In the morning, Ryu walked on the training grounds that he had recently built within the expanded Hamura family property surrounding his house.
Ryu walked confidently, taking deliberate steps, and Dan matched his pace on the left, while Kaori, appearing composed, walked on his right, updating him on the sales.
The sales of landline telephones were increasing, and nearly all wealthy individuals already owned one. People and businesses were discussing how to use the new telephone technology, as Ryu had described it in the speech. As Ryu's innovative ideas about telephone communication spread, more individuals began to see the potential of incorporating telephones into their daily lives.
The growing interest in telephone technology led to discussions about its practical uses and future potential across various social groups. Even ninjas were not out of the picture. Hokage had already ordered work phones for the door guards and the boundary patrols to make communication more efficient and secure. The village rapidly adjusted to the changing times, embracing the convenience and connectivity offered by telecommunications networks.
Kaori said, "Orders are piling faster than we can fill them. And the money flowing into Hamura Industry is nothing to scoff at. I think we are having difficulty in managing this many orders at once."
Ryu smiled and said, "Good, such difficulties are always welcomed. Hire more staff now that we have more money. That money will fund Fire City Tower, then satellites, then Ironheart."
Kaori nodded. "I'll start the recruitment process immediately. We need to expand our workforce to keep up with demand." Ryu's smile widened. "With our growth, we'll soon be able to achieve our goals of expanding beyond the village."
Ryu's gaze drifted toward the training yard where the kids were assembling. "Here's another thought—ask our clients if anyone wants fancy numbers. Single digits, strings of zeros. Let them bid for it."
Kaori raised a brow. "That is a great idea. We could offer exclusive, customised numbers to the highest bidders, creating more money on the side. Exclusivity always sells. And nobles always like to show off."
Ryu said, "Have regular auctions for limited editions of our products as well, not just fancy numbers. All the money from these auctions should go to charity. I don't need this kind of way to earn extra coin. Instead, the money should be used to build hospitals and clinics. I'll take the free advertising that comes with giving money to good causes. Make it a habit for people from the company to visit hospitals and orphanages all over the country. This includes foreign countries where our business has not yet expanded. We can influence public opinion positively even before we begin to expand.
Kaori offered him a subtle smile. "You should be a businessman instead of a ninja."
"Why can't I be both?" Ryu replied with mock solemnity.
"And speaking of ninjas—Mr Kohinata is coming to see you today. Your appointment is in an hour."
Ryu tilted his head at her. "Kaori… Is that even your real name?"
She tied a ribbon on a scroll without pausing. "No. But you mostly call me 'Ms Secretary'. That works just fine."
"Too bad. I was hoping to annoy you with the real one."
The yard smelled of chalk and water. Yasashii hunched over the sealing paper with a poised brush, while Jiyuu sat beside him with a bowl of water trembling faintly. Rina crouched next to Souji's chair, attentively watching as Souji moved his fingers one by one. Kaia and Akihiro are standing like new kids in a classroom, unsure and perhaps a bit nervous.
Ryu clapped once, the sound slicing through the air like a sharp blade. "Morning," he said. "Before we start, hear me out."
All the kids and even his grandfather and secretary became attentive. After hearing him give too many speeches, they always anticipate the next one.
Ryu started speaking, "In this world, strength isn't optional—it's a necessity. And you, more than anyone, need it. Because you have more to prove: to this world and to yourselves."
Kaia frowned. "Prove what exactly?"
Ryu's eyes swept over them. "That this world belongs to you too. That you have a place in it, that you are capable of achieving greatness." Ryu's words hung in the air, challenging them to rise to the occasion and show what they were truly made of.
He let the words settle, then added, "I've designed a programme fitted to each of your strengths and weaknesses. It will push you to your limits, but it will also help you grow and become the best version of yourselves. Follow it, and you'll build the strongest foundation. From there, how far you go is up to your own effort and determination."
The group exchanged determined looks, ready to embark on this journey of self-improvement and growth. With Ryu's guidance and their dedication, they knew they had the potential to achieve greatness beyond their wildest dreams.
Rina leaned forward slightly. "So, what's in this program?"
Ryu allowed himself a small grin. "That's what we're here for. Are you ready to hear it?"
The kids exchanged quick looks—hesitant, eager, nervous—but one by one, they nodded.
