Ninja * Reconstruction

This isn't right, is it?

Aren't we Ninjas usually the targets of slander?

Previously, even if one accepted a regular guard duty, slightly displaying Ninjutsu during the escort could attract the attention and subtle fear of the employer or passersby.

Not to mention what's happening now, where an entire block has been almost completely demolished into Ruins.

Logically, even if there were a reason for it, angry accusations, demands for compensation, and even fear and rejection of the Ninja community should have come like a tidal wave.

But now...

Listening to the bizarre yet awe-inspiring discussions brought back by the intelligence agents, the Konoha High Command officials in the Meeting Room exchanged bewildered glances, momentarily unable to process what they were hearing.

How come the public opinion has turned out completely differently than expected?

Instead of criticizing, they began to mythologize Izuna, interpreting the incident as a legend of "exorcising demons"?

Although... this seems to be very advantageous to Konoha, practically turning a public relations crisis into another opportunity to boost its reputation.

But... isn't this just too outrageous?

Everyone felt a sense of disbelief, and even a vague feeling that it was all an illusion.

But in any case, since it has happened and is in a direction that is favorable to our side, we must seize the opportunity.

"The public's attitude... is much better than we expected." Hashirama spoke first, breaking the silence, his face showing a hint of relief and belated realization. "It seems that last night's performance, and Izuna's inexplicable lack of use of techniques to harm Ordinary People, have changed many people's perceptions of Ninjas."

Nara Shikahiko rubbed his temples and said with a wry smile, "It seems we were too pessimistic before. After such a heart-wrenching performance, the public's perception of Ninjas has changed."

"Furthermore, since all those who experienced this event are unharmed, this surreal experience is more likely to be interpreted as a story with supernatural elements."

Uchiha Naoaki: "Especially those Biwa Hōshi... they are storytellers by nature. It's perfect for them to spread this."

"Even so, compensation and reconstruction are still necessary," Madara said in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "We cannot ignore the actual losses we have caused just because public opinion is favorable. This concerns Konoha's reputation and responsibility."

"That's right." Hashirama stood up, his tone firm. "Public opinion is one thing, what we need to do is another. Immediately organize manpower, starting at dawn, to help the affected residents relocate and resettle, and to do everything possible to rebuild that neighborhood!"

"Use Ninjutsu?" someone hesitated. "Won't that cause unnecessary attention or panic?"

"Let's use Ninjutsu!" Hashirama slammed his hand on the table. "Since everyone agrees it's about 'exorcising demons,' isn't it only natural to use Ninjutsu to rebuild our homes? It'll also show everyone that the power of Ninjas, besides fighting and destruction, can be used for construction!"

This proposal was approved by the majority.

Instead of trying to cover it up, we should openly display it and turn this incident into an opportunity to showcase another side of Konoha.

As dawn broke, the Konoha Ninjas appeared on the destroyed street.

Instead of their combat attire, most of them had changed into simpler clothes suitable for working.

Hashirama personally led the team, standing in the middle of the street.

He didn't say much, but simply took a deep breath and formed a hand seal.

"Wood Release: Four Pillar House Technique!"

A massive Chakra caused the ground to tremble slightly.

Amidst the astonished gazes of surrounding residents and onlookers, thick, round logs emerged from the ground, intertwining and climbing like living snakes, mortise and tenon joints connecting beams and pillars, eventually forming a roof...

Almost at a speed visible to the naked eye, the frames of sturdy, antique-style wooden houses rose from the Ruins!

The efficiency is astonishing!

"Wow--!" A huge gasp of amazement erupted from the crowd.

They only caught a glimpse of last night's "miracle" and were shrouded in fear.

At this moment, the scene of building a house out of thin air, under the bright light of day, appears even more awe-inspiring!

"My God... is this Ninjutsu?"

"That's amazing! The house was built in no time!"

"As expected of Lord Izuna's companion!"

The other Ninjas also joined the fray.

The Ninja, skilled in Earth Release, cleared away the rubble and leveled the land.

The stronger Ninjas were responsible for carrying the remaining building materials and paving the road surface.

Even the young Ninjas who had previously played children in the show, were led by their parents or clansmen to help deliver tools, clear small pebbles, or bring water to the Ninjas who were working.

The entire reconstruction site was bustling with activity, yet everything was in perfect order.

The Ninjas each performed their duties, cooperated seamlessly, and combined Ninjutsu with physical labor, achieving efficiency far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.

The crowd watched the whole thing, pointing and exclaiming in amazement.

