As soon as the meeting of Konoha's Policy Department ended, the related news spread like wildfire.
Especially the terms "Summer Country" and "New Leaf Village."
The entire ninja world was thrown into chaos.
In recorded history, the Five Great Countries and their corresponding villages—the unchallenged giants—have never vanished... until now.
There had been speculation after Konoha occupied the Land of Lightning and Kumogakure, but most still believed those territories would remain as vassals or puppets.
Among them, the Earth-Water Alliance was the most panicked.
To be precise, it was Iwagakure and Kiri that were terrified.
Iwagakure had taken part in the war against Kumogakure,
while Kiri had tried to seize the opportunity. Originally planning to launch a sneak attack using the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, they were wiped out before they could even establish a foothold. But their deep-seated hatred of Konoha was undeniable.
In an effort to demonstrate strength, the Earth-Water Alliance gathered numerous smaller nations and lesser-known ninja villages.
For a moment, it seemed like the dawn of a unified ninja world.
At the same time Mabo arrived at New Leaf Village, Haruki picked up the scroll resting on the table and began scanning its contents.
After waiting briefly, Sakumo Hatake in front of him asked, "This so-called alliance is clearly targeting us. Should we do something or issue a warning to prevent them from doing anything foolish?"
"You're underestimating Onoki—he's not the kind of man to act rashly or recklessly."
Haruki shook his head and smiled. "Don't worry about them. If they dare to make a move, I'll actually respect them."
If Onoki were truly a man of unbending principles, he wouldn't have lasted this long after losing so badly to Madara Uchiha.
Sakumo gave a slight nod.
Now, Konoha indeed had such confidence and wasn't afraid of any alliance.
"As for what's left," Haruki put down the scroll and looked at Sakumo, immediately correcting himself, "No, leave that to Tomomi Koki. I have another task for you. The four thousand Iwagakure prisoners are still being held in Konoha. I need an envoy to negotiate terms with Onoki. This ninja must possess certain strength and status, someone who can stand as Konoha's representative."
"Alright, let me go."
Sakumo accepted the mission without hesitation.
Moreover, he was indeed quite suitable.
If Konoha sent just any ninja, they might face intimidation or worse from Onoki and others.
Though not overly severe, humiliation—or even execution—could follow with little provocation.
That certainly wouldn't help negotiations.
Haruki picked up a notebook from the table and handed it to Sakumo. "These are the basic conditions."
Sakumo glanced through it and couldn't help frowning. "Aren't these demands too outrageous? I think Onoki won't agree."
"I hold all the advantages, so naturally, I start with high demands."
Haruki shrugged. "Onoki will definitely refuse. Then we'll propose revised terms—anything lower than our initial demands will increase his likelihood of acceptance."
As someone once said, if you ask for a window, you'll get no. Ask for the whole roof, and you might just win the window.
Right now, Konoha has the power to rip off the roof—and walk right through it.
Iwagakure had no choice but to agree.
Sakumo Hatake wasn't a fool; naturally, he understood Haruki's meaning.
He flipped through the pages again; the conditions had clearly improved this time.
Those are the baseline terms. How much better we can do will depend on your negotiating skills.
Haruki added at last, "If it doesn't work out, there's no need to insist. Even if we don't reach an agreement, Konoha still gains tremendous benefits from these terms."
For him, Iwagakure was merely an unexpected windfall—an extra gain to take advantage of while the opportunity lasted.
After all, in a few years, whether Iwagakure would even exist anymore remained questionable.
"I understand."
Sakumo Hatake nodded.
Before leaving, he mentioned to Haruki that Mabo had returned.
Moments later, Haruki arrived at the Ninja Academy.
Since Mabo was already back in Konoha, she had missed her classes for the day.
"Who?"
Mabo started slightly when she saw him, then relaxed once she recognized Haruki. She gave a small bow and said, "Lord Haruki, I've finished the work for these past two days right on schedule."
Good. I've already learned about your performance through Kushina.
Mabo raised an eyebrow—so Kushina was here not just to supervise, but also to help replenish her chakra.
Mm, your job going forward will be the express delivery task I mentioned yesterday.
Haruki led her to Akihabara in New Leaf Village.
Soon after Konoha established its postal department, considering the situation, they separated it into an independent postal company.
Its primary workforce consisted of the Nine-Tailed Fox.
With nearly endless chakra, the Nine-Tailed Fox could easily handle Konoha's entire courier service.
Fast, reliable,
and free.
However, the branch office in New Leaf Village couldn't follow this exact model.
Relying solely on Mabo wouldn't be enough to support it.
Therefore, Haruki planned to set up a new system for it.