He moved to Yasashii first. "You are going to be a fuinjutsu expert like me and Grandpa. Your mind is already sharp, but don't let your hands betray you. Seals demand precision. I have designed a new system of fuinjutsu learning that, as per my estimate, is 10 times faster if you focus on fuinjutsu alone. And that is when considering average IQ… Yours is higher ... Very much higher than normal ... So you will focus on fuinjutsu alone. And in your spare time, build the basics of your affinity. Taijutsu will be difficult for you, but you still will be doing it, not for fighting prowess but for body strengthening."
Yasashi nodded, agreeing with all Ryu said.
Next he turned to Jiyuu. "You cannot practise anything unless you start to stand on your own two feet. Your hormone therapy is going smoothly. Just continue with water affinity training. I want you to be the best in the village when it comes to affinity."
Jiyuu nodded.
Ryu then said, "Once you have mastered water affinity, use these Resistance Affinity Training seals. I call them R.A.T. Seals… totally exclusive; only you and I have them in the world. You already know what comes next after you have mastered the water. You have seen what that special material can do."
Jiyuu nodded and said, "I will master the water and then that material too."
"Good," Ryu said softly. "Now rotate. Think less of control, more of rhythm."
Ryu then looked at Souji and Rina.
Ryu said, "You two were already ninjas before shit hit the fan for you."
They looked strangely at Ryu. But Ryu continued, "You continue training the seal on Souji's body. He is now starting to move his fingers. Toes will be next, and in a few months he will be able to walk."
Rina spoke up, glancing at Souji. "He's improving. But the strain worries me."
Ryu said, "Don't worry, he is strong."
Souji's smile was small but sure. Rina relaxed.
He then looked at Rina and said, "The prosthetics you saw on your future version's legs."
Rina said, "You mean that made-up genjutsu future."
Ryu replied, "Believe what you will..."
He then continued, "But the material of those prosthetics is problematic… The material is the rarest metal in the world, the 'Chakra Metal', and I need a lot of it. Sale of this material in raw form is very restricted. Only the land of iron has this material in abundance, and they are very stingy. But don't worry, this is not a problem money cannot solve, so it's not a problem at all for us."
Ryu looked at Kaia and Akihiro. "You start with chakra control drills."
Kaia groaned. "Why do we always start with boring stuff?"
"Because boring builds the foundation," Ryu said dryly. "Skip it, and everything collapses."
Ryu gathered them together. "If you become a ninja, chakra will be your lifeline. You'll use it every day of your life. Efficiency makes you more than ordinary."
Both twins nodded.
Ryu then continued, "Normal ninjas sense their surroundings when necessary, but you both need to surpass all the best sensors in the world." You will transform the chakra-sensing organ in your body into new eyes and ears. And you will use it passively all the time."
Kaori stepped in. "It won't be easy but not impossible. There has been a record of such sensors in history."
Ryu nodded. "You must learn to sense without effort, even in sleep." He gestured toward Dan and Kaori. "Your grandfather trained under two of the best sensors this village ever saw, and Kaori here once worked as ANBU. They'll guide you when I can't."
"But first," Ryu interrupted, "sharpen your intuition. If you learn to sense chakra before fully sharpening your other senses, you will become overly reliant on chakra sensing.
Ryu continued, "I will design a new variant of the seal that is on Souji's body. This new version of the [BodyGPT] will enhance your senses and act as your eyes for your boy. Once it is trained to mimic that intuition, you will learn to train. You will learn [Wind Sensing Jutsu] from Sand Village, where even the slightest disturbance in the air can be sensed. You will also learn the [Earth Sensing Jutsu] of Stone Village. Combine all that, and you two will be able to see the world in your own way then."
Ryu said, "Now that all of you have your assignments, you can start training now. Remember, practice makes perfect. So, make sure to dedicate time each day to honing your skills and mastering these jutsu techniques. Help each other and never hesitate to ask for help. Good luck on your training journey!"
The future ninjas scatter now that they have their assignments, eager to begin their training and master the jutsu techniques prepared by Ryu. The atmosphere seemed to buzz with excitement as they scattered, ready to take on whatever challenges their ninja journey brought.
Dan was feeling something wrong. He spoke, "There is one problem here."
A/N:
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