The Beginning of Change

After Senju Kyogawa returned, his reputation within the Senju clan rose to a new level. The accompanying Senju ninjas had nothing but praise for him, claiming that despite his young age, his skills were truly formidable—especially his Medical Ninjutsu, which was nothing short of extraordinary.

Compared to the days when everyone wanted him driven out, Senju Kyogawa's treatment within the clan compound had undergone a qualitative leap. Now, whenever he walked down the street, kind-hearted elders would offer him sweets.

Today, the sun was bright and the spring scenery was perfect.

Having survived another winter, the Senju clansmen were full of energy, each making preparations to lay the foundation for the new year and reap a bountiful harvest.

Senju Kyogawa strolled through the streets and alleys of the compound in a pleasant mood, taking a walk and soaking up the sun, feeling completely at ease.

The reason Senju Kyogawa could be so leisurely went back to the day he returned to the compound.

Upon their return, Senju Chenghe had gone straight to Senju Butsuma to speak at length about Senju Kyogawa's contributions, attributing the entire success of defeating the enemy to him.

Senju Chenghe claimed that if not for Senju Kyogawa's timely reaction to the changing situation, combined with his excellent combat ability and superb Medical Ninjutsu, their entire party likely would have perished there.

Senju Butsuma naturally understood that Senju Chenghe's words were surely exaggerated, but the gratitude the entire squad felt toward Senju Kyogawa could not have been faked.

Coupled with the fact that Senju Kyogawa had just recovered from a serious injury and his face was visibly pale, Senju Butsuma took the opportunity to let him rest for a few days to recuperate properly.

Thus, not only did Senju Kyogawa successfully complete his first mission and win the favor of the entire clan, but he also gained a few extra days of vacation.

Having obtained this extra time off, Senju Kyogawa naturally wanted to enjoy it to the fullest, which was why he was wandering through the streets and alleys of the compound.

However, Senju Kyogawa was not just wandering aimlessly.

"Little Kyogawa~ This is some soup we just stewed at home, come have a bowl~" A grandmother of about fifty or sixty waved at Senju Kyogawa, inviting him over.

The grandmother, Naiko, had also been on the battlefield in her youth. Although she was over sixty, she still looked quite sturdy, her eyes clear and still carrying a hint of sharpness forged in blood.

Her grandson was one of the ninjas on that mission. Having heard that Senju Kyogawa had saved her grandson, Grandma Naiko often slipped him delicious treats—sometimes dishes she had cooked herself, and other times snacks that children loved.

Senju Kyogawa was very fond of this kind old lady; he loved running over to her place whenever he had free time, and he had become quite familiar with her. Therefore, he didn't stand on ceremony, trotting over happily to drink the soup.

"Grandma Naiko, this soup is delicious; your cooking is as good as ever~ Brother Aoyama is truly blessed to have a grandmother like you making him yummy food every day." Senju Kyogawa didn't forget to praise her cooking while he drank.

Aoyama was the name of Grandma Naiko's grandson.

"Haha, Little Kyogawa has such a sweet mouth; if you like it, come by more often." Grandma Naiko was coaxed into a wide, beaming smile by Senju Kyogawa.

Ever since Senju Aoyama went on his mission, Grandma Naiko rarely had anyone by her side. Senju Kyogawa was as cute as jade and exceptionally delicate, and with his silver tongue, he often kept Grandma Naiko happy for the entire day.

Over time, what began as gratitude for saving her grandson's life had turned into a genuine affection for this young child.

After Senju Kyogawa finished the soup, Grandma Naiko held his hand and chatted with him affectionately for a while.

"Little Kyogawa, how is your body lately? Are your wounds healed?" Grandma Naiko's gaze swept from top to bottom, looking from left to right, carefully observing his physical condition for fear that something might be wrong.

"The wounds are all healed, Grandma Naiko, don't worry. My appetite has been so big lately I could eat a whole cow!" Senju Kyogawa said with an exaggerated tone, gesturing the size of a cow with his hands.

Seeing that Senju Kyogawa's complexion was quite rosy, Grandma Naiko breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing him gesturing so innocently and cutely, she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Senju Kyogawa chatted with Grandma Naiko for a while longer, making her laugh until she couldn't stop, repeatedly calling him a "little rascal."

Senju Kyogawa was also very happy, as the system notification [Cuddle Points +4] kept ringing in his mind.

After saying goodbye to Grandma Naiko, Senju Kyogawa arrived at the area where the Senju clan's farmland was concentrated.

To obtain supplies provided by the Daimyo, all the ninjas of the Senju clan capable of taking missions were busy every day, and most of the women who couldn't go on missions stayed home to weave.

Only some of the older or disabled clansmen who couldn't go on missions but could still work would labor in the fields. Therefore, until Senju Kyogawa discovered the area, it had been quite desolate, with only a few scattered crops and no one tending to the land.

When he first returned to the compound, Senju Kyogawa had purchased potato seeds, sweet potato seeds, corn seeds, rice seeds, and instruction manuals for planting them from the system space.

Two days ago, Senju Kyogawa had already asked his brothers and a group of young, strong laborers he was close with, including Senju Chenghe, Senju Aoyama, and Senju Aoyama, to help him plant these seeds.

The farmland still looked desolate, with paddy fields and dry fields occupying either side. However, thanks to Senju Kyogawa's efforts over the past few days, the fields at least looked like they had been tended to, no longer overgrown with weeds as they had been days ago.

Corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes were high-yield crops. If planted well, harvesting and storing them properly before winter arrived would provide enough to sustain the people in the Senju compound for quite some time.

Winter for a ninja was too hard to endure, and Senju Kyogawa never wanted to experience days of feast and famine again.

When he was locked in that small room, Senju Kyogawa had no power to intervene, but now that he was out, he had to take responsibility for his own stomach.

However, when Senju Kyogawa asked people to help farm at the time, his brothers had all shown expressions of deep confusion.

Senju Kyogawa didn't understand why ninjas were unwilling to farm, even when food was scarce.

Senju Kyogawa explained to his brothers: "If we have enough food, we won't have to suffer so much in the winter."

"And we won't have to risk our lives on missions so desperately before winter," Senju Kyogawa added.

"Then do we have to give a portion of these crops to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire?" Senju Kawarama scratched his head, thinking of how farmers in the Land of Fire had to pay grain as tax to the Daimyo.

Senju Kyogawa was very confused when he heard this and replied:

"Of course not. Ninjas are not subordinate to the Daimyo; we are free."

At the time, Senju Hashirama had happily patted Kyogawa's head upon hearing his words, praising him for being smart.

Senju Tobirama had also looked thoughtful.

That day, Senju Hashirama had been exceptionally proactive in helping Senju Kyogawa with the farming.