"A meeting has been called for the day after tomorrow."
The words of Hiruzen lingered in the atmosphere between them. Ryu didn't change his face. Stay calm, as if he expected it.
Hiruzen studied him and said, "You don't seem worried."
Ryu replied, "Because I'm not, Lord Hokage. And I already told you why."
The certainty in that statement made Hiruzen lean forward slightly. "Should I even mention your connection to the Uzumaki clan at the meeting?"
Ryu raised his right hand, palm up.
The Adamantine Sealing Chains manifested fully, glowing with a golden hue. Hiruzen's eyes widened. Recognition flashed across his face.
"The Uzumaki chains..." His voice dropped to something quieter. "I haven't seen those since Kushina. He carries her legacy."
Ryu willed the construct back. The golden chakra snapped inward, flowing smoothly into his palm like water returning to its source.
"Your mentioning my lineage will make things easy." Ryu's voice remained steady. "But I don't want that…It's time I see his ugly mug."
Hiruzen understood who Ryu was talking about. But he never thought Ryu would badmouth him so openly.
Ryu then said, "I'll handle it in an appeal after the initial hearing. And this appeal will bring some change to the council structure, whether some people like it or not."
Hiruzen nodded slowly. His expression shifted through several stages—surprise melting into approval, then settling into something firmer. Confidence.
He's prepared. More than I expected... His confidence gives me confidence... I don't know what he is planning, but it will be fun. Let's see how it goes.
The Hokage smiled and said, "Then I'll see you at the appeal."
Ryu bowed slightly. He and Kaori turned, footsteps quiet against the wooden floor as they left.
Outside, Ryu's mind was already moving forward, compartmentalising the successful retrieval of Orochimaru's equipment and now shifting to the next priority. The review meeting was scheduled for today.
Ryu said, "Let's go to company HQ; the meeting is going to start soon."
The walk to the Hamura Industry HQ passed quickly. His staff had assembled punctually. The agenda this time was financial review, tracking expenditures, and assessing progress.
Ryu pushed open the conference room's door.
Masato stood near the head of the table. Three other staff members—senior engineers and project leads—sat with reports spread before them. The atmosphere was tense. Worried faces surrounded reports filled with numbers that didn't balance.
Ryu took his seat. Kaori stood near the door, observing.
"Hello, everyone…I have many things to do, so let's skip the pleasantries and begin," Ryu said.
The first staff member who managed infrastructure projects spoke with barely concealed nervousness. "The expenditure projections... the Road Project, Ironheart City and Satellite Mirror Project are draining funds faster than anticipated."
Another staffer, a woman named Yumi who handled accounting, added grimly, "By our estimates, expenditures will exceed income within three months."
The third, an older engineer, hesitated before speaking. "Perhaps we should suspend the road project? Focus resources on higher-return investments—"
"No."
Ryu's voice cut through the suggestion cleanly. Ryu's tone was not harsh, but it was absolutely firm.
Silence settled over the table.
"Proper roads are essential infrastructure," Ryu continued, his tone brooking no argument. "The electric waggons we're developing need them... Who will buy them if there are no roads?"
Everyone nodded, agreeing with Ryu. But the problem still remained.
Ryu continued, "The Land of Rivers is just beginning—we're building the foundation for every big and small county. Once Land of River is connected to Land of Fire, other countries will see its worth and invest in proper infrastructure. In the Land of River, we share costs with Lord Daimyo because we also benefit from transporting valuable resources and connecting the Land of Wind, Rivers, and Fire."
Staff members exchanged uncertain glances. Although the logic was sound, it didn't solve the problems.
Ryu met each of their eyes in turn. "I have a solution… I'll find the money. Keep all projects running without worry."
His confidence was infectious. The tension in the room eased fractionally—shoulders relaxed, worried frowns softened slightly. Not eliminated, but reduced. They'd seen Ryu solve impossible problems before.
Kaori caught Ryu's eye from her position by the door. A flicker of a question passed between them—where would the money come from? Ryu's expression gave nothing away.
"Now—give me updates on everything else."
Hideki shifted topics with visible relief. "The next-phase processors and chip fabrication are progressing well. Thank you for the laser and photolithography inventions—they've accelerated development significantly."
Ryu allowed himself a slight smile. "Lasers have many more applications than cutting silicon."
Curious faces turned toward him.
"High-power lasers can cut through steel and stone," Ryu explained concisely. "Low-power modulated lasers can transmit data—we can connect towers using light communication by modulating data over pulses of light."
He paused, letting that sink in.
"Medical applications: breaking down stones in the body, cutting down tumours. Precision work that would take a surgeon hours—done in minutes without opening the patient." A flicker of satisfaction crossed his face. "I treated the Fire Daimyo's first daughter's skin condition using laser treatment. The results were excellent."
