Uzumaki Kikyo was now confident. Truly, very confident.
This confidence wasn't arrogance. It came from learning, the accumulation of knowledge, and a growing understanding of many things. It was a confidence rooted in intelligence and insight—professional confidence.
Uchiha Kei wasn't surprised by this. This was exactly what he had hoped Kikyo would become.
Though the academy existed only in the simulated mental network world, all of the NPCs inside possessed remarkable realism. Their personalities were distinct, their traits unique—a classic two-dimensional world.
And it was a massively enhanced version.
In most 2D worlds, only a few characters stand out, each with their own settings. But in the academy Kikyo experienced, even the background NPCs could easily serve as major supporting characters or protagonists in other works.
In such a school, beyond studying, Kikyo witnessed all kinds of things. Even fictional characters had their own lives. Naturally, this broadened her horizons and taught her many things one could never learn from books.
At Kei's urging, Kikyo even joined the student council, where she learned administrative skills and gained managerial experience.
So now that she had "graduated," Kikyo could step directly into a management role.
Just like now, as Kikyo looked at over a dozen older "senpai" standing before her, there was no sign of nervousness on her face. On the contrary, she was calm, radiating an unmistakable air of confidence and control.
Then, Kikyo smiled and spoke: "Everyone, starting today, the first news agency in the Shinobi World is officially founded. Let me offer a small round of applause to celebrate!"
As she spoke, she began clapping.
The dozen people who had been brought to work at the agency looked at one another, clearly unused to such proceedings. But since the boss said so, they followed suit.
Applause rang out, scattered and uncertain, laced with confusion and mistrust.
Kikyo wasn't surprised. After all, a news agency had never existed in the Shinobi World. Now, one had been officially established under the name "Konoha Uzumaki News" — though it bore Konoha's official endorsement, it operated independently, a wholly new enterprise.
Though emergency training had been given beforehand to explain what a news agency does and what the staff's responsibilities would be, no one really knew what impact this work would have, or what it meant for them or for Konoha.
Even more, the president of this news agency was a mere sixteen-year-old girl. That made it feel even more unreliable.
Sure, the Shinobi World had many prodigies—not just sixteen, but even fourteen- or fifteen-year-olds who had already made a name for themselves. Many were fearsome killers with terrifying reputations.
Take Uchiha Shisui from the original story, or the One-Tails' jinchūriki, Gaara. These were figures who inspired both fear and respect while still very young.
However, such people were rare, and killing was different from administrative work—especially from being the head of a new enterprise.
There's a saying: "A hairless mouth speaks no truth." It isn't age discrimination, but a warning from repeated real-world experiences—some of them soaked in blood.
Thus, the dozen "founding" employees of the Uzumaki News Agency were filled with doubt and mistrust toward Kikyo. Most suspected she was someone important's protégé, sent here to earn accolades.
The remaining few didn't think it was speculation—they considered it fact. After all, Miss Kikyo was Uchiha Kei's person!
Yes, those few included members of the Hyuga, Uchiha, and Yamanaka clans. They all knew of Kikyo's connection to Uchiha Kei.
Kikyo herself also knew she would be seen as someone with a background, placed here for show. That this news agency was just a vanity project.
But Kikyo didn't mind. She wasn't like some female protagonists in romance fiction who enjoy others' help while shouting about independence and sneering at the support they receive.
Kikyo understood clearly: it was precisely because she had help and support that she stood where she was today. She was proud and happy because of it.
So what? You won't acknowledge me? Then why don't you get Kei-nii to help you too? If you can't, then stop being so bitter, okay?
This was Kikyo's pure mindset. As a girl who had once struggled in hardship, she knew better than anyone why she had the life she had now. And she sincerely appreciated everyone who had offered her kindness and support.
Likewise, she was more than willing to give back to those she loved.
This news agency was a new business Uchiha Kei created specifically for Kikyo. Though officially under Konoha's name, it operated independently. Everything—how to run it, how to manage it—was for Kikyo alone to decide. It was a classic one-person dictatorship.
And given the current state of the Shinobi World, this one-person dictatorship led by a specially trained girl like Kikyo was actually a good thing. Only she knew how a news agency should be run, and how to make it truly effective.
Now, Kikyo calmly and methodically began assigning tasks. Editors, reporters, logistics—all roles were divided, and detailed instructions on how to carry them out were given.
She had even prepared manuals in advance, which she now handed out to the employees.
Everyone was surprised to see how smoothly Kikyo handled things, and that she had even prepared handbooks. It became clear she wasn't just here to put on a show. She had real skills. That eased their minds.
None of them wanted to cause trouble for Kikyo or act out. They just wanted to do their jobs. So they hoped their boss wouldn't be the type who liked stirring things up.
In this strict, hierarchical shinobi society, people were already conditioned to work hard. And Konoha was rapidly developing; every job was precious. Especially for non-native Konoha residents, it was a chance to stay.
