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Compared to the tense atmosphere of an impending storm across the entire shinobi world, the capital remained a scene of peace and prosperity.
Of course, the tense atmosphere was not without its impact.
A while ago, rumors of a potential war with the Land of Lightning caused prices in the capital to skyrocket.
Shrewd merchants began hoarding goods, preparing to profit greatly from the national crisis.
However, they clearly underestimated the daimyo's influence.
With just one decree!
The next day, more than a dozen heads of renowned merchants were hung high above the city gates.
The charge: disrupting the market and undermining the nation's foundation.
Blood is the best sedative.
All speculators instantly fell silent.
Soaring prices dropped overnight.
The entire populace of the capital praised the daimyo's decisive actions and benevolence.
They only knew that the daimyo allowed them to continue buying grain and cloth at fair prices.
As for whose heads those were, no one cared...
Daimyo manor, rear hall.
The pool water was warm, and a fragrant mist permeated the air.
Shin leaned against the edge of the pool, eyes closed, resting.
Beside him, a soft, delicate body nestled close to him.
It was Mei Terumi.
At this moment, she had long lost the sharp edge she displayed when they first met.
After clearly understanding his bottom line, and in order to better help her companions overthrow Yagura, she had become completely submissive.
Shin, of course, understood her reasons for doing so, and he had to admit, this woman was also a ruthless individual.
Just then, a faint sound of footsteps approached.
"My lord," the maid's respectful voice sounded, "Senior Yo requests an audience."
"Hmm..." Shin, without opening his eyes, commanded faintly, "Tell him to wait."
A moment later, he rose from the water.
The sound of splashing water filled the air.
His muscular body was exposed, water droplets sliding down his well-defined muscles.
The maids nearby watched, their pretty faces instantly flushing red, as they hurried forward with a bathrobe to dry him and help him change into his casual clothes.
When Shin emerged from the rear hall, his face had already resumed the demeanor of a monarch.
Yo was waiting outside, and upon seeing Shin, he quickly bowed. "My lord."
"What is it?" Shin asked succinctly.
"The foundation work for the new district has been completed," Yo immediately replied. "The Guardian Shinobi Twelve have returned to the capital and wish to see you."
"Oh?" Shin raised an eyebrow slightly.
These elites, whom he had sent to the construction site, had finally returned.
He wondered how much they had understood from over a month of labor.
"Understood." Shin nodded. "Prepare a banquet in the garden. I will host them tonight."
"Yes!"
Yo accepted the order and withdrew...
Night fell, and the daimyo manor garden was brightly lit.
Water flowed gently, and a cool evening breeze blew.
A not-so-grand banquet had already been prepared.
When the Guardian Shinobi Twelve entered the garden, their eyes immediately fell upon the figure at the head of the table.
Rumors said the new daimyo was extremely young.
Yet, when they saw him with their own eyes, they still found it unbelievable.
He was truly too young.
But it was this young man who had manipulated them, and the entire Konoha, with ease.
"Greetings, my lord!"
Without time to ponder, everyone immediately composed themselves and bowed in salute.
"Rise and take your seats!" Shin raised a hand, gesturing to the maids nearby. "Serve the wine."
"Yes."
The maids moved gracefully, guiding everyone to their seats in order and filling their cups.
The atmosphere was quiet.
Shin was the first to speak. "You all worked hard staying at the construction site for half a month."
He scanned everyone present.
Their skin was tanned, and they appeared much calmer.
It seemed the trip to the construction site had a good effect.
Nara Shikato said, "It is our honor to share your burden. It was not hard."
Shin smiled, raised his glass, and said, "Let's eat and talk."
Everyone quickly raised their glasses in response.
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere warmed slightly.
Shin then put down his glass.
"Tell me."
"How have you thought about the questions I asked you to consider?"
At these words, everyone stopped their movements and looked at Shikato.
The main event had arrived.
They were here for this very reason today.
Shikato rose and bowed deeply to Shin. "My lord, regarding the task of the new district's foundation engineering, I have some conjectures to report to you."
Shin made a gesture for him to continue.
Receiving the instruction, Shikato continued, "At the beginning of the task, we were indeed perplexed."
"We did not understand why you would deploy elite combat power into ordinary labor."
His answer seemed very candid.
"But during the half-month of labor, I discovered that when shinobi power is used in basic construction, the efficiency is a hundred times that of ordinary people."
"I boldly speculate that your action might be a drill for a brand new combat power allocation model."
"You deploy us in the most difficult places, and once a breakthrough is achieved, you immediately withdraw us."
"The remaining finishing work, though tedious, is not difficult and can be completed by ordinary people."
At this point, Shikato looked up, his gaze fixed on the daimyo, and summarized, "This is the maximization of elite combat power's value."
"Using the strongest power to solve the most difficult problems, then quickly disengaging to avoid consuming valuable resources on lengthy finishing work."
"I believe that if this model is applied in wartime, it will have miraculous effects."
His words were clear and logically rigorous.
From a military perspective, he explained the daimyo's actions and demonstrated the intelligence of the Nara clan.
In the garden, a pin drop could be heard.
Shin listened quietly, a smile appearing on his face.
"Excellent." He clapped softly. "As expected of the Nara clan, to analyze it from a military perspective to this extent has exceeded my expectations."
He motioned for Shikato to sit down.
Shikato respectfully sat back down, slightly relieved.
It seemed he had passed the test.
Just then, Asuma stood up, looking at the daimyo with deep confusion.
"My lord."
"I can generally understand Senior Shikato's analysis."
"But I still have one question that I haven't been able to figure out."
Shin said directly, "Speak!"
Asuma said, "If your intention was to practice tactics, why only give half a month's time?"
"Wouldn't completing the building better test this model?"
"Only laying the foundation and then stopping always feels... unsatisfying."
This question also troubled all the shinobi present.
If it was a drill, what was the meaning of abandoning it halfway?
Shin's smile deepened at his words.
Looking at the straightforward Asuma, he said, "Your question hits the nail on the head."
He scanned the group, his gaze finally settling on Nara Shikato. "This is also why Shikato was only half correct."
At these words, Shikato, who had just relaxed, felt his heart jump!
Everyone's gaze once again focused on Shin, awaiting the daimyo's explanation.
Shin continued, "Because all of you only saw the combat power, but you haven't seen the people."
This sentence made everyone pause.
What did he mean?
"Asuma!" Shin didn't give them time to think. "I ask you."
"During your half-month at the construction site, did you speak with any of those craftsmen?"
Asuma subconsciously nodded. "Yes, when coordinating tasks..."
"Work-related matters don't count." Shin interrupted him.
He leaned forward slightly, his words becoming sharper. "Asuma, did you ask any of the craftsmen around you for their names?"
"Did you ever consider whose husband, whose father they are after they take off those dust-covered clothes?"
"In your eyes, are they people, or just moving tools?"
A series of questions, each more cutting than the last.
Asuma opened his mouth, unable to utter a single word.
Because he had never thought of these things.
It wasn't just him.
Shikato, who had just been speaking eloquently, now hung his head.
None of the other shinobi responded.
In their eyes, those craftsmen were merely background figures for them to complete their tasks.
They had never thought to understand those ordinary people.
The entire garden became silent.
Only the maids moved silently.
Shin looked at their ashamed expressions and said nothing more.
But his silence was heavier than any reprimand.