Izuna, restore the glory of the Uchiha!

Before the morning mist had even dissipated, the sound of busy footsteps could already be heard on the stone path leading to the laboratory.

Koichi was directing several trusted men to carefully move the medical equipment, which had been laundered, into the small building.

When the moving and debugging work was almost finished, Izuna walked over to the site with his hands behind his back and began the final inspection.

He walked around the laboratory and made a judgment.

Now that the stage is set, the show must begin.

The laboratory's successful start was generously rewarded by Izuna to the group of clan doctors who had long awaited the secret techniques he possessed.

The air in the laboratory was filled with a faint smell of alcohol.

A dozen or so tribal doctors stood in a circle, craning their necks and barely daring to breathe, afraid of missing any of Izuna's movements.

Izuna did not expect these students, who had come to the field later in life, to understand the theory.

All he wanted were skilled workers on the assembly line—people who could use tools, perform wound cleaning, and understand the most basic operating procedures.

True, systematic talent needs to be cultivated from a young age; that is the foundation that truly values ​​them.

The teaching continued until sunset, when the tribal doctors, clutching their respective simple first-aid kits, reluctantly left, turning back again and again.

Two of the younger ones were recruited by him and soon became teaching assistants at the school.

The simple appointment meant that his school would soon resume normal operations.

Everything is developing in a good direction.

After the first prisoner exchange, the Senju clan, in order to show their sincerity, voluntarily withdrew their forward defense line, creating a huge buffer zone between the two clans' territories.

With the external threats subsiding, the reforms to domestic affairs yielded immediate results.

The pressure on the Uchiha defense line was greatly reduced. Those in charge of the defense line, who were originally overwhelmed by the policy of excessive troops, revised the deployment plan overnight after being scolded by Madara.

The ninjas who were wasting their time on the border were withdrawn in large numbers; the rotation system was finally restored to normal.

The effects of the deployment changes were immediate.

With the return of young and middle-aged laborers, the teenagers that Sosuke mentioned, who were doing the work of three people, were finally freed from their heavy workload and had free time to themselves for the first time.

This is also the best time for schools to recruit students.

The following morning, a striking red notice was neatly posted on the bulletin board in the very center of the clan's territory.

Before long, it attracted attention amidst lively discussions.

At first, only a few early-rising women passing by stopped out of curiosity. As literate people read the contents aloud, the crowd grew larger and larger.

"Nanhe Technical School, what's this new thing?"

An uncle carrying a vegetable basket squeezed into the crowd and asked with squinted eyes.

"The higher-ups say they're recruiting clansmen who lack chakra talent or are too injured to continue fighting... Isn't that just taking in useless people like us?"

A retired ninja with a missing arm next to him chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"Not only is there no tuition fee, but outstanding performers can also be assigned jobs, and even have the opportunity to enter the family's core logistics department?"

Someone exclaimed in surprise.

"Really? You can earn a decent living without fighting on the battlefield?"

The news of the enrollment announcement spread by word of mouth and quickly ignited the entire tribe.

Alongside it was a more unusual "Teacher Recruitment Notice".

However, the audience for this announcement is clearly not limited to the tribe's territory.

In the study, Izuna picked up a brush and ground ink, writing a formal reply to the daimyo of the Land of Fire on Madara's behalf:

"Your Highness, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, please accept this."

Your Highness's good health is a great blessing to the nation. The day before yesterday, we were deeply grateful for Your Highness's inquiry, and our entire clan was filled with trepidation and tears of gratitude.

Although the Uchiha clan is known for its martial prowess, they are keenly aware that weapons are deadly and should not be used for long. Now that the war has subsided, I am saddened to find that while many of my clan members are exceptionally brave, many are illiterate and lack common sense. If this continues, I fear they will be unable to serve the country or shoulder great responsibilities.

……

Therefore, our clan wishes to establish a school on the banks of the Nanhe River to educate our people and enlighten their minds. However, most of our clan members are uncouth and boorish, making it difficult to find a good teacher.

