Sitting in the heart of the main Hamura Industries laboratory, Ryu Hamura conducted a final review of projects.
"The satellites are looking good," Ryu stated, pointing to a holographic map that showed the planned network overlaying the Five Great Nations. "The cluster approach, along with backups, ensures there is no downtime."
Then he moved on to the next topic. He replaced the network display with new, intricate diagrams. "These are the refined designs for the MRI. I want the team to start developing the mobile prototypes immediately after the satellite launch."
The lead staff confirmed the schedule. "The launch is on time. Testing is complete, and we are currently installing the specialised launch pad designed by you and special tiles to manage the atmospheric friction and heat."
Ryu nodded, satisfied that the development of the satellites and MRI technology, the most complex projects, was progressing perfectly. "You can also use those tiles for fireproofing the future Hamura Building."
Ryu next enquired about the status of other projects currently under Director Masato. "How are things going on in the Land of Rivers?"
"The prototypes sent by director Masato are exceptional," the product manager reported, "but the river country right now lacks the capacity for the scale of mass production you require. Even we cannot produce this kind of heavy machinery at the scale required by your vision."
"I already know that. The solution for this problem is simple," Ryu dictated. "Recall Director Masato after he completes the tower project to assist with the manufacturing of heavy machinery. We will build the first batch here in the Leaf Village. After the Sun Furnace basic infrastructure is complete in Ironheart City, all heavy manufacturing moves there permanently, and the final assembly will be done at the Fire Capital."
Taking a moment to calculate the next steps, he said, "We need immediate transport for machinery of this size using advanced Storage Scrolls. Send Mukai Kohinata immediately, equipped with a set of advanced Storage Scrolls, for the rapid transfer of the prototypes and the initial production equipment made in the Land of River."
Finally, Ryu unveiled his plan for the immense roadway project connecting the Leaf Village to the new metropolis of Ironheart City.
"This is the foundation of our economic vision," Ryu declared. "Without a superb transportation infrastructure, the economy of any nation is effectively cut off. Without it, even with vast resources, you are a dud, like River Country. This road is the artery that keeps us vital. The construction of the roadway project will be done in phases. Phase One is brute-force clearing: level the terrain, crush the rocky sections, bridge all chasms, and cut forests to create a smooth, raw base for transport."
"Phase Two", he continued, "is utility integration. We will build deep trenches alongside the entire path to serve as secured ducts for water, power, and the network utilities. This road will support life. The rapid distribution of even small goods, let alone heavy machinery, across the continent is impossible without this connecting road."
Ryu emphasised the impact: "This roadway will create a microeconomy that directly feeds the prosperity of every connected country. Up until now, we have been prioritising more research and prototypes and low mass production. That era ends today. The age of mass manufacturing begins now."
The meeting ended, and Ryu spoke, "Shit, I am late."
He vanished, the change in his demeanour from commanding CEO to panicked student instantaneous. He knew he was running late, but he still needed to complete the meeting.
Ryu pushed his legs to their limit in the sprint from the Hamura Industries tower to the Konoha Academy track. He skidded to a stop right in front of the Taijutsu training yard.
Hiroshi Tanaka, the basic Taijutsu instructor, was waiting. His scowl was deep, unforgiving.
"Ryu Hamura," Tanaka's voice boomed, silencing the training students. The sound was like gravel under a boot. "The principal granted you leave for the village's sake, and we honour that. However, that leave does not grant you a free pass for being late to a physical training class. Frankly, I don't care about your Hamura Industries; in this yard, you are late. Your attendance is required at the designated time."
Ryu snapped to attention. "Instructor Tanaka, I apologise for my tardiness."
"The standard drill is twenty laps," Tanaka stated, his eyes cold. "For a tardy genius who disrupts the schedule, the penalty is fifty laps."
A bright, mocking laugh erupted from the student group. Ryu looked up to see Saya Uchiha, her eyes sparkling with malicious amusement.
"Serves him right!" she declared brightly, the sound echoing across the yard.
Ryu accepted the punishment with a wry, defeated smile. "Understood, Instructor. I shall begin at once."
He started running, completing his fifty punishing laps just as the exhausted students finished their required twenty. There was not a sweat on Ryu. As he smiled, many students glared daggers at him. Some spoke out of frustration, "At least look tired, damn it."
The next segment was sparring, and Ryu was immediately paired with Toshiro Senju without giving him time to breathe, not that he needed it.
"I will not have a repeat of the Senju Style exhibition you two displayed last time," Tanaka's voice cracked like a whip. "No special Taijutsu! Only Academy Taijutsu."
Toshiro immediately voiced his objection. "But, Instructor! Fighting below our skill level is pointless! It stops us from getting better!"
