The current Hidden Rain Village was well-funded and fully equipped, with a conference hall that could accommodate a thousand people.
But since this was a classified secret meeting, fewer than a hundred ninja actually attended, mostly the Hidden Rain Village's top-tier ninja—though most came from Edo Tensei.
At the U-shaped conference table, Naruto sat at the head with a large screen behind him. The Tenseigan satellite brought live footage from the moon.
In the live feed, Minato wore casual home clothes with a pink apron, holding a spatula and smiling somewhat awkwardly at the camera:
"Sorry, I'm cooking while we talk. That doesn't interfere, does it?"
Naruto asked, "Why are you cooking now?"
Minato replied, "Your mom thinks the food's too salty. Strange, since I seasoned it exactly to her taste. No choice but to remake it..."
Naruto said, "That's rough. What's grandma doing..."
Minato answered, "Your grandma Kaguya likes afternoon naps. She's probably still sleeping, though she's recently grown fond of my... cough cough, my cooking."
Naruto asked, "Why are you coughing? Do you have a cold?"
"Cough cough..."
Minato coughed again. "The gravity here on the moon is unstable, and cooking smoke drifts everywhere. Next time you visit, remember to bring a range hood..."
"..." Kakuzu's brow furrowed.
Minato added, "But don't get anything too expensive. We're looking for value..."
"..." Kakuzu's brow gradually relaxed.
Mito sipped her tea and took the opportunity to lecture: "Look at Minato—so frugal and family-oriented, a model husband. Unlike someone who idles away time gambling and drinking. If this continues, I might as well move to the moon too..."
Hashirama spoke meekly, "Don't do that, Mito. I'll try to change..."
Tobirama thought contemptuously: Hmph... Look how pathetic big brother and the First Lady are. That's why I say marriage and family are just burdens. Focusing on forbidden jutsu research and building a career is far better than being controlled by someone.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Tobirama felt an icy stare. Looking up, he saw Madara sitting across from him, arms crossed, staring intently with a faint cold smile.
Tobirama frowned: What's with that look? Hmph, glaring at me? Fine, glare all you want. Anyone can glare...
He assumed the same posture and glared back at Madara, their gazes seeming to spark invisible lightning.
The conference hall buzzed with ninja whispering among themselves.
Naruto raised his hand and lightly tapped the microphone. Buzz! The sharp feedback silenced the entire room.
Except for Madara and Tobirama still glaring at each other, all attendees turned their attention to Naruto.
Sitting to Naruto's right as the meeting recorder, Amamiya Ruri thought worshipfully: Subarashii~ [Amazing]! Only Naruto-sama can emanate such commanding presence without anger. What great directives will this conference issue? Ah! I can barely contain my desire to listen!
Amamiya Ruri was the Hidden Rain Village's actual leader, and she would be the one implementing the decisions made in this meeting.
Naruto took a deep breath, resting his chin on his hands with a profound gaze. "Not long ago, we experienced the Fourth Great Ninja War. This conflict's far-reaching impact will inevitably bring a completely new structure to the ninja world."
"One topic of this meeting is discussing the many post-war issues and the Hidden Rain Village's foreign policy. Everyone participating can voice their opinions. Please speak freely..."
"I have something to say!" As soon as Naruto finished, both Ashura and Hashirama raised their hands simultaneously!
Naruto's gaze shifted as he gestured for Hashirama to speak.
Hashirama spoke urgently, "I believe our priority should be repairing lands damaged by the war, especially since Indra used his Mokka Chiryū ocular jutsu to drain the earth's vitality. The territories of the Land of Lightning, Land of Earth, and Land of Fire have all become deserts rivaling the Land of Wind. We should immediately use Wood Release for restoration!"
"Well..." Naruto was about to nod when Kakuzu interrupted, "Um, I... have a different view."
He'd actually wanted to shout "I object!" directly, but the words filtered themselves automatically.
"Hm?" Hashirama turned his gaze over.
Kakuzu's dark green pupils contracted, then he looked away, fidgeting with his interlocked fingers to overcome his nervousness.
He said, "I think this is a business opportunity. Land desertification makes timber a scarce resource. We could develop a lumber export business and earn money from the Five Great Nations..."