The staff leaned forward, captivated. Ryu could see their minds whirling, already envisioning applications and calculating potential markets.
"Prepare prototypes for each application I've listed. I will share my notes on laser technology, which will help build the prototypes faster."
Nods around the table. Energy had replaced anxiety.
"How is the next phase of satellite production going?" Ryu shifted focus.
Masato straightened. "The mirror project. We've designed the mirrors—controlled focus, closing lids operated remotely through our communication satellite. We're testing smaller models now."
His expression turned frustrated. "We're looking for alternatives for the mirror material."
"Use gold for reflectors and diamonds for refractors."
Brief silence.
Masato blinked. "Gold would be very suitable... but what about the cost? Gold is expensive but diamonds … they are expensive and rare beyond our wildest dreams."
"We don't need to make mirrors entirely of gold." Ryu's explanation was methodical. "Use lightweight metal like beryllium—high reflectivity—with just a nano-layer of gold on the surface."
He could see Masato processing the concept.
Ryu continued, "Only the surface needs to be gold. Gold is mostly inert and has a high tolerance for radiation in space."
Masato's engineering mind engaged fully. "It would work... but hammering the gold to such a thin length and then fixing it will be very delicate and time-consuming."
"No need. We'll electroplate it."
"Electroplate?" Confusion crossed Masato's face. "You mean... use an electrochemical reaction to place gold onto the surface of another metal?"
"Exactly."
Masato's eyes widened as the implications crystallised. "That's a brilliant idea, but we need to determine the correct chemical reaction required for it."
"No need," Ryu interrupted smoothly. "It's already been figured out for you. I'll submit the papers to you."
Masato said, "But your diamond reflector idea is too unrealistic; investing diamonds in the project will cost us dearly."
Ryu replied and said, "Let's just say I have a diamond mine."
Masato's mouth opened, clearly awed. The other staff members looked similarly shocked, but they thought Ryu was saying it metaphorically, not literally.
"That concludes the primary agenda." Ryu stood. "Everyone will receive their assignments from Masato-san. Excellent work, everyone."
The staff rose, gathering reports. Relief and renewed purpose animated their movements as they filed out.
Only Masato, Kaori, and Ryu remained.
Ryu waited until the door closed completely. He formed a hand seal, activating the privacy barrier. Sound wouldn't carry beyond this room now.
Ryu took a storage seal and summoned some more papers. Blueprint designs covered the surface—complex schematics, detailed annotations, and engineering specifications.
"This is a classified project," Ryu said, his tone shifting to something more serious. "Only you work on this project."
Masato leaned closer, eyes scanning the designs with professional intensity.
"Aerial dirigible... king-size motorboat..." He looked up. "These are vehicle designs?"
"Revolutionary vehicle designs," Ryu replied.
Masato frowned slightly, confused. "Why the secrecy? Vehicles aren't—"
"In a world reliant on feet and sandals?" Ryu cut in. "Vehicles are world-changing technology."
The weight in his voice made Masato pause.
"In logistics, speed is power. Perishable goods, if transported faster, will generate more profits in the long term than selling manufactured goods, as their demand is constant and never-ending. Easy transport also lowers their price and increases availability. Imagine buying fish and vegetables in a desert country like Wind or Rock at almost the same price as in the land of Waves or Fire." Ryu's explanation was practical, stripped of dramatics. "We need working prototypes first—fully tested, refined—before revealing anything publicly."
He gestured to the blueprints. "My research into air and water travel needs to be protected from spies. Surprises are beneficial sometimes. Road infrastructure is intended for local movements; this is the actual project. …"
Understanding dawned across Masato's features. "You're planning to dominate logistics and transportation. Both domestic and international. "
Ryu's slight smile confirmed it. "Yes… via roads, water and air… Flying shinobi are extremely rare. We will face resistance if the plans are leaked. They will be wary of this mode of transportation being used for ninja missions."
Masato studied the blueprints with renewed appreciation. The aerial dirigible design showed sophisticated buoyancy calculations. The king-size motorboat incorporated principles that they had previously worked on. The design included solar paint, sodium batteries, and heavy-duty motors.
"Build them in my private workshop with complete discretion… I will build a big enough dome for you to handle this without prying eyes."
Masato rolled up the scroll with reverent care, as if handling something precious. "I'll handle this personally. Only trusted people will see these designs."
Ryu nodded and thought, "The genetics project will stay with me... it is too sensitive and advanced to delegate. Mastao will handle other key projects, while the company will manage everything else. Delegating tasks like this will buy me valuable time to train myself and others."
Ryu deactivated the privacy barrier. Masato bowed and left, the designs safely stored with Ryu.
