"Emperor, the Land of Rivers Province is facing a severe drought, and several regions have been hit by massive sandstorms."
Tsunade stood before him, clutching a report to her chest, seemingly unbothered by the way the document pressed heavily against her formidable assets.
"Tsunade, there's only the two of us in the office. Is there really a need to report like we're in a formal session?"
A sly smile tugged at the corners of Tsunade's lips. She placed the file on the desk and draped her arms around Senju's neck.
"Understood~"
Uchiha Senju chuckled helplessly, catching the faint scent of sake on her breath.
"Drinking again?"
"What? Are you going to criticize me? Or maybe punish me? What position will it be this time?"
"Alright, that's enough. Drink less, it's bad for your health."
He still couldn't quite understand it. Because of his intervention, Tsunade's destiny had changed drastically. Her brother Nawaki was alive; her lover Dan Kato was still breathing. Yet, she had still developed her legendary drinking habit.
Cough!
At the door, Mei Terumi walked in with her own stack of documents. Seeing the two of them flirting openly in the office, she cleared her throat loudly.
"Do you want to join us?" Tsunade invited casually.
Mei licked her lips. "Not right now. Lord Senju, regarding the drought in the River Province... I need your signature here. I've already drafted the solution."
Although the three of them had enjoyed many 'happy times' in this office before, the refugees took priority.
Senju took the file and scanned it, his brow furrowing slightly.
"The sandstorm has already been neutralized by a squad of Wind Style Jonin. Good work on that."
"To ensure future irrigation and the livelihood of the people in the River Province, you are requesting approval for one thousand Water Style Jonin to refill the river channels, plus one hundred Earth Style Jonin to dredge and reinforce the banks and dig wells in critical areas?"
He looked up, incredulous. "I need to sign off on the deployment of a mere thousand Jonin? This is a waste of time and manpower. Optimize this process immediately. For minor issues like this, I shouldn't be involved. Provincial Governors have the authority to decide on matters of public welfare, and neighboring provinces must cooperate unconditionally!"
"Yes, sir!" Mei nodded.
"Have the supplies been approved?" Senju asked, still frowning at the data.
"Minato and his team have already delivered the first batch of emergency supplies," Tsunade replied. "The bulk of the relief aid is en route via Deidara's Clay Bird Squadron. They should arrive by tonight."
"Strange. That kid didn't complain that this mission would interfere with his 'Art'?"
"Once he heard about the refugees, he volunteered. Though his research into 'Nuclear Release' will have to be put on hold for a bit," Tsunade noted.
"The drought in the River Province has happened several times over the years. We were too focused on the Interdimensional Gate to address it properly before, but now we solve it once and for all," Senju declared.
"The Empire has been established for twenty years. It's a joke that people are still going hungry."
"Contact Yamato. Have him take a team to the River Province to plant trees. The Oasis Project in the Wind Province was stalled; restart it now."
"Also, prevention is key. Don't wait for disaster to strike before scrambling for people and food. From now on, all graduating Earth and Water Style Jonin from the Ninja Academy must complete an internship in the River Province. If a drought occurs in their jurisdiction, their graduation is delayed."
"Yes, sir!"
Both women quickly took notes.
Parallel Ninja World
"A Water Style Ninja? How much would that cost? It can't be cheap, right?"
"Young man, you look like you've seen the world. Do you know the price? To be honest, I'm an old woman, and I don't want to leave my home. If it's not too much, I can pool money with the villagers to hire a Water Style Lord."
Nagato's throat bobbed, his mouth feeling dry as sandpaper.
"The daily salary of a Water Style Jonin... if averaged out... would be about what you earn in a month!"
He was calculating based on the standardized salary of an Empire state-employee Jonin.
"That's not too much! We can scrape that together! Can you help us contact this Water Style Lord you mentioned?"
Nagato hesitated but decided to be honest. "You... probably can't afford it. To solve a drought of this magnitude, you would need at least a thousand Water Style Jonin working continuously for a week..."
Before he could finish, the old woman stiffened and collapsed straight back.
A villager next to her shoved Nagato away, his face twisted in rage.
"Is it fun for you to tease us like this?"
"So young, yet so cruel!"
"Mocking poor people like us... are you even human?"
Nagato was bewildered. "Why doesn't your Daimyo help you? Does your country not have a Daimyo?"
The man sneered. "Daimyo? With that much money, they could immigrate anywhere they want. Why the hell would they care about us?"
Some cursed at Nagato. Others, realizing from his lack of common sense that he must be a wealthy noble's son, suddenly changed their expressions to ingratiating smiles. They grabbed his sleeves, trying to sell him their children.
Nagato, gentle and soft-hearted by nature, felt his sanity cracking.
Human trafficking? And the traffickers are the parents themselves?
This world is hopeless!
Seeing his dazed expression, the desperate elders holding their children couldn't hold back.
"My Lord, I beg you! My granddaughter is young, obedient, and sensible. She can work like an ox or a horse for you. Please, just take her!"
"My Lord! My daughter is very pretty. You can take her back as a mistress or a concubine!"
"Anything? Even selling themselves into slavery?" Nagato's voice rasped.
They nodded vigorously.
Heavens! The evil of slavery still exists in this world!
"What is good about being a slave? Don't you know that growing up like that strips a child of their humanity and dignity?"
They shook their heads with bitter smiles.
"We can't even survive. Can you eat dignity?"
For the first time, Nagato felt a deep, malicious resentment toward the "Traditionalists" back in his own world.
Who was it that said the Village System was good?
Who spread the rumor that under the joint rule of Daimyos and Ninja Villages, the people lived in peace and happiness?
Nagato injected the serum the Emperor had given him. A terrifying power began to awaken within his body.
In the distance, Jiraiya watched this scene, his heart pounding.
Wait! Is he disappointed in this world?
Jiraiya's chest tightened. Risking exposure, he instantly appeared in front of Nagato.
Among the three invaders, Nagato was the most emotionally unstable. If Jiraiya could sway him to Konoha's side or extract intelligence, it would be a massive victory.
Feigning casual indifference, Jiraiya commented, "Don't look at these refugees and think it's all doom and gloom. Actually, once they reach the Land of Fire, plenty of nobles and merchants will be willing to take them in. Selling their sons and daughters? That's just their personal choice because they don't want the burden. Such things don't happen inside the Land of Fire."
Hearing this, Nagato suppressed the surging power within him.
"Is that so? Why would nobles and merchants be willing to take them in?"
Jiraiya smiled. Willingness to talk was a good sign.
"That's naturally because... the Land of Fire is rich and powerful, and everyone's heart is filled with love and justice..."
Jiraiya had wanted to say 'because they are cheap labor,' but the words caught in his throat, and he pivoted to a prettier lie.
"You're new to the Land of Fire, right? I think you need a guide. I can take you around to see the culture and scenery of our great nation," Jiraiya invited with practiced familiarity.
Nagato hesitated, then nodded.
It was true. He couldn't judge a whole world by one small tragedy. He had been too impulsive just now.
"Are you a ninja of the Land of Fire?"
The moment Nagato asked this, the surrounding refugees recoiled as if facing a great enemy, scattering like they had seen a viper.