Fugaku looked at the old-timers before him. They were men forged in the fires of conflict. Most had fought in the Third Shinobi World War, and a few of the eldest had even survived the Second. To them, war was a part of life; the prospect of facing an enemy on the battlefield held no terror.
What truly worried them, however, was Konoha's current political landscape. The newly inaugurated Fourth Hokage was still too young, and they couldn't help but harbor a sense of unease.
The Uchiha clan's loyalty to Konoha was bone-deep. To them, the village was far more than a mere settlement; it was their home, their roots. Within the hearts of the Uchiha, there existed an indescribable sense of belonging. If Konoha was in trouble, the clan wouldn't mind shedding a little blood to sustain it. These elders had long since reached that realization—especially after the decline of the Senju clan.
Meanwhile, Hiruko had already arranged his plans down to the last detail. As soon as the authorization came from above, he immediately broke ground, establishing salt evaporation ponds and processing facilities. With the abilities of shinobi combined with the "black technology" Hiruko provided, clearing land and building factories was child's play. He even managed to produce modern cement.
In just one month, a massive, modern salt plant rose near Konoha. The workers employed were, by design, ordinary civilians rather than shinobi. Building this factory was a calculated move by Hiruko—a social experiment. It was the first step in Konoha's transition away from the Daimyo's control and away from the cycle of senseless slaughter and foolish wars.
He wanted to see if this distorted world would change because of him. He wanted to be the architect of its transformation. In the Shinobi World, no matter how much technology or society advanced, any progress was eventually weaponized for killing. Rather than letting that happen, Hiruko would be the one to lead them toward a new world.
Once Minato Namikaze's orders were issued, the entire upper echelon of Konoha swung into action, contacting the Land of Fire nobles associated with their respective clans.
In the afternoon, Hiruko set out for Nonō's orphanage. Unlike the children who grew up within those walls, Hiruko had been brought back by Mito Uzumaki to be raised in her own home. After a period of upbringing, he was handed over to the care of the Third Hokage. However, Hiruko had later committed the most grievous mistake of his life—the very reason Mito Uzumaki had always looked upon him with coldness. She knew the darkness and arrogance that filled his heart.
But...
Hiruko shook his head, dispersing the stray thoughts.
In the distance, Nonō was already rushing toward him, greeting him warmly. "Lord Hiruko, please, come in!" With that, she took his arm and led him into the orphanage.
Years of continuous war had caused the number of children in the orphanage to skyrocket. Consequently, their budget was stretched to the breaking point; multiple applications to the village had vanished like stones dropped into the ocean.
Entering the facility, Hiruko scrutinized the environment. Despite the harsh conditions, the children were huddled together—some playing games in the rooms, others chasing each other in the yard.
"The number of children has nearly doubled compared to previous years. The housing situation is becoming unsustainable," Nonō said seriously. "We've submitted numerous requests to the village, but perhaps due to the war, we've never received a response. My staff and I tried to raise funds from local merchants, but it's just a drop in the bucket."
Hiruko nodded, then spoke slowly. "I can allocate a portion of the funds from the Academy of Sciences to maintain the orphanage's operations."
Nonō's eyes lit up with surprise and joy. "Really? Thank you so much, my Lord!" She bowed repeatedly to Hiruko, her fair face flushed with gratitude. As she moved, her generous proportions shifted—a gesture of profound politeness.
Hiruko continued, "However, my help comes with a price. I intend to select a portion of these children to be trained as my assistants."
Nonō looked at him in terror, her voice cracking. "Is it... the same training method as Root?"
Hiruko shook his head and explained, "No. But it will be a force loyal specifically to me, and you will be the one responsible for teaching them." He went on to elaborate on his plan. "I want to turn these orphans into my strength and instill my ideology in them. The Shinobi World needs reform, and the ideology of peace needs to be spread far and wide."
And their "Mother," Nonō, would be one of the levers Hiruko used to control them. It was far easier to control one person than a crowd; to disseminate an ideology, starting with their maternal figure was the most direct path.
Nonō lowered her head, her heart a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She hesitated before asking, "Lord Hiruko, could you possibly..."
She trailed off. Clearly, she didn't want the children to become mere tools; she had likely misunderstood Hiruko's intent, assuming he wanted to raise expendable shadow-soldiers.
Hiruko's gaze drifted over her, his peripheral vision catching the slight rise and fall of her chest. He was a bit taller than her, and while her loose-fitting work uniform should have hidden everything, the fabric occasionally clung to her frame, revealing the bound curves beneath. In Konoha, perhaps only Tsunade's legendary figure—or the future growth of the Hyuga heiress—could compare. But Nonō was different; her fullness was hidden beneath a gentle demeanor. She was like a saint—prim and holy on the surface, but burning with hidden intensity beneath.
"The orphanage will have sufficient funding," Hiruko said, his voice dropping a register. "And it will have a... professional new director. Of course, those are the conditions."
With that, the two began their date.
The time they spent alone stretched on. At first, it was just the touching of fingertips. Later, his palm came to rest on the small of her back. Amidst the soft rustle of fabric, her breathing grew noticeably erratic. The intimate testing gradually turned into a mutual indulgence. When his finger brushed against her lips, she didn't even pull away—she simply gave a light, playful nip, a response far more direct than words.
A pleasant date unfolded. As they walked past Konoha's Ichiraku Ramen, Hiruko stopped for a bowl. The taste was merely average, but it carried a certain sense of warmth.
Then, he headed toward the Konoha Women's Bathhouse to take a look...
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The titles of two chapters!(🔥Spoiler🔥)
Chapter 26: Exquisite
Chapter 27: Taking Away Their Livelihood