The electronic devices Mabo delivered over two days formed the basis for establishing the internet.
The ninja and residents of New Leaf Village could shop online via websites.
Merchants then shipped their products to the postal company.
In short, it worked almost exactly like the online shopping he remembered from his past life.
The biggest difference lay in the transportation methods.
First was [Heavenly Transfer Technique].
Secondly, hiring ninjas.
Third, using flying ninja beasts.
Understood? Haruki asked, looking toward Mabo.
...
Mabo remained silent for a moment.
She seemed different from other jonins. While others taught practical lessons, she had essentially been assigned a permanent role.
Was it because of her [Heavenly Transfer Technique]?
Mabo pondered.
No, probably because Haruki valued this so-called postal company highly.
Express delivery indeed was convenient.
But she couldn't see what significance this held.
I understand.
Mabo replied.
When under someone else's roof, one must bow their head.
Even if she didn't understand their significance, obeying his orders had never led her astray.
Haruki smiled but offered no further explanation.
Mabo entered the building.
Today's lesson focused on operating computers and navigating shopping websites.
The residents of New Leaf Village weren't accustomed to using the internet yet. Naturally, there wouldn't be much business activity in the near future.
Haruki left behind a clone to continuously assess Mabo's performance.
His original body returned to the Raikage Building—but now it was called the New Leaf Headquarters.
After expansion, the building housed various departments mirroring Konoha's structure.
The original ninjas from Kumogakure weren't immediately dismissed.
Everything stayed as it was—for now.
But like the jonin who were currently teaching classes, they too were required to continue training.
They would be periodically tested.
Those who failed would then be discharged.
The Anbu, however, were treated differently.
Anbu from each hidden village were highly trained killing machines—fanatically loyal.
Haruki couldn't possibly leave the original members in place.
He entrusted them to Shinji Hira for reassignment.
By now, full personnel replacements had already been completed.
"Lord Haruki."
Shinji greeted him promptly upon seeing his arrival.
"How's everything going?"
Haruki nodded at him in greeting before shifting the conversation back to business.
After completing the assessment of Kumogakure's assets, the Anbu's focus shifted toward nearby resources.
Naturally, Shinji knew exactly what Haruki meant.
Carefully choosing his words, he replied, "Kumogakure is built atop a mountaintop with abundant sunlight and frequent lightning strikes—both can serve as energy sources. Surrounded by mountains, it also boasts excellent natural resources: timber, medicinal herbs, wildlife, water, and so on. In addition, we've discovered two large iron ore deposits."
Haruki raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Mostly because of the iron ore.
Refined iron has countless applications.
It could be used for ninja tools or farm implements, even furniture and construction materials.
Currently, Konoha primarily sourced its iron imports from Sunagakure.
Now that these two major iron deposits had been found, it would certainly meet many demands.
Thinking it over, Haruki decided to assign one deposit each to the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan.
Of course, the arrangement would involve equal sharing with Konoha.
Partly as a reward for their contributions; partly to secure their manpower.
Using conventional furnaces alone wouldn't be efficient enough.
If ninja utilized [Fire Release Techniques], production capacity could be significantly increased.
Over the past few years, both the Uchiha and Hyuga clans had experienced population growth.
This available workforce would be more than adequate for mining and refining.
Moreover, this could also serve as chakra training exercises.
Using chakra to extract pure iron and remove impurities wasn't simple.
It proved far more complex and effective than basic exercises such as walking on water or tree climbing.
Haruki summoned Fugaku Uchiha and Hiashi Hyuga immediately.
After explaining the plan, they agreed without hesitation.
With increased clan populations came greater economic pressure.
Remuneration from past missions no longer sufficed.
And powerful ninja clans naturally maintained a certain level of prestige.
Expenses inevitably multiplied.
In recent years, their income had mostly come from family-run businesses.
Now gaining another lucrative enterprise, they welcomed the opportunity wholeheartedly.
Once the iron ore matter settled, Haruki left the Anbu headquarters and visited the various departments.
Since they'd just been established, things appeared exceptionally busy.
He didn't interfere much.
Given Konoha's existing experience, guidance wasn't necessary.
Otherwise, he might inadvertently cause more confusion.
So he turned his attention to his remaining duty: educating and cultivating the next generation.
Meanwhile, Obito Uchiha was also deep in study.
Originally, his teacher had been Haruki. To be fair, Haruki was a capable instructor. But compared to Madara Uchiha, he fell short. Of course, Obito believed it was mainly due to them being from the same clan. Madara possessed deep mastery over the Sharingan and Fire Release techniques, easily surpassing Haruki's skills. After all, Haruki didn't even have a Sharingan.
