Inside the Mizukage building, in a dark basement.
The massive Demonic Statue of the Outer Path sat cross-legged on a lotus throne. Its nine eyes, emaciated body, and hands held in an offering-like pose radiated an eerie and mysterious aura.
Madara Uchiha sat on a stone chair, with several tubes behind him connected to the Demonic Statue. These drained its life force to keep him alive longer.
Over the past six months, he had been hiding in this very basement, accomplishing much—cultivating Hashirama cells, creating a species known as White Zetsu, and developing Rinnegan-based ninjutsu.
Of course, the most important task was using Yin and Yang Release to reconstruct his right eye.
At this moment, both of Madara's eyes were now in the form of the Rinnegan. Compared to when he first awakened it six months ago, his power had more than doubled.
"Lord Madara, you summoned me? Do you have any orders?" Danzo asked cautiously upon entering the hidden room.
"Starting today, you no longer need to serve as the Fourth Mizukage. I will have someone else take your place," Madara replied indifferently.
Upon hearing this, Danzo's face stiffened for a moment. But under Madara's overwhelming pressure, he dared not express any complaints or dissatisfaction. He could only bow respectfully and obediently reply:
"As you command. I shall follow your arrangements completely."
Madara was satisfied with Danzo's humble attitude. After a moment's thought, he gave another order:
"Your new mission is to immediately head for the Fire Daimyo's Mansion. You are to gain the trust of the Fire Daimyo and use their forces to launch a full-scale attack against Heiyan Uzumaki. Understood?"
Danzo hesitated for a moment at the name, then his eyes lit up with intensity. His voice turned serious as he responded:
"I will do everything in my power to eliminate Heiyan Uzumaki for you, my lord!"
For Danzo, the person he hated most in the world was undoubtedly Heiyan, who had taken away everything he once possessed.
He'd been bitter about losing the title of Fourth Mizukage, but that feeling had long since faded away. In its place surged a powerful desire for revenge.
"You may go," Madara waved dismissively.
"Yes," Danzo acknowledged, quickly stepping back before exiting the basement entirely. He couldn't wait to arrive at the Fire Daimyo's Mansion and make his move.
Madara silently watched Danzo leave.
The reason he didn't intend to personally deal with Heiyan was ultimately due to his own aging and frail body. He couldn't afford to stray far from the Demonic Statue—doing so would greatly speed up the loss of his life force.
Still, Madara knew that someone like Danzo could only cause trouble for Heiyan. Expecting him to actually kill Heiyan Uzumaki was impossible.
If Madara truly wanted Heiyan dead, he would eventually have to handle it himself.
The good news was—he already had a plan.
Two years ago during the legendary battle at the Valley of the End, Madara had created a clone using the corpse of a blue-haired kunoichi. That clone contained part of his original chakra and was capable of simultaneously employing Uchiha dojutsu and Senju Wood Release techniques.
Now that he had awakened the Rinnegan, Madara Uchiha further refined this cloning technique and named it "Elephant Rotation Clone Jutsu."
Elephant Rotation Clone Jutsu requires a living human sacrifice. The created clone not only looks exactly like the original but also duplicates the original's weapons. More impressively, this clone can perform all of Madara Uchiha's ninjutsu techniques—including the Dojutsu of the Rinnegan.
Additionally, the chakra reserves of the Elephant Rotation Clone Jutsu clone depend on Madara Uchiha's allocation and the strength of the sacrificial vessel, ranging from as low as thirty percent up to sixty or seventy percent.
Once Madara Uchiha successfully creates an Elephant Rotation Clone Jutsu clone, he could infiltrate Konoha again and eliminate Uzumaki Heiyan, the thorn in his side.
During this time, Madara Uchiha was constantly experimenting, trying to create a powerful White Zetsu to serve as the perfect sacrificial vessel—maximizing the chakra reserves and capabilities of the Elephant Rotation Clone Jutsu clones.
Only then would he be able to deliver an instant decisive blow when facing off against Uzumaki Heiyan, leaving absolutely no chance for the latter to resist or escape.
As Madara Uchiha became immersed in thoughts about the Elephant Rotation Clone Jutsu technique,
a red-haired little boy, around three or four years old, walked out from the darkness nearby.
Looking upward with a serious expression, he asked Madara Uchiha in a tone far beyond his age, "Is the Uzumaki Heiyan you mentioned just now the one who killed my parents?"
