Early morning!!
It was still a cold day today!!
Uzumaki Jun watched as everyone gradually came out to prepare for work, especially the slogans hanging on the trees and tents...
"Labor is glorious, creation is great!"
"If you don't work today, you'll go hungry tomorrow!"
"Labor warms the body, empty words chill the heart!"
...and other banners.
He nodded in satisfaction. Indeed, it looked much better this way. Not only did this motivate the citizens to work, but it also helped promote literacy education. Why not do it?
Especially seeing each team leader leading their members in shouting slogons every morning—the feeling...
It was very energizing!!
If a military academy were to be established later, they could also hang...
"Shed blood and sweat, but not tears. Lose skin and flesh, but not morale!"
...and other slogans inside the military academy. Gradually changing everything into something he was familiar with would also be very good.
After everyone finished shouting the slogans, they enthusiastically followed their team leaders to their designated eating spots. Uzumaki Jun also planned to set off for Konoha after breakfast.
Because it was winter, the roads were not easy to travel, so he decided to leave early. Moreover, Uzushiogakure only had three large ships left by Gato. While there wouldn't be any issues going, if...
Too many people were brought back, it might become troublesome.
Thus, Uzumaki Jun planned to transport the refugees in several batches. At the same time, he arranged for the Uzu-nin in Uzushiogakure to prepare for receiving the refugees.
Of course, this wouldn't be done only after returning. Instead, it would begin on the way to Konoha. That was why he planned to bring more ninjas, having them make multiple trips to bring the refugees to Uzushiogakure via the nearby waters.
As for him...
After handling matters, he would directly take Kai to Konoha, saving a lot of time.
"Uzushiogakure is still lacking too many things!!" Uzumaki Jun lamented inwardly. As an island nation, even their ships were bought from others. It was truly shameful, so...
The development of the shipbuilding industry was also crucial!!
Moreover, they needed to bring quite a few things on this trip, such as food, coal, and glass... no, crystal!
It should be called crystal. That name sounded much more high-class...
The food and coal were for the refugees while waiting, to give them some hope. If you didn't offer anything, how could they trust you? Especially food...
During disasters, it was the most reassuring thing.
As for the glass... crystal...
It was for building relationships, bribing Konoha, and borrowing land near Uzushiogakure from the Hokage to settle the refugees!
Uzumaki Jun believed that with these three statues, Hiruzen Sarutobi would happily agree, right?
After all, these were crystal statues of the First, Second, and Third Hokage!!
Especially the Third...
Bigger and more majestic!!
This was a crystal sculpture made by Uzushiogakure's chief sculptor.
If it weren't for Hibiki mentioning it, Uzumaki Jun wouldn't have known even after living here for so many years that Uzushiogakure had a master sculptor!!
After finding him and reviewing his works, Uzumaki Jun officially appointed him as Uzushiogakure's chief sculptor and even shared some sculpting techniques from Earth with him. Perhaps in the future, selling figurines... no, sculptures could also become a lucrative business.
Transporting the refugees would likely require multiple trips. If too many people were gathered in the Land of Fire under the guidance of Uzu-nin, who knew what the Hokage might think?
Thus, it was better to clarify everything upfront. Otherwise, what if they found an excuse to cause trouble?
Uzushiogakure was a civilized nation!
A nation that understood civility and politeness!
They wouldn't randomly beat people up. Even if they did, there would be a reason!!
So...
It was better to lay everything out clearly. If the "Darkness of the Shinobi" insisted on stirring trouble...
Then any deaths afterward wouldn't be Uzushiogakure's fault!
Because they had already explained everything!!
"Lord Jun, everything is ready," Uzumaki Kai said respectfully. This time, he was serving as Lord Jun's guard to Konoha. If things took a turn for the worse, he would cover Lord Jun's retreat.
Though he also thought that someone as strong as Lord Jun, who could use space-time ninjutsu, wouldn't need his protection, but...
When it came to matters concerning Lord Jun, utmost caution was necessary, because...
He was Uzushiogakure's hope!!
"Good." Uzumaki Jun nodded and said, "After breakfast, we'll set off."
"Also, do you remember what I said?"
"If people are obedient, Uzushiogakure will accept them. If they cause trouble, Uzushiogakure won't take them in."
Just let them fend for themselves!!
"And tell the ninjas not to bully these refugees."
Uzumaki Jun looked at Uzumaki Kai with a serious expression. There must be no accidents during the refugee recruitment process. "Especially if there are ninjas among them, be extra cautious."
"Explain to them clearly that Uzushiogakure will seal their chakra for a period of time. If they don't do anything to harm Uzushiogakure, the seals will be lifted."
"Also, recruiting them doesn't mean they immediately become citizens of Uzushiogakure."
"Their treatment will be different from that of Uzushiogakure citizens, but they must not be left hungry or cold."
"Make sure the ninjas understand the balance."
They had to maintain the advantages of Uzushiogakure citizens while giving the refugees some hope, so they would work diligently.
"Understood!" Uzumaki Kai nodded solemnly. He understood the gravity of the situation. "I will remind the ninjas again!"
"Also, don't let the refugees gather together. Separate them and integrate them among the citizens."
"Understood!"
Satisfied with Uzumaki Kai's understanding, Uzumaki Jun began eating his breakfast. Originally, he had planned to take Kushina along. Perhaps she might gain something from Mito Uzumaki.
But...
Kushina mysteriously refused!!
What was she doing with his mother? She looked so secretive about it!
"I'll leave everything in Uzushiogakure to the clan leader." Uzumaki Jun rubbed his forehead and said to the clan leader. "You must ensure nothing happens to Uzushiogakure."
"If any ninjas cause trouble, just..."
Kill them!!
Uzumaki Jun's expression turned fierce. "Only by ensuring Uzushiogakure's stability can everything else proceed."
"I understand." The clan leader nodded, then said worriedly, "Are you sure you don't want to bring more people?"
"After all, Konoha..."
"Don't worry." Uzumaki Jun shook his head. "Nothing will happen to me. No one can harm me."
If he brought too many people, would he have to flee or protect them if something happened?
It would be too troublesome!!
Hearing Uzumaki Jun's words, the clan leader also felt it made sense. After all, he had just fought a tailed beast. Unless something unexpected happened, who could possibly defeat him? With that in mind, he agreed and said with a smile, "I'll keep an eye on everything in Uzushiogakure. Your father will also help. After all, he was once the daimyo of Uzushiogakure!"
"..."
He knew that!
He also knew that Uzushiogakure hadn't progressed at all under his father's rule...
And wasn't his father currently enjoying his managerial duties?
These past few days, he had been eating and sleeping with them. If his mother didn't know, she might really think his father had found a second wife.
Uzumaki Jun nodded. As long as no large forces invaded, Uzushiogakure shouldn't have any problems. It was just...
Given the current limitations, even opening factories was impossible!
He hoped the elders would make some progress by the time he returned...
If not, he would have to take the old industrialization path first!!