The Fire Capital was always bustling.
When the first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, the area outside the city gates was already teeming with people.
Artisans, youths, farmers—they had gathered from all over the Land of Fire, their faces showing fatigue, yet their eyes shone with hope for the future.
"I heard you can earn five thousand ryo a day in the city. Is that true?"
"More than that! As long as you're willing to work. If you get into one of Daimyo-sama's manor workshops, food and lodging are included, and there's a bonus at the end of the month!"
"My neighbor's second son sent back thirty thousand ryo last month. He said he's building roads in the city and can eat meat every meal!"
The Daimyo's series of recruitment notices and generous welfare policies were attracting laborers from surrounding villages and towns at an incredible pace.
Prosperity in the Fire Capital was growing at an unprecedented speed.
Arashi stood atop the highest pavilion of Daimyo's manor, overlooking the crowds below, his brows tightly furrowed.
The head butler, Gen, stood respectfully behind him.
"My Lord, the City Guard and the Ministry of Internal Affairs just submitted reports. The population in the west of the city has surged, and conflicts concerning public order and livelihood have already appeared."
As Arashi's most trusted butler, Gen was responsible for handling all intelligence and documents.
He knew his master prioritized issues concerning the people's welfare, so he reported immediately when the document arrived.
Arashi tapped lightly on the windowsill.
"I ordered the Ministry of Works to begin construction on the new residential area in the west half a month ago. What happened? Has the work not started yet?"
"Reporting, My Lord," Gen bowed even lower, "the Ministry of Works seems to have encountered some difficulties."
"The Vice Minister of Works has been waiting outside for some time, saying he has an urgent matter to report to you personally."
"Let him in."
Arashi turned and sat back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest.
Moments later, a Ministry of Works official covered in sweat hurried in and immediately knelt to the ground.
"Greetings, Daimyo-sama!"
"Speak. What has you in such a rush?" Arashi's tone was calm and emotionless.
"Reporting, My Lord!" The official's voice trembled. "That land in the west of the city… we can't build houses there!"
With that, he pulled out a blueprint and a small bag of soil from his sleeve, continuing, "I organized the best artisans in the capital to survey the area multiple times. The soil is soft as sand, and the underground water level is too high. It can't support the foundations of large buildings!"
"If we force construction, all the houses will collapse within half a year!"
Arashi picked up the bag of damp sandy soil and squeezed it. "So, what's the Ministry of Works' conclusion?"
"Your subordinate… suggests converting the land into farmland and choosing another site for the residential area."
"It's just that re-surveying, planning, and site selection will take at least three months to produce a preliminary plan…"
Arashi's tone immediately grew heavier. "Three months?"
"By the time you all come up with a plan, the day lilies will have withered."
"By then, the west of the city won't just have public order issues, there'll be riots."
He looked down at the trembling official and said slowly, "I reject your suggestion."
"You may leave."
"Yes!" The official bowed quickly and withdrew.
After he left, Arashi rubbed his forehead in thought, then turned his gaze toward the shadows in the study.
"Have the Shadow Guard and the Kurokaze Clan gather all Ninja skilled in Earth Release and assemble immediately at the construction site in the west of the city."
"Yes!"
The figure standing silently in the corner flickered once and disappeared.
Arashi then turned to Gen. "Prepare an inconspicuous carriage for me. I want to personally inspect the site."
"Yes, My Lord."
Gen bowed and quickly went to make arrangements.
Half an hour later, an ordinary carriage left through the side gate of Daimyo-sama's manor and blended into the bustling street.
Inside the carriage, Arashi closed his eyes to rest.
The reason he decided to go in person wasn't on impulse but from careful consideration.
Because he wanted to overturn a deeply ingrained idea.
A Ninja should not be used only for killing.
In past eras, the value of a Ninja was measured by how many S-rank missions he could complete, or how many powerful enemies he could kill.
How narrow-minded.
Is the worth of a skilled Earth Release Ninja only to raise an Earth Wall for defense, or to trap enemies in a Swamp of the Underworld?
Can a Medical Ninja only tend to the wounded on the battlefield?
No.
That way of thinking is too wasteful.
In Arashi's plan, Earth Release Ninja could alter terrain, reinforce dams, open mountains to build roads, and even raise cities from the ground!
Medical Ninja could be stationed in the capital, spreading hygiene knowledge, preventing epidemics, and improving the overall lifespan of the nation.
That was the true potential of Ninja as extraordinary productivity.
Using the sharpest blade to chop firewood is a waste.
But if that firewood can light the hearths of an entire nation, then it holds more value than slaying any Kage-level opponent.
Today, he would show everyone what a Ninja—the sharpest weapon—could achieve in his hands.
Gathering both the Shadow Guard and the Kurokaze Clan at once was to make them understand that whoever solved his problems better would live better.
Competition was always the best means of improving efficiency.
The carriage rolled past the lively commercial district and entered the dilapidated west side of the city.
The fragrance of food and perfume in the air gradually faded, replaced by the scent of sweat and dust.
Makeshift shacks lined the roadsides.
After passing through the area, the carriage stopped before a barren open space.
At the edge of the clearing, two groups of people were already waiting, clearly separated.
On the left stood seven black-clad Ninja exuding fierce auras—the Kurokaze Clan.
Once a great clan, their strength had been drained by Danzō's experiments for years. After sending some to the Land of Lightning, only these few remained.
Even so, their eyes still burned with determination.
On the right were eight Shadow Guard with calm and restrained auras. They were the Earth Release specialists among them.
The Kurokaze leader stepped forward as soon as Arashi appeared, kneeling heavily on one knee.
"Kurokaze Clan, Earth Release squad, all present and awaiting your command, Daimyo-sama!"
The Kurokaze Ninja behind him knelt in unison.
On the other side, the leader of the Kage Guard also knelt silently, his movements precise.
"Shadow Guard Earth Release team, present as ordered."
Arashi's gaze swept over both groups, ignoring their formality.
He walked to the center of the wasteland and stomped down. The hollow feeling under his foot confirmed what the Ministry of Works had said.
He squatted down, scooped up a handful of soil, and examined it. The texture was poor, filled with moisture and sand.
"Report your survey results," Arashi said without turning his head.
"Reporting, My Lord," the Shadow Guard leader spoke first, his voice calm and precise. "Using secret techniques, we found that within three zhang underground, it's all quicksand-like soil. Below that is a hard rock layer."
"In my judgment, this area is unsuitable for building houses."
The Kurokaze leader immediately followed, unwilling to fall behind. "My Lord, if you wish to build here, we'd have to dig out all ten meters of quicksand and refill it with stone. The amount of work is immense…"
"Even with Earth Release Ninjutsu, completing it quickly would be difficult."
The Shadow Guard were the eyes, and the Kurokaze the blade. Their roles were clear.
Arashi stood up, brushing the dirt from his hands. "So, you both believe this land is unsuitable for building houses?"
"Your subordinates… are incompetent."
Both groups lowered their heads even further.
Arashi didn't respond.
He gazed silently at the vast, barren land for a long while.
Then he spoke slowly, his calm voice carrying weight with every word.
"I will ask only one question."
"If I can turn these ten meters of quicksand into solid rock within a day.."
"Do you have the confidence to shape all the walls and foundations of the houses using Earth Release within half a month?"
(To be continued.)