Chapter 8: Broke Through!
"The weather is gradually getting colder, so preparations for winter must begin." Kusa Hikaru frowned at the map on the table. "Food, coal, cotton quilts, and housing all need to be prepared."
Because the Land of Grass had gone through a period of chaos after being destroyed in the First Great Ninja War, this time, during the reconstruction... Kusa Hikaru also planned to re-zone the entire country.
He would divide the various areas—living quarters, residential zones, commercial districts, etc.—in advance to facilitate later construction.
However.
There were far too few ninja in the Land of Grass.
"Forget it, let the idle ninja help out as well. The Land of Grass belongs to everyone! Building it depends on everyone!"
At his words.
The crowd immediately nodded in agreement.
Autumn, Konoha Year 37.
Konoha's ninja advanced rapidly into the Land of Rain. Left with no choice... the leader of the Land of Rain, the "Demigod of the Shinobi World," Hanzō of the Salamander, personally took to the field.
With his mastery of poison, ninjutsu, and taijutsu, he was invincible on the battlefield, killing countless Konoha shinobi.
This caused everyone to exclaim in admiration...
As expected of the Demigod of the Shinobi World!
So terrifying!
To avoid heavy casualties, Konoha dispatched the students of the "Strongest Hokage"—Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru—to jointly resist the leader of Amegakure.
In the end, although they were no match for him, they earned the recognition of the Land of Rain's leader, receiving the title of Konoha's Sannin.
The war between the Land of Rain and Konoha was declared over.
In the same year, while Konoha was engaged with Amegakure, Sunagakure launched a surprise attack on the Land of Fire's border. The Konoha team leader, Dan Katō, was killed in action. Sunagakure's ninja advanced as if through unmanned territory, pushing forward frantically. For a time, Konoha was actually at a disadvantage.
It wasn't until the ninja known as "Konoha's White Fang" appeared and assassinated Sunagakure's front-line commander that the situation was instantly reversed, allowing Konoha to seize victory...
The fighting outside was fierce, and the war was still ongoing. Of course, none of this had anything to do with the Land of Grass.
The current Land of Grass just wanted to quietly farm and develop, not caring about anything else.
"The foundation needs to be laid firmly, don't let it collapse! I told you! I told you! Have the Earth Style ninja lay a proper foundation first!"
Kusa Hikaru looked at the bustling infrastructure battlefield before him, a sense of gratification in his heart.
Although the ninja of Kusagakure were... thick-skinned, opportunistic, and shameless, they were generally obedient.
They would carry out the orders he gave them seriously.
Everything was developing in a positive direction.
"Leader Hikaru, about Kannabi Bridge..."
"Stop!" Hearing Mujina's words, Kusa Hikaru's face immediately darkened. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "Don't worry about that place. Skip it! Skip it!"
"???"
What's wrong?
Isn't Kannabi Bridge also within the Land of Grass?
It's a part of our country!
"Ahem! That place serves as a bridge between the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire! It holds great strategic importance for both countries!" Seeming to sense Mujina's confusion, Kusa Hikaru gave a fake cough and said with a serious expression, "I have a premonition... peace will come, but it won't last long. War will eventually break out again, and it will be even more intense than this one! The Land of Earth and the Land of Fire will definitely participate, and at that time..."
"We'll first join Iwagakure and lead them into the Land of Fire, and then, join the Land of Fire?"
"..."
Kusa Hikaru stared speechlessly at Mujina, who had suddenly become excited.
What kind of beautiful dream is this guy having?
Speaking of which, during the Third Great Ninja War, Kusagakure did seem to be spectating from the sidelines at Kannabi Bridge.
After that, the country was constantly embroiled in war, a state even more miserable than the current Land of Rain.
If it weren't for Kana and her mother, they would have nearly been flattened and destroyed by the Kaguya clan.
Could it be that this incident of playing both sides was what incurred everyone's wrath?!
Kusa Hikaru suddenly had something to say but didn't know if he should.
Just then.
