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During the New Year, sending large quantities of supplies to the border lines so the ninja stationed there could have a comfortable celebration—this was something they wouldn't have dared to imagine in the past. Yet now, it was becoming a reality.
Although it was still just a promise, the two most powerful figures in the village had given their word, signifying it would be fulfilled.
"It's true."
Kazuki said with a smile.
"I can guarantee with my reputation that not only this year, but every year moving forward, the village will ensure the ninja guarding the borders can enjoy a comfortable New Year. The Daimyō has also promised to provide a welfare benefit for all ninja stationed at the borders. Please look forward to it."
"That's great!!!"
Cheers erupted within the command center, causing the ninja outside in the camp to look over in confusion.
"...."
Watching the jubilation, the Third Hokage felt a complex mix of emotions, a sense of suffocation making him uncomfortable.
This wasn't something the Third Hokage hadn't considered before. But when he raised the idea, he was dissuaded by others.
Danzo, Utatane, Homura and others opposed it, arguing that the village's various expenditures were already too high, and there was no need to go through such trouble just to win people's favor.
Furthermore, it was the ninja's duty to guard the borders for the village.
The implication was that the village already treated these ninja well enough; there was no need to waste resources on such meaningless gestures.
Thus, the Third Hokage abandoned the thought. Who would have thought that a small New Year's welfare benefit could make everyone this happy?
When Kazuki's promise spread, the entire camp erupted with excitement.
A little New Year's welfare allowed Kazuki and Tsunade to effectively buy a wave of loyalty.
When the news reached the other camps, surely the ninja there would also cheer loudly.
The Third Hokage suddenly felt somewhat out of place.
After the camp's ninja began their bustling work, he quietly left the camp with a few guards and returned to Konoha.
The location for the new settlement had already been chosen, set far from the border lines.
With a large number of ninja assisting, constructing a new village wasn't difficult.
Compared to ordinary civilians, using elite border-guarding ninja for this work felt a bit like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.
While it seemed a waste, the speed was truly remarkable.
Coupled with the Land of Fire's abundance of timber for building houses and the assistance of the many refugees, the village construction progressed rapidly.
Within a few days, temporary shelters were erected.
Reaching this stage meant Konoha's task was essentially complete.
In the following period, they just needed to cooperate with the capital's officials to distribute supplies in batches.
As for improving the village and reclaiming land, that would be up to these newly settled people to handle themselves.
Although the task of building the settlement was finished, Konoha still needed to station a considerable number of ninja in the village.
Apart from screening for spies, they also needed to maintain order.
And this was just the beginning, because as time passed, more and more homeless refugees poured into the Land of Fire.
When the news spread that the Land of Fire would accept refugees, help them build villages, distribute supplies, and support them until they could grow their own food and become self-sufficient, people affected by the war in various regions began flocking to the Land of Fire.
As Konoha's (and the Land of Fire's) population surged, the Daimyō felt both joy and worry.
He was happy because once these people took root in the Land of Fire, within a few years they would fully integrate as its citizens, becoming his subjects.
They would pay him significant taxes annually.
He was worried because the influx of refugees kept growing, requiring the capital to invest vast sums of money and materials in the early stages.
This support couldn't stop until these people could become self-sufficient.
Fortunately, the capital was relatively wealthy and not lacking in these supplies.
If this were the Land of Earth, Land of Wind, or Land of Water, suddenly receiving so many refugees would give them a massive headache for a long time.
Regarding the Land of Fire's large-scale acceptance of refugees, other countries and villages chose to turn a blind eye and deaf ear.
At this time, they had neither the time nor the inclination to worry about such troublesome matters.
The Land of Lightning would have been willing and capable of accepting refugees, but it was too far away.
Moreover, the Land of Fire had established its reputation first. Those with nowhere to go naturally chose to head for the Land of Fire rather than trek all the way to the distant Land of Lightning.
Even if the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning coveted the Land of Fire's rapidly increasing population, he could only watch with envy.
At this critical juncture, the Land of Lightning's Daimyō wouldn't dare order Kumogakure to send ninja to "recruit" people, as that would offend the Land of Fire and Konoha.
Under Tsunade's orders, the squads that had graduated not long ago all received missions to go to the border lines for labor—though the young genin themselves were unaware of this.
They thought their squads had been assigned missions to the border camps to do important work, completely unaware their days of hard labor were about to begin.
Other squads received their missions and set off immediately. Team Jiraiya, however, couldn't leave with Jiraiya himself, so he arranged for someone to escort the team.
"Seriously, why did Pervy Sage have to send us here at a time like this? It's still a border camp. Is this one supposed to be more exciting or something?"
Naruto grumbled, his hands stuffed in his pockets, a runny nose dripping from the cold as they neared the camp.
The ninja responsible for escorting the three simply pretended not to hear. Someone would surely deal with the kid later.
Thump!!!
As expected, no sooner had Naruto finished complaining than a dull impact sound rang out.
Naruto, knocked onto his rear end, clutched his head and yelled.
"Sakura, why'd you hit me? Oww, that hurt!"
"This is a village mission. Just shut up!"
Sakura glared fiercely, clenching her fist threateningly. Keep whining, and I'll hit you again.
Sakura had been in a decent mood initially, as she might get to see Sasuke, whom she constantly thought about.
But before even catching a glimpse of Sasuke, she had to listen to Naruto's complaining the whole way. Anyone would find it unbearable.
The third member of the team, Mizunami, offered an awkward smile and quickly put some distance between himself and Naruto. He had no desire to be on the receiving end of Sakura's punch.
Never mind that Sakura's combat skills weren't top-notch; hitting teammates was her specialty.
Especially hitting Naruto—she was a natural at it.
Naruto never fought back anyway; he just stood there and took it.
If Naruto was willing to be punched, Mizunami didn't want to get caught up in it.
They were teammates, after all. If he fought back, hitting a girl would look bad. But if he didn't fight back, he'd feel like he was getting the short end. So, keeping his distance was best.
Besides, Naruto had liked Sakura for ages; outsiders shouldn't interfere.
"Hmph!!"
Naruto thought for a moment and decided to endure it. Don't get angry, don't get angry.
"Dammit..."
He couldn't hit back, but the internal grumbling and complaints certainly didn't stop.
Naruto could only keep rubbing the spot where he'd been hit, grimacing and gritting his teeth.