"That's right," Madara Uchiha replied.
Upon hearing this, Madara Uchiha looked down at Nagato and slowly continued, "Originally, the Uzumaki clan could have joined Kiri under my protection, leading peaceful and stable lives. However, Uzumaki Heiyan stirred internal divisions in his bid for the clan leadership, causing mutual slaughter among the Uzumaki clan members on the battlefield. Although your parents didn't die directly at Heiyan's hands, he undoubtedly bears ultimate responsibility for everything that happened."
After listening to Madara Uchiha's words, Nagato clenched his fists, his eyes filled with hatred as a surge of immense chakra erupted from his body, radiating an overwhelming and terrifying aura.
"What tremendous chakra."
Seeing this scene, Madara Uchiha was taken aback, murmuring to himself.
He saw immense potential in this child named Nagato—potential that didn't pale even when compared to Uzumaki Heiyan.
Realizing that if properly cultivated, this boy could become a very useful tool,
Madara Uchiha gently patted Nagato's head and said to him, "Starting today, I will teach you ninjutsu, granting you the power to take revenge."
Nagato nodded silently. A seed of hatred took root deep in his heart. Vengeance against Uzumaki Heiyan and the death of his parents became his sole life mission.
...
In Konoha,
ever since the decision for radical reform had been made, the Daimyo's Mansion responded immediately by cutting all financial support to the village—an unquestionable worsening of already dire circumstances.
Still, the Daimyo's Mansion taking such a hard line did bring one benefit—it crushed any remaining hope among the Leaf ninja, leaving them with no choice but to fight all-out, with no turning back.
Every villager knew they had no other option—they had to stake their lives on the reforms to save the village, their loved ones, and their own lives.
The entire village, under the solemn atmosphere of a last-stand battle, united firmly and achieved an unprecedented level of cohesion.
Such a Leaf Village, bursting with power in times of crisis, quickly shocked the entire world of shinobi.
Three months later.
Time had reached September. The tail of summer had just passed, and a gust of autumn wind blew through the Leaf. But instead of bringing desolation and decay, it brought a season of bountiful harvest.
Because during this time, the reforms in Konoha had already begun to bear fruit, producing many impressive results.
First came the Medical Department. From among the village's ninjas, talented individuals were carefully selected, forming the first class of over one hundred students.
Under Tsunade's careful instruction, these students underwent three months of training. Many had already learned to use basic Medical Ninjutsu to treat patients.
A large number of medical ninja entered Konoha Hospital. Under strict medical guidelines, they continuously accumulated experience in treating and saving lives, growing rapidly.
As the head of the Medical Department, Tsunade's talent in Medical Ninjutsu had always been second to none across the shinobi world. After obtaining Sage Transformation, her mastery of medical techniques took another giant leap forward.
During these three months, besides training her students, Tsunade also personally entered the operating room. With her incredible surgical skills, she healed several critically ill patients in a row.
When news spread, it caused quite a stir throughout the world of shinobi.
In addition, Tsunade invited Sage Slug to come, allowing hundreds of small slug clones to enter every ward in the hospital to assist with treatment, greatly improving both recovery rates and medical efficiency.
Konoha Hospital, backed by Tsunade's golden name, along with its elite team of a hundred medical ninjas, unique slug nurses, and attentive service, quickly gained an excellent reputation.
Many patients traveled from other countries just to receive what they hoped would be the best treatment here.
The establishment of the Medical Department proved to be extremely successful, and Tsunade's contribution was undoubtedly tremendous.
Besides the Medical Department, other new departments also delivered impressive results.
For example, the Cultural & Tourism Department.
This department likewise selected talents from within the village to train a large number of professional tour guides. At the same time, it integrated the village's tourism resources, received authorization from major ninja clans, and produced many cultural souvenirs representing Konoha ninja culture.
During the past summer, the Tourism Division launched multiple summer camp programs targeting ordinary civilians across the shinobi world. The most successful activity was a two-day, one-night "Ninja Life Experience."
The event was held in the *Forest of Death*, the exam ground for Konoha's Chunin Exams. Tourists were divided into groups and, under the protection of high-level Jonin from the village, participated in a series of fun-filled simulated Chunin Exam challenges, including wilderness survival, reconnaissance expeditions, and searching for the Heaven and Earth Scrolls. Finally, they could even watch live performances of spectacular Ninjutsu battles between real ninjas.
