The Daimyo's palace had a large, lively courtyard. Warm, flickering torchlight and lanterns illuminated the grounds, making the old stone st
The Daimyo's palace had a large, lively courtyard. Warm, flickering torchlight and lanterns illuminated the grounds, making the old stone statues appear to guard the crowd.
Nobles in their best silks and brocades strolled in the cool night air, their whispered conversations hinting at alliances, trade, and power. Many people held fancy fans and used them to hide a quick smile or a quiet word to a friend.
Everyone looked at one strange boy. Ryu stood there, a figure of striking contrast. He wasn't wearing traditional shinobi clothes or formal robes. Instead, he was wearing a perfectly tailored, modern-cut dark suit that looked more like something you would wear to a modern gala.
His efficient secretary, Kaori, stood gracefully beside him, while the imposing Mukai, a silent declaration of strength, stood at his back. People in the crowd whispered to each other, a blend of wonder at Ryu's unusual clothes and a strong desire to know more about his growing fame.
Dan, Yuki, Tsunade, and Shizune were also present as guests at the event. Masato was also present, having come to temporarily manage the project until they could find a permanent replacement. It was well known that Ryu would be leaving the Land of Rivers soon.
Azuma Kasen, the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers, stepped forward.
"Distinguished nobles, honoured guests!" the Daimyo shouted, proud. "Tonight I have some announcements to make concerning our Land of Rivers and to celebrate some new beginnings."
Daimyo waited and added, "But before that we have some noble work to do. We're not just getting together to celebrate; we're also doing it for a cause that's important to me. I am pleased to say that this big event has become a fundraiser for the orphans in our beloved Land of Rivers!"
"A way to raise money, but with our money instead," one noble grumbled under his breath.
"It's a noble cause," another said with a smirk. "And if Lord Kasen is involved, it will definitely look good on us."
The Daimyo went on, his voice heavy with sadness that drew the crowd's attention. "Many of our orphans are forced to work at a young age to stay alive. This event is a wonderful chance to give them a better future, a chance to go to school, and a life better than yesterday."
Daimyo pointed to open space service points. "Many of these orphans today are helping run this event tonight as kitchen and ground staff. I actually outsourced this entire event to our orphanages in our Land of Rivers so that they may witness this event as well as earn some money, but they are also guests as well as organisers."
Claps could be heard after Daimyo declared it.
The Daimyo proudly declared, pointing his hand towards Ryu and addressing the crowd, "This initiative is an idea I derived from Lord Ryu's wisdom!"
The name "Lord Ryu" rang out in the courtyard, making sure everyone knew how important he was. At first, people were whispering about Ryu's strange clothing, but now they are talking about how amazing it is that someone so young got such an honour.
An older, more traditional noble's face turned into a mask of disapproval, and a muscle in his jaw twitched as he muttered, "A child... a 'Lord'? What is happening to the world?
However, Ryu's reputation for intelligence and wealth tempered the noble's disdain. The other nobles looked at each other in shock, and their eyes showed that they were starting to respect the Daimyo's clear support.
"Such bounty at such a young age," one merchant prince who didn't know the details said to his friend, "What did he do to attract such bounty? He doesn't look too powerful for 30 million… Did he cheat a nobleman of his country to have such a bounty?"
Ryu was the youngest medical apprentice ever, and some whispered about it. Noble guests showed renewed interest. They discussed Ryu's infamy, business, relationships, and wealth in whispers. Businesspeople with good information knew about his solar paint, GameBoy, and new medicine work. While others wondered how powerful and influential this young genius was, standing next to the Daimyo.
After the first announcements, the Daimyo turned to a large, covered display on the side of the stage.
"And now, for the main reason why we are gathered," the Daimyo said, his voice full of excitement: "I am honoured to announce a new project that will change the future of the Land of Rivers!"
The Daimyo pulled the veil back with a dramatic flourish to show a carefully made model of a huge furnace, which stood proudly at its centre. Around it, tiny buildings made up a perfectly round city, with planned districts spreading out like spokes from a wheel.
The model itself was a breathtaking sight. It showed not only the tall buildings that would soon reach the sky but also the complicated rail lines that would run through planned residential areas and the huge, open spaces that would be set aside for future growth.
Surrounding the new city in the model's miniature mountains were small, shiny mirrors strategically positioned to reflect light towards the central furnace. This was the model for the revolutionary 'Sun Furnace' that Ryu came up with.
Then the Daimyo turned to Ryu and bowed his head. "And now, I give the floor to the person who came up with this idea, Lord Ryu!"
Ryu stepped forward, and even though he was young, he had a strong presence. He walked up to the podium and looked at the faces of the nobles who were there, the orphans who were working hard in the background, and the Daimyo himself. His voice, which was clear and serious, filled the courtyard.
"Good evening, everyone," Ryu said, and his tone was so sincere that it broke through the formality. "My first memory of this city isn't of the beautiful scenery, but of a cold bed in a hospital, as I was attacked on my way there."
Ryu paused briefly to allow the weight of his confession to resonate. "That experience, that close call with death, taught me the most. It taught me how fragile life is and how strong we all are when we face challenges. It reminds me how short one life can be. All the wealth in the world is meaningless when confronted with ultimate truth. And what is ultimate truth?"
Ryu waited and then answered, "The ultimate truth is that our time here is limited. And when it ends, we have to leave empty-handed. All the riches and luxury will be left behind."
Ryu's words resonated with most commoners in the room and a few kind nobles, causing them to reflect on their lives and priorities. It was a sobering reminder to live each day with purpose and gratitude, knowing that material possessions hold little value in the grand scheme of things.
Ryu continued and said, "Like the children who worked hard to arrange this event, I was once an orphan."
This revelation came as a surprise to both the orphans and the nobles, who were unaware of Ryu's background.
Ryu continued, "I was lucky enough to be adopted and find a family that believed in me."
Ryu went on, his voice becoming stronger, "Now I wish to make this world a better place for all those who were not fortunate like me. A world where no child has to work, where new ideas make things easier, and where everyone has a chance to do well."
"The furnace you see in front of you and the city that will grow around it are more than just buildings made of steel and stone. They are signs of hope and reminders of what we can do when we work together, invest in our people, and dare to dream beyond what we can see right now."
"And let me be clear: I will be responsible for this central boiler, which is the heart of Ironheart City. And as long as I am in charge, no child, regardless of what their situation is, will have to do dangerous or hard work as part of its operations. But still this project will pump enough money into the economy of this country to make things better for all classes of people, including those who don't have anyone to call a family."
"I have already talked to Lord Daimyo about this, and he has agreed to put in place a full policy to ban child labour in all dangerous and difficult jobs across the Land of Rivers. This will protect the children and give them the chance to get an education and a better future."
Everyone who heard Ryu's heartfelt speech was very moved. Initially, the nobles were sceptical, yet his honesty captivated them. The orphans, who were usually hidden in such big places, listened with wide, hopeful eyes, seeing a reflection of their problems and a promise of a better future.
When Ryu finished his speech, the courtyard erupted in applause. It was a real, heartfelt standing ovation that went beyond what was expected. Ryu's eyes wandered to a quiet part of the open area in the middle of the noise.
A young boy was communicating with a girl using hand signals, which caught Ryu's eye right away. They were hidden away from the main crowd. A new possible recruit, maybe even two, had just been found.
A/N:
Please support me on P@treon.
A few free chapters for everyone are available to read on p@treon. com/PageTurnerPJ.
Your support is what gets this story going, so please like share and review the story and add it to your library.