The Water Country.
It hadn't been much time since Arthur returned to his position as the successor of the feudal lord.
No news broke out about his desire to wage war with the Akatsuki. A matter like that would have to wait a little longer. What he needed to do was garner the necessary equipment needed to combat such a dangerous threat.
And had he been slacking in this regard? By no means.
For months now, he had been patiently waiting for one of his biggest contributions that was almost finished: the Sun Stream Plaza.
Sunlight streamed through Arthur's grand windows overlooking the capital, illuminating his desk. Disguised as John Belfort, he had spent countless days in governance.
It was during these times that he found himself reading and signing various parchments. Each document held a potential turning point for the economy of his nation.
Balancing authority with the innate nuances of power was no simple feat. While feudal lord Hiromu still nominally held the reins of power, it was Arthur's vision and strategic mind that set the course.
And soon, he was scheduled to be named the official feudal lord.
This was truly a big ordeal. While this world's power was influenced by a country's hidden village, it was the feudal lord who controlled those villages from above.
Arthur knew that any misstep could send the entire nation spiraling into uncertainty. He also understood that every decision was interlinked, with a single error capable of fracturing trust among citizens or reigniting tensions with the Mizukage.
But these weren't things he was concerned about.
Many in his nation already knew him as John Belfort, delighting in seeing him during important events and even going as far as sending personal invitations for dinners and whatnot.
Seven key responsibilities formed the backbone of his leadership, each requiring attention: military service, land management, justice administration, financial management, and lastly, maintenance.
Arthur had prioritized national security by maintaining a competent defense against external threats and monitoring the Mizukage to ensure stability. He had also implemented progressive agricultural and resource distribution initiatives with the help of his dedicated council—all while focusing on the well-being of farmers and local businesses, recognizing their importance to the economy.
Additionally, he had worked to protect merchants, facilitating smooth market transactions and enhancing communication to prevent conflicts.
Roads connecting distant villages transformed into arteries of commerce, while public works invited artisans and scholars to flourish. Arthur believed that a cultured society emboldened nationalism—a quintessential pillar of a thriving economy.
His commitment to fairness in local justice nurtured societal trust, and he carefully analyzed economic data to balance sustainable tax levels with military readiness, ensuring cohesive governance throughout the entire country.
There was only one thing he neglected: peace.
Some of his subordinates, mainly those from his hidden villages, were becoming restless at some of his new policies. Since they weren't stupid, they had understood that his new regime was as if he were preparing them for war.
Some went as far as advising him to stop, but they did not see his broader vision—a means to galvanize economic growth while fostering a community for combat.
Yet, he understood that the power of diplomacy couldn't be overlooked.
He had yet to meet with neighboring lords, opting to message them via letters and messenger birds.
How could he truly engage in politics when it was improbable for him to be in several places at once without arousing suspicion?
At the same time, what did this nation have to complain about?
Arthur had ensured that their economy prospered through concerted efforts rather than ad-hoc methods. His keen insight into individual struggles allowed him to not just lead but to uplift the entire populace.
He arose from his desk to peer out the window. There was chatter and laughter among the citizens. This had only been possible because of his positive governance done in record time.
And with a legacy rooted in wise, authoritative reign, he had laid down plans for growth that reached far beyond mere maintenance of power.
The decisions he made were not just for the present but building blocks for something more sustainable.
This was not something done overnight. He had worked tirelessly to ensure the seeds of prosperity.
'No man knoweth what a morrow will bring,' he recited to himself, quoting from the holy Bible.
With that thought, he vanished.
The time had come to meet once more with Xavier Hillard at Vinci's headquarters.
As Arthur stepped inside, he had a brief chat with the receptionist before soon being ushered into Xavier's office.
Xavier was perched behind that same desk. His slicked-back hair glistened, signifying that he was still that rich tycoon who knew how to run an illegal business. And when he saw Arthur, his face quickly brightened.
"John—I mean, lord Belfort!" he laughed. "Haha! I wasn't expecting you so soon."
"Xavier," Arthur replied, pulling out a chair to sit across from the mob boss. "I normally write, but I had a bit of free time on my hands… How's my plaza coming along?"
"Ah, it's nearly there," Xavier said with pride. "We're ahead of schedule. Should be ready in about two months."
Two months. That was great news. The usual timeline for such a massive project, given its scale and complexity, spanned well beyond that.
However, Arthur didn't show his surprise.
"That's good to hear," he said. "I expected the construction to take much longer."
Xavier gave a deep chuckle and said, "You'd be shocked at what money can achieve in this industry. My crew's top-notch with a lot of incentives in place."
While this was true, it was also Arthur's designs and machinations that helped. More specifically, it was the exuberant price he paid.
"But I should mention something to you since you're here," Xavier said in a more businesslike tone. "Listen, lord Belfort, I think we should hold off on a grand opening for now. Best we ugh… Keep things under the radar, make sense?"
"Is that so?" Arthur said, raising an eyebrow. "You think that would be wise?"
