Chapter 2: The Land of Grass's Project Heaven's Deception
Project Heaven's Deception!
This was the first major policy within the "Land of Grass Prosperity Plan" that he had proposed after taking office…
In short, it meant stealing people.
Steal Kekkei Genkai! Steal geniuses! Steal Tailed Beasts! Steal ninjutsu!
Basically, as long as it was beneficial to the development of the Land of Grass, it could be stolen.
Of course, this move was learned from one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages—Kumogakure.
It wasn't something our Kusagakure came up with!
Although Kusagakure copied ninjutsu, acted as opportunists, sold intelligence, and even acted as guides for invaders, all in all, we are a village of good character.
After all, we have no choice but to be good!
Among the surrounding countries, there isn't a single one we can defeat.
Just look at Kumogakure... not long ago, news broke about them infiltrating Konoha to steal a jinchuriki. And later, after the Nine-Tails incident, they snuck in to kidnap Hinata, only to have their agent killed.
Hikaru even suspected that the Magnet Release user from Kumo who appeared in the Fourth Great Ninja War... that guy was probably also stolen from Sunagakure.
After all, as everyone knows, Magnet Release is the signature skill of Sunagakure.
So, when it comes to stealing people, Kumogakure is the true ancestral master in the shinobi world!
Perhaps it was by relying on this that they nearly surpassed Konoha, the strongest shinobi village, in comprehensive power after the Fourth War.
If it weren't for Konoha having two powerhouses with cheat-like abilities, the honorary title of "The Strongest Hidden Village" would have likely been taken by Kumogakure.
Of course, how can something done for national development be called stealing?
This is called mutual development!
Mutual development!
Listening to that scoundrel Mujina's plan, Kusa Hikaru nodded with deep feeling.
Cunning!
This guy was truly the definition of cunning!
If he hadn't stopped him, that guy was even planning to tell Iwagakure about Konoha's request, wanting Iwagakure to also join the battlefield and declare war on Konoha.
And then?
Kusagakure would hunker down between the three parties and reap the benefits. This idea had instantly won the approval of the other Kusa elders!
These guys must have felt that the construction of the Land of Grass was too peaceful and wanted to drag the country into the whirlpool of war!
What would happen if Iwagakure heard the news... got happy, and then, under the guise of a big brother looking after his little brother, dragged Kusagakure along to declare war on Konoha, making the Land of Grass the vanguard force and talking about profiting from the war together?
So, it was best not to get too fancy with the schemes.
One had to remember that the last time the Land of Grass was destroyed was precisely because they got too good at playing all sides during the First Great Ninja War.
After wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Hikaru announced that Mujina would handle the negotiations with Konoha and the Land of Rain.
Then.
He changed the subject to discuss the next phase of the Land of Grass's construction plan!
Without a doubt...
Education was the top priority!
The Land of Grass needed to rebuild its self-confidence and its integrity.
They couldn't take their weakness for granted. They had to strive for strength and stop thinking about surviving in the cracks between great nations by playing all sides and acting as guides.
The second plan was to establish Kusagakure's medical system.
He had recently heard that Konoha's Princess Tsunade had already proposed the development and improvement of Konoha's medical system.
It seemed to have achieved great results in the current war, significantly reducing Konoha's casualty rate!
It gave Konoha, which was under the immense pressure of war, a moment to breathe.
One must know that Kusagakure...
Kusa Hikaru glanced at Kana standing beside him. As if sensing his gaze, Kana returned a gentle smile.
Up until the start of the Third Great Ninja War, they were still relying on Kana and her daughter as their two "first-aid kits"!
And despite this...
The Kusa ninja still wore arrogant, punchable expressions, as if it was all a matter of course.
When they went crazy, they'd even attack their own!
Indeed, civilized education must be emphasized!
Kusa Hikaru himself was getting a little scared.
Of course, Kusagakure had its own medical-nin, they just weren't very skilled and had foul tempers.
At the same time, Ryuko's clan had quite a few medical-nin. Although their skills couldn't compare to those of the five great villages, they had their own secret techniques.
[Ryu-Mei Tensei no Jutsu]: To transfer one's own life force to another at the cost of their own life.
It was in no way inferior to the [Kisho Tensei] created by Sunagakure's advisor, Chiyo.
As for what came next...
That would be the Land of Grass's defense, construction, and the livelihood of its people.
"I can feel that the Second Great Ninja War is coming to an end! A period of peace, not a short one, is sure to follow! But we don't know when war will break out again!" Kusa Hikaru looked at everyone with a serious expression. "To avoid being destroyed again, our Kusagakure must become strong as soon as possible!
"Remember, truth is only found within the power of ninjutsu, and dignity only on the edge of a kunai!"
"Five years! We must establish a solid foundation within the first five years and set up the entire framework! If you need money, come to me! No matter how much, as long as it's necessary, I will provide it! You just have to get the job done!"
