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  "We, the people of Kumogakure, are lost in a spiritual desert, g e. We must proceed cautiously."

  The man in gsses turo the man in the suit. "What do you suggest?"

  "First, a feasibility study, an implementation pn, a didate assessment, a background check, a timeline, a detailed procedure, an audit report, a traceability matrix, a tingen, and an iigatio. Only then we proceed with the rescue."

  "I see enlightening."

  Were these people insane? Had they read [Ik and [The Forest Reader] too many times?

  Mabui, uo bear it any longer, eled her chakra, scaled the utility pole, and freed the trapped Shinobi.

  Ign the calls of the men in suits, she left.

  She felt no sense of triumph, only a growing dread for Kumogakure's future.

  Unditional aid to smaller vilges, brokeionships, extortioipping, disregard for public safety, pointless bureaucracy…

  Her vilge was—unraveling.

  [Ik and [The Forest Reader]—like invasive weeds, their influence spreading, their—toxicity festering.

  What was—happening?

  She'd read those magazihey were filled with stories of kindness, of civility—why were they being—twisted, misinterpreted?

  Kumogakure was behind Konoha, yes. But progress took time, not graures.

  It was like Kumogakure's productive forces were strong, but the elite, having embraced the wrong ideology, made impossible demands, wishing for instant progress, leading to disaster. These—influencers had bee—parasites.

  ...

  Mabui had to—fix this.

  Iki and The Forest Reader—they showed the path, not the destination.

  She ehe Raikage Tower meeting room.

  "The Military Police report a surge in violent is at local businesses. Vilgers and tourists pin about—forced tipping. They're demanding a."

  An elder spoke up. "Times are tough. Businesses are struggling. This tipping, it helps them reduce costs, and increase profits. It's just a small fee for the ers."

  "I agree. This is between the businesses and their ers. The Raikage Tower shouldn't interfere. Otherwise, we'll be the target."

  "Release the detained waiters. They were just trying to make a living."

  "And perhaps we increase taxes on businesses. After all, their costs are lower now. Higher profits, higher taxes. It's fair."

  "We shouldn't be shhted. We o think long-term. Tipping is still developiually, those who use intimidation will realize it's terproductive. They'll learn er service. Our vilge will beore civilized. People will be kinder."

  Several elders nodded, praising the wisdom of the tipping system. It would be as effective as the Co-Prosperity Sphere! A dual approach, addressing both material and spiritual needs.

  Mabui's hand, on the doorknob, went limp.

  This wasn't necessarily wrong.

  But it was risky.

  Like taking Konoha's ideas and bining them with their own unique system. A recipe for disaster.

  They were always—emuting Konoha, failing every time.

  'Just—end it all,' she thought, defeated.

  If she could, she'd establish a new course at the Academy—"Konoha Studies."

  She'd teach them about the importance of—irength, of reading, of—not just training their muscles.

  The discussion tinued.

  "The Statistics Bureau reports a twenty-two pert drop in marriages."

  "That's normal. We're at war with Konoha. Our Shinobi are—prioritizing the vilge."

  A seemed uned.

  But statistics could be misleading. A drop in one area ofte—a corresponding increase elsewhere.

  "But divorce rates are also up."

  "That's good! More marriages, more children! And if they divorce, they'll remarry, have more children."

  "But marriage rates aren't up."

  "What about birth rates?"

  "Also down."

  "Everything's down? Theatistics Bureau is inpetent. We'll—restructure it."

  The elders didn't seem to care about the vilge's demographics. As long as they didn't interfere, things would sort themselves out.

  Mabui's hand slipped from the doorknob. She felt defeated.

  Her friends' boyfriends hadn't goo war, yet they'd still—broken up.

  "A war hero's medal, is that really enough?" she murmured. "Omoi and the others, they didn't eveion their boyfriends'—military service."

  The Shinobi World was ging, leaving her behind.

  She was just a secretary. How could she ge the Raikage's mind?

  She turned a.

  Perhaps she should move to Konoha, and join Samui.

  Work was ohing, life—was another.

  She worked hard as the Raikage's secretary, but... living here was being unbearable.

  A five pert dist on milk tea, but a ten pert tip for the waiters?

  It was insulting!

  "There's been an—i at Training Ground 2. A retired Shinobi was assaulted by a kunoichi. She spped him ten times and then occupied the training ground. How should we... hahis?"

  "The retired Shinobi, what's his rank?"

  "in. Former."

  "And the kunoichi? From the Eguchi ?"

  "Then arrest her. Fine her a thousand ryō. Show some respect for our Veterans."

  Normally, such a minor i wouldn't even reach the Raikage Tower. The elders would have ha.

  But A's newfound authority, it couldn't be challenged.

  "And—one more thing…"

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