Today marked the fourth day since the [Land of Rice Fields] officially recognized the [Hidden Homura Village].
It had also been seven days since Shimoku and his companions settled in this place.
At this moment, Shimoku sat upright in the living room.
While engraving something, he listened to a report from his subordinate.
"What are the official stances of the major Hidden Villages?"
"According to our intelligence network on the [Oto Village] side, the five great Hidden Villages have varying attitudes toward our establishment of the [Hidden Homura Village]."
"To begin with, the [Hidden Leaf Village] maintains the strongest opposition. They've already issued formal statements strongly protesting the [Land of Rice Fields], demanding it withdraw its decree and revoke the legal recognition of our village, continue following the tradition of one village per nation, and expel us. However, they haven't dispatched any ninja units for attacks yet..."
"Next, both [Kumo] and [Sunagakure] have taken slightly milder approaches. They've only formally submitted diplomatic letters through the [Land of Lightning] and [Land of Wind] respectively, requesting the [Land of Rice Fields] explain why it recognizes our independence and urging respect for the [Hidden Leaf Village]'s honor..."
"As for [Kirigakure] and the [Land of Water], their positions remain unclear. It seems they're still maintaining isolation, making it difficult to obtain internal information..."
"Lastly, [Iwagakure] has maintained an ambiguous stance. They appear unconcerned about recognizing our independence. In fact, they dispatched envoys yesterday who are currently en route to visit our village."
Terumi Uchiha reported respectfully and meticulously.
Since yesterday, Shimoku had formed his own personal guard squad.
There were five members temporarily.
Their role was to assist him in handling administrative affairs and transmitting intelligence.
Among them were Terumi Uchiha, Toko Uchiha, and Uchiha Gin.
Terumi initially took responsibility for collecting and organizing intelligence to report back to him.
Upon hearing this,
Shimoku nodded slightly.
The situation remained almost exactly as he had anticipated.
Each Hidden Village needed to consider matters based on its own interests. Even the five great villages couldn't be exceptions.
The mass exodus of his clan from Konoha undoubtedly damaged its reputation.
But when initiating a war would result in expenses exceeding benefits, with more disadvantages than advantages,
Reputation would naturally seem less important...
To be honest, if Konoha really mobilized its entire village forces to attack their fledgling [Hidden Homura Village],
It would indeed be difficult to deal with at this stage.
After all, techniques like the Third Hokage's [Dead Demon Consuming Seal] or Might Guy's [Eight Gates] could threaten him directly.
However, they ultimately chose not to act.
Fortunately, he had acted intelligently.
Before leaving, he raided Konoha's Vault.
Otherwise, Konoha might have quickly mobilized forces to launch a surprise attack on their village!
As for [Iwagakure], their position was even easier to understand.
Right now, they probably hated [Konoha] bitterly!
An enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Of course, they wouldn't mind the Uchiha defectors establishing a village to continue opposing Konoha.
In fact, they likely hoped to see us clash with Konoha!
In short, from the current perspective.
In the short term, their own village wouldn't likely suffer any major attacks.
"Any other important intelligence to report?"
"Yes!"
"We've obtained detailed information about the Konoha orphanage as instructed by you, Young Master..."
"But I'm afraid the situation isn't favorable..."
"You actually got details about the Konoha orphanage too? Must've used Oto Village's intel network?"
"Precisely."
Their hidden village had only just been established.
Lacking any spare capacity to build an extensive intelligence network.
Yet in this regard,
The Otogakure had benefited greatly from Orochimaru's efforts.
Orochimaru, who valued intelligence highly, had long since begun planting his pawns and spies within every major Hidden Village.
Now, those efforts had already started paying off.
They might not always acquire top-secret intelligence,
but basic news was easy to obtain.
How could such a useful intelligence network be ignored?
Might as well go all out using it!
After all,
Lady Serpent wouldn't object to sharing as their cooperative partner.
"Good. Since our village has just started, anything that can be used should be fully utilized."
"But remember to verify the intelligence carefully; don't believe everything at face value!"
"Keep the orphanage files for now. With Konoha on high alert, we shouldn't push too hard."
