"Oh, are you new here?" Toya looked at the black-haired, straight-haired man walking in and said, "Has the third batch of refugees arrived so soon?"
He remembered the second batch had just arrived a few days ago.
Had something happened?
"How many people are in your group?" Toya frowned as he looked at Senju Shukuma. "Why are you the only one reporting?"
Or rather...
Why hadn't they gathered at the construction building this time?
"How many people?" Senju Shukuma was momentarily stunned before replying, "Just me."
The other children had all been sent to school by him.
"Just you?!" Toya was shocked. "Did something happen in the Land of Rain?"
Had Uzushiogakure stopped recruiting people?
"I didn't come from the Land of Rain," Senju Shukuma shook his head. "I just arrived in Uzushiogakure the day before yesterday."
Yesterday, he had spent the day exploring the country and looking for a suitable job, only to realize that Uzushiogakure had truly changed!
Back then, he had led the Senju clan to aid Uzushiogakure during the war, but they left after the conflict ended. He never expected that in just a few years, Uzushiogakure would become so powerful. The people here all wore smiles he had never seen during times of war.
It was...
Truly unbelievable.
Deep down, Senju Shukuma felt that this country without a hidden village...
Might become even stronger.
"I'm here to find work," Senju Shukuma said, looking at Toya. "Who are you?"
After visiting all the factories in Uzushiogakure, he realized that only construction work could support so many children. Since Uzushiogakure had no hidden village and relied mainly on trade, there were no missions to take.
Only the construction team, with its "more work, more pay" policy, offered a chance to earn good money.
Thankfully, the academy provided three meals a day. Otherwise...
He would have had to borrow money.
A bitter smile crossed Senju Shukuma's face. Who would have thought the once-great clan of the God of Shinobi would end up in such a state?
"Toya," Toya smiled at Senju Shukuma. "A refugee?" He sighed nostalgically. "You're lucky. Uzushiogakure is truly a paradise!"
Over the past half-month, due to his good work attitude, he had been temporarily promoted to squad leader of the third construction team, managing over a dozen newly arrived refugees.
"I heard the construction team offers subsidies for shinobi?" Senju Shukuma hesitated before saying, "My name is Mokushukuma. I'm a rogue shinobi."
"Rogue shinobi?!" Toya immediately grew wary, unsure whether to notify the police. Recently, Uzushiogakure had been promoting safety awareness. Due to the war, other shinobi might try to cause trouble, so anyone who noticed anything suspicious could report it. If verified, they would receive contribution points...
These were valuable for applying for Uzushiogakure citizenship!
"Is something wrong?" Mokushukuma frowned when he saw Toya's sudden vigilance. "What's the matter?"
Had his identity as a Senju been discovered?
He tensed up, staring at Toya. The entire shinobi world believed the Senju clan had been wiped out. If word got out...
Both Uzushiogakure and the Senju clan would be in trouble!
"Have you registered at the police station?" Toya asked, his eyes never leaving Mokushukuma. "All foreign shinobi entering Uzushiogakure must register."
He wouldn't let anyone harm Uzushiogakure.
"You mean this?" Mokushukuma pulled out a card. Someone had delivered it to him on his second day in Uzushiogakure. Though he didn't know what it was, he had kept it with him.
"Uzushiogakure citizenship?!" Toya's eyes widened in shock and envy. "You just arrived. How do you have this? This is Uzushiogakure citizenship!"
The very thing he dreamed of!
"Prince Jun gave this to me," Mokushukuma said, puzzled. "Is it special?"
"No wonder!" Toya's jealousy faded when he heard it was from Prince Jun. He nodded. "So Prince Jun gave it to you."
"You must be an extraordinary shinobi."
"Otherwise, Prince Jun wouldn't just hand out citizenship."
Mokushukuma looked at the card in his hand and murmured, "So this is important?"
"Of course it's important!" Toya frowned at Mokushukuma's doubtful tone. "This is Uzushiogakure citizenship!"
"For refugees like us from the Land of Rain..."
He went on to explain the significance.
Under Toya's explanation, Mokushukuma finally understood what it was. Like a forehead protector distinguishing shinobi from different villages, this card...
Even differentiated civilians.
What an incredible thing.
"Don't you have one?" Mokushukuma asked.
"I... I don't yet..." Toya's face reddened, but he quickly said with determination, "But I believe I'll earn it eventually."
"Let's not talk about that. You said you're here for work?"
Toya eyed Mokushukuma intently. A shinobi!
If their squad had a shinobi, their construction speed would increase, and they might even compete with the older teams for rankings. The benefits for top teams were said to be very attractive!
"Yes," Mokushukuma nodded. "Where do I need to report?"
"No need. Just join my team," Toya said eagerly. "I'll report directly to the supervisor."
"Do you know Earth Release?"
"I'm skilled in Earth and Water Release," Mokushukuma replied. "Does that meet the shinobi position requirements?"
"It does! Perfect!" Toya nodded vigorously, wiping his mouth.
A dual-natured shinobi! Now their squad really had a chance to compete with the older teams!
"Here, don't worry. No matter which team you join, it's the same," Toya quickly pulled out his notebook. "The more you work, the more you earn. No one will withhold your pay, and..."
"Shinobi subsidies will be paid on time."
Mokushukuma took the notebook and filled in his information. When he reached the last entry...
Clan...
He sighed and wrote "None."
"Done. That's all," Toya took the notebook back, smiling. "For the next two days, familiarize yourself with the work."
"I'll submit your details now."
"Wait!" Mokushukuma stopped him, looking slightly embarrassed. "About the pay..."
He had over a dozen children to support and no money left.
As a Senju shinobi, he had never asked for money before. It felt awkward.
"Oh, you can advance a month's salary," Toya nodded understandingly. "No need to feel shy. It's allowed."
Most refugees had taken advances.
"Th-thank you," Mokushukuma took a deep breath. "I appreciate it."
"No problem. We're all working for Uzushiogakure," Toya grinned. "One day, I'll earn citizenship too!"
Watching Toya leave, Senju Shukuma smiled faintly and murmured, "This country..."
Is truly special.