Hashirama stood up excitedly. "Hey! Environmental issues concern people's livelihoods! We should prioritize all humanity's interests and welfare! How can we profit from such things? Besides, this war broke out because of us ninja..."
"Big brother!" Tobirama quickly interrupted. "Some things shouldn't be said publicly..."
Naruto maintained a faint smile throughout.
"On this matter, the First Hokage considers humanity's long-term development, while Director Kakuzu considers improving life for our Hidden Rain ninja and citizens. Both perspectives are valid. Why don't we compromise... We'll certainly restore the land, but as a paid service. We'll help the three nations restore their lands and negotiate appropriate compensation. This achieves win-win results. What do you both think?"
Kakuzu said, "I have no objections."
Hashirama thought it over... Nothing was more urgent than restoring the earth's ecology. Surely the three nations wouldn't begrudge this expense. He sat back down.
"Alright then, but we can't price-gouge. That would damage our ninja brand image..."
Naruto nodded. "Agreed. Continue with other proposals..."
Ashura and Tobirama raised their hands simultaneously.
Naruto gestured for Tobirama to speak.
Tobirama said, "Months ago, Kakuzu and I negotiated with the Land of Water and received six islands as gifts. Those islands remain undeveloped. It's time to develop them. I propose using those six islands to develop our military bases."
Naruto asked, "What's the necessity?"
Tobirama explained, "In this war, the Land of Water suffered minimal damage due to its natural geographic advantages—the least affected of the Five Great Nations. Future wars will inevitably cause greater terrain changes, but scattered, hidden islands in the ocean are different..."
Naruto looked around. "What does everyone think?"
Konan on Naruto's left said coolly, "Perfect. Storing large-scale explosive ninja tools on home territory does carry risks. I've been looking for a location to expand our armory, connected by summoning formulas. This would enable larger-scale summoning explosion techniques..."
"..." Hearing this, Obito sitting nearby twitched.
Sasori of the Red Sand said, "Asura Path's war machines should enter mass production too. We need a massive military manufacturing base. I'll reserve one of those six islands."
Deidara added, "My explosive experiments need space to unfold properly... yeah."
Kakuzu immediately objected, "That's pure destruction. I disagree. The Land of Lightning is right next door—completely unnecessary!"
Sasuke said grimly, "Can't use the Land of Lightning! I have arrangements there!"
Kakuzu replied, "Then go back to your homeland, the Land of Earth, Deidara..."
Deidara complained, "Tch, if Naruto-sama wasn't here, I'd self-destruct right now..."
Hidan interjected, "Um, I'd like to reserve one too for Jashin cult missionary work..."
Kakuzu said coldly, "Rejected!"
Naruto's gaze darkened slightly. "Speaking of which... Guy-sensei's clones have all been revived, right?"
Kakuzu answered, "Yes... They spend all day doing backflips around the village, and their appetites are enormous. They'll be a massive expense going forward."
On the rear screen, Minato washing dishes suddenly brightened. "Oh! The Gai Taijutsu Clone Army has become the Gai Taijutsu Reunion Force!"
People thought: Oh right, you're still there...
Naruto considered carefully. "Then let's develop one island as a taijutsu training ground and station Guy-sensei's clone army there. I'll negotiate with Konoha to make Guy-sensei the genuine leader of this force..."
Kisame asked curiously, "That precious beast? Why, leader?"
Naruto's gaze grew distant. "Taijutsu isn't just physical training—it's spiritual cultivation. As clones, their lifespans will inevitably be shorter than normal people's. I once witnessed the tragic fate of clones without proper guidance. Youth is already brief—how can they afford to take wrong paths? The person who must guide them correctly is undoubtedly their original, the perfect 'role model' for them!"
Thus, Tobirama's proposal was also approved.
Tobirama thought: The Hidden Rain's white rooms are no longer sufficient. We need white islands. I wanted to use five islands' legitimate purposes as cover to secretly build the sixth as a forbidden jutsu research base—'White Island'—to avoid big brother's attention. Hmph, they're all rushing to participate, which actually saves me trouble...
Hashirama said expressionlessly, "Tobirama, I'll personally oversee the military base you're building..."
Tobirama: "What...!?"
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