News of the Akatsuki Ninja Village's creation of the Agricultural Association spread like wildfire.
In this ninja world, where chaos was the baseline, the problem of food was always the most important issue.
Now, the products introduced by the Agricultural Association were enough to increase grain yield per mu several times over.
This was an achievement monumental enough to be recorded in the annals of history.
The Akatsuki Ninja Village itself was already in the spotlight during this period. Coupled with the fact that the Land of Fire was a bona fide agricultural powerhouse, public opinion was instantly ignited.
For a time, various news media outlets in the Land of Fire scrambled to report on it.
—A Miraculous Yield Per Mu!
—Chemical Fertilizers, High-Quality Crop Seeds, Lord Kōkage's Radiance Illuminates the Land of Fire!
—Remember Lord Kōkage's Kindness, It is He Who Has Fed Everyone!
Uchiha Makoto was also swamped with work because of this.
The documents in the Kōkage's office increased daily, and he often had to use Shadow Clones to handle them.
Now, he also had to find time to deal with the swarm of news media outlets that had flocked to the Akatsuki Ninja Village.
But... Uchiha Makoto still braced himself and gave his full attention to these media outlets!
This was a golden opportunity for publicity.
The Akatsuki Ninja Village had risen too quickly; the speed at which its reputation grew simply couldn't keep up with the growth of its strength.
He would use this opportunity to spread the prosperity of the Akatsuki Ninja Village even further, attracting more investment funds, talent, and population... He wanted to spread the good name of the Akatsuki Ninja Village throughout the Land of Fire, and even the entire ninja world.
Thus, Uchiha Makoto held a press conference in a lecture hall in the most prosperous area of the Akatsuki Ninja Village.
"Everyone, everything the Akatsuki Ninja Village does is to let the Will of Light illuminate the darkness of the ninja world—because the future must belong to every person who should be living on this continent."
"Therefore, the Akatsuki Ninja Village must become the beacon of the ninja world, forever at the forefront of the era, using the most advanced systems to dispel hunger, war... all dark hazes. All who are willing to follow the beacon of the ninja world, come with me! I will be your guide, holding high the undying flame; and you, you will become the azure tide that washes away the old world."
"Shoulder to shoulder, we will push this tide forward, until we forge this pathetic world, torn apart by war and tears since ancient times, into a paradise of freedom that all look up to."
"Peace is no longer a dream—it is the Akatsuki Ninja Village's promise to all living beings, a ray of dawn beneath the ever-burning light of the ninja world's beacon!"
Uchiha Makoto, wearing the Kōkage's official robes, gave a passionate speech on the stage.
In the audience were not only the news media but also ninja from the clans of the Akatsuki Ninja Village, villagers, and wealthy merchants and nobles from the Land of Fire and even the entire ninja world.
The atmosphere in the venue instantly became incredibly fervent.
For those who were already part of the Akatsuki Ninja Village, Uchiha Makoto wasn't just making empty promises; he was already using his actions to fulfill the vows he had made—in just a few years, he had created a paradise in the ninja world.
Soon, their emotions reached a climax. Their fists clenched subconsciously as they shouted in unison, "Long live Lord Kōkage!"
As for those who had come seeking cooperation with the Akatsuki Ninja Village, drawn by its reputation, they had already been stunned into a daze by the village's prosperity the moment they set foot in it. Now, with the rousing cheers echoing in their ears, their emotions unknowingly became heightened as well. Some even joined in the shouting, "Long live Lord Kōkage."
The beacon of the ninja world has arrived, and the ninja world will be at peace!!
"Madara, the ninja world should be just as Uchiha Makoto described!"
"We will achieve it sooner or later!"
Senju Hashirama was also in the audience, his heart stirred. He completely agreed with Uchiha Makoto's speech—he decided he would create dozens more wood clones in the afternoon to help Uchiha Makoto ripen the new high-quality seeds!
"Hmm... perhaps..."
Uchiha Madara's reaction was lukewarm. He did find this junior, Uchiha Makoto, to be very resourceful.
But human greed...
The only one who could truly change this ninja world and find that ultimate path was him, Uchiha Madara!
He would continue to watch Uchiha Makoto until he saw him fail, and then he would pull him into his Eye of the Moon plan—a capable follower would save him a lot of trouble.
...
After Uchiha Makoto's carefully prepared press conference concluded.
In the wake of this wave of public opinion.
The Agricultural Association launched by the Akatsuki Ninja Village developed rapidly. Its membership grew daily, with people scrambling to obtain the improved seeds and fertilizers offered by the association, willing to establish a new order for the Land of Fire's agricultural industry under its leadership.
Merchants made up the vast majority.
There were also quite a few nobles.
Did any of these nobles see through Uchiha Makoto's ambition?
Yes, and quite a few of them.
