Thunder Cloud Nine Warriors and Orphanage Reform

"There's no good solution for a new source of income for the village at the moment, but we really should strengthen our control over the existing sources... Perhaps we could start with the Daimyo and seek greater, more stable support from him..." an elderly Kumogakure advisor said.

At that moment, a Kumogakure advisor suddenly had an idea and said,

"We could send an additional team of elite ninja to permanently station in the Capital City of the Land of Lightning. Their long-term mission would be protecting the Daimyo, while also strengthening the village's ties with him."

The idea was straightforward, and very ninja-like.

Another ninja also felt it was feasible.

"Indeed... Previously, only one small squad stayed close to protect the Daimyo. While that was enough in these peaceful times, it makes us seem insufficiently attentive. The display of force is also somewhat lacking, and our connection with the Daimyo isn't as strong..."

The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning was someone who liked pomp and ceremony. Sending more elite ninja to protect him personally would undoubtedly scratch his itch.

"How about... giving them a more imposing name? The Daimyo likes impressive names..."

"Like the Seven Ninja Swordsmen... Indeed, they need a resounding name. It would also display Kumogakure's strength to the Shinobi World."

A stroked his beard. As someone who had given nearly every taijutsu in the Yotsuki Clan's secret techniques an extravagant name, the Third Raikage was immediately wide awake at the mention of the subject.

"How about Lightning Storm Justice Armor Hot Roar Warriors..."

Everyone looked at A as though they had seen a ghost...

What the hell was that incomprehensible name...

It was one thing to give his own taijutsu flashy names, but now he wanted to extend his claws into village administration too...

For example, what was it called when he kicked someone from above? It was called: Justice Lightning Sinking Angry Lightning Axe.

For example, what was it called when he leaped up and chopped down at someone with a hand blade? It was called: Lightning Oppression Horizontal Chop.

What was it called when he charged forward with his whole body and then shoved his opponent with one palm?

Answer: Lightning Lariat.

What was it called when two people used that move from the left and right?

Answer: Double Lariat.

What kind of bullshit was this?!

Several advisors looked prepared to remonstrate to the death. They simply could not imagine Kumogakure's elite walking through the Shinobi World under that name. They would probably be laughed to death...

Dodai coughed lightly and said, "How about Thunder Cloud Nine Warriors? Three squads would be just right."

"Seconded."

"Seconded."

The others hurriedly finalized the matter, lest the Third Raikage stick his foot in again...

A sighed. Though somewhat unwilling, he still nodded in approval of the name he felt was not nearly imposing enough.

"Dodai, I have another task for you. Look into the recent situation at the Orphanage and see what needs reforming."

"Understood, Raikage!" Though puzzled, Dodai still dropped to one knee to accept the order.

"Mm... Also, Dada is very interested in matters concerning the Orphanage and may come to you to participate in this matter. Handle it according to the situation. Don't spoil him excessively, but if he has useful suggestions, you may listen to them." A stroked his yellowed beard as he considered his words.

Dodai was also a seasoned Elite Jonin and naturally knew how to handle matters according to circumstances. A was merely wary that, because of Dada's status, Dodai might cooperate too excessively. After all, Dodai was a retainer of the Yotsuki Clan and, due to his position, was more easily influenced by Dada than an ordinary Kumogakure ninja.

At that moment, a jonin reported, "Raikage, six members of the Steel Release Clan from the Land of Frost will arrive at the village today. In addition, the Red Eye Clan found in the Land of Birds has also been persuaded and has already set out. Together with the Uzumaki Clan that arrived last week, although their numbers are small, the village has indeed gained three kinds of Kekkei Genkai."

Everyone in the Raikage Building smiled. Since the Fire Stealing Plan had been implemented three years ago, Kumogakure had poured in immense manpower and resources. At last, it was time to reap some results, and one could imagine that in the future, the Fire Stealing Plan would bring more and more changes to Kumogakure.

Dada's butterfly wings had not stopped beating over the past three years. Instead, they had only grown stronger with every flap.

"The Raikage's plan back then was truly farsighted. We must continue this plan. One day, Kumogakure will also be like Kirigakure and Konohagakure, with Kekkei Genkai everywhere and geniuses emerging in abundance!"

"Yes, the Raikage is truly wise."

All kinds of shameless flattery were thrown out as though they cost nothing. A remained expressionless, but inwardly, he was delighted.

When he had formulated the Fire Stealing Plan, half the reason was that Kumogakure's Kekkei Genkai strength and research were truly abysmal. The other half was Dada's illness. Although there was still no sign of a solution to Dada's Bloodline Disease, Kumogakure's foundation was undeniably growing stronger and stronger.

Although the new blood that had moved into the village was still weak for now, just like the plan's name implied, what Kumogakure sought was not power in the present, but possibilities for the future.

The next day.

"Young Master Dada, isn't this plan a little too aggressive... And the village hasn't prepared such a large budget for the Orphanage..." Dodai looked troubled as he examined the proposal Dada had handed him.

To be honest, although the Raikage had given him a warning beforehand, Dodai had only assumed that Dada might casually offer a few suggestions and that he merely needed to humor the child. Yet he had not expected Dada to produce such a detailed plan.

And it even looked quite impressive.

Dodai could not help observing Dada. This second young master, who usually kept to himself in the Yotsuki Clan Territory, seemed to have a side Dodai did not understand...

"Uncle Dodai, this is an overall plan. We can implement it step by step. The village definitely won't agree to increased spending without justification, but if we can produce results at each stage, then the village will be willing to invest more."

Dada was not surprised by the hesitation in Dodai's words. He himself knew that launching a grand plan from the start was impossible, especially since he was only a six-year-old child. The reason he had laid out the entire plan now was only to make Dodai take it seriously first.

"Besides, this plan will need constant improvement. We can take one step and look two steps ahead."

Dodai nodded. Thinking of it that way, the contents of the proposal no longer seemed quite so shocking. Setting aside the fact that the plan had come from a six-year-old child, Dodai was actually drawn in by its contents.

"Then, Young Master Dada, where do we begin?" Dodai asked.

"It's simple. First, improve the Orphanage's curriculum. Instead of immediately putting them through high-intensity military training, give them a period of adjustment so they can sincerely accept the village."

"Second, if we want them to feel the village's concern, we need more management staff. One or two chunin cannot handle everything from food and daily necessities to training. A lack of energy will lead to crude, even arbitrary management. But it would not be good to immediately request manpower and resources from the village, so we can issue zero-pay missions."

"Zero-pay missions?" The term sounded utterly ridiculous to a ninja, but Dodai immediately caught on and flipped the proposal to the relevant page.

"More accurately, they're low-pay missions. The reward would be one child's daily meal expenses, roughly two hundred ryo. The mission would be to take a child from the Orphanage around Kumogakure for a day."

"This mission..." Dodai began to understand what Dada meant.