Land of Rain, construction site.
"This section, this one too—and that one all need to be reinforced!"
Ebizō stood over a map, face stern as he pointed out the marked locations to a group of foremen gathered around him.
"In a few days, the cement, bricks, and steel materials will all be delivered. Rainfall during this period should be minimal. We must make full use of this window and finish as much of the project as we can."
"Yes, Advisor Ebizō!"
The foremen all nodded in unison.
"We'll do our best to have the workers put in overtime and push the progress forward."
"How you motivate the workers is your business. But I've already submitted a request for funding to the village—there'll be no shortage of overtime pay. And…" Ebizō added, eyes narrowing slightly, "...at the end of the year, the number of qualification slots for relocating to Sunagakure will double. And those accepted won't need to go through observation or trial periods—just a basic review, and their children can enroll in the Academy for free."
"That's wonderful! Everyone will be thrilled. Honestly, even without the overtime bonus, they'd still work hard for a deal like that!"
"Alright, don't start celebrating just yet. Wait until the project's finished," Ebizō waved dismissively, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. Then he turned serious again. "Shukaku, stay here. The rest of you—go handle your assignments."
"Yes, sir!"
Moments later, the temporary meeting room cleared out, leaving only Ebizō and the freeloading One-Tail, Shukaku.
"Watch your powers," Ebizō said flatly, glancing at the tailed beast, who was peeking out from a black cauldron with a very clear 'What the hell do you want now?' look on his face.
"I know how dangerous your chakra can be. That's why I'm warning you—don't go overboard. The last thing I need is for the Land of Rain to turn into another desert wasteland."
"Oh yeah?" Shukaku sneered, only his head sticking out of the pot. "And what're you gonna do about it, old man? Don't forget, I'm—"
"You'll make me report directly to the Kazekage," Ebizō cut in smoothly, narrowing his eyes, "or maybe I'll just send Nagato over to have a little chat with you."
Immediately, Shukaku straightened up like a soldier at roll call.
"I'm the picture of obedience!" he said solemnly. "I follow all orders from the organization. I swear I wasn't slacking off on purpose the other day—it was just an accident! You've seen how hard I usually work, right?"
Apparently, threatening to delay his paycheck wouldn't work on this one. Neither would pressure from above.
Inside, Shukaku sighed.
[It's not like I'm scared of humans—tch. I'm just giving that brat Gaara some face, that's all.]
Still, next time he went home, he'd definitely demand Gaara take him to ride the kiddie cars.
He was going to ride them until he was satisfied!
Hopping off the table with a grumble, he turned and stomped off.
"Tch… I'll get back to work. What a boring old geezer."
"…"
Ebizō chuckled and shook his head, watching the grumbling tanuki walk off.
"Tailed beasts… really are kind of interesting."
But then his smile faded as he remembered the message he'd received that morning.
"Looks like the digging operations in the Land of Fire… will have to be put on hold for a while."
...
Elsewhere…
"The movements are smoother now. Character animations feel more natural too."
Rasa put down the joystick and nodded in satisfaction, looking over at Advisor Chiyo, who'd been holed up in the mountains ever since the last war.
"Not bad. The screen's clearly been optimized quite a bit."
His only complaint?
Still not cool enough!
Other characters could be low-res or blurry, but the Four Kazekage character—his avatar—should've been crafted with full realism and attention to detail! He'd specifically asked for that!
Instead… they still downgraded him!
"Bu tKazekage-sama," Chiyo said with a smile, catching his tone, "as per your request, all characters except your own have been downscaled."
She gestured at the new machine.
"Both the screen and joystick were redesigned by Sasori himself. The controls are much more responsive now."
She sighed.
"It's all he can really do anymore."
Once known as Sunagakure's greatest puppet master, Sasori had been reduced to a game developer, hiding in the back mountains and quietly working on arcade machines. A tragic fall, really.
But… the fact he was even alive was already a mercy granted by the village.
"He also installed the sound system. Right now, he's working on miniaturizing the arcade unit. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him. He won't cause any trouble."
"Then I'll leave it to you," Rasa said, his tone respectful. "You and Advisor Ebizō have both done so much for the village. I see it—everyone sees it. Maybe… someday, when the village is thriving again, the Third Kazekage might even forgive Sasori."
"I'm not expecting that kind of miracle," Chiyo replied, shaking her head. She turned to him, serious.
"Anyway, I'll hand over the full blueprints for the unit. I hope you'll manage the production line and logistics. And if anyone asks… just say I designed it myself."
Sasori's name couldn't be revealed. Ever.
"I understand," Rasa nodded. He looked at Chiyo, seeing the mixed sadness and pride in her expression. "The village will never forget what the two of you have done for it. Oh, right…"
He suddenly remembered the real reason he'd come.
"I'll leave the projection and recording equipment to you too."
The arcade was just a lucky bonus.
I should also send out the latest product updates to the agents in each village soon.
After giving out his final instructions, he glanced at the newly completed cabinet:
The first-generation "Shinobi King" arcade machine.
"I've got other matters to attend to. I'll be taking this unit with me—as the production model."
With that, ignoring Chiyo's wistful silence, Rasa picked up the cabinet and walked down the mountain.
Tonight… I can finally test this baby out properly.
And no, it wasn't because he wanted to play games. This was quality control.
Completely professional.
Really!
...
A bit earlier that day…
As Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi led the clan heads out of the Grand Sail Hotel, they were immediately met with a group of young children standing at the gate—eyes wide and full of curiosity.
Everyone instantly wore the same awkward expression.
Several of the clan heads recognized their own children in the crowd and sighed inwardly.
Guess I'll have to do some damage control when I get home…
Luckily, it had been Danzo's treat this time. If they'd paid out of pocket for that kind of luxury… they'd have to do way more than just coax the kids.
They'd probably need to bribe their wives too.
Just then—
"Dad, was it good?"
"Haha, of course! It was delicious!"
"Then can I try it too?"
"Er… maybe next time. Yeah! I'll bring you next time and we'll eat as much as we want!"
Watching the father-son exchange between Choza and Choji, the other clan heads sighed again.
Those eyes. That expression. That hunger.
They all had the same kind of kid!
The rest could only chuckle awkwardly and ruffle their children's heads.
"Next time, I'll bring you, alright? But…"
They suddenly turned serious.
"Don't tell your mother!"
This place was just… too expensive.
—
At the edge of the group, Naruto stood quietly, watching the joyful exchanges between father and child.
Envy flickered in his eyes as he muttered softly:
"…Father, huh?"
Then, without saying anything, he turned and kicked a small rock aside. Lowering his head, he jogged back toward his lonely little apartment.
He didn't see the figure watching from the hotel steps behind him—
Hiruzen Sarutobi, gently smoking his pipe, eyes filled with sorrow as he murmured:
"Stay strong, Naruto."