Technology is the primary productive force.
This principle had proven true not only in Uchiha Su's past life but also in the present Ninja World.
For any ninja village or country aiming for rapid development, mastering technology was not optional—it was essential. Without it, stagnation was inevitable, and no amount of brute force or skilled ninjas could compensate for a lack of progress.
With ten days remaining before he had to depart for the capital of the Land of Water to attend the Daimyo's succession ceremony, Uchiha Su strolled through the Hidden Mist Village, lost in thought.
He paused in front of a utility pole, letting his gaze trace the wires and insulators. Electricity existed in the Ninja World, of that there was no doubt. Utility poles were scarce on the streets of the Hidden Mist Village, but they did exist. Only a handful of homes and institutions currently had electric lights installed.
This was understandable; the era was Konoha Year 20, not Year 40. Technology was emerging, but it had not yet penetrated every household. The Hidden Mist Village was on the path of development, yet it had barely begun to integrate modern infrastructure.
Uchiha Su continued walking along the path. A tall, metal antenna caught his eye. Its presence sent a ripple of confusion through him. Signals, broadcasts… Was this truly consistent with the era? He shook off the thought. There was no reason for him to linger on speculation.
Eventually, he arrived at the house with the antenna. Standing before the door, he knocked lightly and said, "Excuse me."
Moments later, the door opened, revealing a young man who nearly jumped back in surprise. His eyes widened, and for a brief moment, his excitement was almost tangible.
"Lord Su! I didn't expect to see you at my doorstep. Am I dreaming?"
Uchiha Su's gaze traveled over the young man's attire: a standard ninja headband, a light-gray vest that was somewhat thick, and an unremarkable, average build.
Ah, a Chunin.
Genin wore simple headbands, Chunin wore vests like this one, and Jonin had the freedom to dress more casually—personal choice was a mark of rank and prestige.
"To be a Chunin at such a young age… your future is promising," Uchiha Su said with a warm smile. He regarded the boy with a mixture of curiosity and encouragement before asking, "I don't know your name. I apologize for intruding abruptly, and I hope you don't mind."
"I am Sakanaka Ryosuke. My father, Sakanaka Nobunaga, is a Genin in the Engineering Department. Before Lord Su took control of the Village, our family lived in poverty, but now… now we are living much better," the young man said earnestly.
He stepped aside and gestured for Uchiha Su to enter. Once inside, he poured a cup of tea and handed it to his guest with a shy smile.
"Lord Su… this tea isn't very good, I'm afraid," he admitted, almost apologetically.
Uchiha Su lifted the cup, taking a careful sip. A faint smile appeared on his face.
"It's perfectly fine. Actually, the tea tastes quite good. Thank you, Sakanaka-san."
He allowed his gaze to wander across the room. The house had clearly been renovated recently; the improvements were neat but not extravagant. On a small table sat a television—a bulky CRT model, old-fashioned but functional. The antenna outside was clearly its receiver, capturing signals from a distant broadcast station.
Uchiha Su's mind raced. If they had television, it meant radio broadcasts and wireless communications likely existed as well. Radio had been a crucial tool in the Fourth Ninja World War for communication across vast distances. Both radio and television were not merely entertainment—they were instruments for disseminating information, spreading ideas, and influencing society. In time, he could also establish print media—newspapers and bulletins to record major events, broadcast news, and allow merchants to advertise.
"Tell me, Sakanaka-san, how much compensation did you receive after this war?" Uchiha Su asked.
Ryosuke's chest puffed out slightly with pride.
"Lord Su, I was the captain of the Sakanaka squad. Our squad alone captured 963 civilians and brought them back safely. Not a single casualty occurred."
He then mentioned the reward.
"Because of our performance, as captain, I received 500,000 ryo, and each of my three subordinates received 200,000 ryo." He scratched his head sheepishly, smiling. "I used the money to renovate my home and buy a television. My mother loves watching TV, and before, she often had to go to the neighbors' house. Sometimes they even complained. So the first thing I did after receiving my reward was to get a television for her."
Uchiha Su listened quietly, a sense of pride welling within him. This was exactly the kind of result he had hoped for.
Five hundred thousand ryo was standard compensation for an A-rank mission, which generally ranged from 150,000 to 1,000,000 ryo. Considering the reward had been split among four people, it was a substantial sum.
"I am genuinely happy to see you and your family living well," Uchiha Su said sincerely.
Ryosuke's expression softened. "It was Lord Su's arrival that changed everything. Without your leadership, I might have starved to death. Now, our lives are safe, and my family can thrive. The Engineering Department's work on expanding the Village has been invaluable—my father participates enthusiastically. He often tells me I must repay your kindness."
"I only hope that your lives can improve little by little," Uchiha Su said gently. "I hope that one day, every family in this Village will have access to a television, that every child can grow up happy and carefree, that no one will go hungry. I still have many ideas to implement, and I need your help to make them a reality. Together, we will achieve them."
Ryosuke's eyes sparkled with admiration. Uchiha Su's vision was grand but relatable. Unlike lofty goals of military dominance or political power, these ideas were tangible—something a young ninja and his family could understand and support.
"Lord Su," Ryosuke said, voice steady and determined, "please rest assured. Even if I have to die, I will help you achieve this grand ideal."
Uchiha Su had the accompanying Anbu distribute gifts he had instructed them to prepare—simple items like rice, flour, and oil, essentials for every household.
"I… I cannot accept this," Ryosuke began, but Uchiha Su interrupted.
"Accept it. These are necessities. Nothing more."
Ryosuke had no choice but to accept, gratitude shining in his eyes.
Uchiha Su stepped back outside, his mood bright. He gazed across the Hidden Mist Village, bustling with construction and activity. Dust swirled around cranes and scaffolds, sunlight glinting off the freshly built rooftops. The village seemed alive, vibrant as if the rising sun itself had chosen this place to shine.
"If the Hidden Mist is to develop and catch up to other advanced villages," Uchiha Su thought aloud, "we cannot merely follow their path. We must forge a unique route of development—one that reflects the character of this Village."
He reflected on the mistakes of other villages.
"They ignore ordinary Chunin and Genin, treating them as expendable resources for Fire Release or Exploding Tags. But I am different. Every ninja has a role. Even a Genin can contribute meaningfully to the Village's growth."
His eyes softened as he considered the civilians.
"They neglect civilians, believing them useless. Yet civilians are the foundation. Without them, ninjas would starve, and the village itself would crumble. Farmers must cultivate the land, hunters must provide sustenance, fishermen must fish. Every individual contributes to the Village's strength."
Uchiha Su looked toward the Anbu standing quietly nearby. Their expressions were a mixture of respect and confusion. Such words were unusual in a ninja's world, where strength and stealth were often valued above all.
He spoke to the wind, knowing the breeze would carry his intentions far beyond what eyes could see.
"My ideas may be impossible to realize immediately, but I must try. At the very least, I want those who trust me to live better lives."
The wind rustled through the streets of Hidden Mist, whispering among the rising construction dust. Uchiha Su closed his eyes briefly, imagining these words traveling through the Village, reaching its people, spreading outward, and someday—turning into a storm that could sweep across the entire Ninja World.
For the first time, development was not simply about power or conquest. It was about civilization, prosperity, and hope. Hidden Mist Village, under Uchiha Su, was no longer just a stronghold of ninjas—it was becoming a living, breathing community, ready to transform the world.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)