A rumbling sound came from the official road outside the city.
Hundreds of heavy-duty trucks, bumper to bumper, with the Uchiha crest of the Land of Water emblazoned on their sides, rolled over the crushed stones of the road, kicking up tiny clouds of dust.
The truck beds were filled with rebar, cement, wood, and packaged communication equipment.
On the city wall, Shun looked at the evening glow, lost in thought, when light footsteps sounded behind him.
Minato hurried over with a report, "Shun-sama, the installation team for the communication equipment is already waiting below the city wall."
Shun turned around, took the report, and his fingertip traced "5G Base Station Coverage Plan."
"Minato, for this plan, how large is the coverage area for mobile phone signals?"
Minato smiled and nodded, pointing to the blue boxes below the city. "Centered on the city, it covers a radius of 100 kilometers. Once installed, the citizens within the city will be able to use mobile phones for video calls and browsing messages, just like in the Land of Water. With Hyuga clan members assisting in reconnaissance with their Byakugan, construction speed has greatly increased."
Shun looked towards the distant hills. "First, provide 10,000 mobile phones to each government office, send a few people to teach the officials how to use them, and then have the officials teach the citizens. Get the communication infrastructure in place, so the trade routes can flourish."
Minato nodded vigorously. "The mobile phone aspect has been arranged, and related mobile phone and communication stores are ready to open."
Below the city wall, the ninjas of the Hyuga Main Family had already activated their Byakugan.
Neji raised his hand, pointing to a hill in the northwest. "There are no trees blocking that area, and the signal can cover 80% of the daimyo's residence. It's suitable for building the main base station."
Engineer Ryota pushed up his safety helmet and leaned over to look in the direction Neji was pointing. "Thank you, young man. That place is a kilometer from the nearest village, so it won't disturb the residents. However, we'll need to set up a temporary shed for the equipment. Could you trouble your people to help clear the site?"
Neji nodded, forming a hand seal. "No problem. I'll have three clan members go with you. Clearing the rubble with Gentle Fist will be very fast."
At the same time, the central plaza of the daimyo's residence was bustling with activity.
A bulldozer pushed down the last dilapidated adobe house.
Amidst the rising dust, old craftsman Wakashi held a blueprint and tapped his young apprentice Makoma's head. "What are you staring at? Come look. We need to leave a six-meter-wide passage here for carriages to enter and exit easily."
"Have you forgotten the blueprints for the Land of Water's commercial street? They're all designed like this, so two carriages can pass side-by-side."
Makoma scratched his head, pointing to the second-floor area on the blueprint. "Do we really have to make the entire second floor into a warehouse? I thought we could leave a few rooms for shops, then we could sell some of our own woodwork."
Wakashi smiled and patted his shoulder. "Silly boy, Shun-sama said that the ground-floor shops are for foreign merchants. For us citizens who want to open a shop, there's a special 'convenience street' in the back, and the rent is cheaper."
"Didn't you see the notice posted by the government office yesterday? Once the pedestrian street is built, they'll even recruit us to be administrators, and the salary is twice as high as doing woodwork."
Makoma's eyes lit up. "Really? Then I need to study the blueprints carefully and try to become a small foreman."
The wave of reconstruction quickly swept across the Land of Fire region.
At the Maple City Iron Mine, Engineer Renji from the Land of Water was demonstrating a new mining machine to the miners.
"Everyone, look, this button controls the drill bit's rotation speed. Previously, ten people could mine five tons of ore a day, but now five people can mine eight tons."
Miner Foreman Tora rubbed his hands and asked, "Renji-san, what if this machine breaks down? We've never repaired anything so advanced before."
Renji pulled out a manual from his bag and said, "Don't worry, I've left you a maintenance manual, and everything is clearly illustrated. Plus, engineers will come for inspections every month, so if you have any problems, just call this mobile phone. Shun-sama specially provided ten mobile phones to the mine, and my number is saved on all of them."
By the Spring City Reservoir, ninjas were diverting water using "Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique."
A reisdent walked over with a basket and handed a wheat cake to Shisui, who was leading the group.
"Shisui, take a break and eat something. Once this reservoir is built, our fields won't have to rely on the weather anymore. My two acres of corn are already starting to tassel."
Shisui took the wheat cake and thanked her with a smile. "Thank you, aunt Tanaka. We need to reinforce the dam before the rainy season. Then you'll even be able to raise fish in the reservoir."
A month later, in the capital's Government Office.
Shikaku held a personnel transfer list and said with a solemn expression, "According to the current situation, 50 border patrol outposts have been successfully established in the Land of Fire region, requiring 6,000 ninjas to be stationed there."
Shun gazed at the map, thoughtfully pointing out. "Regarding the personnel requirements for border defense, you should arrange it with Minato. Additionally, on the first day of next month, the capital will host a grand 'auction.' We need to invite some wealthy individuals to participate, and also draft a preferential policy, such as a three-year exemption from commercial taxes, to attract more businesses to participate."
Tetsu quickly responded, "I understand. I will immediately notify the publicity department to arrange personnel for promotion."
Shun nodded in satisfaction, then added, "Have the officials of the Government Office dispatch some personnel to visit various chambers of commerce in different countries. Don't passively wait for merchants to come, we should actively invite them."
After the news of the tax exemption policy spread, many merchants hesitated.
Saya handed over a Chamber of Commerce token, frowning as she asked, "I heard the Land of Fire just finished a war. Is the public order really okay? My goods are worth over 50 million ryo. Will there really be no problems?"
Kakashi pointed to the surveillance cameras in the distance and said, "Don't worry, every intersection in the capital has surveillance, and the guard team patrols 24 hours a day. Moreover, your goods can be stored in the special zone warehouse, which is protected by Barrier Ninjutsu, making it safer than carrying it with you."
Saya followed Kakashi around the pedestrian street, seeing the clean streets and brightly lit shops, and then went to the Government Office to inquire about tax policies.
As trade began, the central plaza of the capital was packed with people.
Ken, a merchant from the Land of Water, had a crowd gathered around his silk stall.
He held a piece of cloud brocade and said to everyone, "Everyone, feel this fabric. It's three times softer than the silk from the Land of Fire's past, and a piece of clothing made from it can last five years! If you place an order today, you'll also receive an embroidered handkerchief, a specialty of the Land of Water!"
Tetsuo, an ironware merchant from the Land of Lightning, raised a cleaver and brought it down on a wooden stake with a clang.
"Everyone, look! This knife uses the Land of Lightning's latest steelmaking technology. It cuts iron like mud, and if you buy it now, you'll also get a sharpening stone!"
In the crowd, Makoma pulled Wakashi and squeezed to the front.
"Wakashi-san, let's buy a new cleaver too. The one at home is already chipped."
Wakashi smiled and nodded. "Yes, let's buy one. And buy your mother a piece of silk for a new dress. She's been wanting one for a long time."