Spring turned to autumn, and the seasons cycled. In a flash, three seemingly long years passed.
Tobirama, as the Hokage, proved to be quite capable. Over these three years, he firmly stabilized the ominous signs of war, allowing Konohagakure to enjoy another three years of peace.
The entire Konohagakure also underwent significant changes during these three years. The most notable change was that Konohagakure as a whole had gotten back on track. In Hibari's view, most of the essential facilities and policies that should exist in the future had already been enacted. There might still be some minor omissions, but those were small matters that could be addressed when needed.
The Land of Fire also saw great changes in these three years. Firstly, the Mitsumine Group, jointly established by Hibari, Hiruzen, and Hitenn, developed smoothly within the Land of Fire.
However, this was just the beginning. Although three years of 'unbridled growth' had brought the Mitsumine Group a large amount of wealth, it hadn't yet grown into a true behemoth and its influence on the Land of Fire wasn't that significant. As for the entire world, its impact was even more negligible. There was still a long way to go in the future.
But for the Senju clan, Sarutobi clan, and Hyūga clan, the Mitsumine Group's influence was substantial. Why? Because these three families had gained immense wealth from the Mitsumine Group.
The Hyūga clan had completely overcome its previous financial difficulties and could now be described as truly wealthy, walking with their backs straight and proud.
As for the Sarutobi clan, leveraging its alliance with the Senju clan and Hyūga clan, its status in Konohagakure rose another notch. If there were other clans like the Ino–Shika–Chō that were once on par with the Sarutobi clan as prominent shinobi clans, now the Sarutobi clan was truly the strongest clan, second only to the Senju clan, Uchiha clan, and Hyūga clan. All other clans were slightly inferior to the Sarutobi clan, and some people had even started calling them the Fourth Great Clan.
However, they still lacked in foundational depth, and the number of clan members also required a certain accumulation. This wasn't something that could be gained through sudden wealth; it needed long-term cultivation and the efforts of several generations to compensate for.
Compared to the Hyūga clan and Sarutobi clan, the Senju clan had been even more low-key these past two years. Firstly, the number of registered shinobi from the Senju clan in Konoha had not increased with their growing wealth; instead, it had been decreasing year by year. Many clan members had also followed Hashirama to the capital city to participate in the political affairs of the Land of Fire.
Therefore, if one were to be precise, the Senju clan's shinobi influence in Konohagakure had actually decreased significantly.
If it weren't for Tobirama being the Hokage and Hibari being the Anbu Deputy Commander holding down the fort, they truly wouldn't have many powerful individuals to display. They certainly couldn't compare to the Uchiha clan and Hyūga clan.
But this was only one aspect. If viewed from the perspective of the entire Land of Fire, the Senju clan's influence had actually greatly increased.
The Land of Fire was vast, and besides Konohagakure and the capital city where the Daimyō resided, there were actually many other cities, large and small, such as the various towns where Tsunade would later frequent. These were all city names.
Hibari heard that two of his well-connected uncles had already become lords of certain towns, and he also heard that Hashirama had recently planned to establish a new town in a geographically favorable location. In any case, the Senju clan was now actively operating throughout the Land of Fire.
The Mitsumine Group had many enterprises in Konohagakure, the largest of which was a military factory established three years ago in the eastern part of Konoha village.
With increased investment and production capacity, its footprint continuously swallowed up the surrounding areas. It had now become the largest complex of buildings in Konohagakure, looking even more impressive than the Hokage Residence.
In addition, not far from the military factory, there was also the Mitsumine Group's large merchant guild. Its footprint was also very large, and the area in front of its gates was bustling with crowds of people. The cold winter felt non-existent there; instead, there was a sense of warmth.
Merchants from all over the Land of Fire used to gather in the capital city, but now they all flocked to Konohagakure to congregate. Every time they came, they would first check the market conditions at the guild's entrance.
If you ask why, it's because the Mitsumine Group's merchant guild travels between various countries, from the Five Great Nations down to small countries like the Land of Waves.
The Mitsumine Group's merchant caravans have business dealings with all of them, always bringing back enormous wealth and goods. Therefore, within the entire Land of Fire, Konohagakure's commerce was the most developed, with the largest number of goods. Basically, any famous product you could name could be found for sale there.
When the Mitsumine Merchant Guild's large caravans returned, they would sell the specialty goods they bought from other countries to various merchants in the Land of Fire within Konohagakure, and then these goods would be distributed throughout the entire Land of Fire through their hands.
At the entrance of the Mitsumine Military Industry factory, a man who looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old was wearing a seemingly very expensive off-white mink coat, black cowhide military boots covering his calves, and a silver-white fox fur hat. He was walking and talking to a man beside him who looked like a secretary.
