The big cafeteria was managed by a group of aunts from the Land of Whirlpools, or people who couldn't handle heavy labor.
Since the current policy was communal dining, everyone, unless under special circumstances, had their own assigned work.
Seeing that it was already time for lunch, everyone put down their tasks, grabbed some snow to rub their hands clean, and then walked to their respective seats with smiles on their faces. Everything was orderly, without any chaos.
Uzumaki Jun observed this scene and nodded in satisfaction. It seemed that after a few days, they had already adapted. He led Gato to his seat. To set an example, Jun did not prepare any special meals for himself.
At his table sat mostly the management team, such as Komaki, Kai, and Hibiki. They always appeared at mealtime, and of course...
Uzumaki Kushina was also at this table.
"Have there been any issues recently?"
Jun served Kushina a portion of food, then took his own and asked the others.
"As long as the tools are sufficient, there shouldn't be any problems," said the ninja in charge of logging. "But most people still don't have axes or saws, so progress is slow."
"..."
There was nothing he could do about that.
Jun simply ignored him. His body was still young, and he couldn't handle such labor-intensive work. What if he wore himself out?
If he overexerted himself at such a young age...
His health was more important.
"On my side, there are too few earth-style ninjas," said the ninja in charge of building houses, sounding helpless.
"We can only build a few dozen houses a day."
For the population of the Land of Whirlpools, this was a drop in the bucket.
"Gato brought back some tents and clothes. We'll distribute them later, which should solve part of the problem," Jun sighed.
"There's no other way. The Land of Whirlpools has too few ninjas."
Even with shadow clones, where one person could function as an entire work team, it would still waste chakra.
Unless they built houses using conventional methods without ninjutsu, shadow clones would be useless. But under the current circumstances...
The weather didn't allow it.
Without the ability to fire clay or bricks, how else could they build houses without ninjutsu?
"As for me, the food supply has been decreasing due to the weather," Kai said worriedly. The prey in the Land of Whirlpools had almost been hunted to extinction. As for fish...
It was too cold. Ordinary people couldn't possibly go fishing in the sea.
"..."
Jun frowned as he considered this problem. He had thought about it for a long time, but without ships, fishing in the sea during winter was impossible. However...
If they used lakes...
They could cast nets to catch fish.
"Stop fishing in the sea," Jun said, furrowing his brows. "From now on, focus on fishing in the lakes."
If they had lightning-style ninjas, fishing in lakes would be easier, but the Uzumaki Clan...
Unless they had mixed heritage with lightning affinity, they simply didn't have any.
As for mastering lightning-nature transformation...
Aside from him, who could instantly acquire it through the system, it was unrealistic for others.
"System, is there a method for net fishing in winter?"
"Yes. 100,000 points."
"..."
That price...
"Fine, I'll exchange it."
Jun summoned a scroll (actually obtained from the system) and handed it to Kai.
"Try fishing with this method. As for the nets, the Land of Whirlpools already has some. We can modify them to fit."
They still needed meat, or else their physical development would suffer.
Kai, though puzzled, nodded and accepted it. He knew that the method for making charcoal had also been provided by Lord Jun, so this was probably similar. He would study it and ask if he didn't understand.
"As for food..." Jun looked at the head of the food department, who was staring at him eagerly, and sighed. "Gato brought some back. We shouldn't run short for now."
The head of the food department nodded in satisfaction.
Then, Jun turned to Gato with a helpless expression. Now you see, right?
This amount of food isn't nearly enough!
Gato nodded solemnly, his lips twitching. He hadn't realized it before, but now it was clear...
The Uzumaki Clan were all big eaters!
As for Kushina...
She sat quietly next to Jun, occasionally taking a bite of rice, watching them discuss matters with curiosity.
She didn't interrupt or disturb their work.
"As for charcoal..."
They weren't short on charcoal for now, but...
The logging speed in the Land of Whirlpools was too fast. If this continued, the land might suffer severe erosion before winter even ended.
Back then, the First Kazekage had been shameless—not only refusing to trade but also demanding money. If only Hashirama had been sent to plant trees, the desertification of Sunagakure would have been mitigated by now.
"System, how much reputation is needed for a wood-style Kekkei Genkai?"
"10 million."
WTF?
"That expensive? Magnet Release only costs 3 million."
"Kekkei Genkai vary in value."
As expected, the title of "God of Shinobi" came with a hefty price tag.
He couldn't afford it...
He'd have to think of another way later.
For now, Jun could only shelve the idea. He sighed inwardly. Population, population...
The Land of Whirlpools needed a much larger population!
"Just produce enough charcoal to last through winter," Jun said helplessly. He had to remind them, or else they might go overboard.
"After that, we'll switch to producing something else."
If charcoal couldn't generate enough heat, they wouldn't use it. They'd rely on ninjas instead. Though it would be exhausting, they didn't need much right now. Gaining experience would be beneficial.
Besides, it would be useful for making windows later, which they could sell to nobles from other countries. They'd probably like that.
Not only would it benefit the nobles, but it would also generate tax revenue. A win-win. And...
If the Land of Whirlpools wanted to become a trade hub, it needed its own specialties.
"Understood!"
Though he didn't know what Lord Jun planned to switch to, he nodded in agreement.
"Let's eat now!" Jun said. After working for so long, he was hungry.
"Yes!"
------
Konoha...
"A seven-year-old Kage-level!" Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe as he read the intelligence report. The part about Hōzuki Gengetsu accusing Konoha of deception and demanding compensation was ignored. The man was already dead—what compensation?
Were they dreaming?
Besides...
Konoha hadn't even sent reinforcements. This was entirely the Senju Clan's doing.
"Even Lord Hashirama wasn't this strong at that age!" Hiruzen sighed.
If nothing went wrong, this boy would likely become the next God of Shinobi.
"We can't let him grow up!" Danzō said darkly. "Should I...?"
"No!" Hiruzen shook his head. He wanted to do the same, but...
"He knows space-time ninjutsu!"
Catching him would be too troublesome.
"Hmph!" Danzō snorted. "Even with space-time ninjutsu, as long as we..."
"What are you planning?" Hiruzen frowned sharply. "We're in peacetime now. Don't act recklessly!"
"Those fools in Kirigakure are useless," Danzō sneered, ignoring his old friend's words. "How can trash like them call themselves one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages?"
"Let's set this aside for now. The situation might not be as bad as we think," Hiruzen said, taking a drag from his pipe.
"Not that bad? Hah!" Danzō grinned viciously. "Remember, Lady Mito is about to..."
"Sigh..." Hiruzen exhaled heavily. "I'll think of something."
"And what about the Senju Clan?"
"..."
Hiruzen looked up at Danzō silently. He knew what Danzō was thinking, but...
The Senju Clan were the descendants of the First and Second Hokage!
He didn't want to go too far.
But...
Danzō glared at him with a sinister expression.
"Shinobi who don't follow orders have no value."