"Hoo… hoo…"
Under the crimson glow of the setting sun, a lone figure moved tirelessly across the training ground. His sword flashed again and again, cutting through the air as sweat rolled down his cheeks in heavy beads.
With a final motion, Shisui sheathed his blade. He retrieved a handkerchief from his storage space and casually wiped his face.
Ever since Naruto had entered seclusion, Shisui had trained like this every single day—pushing himself until dusk.
Evenings, however, were reserved for handling affairs.
At that moment, a young man approached, holding several documents that looked like official reports.
"I won't look at these today," Shisui said calmly. "Walk with me, Aoki."
Though his face showed clear exhaustion, his eyes shone with a steady, resolute light.
An invisible aura of authority naturally radiated from him.
The young man was named Sagawa Aoki. Careful, meticulous, and exceptionally capable, he had been personally selected by Shisui to serve as his secretary—much like Chōjūrō, but with even greater potential.
Aoki had risen through strict screening within Umbrella. To stand out among so many candidates, both his character and ability were unquestionable.
"Yes, Lord Shisui."
Aoki bowed respectfully.
Dressed in a green robe, his youthful face carried a refined handsomeness. Though only fifteen, he had already reached the level of a jōnin. His natural leadership talent was something Shisui valued greatly.
More importantly, Aoki came from a completely clean background. Rising from obscurity, he understood better than anyone what Umbrella had truly brought to the Ninja World.
"Aoki, I've told you before—there's no need to be so formal," Shisui said with a faint smile. "If you want, you can call me Big Brother Shisui."
Shisui sounded slightly helpless, yet deeply satisfied.
"Lord Shisui," Aoki replied seriously, "you once said that a leader must not show emotions openly, and must maintain authority before subordinates to earn their trust."
His expression did not change, but a spark of excitement flickered in his eyes.
He's still just a youth… Shisui thought, noticing that fleeting joy.
Shisui smiled, said nothing more, and continued walking.
Aoki followed closely behind, silent, his gaze filled with admiration.
I will become someone like Lord Shisui.
I will spread Umbrella's ideals.
I will become an assistant worthy of Lord Naruto.
Within Umbrella, many aspired to stand beside Shisui—but Naruto was different.
Naruto had already been mythologized.
No one believed they could ever reach his height. To the people, Naruto was no longer just a man—he was a pillar, a symbol, a faith.
As they walked on, Shisui gradually left the core of the Snow Capital and entered the surrounding countryside.
Under the fading sunlight, scattered groups of people could still be seen working the fields.
The rumble of machinery echoed through the plains.
Farmers no longer relied on livestock to plow the land, nor did they hire ninja for such work. Instead, machines had taken over.
In the past, only wealthy landlords or large landowners could afford to hire ninja. Small farmers barely met their own needs—and still had to pay heavy taxes.
Now, everything was different.
After Naruto unified the Five Great Nations, the first thing he did was abolish the nobility. Land was redistributed to the common people, and with the introduction of high-yield crops, taxes were drastically reduced.
The Ninja World was changing at a breathtaking pace.
Schools were built. Roads stretched across the land.
Previously, ninja survived by completing missions. Now, they could earn vast sums by constructing roads, buildings, and infrastructure.
With a single ninjutsu, a ninja could extend a road dozens of meters—something utterly unthinkable in Naruto's previous life. A skilled ninja could complete several kilometers in a single day.
Because of this, ninja rarely lacked money.
Naruto also introduced a new system: many ninjutsu could now be purchased directly with money. Only rare or high-level techniques required contribution points. Ordinary ninjutsu were open to all ninja.
Money flowed quickly—but it was spent just as fast.
Buying a house cost money.
Buying a car cost money.
Weapons cost money.
Want to live in a reinforced concrete building? Then work harder.
The low-rise homes of the past were replaced by towering skyscrapers. This conserved land while generating enormous revenue.
In truth, Naruto had become the greatest real estate developer the Ninja World had ever seen.
And these changes… were only the beginning.
However, due to the unique nature of the Ninja World, every house was equipped with corresponding barrier seals to prevent disturbances from the outside.
Naturally, such residences were more expensive.
In Naruto's view, money only truly promoted prosperity when it continued to circulate.
It could be said that the overall strength of ninja had increased dramatically. As a result, ninjutsu research had entered an unprecedented period of prosperity.
Some people even specialized entirely in developing new ninjutsu or combination techniques, exchanging them for contribution points and money.
Shisui slowly swept his gaze across the surrounding scenery, a satisfied smile unconsciously appearing on his face.
In the past, most people engaged in farming were sallow and thin, worn down by hardship. Now, however, their faces were healthy and spirited, filled with vitality.
This sight made Shisui deeply content.
"I once thought that peace simply meant the absence of war," Shisui said softly. "But even then, countless tragedies still happened in places no one could see."
He paused, his voice firm.
"This… is true peace."
"Yes, Lord Shisui," Aoki replied with emotion. "I used to think that being able to eat my fill was already happiness. But after joining Umbrella, I finally understood what happiness truly is."
"It is you, and Lord Naruto, who brought hope and salvation to this world."
Aoki understood this better than anyone.
He had been born a commoner. As a child, his greatest worries were food and survival. His parents lived in constant fear of ninja wars. When he was young, he didn't understand—but by the age of eight or nine, he had already begun to glimpse the cruelty of the Ninja World.
Ordinary people had always been the most tragic victims.
But Umbrella changed everything.
Lord Naruto introduced new ideas and new technologies, allowing commoners like him to attend school—and even stand out among countless others.
More importantly, Naruto protected the civilians under his rule, shielding them from bandits and rogue ninja alike.
"Even if it costs me my life," Shisui said calmly as he gazed upon the mountains and rivers before him, "I will protect all of this."
Though his tone was steady, the determination within it was unmistakable.
Lord Shisui…
I will protect this world as well.
By my honor—by my life.
In the distance, change continued relentlessly. High-rise buildings rose from the ground, and wide, flat roads stretched ever onward.
And across the Ninja World, the number of smiling faces only continued to grow.
(End of Chapter)
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