This news agency job, despite its uncertain function, looked respectable. As hardworking nobodies, they didn't want to lose it.
As for the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Yamanaka clan members, they knew Kikyo's background. They understood just how valuable this opportunity was. They even knew why they were sent here—to help Kikyo. Otherwise, why would members of the Leaf's Big Three clans be assigned to some brand-new enterprise?
Thus, under Kikyo's steady guidance, the Konoha Uzumaki News Agency officially began operations.
Kikyo immediately held a series of back-to-back meetings with the team responsible for actual news content. She directly instructed them on how to gather stories and how to write the articles.
Of course, since this was still the "wild era" of the news agency, Kikyo didn't immediately employ the sensationalist styles she learned in the mental network. Instead, she approached newspaper writing with a factual mindset.
"Truth, truth, truth—our mission as a news agency is to present events in the Shinobi World with honesty. Whether the truth is cruel or beautiful, it must be shared truthfully."
"That is the mission and responsibility of us media people!"
"What? You don't know what 'media' is? Then please go read the employee manual. It explains it in detail!"
"Yes, now, immediately. Anyone who doesn't even understand that much has no right to call themselves a media person."
Under her stern and icy gaze, the clueless one slinked out of the meeting room. As for those who remained, the pressure was immense, and they began to sweat.
At that moment, despite the young, striking face, even the Uchiha, Yamanaka, and Hyuga members felt the crushing pressure. They also felt her overwhelming authority.
Everyone realized: this girl was no pampered noble sent here to play around. She was a true leader who knew what she was doing, and how to lead her people in doing great things.
Everyone began working more seriously. Some even pulled out notebooks to record Kikyo's words for later review.
Without question, Kikyo had taken to the new job with astonishing speed. Her team quickly fell into rhythm. It wouldn't be long before the first newspaper officially issued by a shinobi news agency would appear.
Yes, though it wasn't the first newspaper ever, it *was* the first news agency.
Past publications were released by official institutions. Rather than newspapers, they were more like ancient imperial bulletins, used only when the government needed to make announcements.
There were also small newsletters and publications by individual groups, but they were informal, with tiny circulation and limited audiences.
That's why Uchiha Kei's magazine *Public Knowledge* caused such a stir.
In fact, *Public Knowledge* would soon be handed over to Kikyo to manage. Though it was already published, it was more of a casual project, not yet formalized. It relied entirely on the Konoha Game Guild's distribution channels to reach the Shinobi World.
The magazine had no real publishing team or editorial staff. Uchiha Kei did everything himself—even the various editors were just his alternate personas.
Because while Kei created the magazine, he barely had time to manage or continuously produce content for it.
Now that Kikyo had graduated, it was the perfect time to hand over *Public Knowledge*, allowing her to formalize and expand it. Kei would only need to contribute articles occasionally.
After assigning all the tasks, Kikyo exhaled and returned to her office. After a moment of thought, she summoned someone in.
Soon, a beautiful blonde girl with an exotic look and great figure entered, a little nervously: "President, you called for me?"
Kikyo smiled. "No need to be nervous, Sakima-senpai. We're about the same age—feel free to speak casually."
"Y-Yes, President," the blonde nodded, still clearly nervous.
Kikyo didn't press the issue. She got to the point: "Sakima-senpai, I want you to be my assistant."
"Y-Your assistant?"
Kikyo nodded. "Yes. As president, I have a lot to do. It's hard to handle all the little things. I need an assistant. I saw your resume. You're skilled at clerical work, good with details—you're the best fit."
"Of course, if you don't want the job, you can decline. It's not mandatory. So—"
"I accept!" Sakima blurted out before Kikyo could finish. She was genuinely excited, the very image of a hard-working girl getting promoted. "Thank you for the opportunity, President! I promise to do my best and won't let you down!"
Kikyo smiled and praised her with the air of a seasoned boss. Then she instructed her to gather her belongings and move her desk outside the president's office. That would be her new workstation.
After sending off the excited Sakima, Kikyo's smile faded into something more contemplative.
"So this is the spy from the Hidden Cloud Village that Kei-nii mentioned? Can't tell just by looking at her. But Kei-nii said she's got real talent in clerical work, and she sealed her own memories with Fūuinjutsu."
"In that case, until her memories return, I can make good use of her skills. Hehe... Kei-nii really is amazing. Even enemies are squeezed for every last drop of value. So impressive!"
By the end of her thoughts, the girl's face took on a lovestruck expression—the full image of a fangirl whispering, "Kei-nii, you're so bad... I love it."
Still, the look quickly disappeared. Though she still looked young, Kikyo was now a matured girl.
Yes, Kikyo had become deeply cunning.
But to be a media figure, to become the Queen of Communication, such cunning was undoubtedly a strength.
After all, without enough cunning, how could one manipulate public opinion and shape minds without blinking?
Thus, the debuting Queen of Communication was quietly baring her fangs in the Shinobi World.
Because just two days later, the first newspaper was officially released.
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