The Differences Between Two Worlds

"Emperor, a severe drought has struck the River Province, and huge sandstorms have arisen in many areas."

Tsunade held a report against her chest, completely ignoring whether Big Thunder, already squeezed out of shape, was uncomfortable.

"Emperor, it's just the two of us in the office. There's no need to report work as though this were a formal occasion, is there?"

A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Tsunade's mouth. She placed the document on the desk, then wrapped both hands around Senju's neck.

"I know~"

Uchiha Senju smelled the alcohol on her and gave a helpless laugh.

"You went drinking again?"

"What? Are you going to criticize me? What position do you want to use to punish me this time?"

"All right, just drink less. It's bad for your health."

He didn't understand. Because of his appearance, Tsunade's fate had changed long ago.

Her younger brother Nawaki hadn't died, and her friend Kato Dan was still alive.

Yet Tsunade had still developed a drinking habit.

"Ahem!"

Mei Terumi also walked in through the door with some documents. Seeing the two of them getting intimate right there in the office, she coughed.

"Do you want to join us?"

Tsunade invited her.

Mei Terumi licked her lips.

"Now isn't the time yet, Lord Senju. Regarding the severe drought in the River Province, I need your signature here. I've already drawn up the solution."

Although the three of them had played happily here more than once, the disaster victims took priority for now.

Senju took the document and began reading. His brow furrowed slightly.

"The sandstorms have already been dealt with by a team of Wind Release Jonin. They did a good job."

"To ensure subsequent farmland irrigation and the people's livelihood in the River Province, approval is hereby requested to dispatch one thousand Water Release Jonin to inject water into the river channels. Another hundred Earth Release Jonin are needed to open and reinforce the channels and dig wells in the worst-hit areas?"

"Does the dispatch of over a thousand Jonin really require my signature? Isn't that just delaying things and wasting manpower? This process needs to be streamlined. I won't be signing off on such trivial matters in the future. For matters concerning the people's livelihood, the provincial governors of each region have the authority to decide, and neighboring provinces must cooperate unconditionally!"

"Yes!"

Mei Terumi nodded.

"Have the supplies been approved?"

Uchiha Senju held the report, his brow deeply furrowed.

"Minato and the others have already delivered the first batch of emergency supplies. Deidara's Clay Birds squad is transporting more supplies, and they're expected to arrive tonight."

"Strange, that kid didn't say it would affect his art research?"

"After learning about the disaster victims' situation, he volunteered to step forward. It's just that his research on Nuclear Release may have to be put on hold."

Tsunade continued:

"The severe drought in the River Province has occurred several times over the years. We kept putting it off because we were busy constructing the interworld teleportation gates. Now we need to resolve this once and for all."

"The Empire was founded twenty years ago. It's ridiculous that people are still going hungry."

"Contact Yamato and have him take a group of people to the River Province to plant trees. The Oasis Plan in the Wind Province stalled before, so resume it now."

"Also, we should focus on preventing droughts like this in the River Province in the future. Don't wait until something happens before scrambling around to find people and food. From now on, send all Water Release and Earth Release Jonin graduating from the Ninja Academy to the Land of Rivers for internships. If a severe drought occurs in their assigned area, delay their graduation."

"Yes!"

The two women took notes.

Parallel Ninja World.

"A Water Release ninja? How much would that cost? It can't be cheap, right?"

"Young man, you're well-informed. Do you know how much it costs? To be honest, I'm old, and I really don't want to leave my homeland. If it doesn't cost too much, I'll pool money with the villagers and hire a Water Release ninja."

Nagato swallowed, feeling his mouth go dry.

"The income of a Water Release Jonin... averaged out per day... should be your monthly income!"

He calculated it according to the Jonin salary system within the Empire.

"That's not much! If everyone in the village contributes, can you help us contact the Water Release ninja you mentioned?"

Nagato hesitated, but still spoke. "You probably can't afford it. If you want to resolve the severe drought in your country, you'll need at least a thousand Water Release Jonin working continuously for a week..."

Before he could finish, the old woman collapsed stiffly to the ground.

The people beside her immediately shoved him away, their faces filled with anger.

"Is it fun to toy with us like this?"

"You're so young. Why is your heart so wicked?"

"You even make fun of poor commoners like us. Are you still human?"

Nagato was confused.

"Why doesn't your Daimyo take care of you? Doesn't your country have a Daimyo?"

Someone nearby sneered.

"Daimyo? If they had that much money, they could immigrate. Why would they care about us?"

Some people cursed Nagato. Others, seeing how ignorant he was of common knowledge, instantly realized that he was the young master of some great clan. They put on ingratiating expressions and dragged him over, trying to sell their children to him.

Gentle and softhearted, Nagato broke down.

Human trafficking? The parents are the child traffickers? This world is beyond saving!

Seeing him standing there dazed, the elderly people holding children could no longer hold back.

"Sir, please, I beg you! Look, my granddaughter is young, sensible, and obedient. She can work like an ox or horse for you. Please take her in!"

"Sir! My daughter is very pretty. You can take her home and keep her as a concubine!"

"Anything is acceptable? Selling yourselves into slavery?"

Nagato felt his mouth growing dry.

They nodded.

Good heavens! This accursed slave system still exists in this world!

"What's so good about being a slave? Don't you know that children who grow up like this will lose their humanity and dignity?"

They shook their heads and smiled bitterly.

"We can't even survive. Can dignity be eaten?"

Nagato finally developed a trace of deep malice toward the "conservatives" in this Imperial world.

Who exactly is saying that the Shinobi Village System is good?

Who exactly is spreading the rumor that the people live and work in peace under the joint rule of the Daimyo and the shinobi villages?

Nagato injected the potion the Emperor had given him into his body. Powerful energy awakened within him.

In the distance, Jiraiya watched this scene, secretly alarmed.

Wait! Has he lost hope in this world?

Jiraiya's heart tightened. Without worrying about exposing himself, he instantly appeared in front of Nagato.

Of the three, Nagato's heart is wavering the most. If I can recruit him to the Hidden Leaf Village or obtain some information, either would be extremely important!

Jiraiya pretended not to care and remarked, "Don't be fooled by how miserable these refugees look right now. Once they reach the Land of Fire, large numbers of nobles and merchants will be willing to take them in. Selling their sons and daughters is merely their personal choice because they don't want to bear the burden of raising their children. This situation doesn't exist within the Land of Fire."

Upon hearing this, Nagato suppressed the power awakening within his body.

"Really? Why would those nobles and merchants be willing to take them in?"

Jiraiya smiled. The fact that the other party was willing to communicate was a good sign.

"That must be because... the Land of Fire is prosperous and powerful, and every person's heart is filled with love and justice..."

Jiraiya had originally wanted to say that these people were cheap labor, but he changed his wording at the last moment.

"You've just arrived in the Land of Fire, haven't you? I think you need a guide. I can take you around to see the culture and scenery of our Land of Fire."

Jiraiya invited him with familiar ease.

Nagato hesitated briefly before nodding.

Indeed, you can't tell much by looking at a small place. I was a little impulsive just now.

"Are you a ninja from the Land of Fire?"

The moment he said this, the people around them immediately acted as though they were facing a great enemy, avoiding him as if he were a venomous snake.