It is worth noting that Kosuke Maruboshi became the most popular tour guide among tourists, thanks to his approachable personality, rich outdoor survival experience, and excellent cooking skills.
This kind of tourism activity not only brought in considerable income, but also promoted Konoha's ninja culture while bridging the gap between ninjas and civilians.
Even after leaving Konoha, many tourists still purchased large quantities of related merchandise, such as Konoha forehead protectors, ninja uniforms, and non-lethal ninjutsu scrolls.
Konoha's cultural influence was spreading across the entire shinobi world at an unprecedented speed.
Next came the Construction Department.
All those houses originally crafted by Heiyan using the Yin-Yang Release had been fully furnished and successfully sold, directly bringing in over 100 million ryō to Konoha's finances, effectively resolving the village's critical financial shortage.
In this process, a group of merchants from the Land of Lightning played a significant role—they bought sixty villas all at once without even haggling over price, which could be described as extremely generous.
Because they wanted to repay a favor Heiyan had done for them long ago.
The leader of this group of merchants was none other than the caravan leader Yamato, whom Heiyan had once rescued from mountain bandits during his spiritual retreat at the Kasuga Shrine in the Land of Lightning.
After the battle of Uzugakure, it had become widely known that Heiyan of Konoha was none other than Lord Takemikazuchi.
Although Akagakure viewed Heiyan as an enemy, many citizens of the Land of Lightning had previously received protection from him as Lord Takemikazuchi. Moreover, from Yamato's perspective and others like him, Akagakure's invasion into Uzu Country had been an unjust war from the start—one they were clearly responsible for.
Additionally, with the Land of Lightning currently in chaos and people living in fear, the massive purges initiated by Akagakure had spread throughout the nation, causing widespread disappointment among its citizens toward their ruling class.
Therefore, Yamato led numerous followers of Lord Takemikazuchi in a collective migration to Konoha, where they purchased homes and settled down.
When Heiyan learned of this, he personally expressed his sincere gratitude to Yamato and his group.
Later, Yamato volunteered his services, and with Heiyan's approval, joined the Construction Department as head of sales.
Yamato, true to his roots as a merchant, proved highly skilled at marketing.
Drawing on his vast network built through years of trade, Yamato promoted Lord Takemikazuchi's legendary feats across various countries. At the same time, he highlighted the unique qualities of the Yin-Yang Release-built houses, claiming they had been constructed by the mighty Lord Takemikazuchi himself using spiritual energy drawn directly from nature, and that living inside them could prolong one's lifespan and improve health.
Strictly speaking, Yamato wasn't exaggerating at all.
The houses built by Heiyan through Yin-Yang Release contained Chakra elements of Yang, Water, Earth, and Lightning, along with substantial natural energy, forming a special magnetic field capable of nourishing the human body and offering health benefits.
Many residents who moved into these Yin-Yang Release houses were surprised to find their moods lifted—they were calmer, slept better, felt more energetic, and generally took a more positive view of life.
Word soon spread, and demand for Yin-Yang Release houses skyrocketed. The third residential complex Heiyan had just completed—before even starting interior work—had already been completely snapped up.
It was easy to foresee that with the arrival of skilled immigrants, Konoha would soon experience a new wave of prosperity.
As the head of the Construction Department, Heiyan realized that in addition to increasing housing, Konoha also needed to update a vast amount of basic infrastructure—including roads, power grids, gas pipelines, sewers, stadiums, hospitals, and schools—before life could truly improve for ordinary villagers.
Moreover, he had long observed that Konoha's layout was fan-shaped. If the village were to expand, the best plan would be to center development around the Hokage Tower and radiate outward in a circular pattern.
Therefore, the key areas the Construction Department planned to develop next included the mountain behind Konoha.
Now, under the leadership of the Construction Department, the Leaf Village was undergoing massive transformation—becoming an infrastructure-obsessed powerhouse rapidly evolving from a small village into a modern, electrified metropolis at lightning speed.
In Heiyan's memories, after the original timeline's Fourth Great Ninja War, Konoha developed within several years into a modern city full of high-rise buildings, even introducing rail lines.
And what he wanted to do now was accelerate this progress by over thirty years.
As a transmigrator from another world, Heiyan had no intention of waiting for the so-called Child of the Prophecy—the one foretold by Gamamaru—to save the world and lead change. Instead, through his own vision and strength, he would reshape Konoha completely, letting the winds of reform ripple across the entire world of shinobi.
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