With the Five Daimyō Summit concluded and Ashura setting out on his journey, the ninja world was on the brink of a transformation unlike anything before.
But there was another power moving in step with the changing times, ready to unleash a new wave of revolution.
This was the "Undercurrent"—led by Amemiya Ruri, Yakushi Kabuto, and Murasaki.
Ever since the last summit clarified the deeper meaning behind Naruto's sixteen-character policy, they'd been quietly preparing to act.
But before diving into the machinations of the Undercurrent, it's worth looking at the surface events.
Amegakure—once a small village in a small country—had, after the Fourth Great Ninja War, become the new hub of the shinobi world.
With such explosive growth, could the Land of Rain's government really just look away?
Strangely, the authorities had never voiced any opposition.
It was all too suspicious.
And, as always, it was Amemiya Ruri pulling the strings.
She'd long ago bought off the city lords of every Rain Country town, even placing her own agents among the feudal lord's closest confidants.
The Land of Rain's lord had been completely sidelined.
His decrees never left the mansion.
Normally, such a power vacuum would plunge the country into chaos—but instead, Rain's people thrived. Life only got better.
That's right. Amemiya Ruri still held everything in her hands.
On this particular night, Ruri herself arrived at the lord's mansion.
She was the daughter of the former Lady Lord, Amemiya Chiage—who'd escaped the rebellion years ago, rescued by Konan, and raised in Amegakure ever since.
Now, she was back where it all began.
Dressed in black Lolita, her pale, delicate face almost ghostly, she leaned on a cane—her body frail, her steps slow.
Murasaki led the way, candle in hand, while Yakushi Kabuto followed in the shadows.
The mansion's defenses had already been withdrawn.
The three walked unhindered to the throne room.
The Rain Country lord sat waiting on his throne—he'd known this day would come.
Ruri coughed weakly, then spoke: "I am the daughter of Amemiya Chiage. I've come to reclaim what's rightfully mine. Any last words?"
The lord spat, defiant: "Witch! So it was you behind all this. I'll die if I must—but my only regret is not wiping you out years ago!"
Ruri's voice was icy. "Is that… your last wish?"
Moments later, the lord's bravado broke. He begged, "Queen Ruri, I was wrong to rebel. I'll give up the throne—just spare me!"
Ruri's lips curled into a faint smile.
For a moment, hope flickered in the lord's eyes.
"No."
Her voice turned cold as steel, shattering his delusion. She raised her hand.
—Void Release: Suffocation!
The air vanished. The lord collapsed, clutching his throat, desperate for breath. He crawled forward, trying to reach air—only to slam into an invisible wall.
The Void Release had conjured a wall of air.
Ruri's tone was unforgiving: "I watched as your soldiers defiled my mother, then butchered her. I swore you'd die the same way. Now—die!"
She clenched her fist.
—Void Release: Annihilation!
Crack—instantly, a vacuum effect tore the lord apart, his body exploding into bloody mist.
"Filthy blood mist."
Ruri waved her hand.
—Void Release: Purification!
The air shimmered, and the blood mist vanished.
This was the power of Void Release—jutsu that manipulated the very air, killing almost invisibly.
Ruri had wanted to do this for years. She'd only kept the lord alive for political convenience, but now, with her plans advancing, the puppet was no longer needed.
She turned to Murasaki: "Bring everyone in."
Murasaki whistled, sharp and clear.
Whoosh—footsteps echoed as hundreds of retainers gathered.
Staring at the now-empty throne, Ruri murmured, "I'd hoped to have Naruto-sama's father, Namikaze Minato, sit here as regent. But he's on the moon right now—wouldn't want to disturb his peace."
Murasaki grinned, "Naruto-sama's got enough on his plate. He wouldn't care about this little throne."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "Let it stay empty for now. I've already taken full control of Rain. Wherever the rain falls, it's Naruto-sama's domain."
Ruri nodded. "So be it. Let's pay our respects to this empty throne."
Everyone bowed low.
—"All hail the King Naruto!"
After the ceremony, Ruri rose, gripping her cane. With Murasaki's help, she climbed the steps, stopped before the throne, and turned to the crowd.
"From here, let's begin His Majesty's grand campaign—the Universal Ninja Project!"
"'Spring breeze becomes rain, nourishing silently; grass and trees form ranks, the earth sings.' The true meaning of King Naruto's sixteen-character maxim is to transform hundreds of millions of powerless civilians into mighty ninja. Across the land, let the storm of jutsu resound!"
"This is no overnight feat. We'll move step by step, grounded and steady."
"It starts here, in the Land of Rain."
"Though Rain is small, it has nearly ten million people. First, we'll turn these ten million into ninja—then expand to the whole world!"
"Any new skill must be close to daily life."
"In my spare time, I've invented over a hundred jutsu to make life easier—simple to learn, easy to master."
"We'll spread these jutsu among the people, with our representatives leading the way. Let people see the convenience for themselves—let them learn willingly."
"Then, we'll select role models from the public and reward them—spiritually and materially. Let them enjoy rapid advancement!"
"With such benefits, who would resist?"
"When jutsu becomes a nationwide trend, the next step is universal conscription. Every citizen, eighteen and healthy, must serve two years as a ninja. Desertion means severe punishment; excellent service brings rewards!"
"As for funding, I've secured exclusive resources from Kakuzu. Amegakure is flush with cash—the ten billion from Lightning's underground auctions, thirty billion from Water Country…"
Someone asked, incredulous, "How did you get that black-faced demon to hand over money?"
Ruri smiled. "Everyone has needs. After being revived by Rinne Tensei, Kakuzu started thinking about his legacy."
"But who'd want a ninety-year-old geezer? So I promised to find him a good match after our success. Problem solved."
"Ah, I see…!"
Murasaki spoke up, "What about those who just can't learn jutsu—physical limitations?"
Ruri replied, "They'll join logistics and support. From now on, every industry in Rain will lean toward ninja. We'll create a culture where everyone's a ninja!"
"And after two years—what happens to retired ninja?"
"We'll respect diversity. Those who want to stay join the official ninja corps, enjoying great benefits. Those who don't can return home, but must undergo regular jutsu assessments and obey conscription."
"Understood!" The crowd dispersed.
The vast hall was left with just Ruri, Kabuto, and Murasaki.
"Murasaki, I have a job for you."
"Please instruct me."
"Power breeds evil. Once jutsu spreads, some will use it for crime. If their actions reach Naruto-sama's ears, the consequences will be catastrophic."
"So, I want you to form a unit—the Blood Droplets. Their sole task: prevent abuse of power. Understood?"
Murasaki licked her lips. "Not to brag, but this is exactly my specialty…"
Ruri turned to Kabuto. "How's that project coming?"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "Needs more time…"
"Any problems?"
"Activating chakra through diet—not medicine, but food—touches a blind spot in my knowledge…"
Ruri nodded. "If Amegakure can't do it, seek help outside. Anyone in mind?"
Kabuto thought for a moment. "I'll be visiting a famous chef in Konoha soon…"
Clang—the palace gates closed slowly.
Ruri glanced back at the empty throne, eyes shining with hope.
"King Naruto, just wait. It won't take many years—I'll place the whole world in your hands."
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