There had always been a saying in the Shinobi World: spring rain was as precious as oil. The wind and rain that had previously drifted from the Ninja Nation of Konoha to every corner of the Shinobi World had achieved the same effect.
When the vast chakra rain fell to the ground, much of it evaporated into chakra mist, while an even greater portion silently nourished the soil of the Shinobi World and seeped into the underground rivers.
It caused the plants throughout Konoha to undergo subtle yet noticeable changes.
As Rikusei strolled through the streets, he could see that the broadleaf trees everywhere had grown slightly larger, their trunks and leaves swelling by several sizes compared to before.
Most obvious of all were the lawns lining both sides of the roads, radiating a lush green vitality utterly unsuited to autumn.
It seemed the plants cultivated within Konoha were developing toward the same giant growth seen on Mount Myoboku.
Construction of the Fourth Sacred Land had quietly begun.
Lost in thought, Rikusei arrived outside the Hokage's Office and knocked three times with practiced ease.
"Creaaak."
As Rikusei pushed open the wooden door, his pupils could not stop shifting from side to side as he counted the number of Tobirama Senjus in the small room.
Hmm.
No more, no less—exactly twelve.
Enough to form four squads.
In particular, Tobirama, who sat behind the desk with an IV drip in his arm, looked so weak and listless that Rikusei had to compose his expression to keep himself from laughing.
Not bad acting.
If any ninja came to report their work and saw this scene, they would probably immediately condemn their own conscience. The Acting Hokage was already this busy—how could they still have the nerve to slack off?
"Cough."
Tobirama pressed a