Haruki's words were like a bolt of lightning, cleaving through the mist of the refugees' old notions, and like a spring breeze, blowing away the dust of humility that had settled in their hearts.
The refugees felt a deep, soul-shaking emotion and awakening from him.
They gazed intently at Haruki, their backs gradually straightening, tears in their eyes, as they raised their rough, calloused fists.
They shouted with raised arms, "Long live comrade Haruki!"
It was as if a spark had fallen into dry tinder. The sound grew louder and louder, as if it would call for a new heaven in the Ninja World.
"Long live the comrades!"
"Long live the laborers!"
A surging wave of sound erupted. This cry was filled with an unprecedented, immense power.
They were no longer refugees begging for alms. They were "Comrades" who had found an organization, clarified their path, and shared a common identity.
Countless eyes blazed as they looked towards Haruki on the high platform. In those gazes was trust, support, and a resolute willingness to follow him through fire and water.
A powerful new cohesion, based on equality and common ideals, was forming majestically and irresistibly under the blood-red setting sun.
Haruki looked at the thoroughly awakened crowd below, seeing their once-ashy faces radiating with new life, and he broke into a brilliant smile.
[Ding!]
[System detected Civilian A's Faith Value + 3000]
[Ding!]
[System detected Civilian B's Faith Value + 3000]
[Ding!]
[System detected Civilian C's Faith Value + 3000]
...
[Currently, a total of 170,000 Faith Points have been collected. Your Cursed Spirit Suguru's rank has risen to 69%]
The sunset finally sank below the horizon but Nibi no Utsu's new sun was just beginning to climb.
The distribution of houses, fields, and other assets in Nibi no Utsu took a full three days to complete.
When the last land deed and the last key were solemnly handed by Kojiro to an old woman whose hands trembled with excitement, Haruki's initial plan finally succeeded.
People gathered in the square once again. This time, their identity was no longer that of homeless refugees in Nibi no Utsu, but new residents of Nibi no Utsu.
Haruki surveyed every face below the platform, each bearing traces of unshed tears.
He took a deep breath, his voice clearly echoing across the entire square. "Comrades! Feel the land deeds in your hands, feel the keys in your pockets!"
Countless gazes below focused on their own pockets.
The land deeds and keys pressed against their chests seemed to emit warmth, making their entire bodies feel warm.
"From this moment on, the land beneath your feet, the houses before your eyes, truly and completely belong to you!"
"No landlord will ever again be able to arbitrarily raise your rent, leaving you nowhere to go!"
"This is what you earned through struggle!"
Haruki paused.
Suddenly, his gaze became extremely sharp, sweeping over everyone present.
"But comrades!"
Haruki's voice abruptly rose.
"Possession does not mean an end, but a brand new beginning!"
"We smashed an old, man-eating world, not to create a new world that is equally cold and numb!"
"We have gained land and houses, and even more, we must possess the ability to manage it, protect it, and make it better!"
"We are not bandits occupying mountains. We are revolutionaries pursuing new lives and building a new world!"
"Therefore, we must be clear: what kind of collective are we?"
Haruki's question plunged the crowd into silence.
They looked at Haruki blankly. They had never deeply considered this question. But Haruki's question still struck their hearts, prompting deep reflection.
"We are a fair and just collective!"
"We are a collective free from oppression!"
"We are a collective of mutual help!"
"Every one of us is a comrade!"
"What we should do is not vie for power and profit, but strive to build Nibi no Utsu into an even better place!"
"To pass on our courage to fight evil and our firm will to protect peace!"
Haruki looked around at everyone.
Shouts of agreement sounded from the crowd.
"That's right!"
"We must build Nibi no Utsu better!"
...
Haruki nodded in satisfaction.
Whatever their true thoughts, at least this was what they expressed.
Afterward, he would increase propaganda efforts and establish educational programs, striving to subtly ignite the spark in their hearts.
Haruki continued, "Now that the distribution work is complete, the second thing we need to do is a preliminary survey."
Haruki called out Kojiro, Muramasa, and Genra.
"Immediately lead all comrades who can read and write, divide into small groups, bring paper and pens, and go door-to-door to register."
"The content to be registered is the household head's name, family population, the location of the allocated fields, and the location of the house for each household."
"Remember, be gentle in your attitude, and accurate in your records."
"This is not an investigation, not an interrogation. This is our preliminary survey of each comrade's situation, the first roster of our new collective's birth." Haruki reminded them earnestly.
"Understood, comrade Haruki." Kojiro and the other two nodded.
"Similarly, this preliminary survey will also be accompanied by the unfolding of subsequent work, so please, all comrades, cooperate."
As soon as Haruki finished speaking, a response immediately came from the crowd.
"We will definitely cooperate with the work!"
Haruki: "..."
He didn't want their cooperation but the cooperation of the original residents of Nibi no Utsu.
The refugees' information had already been registered, and it was checked again during the distribution, with no issues.
However, Haruki estimated that the original residents would also cooperate with the preliminary survey. After all, the ninja standing at the entrance had a certain deterrent effect.
Although threatening them was not Haruki's original intention... well, it was Haruki's original intention.