One week later.
The Shinobi World's first Cultivation Academy successfully held its ribbon-cutting ceremony under the leadership of Sect Leader and Heaven's Chosen Uchiha Kaito, with Elder Kakuzu and Ancestor Hikari presiding.
The school was built in the center of the village, closest to the Spirit Tree. Though modest in size, it was still a respectable establishment.
As for capacity...
If they squeezed in, it could hold over 200 people.
"Welcome our Sect Leader, Academy Head, and Akatsuki Organization's God—'One Bag of Rice'—to deliver a speech to the students."
"And our Sect's Ancesto—"
"Ow! Why did you step on me!?"
Kaito squatted backstage, earnestly shouting into the microphone, but this only made Nagato on stage so embarrassed that he wanted to rush back and give the brat a good kick in the rear.
However, soon enough.
Someone's comeuppance arrived.
The speakers suddenly emitted static, followed by Kaito yelling things like "Wrong, wrong!" and "You can't skip this!" before a five-minute-long scuffle ensued.
As silence returned backstage, Uchiha Hikari's icy voice echoed through the speakers across the entire field, sending shivers down the spines of the attending students and parents.
"Carry on."
Realizing the Sect Ancestor had thoroughly disciplined the arrogant Heaven's Chosen, Nagato promptly picked up his microphone. After scanning the students and parents below, he slowly took three steps forward, raised both hands high, and declared expressionlessly:
"Everyone."
"The era of shinobi ends today!!"
"Whoo—"
The moment he spoke, two-thirds of the students on the field responded enthusiastically, raising their hands and cheering with fervent excitement.
As the leader of Amegakure, Nagato certainly commanded respect in the village, but this level of enthusiasm seemed exaggerated even for the lively atmosphere.
The students who responded weren't from Amegakure—they were the new generation of the Uchiha clan, numbering over a hundred.
To prevent the children from turning their brains into pure muscle while practicing mystical arts in the Secret Realm, and taking advantage of the academy's founding, Kaito had brought out all the five- and six-year-olds from the realm—the same ones he'd seen performing Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg while hanging upside-down from trees during his visit.
The children were thrilled.
Because according to Kaito, they were returning to the Shinobi World to establish a new Sect—just like the legendary Sage of Six Paths founding the Shinobi Order...
The Uchiha children had zero resistance to this narrative, nearly prostrating before Kaito while declaring things like "Thank you, Heaven's Chosen, for leading us to greatness" and "We'll go through fire and water without hesitation."
But the synchronized cheers of these five- and six-year-old Uchiha weren't enough. After exchanging glances, they nodded firmly in unison.
Then, to the bewilderment of others, they stepped forward half a pace as one, dropping to one knee with fists clasped and raised above their heads.
Some still had snot bubbles on their childish faces, yet their expressions were as solemn as adults'."We pledge to follow our Sect Leader to the death, willing to share the Sect's fate through life and death, honor and disgrace!"
Nagato felt a peculiar emotion surge from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head at this scene, his brain trembling with exhilaration.
His eyes narrowed slightly, revealing an expression of pure enjoyment as he basked in the cheers of his disciples.
Yahiko…
Do you see this?
These children are the future of the world!
However, the socially bold behavior of the Uchiha children left the villagers of Amegakure unsure whether to stand or squat. They were so embarrassed they wanted to flee, yet feared offending the village leader and the Angel-sama.
They could only tightly grip their own children, preventing them from joining those seemingly unhinged kids kneeling on the ground and spouting strange words.
Admittedly, the adults' concerns weren't unfounded. Children their age couldn't resist such impressive-sounding words and cool-looking actions.
A few had already slipped away from their parents, sneaking into the ranks of the black-clad youths, clumsily mimicking their kneeling posture with hands raised high. But the earlier speech had been too complex—they could only recall disjointed fragments, ending up shouting in a scattered chorus…
"Me too!!"
"Yeah! Us too!"
Konan: "..."
Backstage, Konan clutched the curtains with both small hands, peeking through the gaps at the unfolding spectacle.
Her feet twisted together, her expression even more pained than the suffering Nagato had described.
At this moment, countless thoughts raced through her mind…
She was trying to convince herself…
To find a reason to stay in Amegakure.
Never before had Konan wanted so desperately to escape this "deranged" village.
"Please, I'm begging you…"
She shut her eyes in agony, savoring the bitterness in her heart, then turned to plead with Uchiha Hikari, who was leisurely eating ice cream behind her.
"Can't you rein in your disciple…? He can make any demand he wants."
"But could he at least stop tormenting our village?"
"Burp—"
Old Ancestor Hikari patted her flat stomach and let out a satisfied hiccup. "Now, that's not fair."
She could scold or discipline her own disciple however she pleased, but if anyone else dared criticize him, she'd definitely step in to defend Kaito.
Right or wrong aside, at least it proved she was a qualified… teacher.
"Just tell me, has Nagato recovered?"
"Is anyone still bullying the Hidden Rain Village now?"
"Does every adult in the village have a job, and can all the children attend school?"
Uchiha Hikari's rapid-fire questions made Konan swallow the words she was about to say.
Indeed...
The once dying Nagato, who used to shout about carrying rice, had now become the spirited Sect Leader.
Other villages also feared the Hidden Rain Village, to the extent that none dared to openly bully them anymore.
Konan had to admit that everyone now had jobs, and all school-age children in the village could attend school...
Viewed separately, their village seemed to be thriving, brimming with vitality and energy everywhere.
But...
Was it possible that Nagato's condition had worsened?
Could it be that other villages weren't bullying the Hidden Rain Village because of its eerie ghostly rumors and the fact that everyone was preparing for an impending war, leaving no time to focus on them?
And was everyone having jobs simply because the Hidden Rain Village was forced to break away from the daimyo, forcing people to work desperately just to survive?
Konan stood rooted to the spot, her face flushed with anger. She took deep breaths while shooting a disdainful look at Uchiha Hikari.
"Is there a possibility..."
"That we were actually doing just fine before?"
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