Tanaka stopped, his hands gripping his belt tightly. The noise of the training yard seemed to recede, focusing on him.
"It is not mastery; it is operational necessity," Tanaka ground out, his gruff voice dropping to a dangerous intensity. "A ninja who reveals all their strength at the start of a fight is already at a disadvantage."
He began to pace the length of the mat, lecturing now, not just punishing. "This is the Doctrine of Restrained Power. You train yourself to engage in combat below your full capacity. You create a false limit for the enemy. Every good ninja also has hidden cards up his sleeve."
Saya made a funny remark at Ryu, "And gamblers have many." Hinting at the moniker Ryu had received with his bounty.
The instructor ignored the remark and continued, "Once your enemy is off guard, you use your trump card."
Ryu nodded, agreeing entirely. "Tanaka is correct," he thought. "I cannot risk using the full extent of my abilities. I certainly can't use my secret Chakra Fusion Fūinjutsu—the replication of a Kekkei Genkai—unless my life literally depends on it. But Saya is right too… I have too many hidden cards. I will think of it as a good thing."
The spar that followed was anticlimactic, characterised by constant basic dodging and blocking, lacking the intensity of a true fight. Both fighters were so disciplined in restraining their power that they merely danced around each other, an exercise in control rather than a true fight. The fight continued until the instructor intervened and ended it. The rest of the day was usual classes, and Ryu stared at the board, recording it with parallel thinking while making new designs in his mind palace.
After class, Ryu invited his close friends—Saya Uchiha, Noboru Nara, Toshiro Senju, Kaito, Fumi Suzuki, and Takeshi Yamamoto—for a well-deserved meal.
Ryu said, "Ramen at Ichiraku! I'm buying!"
His purpose was to talk to them privately and offer more tips for their individual trainings. Ryu knew his friend circle will someday face the harsh ninja world, so he plans to make them strong enough to face it. He also has one more hidden objective at Ichiraku.
Ryu thought, "I think it's time to meet him as well. It is the best place to meet him without raising any suspicion for now. I will make this meeting as natural and unintentional as possible."
At the stall, Toshiro and Saya immediately began trading sarcastic comments, the deep-seated Uchiha-Senju rivalry still a playful, ingrained instinct.
Toshiro said, "You are not bad for an Uchiha."
Saya also retorted, "You are also smart for a Senju."
Noboru Nara then spoke, "So, Hamura, I heard your clan scooped up some new recruits."
Ryu replied, "It's going well. Specifically, I've taken on a blind and deaf pair of twins—Kaia and Akihiro. They are both unique."
Noboru blinked slowly, a sharp insight cutting through his lazy demeanour. "A blind and deaf pair... That's either insane or genius. How do you plan to train a blind person to be a ninja?"
Ryu replied, "Their training focuses purely on chakra sensing and developing other senses—how is a family secret. But I have faith in them."
Nara stared at him as if he had something in his mind but kept it to himself. Ryu also sensed it but did not pry and changed the subject.
Ryu asked, "Saya, how is your wind training going on?"
Saya beamed, a proud, competitive sparkle in her dark eyes. "Great, I can now cut the leaf with ease and started E-rank jutsus, the wind bullet. I am also being trained by elders to use it in pair with the fire jutsu of others."
She flipped her ponytail. "Thank you for helping me with wind, Ryu. Wind is rare in Leaf Village and even rarer in the Uchiha clan. The Clan now sees me as of value."
Ryu quickly brushed off the thanks. "It was due to your own effort. I just help you discover your affinity."
Saya then asked Ryu, "How is your training going on?"
Ryu replied, "My affinity training is on hold, as I have other things to take care of."
Kaito asked, shoving down the delicious ramen, "Do you have any more suggestions about my affinity training?"
Saya remarked, "Don't speak with your mouth full."
Ryu also spoke with his mouth full and replied, "Try giving unique shapes to your earth creations rather than giving them generic square shapes. Use spikes that can be used offensively."
Kaito's eyes shone at the valuable suggestions, and Saya's angry veins twitched at the boys blatantly ignoring her.
As the conversation wound down, they noticed movement outside the ramen stall's canvas curtain.
A small figure stood there, unmoving. It was a small, blond-haired kid in ragged, oversized clothes, his eyes fixed on their steaming bowls. Those eyes—blue and striking—did not look away from the bowls. His stomach rumbled audibly, and a single, visible string of drool hung from his chin at the sight of the tasty ramen party.
Ryu recognised the kid as the most hated person in the village, known to be treated as a pariah. "Just as I thought, he is here."
##PoWeR StOnEs##
A/N:
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