They were well aware that Uchiha Makoto's creation of the Agricultural Association was, in fact, ill-intentioned, aimed at shaking the very foundation of the Land of Fire. But compared to this "minor issue," they were more concerned with their own interests. If they didn't keep up with this agricultural revolution led by the Akatsuki Ninja Village, it would be their own money that they'd lose.
Would the Daimyo of the Land of Fire compensate them?
He'd probably give them nothing, not even an egg.
The tide of the era was roaring forward.
They could only surge ahead; those who couldn't keep up would be eliminated.
At the same time.
The reputation of the Akatsuki Ninja Village in the Land of Fire soared once again. The title of "Beacon of the Ninja World" spread rapidly throughout the ninja world. The Akatsuki Ninja Village's fame had completely overshadowed Konoha's, and a public perception had even emerged that Konoha was far inferior to the Akatsuki Ninja Village.
It couldn't be helped...
Konoha had been too conventional in recent years. Economically, it had remained confined within the constraints of a traditional hidden village, causing its economy to be left in the dust by the Akatsuki Ninja Village.
In terms of military prowess, Konoha was indeed strong enough to steamroll the entire ninja world, but it had rarely acted.
As the saying goes, a good warrior has no famous victories.
The only decent move they made was against Takigakure.
And that was only because Takigakure's leadership had courted death by sending assassins to kill the Hokage, and because Uchiha Makoto had later pinned a huge blame on them.
But what kind of skill was it to beat a village like Takigakure?
In short, Senju Hashirama's will had deeply influenced the ninja of Konoha, causing them to prioritize mediation in disputes during missions and to do their utmost to avoid violent conflict.
The Akatsuki Ninja Village, on the other hand, acted more domineeringly.
In this ninja world, the kind were always bullied, and the gentle were always ridden.
Only by making people fear you can you earn their respect.
The ninja under the Akatsuki Ninja Village always remembered the words carved on the back of their headbands: "No matter where you are in the ninja world, the powerful Akatsuki Ninja Village is always your strongest backing. Remember, you are an Akatsuki Ninja."
Kumogakure was the best cautionary tale.
This was undoubtedly a statement of attitude, representing Uchiha Makoto's governing philosophy.
Tough, domineering, and never compromising.
So when Akatsuki ninja encountered trouble on missions.
"No, you really dare to provoke my Akatsuki Ninja Village... Have you ever seen a major hidden village..."
The ever-ready-to-fight Akatsuki ninja could always make ninja from other villages give them a wide berth.
—If I die, someone will avenge me. If you die, will anyone avenge you?
Kōkage's Office.
"Things are going even more smoothly than I imagined."
"The Agricultural Association has been implemented according to plan. The first season of rice seeds in the Land of Fire has been sown, but there should still be time for a second planting. The increase in the Land of Fire's grain production will be visible this year. In that case, the Akatsuki Ninja Village's grain reserves should be sufficient."
"The financial subsidies to maintain grain prices can also be greatly reduced, and we can even use this to promote the currency issued by the Akatsuki Ninja Village abroad. Although we can't strongly peg it to grain just yet, it has increased the outside world's trust in the Akatsuki Ninja Village."
"The most important thing is the reputation..."
Uchiha Makoto sat in the Kōkage's office, calculating the gains from this operation.
For the Akatsuki Ninja Village to push for industrialization.
The first step was to ensure the food supply. Without touching upon social reform, ensuring the food supply for the Akatsuki Ninja Village and the entire Land of Fire could only be achieved by drastically increasing grain production.
This goal had basically been accomplished. All that remained was to implement the plan step by step.
"But I still need to be cautious. This move by the Akatsuki Ninja Village has pulled the rug out from under the Land of Fire's Daimyo, essentially shaking the foundation of the country."
"Next, the vermin of the Land of Fire will definitely make a move."
Uchiha Makoto tapped on the desk in front of him, feeling that he should prepare early. This time, the Akatsuki Ninja Village was digging at the very roots of the Land of Fire. In a feudal dynasty, this would be no less than open rebellion. The Land of Fire would surely retaliate.
Although the important figures of the Land of Fire were constrained by the Akatsuki Ninja Village's strength and couldn't do anything openly—they didn't even have the ability to condemn the village and might even have to publicly praise it.
After all, this time the Akatsuki Ninja Village could produce high-yield crops, seeds, and fertilizers that could increase yield per mu several times over. Such a powerful tool for the benefit of the nation and its people was enough to become the Akatsuki Ninja Village's golden signboard.
But they would definitely interfere with the Akatsuki Ninja Village's economy through covert economic means.
This was something he had to guard against.
"Makoto, I knew you'd be here. Sorry to disturb your work."
Just then.
Senju Hashirama suddenly pushed the door open, with Uchiha Madara following behind him.
Uchiha Makoto immediately stood up, a smile on his face, and warmly greeted the two powerhouses.