The past few days of learning under Madara equated to months' worth of progress before. His power had increased dramatically, especially after receiving Hashirama Senju's cells. He now had access to powerful Dojutsu that were once beyond his reach. Some were even considered forbidden techniques.
In addition, there were new understandings about the Sharingan itself. For example, using the Mangekyo Sharingan excessively would eventually lead to blindness. Beyond that lay the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. However, the requirements for awakening it were exceedingly strict—practically unattainable.
Obito pushed aside these thoughts and glanced at the distant figure wearing a Venus flytrap-like hood—half black, half white. Only yesterday had he learned that White Zetsu and Black Zetsu were originally a single entity. According to Madara Uchiha, Black Zetsu was essentially an incarnation of his will. After Madara's death, Black Zetsu would take control.
Of course, Madara hadn't died yet. The reason White and Black Zetsu had merged was because they intended to join the Akatsuki's elite unit. Obito hadn't originally known they could fuse into one. Initially, he'd planned only to bring along White Zetsu into the Akatsuki organization. After all, White Zetsu's stealth and reconnaissance abilities were unparalleled in the ninja world.
But Black Zetsu joining instead came as a pleasant surprise. Things concealed in shadow were always unpredictable. Having Black Zetsu operate openly made it easier for him to observe.
As an undercover agent, Obito had a crucial duty—to assess the true strength of Zetsu and Madara Uchiha. From what he'd gathered these past few days, Madara might be planning on sacrificing himself. That left only Black and White Zetsu.
"Lord Madara."
Obito stood up, watching Zetsu now dressed in Akatsuki attire. "I'm going out with Zetsu to recruit members for the Akatsuki's elite unit."
"Do you already have targets in mind?"
Madara raised his head slightly at those words.
The Akatsuki's elite unit officially belonged to Nagato and others, but was actually under Obito's control. It served both as a tool against Konoha and a support force for the Moon's Eye Plan. So it was rare for Madara to show concern.
"I've already selected a target. The first is Darui from Kumogakure. As the Raikage's protégé, he bears personal hatred toward Konoha. But he understands well that seeking revenge alone is nearly impossible. Joining Akatsuki is his best choice."
Obito nodded slightly, answering, "As for the rest, I'm not certain yet. I need to make contact first. However, White Zetsu has investigated them all. Most of them have despicable characters, but each is an elite among Jonin. They're not to be underestimated."
"Then go ahead."
Madara waved his hand dismissively.
He wasn't worried about their safety. Zetsu required no concern—he was practically untouchable; no ninja capable of capturing him had been born yet.
As for Obito, he possessed Kamui. Unless someone fully grasped its mechanics, they couldn't counter his Dojutsu.
The two bowed slightly, then exited the gloomy underground base.
"Zetsu, where is Darui now?"
Obito pulled out a spiral-shaped mask and placed it over his face.
His identity was well-known in a certain way.
It needed to be partially concealed.
Moreover, according to Madara Uchiha's plan, he still had to assume another persona later.
"He's within the Land of Fire," Zetsu replied.
"Now that's bold."
Obito felt somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Darui, after leaving the Land of Lightning, to come directly into the Land of Fire rather than fleeing far away.
The move was risky yet clever.
Without Zetsu's help, finding Darui would have taken considerable effort.
At the very least, he wouldn't have thought to look in the Land of Fire first.
"Let's go."
Obito and Zetsu vanished from the bridge.
Heading southward, they soon crossed into the territory of the Land of Fire.
On a mountain near the border, Obito spotted the tent where Darui and others were located.
It was perfectly hidden within the dense forest.
One could easily miss it if not paying attention.
Darui's identity within the Land of Fire was precisely that of bandits.
His approach actually bore some resemblance to the Akatsuki Organization's.
He had built his own faction to sow chaos across the Land of Fire.
Obito and Zetsu made no effort to conceal themselves as they descended from the sky, instantly drawing the guards' attention.
"Halt!"
The guard, outwardly a bandit but in truth a Cloud Ninja, eyed them warily.
They wore uniforms,
but these were not standard ninja uniforms.
The guards were confused but did not attack outright.
"We are members of the Akatsuki Organization, here to meet your leader."
Obito spoke calmly.
"The Akatsuki?"
Ordinary bandits wouldn't recognize the name.
But these men, who had escaped alongside Darui, were skilled ninja with good intelligence capabilities.
They knew how the Akatsuki had defeated Hanzo and taken control of Kumogakure.
That much they understood.
But precisely because they understood, they felt perplexed.
Why had the Akatsuki come looking for them?
Unless Darui's disguise had been compromised.
Their Akatsuki attire alone was enough to raise suspicion.