"In the future, I'll personally pay a visit to rescue any remaining orphans there."
"Understood!"
Shimoku accepted a stack of documents from Riyō and put them away for now.
His particular attention to this orphanage came down to two main reasons:
Firstly: Having promised Nonou and Kabuto, he was determined to fulfill his word.
Secondly: Don't underestimate the orphanage's potential function.
Though currently nearly ninety-nine percent of Homura Hidden Village's population consisted of Uchiha clan members,
for future development and expansion of the entire village,
Relying solely on these four hundred-odd people would certainly not be sufficient.
Therefore, gradually accepting outsiders would inevitably become a challenge the village must face.
Starting there—first making orphans acceptable, then outsiders—
might not be a bad strategy at all.
That's why Shimoku placed great importance on constructing and improving the orphanage.
...
"Young Master, lunch is ready!"
Outside the door, famished Uchiha Gin barged in yelling.
"Brother Riyō is here too?"
"Huh? Young Master, what are you writing?"
"A village development plan for the next few years..."
"Aww! What's that? Can I take a look?"
Ever-casual Uchiha Gin asked curiously.
"Sure."
After receiving permission,
Gin quickly leaned over, ready to peek.
Just at that moment,
Shimoku was swiftly jotting down Homura Hidden Village's "First Five-Year Plan" onto the scroll.
Year One: [Initial Hidden Village Construction - Complete Handicraft Industry Popularization.
[Achieve independence and self-sufficiency]
Year Two: [Recruit talents, expand the Hidden Village, begin light industrialization, develop scientific ninja tools independently]
Year Three: [Develop heavy industry-centered infrastructure, advance technological upgrades, realize the prosperity and strengthening of the ninja village]
Year Four: [Annihilate Konoha, absorb the Land of Fire]
Year Five: [Destroy the other four great hidden villages, unify the Ninja World]
After reading Young Master's future plan,
Uchiha Gin was instantly stunned.
This... is this a future plan?
Isn't this simply daydreaming?
Is the Young Master's ambition really that big?
Within five years, he wants to unify the entire Ninja World?
That's one hell of an ambitious leap—aren't you even thinking about what could go wrong?
After a while,
Uchiha Gin couldn't help but stutter nervously as he asked:
"Y-Young M-Master, isn't this plan a bit too fast?!"
"Fast?"
"Not a big deal! Let's set the plan first. We can figure it out when the time comes."
"People's ambition knows no bounds—and neither does the land's potential! Set grand goals, and you'll be driven to work harder!"
Shimoku chuckled, happily patting Gin's shoulder while enthusiastically encouraging him.
Which made Gin respond only with an awkward smile.
"But these goals are just... way too scary."
"You don't believe me? Then let Riyō take a look too!"
Shimoku nodded.
Curious, Riyō came over and glanced at the notes.
The next moment,
Even Riyō, who was usually more composed, couldn't help twitching his lips and breaking into a cold sweat
Upon reading the completely outrageous "five-year plan."
Secretly marveling at the Young Master's... lofty dreams. Or were they just plain crazy fantasies?
"Young Master, these plans… are nothing short of mind-blowing."
Although he didn't understand terms like "handicraft industry," "light industrialization," or "scientific ninja tools,"
Phrases like "annihilate Konoha" and "unify the Ninja World" were at least easy enough to understand.
This was just too insane to believe.
Not that they lacked dreams themselves—
After all, "unifying the Ninja World" was something even the legendary Madara Uchiha, whose name still echoes through history, failed to accomplish.
Let alone their own few hundred villagers.
Still, given the Young Master's extraordinary talent,
If we wait another ten or twenty years, there might actually be a chance!
"You guys! You've already left Konoha—can't you aim for something bigger?"
"Tell me, aren't you dreaming of revenge? Don't you want to destroy that hellhole?"
"Of course we do!"
Uchiha Gin was the first to respond, speaking with firm conviction.
"Well then, see?"
"Don't worry! As long as I'm here, that day will surely come!"
"Okay, enough about this for now."
"Bring Tō in to report the village's financial situation."
Shimoku deliberately changed the topic and began focusing on the village's economic status.
"Understood!"
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