Uchiha Madara was in standby mode the whole time.
But Senju Hashirama was the key figure in promoting the Agricultural Association this time... although he himself might not yet know his own importance.
In Uchiha Makoto's plan, he had originally only intended to use chemical fertilizer as a catalyst, and he wouldn't have been able to produce so much concrete and reliable experimental data in such a short time.
So if there had only been fertilizer... the effect would certainly not have been as good as it was now.
Moreover, due to the influx of too many members into the Agricultural Association, the initial supply of grain seeds and fertilizers had been in short supply, a situation that had not yet been fully alleviated.
Fertilizer production also required time to build up the industrial line. The Akatsuki Ninja Village was already expanding at full capacity, but it was still far from meeting the demand of the entire Land of Fire.
But thanks to Senju Hashirama, the situation with the grain seeds was much better.
Senju Hashirama really delivered after taking the money. He created a large number of wood clones that worked day and night to ripen and produce seeds. This production efficiency made Uchiha Makoto's eyes red with envy.
—The Akatsuki Ninja Village should have its own Wood Style ninja.
Unfortunately... such a goal was still too distant.
Wood Style was Senju Hashirama's exclusive secret technique. Only those with the blood of the Senju clan and Asura's chakra had a chance to awaken such a Kekkei Genkai.
For an outsider to obtain Wood Style, they would have to take an unconventional path, finding a way to get Senju Hashirama's cells and then conduct Wood Style experiments.
But Hashirama's cells were not so easy to obtain. Uchiha Madara followed Senju Hashirama around like a shadow every day, making it impossible for Uchiha Makoto to even find a chance to trick Hashirama into leaving behind a bit of blood.
Moreover, Wood Style experiments were extremely dangerous.
According to the original plot.
Senju Tobirama had initiated Wood Style experiments after Senju Hashirama's death, trying to replicate his brother's technique, but ultimately failed. Later, Shimura Danzo, in collaboration with Orochimaru, restarted the experiments, but the process remained difficult, with only one successful product in the end.
Uchiha Madara, however, had mastered the technique of fusing with Hashirama's cells quite smoothly, using it not only on himself but also on Uchiha Obito.
So... Uchiha Makoto felt it was better to wait for Uchiha Madara to make the first move.
After some pleasantries.
Senju Hashirama stated his purpose for coming.
"Makoto, thank you for your hospitality during this time. I've learned a lot in the Akatsuki Ninja Village. I've come to say goodbye this time."
"I can't wait to have Konoha learn from the Akatsuki Ninja Village's advanced experience."
"Ah... in such a hurry?"
"Lord First, you could stay a while longer. There's no need to rush back."
Hearing that Senju Hashirama had come to say goodbye, Uchiha Makoto subconsciously wanted to ask him to stay.
The Two-Tailed Cat in Uchiha Makoto's arms immediately became dissatisfied, meowing a few times to express its displeasure, and even bit Uchiha Makoto's finger, wanting him to shut up.
—These two great demons are finally leaving!
Every time it saw the two of them, the Two-Tailed Cat felt uncomfortable all over, as if the pain from the last beating had returned.
And you, Uchiha Makoto, you still want to ask them to stay?
That's too much!
Uchiha Makoto shook his hand free and flicked the Two-Tailed Cat on the forehead again, finally calming it down.
He really didn't want Senju Hashirama to leave so soon... Wood Style was so useful!
However, Uchiha Makoto's attempts to persuade him were ultimately fruitless. Senju Hashirama chose to leave the Akatsuki Ninja Village.
...
Konoha.
Senju Tobirama sat in the Hokage's office.
Looking at the latest series of intelligence reports from the Akatsuki Ninja Village, his expression was very ugly.
How long had it been, and the Akatsuki Ninja Village had already made such a big move?
Beacon of the Ninja World?
This bunch of unscrupulous media outlets had praised the Akatsuki Ninja Village to the heavens!!
What disgusted Senju Tobirama the most was that while these shameless media outlets were kissing the Akatsuki Ninja Village's boots, they were also subtly belittling Konoha.
This kind of public opinion trend was very unfavorable for Konoha.
As the Akatsuki Ninja Village's reputation continued to climb, even Konoha's ninja had been influenced by public opinion, exhibiting behavior of admiring Akatsuki and fawning over outsiders.
Senju Tobirama had personally seen a few female ninja.
They were spending their afternoon at a dessert shop opened by an Akatsuki merchant, engrossed in reading "The New Ninja."
"I'm going to marry an Akatsuki ninja in the future... I heard there's a special channel for the Akatsuki green card for people from Konoha..."
"I've been to the Akatsuki Ninja Village. Even the air there is sweet."
"And... and... you guys don't know this... the welfare benefits for Akatsuki ninja..."
"The benefits for Konoha ninja are really terrible compared to Akatsuki's... I can't even imagine life after marriage..."
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