[Shimura Clan Compound]
The Shimura clan was located in the centre of Konohagakure. As one of the closest clans to the Senju clan, it had largely benefitted from the previous Hokage's goodwill and managed to capture some of the best real estate of the village.
As Danzo strolled through the compound, the air and environment felt completely different from three months ago. Gone was the sense of naivety and weakness in the eyes of his clansmen. Gone was the sense of political strife internally. As he walked through the paved roads, the shinobi and Shimura civilian people all bowed in utmost respect, respect that even the Hokage failed to gather.
Afar, a genin was training the 'leaf sticking' exercise, a technique that would only be widespread two generations from now, but which Danzo spread in his clan to increase the Shimura shinobi's chakra control. With such loyalty and fame, there was no the clansmen would willingly spread it to the rest of the village. It was risky though.
Of course, this was just temporary.
As Danzo entered the Shimura Support Corps' barracks, a familiar figure emerged.
Byakuro Shimura. The old man had his shortcomings. He had first opposed Danzo's father, and paid for that for he became a mere 'support' fuinjutsu seal master. However, Danzo went past the past grievances and gave him a new chance. He was now the commander of the Shimura Support Corps, a title that held tremendous weight, especially after the last operation.
"Greetings, Danzo-sama. I was going to report to you"
"Oh? Is it finished?", Danzo mused
"Almost", Byakuro smirked, "Although many test subjects were consumed, we left no traces whatsoever. With the premise of war in the East and South, I suppose nobody noticed either"
"Good", Danzo nodded.
Byakuro had been working on a forbidden jutsu. Something that was fundamentally evil, and used for evil: a cursed seal. It was not meant to strengthen his enemies, but to control his clansmen further. The seal would prevent any mention of the Shimura secrets to anyone other than Shimura clansmen. The seal would control the information regarding him too.
Although he trusted his clansmen, they were ultimately humans. If he wanted to expand his clan in the future, alliances would develop and outsiders might merge with the Shimura clan too. Unless he could control them all, this would all be for naught. Independance came with a price, and that would be his clansmen's freedom.
The seal was pretty simple. It basically activated upon the mention of certain key words, that were selected by the elders. As for the subjects, they were naturally war prisoners from Kumogakure and Sunagakure. Civilians, genins, chunins and even jonins had been used already, and the seal was close to perfection.
"Make sure it is ready by next week. During the ceremony, we will make sure to inscribe the seal on every clansman, civilian and shinobi likewise"
Byakuro's smile vanished: "Civilian too...Danzo-sama, isn't it too much?"
Danzo's eyes flickered with coldness: "You elders will not escape it either. However, do not worry. I will not use this power for bad. If you think about it, it would be for protection. If Shimura clansmen show growth beyond the usual Konohagakure shinobi's standards, they will be questioned and put under tremendous pressure. But if there is a seal? Let's not reinvent the wheels. The Hyuga showed us a way, let's just copy them"
Byakuro knew the implications of Danzo. Unless there was some safety, then he could not commit fully to the training of the clan.
"Regarding the investments, how is the factory going?"
Byakuro shook his head: "There has been a lack of supply in imported herbs. It seems like the prolonged wars between hidden villages caused even the black markets to suffer stock-wise. Maybe we should send a squad of Shimura clansmen to trade themselves in those countries?"
Danzo sighed: "And risk them getting captured? No way. There is strength in unity, and even if we achieved much in the past war, strategy, luck and formations played a huge role. Alone, Shimura shinobi are not at the level of completing missions free of risks. I can't let them die for such a meagre reason"
After meeting with Byakuro, then he had to meet with the factory manager, a certain civilian shinobi in his thirties: Hitori. The man was sharp, and possessed excellent business acumen. More importantly, he implemented unusual concepts with ease. Danzo's greatest asset was not his skills or the tailed beast. It was his knowledge. And he had decided to invest the massive cash he had received from the Hokage into industry.
Using his knowledge from the past, he had automated chemistry processes to produce the chakra supplement injections in mass, enough to supply the whole Shimura clan for days. Unlike the diluted version he had used prior to the operation and during their time in the western front, he was now capable of producing them in bulk, enough to supply more than just his clansmen. If not for the lack of raw materials, he could even produce it for the civilians.
The second innovation regarded glass-making. Until now, glass was done with hands and furnaces. Often, they would need to try five or even six times before getting to have a glass in the shape of their desires, more if it was bigger than a small glass. Windows, for one, required the efforts of at least two master glass artisans, and days.
Using the press and blow industrial revolution and heating seals, the process could be fully automated, providing windows of far higher quality at a much cheaper costs. In other words, this was an industrial secret that could help the Shimura clan have a monopoly in the continent in glass making. The object was required for all households, and had a limited lifespan. Additionally, war caused the destruction of countless homes, making it vital to rebuild with pristine materials.
A growing industry and a product far exceeding the competition were secrets for wealth. And Danzo had just gifted the Shimura Merchant Association, known for its excellent distribution channels, with the best product possible.
Hitori smiled: "We have stockpiled over 2000 windows underground, the production having reached 250 units per day. With the second line production soon to be finished, we will probably be able to reach 500 units per day"
A single window could be sold for 10 000 Ryo, after deducting costs. Without taxes, it meant that the clan would have a steady stream of 5 million Ryo a day, with probably custom orders increasing this number slightly. With this, he could change the shinobi system within his clan. They would no longer rely on missions to gain money, but their salary, providing stability and happiness. Of course missions would be rewarded with bonuses, but there would be no discontent with training anymore.