"Naruto, can I beat them up?"
"It won't break."
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"When we went down there that day, the rotten eggs, spoiled vegetable leaves, and small stones were gone!"
"Naruto, use Tsukuyomi later. Mom is still angry!"
"..."
Naruto glanced at the assembled clan heads and young shinobi with a helpless smile.
Why do they seem to hate these people more than I do?
Then again... I can't say I disagree.
"Well, let's get started."
Soon, Naruto stood atop the Hokage Tower, his presence commanding immediate attention.
The moment his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan activated, the entire gathering was pulled into the illusory world of Tsukuyomi.
Among the crowd, numerous "villagers" had blended in.
"Aaaaah—!!!"
Screams erupted as the brutal reality of the illusion took hold.
"Ugh...!"
Many collapsed, unable to endure the psychological torment, vomiting uncontrollably.
And there were quite a few of them.
No problem—Konoha's so-called elders would be dealing with this mess soon.
From within the crowd, angry voices shouted:
"Third Hokage! Get out here and clean up this mess!"
"Get lost, you filthy parasite!"
"If you don't take a bath today, I swear I'll strip you and make you sweep the streets bare-assed!"
"Try complaining—see what happens to you!"
"And you two, so-called advisors!"
"Did you even clean the public restrooms today?"
"Danzo! Don't think staying silent means you can avoid latrine duty!"
"You're the cancer of the ninja world—you might as well deal with the filth!"
"Oh, and where are the Sarutobi clan members?"
"Don't you see the trash piling up? Get moving!"
The so-called "villagers" and lower-ranking ninjas couldn't take it anymore. Someone screamed, "Run!"—and panic spread like wildfire as the crowd scattered.
At that moment, they realized how foolish it was to challenge shinobi authority.
Meanwhile, the ninja clans watched, once again shaken by Naruto's overwhelming power.
On the other side, Konoha's so-called elders weren't faring much better.
Disgruntled citizens swarmed them with complaints.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Just look at how arrogant the demon fox and the Godaime have become!"
"Damn it, Hokage-sama, you need to do something about them!"
"Sandaime! Danzo-sama! Take action already! They've gone too far!"
And then—
"Danzo-sama… you stink!"
"Urgh—!"
"Hokage-sama... how long has it been since you last bathed?!"
"Hurk—!"
"Master Koharu, Master Homura... why are there golden streaks on your robes?!"
"Ughhh—!!!"
The wails of indignation quickly turned into cries of horror.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and the three elders had been completely surrounded just moments ago.
Now, the area around them was eerily empty.
No one dared to get close.
Danzo's expression darkened with fury.
Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head in humiliation.
Utane Koharu simply shut her eyes and turned away.
Mitokado Homura's eye twitched violently.
Boom—!
Suddenly, a wave of water surged forth—the Second Hokage's Suiton jutsu washed over the streets, soaking everyone in its path.
"Sarutobi, what are you standing there for? Get to work!"
Yes, it was poetic justice.
Tobirama Senju had always been fond of cleaning up Konoha's messes.
The remaining villagers and shinobi snapped out of their shock.
"Damn it!"
"Why is Nidaime-sama siding with the kitsune?!"
"That damned fox demon—he's tormenting us even in our minds!"
But as Naruto's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan spun once more, they all fell silent.
"Third Hokage, say something!"
Without a word, Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up a broom and started cleaning.
No resistance. No breakdown. Just quiet resignation.
When the timing felt right, Naruto descended once more.
"Master, let's begin. We need to finalize ID registrations and household records."
Tsunade nodded, turning to Nara Shikaku.
"Shikaku, you and Shikamaru have been overseeing this. Carry it through."
Nara Shikaku smirked, rolling his shoulders.
"No problem, Lady Tsunade. We've already handled most of the groundwork."
"The necessary notices were sent out ahead of time. Once you give the order, every citizen in Konoha will be registered and issued their identification by day's end."
The conversation wasn't whispered.
The soaked, humiliated villagers and rogue shinobi below heard every word.
Their eyes widened in disbelief.
"You can't do this!"
"Yeah! Why are you doing this?!"
"We're part of Konoha too! Why weren't we informed?!"
"Hmph."
Tsunade scoffed.
Boom!
She leapt down, landing with enough force to leave a crater in the earth.
"Why can't we?"
"I'm the Fifth Hokage. Do you think I need your permission?"
"And tell me—what exactly do you think you are now?"
"You think Konoha can't survive without you?"
"Think again."
"Gatekeepers!"
At the command, two of Konoha's top gatekeepers immediately appeared.
"From now on, if they wish to leave Konoha, there is no need to stop them."
"But they are all registered. If they leave Konoha and dare to return, they will be permanently exiled!"
"Yes!" x2
At that moment, Orochimaru approached Naruto.
"Naruto-kun, what you said is quite interesting, but I lack sufficient data and knowledge in this area..."
"Orochimaru, you all have access to Kurama's chakra. Shadow clones will make the process far more efficient."
"Also, if you need further assistance, go find my dad."
Hearing this, Orochimaru finally smiled.
He had planned to take his researchers to apply for a grant—Nine-Tails chakra.
However, he was promptly kicked out by Kurama, who was busy counting money.
"As expected, there's nothing Naruto-kun can't solve."
Naruto shook his head with a smirk before continuing:
"Since you're here, Aunt Snake, I'll fill you in early before the official announcement."
"From today onward, Konoha welcomes all ambitious individuals. As long as they contribute to the village's development, we will treat them fairly."
