land of Grass! }
…
Each day, the streets of the Land of Grass were adorned with a mesmerizing sight: workers clad in green protective attire, creating a picturesque scene that embodied the essence of this new era. This visual spectacle had become synonymous with the Land of Grass's spirit and progress.
To further cultivate this image, Akihiko had dedicated his three cherished disciples. Towering posters showcasing these three children in their protective outfits, armed with shovels, could be found throughout the land. These posters served as a wellspring of inspiration, igniting passion for construction among the ninjas and the people of the Land of Grass.
The initial group of workers was primarily assigned to three key departments. One team was tasked with working in the renowned Scientific Ninja Tool Factory, where cutting-edge technology played a vital role in advancing the Land of Grass. Due to its significance, stringent access controls were implemented within the factory premises. Another group was stationed at the newly established Clothing Factory, which harnessed state-of-the-art scientific ninja tool textile machines to enhance production efficiency.
The majority of the green protective clothing worn in the Land of Grass was manufactured within this clothing factory. Within a remarkably short span of time, tens of thousands of sets of protective attire were produced, a testament to the factory's exceptional productivity. In many ways, the Land of Grass had taken a technological leap forward by seamlessly integrating ninjutsu into their manufacturing processes.
After the establishment of the Clothing Factory, discussions arose regarding that they may potentially provide subcontracting services to Konoha for the production of ninja vests. This arrangement had the potential to generate additional income for the Land of Grass, as the assembly line production of ninja vests proved to be more cost-effective compared to handcrafted ones. The business prospects were promising, but there were challenges to overcome.
The unique nature of chakra presented a hurdle. While chakra had exceptional endurance, similar to the Chakra Lightning Railcar, a single charge could power the chakra textile machines for an extended period. However, the Land of Grass had a limited number of ninjas and couldn't allocate the majority of them to production. Recognizing this issue, the Research Institute initiated a project to develop a hybrid power system that combined electricity and chakra.
They aimed to merge scientific ninjutsu with electrical science, seeking comprehensive advancements. They aspired to lead the way, leaving no room for others to surpass them.
In addition to the factories and the Clothing Factory, the last portion of the workers was dedicated to infrastructure construction. Though the initial recruitment number was around ten thousand, with the inclusion of their families, the population swelled to tens of thousands. This influx of people injected newfound vitality into the Land of Grass's development.
However, a critical challenge remained. The Land of Grass had an abundance of ordinary laborers, but there was a shortage of ninjas. The production of micro-sized ninjutsu scrolls and chakra capacitors relied on ninja expertise. Even the Infrastructure Department administrator acknowledged that the value of an Earth Release ninja equaled that of a hundred ordinary workers, and scientific ninja tools operated using chakra.
Ninjas were indispensable in every aspect, but the new generation was still in its infancy. The Land of Grass had only recently established a ninja school, and it would take time for them to mature. Hiring workers from other ninja villages posed its own set of obstacles, as the Land of Grass guarded its secrets closely.
Akihiko couldn't shake the thought of the tens of thousands of laborers buried underground, unable to utilize their potential. He had a strong desire to provide stable employment for those orphaned children who found joy in planting trees. However, the challenge of finding and negotiating with Black Zetsu remained insurmountable.
He longed for a way to bring those workers back to the surface, to give them a purpose and a livelihood. It pained him to think that their potential contributions were being wasted underground. Akihiko understood the importance of providing opportunities for those who had been left orphaned and displaced by the turmoil of the ninja world.
Yet, the elusive nature of Black Zetsu made it difficult to reach a resolution. Finding and engaging in negotiations with such a cunning and hidden entity seemed like an impossible task. Akihiko couldn't help but feel frustrated by the circumstances, as he knew that securing stable employment for those children was crucial for their well-being and future prospects.
Black Zetsu likely remained in the shadows, awaiting the moment when Madara would choose a successor and set his plans in motion, plans that would undoubtedly shake the entire ninja world.
That's why this meeting was of utmost importance. Akihiko clasped his hands together and placed them in front of his chin. "What are your thoughts on this?"
Everyone exchanged glances, contemplating the question. Uzumaki Yoshinori, after a moment of reflection, spoke up. "How about implementing the Land of Grass' old plan of 'Talent Acquisition'? There are numerous ninja clans in the ninja world that have not aligned themselves with any ninja villages. For example, the Fuma Clan and the Tsuchigumo Clan..."
Upon hearing Yoshinori's suggestion, Akihiko nodded in agreement. He had already included these two clans in his future plans. In the original timeline, the Fuma Clan had experienced a decline after the Third Great Ninja War and had later fallen victim to Orochimaru's manipulation.
As for the Tsuchigumo Clan, their fate was even more tragic. Known for their self-destructive technique, the Tsuchigumo Style, they were feared and ultimately eradicated during the Third Great Ninja War. Only a few surviving members remained.
These two clans possessed significant ninja prowess and differed from the Uzumaki Clan and the Chinoike Clan. Akihiko believed it would be wise to wait for the right moment before extending an invitation. They could approach these clans during their time of need and win them over with kindness.
"It is unfortunate," Yoshinori sighed, "The Yuki Clan, known for their Ice Style Bloodline Limit, has also faced annihilation."
Akihiko was surprised by the mention of the Yuki Clan. "The Yuki Clan? Ice Style? Aren't they a bloodline limit clan from Kirigakure?"
"Not quite," Elder Yoshinori shook his head. "Although some members of the Yuki Clan joined Kirigakure, not all of them did. In order to avoid the war, many of them chose to live in a small village surrounded by perpetual snow. However, without the protection of a ninja village, they became feared by others and eventually met their demise."
Yoshinori sighed again, reflecting on the fate of the Yuki Clan. Then, he noticed the perplexed expression on the leader's face and asked curiously, "Is something troubling you, Leader?"
"It's nothing," Akihiko shook his head, he realized that his initial assumption about the Yuki Clan's affiliation with Kirigakure was incorrect. This new information shed light on why the village in which Haku and his mother lived in the anime was so fearful of the ice bloodline limit. It was likely because the village had never encountered a clan with an ice bloodline limit before, as the Yuki Clan had remained independent and isolated from Kirigakure. Additionally, any ninja possessing an ice bloodline limit would have faced great danger and likely been targeted during the violent period of the Bloody Mist era.
Akihiko raised an eyebrow, muttering to himself, 'Looks like I'll have to pay a visit to the Land of Water.' After a moment, he looked up at the pensive group and sighed helplessly. "A few ninjas alone cannot solve our shortage problem, and we do not even know how many members of the Yuki Clan are still alive. They may have truly been wiped out. That's why my plan is..."
As the others looked on in confusion, Akihiko took out a document from his pocket, leaving everyone stunned. On the document, there were only two words written...
"That's right!" Akihiko nodded, satisfied with their reaction. "Let's launch a 'Ninja Literacy' campaign in the Land of Grass!"
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