"Patriarch Shui Yuan."
He looked at the weathered man before him, his tone gentle yet firm:
"I've said it before: in Konoha, we are all family.
There is no such thing as stealing jobs between family members.
Konoha is vast, and there is plenty of work. Only by working together can we do it better."
Shui Yuan could no longer hold back. He bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage! I... I will lead my clansmen and work hard!"
At some point, the workers behind him had all stopped what they were doing. They rose in unison and bowed deeply to Kumoi.
Kumoi waved his hand. "Up, up. Get back to work."
He walked out of the workshop, with Sarutobi and Shikato following behind him.
Sunlight fell over the land of the West District. The newly built houses, bustling construction sites, and Uzumaki clansmen smiling on their faces formed a vibrant, thriving scene.
Shikato sighed with emotion. "A few months ago, this place was still wasteland."
Sarutobi nodded. "Time really flies."
Kumoi said nothing. He merely looked quietly at this land that was rising before his eyes.
After a long while, he spoke.
"Let's go. We'll take a look at the residential district too."
The three turned and continued deeper into the West District.
Behind them, the clanging from the workshops continued to ring out—the sound of hope.
After leaving the workshop district, Kumoi's group followed Shui Yuan along the newly paved stone road toward the residential district.
Fresh Konoha emblems hung from the lamp posts lining both sides of the road—barrier nodes personally designed by Kagami Uchiha. They served as decorations as well as part of the West District's overall defense system.
"The streetlights here are barrier nodes too?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up and asked curiously.
Shui Yuan nodded proudly: