Land reclamation was a major event for the Land of Whirlpools. After all, relying solely on a small island would greatly limit the country's future development.
However, while land reclamation could expand the territory of the Land of Whirlpools, it would also have a certain impact on the ecological environment. Therefore, to mitigate these effects, construction methods had to be carefully considered.
Fortunately, this was the ninja world, where unscientific methods could be used to modify the ecological environment.
"So we must pay attention to sanitation," Uzumaki Jun said to his father. "Do not cause excessive damage to the ecological environment."
There was no need to follow the path of development first and cleanup later.
The machines for land reclamation were already prepared, mostly modified from old wooden ships. Today, even the tech enthusiast Chiro had come. He would explain how to use the land reclamation tools and how to avoid potential accidents.
"I will make the necessary arrangements," Uzumaki Riki nodded, patting Jun on the shoulder. He felt a surge of emotion—his son had already grown so much. Soon, it would be time for him to marry, but...
When it came to matters of the heart, he couldn't say much. After all, if he spoke carelessly, Meirin would beat him up.
Hesitating, he said, "As for Kushina..."
"What about the clan head..."
"Ah." In the end, Uzumaki Riki said nothing. He shook his head and sighed. "You handle it."
"..."
Jun looked helplessly at his father. He...
Decided to visit Kushina again later.
Noticing the clan head inspecting the area nearby, Jun saw that almost all the high-ranking officials of the Land of Whirlpools were present today, including Kakuzu, who had also appeared. He needed to estimate the funds required for this operation and the benefits it would bring to the Land of Whirlpools.
Though the Land of Whirlpools was no longer the impoverished nation it once was—thanks to its massive trade exports, it was now the most developed country in the ninja world—
Kakuzu was still a competent finance minister.
Anything related to money would be carefully reviewed and analyzed by him. Only after he deemed it appropriate would funds be allocated.
"Chiro," Jun called out. "How are things looking?"
"There shouldn't be any problems," Chiro nodded. "I've followed your instructions and created a foolproof operation method. Basically, anyone can learn it after watching once."
If someone couldn't learn it...
How could they even be a ninja?
"But..."
"The chakra consumption is too high," Chiro sighed, shaking his head helplessly. "Even with chakra converters, the number of ninjas here is still insufficient."
"So to create enough land, it will take a considerable amount of time."
"There's no other way," Jun shrugged. "Most of the people who have come to the Land of Whirlpools are civilians, and the number of native ninjas is too small."
This was also because ninjas were already scarce in the ninja world.
"We can only take it step by step," Jun sighed, watching as the land reclamation tools began operating. "You've created something incredible!"
If this thing were sold to the Land of Water, perhaps their scattered islands could be connected into a continent no smaller than the Land of Fire.
However...
Such a thing could not be sold to the Land of Water right now.
"Yeah," Chiro said emotionally. "If you hadn't saved me back then, I probably wouldn't be seeing this scene now."
He had...
Gone from working with wood to mastering steel.
Now, the study of steel machinery had also been incorporated into the curriculum of the Land of Whirlpools' affiliated academy. When Sasori first transferred in, he was already learning it. Last year, Sasori graduated from the academy. Unknowingly, several years had passed.
"Maintenance might be troublesome later," Chiro said, looking at the massive tools he had created. "But we still don't know the lifespan of these things."
"You handle it," Jun nodded. "I know nothing about this field."
Besides...
How much sea area could a small island reclaim?
So, the Land of Hot Water above...
That evil religion!
One day, the Land of Whirlpools would surely save the people of the Land of Hot Water from the oppression of that wicked religion.
But for now...
"It's not yet time," Jun sighed.
"What isn't time yet?" Chiro asked curiously. "Is there anything else we need to pay attention to?"
"Nothing..." Jun patted Chiro on the shoulder. "Just come have a drink with me when I get married soon."
Right now...
He had something else to attend to.
Because he sensed that White Zetsu had arrived.
"Alright..." Before Chiro could finish speaking, Jun had already teleported away using the Flying Thunder God Technique. Chiro could only shake his head helplessly. The wedding of the Land of Whirlpools' daimyo was something they all knew about.
After all...
That Uchiha Mikoto was a colleague of Hiroshi's.
Rumored to be a gentle, lovely, and beautiful girl, just like Hiroshi.
But...
Given Jun's current reputation in the Land of Whirlpools, even if he were to act like a scoundrel, who would dare criticize him?
Most people would probably say in admiration:
"As expected of the Land of Whirlpools' daimyo!"
So...
How enviable...
"Chiro."
Just then...
Hearing someone call his name, Chiro quickly put on a serious expression and turned around with a smile to face his wife.
He was a model husband, after all!
"What's for lunch today?" Chiro took the lunchbox Hiroshi had brought him. "You've worked hard."
He would never make any mistakes in principle.
"You've been staying up late these past few days, so I made fish soup for you," Hiroshi said gently, opening the lunchbox with care. "To replenish your energy."
"Really?" Chiro said emotionally, holding Hiroshi's hand. "You're so good to me, Hiroshi."
"Tease," Hiroshi covered her mouth and chuckled softly. After setting out the food, she asked, "Sasori has graduated. He wants to join the Mechanical Corps. What do you think?"
"The Mechanical Corps?" Chiro took a sip of the fish soup, frowned slightly, and sighed. "The child has grown up. He has his own ideas. As his father, all I can do is support him from behind."
Though deep down, he wished Sasori wouldn't join the military. He hoped Sasori would intern in the Mechanical Department for a few years, gain some knowledge, and eventually work in development. After all, war meant death.
The Mechanical Corps was a newly established unit last year, equipped with chakra energy guns, chakra cannons, and the yet-to-be-developed chakra tanks—not to mention the unapproved mechas...
"But Sasori is..." Hiroshi opened her mouth, wanting to say that if Sasori appeared on the front lines and was seen by Sunagakure, wouldn't that be a problem?
Wouldn't it be safer for him to stay in the rear like them?
But...
"Ah," Chiro sighed, putting down his bowl. "In Sasori's heart, Sunagakure is probably already a distant place."
Though his mother visited occasionally over the years, ever since she returned to the village that day...
"Sasori has become a missing-nin of Sunagakure."
Rumors said he was lured away by a mysterious Rinnegan user.
"Mm," Hiroshi nodded with a smile after hearing Chiro's words. "I understand."
She felt the same way. What was past should stay in the past.
But as a mother, she couldn't help but worry about Sasori...
All she wanted was for Sasori to live safely. In a few years, she would arrange for him to marry and have children. By then, she would still be young enough to see her grandchildren in the academy.
A life like this...
Simple and peaceful...
Was truly happy!
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