Your Highness is the ruler of a nation, with numerous literary giants and learned scholars under your command. If Your Highness would not despise us and would be willing to send several renowned teachers to our humble land to impart knowledge and teach, it would be a great fortune for the Uchiha clan and a testament to the brilliance of the Land of Fire's education.

Madara Uchiha bowed deeply.

For a feudal monarch living in a chaotic world, sending envoys of civilization to independent military units is an irresistible yet risky temptation.

As for what he thinks...

It all depends on how confident our Prince is in his ability to control himself.

However, Izuna had already made two preparations.

He genuinely welcomes teachers who impart knowledge of arithmetic, geography, history, and even agronomy; but if the daimyo harbors wicked intentions and sends politically indoctrinated teachers spouting loyalty to the emperor, patriotism, and the spirit of Bushido...

"Then don't blame me for making these noble gentlemen suffer from acclimatization issues and return empty-handed."

Izuna sealed the letter, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Although the "Will of Fire" has not yet been born, he does not want another form of ideology to take root and sprout in the Uchiha clan first.

In addition, he needs to personally teach students about the research.

As for compiling teaching materials, this is undoubtedly a massive undertaking. Although having Tobirama as a strongman to help alleviate some of the pressure is a long-term solution that cannot solve the immediate problem.

"First strive for existence, then strive for excellence."

Izuna made up his mind to simplify things.

First, teach what needs to be taught and do what needs to be done. As for those perfect theoretical systems, we can fill in the gaps later when we have time.

……

The school building where Tobirama Senju now resides looks no different from any other ordinary house that can be found anywhere in the Uchiha clan's territory.

It's simply because he's currently enjoying the privilege of living alone, making the house feel exceptionally empty and desolate.

The interior was hastily furnished, without even a book to pass the time; the heavy doors and windows were kept tightly shut all day, cutting off both sunlight and prying eyes.

"Thump, thump".

There was a knock on the door.

It was a little earlier than the time for dinner delivery, but that's fine.

Tobirama pulled up his large black hood to cover his silver hair, then got up and went downstairs to get his meal.

To his surprise, the delivery person did not leave in a hurry after putting down the food container as usual.

They remained at the doorway, and you could even hear a faint humming sound.

With that familiar chakra, he opened the door directly.

Izuna held several oil paper bags in his hand and waved them at him, the fragrance seeping in through the cracks.

"Why are you moving so slowly?"

"Please come in."

Tobirama, too lazy to deal with his teasing, stepped aside.

Realizing that he looked somewhat ridiculous wearing a hood indoors, he closed the door behind him, ripped off the hood, and casually lit the kerosene lamp in the room.

"laugh--"

The sound of a match striking a phosphorescent surface rang out, and the warm, dim light instantly dispelled the darkness that filled the room.

Izuna sat at the dining table, unpacking various snacks. He had just come from supervising the work in the laboratory and took a stroll around the commercial street. Seeing the freshly made snacks, he remembered that Tobirama was probably hungry, so he bought an extra portion.

Consider it a sweet treat before getting a real beating.

The room was filled with flickering light and shadow, and the kerosene lamp wick occasionally crackled softly.

The stuffy, dusty smell in the air was quickly replaced by the savory aroma of takoyaki and the sweetness of red bean cake.

The porcelain cup filled with clear water was placed on the rough wooden table by Tobirama, making a sound that broke the brief silence between the two.

"It seems the laboratory is almost ready."

Tobirama sat down and, without any ceremony, picked up a bamboo skewer, pierced a still-steaming takoyaki, and put it in his mouth.

The crispy outer layer and soft, chewy inside provided some relief from his long-awaited hot meal, which eased his tense stomach.

"The facilities are basically in place. Although they can't compare to your Senju, they're still usable."

Izuna added.

The last rays of sunlight outside the window were swallowed by the night, and the snacks on the table were swept away like a whirlwind, leaving only a few pieces of packaging paper stained with oil.

"Let's go."