They watched as those usually mysterious Ninjas sweated and toiled like ordinary craftsmen, and even did it faster and better than ordinary craftsmen. Their feelings were incredibly complex.

Some children, around the same age as the little Ninja who was helping, curiously squeezed to the front, watching their peers doing the moving work, and couldn't help but ask questions.

"Hey, you guys... are you doing this too? Aren't you Ninjas? Why are you doing this kind of work?"

The little boy from the Senju Clan who was asked the question wiped the sweat from his face, hugged a stone that was not much smaller than himself, looked at the child who asked the question with some curiosity, and then said matter-of-factly.

"Why shouldn't we do it? We're the ones who damaged this house. If we make a mistake, we should make amends; if we break something, we should fix it. Isn't that just common sense?"

He paused, then added, "Furthermore, Lord Hashirama said that Ninjas are not only good at fighting, but also at using their power to help others and build homes."

He said it so naturally, as if it were a matter of course.

The ordinary children were stunned when they heard this, their faces showing confusion and... an indescribable expression.

One of the children muttered softly, "But... aren't you all supposed to be so capable? Why do you have to do this dirty and tiring work... it's so pitiful..."

In a child's mind, a powerful Ninja should be high above and mighty, and wouldn't have to do such menial work.

Seeing Ninjas of their age moving stones here, they instinctively felt that something was wrong.

The little Ninja laughed, revealing a set of white teeth. "What's so pitiful about that? I'm happy to be able to use my own strength to fix broken things so everyone can have houses to live in again! Besides, that's a form of training too!"

Having said that, he said no more and continued walking towards the designated location while carrying the stone.

The sunlight shone on his sweat-dampened hair and earnest little face, giving them a unique radiance.

The civilian children stood still, watching the busy figures of the Ninjas, especially the children who were about their age, looking at each other.

I feel like just standing here watching... but helping...

Just as the reconstruction work was in full swing, several ornately decorated oxcarts slowly pulled up on the outskirts of the block.

Several well-dressed nobles and their entourage alighted from the carriage.

They watched from afar as the Ninjas used their Ninjutsu to rebuild the streets, their faces filled with surprise and contemplation.

One of the nobles whispered a few instructions to his attendant. The attendant nodded and quickly walked towards Nara Shikahiko, who was coordinating the work.

A moment later, Nara Shikahiko approached the nobleman and bowed respectfully.

The leading nobleman was a young man in his early twenties, dressed in fine clothes that were not vulgar, with a handsome face and a hint of carefully cultivated reserve and scrutiny between his brows.

He gestured to Nara Shikahiko that there was no need for formalities, but his gaze remained fixed on the figures in the distance who were rapidly constructing houses using Ninjutsu.

"I apologize for taking time out of your busy schedules to come and disturb you all," the young nobleman said, his voice clear but with a hint of subtlety in it. "Seeing you all so... taking initiative and doing things personally is truly admirable."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, "Should it be confidence or arrogance? No wonder he's Ninja with extraordinary power; to undertake the reconstruction of an entire street—such ambition is beyond the reach of ordinary people."

He raised his hand and pointed to the rapidly taking shape building. "If ordinary craftsmen were to restore this street to its original state, it would take an unimaginable amount of manpower and resources, and many years. But in your hands, it seems as easy as lifting a finger. Such power is truly astonishing."

His words contained both admiration for power and a condescending arrogance.

By setting the power of Ninjas against that of ordinary people, an invisible boundary is drawn.

What is he trying to achieve by saying such things in this situation?

"You flatter me," Rokuhiko said, bowing slightly, his tone calm and even. "Destroying homes is a matter of course, and it is only right to compensate and rebuild. We merely did what we should have done, using some convenient methods to restore peace to our neighbors as quickly as possible. We dare not accept the word 'courage'."

The young nobleman seemed unsurprised by Rokuhiko's airtight answer. He smiled and suddenly changed the subject, "Speaking of which, regarding yesterday's upheaval, I heard that Izuna seemed... too exhausted? I wonder if your health is still good? Daimyo Majesty is very concerned and specifically sent us to inquire after you."

Oh, I see. After all that going around in circles, here's the key point.

Nara Shikahiko understood, but on his face, he appropriately showed a hint of gratitude and solemnity. "Your Excellency is very kind to you. Lord Izuna did indeed suffer greatly from the pursuit of that treacherous evil entity, but he is currently resting and recuperating, and is in good health for the time being. The Daimyo village of Konoha is extremely grateful."