"Hikaru, it's time to eat!"
A gentle voice called out; it was Fusō's.
Hikaru immediately waved his hand. "Forget it, let's just focus on rebuilding the Land of Grass for now! And that building over there is the academy! Make sure the foundation is solid, don't let it collapse!"
After saying that, he ignored Mujina and trotted off to eat.
Because there were too many things to do in the Land of Grass, Kana had also gotten busy. So, for the time being, Fusō was in charge of cooking at home.
As for the three little ones... someone had already been assigned to teach them the basics of being a ninja.
Therefore, Fusō was the only ordinary person at home with nothing to do. Feeling too embarrassed to be idle, she took it upon herself to cook for them.
Looking at the fragrant dishes, Kusa Hikaru, who had been busy all day, felt his stomach growl. And he had to admit... Fusō's cooking was delicious.
"Where's Kana?"
"I've already delivered her meal. After you finish eating, Hikaru, I'll go over and clean things up."
"What about Konan and the others?"
"Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko are all studying diligently."
"Thank you for your trouble."
"It's no trouble," Fusō smiled faintly. "I can only do these trivial things."
As she spoke, her face turned slightly red.
Life in the Land of Grass had calmed her heart, but she also felt a little embarrassed.
After all, back then she had suspected...
Everything Hikaru had said that night was slowly coming true.
However.
Looking at Hikaru, Fusō said with a smile, "Please eat slowly, Mr. Hikaru."
Meanwhile.
After seeing the leader go off to eat, Mujina shook his head with emotion.
Speaking of which, his wife had also brought him lunch.
And that brat Mui was still sulking recently. He thought that bringing Yahiko back, with that optimistic fellow to accompany him... Mui would cheer up a bit, but that kid was still the same as always.
Speaking of which…
After the academy was built, all the children of the Land of Grass would have to attend school there, just like in Konoha.
However.
How could the Land of Grass have such resources?
Their ninjutsu was copied, and incompletely at that. They also didn't have enough ninja teachers to instruct too many students.
But since the leader had said so, they could only carry out his orders.
Mujina turned his head and shouted at the guys working nearby, "All of you, get serious! Lay that foundation firmly! If it's not firm, I'll stuff you inside it!"
At his words.
"Did you hear?! Did you hear?! The leader said to make it firm!"
"Keep pounding it for me! Make it as firm as you possibly can!"
"Get a thicker one!"
The entire Land of Grass was plunged into a chorus of "Bang! Bang! Bang!"
However.
At this moment.
Underground.
Will it ever end?!
It was "Bang! Bang! Bang!" all day long! What a public nuisance!
It started before the sun was even up.
Are these guys laying a foundation or digging a hole?
Black Zetsu's face was dark... although it was hard to see, his expression was extremely ugly as he looked up at the ceiling of the cave.
Countless bits of stone and dust were "sh-sh-sh"ing down. If the cave wasn't sturdy enough, it probably would have collapsed by now!
Why aren't those Kusa-nin out on missions? What are they doing building houses here?!
Is this something a ninja should be doing?
Just as Black Zetsu was feeling irritated.
Just then.
"Why is it so noisy?"
A deep and ancient voice rang out.
"Ptooey, ptooey! Why is there so much dust? Where is Black Zetsu? What's going on? Is the cave collapsing? Don't you know this is the base I specifically chose?"
Seemingly awakened by the noise, he sounded very angry. "That one, who's-it, what's-it? Yes, you, you foolish boy, the one who draws poop. I have no idea how Hashirama's cells produced a guy like you. Hurry up and tell me what's going on."
As soon as he finished speaking.
"Lord Madara, above us..."
Before the swirly-faced Guruguru could speak.
Suddenly.
BANG!
A ray of light appeared in the ceiling, and a voice came through.
"Huh, seems like we broke through something. Could there be a cave down there?"
"..."
The cave was plunged into absolute silence.
Broke?
Broke through?
After hiding for so many years, are we about to be exposed?!
(End of Chapter)