"Absolutely! The less noise we make, the better. You never know who's out there watching. You have to keep certain matters discreet, particularly with something of this magnitude."
Arthur felt curious. It was unusual for a mob boss—someone driven by hunger for power and recognition—to advocate for restraint.
Arthur had his reasons for concealing the plaza's true purpose, but why did Xavier want to conceal it? And why would he bring this up now of all times?
The thought set off inklings of doubt within Arthur's mind, but he remained composed.
"Then let's keep it low-profile," he replied, masking his thoughts. The man before him was ambitious; it didn't make sense that he'd advocate for subtlety. Arthur had to at least probe him. "On that note, I'd like to tour the facility next week."
For the first time since their meeting began, Xavier's confident façade slipped. A sheen of sweat broke on his forehead as he stammered, "Ah, well, it's not quite ready for a visit just yet. You know how it is... final touches and all that. We gotta make sure everything's perfect for you, my lord. Let's do it... maybe in a month?"
'Strange,' Arthur thought. 'His pitch is off… He's hiding something.'
"Is that so?" Arthur coolly replied, taking note of Xavier's change in demeanor.
"Absolutely!" Xavier finally said, smiling. "Good things always come to those who wait, so they say. I'd hate for you to see our unfinished work."
Arthur leaned back in his chair with an impassive expression. He could practically see Xavier's uneasiness.
The two had often communicated via discrete messenger birds. It was usually Arthur writing, hardly ever getting a response from the mob boss. And right now, that same mob boss wasn't displaying his usual greedy attitude.
"We'll do it your way then," Arthur conceded, hiding his growing suspicion as he stood. "But I'll be watching closely. You understand that this project is—"
"Of course!" Xavier exclaimed in an alarming glee. "You've entrusted me with a big task, and you can trust it in my hands like you have been."
Out of all the words Arthur heard, it was "trust." Arthur trusted no one except God.
"And by the way," Xavier continued, "I've been meaning to send you gifts and whatnot to congratulate you on becoming the feudal lord, but I've been so busy lately with legal work that I simply haven't had the time. I'm looking forward to expanding our relationship once you become head honcho."
Arthur gave a cold smirk as he corrected, "I'm not the feudal lord yet, Xavier. Just remember to keep this matter regarding the plaza between us."
Xavier's smile widened as he said, "Absolutely, my lord. Our little secret."
As Arthur exited the office, he knew something was amiss, for every instinct urged him to act when it was time.
Was there something wrong with his plaza? As far as he was concerned, no.
Although he had not visited it in some time, he kept regular tabs on it and witnessed it being built from the ground up. There was truly nothing wrong with it from the outside.
Tomorrow he would surely venture to inspect the site himself, with or without Xavier's discretion. After all, this was his investment, one that cost him what most people couldn't make in a lifetime.
The next day, Arthur appeared right in front of where his plaza was still undergoing construction. Right now, it was the weekend, so the building crew was off today, and citizens of the town weren't allowed to come near.
He stepped into the expansive construction site and was immediately struck by the stunning architecture before him.
This was not merely a building site; it was artistry at its finest!
Xavier Hillard had helped manifest it with ingenuity. Towering walls, nearly flawless in their craftsmanship, reached toward the sky. Large, arched windows punctuated the façade, allowing streams of natural light to filter through upon the polished marble floors.
Every corner of the plaza was designed as he had imagined, featuring detailed engravings of quotes from the holy gospel: "but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24: 15."
Inside, the atmosphere felt almost surreal.
The spacious layout was as if the walls themselves recognized the significance of the work being done here. Each area was thoughtfully curated, from the unfinished garden room to the expansive malls and exhibition spaces that highlighted attention to detail.
"Who in their right mind would spend so much money on this?!" Arthur remembered one of the bystanders saying.
This plaza was actually not built within the capital but near the hotel he had been staying at—miles out. And why would he want to build this grand piece where others would greatly question?
The floors exuded a reflective sheen that contributed to the plaza's overall brilliance, while archways beckoned the viewer to explore further.
Arthur discovered that Xavier had spared no expense; imported materials from distant lands adorned the interior, emblazoning the plaza with a sense of opulence that reaffirmed its purpose as both a front for his laboratory and what could be achieved with foresight.
It was more than just a building; it was a sanctuary for innovation, a place that could help him exploit the ever-expanding Narutoverse.
Arthur neither smiled nor smirked; he was only content.
As he strolled between the spacious columns, he noted the subtle nuances in design—an artisan's touch evident in every detail from the beautifully laid tile patterns beneath his feet to the placement of ambient lighting.
Even the air here was different. So what reason did Xavier have to prevent Arthur from coming here?
Stepping outside onto the plaza's balcony, he took in the view of the surrounding landscape. A gentle breeze caused his hair to wave across his face.
Below him, the pathways snaked through the well-planned layout of spaces that offered places of respite while simultaneously inviting those who might one day pass through.
Those who looked on could only speculate on the true purpose behind its grandeur. And with that in mind, he knew that things were going to fare nicely for his groundbreaking innovations.