As the heart and symbol of Kumogakure, the Raikage Building faced its final demise.
Atop the high tower, the character for Lightning was replaced by the character for Fire, and the architectural style had completely transformed.
It had become almost indistinguishable from the Hokage Building.
Meanwhile, at the bulletin board in front of the building, which used to display only simple text posters, after several days of effort by Tomomi Koki and others, a digital screen had been installed.
According to Haruki's instructions, the content was updated throughout the day. In the mornings, it broadcast scrolling information about newly established departments and their responsibilities. In the afternoons, it shifted to recruitment announcements for each department and the leadership selection process—primarily based on exams, with demonstrated ability as a secondary criterion, along with a unique fixed monthly salary system.
Additionally, staff were assigned to set up free book stalls next to the bulletin board, providing exam prep materials at no cost.
Those who couldn't understand could visit the Ninja Academy for clarification.
Unquestionably, this propaganda campaign stirred tremendous excitement across Kumogakure.
Although many still refused to accept Konoha's influence, the electronic display made one thing perfectly clear—everyone had a chance to compete.
In other words, the old system had already been shattered.
And now, they could become the new rulers.
Especially those ninja who had never held significant positions due to various reasons.
Even though Kumogakure was known for unity, when faced with power, cracks still appeared beneath the surface.
Mabo let out a quiet sigh.
Haruki's approach was straightforward yet effective.
After losing the Raikage, Kumogakure had ultimately lost its core leadership.
She rose, pushed through the crowd, and made her way toward the Ninja Academy.
Overnight, the houses lining the streets had transformed entirely.
She'd heard this was due to Haruki's Wood Release technique.
Compared to the original structures, these new ones were nearly four to five times taller, with their floor area significantly increased.
Truly a miracle, Mabo found herself in awe.
Housing was one of the most important factors for ninja. Who wouldn't want a large personal home? Especially when offered completely free of charge.
Just this single act alone dramatically improved Haruki's standing among the lower-ranking ninja and civilians of Kumogakure.
In addition, there were reforms in education, the establishment of a Chamber of Commerce, changes in compensation systems, and more.
Perhaps such changes didn't affect Jonin much, but how about the rest?
Haruki had reached out to those previously considered expendable, creating sufficient roles for them to contribute meaningfully.
Now they had money and opportunity.
Raikage-sama… in the end, we just couldn't keep up with you.
With a heavy heart about the future, Mabo arrived at the Ninja Academy.
Before her stood the same newly constructed school building.
Engraved on the exterior were the words "Will of Fire Academy."
Mabo tilted her head back and gazed at it for a moment.
Konoha had the Will of Fire, while Kumogakure embraced the Will of Thunder.
But did Haruki really believe showing them a few classes would alter their convictions so easily?
That idea was too simplistic.
Shaking her head, Mabo followed yesterday's notice to the first floor.
According to Haruki's class division, thirty students per class, ten classes total.
She had been placed in the very first class.
Looking into the classroom, she found most seats already taken, so she chose a random seat.
Since she still had some time before class started, she opened the book in her hand.
"The Will of Fire: A People's History (Volume 1)"
The title seemed a bit confusing.
Was the Will of Fire actually connected to the people?
Mabo furrowed her brow in curiosity and opened the book. After reading for a while, she couldn't help but feel astonished.
This didn't seem anything like what she had imagined.
She had expected it to praise Konoha and the Hokage, and promote sacrifice for the village.
But it made no mention of that at all.
Instead, it skipped past ninja altogether, telling the story of the people.
At that moment, Haruki walked into the classroom.
He rapped his knuckles against the blackboard and said, "I'll be your teacher for the first lesson today."
Mabo blinked in surprise.
It was actually Haruki himself teaching them.
She found it hard to imagine the strongest ninja in the shinobi world giving them a lecture.
Didn't ninja academies usually have lower-ranked genin or chunin as teachers?
As far as she knew, only lower-ranked ninja served as instructors.
Perhaps this showed just how highly they valued the Kumogakure jonin.
That was the only explanation Mabo could come up with.
"As for today's textbook, I assume you've all received copies, so I won't waste time explaining. Now, let's begin our first lesson—'The People Are the Creators of History.'"
That's weird!
That's weird!
Like Mabo, the other Kumogakure jonin were growing more confused by the minute.
You're supposed to be the new God of Shinobi—so why say nothing about the role of ninja at all?
One class period passed.
Mabo felt lightheaded.
Not because she hadn't understood—but because it was hard to wrap her mind around.
"Today's theoretical course ends here. Next, we'll move on to practical training."
Snapping back to focus, Mabo caught Haruki speaking at the front of the room, feeling surprised once again.
