After settling the Uchiha clan's internal strife and bringing both Shisui and Itachi into Shintei, the village of Konoha stepped into an unprecedented golden age of rapid development.
Although Shinju had already laid out assignments, he didn't rush Shisui and Itachi to immediately deploy against Akatsuki. For now, he had them prepare frameworks: risk assessments, infiltration routes, contingency responses—everything they might need once the hunt began.
The economic base determines the superstructure; that truth never changes. Before soldiers move, the grain must be ready. The foundation of a strong nation is never outward conquest, but inward development.
So Shinju temporarily drew his focus back from external threats to Konoha's internal construction.
Half a month later, a brand-new building rose beside the Hokage Tower. It lacked the tower's austere authority, but brimmed with modern practicality. Its name: the Konoha Council Hall.
Today was its first official session.
In the spacious, sunlit chamber, a massive round table seated those who now represented Konoha's highest authority.
Minato, the nominal chief executive, sat at the head.
On his left was the village's top strategist, Shikaku of the Nara.
On his right, the newly appointed village adviser—Fugaku of the Uchiha.
In addition to them, representatives from every jonin clan—Akimichi, Yamanaka, Nara, Hyuga, Inuzuka, and more—were all in attendance.
The true conductor of this meeting, Shinju, sat quietly behind Minato like an ordinary scribe, a thick stack of proposals before him, filled with unfamiliar terms and dense charts.
"Everyone," Minato cleared his throat to begin, "we're here to discuss a brand-new plan personally drafted by Shinju for Konoha's development over the next several years."
All eyes, almost by reflex, turned to Shinju.
Shinju rose and walked to the center, where a detailed sand table of Konoha awaited.
"The strength of a village isn't just how many powerful shinobi it has," he said. "Even with overwhelming force, without a firm foundation, it cannot endure. The Uchiha were strong—individually unmatched—but power alone never secured lasting prosperity for the Uchiha or long-term stability for Konoha. We must focus on how much wealth we can create, so every villager can live in peace and plenty. That is our bedrock."
His opening alone felt novel to the traditional clan heads.
"War is only a means; prosperity is the end. Any village that believes brute force is the sole answer hastens its own demise. Without roots, it's just duckweed on the water."
He tapped the sand table with a pointer.
"Konoha's current economic model is too simple—and fragile. It depends entirely on the mission system. That doesn't create new wealth; it only transfers it. When there are missions, shinobi get paid and the village collects taxes. But in peacetime, missions drop; the economy stalls, even declines. That's not sustainable.
"Even when missions spike for a time and everyone seems flush, it's a castle in the air—a false prosperity."
Shikaku nodded. He had long seen the problem but never found a solution.
"So, my first proposal is to establish the Konoha Task-Point Bank."
A collective stir.
"Bank? And what are 'task points'?" puzzlement spread around the table.
"In brief, it's a new system that quantifies mission pay and turns it into a standardized credit metric," Shinju explained. "From now on, after a mission, a portion of a shinobi's reward won't be in cash. Part of it will be deposited as 'task points' into that shinobi's account at the bank.
"These points are convertible to cash at any time, but more importantly, they form the shinobi's credit rating. Higher-ranked missions completed yield more points and a higher credit grade."
"And what does a credit grade do?" Without waiting for the question, Shinju continued, "That leads to my second proposal: a shinobi credit system.
"Any Konoha shinobi can apply for an unsecured loan based on their credit rating. The higher the rating, the more they can borrow and the lower the interest.
"What's the money for? Better ninja tools. Seed capital to open a shop. Improving one's family life.
"In this way, money flows. A genin can work hard, build credit, then get a startup loan to open, say, a ramen shop. That shop will hire staff and buy ingredients from local villagers—creating jobs and income."
Shikaku's eyes flashed; he shot to his feet, forgetting his usual calm.
"Brilliant—truly brilliant! Quantifying mission pay and tying it to a credit system—then linking that to business loans… This could activate the entire village's commerce! It converts shinobi combat power directly into capital for development. Shinju-dono, your thinking is something only a god could conceive!"
Fugaku's gaze also lit up. He immediately thought of the Uchiha Police Force. If this system took hold, the Police could expand into new services—premium security for merchants launching shops with loans, for example. That would boost clan income and let the Uchiha integrate into the village's economic life in a gentler, more constructive way.
A brand-new road to clan revival spread out before him.
Shinju only nodded lightly at the praise. He drew a few lines across the sand table.
"Finance alone isn't enough. We need a carrier for the real economy.
"I propose we fully redevelop the central district into a new Konoha Commercial Quarter—concentrating shops together to create scale effects.
"Then upgrade the eastern district into a logistics hub. Using shinobi mobility, we'll give Fire Country merchants the fastest, safest freight service. Our logistics teams will be composed of capable shinobi, providing built-in security. With results, reputation will take care of itself.
"The western district becomes a new high-end residential area—so shinobi and villagers who become prosperous through their own effort have better places to live. We will reward those who strive."
With a few clean strokes, he outlined Konoha's future: a commercial center, a logistics hub, and a residential zone.
The layout was reasonable and comprehensive, leaving even the most self-assured clan heads in awe. Who would have thought this youth was a monster of economics as well?
Perhaps, in his eyes, Konoha was no longer just a military fortress—it was a modern, vibrant commercial city brimming with opportunity.
The meeting ran from morning till dusk.
One after another, Shinju unveiled ideas far ahead of their time, utterly overturning the assembled leaders' image of what a "village" could be.
Not everyone could digest and accept it instantly, and no one could guarantee success before trying—but if they never tried, they would never know. And the odds looked very good.
By the time it ended, the looks sent toward Shinju had changed—from respectful to wholehearted reverence.
They knew they were witnessing a historic turning point.
Under Shinju's leadership, Konoha was poised for an economic boom like none before. Their clans' interests would be tied more deeply than ever to the Namikaze household as they rode this wave together.
War would no longer be the village's sole theme.
Creating wealth—and enjoying prosperity—would become a brighter, more compelling "Will of Fire."
(End of Chapter)
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