They left the compound together. It was now almost evening. As Ryu walked, he ran into a friend. "Ryu! Perfect timing!"
With a wide and contagious smile, Toshiro Senju emerged from behind the path ahead. He was full of energy.
Ryu stopped. Kaori and Kohinata stood beside him.
"Let's spar." Toshiro's enthusiasm was palpable. "I've been training hard on my flexibility…I want to test it against you."
"Now?"
"Now."
Ryu considered briefly. The training would be useful—and Toshiro's timing was convenient. "Alright. Your family's training grounds?"
"Exactly. Come on!"
They headed toward the Senju training grounds. Earth pillars from previous sessions stood scattered across the training ground. These earth pillars served as a reminder of their past training sessions.
The late evening air made for excellent training conditions. Toshiro and Ryu walked forward toward the middle of the field, while Kaori and Kohinata stayed away.
Above them, two figures settled silently onto a thick tree branch. Natsurama Senju, the clan head, and his son Tashiro, Toshiro's father, positioned themselves high above the ground. They watched from the distance, unseen by the duo. Ryu turned his eye, sensing them but did not react much.
Tashiro's voice was barely a whisper. "The meeting the day after tomorrow... it's about the Jinchuriki boy, isn't it?"
Natsurama's expression remained grim. "Yes. Danzo will make his move. He doesn't want Ryu near him."
"The council will be divided."
"I'm going to support Ryu." Natsurama's tone carried certainty. "But I don't think others will."
A pause.
"I plan to talk to the Hokage before the meeting."
Tashiro glanced at his father. "Coordination?"
Natsurama nodded. "We need a unified strategy."
They returned their attention to the field below.
The Senju clan harboured a deep affection for Naruto, with echoes of Mito Uzumaki's compassion that had been passed down through generations and were still lingering in their collective memories. If not for the meddling of politics and policies, they would have intervened in Naruto's situation.
Below, Ryu and Toshiro faced each other.
"Since we want to test flexibility, let's restrict it to taijutsu only. But weapons are allowed."
Toshiro pulled his wooden training staff from the rack near the field's edge. "Agreed. No ninjutsu."
Ryu retrieved a simple wooden stick—unadorned, utilitarian. Toshiro, too, mirrored Ryu and took out a staff.
They took positions. Ten metres apart.
Toshiro grinned. "Ready?"
"Begin."
Toshiro charged first.
An explosive chakra impulse from his legs—Senju-style Taijutsu's signature application—launched him forward with superhuman speed. The distance closed in a heartbeat.
Ryu sidestepped. Minimal movement, maximum efficiency. His body rotated precisely out of the attack line.
Toshiro's staff swung horizontally, the motion fluid and practised. Ryu's stick rose to block—wood impacted wood with a sharp crack that echoed across the field.
They separated. Circled each other warily.
"He's faster than last time," Ryu thought, recalculating his approach.
Toshiro shifted tactics. He used it immediately, springboarding off at an angle to attack from above. The aerial approach was more difficult to defend against.
Ryu rolled forward under the descending strike. Smooth, economical movement. Toshiro's staff passed through empty air where Ryu had been standing.
Landing, Toshiro transitioned instantly into a ground sweep—staff whipping low.
Ryu jumped, his stick angled downward in counter-thrust. The wooden tip drove toward Toshiro's guard.
Toshiro blocked, but the force pushed him back two steps, feet sliding across packed earth. After that, they exchanged many blows, with Tashiro using his newfound flexibility to dodge close quarters.
They now paused and stared at each other. Both of them began to breathe more forcefully after relentless blows earlier.
Toshiro activated his Senju-style Taijutsu to increase his physical strength. His limbs released chakra impulses, not in a constant flow, but in explosive bursts at the moment of impact. The technique demanded precise chakra control, releasing power exactly when needed. Each strike carried explosive force.
Ryu weaved between the strikes with fluid grace. His movements looked almost dance-like—body awareness at its peak, spatial sense tracking every angle. His stick deflected when necessary, redirecting force rather than meeting it head-on.
One explosive punch connected solidly with Ryu's wooden stick.
CRACK.
The weapon broke cleanly in half, splinters flying.
Ryu tossed the broken pieces aside without hesitation.
"Got you now!" Toshiro grinned triumphantly, thinking he now has the upper hand.
Ryu raised his right hand. Palm open, steady.
His palm erupted with golden chakra, resembling a long, stick-like balloon filled with air. The chakra solidified. Smooth, seamless—a golden staff formed in Ryu's grip. The staff was approximately a meter long, glowing faintly with that distinctive golden-red hue, and it blocked Toshiro's attack in its tracks.
"What!" Toshiro's shout came mid-combat, eyes widening.
A/N:
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