At his words.
Everyone immediately nodded and accepted their orders.
Although they lacked integrity, they also hoped for Kusagakure to become strong. Or rather… if Kusagakure were strong enough, why would they need to be so shameless?
After delegating all the tasks, he left the meeting room with Kana, who seemed to want to say something and kept her head lowered.
Once they were a good distance away.
"Lord Hikaru!" Kana hesitated for a moment, but still leaned in close to Hikaru's ear, covering one side with her hand as she whispered, "We're running out of money!"
As his assistant, she was very clear about the Land of Grass's financial situation.
But no matter what, Hikaru had just made a bold promise. If she had exposed him in front of everyone, how embarrassing would that have been for him!
As she spoke.
Sure enough...
Kusa Hikaru's eyelid twitched slightly. He also remembered... the Land of Grass was running out of money.
The Land of Grass was a small country to begin with. Not to mention it had just started rebuilding, even in the past... not many people came to commission missions. It was basically in a state where expenditures exceeded income.
The only reason they had any money to maintain the village was by secretly selling intelligence on the three great nations.
Speaking of which.
The ninja of the Land of Grass were quite capable, to be able to gather confidential intelligence while being surrounded by two great nations, and... to have the guts to sell it to enemy villages!
Thinking about it... it wasn't surprising that they got destroyed.
They were practically courting death!
"Forget it! I'll figure out the money situation!" Kusa Hikaru sighed and waved his hand.
If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have made such a grand promise. He should have just said, "The Land of Grass is currently in a difficult period, but our ultimate goal has not changed. I believe everyone can overcome these difficulties on their own, solve the problems, and carry forward the spirit of the Land of Grass, unafraid of hardship and poverty!"
It's normal to have some difficulties in the early stages of nation-building.
However.
Kana hesitated again, "Hikaru, is there anything I can do to help?"
"It's fine! Not a big problem!" Kusa Hikaru shook his head and said with a serious face, "It just means pulling a few more all-nighters, that's all!"
The Land of Grass was short on money, but it was only so big. The amount of money needed for construction wouldn't be that much for the time being.
With that, as if not wanting to talk about these troubles anymore, Kusa Hikaru began to stroll through the Land of Grass with Kana.
Because of the reconstruction... the country was still desolate, with everyone immersed in the work of building.
Just then.
As Kusa Hikaru was marveling at the thriving scene of reconstruction, an old man ran over.
"Lord Hikaru!"
Seeing his guards about to stop the man, Hikaru waved his hand dismissively and said, "It's fine!"
Then.
He looked at the old man with a smile.
Just by looking at his age, one could tell... this elder had probably lived through the history of the Land of Grass's destruction and reconstruction.
Speaking of which.
After the Land of Grass was destroyed, the country fell into chaos. Countless so-called warlords and bandits occupied small plots of land and fought amongst themselves.
It was quite ridiculous.
You could take two or three steps and be in another person's territory. At that time, Ryuko and Mujina were also among these warlords.
But he was the one who ended the chaos and re-established order in the Land of Grass. Therefore, his reputation in the country was at an all-time high.
Comparable to the God of Shinobi in Konoha back in the day.
He looked at the old man and said with a smile, "Is there something you need?"
"Well, this old man..." Seeming a bit embarrassed, the old man scratched his head, glanced at the others who were afraid to approach, and finally, gritting his teeth, he shouted to a middle-aged, rough-looking man holding a child not far away, "Come over here!"
Then.
The rough-looking man also braced himself and walked over, his legs trembling slightly as he said, "Lord Hikaru, I-I-I... my father just hopes that you could give my child a name!"
He stammered as he spoke.
"If-if it's not possible, we'll leave! We're sorry for disturbing you, my lord!"
Saying so, he lowered his head as if about to leave.
"Wait a moment!" Hikaru stopped him, looking at the child in his arms.
A rosy, cute little baby.
"Born not long ago?"
"Ye-yes-yes!" the man said excitedly. "Born the day after Lord Hikaru returned! I'm so grateful to you, my lord, I-I..."
"No need to say more, I understand," Hikaru stopped him and said with a smile, "What is your name?"
"Kuma!"
"..."
He had almost forgotten.
Commoners didn't have surnames and were given all sorts of strange names.
Kusa Hikaru fell silent for a moment, glancing at the child...
"The reconstruction of the Land of Grass represents a new nation and a new era! Everything from the past will begin anew! The Land of Grass is about to enter a period of rapid development, and your child was born on the second day of this new nation. In that case..."
"Why not call him Kenkoku!"
He said it with absolute conviction. "It represents the rebuilding of our nation, and that the Land of Grass will now enter a new era!"
At his words.
Everyone was stunned for a moment, then praised in unison, "What a great name! As expected of our leader!"
(End of Chapter)