Were they seriously being treated like academy students?
Would the practical part involve seasoned jonin practicing basic chakra extraction techniques? Or perhaps sparring politely with each other?
"Now, I'll start dividing everyone into groups..."
Mabo narrowed her eyes slightly as she realized the groups were divided by chakra nature.
Since they were from Kumogakure, most of the ninja had lightning natures.
As for why they were grouped this way, she didn't quite understand.
When her own name was called, she was placed in a group alone.
Once the groups were assigned, Haruki called forth several Konoha ninja.
"Lightning attribute ninja should follow to the Energy Ministry, earth attribute to the Ministry of Transportation... Mabo, you come with me."
Hearing her name, Mabo stood up and walked toward Haruki.
She stole a glance at her departing colleagues.
Trying to figure out what they were up to.
Haruki didn't explain further. Without another word, he left the classroom and strode off in a deliberate direction.
Following behind him, Mabo finally figured out what her colleagues were doing.
Earlier, a group of earth attribute ninja was now working alongside Konoha ninja, reconstructing the street layout.
At the same time, she noticed a Konoha ninja standing beside her, holding a notebook, apparently recording their performance.
Unable to hold back her curiosity, Mabo asked, "What does that mean?"
Haruki glanced over and replied, "It's your scoreboard. Using various metrics, we track your performance. After everything concludes, ninja with higher scores will gain more opportunities and greater authority."
Mabo blinked. They really hadn't known.
No one had explained it beforehand.
She thought for a moment and asked again, "Then what happens if the scores are really low?"
"If your score is low, that means you weren't paying attention in class and were passively resisting Konoha's guidance. What do you think we would do with someone like that?"
"…"
A chill crept down Mabo's spine as she fell silent.
That was probably a question with an obvious answer.
She resolved in her heart to have a serious talk with them later that night.
Haruki noticed the shift in her expression and smiled.
He hadn't planned on hiding anything anyway.
Letting Mabo explain might make it easier for them to accept.
As for how effective it would be?
As long as they weren't already brainwashed by the Will of Thunder, under a system that combined theory with practice, backed by a comprehensive framework of rewards and punishments, Haruki believed they'd gradually come to accept and follow Konoha's rules without even realizing it.
It might be harder with the jonin, but for low-ranking genin or villagers, when presented with a brighter future, would they still cling to Kumogakure's past?
"We're here."
Haruki looked toward the commercial district he had chosen.
After seizing control of Kumogakure, they had reshaped the village based on Konoha's master plan.
"I'm naming it Akihabara," Haruki said, using the same name from Konoha. "Right now, though, it's pretty rundown. Your job will be making deliveries."
"Deliveries?"
Mabo heard the unfamiliar word.
"It involves using your Heavenly Transport Jutsu to transport goods."
Haruki didn't bother with a lengthy explanation.
"I see."
Mabo felt mildly irritated by how roundabout this was. After all, she knew about the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, which was far more advanced than her own Heavenly Transport Jutsu.
Moments later, Shinji Hira's Anbu brought over a huge pile of stuff.
Mabo glanced at it and her face darkened.
It was all valuable ninja tools, scrolls, and special treasures from their Kumogakure.
Thieves who raided their own home!
She suppressed the urge to curse and simply sighed.
Such was the reality now.
Worse still, she had to personally deliver all of it.
"Mabo, your Heavenly Transport Jutsu can send objects anywhere. Can it work in reverse?"
Haruki gave Shinji Hira a polite nod as he asked.
"The reverse version? I don't know how to use that," Mabo shook her head.
"In that case, Shinji, have the Flying Thunder God team send her back to Konoha."
Haruki received the expected answer. After all, the original story never mentioned a reverse version of the Heavenly Transport Jutsu—but that wasn't an issue.
Over the past few years, he had tasked Shinji with recruiting trainees for the Flying Thunder God Jutsu.
Though no single person had yet mastered it individually, a coordinated group could perform it.
Even though the two villages were far apart, requiring a significant amount of chakra.
But after all, only one person needed to be sent back to Konoha.
Shinji gave a curt nod.
"Mabo, let's begin. First, send all of these items to Konoha."
Haruki took out a small notebook and prepared to record her performance.
Mabo took a deep breath. She had no right to refuse.
"I need a specific location."
"
In front of the Hokage Building."
Mabo said without hesitation.
The renovated Hokage Building now featured a plaza in front, used by Konoha's villagers to view propaganda bulletin boards or gather for major events.
Considering Mabo hadn't been to Konoha before, Mabo took out a very detailed map.
Mabo carefully examined it, confirmed the location, and instructed Shinji Hira to collect all the supplies they had gathered.
