Nawaki's Death

In Leaf Village year 36.

After several years of development, goods from the Land of Rain had become bestsellers worldwide, also driving a technological revolution in the shinobi world. Machines began to enter people's sight, though the great nations were still quite resistant to them!

The Land of Rain was no longer poor; it had transformed from a backward agricultural nation into a powerful industrial one!

Due to Leaf Village's reparations, the Sand Village's development had also been exceptionally smooth, and Leaf Village had long since emerged from the shadow of war.

Uchiha compound.

"Obito, chase me!" a black-haired boy ran forward joyfully.

"Okay!" Obito chased from behind. Each time he was about to grab the other's collar, he was dodged, which infuriated him!

The black-haired boy was none other than Su Zheng. The development of the Land of Rain had entered its groove, and he didn't need to be there watching all the time. Thus, he used an identity vest (Uchiha Jitsu) and came to Leaf Village.

After playing for a while, Su Zheng heard Obito's stomach rumble.

Su Zheng said, "Let's go eat ramen!"

Obito said shyly, "I don't have any money!"

Su Zheng took his hand and said, "I have money, I'll treat you!"

Ichiraku Ramen Shop.

"Brother Teuchi, two bowls of miso pork ramen!" Su Zheng shouted.

"Coming!" Teuchi responded.

At this time, he was still a youth, still helping out at the shop!

Soon, two bowls of ramen were placed before them.

"Mmm!" The aroma was rich, stimulating the taste buds. Obito could not wait. He broke apart his chopsticks, lowered his head, and began to eat. Su Zheng also savored it carefully.

The noodles were firm and springy, the broth flavorful, rich, and fragrant!

Admittedly, this ramen was much tastier than any ramen Su Zheng had eaten before; he couldn't stop eating.

After enjoying the meal, they paid and left.

They promised to play together tomorrow before going home.

Late at night, Senju compound.

Whoosh! Su Zheng, having placed a mark beforehand, arrived here.

He had scouted ahead and knew Tsunade was out on a mission, leaving only Nawaki alone.

Huff, huff, huff!

Su Zheng looked at Nawaki, who was asleep, and injected a pre-prepared jutsu into his body.

"Death Substitute Jutsu!"

The light blue glow disappeared, and a character for "Substitute" appeared, then vanished moments later.

"Nawaki, for your sister's sake, you must not die!" Su Zheng vanished.

"Teacher Orochimaru, let's take this mission!" Nawaki took a scroll from the mission board.

Orochimaru glanced at it. "Investigate the border of the Land of Fire for any enemy ninja activity!" It was just a B-rank mission; with him there, there would be no problems.

"Okay!"

After returning from the Land of Rain battlefield, the three of them had become famous. Coincidentally, Nawaki had just graduated from the Ninja Academy and was to become Orochimaru's disciple. Tsunade had agreed.

Through training, Nawaki had achieved some success and had already been promoted to Chunin.

Land of Fire border.

In the forest, Nawaki landed on the ground. After observing his surroundings, he picked up a fallen branch.

"There are traces of footsteps ahead, is it this way..." Nawaki looked forward.

Orochimaru inwardly sighed: Nawaki's intelligence analysis ability was gradually improving. If he could temper his impetuous nature, he would be an excellent ninja.

Orochimaru naturally knew where those ninja were, but if he told Nawaki, it wouldn't serve as training.

Ahead, Nawaki saw a ninja fleeing and said, "Leave it to me, Teacher!"

Just as Orochimaru was about to remind him, Nawaki immediately got up and gave chase!

At that moment, he suddenly stepped on a trap set by the enemy.

Rumble!

A fierce explosion from an explosive tag occurred. Nawaki, who had entered the area, was hit squarely. However, amidst the smoke and dust, Nawaki's body instantly swapped!

Orochimaru watched the firelight before him, and the damaged body of Nawaki caused a fierce killing intent to spread wildly within him!

Boom!

Orochimaru quickly caught up to those ninja and showed no mercy, killing them directly!

He stared blankly at the forehead protectors of the Cloud Village ninja, lost in thought!

Leaf Village.

Upon hearing the news, Tsunade couldn't believe it. With Orochimaru by her side, how could her brother be in trouble!

But seeing Orochimaru's pale face, she was terrified. "Impossible, this isn't real!"

Jiraiya held Tsunade back. "Don't look, it's too gruesome!"

Tsunade shoved him aside and saw Nawaki's body wrapped into a ball. Tsunade burst into tears.

How could her brother be dead! Nawaki had said he wanted to become Hokage! He had said he would protect me!

A wave of intense pain washed over Tsunade, her whole body trembling.

Jiraiya could only continue to comfort her, while Orochimaru contemplated the meaning of life.

The human body was truly too fragile; a single kunai, a single shuriken could end a life.