His reply was very formal, expressing gratitude and explaining the situation.

The young nobleman carefully observed Rokuhiko's expression, seemingly trying to find something, but he couldn't discern any extra emotion on Rokuhiko's face.

He pondered for a moment, then asked casually, "May I ask your name? To be able to assume such a crucial coordinating role, you must be a pillar of strength in Konoha."

"My name is Nara Shikahiko, just an ordinary Ninja from Konoha. I am grateful for the Lord Hokage's trust and am temporarily assisting with some miscellaneous tasks." Rokuhiko introduced himself, adopting an even lower posture, and attributed all the credit to Hashirama.

"Nara Shikahiko..." The young nobleman repeated the name, his eyes flickering slightly. "So he's the one who played Minamoto no Yoritomo no Yoritomo in the drama. He acted brilliantly, perfectly capturing the depth and helplessness of that ruthless tyrant."

He steered the conversation back to the performance, but Rokuhiko keenly sensed that the other person's focus was probably elsewhere.

Sure enough, the other party then said in a casual tone, "Izuna is exceptionally talented and has an outstanding demeanor. His Biwa performance moved the Kyoto, and he also possesses the ability to subdue demons and monsters... Now, the Daimyo speaks highly of Izuna and often mentions him."

"Such a person, if he could reside in Kyoto and discuss matters with His Daimyo the Daimyo day and night, would surely greatly benefit the friendship between the Land of Fire and Konoha."

Warning bells rang in Rokuhiko's mind. These words sounded like praise and a beautiful vision, but they were actually a trap.

The meaning is obvious.

This is a test of Konoha's perception of Izuna, and the relationship between Izuna personally and the Konoha collective.

Sowing discord, huh?

His expression remained unchanged, still bearing that slightly distant, polite smile, but his tone became clear and firm. "Lord Izuna is the vice- Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan of Konohagakure, and a core pillar of our village's development, as well as the Lord Hokage's right-hand man."

"Konoha's affairs are numerous and complex, and its future development blueprint requires Lord Izuna's planning and strategizing. This Kyoto trip has already provided a rare opportunity for me to extricate myself. As Konoha's relations with the Land of Fire deepen in the future, there will be more opportunities for Lord Izuna to exchange ideas and learn from His Daimyo. As for a permanent residency..."

He shook his head slightly, his smile unchanged. "Lord Izuna for the countless people of Konoha, and it will be difficult for him to leave for long. However, if Your Daimyo summons him, or if it concerns matters of vital importance to both nations, Lord Izuna will surely come as appropriate."

Upon hearing this, the young nobleman's eyes flashed with understanding, but the subtle sharpness and probing quickly disappeared, replaced by an even more polite smile.

"I see. I was being presumptuous. I only thought it would be a great pleasure to see such a distinguished figure as Izuna more often. In that case, I will not disturb your business any longer. Please convey to Izuna and the Daimyo that you wish him peace of mind and a speedy recovery."

"I will certainly convey your message. Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency and Daimyo." Rokuhiko bowed again.

The young nobleman nodded, said no more, and turned to leave with his entourage, boarding the oxcart.

The oxcart slowly started moving. Inside the carriage, the young nobleman leaned back on the cushions, his smile fading, revealing a complex weariness and contemplation.

"As expected... not easy to deal with." He muttered to himself.

He was indeed sent by the Daimyo to inquire about Izuna's situation, but he also had his own ulterior motives.

Last night, after the incident, the Daimyo dismissed everyone except for this young nobleman, who remarked with a peculiar sigh, "That Uchiha Izuna, he's truly a remarkable person."

The nobleman asked respectfully, "Why do you say that, Daimyo?"

"Although I don't know why that power doesn't harm people," the Daimyo said slowly, gazing at the night outside the window, "This power is just like him—with a condescending pity."

The nobleman was taken aback; he hadn't expected the Daimyo to use the word "pity" to describe him.

The Daimyo continued, "I can sense that Izuna seems unreliable, just someone who comes up with ideas. Actually... he probably feels sorry for us, for this era."

"Pitiful?" the nobleman asked, puzzled.

"Yes, pitiful." Daimyo turned back, a bitter smile on his face. "Don't you think? He clearly possesses the power to overturn everything, yet he's willing to sit down and negotiate with us, even proposing a seemingly compromising solution like a 'Special Administrative Region'."

"He could have been like Ninja, hiding in the shadows and using bloodshed and terror to achieve his goals, but he chose to stand on the stage and move people with art and stories."

