After some leveling, the command tent was set up here.
As for the cleanup?
They simply used Earth Release to handle it.
However, no one used jutsu to build a fortress.
Before crossing over, Uchiha Takashi didn't understand why.
With ninjas possessing such extraordinary abilities, how could the productivity of the ninja world be so backward?
It was only after crossing over that he understood.
A ninja's chakra is derived from extracting cellular energy.
In short, using chakra is akin to burning one's life force.
Therefore, aside from combat, who would dare to recklessly use chakra?
Now, at Kikyo Mountain, caravans are bringing in materials and rebuilding the fortress, making the place bustling with activity.
Inside the main tent!
The setup was similar to before, with a map on the side and only one table and chair.
After all, there were only about a dozen Jonin, and they could easily stand around.
Uchiha Takashi made his entrance last.
It wasn't that he intentionally came late; it was just that by the time Honda went to inform him, the others had already arrived.
From the number of Jonin, one could see the difference between Jonin and Chunin or Genin.
A Jonin dying on the battlefield was rare unless they encountered a Kage-level opponent or an elite Jonin with secret techniques.
Their survival skills were too strong!
Even in the brutal Taiichi battle, only a few unfortunate Jonin from Konoha died, while the Sand Ninja Taiichi army lost just over ten Jonin, with only one elite Jonin dead, and that was an Iwa ninja.
Before crossing over, he underestimated Jonin, thinking only Genin could save the world.
But after coming to the ninja world, he realized the special status of Jonin wasn't without reason.
They were indeed strong! "Uchiha Takashi Taiichi, this is an order from the village!"
The messenger ninja respectfully handed over the scroll with the order.
Official orders always came with written documents; it wasn't just about what someone said.
Orders like those from the Root, which impersonated the Hokage's command, were considered 'private' orders, not 'Konoha Village' orders.
Uchiha Takashi formed hand seals to unseal the scroll.
There were many words on it, but the key content was just one thing.
Konoha had formed a new special unit to 'assist' him in driving away the Sand Ninja Taiichi army, and he was to cooperate with their actions.
No matter how he looked at it, Uchiha Takashi saw only two words.
Be a dog!
They wanted him to lead the southwestern ninja army to act as subordinates for this new ninja unit.
Fortunately, the conditions he had set earlier included restrictions to prevent the village from interfering with the southwestern ninja army. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a 'newly formed ninja unit,' but rather meddling directly with the southwestern ninja army.
"Taiichi?"
Nara Shikaku noticed the dangerous aura emanating from Uchiha Takashi and softly called out.
This was a reminder that this wasn't a private setting but a 'public occasion.'
"Mm, you all take a look too!"
Uchiha Takashi put down the scroll, indicating for the others to pick it up and read.
After picking up the official order from the village, Nara Shikaku's heart sank.
Not good!
With his intelligence, he could clearly see what this order meant.
The village's actions were too blatant! By forming such a ninja unit, they were essentially dividing the power of the southwestern ninja army.
If that was all, it might have been tolerable, but they also wanted the southwestern ninja army to cooperate, which was basically stepping all over them, leaving them powerless. No wonder there was such an aura earlier.
Silently passing the scroll to the others, Nara Shikaku pondered how to remedy the situation.
He couldn't just ignore it.
Because this ninja unit involved the Ino-Shika-Cho trio's interests.
At this moment, he regretted not returning to the village with Danzo Shimura and the other three elders earlier.
Had he been there, he would have stopped it, or at least ensured it wasn't so blatant.
After reading it, everyone fell silent.
To become a Jonin, unless they were exceptionally skilled or well-connected, their intelligence couldn't be low. Naturally, they could see the underlying message of this order.
But since the village had decided, they had no choice but to comply.
Uchiha Takashi observed the reactions of the Jonin and said casually, "It seems the village knows we're currently lacking in strength, so they specially formed a unit to help alleviate our burden. I'll leave this matter to you!"
He was genuinely pleased.
Because there was more drama to watch.
Did they think the Sand Ninja were easy targets for anyone to bully? But even if he wanted to watch the drama, it didn't mean he would assist them.
So he directly stated that he would leave the task to them, which also implied one thing.
He wouldn't participate! Did they think he, as the commander, had no temper?
He wanted to watch the drama and use this matter for some bargaining, otherwise, he would have shown them some resistance.
"Taiichi..."
Just as Inoichi Yamanaka was about to say something, his friend beside him stopped him with a look. It was already quite generous of them to agree to the order, and now you want them to personally play babysitter? Isn't that taking a Kage-level powerhouse too lightly?
