Land of Whirlpools.
Reform Camp.
"Today's lesson ends here." The Uzu-nin teacher adjusted his glasses and looked at the group of Kiri-nin below, speaking calmly. "Tonight's homework is to copy the fifth article from Ideological Development, Endure Temporarily for Peace, and the sixth article, Repay Kindness with Kindness, ten times each."
"From The Ninja Code of Conduct, copy With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility fifteen times, and Serve the People twenty times."
"It will be checked tomorrow morning."
As soon as the Uzu-nin teacher finished speaking, the Kiri-nin below, who had been drowsily holding their pens, trembled in shock. Their pens dropped onto the desks, and they widened their eyes in disbelief, looking up...
So much!
However...
Clap clap! Seeing this, the Uzu-nin teacher patted the desk and frowned. "What are you glaring at? Look at yourselves, a bunch of ninja with twisted morals. Study seriously and strive to reform. When your sentences are completed, become people who are useful to the shinobi world and its citizens."
"Anyone who hasn't finished copying by tomorrow will have their punishment multiplied by ten. On top of that, you'll clean all the toilets in the camp."
"Consider it part of your social labor reform."
Snap!
"Pakkun Jūzō, what's wrong? Not happy inside?" The Uzu-nin teacher stared at the sharp-toothed Kiri-nin in the second seat of the first row, frowning. "So angry you broke your pen?"
"Report, Teacher. No." Pakkun Jūzō calmly picked up the broken pen. "I'm used to holding swords. Holding a pen feels unfamiliar."
Damn it, I'm one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. I've only ever used swords to cut people down. When have I ever held a pen?
And...
This is a full fifty-five copies!
Will they even get to sleep tonight?
But...
"In that case..." The Uzu-nin teacher nodded sympathetically. "Since everyone is used to carrying swords, suddenly assigning so much homework must feel overwhelming. So tonight..."
Just as the Kiri-nin thought the teacher was considering their difficulties and about to reduce the homework...
"Let's double the copies for each article." The Uzu-nin teacher smiled. "Copy more, and you'll get used to it faster."
"..."
Instantly...
The classroom erupted in wails of despair.
All the Kiri-nin glared at Pakkun Jūzō. If not for him...
Would they have to copy over a hundred times?
However, Pakkun Jūzō glared back fiercely. Just a bunch of regular jōnin? He could take on ten of them. How dare they give their superior attitude?
No, no... it's just over a hundred copies, right?
Pull an all-nighter and it'll be done.
Shinobi never back down from any challenge...
Whether it's killing or copying!
Pakkun Jūzō sighed in disappointment, shaking his head and muttering, "This batch of jōnin is just no good!"
...
Konoha.
"Everyone, don't worry. Your children will return." Danzō looked at the noisy villagers below and shouted loudly, "Konoha doesn't belong to just one or two people. It belongs to all of you here."
"So your children are only protecting Konoha. They are honorable, they are admirable."
"As their family, you should feel proud because..."
Danzō raised his fist and declared passionately, "You have all contributed to protecting Konoha."
"Perhaps..."
"Some may have fallen in the process of defending Konoha."
"But believe that they died without regrets, because they gave their lives for Konoha."
"Like you, I feel both sorrow and comfort for them."
"They are all heroes of Konoha!"
"So please rest assured." Danzō wiped the tears from the corner of his eye and declared, "I, as a senior advisor of Konoha, guarantee to you that the Hokage will never let the families of these heroes shed both blood and tears."
"Trust me... our village's Hokage."
"He will not let us down."
Seeing the villagers below gradually calming down, Danzō sighed in relief. Due to Konoha's recent unfavorable battles, many had lost their lives, causing dissatisfaction among some in the village. Although the incidents involving the Senju and Uchiha clans had temporarily suppressed the unrest, as time passed...
The civilians were growing anxious again.
"Hiruzen." A faint smile flashed across Danzō's lips. "You still want to push me out to quell the people's anger?"
Did he really think Danzō was still the same old "if you can't solve the problem, solve the person causing the problem" Danzō?
He had changed. After reading a few books during his time in the Land of Whirlpools, he understood that merely being a scapegoat wouldn't make him Hokage.
Danzō would slowly win over the villagers with love.
"This afternoon, I'll send out Root to do more practical work for the villagers." Danzō muttered to himself. "That book made some sense—do more real work, talk less empty words."
And at the same time, promote his own image as a caring leader.
"Everyone, don't gather here anymore." Returning to his senses, he addressed the villagers below. "Trust me... our village's Hokage will give you an answer."
So...
If anything goes wrong, go to the Hokage...
...
Kirigakure.
"Have the Kubikiribōchō and Samehada still not been summoned back?" Yuki Kiyoi set down the documents in his hands, frowning at the Mizukage's assistant. "As expected of the Uzumaki Clan, renowned for their sealing techniques."
"Indeed. It seems the Kubikiribōchō and Samehada must have been sealed by the Uzumaki Clan." The Mizukage's assistant sighed. "For now, they still haven't figured out a way to break the Uzumaki Clan's seals." With a hesitant expression, he decided to ask, "And the conditions from the Land of Whirlpools..."
"Kirigakure has no money right now." Before the assistant could finish, the Mizukage said helplessly, "Demanding one or two billion upfront... Kirigakure hasn't even rebuilt its fleet yet. We can't afford that."
Why didn't Kirigakure participate in the division of the Land of Rain this time?
Wasn't it because the losses from the First War were too heavy, forcing them to recover first?
"But..." The Mizukage's assistant replied, "If that's the case, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen won't be complete."
"I... will think of a way." Yuki Kiyoi nodded. "Continue sending ninja to condemn the Land of Whirlpools, demanding the return of Kirigakure's ninja and swords. As for the money..."
"We'll have to wait."
This matter must be resolved no matter what!
If, during his tenure as Mizukage, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were reduced to the Five Ninja Swordsmen, how could he face the First Mizukage?
So...
No matter what, the swords must be retrieved.
"Understood." The Mizukage's assistant nodded reluctantly. "I'll keep arranging people."
But...
Without money...
How will they get the Land of Whirlpools to release the prisoners?
...