While the Shinobi World remained in turmoil, Kirigakure quietly began a transformation. Its borders were sealed, with no one allowed in or out, which actually put the other nations at ease.
After all, Kirigakure had always been mysterious. Everyone knew that in this war, they had first been beaten back by Konoha, with even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist suffering heavy losses, then been stabbed in the back by the Sand Ninja, making things even worse. As a result, no one paid them much mind.
As for the Land of Water's isolationist policy, the other nations were already used to it. This was better, in fact, since they did not have to worry about Kirigakure pulling any tricks.
Although the Stone Ninja and Cloud Ninja had suspended their war with Konoha after the battle of Kikyo Mountain, it had not ended completely.
During this period, Hiruzen Sarutobi voluntarily stepped down, and Minato Namikaze, who had earned numerous distinctions in the Third Shinobi World War, took office as the Fourth Hokage.
Watching this unfold, Orochimaru said nothing. After a cold chuckle, he went back to his research.
Moreover, thanks to the war, he had plenty of material for his research.
But when he returned home for the first time in ages, he discovered a letter on his table.
He cautiously flicked out his tongue, and only after confirming there was no danger did Orochimaru approach and open the envelope.
After reading the entire letter, intense interest shone in Orochimaru's serpentine eyes.
"The origin and true nature of the Shinobi World, and the key to eternal life. Yuzuru-kun, it seems you've discovered something extraordinary."
At that thought, Orochimaru looked curiously in the direction of the Hatake Clan.
"Hatake Sakumo. It seems he knew all of this long ago. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so calm. Hehe, interesting!"
Then Orochimaru rose and headed toward the Hatake Clan.
Sensing a familiar presence while wiping a teacup, Hatake Sakumo set down the cup in his hand. Looking at Orochimaru, who was already seated in a chair, he asked with a smile, "What brings you here? Shouldn't you be preparing for the Fourth's inauguration ceremony right now?"
"Hehe, that has little to do with me. The Fourth is Minato Namikaze."
"It's Minato?"
Hatake Sakumo was surprised.
He had lived through the Second World War. Whether in military achievements or contributions to Konoha, even ten Minatos put together could not match what Orochimaru had done.
In the Third Shinobi World War, Orochimaru had still been the commander-in-chief, while Minato had merely been a fighter and assassin. The gap between the two was enormous. To think Orochimaru had actually lost the selection-it really was a shame.
"So, why have you come to see me? Surely you aren't here for a drink because you're feeling down?"
Sakumo sat down and asked with a smile.
Without speaking, Orochimaru took out the letter and looked at Sakumo with a smile.
"Sakumo-senpai, let's dispense with the pretense. There are many things we both understand perfectly well. You should know exactly what Yuzuru-kun is doing now, shouldn't you?"
"Well, I really don't know much about that. He only told me he would personally bring this rotten era to an end. As for how, I truly have no idea."
Sakumo shook his head with a smile.
"Hehe, no matter. It's fine if you won't say. It's just that Yuzuru-kun sent me an invitation. Do you think I should join?"
Hearing this, Sakumo looked at Orochimaru and said earnestly, "I hope you will join. That child's understanding far surpasses all of ours. He's different from us. He has never lived inside this cage called being a ninja. What he intends to accomplish is unprecedented."
"Of course, consider this a personal request from me as well. If you're unwilling, just pretend we never had this conversation today."
After speaking, Sakumo returned to his air of a retired elder.
"A cage called being a ninja?"
Orochimaru had never felt anything was so apt.
He, too, had grown thoroughly sick of the ninja profession.
"In that case, I understand. Then, Sakumo-senpai, why aren't you going as well?"
"Well, that little fellow gave me a task: to protect a few youngsters in the village."
Hearing this, Orochimaru caught on. "It seems this plan was already underway when Yuzuru-kun was a child."
"Perhaps. That child matured rather early."
"Geniuses always think differently from others. That's perfectly normal."
Orochimaru shook his head, rose, and bid Sakumo farewell.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"I won't see you out."
After leaving the Hatake Clan, Orochimaru walked alone through Konoha's streets. Looking at the postwar village and the ninja everywhere, at that moment, he saw them all as battlefield cannon fodder, yet these people remained completely oblivious.
"Ninja, hehe!"
Returning to his laboratory, Orochimaru put everything else out of his mind and focused on his experiments with Hashirama Cells and his pursuit of eternal life. That letter alone, he kept.
Three months later.
Under the leadership of Mei Terumi and Kakashi, all bandits and nobles within the Land of Water were eliminated, bringing all the land and wealth under their control. Kirigakure's finances reached an unprecedented level of prosperity.
Afterward, under Mei Terumi's leadership, all the land was distributed to ordinary people. They were no longer slaves either. They had their own land to farm and only needed to pay their taxes on time once a year.
The specifics of taxation would depend on local conditions. After all, natural disasters and man-made calamities were impossible to predict.
Each of the Land of Water's six towns was garrisoned by one third-class soldier and six fourth-class soldiers, along with two inspectors, responsible for maintaining order, protecting local residents, and reporting that year's harvest.
Garrison personnel rotated once a year and were not permitted to remain long-term.
Cases of corruption or framing others would be investigated personally by the inspection corps. Once wrongdoing was found, the punishment ranged from ten years in prison to execution on the spot.
In short, the Sea Capital's new laws were unprecedentedly harsh toward the military, but unprecedentedly merciful toward ordinary people.
Even so, no one objected, because compared to ninja missions, these assignments were now very easy and straightforward. They simply had to refrain from favoritism and fraud. Moreover, they received a fixed salary every month, which was far more comfortable than risking their lives on missions every day.
In fact, most of the soldiers were eager for something to do. Otherwise, they felt a little guilty taking money for nothing.
Even using Earth Release to build houses or Water Release to water farmers' fields was excellent.
In short, the Land of Water was now more peaceful than ever before.
Such enormous changes had taken place in less than half a year that Mei Terumi felt as though she were dreaming.
She often went out on inspections, personally checking the conditions in the various towns and villages. Without exception, everyone's faces beamed with smiles unlike any they had worn before.
Just giving them land of their own and enough food to eat was enough. It was so simple, yet no one had ever done it before.
At that moment, Mei Terumi finally truly understood the rot in the Shinobi World.
With just a little effort, ninja could give ordinary people good lives, yet no one had ever done something so simple. Nobles and daimyo exploited ordinary people, and ninja sucked their blood as well. Aside from war and killing, they accomplished nothing else.
Now, Kirigakure's military was out in full force helping the people of the Land of Water. Every household had farmland of its own, and military personnel had rebuilt their old houses with Earth Release. The Land of Water welcomed an unprecedented era of prosperity.
The requests for help the military received daily from various villages were all things like building houses or dealing with dangerous wild animals, and they charged nothing. Relations between ordinary people and military personnel were more harmonious than ever before, something no one would have dared imagine in the past.
Just as Mei Terumi finished a day's work, took a bath, and lay on her bed letting her thoughts wander, a woman's voice rang out beyond the front door.
"Deputy commander, the president summons you!"
"Understood."
Mei Terumi answered, then was just about to put on her familiar formal attire.
But suddenly, she looked at herself in the mirror and touched her cheek.
The next second, she opened her wardrobe and put on that deep-blue, off-the-shoulder, lace-trimmed long dress. She clad her legs in fishnet stockings as well, pinned on her badge, and set off for the president's office.