Several days later, the Ame forces had fully returned home, and the village's senior leadership convened for a meeting.
In truth, it was little more than Hanzo's personal council.
"After tallying the compensation from Sunagakure, the war reparations from Konohagakure, and the materials seized from the Land of Earth, the final figures are so large that I honestly don't know how to summarize them verbally," Shenda said as he stood up.
"The full accounts are already in front of everyone—please review them at your leisure."
"Based on preliminary estimates, even after accounting for medical reform, orphanage funding, and civilian relief, these funds alone can sustain Amegakure for ten years."
"That concludes my report."
Around the table, the officials flipped through the documents, eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.
In the past, even selling the entire Rain Village wouldn't have raised this much money.
—
"Next is the issue of territory," Rikuto said, gesturing toward the Shinobi World map hanging at the front of the room.
"The land ceded by the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth has now officially come under our control. All of it is arable land. However, with this expansion, our border defenses must also be completely reorganized."
"The red-marked areas on the map now belong entirely to the Land of Rain. The portion ceded by the Land of Earth is nearly equal to the original size of our country, while the land from the Land of Fire is comparatively insignificant."
"That concludes my report."
After Rikuto sat down, Kan stood up.
—
"During the joint war with Sunagakure against Konohagakure, we suffered two hundred fatalities, three hundred severe injuries, and several hundred light injuries."
"During the invasion of the Land of Earth, nearly eight hundred shinobi were killed during the border breakthrough alone, nearly a thousand were severely injured, and almost everyone else sustained minor wounds."
"Subsequent losses are negligible."
"Following this war, over one-third of Rain shinobi have died. Factoring in delayed deaths and complications, total losses may reach sixty percent. However, our top-tier combat strength remains largely intact."
"That concludes my report."
...
After Kan sat down, a female shinobi rose to her feet.
"I am Ryoko, newly appointed Director of the Medical Division and Head of the Ame Hospital. I will report on recent developments."
"During everyone's expedition, seventy-three medical-nin trainees were cultivated. All have now mastered the basic Mystical Palm Technique and possess foundational surgical capability. Five have advanced further, mastering high-level techniques such as Cell Extraction."
"We have also identified many promising young talents. With proper training, they will become pillars of the village in the future."
"Before leaving, Lady Tsunade of Konohagakure systematically reorganized our medical system. As a result, all departments have seen substantial improvement."
"The hospital has already undergone expansion. All returning wounded shinobi received emergency treatment, and projected mortality among the injured has dropped by at least eighty percent compared to before."
"That concludes my report."
After Ryoko sat down, the masked blonde woman beside her stood.
"I am the acting head of the Amegakure Intelligence Division, codename 'Miko.' My responsibility is the training of intelligence operatives and internal counter-espionage."
"I will first report on the village's situation over the past few months."
"After the main forces departed, the village entered the highest wartime defense level—no entry, no exit. Enemy infiltration was effectively suppressed."
"However, during inspections, I discovered several issues."
"First, long-embedded spies from the Five Great Nations used hidden channels to bring in reinforcements."
"After Lord Hanzo's power was revealed, surveillance by the major nations intensified. At the time, the village had only two hundred shinobi—far too few to handle administration, logistics, and counter-intelligence. Many infiltrators slipped through."
"Second, intelligence personnel training. Lord Hanzo has given me full authority over this. Due to the sensitive nature of selection and identities, I will not elaborate here."
"Lastly, internal purification. I have already identified several spies. Now that manpower has returned, I am confident we can uproot them entirely by following the trail."
"That concludes my report."
---
After the key figures finished speaking, Hanzo stood up.
"The village has reached a critical turning point. Everything must be rebuilt from the ground up."
"I have several ideas. If you see any issues, raise your hand and speak. Don't worry about offending me—face means nothing here."
"Every suggestion you make could shape the future of the Ame."
"The Ame will one day belong to you, not me."
The hesitant expressions around the room made Hanzo sigh.
His presence was simply too overwhelming.
—
"I have made certain projections regarding this Shinobi World War. It will last at least five years."
"These five years are our golden development window."
"Once the Five Great Nations conclude their war, their attention will turn back to us. We have only five years. Within that time, we must establish self-sufficiency."
Hanzo paused, then continued.
