The people of Loulan would have to bear the cost of this progress themselves.
As time marched on, Hiruko's reform plans accelerated. Wood Release was fundamentally different from the standard five elemental natures; it contained true vitality. A practitioner could translate chakra into the language of life, allowing for the accelerated and precise control of plant growth.
In other words, plants coaxed into existence via Wood Release were physically real. While plants generated purely from nothingness might be ethereal, as long as they were sustained by sufficient chakra and remained undisturbed by external forces, these spectral flora could continue to function effectively.
Hiruko had researched methods to utilize sea buckthorn. Soon, Loulan would be able to mass-produce these hardy plants, processing their fruit into flavored beverages to be sold throughout the continent. Furthermore, the vegetation planted by Wood Release shinobi wouldn't just provide windbreaks for Loulan; it would improve the desert soil quality, effectively controlling and fixing shifting dunes.
Hiruko was confident that by combining scientific methodology with the relentless efforts of the Leaf shinobi, Loulan's desert greening project would succeed. Loulan would become the most radiant jewel of the desert.
This, in turn, would act as a magnet for the ninjas of the Land of Wind. Konoha could use Loulan as a springboard to extend its influence across the desert nations, initiating trade and multi-layered cooperation. They could even bypass the high-ranking officials of the Land of Wind to sway the perspectives of the common people.
Of course, Hiruko's designs for Loulan weren't merely about the gradual erosion or conquest of desert territories. He valued the power of the Dragon Vein above all else. The Dragon Vein held immense vitality and infinite possibilities—a colossal reservoir of energy capable of tearing through space-time barriers. Whether used as a personal power bank or as a medium for time travel, it was an unparalleled asset.
Hiruko believed he could use Loulan as a portal to conquer other worlds and obtain whatever he desired. If he could manipulate parallel timelines of the shinobi world, he would have an infinite number of "Solar Eclipse" days to alter environments, rendering specific time constraints and environmental limitations obsolete.
He might even be able to travel to the future Boruto era to scavenge Orochimaru's refined technologies and various black-tech advancements. He could even use parallel versions of himself as experimental subjects to perfect the Chimera Technique, undergoing his own metamorphosis only after a series of successful cross-dimensional trials.
At Minato Namikaze's family banquet, the atmosphere was as harmonious as a masterpiece painting. Queen Sara of Loulan, in particular, spent much of the time cradling the Hokage's young son, Naruto Uzumaki, a satisfied smile gracing her lips. Perhaps due to the wine, a faint blush lingered on her cheeks, making her look exceptionally alluring.
Minato saw nothing amiss, assuming his son simply possessed a natural, magnetic charm. Kushina, however, felt a prickle of unease, an instinctive sense that her son was being "stolen." It was that feeling a mother-in-law gets when she dislikes a woman at first sight—only for that woman to inevitably become her son's wife. Due to the importance of the banquet, she bit her tongue and endured it.
The way Sara looked at Naruto wasn't how one looked at a normal child; it was as if she had found something precious and long-lost. Fortunately, the dinner concluded around ten in the evening, and the guests retired to rest, satisfied.
Jiraiya, though intensely curious about the Priestess Miroku, didn't dare barge into a lady's room in the middle of the night and resolved to visit her the following day.
Two days later, the Snow Daimyo had returned to his frozen peaks, and the Priestess had quietly departed. Queen Sara, despite her lingering reluctance, had to return to her sea of sand to protect her people. The Grass Daimyo departed as well, having granted Konoha enough support to begin laying down its logistics network in his borders.
Everything was moving forward according to Hiruko's vision. Transportation within the Land of Fire was highly developed, and with Konoha having purged almost all internal threats, the domestic environment was secure. With ninjas stationed at highway checkpoints, train stations, and subway hubs, traditional "escort" missions within the country were dwindling. However, logistics and freight missions were exploding.
Konoha's finances weren't suffering from the lack of escort missions; rather, by monopolizing domestic transportation, they were amassing wealth beyond imagination. Furthermore, Konoha's brand continued to attract countless foreign clients. The "Transportation Department"—a state-owned enterprise covering roads, logistics, railways, and security—absorbed a massive amount of surplus labor.
Even with border patrols and international missions, the number of ninjas was starting to feel insufficient. While the village grew wealthier and the lives of many ninjas improved, it didn't mean everyone was rich yet. Thus, Hiruko broadened the scope of their business.
Even the "old guard" like Hiruzen Sarutobi and Koharu Utatane had to admit that the reforms of Hiruko and Minato had brought immeasurable benefits to the Leaf. Most importantly, the changes hadn't caused major international upheavals or high-casualty wars. Once the alliance with Suna was announced, the Sand Village began making money hand over fist.