"This time, he clearly went berserk, destroying the entire street, yet he didn't harm a single person. This wasn't because he couldn't control his power; quite the opposite, it proved that his control over his power had reached Barrier we couldn't comprehend. Even in that state, he still adhered to the bottom line of not harming the innocent."

"If such a person isn't compassionate, then what is it?" Daimyo said softly. "He pities the common people struggling in this chaotic world, he pities the Ninjas swept along by fate, and perhaps... he also pities us nobles bound by status and responsibility."

"What kind of sights did he actually see?" Daimyo seemed to be talking to himself.

The nobleman listened, his heart filled with turmoil.

He never imagined that the person he was determined to serve would dissect a person in such a way, and with such complex emotions.

"So, what do you intend to do...?" the nobleman asked tentatively.

"We have no other choice," the Daimyo said calmly. "Cooperating with Konoha and accepting the idea of a 'Special Administrative Region' is our best option at present."

"It's not just because of their strength, but because of Uchiha Izuna himself. He showed me a future where Ordinary People and Ninjas could coexist peacefully, and that future didn't seem like a lie."

"So, I want you to express your concern," Daimyo said softly, "And if possible, I'd like to try and win that person over."

"Yes," the nobleman replied.

"But Konoha probably won't hand him over." The Daimyo chuckled. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try, maybe?"

At first, he didn't take Daimyo's words seriously.

Even after watching the breathtaking "The Tale of the Heike: The New Chapter of the Ninja," deep down, he still stubbornly believed that there was an insurmountable gap between Ninjas and Ordinary People.

Power is the original sin. As long as they possess superhuman strength, they will never escape the fate of being used as weapons.

No matter how moving the joys and sorrows on stage may be, it's still just a play. The real truth lies in the balance of interests and power in reality.

However, looking at the bustling scene outside the window, he wavered.

The ordinary people who initially watched from afar, after the initial shock, did not cower at a safe distance and fearfully watch the Ninjas as he had expected.

On the contrary, they were amazed. Every time they saw a Ninjutsu being used, or a house being completed, they would exclaim in surprise and admiration.

Then he saw a few bolder children, after hesitating, finally take a step and run towards the little Ninjas of the same age who were moving small stones.

He looked up and said something, then clumsily tried to help steady the piece of wood or pick it up from the ground.

He saw several men whose homes had originally been in the Ruins wipe their faces after their initial shock and heartache, roll up their sleeves, and walk toward the Senju Ninja was clearing away large chunks of rubble. They pointed to a certain spot and began gesturing, seemingly explaining the original structure or where there were still belongings that needed to be carefully excavated.

The women spontaneously gathered together. Some brought out tea from their still-intact houses and handed it to the sweating Ninjas, while others began to tidy up the household items that were still usable scattered on the ground.

Gradually, scattered but clear voices rose from the crowd.

"This is my home, I should do my part!"

"Right, right, we can't let the Ninjas do all the work. We know our own family best!"

"Exactly! What if you build it differently from the original? I'll have to keep an eye on it!"

"Ichirō! Don't just stand there, come and help me pass this!"

"Thank you Ninja, ninjas... but we can lend a hand with this too."

At first, there were only a few scattered individuals, but soon, more and more ordinary people joined in.

They don't have the extraordinary powers of Ninjas; they can only do what they can manage, and sometimes they even seem clumsy and inconvenient because they don't know how to do it.

But those busy Ninjas, whether they were strong and sturdy, had a cold expression, or Ninja from other clans, did not show any impatience or disdain.

Someone might stop and briefly remind you, "Put that stone over there." or "Watch your step, the area isn't level yet."

Some people would accept the water offered by ordinary people, nod their thanks, and drink it all in one gulp.

There was even a little girl who, seeing an old woman shakily trying to move a pottery jar, immediately ran over to help, carefully placing it in a safe spot, and even gave the old woman a somewhat shy smile.

The sun shone brightly, and dust particles danced in the beams of light.

The salty smell of sweat, the fresh scent of new wood, and the lively sounds of people working all mingled together.

The Ruins are being cleared quickly, and new house frames are already in place.

The Ninjas displayed amazing Ninjutsu, while Ordinary People helped with their own hands.

There are no barriers, no fear, only ordinary people striving for a common goal.

The nobleman sat in the smoothly moving oxcart, quietly watching this unprecedented scene through the window.

A future where Ordinary People and Ninjas can coexist peacefully...?