Hanzo's Five-Year Plan:
First:
"The Ame will formally withdraw from the current Shinobi World War and exist as a neutral state, focusing entirely on development."
Second:
Education Reform.
"I will personally oversee this. Education is our future. Amegakure's foundation is far too weak."
"Allocate one-tenth of war reparations to schools and education for children under fourteen. Never cut funding here."
"Ame families are poor and cannot guarantee proper nutrition. Talent must not be lost due to hunger."
"All enrolled students will receive full subsidies: three meals a day, provided by the school. Tuition will be completely free."
"Once reconstruction is complete, I will personally serve as the school's first principal and instructor. Until enough teachers are recruited, I will use Shadow Clones."
Third:
Revival of the Land of Rain.
"Not only shinobi, but civilians must be mobilized. For that, we need absolute authority."
"Our daimyo is incompetent—his position exists solely due to bloodline. The nobles contribute nothing and now act as parasites."
"But we cannot act rashly. Under the system established by Hashirama Senju, a shinobi village cannot kill a daimyo without provoking joint retaliation."
"So instead—we will purchase authority through contracts."
"If they accept, fine. If not…"
Hanzo made a slicing motion across his neck.
"In any case, power must transfer peacefully, voluntarily, and be contractually witnessed."
Fourth:
Strategic Reserves (Especially Food).
"The Land of Earth has ceded vast fertile land, but our population is small and inexperienced in farming."
"Fortunately, wartime refugees from Earth Country and nearby minor nations can solve this."
"Recruit experienced farmers. Grant them land in exchange for instruction."
"This solves survival, increases population, and prevents wasted territory."
"Shenda, you'll oversee this."
Then Industrial Development.
"I will personally visit the Takumi Village and the Land of Snow to hire skilled artisans—particularly in ninja tools and rail systems."
"I've heard the Land of Snow is researching chakra armor and plans to establish a ninja village. I'll investigate."
"Within five years, we must establish our own military industry, logistics, and defensive infrastructure."
Now Fifth:
Law and Order.
"For decades, the Ame has suffered oppression. Morality collapsed. The strong preyed on the weak."
"That must end."
"I will establish two institutions: a Security Force, and a Court."
"The Security Force arrests criminals. The Court judges them. All verdicts are public. Records are preserved."
"Hattori Murakami, Kanzō—you're responsible. I will personally draft the legal code."
Sixth:
Disabled Shinobi and Unemployed Civilians.
"Our victory was built on sacrifice."
"Veteran shinobi may teach. Others move into administration."
"Those unable to support themselves will be placed in village-funded care facilities—also providing practice for medical-nin."
"Unemployed civilians will reclaim land."
And Finally...
The Barrier System!
Hanzo produced a scroll.
"This is the sensory barrier technique from the Earth Country daimyo's residence. Expand it to cover the entire Amegakure."
"Miko, you will handle this. The barrier must extend underground and fully enclose the village—like a sealed bowl."
"Cost is irrelevant. Do it properly."
Defense against spies, thieves… and White Zetsu.
—
"Those are the initial objectives. Any additions?"
...
Silence.
At last, Kanzō timidly raised his hand.
"Good. Speak."
"Oh—right. I almost forgot the minor nations."
Hanzo pondered.
"The Land of Rivers has no ninja village. Suna and Konoha already drained it dry—nothing to gain."
"The Land of Grass… there is someone there. Not born yet—but the bloodline exists."
"No rush. Let it be."
"We are neutral now. Any attack against us grants us full justification to retaliate."
"And ways to provoke Grass are plentiful."
"Let the meat grow up."
Hanzo looked around.
"No more questions?"
Silence.
"Then—the Amegakure's First Five-Year Plan begins now."
"Documents will be distributed shortly. Miko, stay. Everyone else—dismissed."
---
After the meeting dispersed, Hanzo turned to the masked woman.
"Apologies for burdening you with so much. But only you can handle this."
"No one has ever trusted a spy this much," she replied, removing her mask—revealing long blonde hair.
"I won't betray that trust."
"So," Yakushi Nono asked, "what's my next assignment?"
"Your networks in other villages still exist, don't they?"
She nodded.
"No dangerous missions. I just need bloodline intelligence from each village."
"You're planning to—"
Hanzo spoke four words.
"The Blood Hunt Project."
------------------------------///
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