"Aunt Snake, your Otogakure can integrate into Konoha as well."
"Of course, I can't openly give you special privileges, even if your scientific advancements will greatly benefit Konoha's future."
"However, there will be preferential treatment. For instance, Otogakure's assessment standards will be lower than others, and you'll receive priority access."
"For that, I'll have to trouble the Second Hokage."
Senju Tobirama blinked. "Naruto, why do I feel like summoning the dead has become too easy for you?"
"Tsk~ Who doesn't know that the Second Hokage is a master of forbidden techniques? In terms of ninjutsu, his contributions to the ninja world are immeasurable."
"The more capable someone is, the more responsibility they should bear. Besides, if you want to be revived in the future, I can make that happen—even now."
"No need."
Senju Tobirama firmly shook his head.
"The cycle of the ninja world is one of continuous renewal. If the old remain, their ways of thinking become rigid, which hinders progress."
"My brother and I will serve Konoha with our Impure World Reincarnation bodies, contributing to the ninja world."
"When a worthy successor appears, that will be our time to return to the Pure Land."
Senju Hashirama nodded in agreement.
The villagers and ninjas returning to Konoha were stunned.
Then, their eyes reddened.
This level of self-awareness and devotion was more impactful than raw strength.
Naruto's series of reforms left Gaara and his team silent.
"No one has ever treated people this seriously before... Uzumaki Naruto, you don't just talk—you take action, with determination and care..."
"The Sand Village will see this day too," Maki said, patting Gaara's shoulder.
"Temari, after Naruto deals with these matters, you will stay in Konoha."
"No! Gaara, I can also contribute to the growth of the Sand Village!"
Kankuro grinned. "It's only a matter of time. Besides, even though Orochimaru is a shady guy, he promised to send specialists to our village soon. I'm going to be a researcher, and my puppetry will greatly contribute!"
"So, sis, you should stay in Konoha."
"You..."
Temari's eyes turned red.
"Sister, there's much we need to learn from Konoha. By staying here as Suna's representative, we ensure our presence is felt, and our intentions remain peaceful."
"I... I understand."
Maki smiled at the right moment and added, "Don't worry, I visited Orochimaru's lab yesterday. In the future..."
He shook his head and looked up at Naruto.
"The future will be completely different."
"Perhaps true peace is an illusion."
"Well... I'm getting off-topic. Temari, if you ever miss home, it will be easier than ever to visit."
—
Meanwhile, the heads of the ninja clans departed with Nara Shikaku.
There was still much work to be done.
Many matters needed proper registration and documentation.
The construction of Konoha required a significant amount of funding.
While Naruto could cover the costs alone, such a method would not be sustainable for long-term development.
Standardized taxation and financial management needed to be established. Alongside this, ninja positions were restructured to include a basic salary, which could be used to purchase necessary tools and equipment.
Naturally, the demand for weapon suppliers like Tenten's shop was growing rapidly.
Additionally, the handling of intelligence operations was no longer centralized under the Hokage's office. Instead, the major ninja clans were assigned different areas of responsibility, improving efficiency and reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks.
A structured system was gradually taking shape…
Tsunade surveyed the gathered ninjas and villagers with disdain.
"Did you all hear that?"
"If you want to leave, no one's stopping you!"
Some dissenters remained defiant. "Without us, Konoha would be nothing but an empty shell!"
They were immediately met with ridicule from the newer villagers who had embraced Naruto's reforms.
Meanwhile, deep within the village, the so-called Dark Lord of Konoha—Danzo Shimura—gritted his teeth in frustration, retreating into the shadows.
"I will turn the tables… Uzumaki Naruto, Tsunade, you will regret this!"
Tsunade waved dismissively, prompting several ninjas and villagers to forcibly escort the dissenters away.
The three elders of Konoha—Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane—chose to remain silent, pretending not to witness anything.
For now, all they could do was wait for these former villagers and shinobi to leave of their own volition.
Meanwhile, in Amegakure…
Ajisai clutched the scroll in her hands, her eyes shimmering with excitement.
"Lady Konan! Look! Lord Naruto has succeeded!"
"I knew he would do it!"
Konan furrowed her brows slightly. "Where did you get this information?"
Ajisai pouted. "Lady Konan, are you still trying to suppress the news? Konoha is now accepting all talented individuals! As long as they pass the assessments and contribute, they can become full-fledged Konoha citizens!"
"In Lord Naruto's vision, every inch of the ninja world will be illuminated by his ideals."
Konan remained silent, watching Ajisai's fervent expression before glancing at the ever-present rain falling from the sky.
"An alliance between Sunagakure and Amegakure… It's an interesting prospect. But if peace comes too easily, will people truly appreciate it?"
"Those past atrocities were the work of Danzo Shimura… That wretched old man!"
Her mind drifted momentarily, recalling events from her last visit to Konoha.
A light blush dusted her cheeks.
"That accursed woman… the self-proclaimed Nine-Tails' mistress!"
Huffing, Konan turned to leave, but Ajisai suddenly called out.
"Lady Konan, you dropped something."
"Hm?"
"This photo… Is this… Lord Naruto?!"
Ajisai's eyes widened, fixated on the image in her hands.
Konan stiffened. "..."
Elsewhere…
"Master Obito, you have nothing to worry about!"
"How could I, White Zetsu, ever betray you?!"
"Stop joking! My loyalty to you and Lord Madara is beyond question!"