"How are the progress on the school and factories?" Naruto asked.
"Well, following your instructions, we prioritized the school. With the help of Ninja abilities, the Ninja School in the Land of Waves should be completed within two months. As for the factories, the progress is slower. Including the introduction and setup of various equipment, it will probably take about six months," Nono estimated, giving conservative timelines for both projects.
"Two months and six months, huh?" Naruto stroked his chin, thinking, 'Gato's funds could sustain them for a long time, so there was no need to worry about that.'
He then said, "In that case, let's arrange for the school to open in three months. Inform the residents of the Land of Waves that all children of the appropriate age must attend the school."
"Understood."
"Good."
Naruto then turned to the Uchiha Clan's members. "The Uchiha children will also need to attend the school."
"Understood." Izumi replied immediately, but Naruto's next words left her confused.
"You will also need to attend school for a while."
"Huh? Why?"
Izumi was stunned, her large eyes filled with confusion, 'I had already awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan and was currently the strongest member of the Uchiha Clan. Why did I need to go to school?'
Naruto explained, "Education is the foundation of a nation, its top priority. From now on, the graduation age for schools in the Land of Waves will be 16. For the first three years, we'll focus on teaching basic Chakra Control and the three basic Ninjutsu, but we won't follow the traditional Ninja Academy model. Instead, we'll prioritize ideological education, guiding students to develop the correct worldview and values."
"After three years, we'll begin specialized Ninjutsu training. At that point, we'll divide students into classes based on their talents in Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Taijutsu. We'll also create special classes for those with unique abilities. Additionally, we'll implement grade-level assessments. In the future, any student who excels academically will be able to choose their desired Jutsu from the Scroll of Seals."
Naruto couldn't afford to overlook the importance of ideological education. In the Ninja World, there was no shortage of extremists, and these extremists were often incredibly skilled.
This was especially true for the Uchiha clan. He was worried that the young Uchiha, having just left Konoha, might be influenced by some dark force and produce a few rebellious individuals who would turn against their teachers and superiors. Therefore, he had to strengthen ideological education in the Land of Waves.
He decided to personally compile a textbook in the next few days. Although his own cultural knowledge from his previous life wasn't extensive, he could still come up with some motivational quotes to shape the worldview of these illiterate individuals.
In the future, the Ninja Forces of the Land of Waves must be an excellent team with organization, discipline, ideals, and beliefs.
"But... I'm the leader of the Uchiha Clan now. A clan head going to school... it's just..."
'It was just too embarrassing.'
Izumi felt like this was a social disaster waiting to happen.
"Oh? Who said a clan head can't go to the school?" Naruto glared at Izumi and continued, "If it weren't for the fact that the others are too old, I'd have the entire Uchiha Clan go back to school for a re-education..."
Naruto paused mid-sentence, then his eyes lit up as he added, "Actually, that's a good point. While the children have schools, the adults should have schools too. Once the Land of Waves stabilizes, we'll build an adult school. After work, they can attend classes."
After all, many Ninja remained illiterate even as adults, and their minds weren't exactly sharp.
"Ah, this..."
Now, not only was Uchiha Izumi grimacing, but even Inabi behind her looked troubled.
They really wanted to say, "Sir, maybe you should go back to school too," but no one dared to speak up.
"Alright, that's the plan for the next period. Nono, help them arrange accommodations and prepare a temporary research lab for Orochimaru."
"Then Orochimaru, during this time, focus on finding a way to replenish Kaho's vitality. Once the research base is built, you can start the research you want. As for your former subordinates, they can continue working with you."
"Understood." Orochimaru and Nono replied simultaneously.
Kaho looked at Naruto with deep gratitude.
"Thank you, sir."
After giving his instructions, Naruto left. He needed to dust off the knowledge from his past life that had been buried for so long.
---
In the eastern part of the Land of Fire, deep within a forest.
Two white-haired figures were rushing through the woods, heading toward the eastern coast of the Land of Fire.
They were Jiraiya and Kakashi, who had been sent on a mission by Tsunade.
The number of Ninja in Konoha was now severely depleted. Sending Jiraiya and Kakashi, two of Konoha's remaining top-tier fighters, was a decision Tsunade had agonized over for a long time.
She had initially planned to send only Jiraiya but worried that he might encounter danger on the way and die needlessly. So, she added Kakashi to the team. With two of them, even if they faced an insurmountable threat, they could at least cover each other and escape.
Tsunade had given them a deadline of one week. If they didn't send back any news within that time, she would have to resort to her final plan to protect Konoha.
"Kakashi, I didn't expect you to be in such good shape."
As they hurried along, Jiraiya looked at Kakashi, who showed no signs of having been injured, and couldn't help but feel surprised.
After all, Hiruzen, who had also been attacked, was still lying in the intensive care unit. It was said that if it wasn't for Hiashi noticing something was wrong and intervened, Hiruzen might have died at the hands of his old friend, Danzo.
This incident infuriated Hiruzen, who immediately stripped Danzo of all his authority. However, out of lingering sentiment, he didn't execute Danzo outright.
"Hmm?"
Kakashi didn't immediately understand what Jiraiya meant. After a moment of thought, he replied, "I'm not sure what happened either."
All he remembered was that when Naruto threw that nebula-like black sphere, just before the explosion engulfed him, he felt a sharp pain in his left eye, where the Sharingan was implanted. Then, the space in front of him seemed to distort, and he passed out.
'Obito... were you still protecting me?'
Kakashi instinctively touched his left eye, feeling a warm surge in his scarred heart.
"It might be the effect of the Sharingan."
"Sharingan has that kind of effect? Could it be the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan?"
Jiraiya was a little surprised. He didn't know much about the Sharingan, but he had heard of the Mangekyo Sharingan.
'Mangekyo Sharingan?'
Kakashi thought of Itachi's black flames but quickly dismissed the idea. After all, his eye belonged to Obito, who had died long ago. Maintaining this eye already consumed a significant amount of his Chakra, so it was unlikely to be a Mangekyo.
More importantly, he had tried many times since then but hadn't been able to replicate that sensation.
"It shouldn't be."
"Jiraiya-sama, I have a bad feeling about this mission."
Kakashi changed the subject, and Jiraiya didn't press further. Instead, he showed a bitter smile.
"To be honest, even if Kirigakure agrees to an alliance with Konoha, it would still be difficult to stand against the other three great villages."
Seeing Jiraiya's mood suddenly turn somber, Kakashi didn't say anything more.
Both of them tacitly avoided mentioning Naruto.
This is how the Ninja Village is. The Ninjas only need to concentrate on completing the mission, but the village leaders have a lot to consider.