As she made hand seals with both hands, her chakra activated a spatial link across vast distances. One by one, the supplies vanished in bursts of blue light.
Haruki nodded in satisfaction — just as he expected. This made for excellent long-distance transport.
Konoha.
Orochimaru glanced at the time.
He had received a message from Haruki instructing him to wait at the plaza in front of the Hokage Building at exactly 11 A.M.
Though no specific reason had been given, trusting Haruki completely, Orochimaru instantly disappeared using Shifting Body Technique.
Before his feet even touched the ground, a sharp gust of wind lashed toward him.
It was silent and completely unexpected.
Orochimaru quickly dodged aside.
Various objects materialized where he had stood.
Orochimaru twitched his lips slightly.
If there wasn't any chakra involved, he would've thought Haruki had decided to ambush him out of hatred.
Soon after, he felt somewhat surprised.
A large number of unfamiliar ninjutsu and secret techniques lay scattered around.
Did he raid Kumogakure?
Without hesitation, Orochimaru collected all those scrolls about ninjutsu and secret techniques, planning to study them thoroughly before returning them to Konoha.
As for other items—
She looked through them briefly, taking only a few that interested her.
A ripple passed through the air.
Mabo made herself visible.
Seeing Orochimaru rummaging through everything, she paused in confusion.
Was this place being robbed?
But soon she recognized Orochimaru.
His pale complexion and commanding aura marked him as a singular figure in the ninja world.
She pulled out a scroll and said, "From Lord Haruki."
Orochimaru looked at her.
Her dark skin marked her clearly as someone from Kumogakure.
The earlier ninjutsu must have been the [Flying Thunder God Technique].
He opened the scroll, scanned its contents, then said coldly, "You wait here."
Minutes later, people arrived carrying piles of electronic equipment.
Mabo felt puzzled.
Among these items, she recognized computers.
But they looked different from those in Kumogakure—clearly more advanced.
Not bulky machines, but sleek, slim digital screens.
She didn't ask any questions and started transporting the items.
She initially thought it was just one batch, but load after load came until her chakra was completely drained, finally giving her a chance to rest.
Just then, a red-haired woman approached, holding two cute foxes.
"Little Yang."
Under Mabo's confused gaze, the fox called Little Yang reluctantly raised its paw.
A tiny amount of chakra, roughly the size of a fingernail, flowed into her body.
Her chakra reserves immediately refilled.
Not only refilled—but overflowing and making her feel incredibly uncomfortable.
So much so that she immediately got up and performed Heavenly Transfer Technique to release the excess energy.
She could endure the physical strain, but mentally, it was overwhelming.
At that moment, the other fox, known as Little Yin, sent her a dark, heavy ball of chakra.
Her mental fatigue immediately vanished.
Mabo looked like she'd seen a ghost.
She didn't finish work until late at night.
If it weren't for the fact that they were in the middle of the plaza, she would've collapsed right there and then for some sleep.
She was so exhausted, she couldn't even lift a finger.
Kushina showed up just in time.
Halfway through, she got bored and left the two Nine-Tailed Foxes behind.
"This little sister," Kushina took her hand and finally asked, "what's your name?"
Earlier, she hadn't disturbed her work.
After all, it was Teacher Haruki's task.
"Mabo."
"You're a ninja from Kumogakure?"
"Yeah."
"I'll take you out for dinner."
Kushina learned the basics before stopping further questions.
Mainly because she didn't really understand Mabo's exact situation.
"Sichuan Flavors Restaurant?"
Mabo curiously glanced at the restaurant's name.
"Yep, it's delicious! This is actually Master Haruki's hometown specialty—the chefs here are trained in his exact techniques."
Kushina said while hugging the two Nine-Tailed Foxes.
Mabo stiffened slightly.
Was *she* actually Haruki's student?
And since when did Haruki become a chef?
"Come on, come on, don't waste time!"
The Yin Nine-Tailed Fox wiped drool from the corner of its mouth, "Once we're done eating, I still need to teach you the ropes of express delivery."
Mabo gaped.
A fox teaching her?
Could things get any weirder?
In just one day, she clearly felt how different Konoha was.
"I'll go ahead and order first!"
Kushina swallowed, shoved the two foxes into Mabo's arms, and dashed into the kitchen.
She already knew the place inside out.
Since Haruki became an assistant to the Hokage, he hadn't had much time to cook personally anymore.
That's why this restaurant became their meeting spot.
"Let's go, woman," the Yang Nine-Tailed Fox grumbled impatiently.
"…"
Mabo bit back the urge to chuck those two arrogant foxes aside and stepped into the restaurant.
70