"I must learn all the jutsu in this world, and grasp the sole truth of this world!"

"Before that, there's still one thing I must do!" Orochimaru thought silently.

Nawaki's death changed two people. Tsunade became withdrawn, spending her days lost in gambling and taverns to numb the pain in her heart.

Orochimaru also fell into darkness, beginning to worship power, pursue truth, and colluded with Danzō, helping him complete many inhumane experiments.

At the same time, Orochimaru infiltrated the Cloud Village and destroyed the seal of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Buruibi, causing the Eight-Tails to rampage and Buruibi to die tragically. The Cloud Village was forced to find a new Jinchuriki.

Land of Rain, Development Department Office Building.

Due to the rapid development of the Land of Rain, the original Development Department had to expand its scale. The position that everyone had previously disdained, they now had to say, "Ah! It smells so good!"

"What are this year's economic indicators?" Su Zheng asked.

An official excitedly reported, "My lord, our Gross Domestic Product has reached 165.3 billion Ryo, an increase of about 20% from last year. We expect to maintain this growth this year!"

How could they not be excited? Thinking back a few years, the Land of Rain's GDP was only 51 billion Ryo. In just a few years, it had more than doubled, which was simply a miracle!

Su Zheng glanced at him indifferently. "This much? What are you excited about! You have no idea what speed is called the 'Oriental Miracle,' that would truly scare you to death!"

"My lord is truly my lord, with such strong psychological resilience, not even batting an eye at this growth. I will work harder in the future and never drag my lord down!" This official's respect for Su Zheng grew even more!

Su Zheng asked, "What about population growth?"

"My lord, because of your advance planning, we have taken very good care of newborns, so the birth rate is steadily increasing. This year it has reached 4.13 million people, an increase of 700,000 people from a few years ago!"

Su Zheng pondered. The initial plans had been largely realized, but to achieve his dream, this was still far from enough!

He handed a document to the official and dismissed him to carry it out.

It was a plan to perfect the Land of Rain's identity system. As the Land of Rain became prosperous, the surrounding countries' attention gradually turned towards it, and measures had to be taken to prevent infiltration.

In fact, Su Zheng had wanted to carry out modernization reforms long ago, but the conditions did not allow it! This corrupt system would only hinder the Land of Rain's progress. The Development Department had already become the de facto state power; all allocations had to pass through it.

The Daimyo should be swept into the dustbin of history!

Thinking about his plan, Su Zheng walked towards his uncle Hanzo's house.

Hanzo's House.

"A Zheng, you haven't visited in a while. What brings you here this time?" Hanzo asked with a loving smile.

Su Zheng stepped forward and sat down, saying, "I want to talk to you, Uncle, about my upcoming plans..."

Hanzo waved his hand. "No need to tell me. Since handing over the major affairs to you, I've been much more relaxed. I don't have to worry about looking at those documents every day. You can make your own decisions, no need to inform me!"

A few years ago, Hanzo had handed over the Development Department to Su Zheng. He had initially thought it was just a plan, but he hadn't expected him to actually accomplish it, and it kept developing better and better. He was happy to be idle, spending his days leisurely doing what he wanted, which was wonderful!

Su Zheng said seriously, "Uncle, this time is different. It might lead to war with other countries, so I must tell you!"

Hanzo looked at him seriously and said, "Speak!"

"I want to send our people into the Land of Grass and the Land of Rivers to gradually gain control of these two countries!"

Boom!

It was like a thunderclap, striking into the dark night, shocking Hanzo.

Hanzo paused for a long time and asked, "You want to control these two countries, for what reason?"

"There are two reasons. First, our factories require many raw materials from their countries. Their domestic populations have gradually united and want to force us to raise prices. I absolutely will not allow this lifeline to be held in the hands of others!"

"Second, since we have already decided to intervene in their countries, instead of arguing with them, it would be better to prepare to take these two countries as our own!"

Hanzo asked, "Then the Land of Birds, the Land of Fields, the Land of Iron..."

"Are you planning to hold all the countries in your palm!"

Sweat! Uncle discovered it. That's right, what normal person would have such great ambitions.

Moreover, this was Hanzo. Although he didn't understand economics well, he was very clear about national politics!

Su Zheng looked at Hanzo with some guilt. Since it had been exposed, he decided to admit it directly.

"Yes! Uncle, do you support me?"

Hanzo remained silent for a long time before saying, "Since you want to do it, then go ahead. I'll always be behind you!"

"Thank you, Uncle!" These were Su Zheng's most sincere words.

"We're family, what's there to thank!"

Before dawn arrives, one must endure the deepest night. Is this before the first light, or after the twilight?

PS: As mentioned before, some unreasonable events and characters will be changed. Here, Nawaki has been modified; he died a few years later. Also, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto's ages have been adjusted, from 15-19 and 20-23 respectively.