That's right, this man was Hibari, after three years of growth. It's unclear if it was because he made a lot of money and his diet improved, or if his life force as a 'Human-Human Fruit' user was too vigorous. In any case, after three years of training and growth, although Hibari's actual age was still under fifteen, he looked completely like a young adult, with less of his former childishness and more of a steady demeanor on his face.
Thanks to the excellent family genes of the Senju clan, although Hibari had grown much taller, he hadn't grown oddly. His facial features looked very balanced and fitting. While he wasn't the kind of person who looked instantly handsome, if you looked at him often, you would find him more and more attractive.
"At the group meeting earlier, Hiruzen and Hitenn and I reached a consensus. We all believe that since both the military industry and the merchant guild are on track, and we've stabilized our foundation, and at the same time, we have a large amount of capital in hand, it's time to delve into other industries," Hibari said as he walked, speaking to the secretary beside him.
This secretary was a member of the Hyūga clan's Branch House named Hitoku Hyūga. Hibari thought highly of him and specifically asked Hitenn to assign him as his secretary.
Of course, perhaps out of a tacit understanding between the three families, Hitenn's secretary in the Mitsumine Group was requested from Hiruzen, and Hiruzen's secretary was a member of the Senju clan.
It was as if all three of them consciously found themselves a 'supervisor,' to avoid any unpleasant situations if their subordinates messed up and they couldn't explain themselves clearly. Since they didn't plan on doing anything shady anyway, this approach was more reassuring. So, none of them brought it up, but none opposed it either.
"Hibari-dono, are we going to follow the original plan and start moving from the timber industry into the infrastructure and real estate industries?" Hitoku quickly asked after hearing Hibari's words.
"Not yet. The tension between countries is clearly increasing. We've recently started reducing the number of merchant caravans precisely because war could break out at any time. I heard from the leader who just returned from the Land of Water that the Land of Water and the Land of Earth have already had several fatal incidents on their borders. Alas, be prepared. We'll undoubtedly have to go to the battlefield when the time comes," Hibari said with a sigh.
He paused for a moment, then continued, "Therefore, entering these industries now would just be asking for trouble. What's the point of building so many houses if people might not even survive? To let the enemy burn them down? In my opinion, the best time to enter this industry is after the war ends, after we win. That's when we'll build houses for everyone to live in."
"Then, Hibari-dono, what's our next direction for development?" Hitoku thought for a moment, finding Hibari's reasoning sound, and asked again.
"I had someone handle affairs in the capital city. The permits for those two iron mines in the northern Land of Fire... should have come through, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Prepare to establish the Mitsumine Group's Mining Department. Once the war starts, Mitsumine Military Industry will certainly need to provide support for the front lines. If we don't have iron then, how can we make weapons for everyone?" Hibari said with a smile.
Hitoku also smiled and said, "That's certainly true. Alright, Hibari-dono, I'll go arrange it right away."
"Hmm, also, divide this month's profits. Still the old rule, four-three-three," Hibari nodded and said.
The profit distribution ratio he, Hiruzen, and Hitenn finally agreed upon was this 'four-three-three': the Senju clan takes forty percent, and the other two families each take thirty percent. Everyone agreed, and profits were distributed according to this ratio every month.
At this point, Hibari had already walked from the inner courtyard to the main entrance of Mitsumine Military Industry. Looking at the snow on the street, Hibari breathed out a puff of cold air and rubbed his hands, saying, "Judging by the time, the First Hokage should be back from the capital city by now, right? Even with this heavy snow, he's been traveling for four days..."
"Oh, right," Hitoku seemed to have thought of something as well, and said with a chuckle, "Congratulations, Hibari-dono!"
"Congratulations for what? It hasn't even been born yet! Besides, it's not my wife having the baby, so why are you telling me this? When you have time, come to the house yourself to offer congratulations," Hibari said with a laugh, teasing him a bit.
"No matter what, it's still your younger sibling, Hibari-dono. It's always good to express good wishes," Hitoku said with a smile.
Then Hibari bid farewell to the man and walked alone through the snow on the ground, heading toward the direction of the Senju clan's main residence.
That's right, there was good news coming for the Senju clan soon. Another new member was about to be added to the third generation of Senju, alongside Hibari and Tsunade. The baby was due in the next two days, which was why Hashirama was rushing back from the capital city through the heavy snow.
"A younger sibling... huh? What a troublesome creature. How great would it be if it were another younger sister? Tsunade has grown up too; she doesn't cling to me like she used to... It's truly heartbreaking, hahahaha," Hibari chuckled to himself as he walked.
At the same time, at the main gate of Konohagakure, a grand-looking convoy of carriages slowly came to a halt. The family crest emblazoned on the carriages was that of the Senju clan.
The shinobi guarding the village gate watched this scene with great respect, then, as the person from the carriage stepped down, they uniformly saluted, "First Hokage-sama!"
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