The Kage of the other four nations couldn't sit still any longer. They demanded that Konoha convene another Five Kage Summit as soon as possible.
One month later.
The Five Kage Building had become a landmark in Konoha. Hiruko had personally overseen its construction, making it second only to the Hokage Rock in status. The building was pentagonal, symbolizing the Five Great Villages. Even villages with grievances against the Leaf had to admit the design was exquisite.
Minato found the five-story height a bit underwhelming compared to Hiruko's skyscrapers, but Hiruko didn't plan to build it higher. He wanted foreign ninjas to feel Konoha's influence subconsciously. When you come to Konoha, you should feel a step below the locals.
Minato was the last to arrive at the summit floor. Diplomatic envoys and representatives of smaller factions were already whispering among themselves. Under the rules Hiruko established, even small powers that hadn't officially joined the alliance could attend as observers. Hiruko was keen on winning them over to increase the summit's clout.
Small factions were welcomed warmly, though they had no voting rights. They didn't seem to mind; being able to sense the direction of the global "wind" to make early defensive or investment decisions was enough.
"When this hall is standing-room only, Konoha will have truly succeeded," Hiruko whispered to Minato with a smile.
"I'll have to trouble you then, Senior Hiruko," Minato replied, looking warmly at the crowd. Despite the difficulties, the Great Nations were beginning to integrate. Peace was coming.
Hiruko scanned the room, analyzing the factions. There were five main camps, with Konoha's being the largest. As the host and the strongest village, the Leaf was the natural pole for smaller powers. Representatives from Grass, Snow, and the Land of Demons were already lobbying others.
Next in strength was the Sand. Backed by the weaker Land of Wind, Suna's development had always been poor, but their alliance with the Leaf had removed their greatest enemy and brought vast benefits. Hiruko had even sent ninjas to clear trade routes to the Valley of Wind, allowing Suna's specialties to flow out and goods to flow in.
The Sand representative today was Lady Chiyo. She nodded to Hiruko, and he smiled back. Given their current ties—including the future marriage arrangement for Temari—it was unlikely she would reject any of Hiruko's proposals.
Then, he looked at his old rivals. Both the Cloud and Stone had special arrangements today. The Cloud envoy was the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee.
Do those Cloud idiots not care? Hiruko thought. Letting a Jinchuriki out for an event like this? Bee was far more troublesome to deal with than a standard diplomat.
The Stone sent Kitsuchi, his honest face hiding his own agenda. The Mist sent Mei Terumi.
Hiruko leaned in and whispered a single sentence to Minato. Minato smiled and announced loudly, "Since we are all gathered, let us eat first!"
A show of Great Power status begins at the banquet table. Representatives from both large and small villages smiled and agreed. No one refuses a gourmet meal, especially from a village as developed as Konoha.
Maids entered, wearing specially designed Hanfu with Leaf motifs. The small-village ninjas were wide-eyed. The Iwa representatives watched with shifting eyes, while the Cloud ninjas were just happy for a free, legendary "Palace Banquet."
Previously, Konoha's hospitality was "organic"—mostly vegetables and simple fare. Back then, money was tight, and funds went to medical or military research. If a guest was hungry, they could go get ramen. But Hiruko had changed that. He didn't want people eating salted vegetables and steamed buns every day; it would drive them mad.
He had introduced the "Fat Otaku Trio"—Fried Chicken, Burgers, and Ice-Cold Cola.
He provided these as a "taster" to ensure he wouldn't face resistance when he opened franchises in their territories later. He also provided exquisite traditional dishes prepared by master chefs he'd recruited from across the continent.
The lunch lasted from 11 AM to 4 PM. A seemingly endless stream of dishes came from the kitchen. The amount these people could eat was terrifying. Killer Bee, harboring a grudge because Hiruko had taken his brother Ay's arm, decided to take his "revenge" through his stomach. He devoured fried chicken by the dozen.
By the end, his stomach was distended like a watermelon. The other Cloud envoys looked away in embarrassment. Bee was in a food coma, too lethargic to move. Even his hatred for Hiruko had softened slightly; those 32 pieces of crispy chicken and the cola were a divine combination.
The Iwa and Mist envoys, who usually lived under a culture of austerity and "endurance," found their fighting spirit melting under the assault of fine dining. Only the Mist fared slightly better; Iwa and Cloud, accustomed to simple, watery meals to save money, found they couldn't even bring themselves to argue after such a feast.
Hiruko signaled the leader of the Grass Village. Immediately, the Grass leader began a loud tirade—not against Konoha, but against his own Daimyo. He ignored the delicacies and poured out his grievances to the other ninjas, calling the Daimyos parasites and vampires.
Yes! This was exactly the "spontaneous" sentiment Hiruko wanted to foster.
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