If it were Orochimaru, Inoichi Yamanaka would definitely keep silent.
But with Uchiha Takashi being so young, even after witnessing his terrifying strength, there was still a subconscious tendency to underestimate him.
Thus, the order was officially approved.
Next up were the military affairs of the ninja.
However, not all Jonin needed to be present for these matters.
"Taiichi, these are the procurement lists that need your signature, and also..."
Nara Shikaku handed over several documents.
Some matters required the signature of the commander-in-chief.
"I think there are too few business partners for the ninja forces. Shouldn't we add another one...?"
Uchiha Takashi looked at the procurement list in his hand. The listed business partners were all from the Hokage faction and various ninja clans, so he spoke up.
He didn't beat around the bush; he was straightforward.
"The Honda Trading Company has a good reputation. What do you think about listing them as a supplier, Uchiha Takashi?"
Being a smart person, Nara Shikaku naturally knew about Uchiha Takashi's relationship with the chubby Honda, so he mentioned the company behind him.
"Since you, Shikaku Nara, have mentioned it, let's add them!"
Uchiha Takashi nodded, 'listening to advice.'
Hmm, this feeling of having it both ways is nice. No wonder those managers and supervisors before my transmigration liked to play this game.
"By the way, if I want to build an orphanage, would the village have any objections?"
After settling his friend's matter, Uchiha Takashi brought up the main issue.
An orphanage! It could be a powerful tool.
Many of Konoha's civilian ninjas came from orphanages, brainwashed from a young age to be deeply loyal to the 'Will of Fire,' with their loyalty maxed out.
So the orphanage itself was a 'talent training base.'
Don't be fooled by Uchiha Takashi's current stable position as commander-in-chief.
He was well aware that it was because he was working for Konoha.
If one day he clashed with Konoha, they would stab him in the back without hesitation.
Just like Orochimaru! Despite being one of the legendary Sannin with countless achievements, when the village decided to settle accounts, he had to flee alone.
With this example, Uchiha Takashi wouldn't value his position too highly, even as commander-in-chief.
He was in it for the money and resources.
Of course, watching the drama unfold was another reason.
"No, except for the village, no one is allowed to set up an orphanage in the Land of Fire!"
Nara Shikaku answered without hesitation.
Did you think the village leaders were fools?
They knew the value of orphanages all too well.
Otherwise, in this harsh and impoverished ninja world, how could they afford to adopt so many orphans when they could barely feed themselves?
The various ninja clans also understood the benefits of orphanages, but at most, they adopted some ninja descendants. No one set up an orphanage.
Because that would be like engraving the word 'rebellion' on their foreheads. Even the Root didn't dare to be so bold, let alone the various ninja clans.
"…"
Uchiha Takashi pondered.
He finally understood why, despite the obvious benefits of orphanages, the various ninja clans acted as if they were unaware.
It wasn't that they didn't want to establish them; they simply couldn't.
However, instead of being disappointed, he continued:
"I have a 'slight' talent in drug development, but experiments require a large number of test subjects, preferably ninjas. If I use Konoha's channels to find some talented orphans in other countries and train them outside the Land of Fire, would there be any obstacles?"
This was Uchiha Takashi's true goal.
While he couldn't set up an orphanage, finding a large number of orphans with ninja potential wasn't something he could do alone, so he needed Konoha's help.
He also explained that adopting orphans to train as ninjas was entirely for 'human experimentation,' so the Konoha leaders wouldn't suspect anything.
Orochimaru's future downfall wasn't due to 'human experimentation.' All the ninja villages did that.
The main reason was using village ninjas as test subjects. If he used ninjas from outside the village, even if exposed, it would at most result in a slap on the wrist and a warning not to do it again.
"…There shouldn't be any!"
Nara Shikaku slowly replied.
He was well aware of the other party's drug development abilities, and human experimentation wasn't surprising. Orochimaru had done plenty of that.
Moreover, the Konoha leaders currently needed him, so they wouldn't obstruct him.
As long as it was outside the Land of Fire, the village could pretend not to see it.
"That's good. Go ahead and issue the task of finding orphans with ninja potential. Once a hundred are gathered, send them all to the 'Starting Point Orphanage' in the Land of Rivers!"
Uchiha Takashi was satisfied with the task assignment.
In this way, he would have a continuous stream of talent.
As for the name of the orphanage? Joining his ranks meant having a brand new starting point, so the name was fitting.
Thus, an institution that would cultivate countless powerful ninjas in the future was born.
(End of Chapter)