Konoha’s Five-Element Ninja

Chapter 53: Change

A few days later, before dawn, merchants were already busy starting their day. In the southern part of Konoha, at the outskirts of the vegetable market, many early-rising vendors had already set up their stalls, displaying freshly picked fruits and vegetables still covered in morning dew, preparing the first batch of steamed buns and breakfast dishes while waiting for customers.

Kawabata Daisuke was one such vendor. At thirty years old, he had been selling breakfast here for over a decade. His steamed buns, known for their thin skin and generous filling at affordable prices, made his business exceptionally popular.

After finishing his preparations, Kawabata Daisuke lifted a large bowl and downed half its contents in one gulp before stretching lazily. He turned to a fellow vendor selling vegetables beside him and said, "The weather's going to be great today, but I wonder if the Konoha Police Force will come and harass us again."

The vegetable vendor, still busy sprinkling water over his produce, didn't even lift his head as he scoffed, "Hmph, those guys are just parasites feeding off the village. They take our taxes and then turn around to make trouble for us. I really don't understand why the Hokage hasn't disbanded them yet."

"Ah, there's nothing we can do. We're all just trying to make a living. No point in arguing with those red-eyed troublemakers. At the end of the day, the Uchiha clan is still a noble family."

"Hah! Noble, my foot! If they're so great, why don't they go fight the Mist ninja instead of lording over us?"

"Shh! Someone who said the same thing a few days ago got beaten up and is still in the hospital. You better watch your mouth."

Kawabata Daisuke quickly cautioned his friend. They were all just common vendors, working from dawn till dusk to make a meager living. If they could endure, they should—there was no need to get into trouble with law enforcers.

Before long, Kawabata Daisuke's eyes lit up as he spotted a familiar figure and called out, "Lord Hayama, what would you like today?"

Despite his lack of sleep, Hayama, who had woken up early, exuded a youthful energy. Hearing the vendor's greeting, he smiled slightly and replied, "The usual. Two vegetable and mushroom buns, two beef buns, and a bowl of white rice porridge."

"Got it! Please take a seat, it'll be ready in a moment."

Hayama nodded and sat on a low stool, placing the short sword in his hand onto the spotlessly clean table while waiting for his breakfast.

Recently, he had been eating at this stall every day. Not only did the vendor's buns remind him of a taste from his past life, but he also had another purpose—to observe whether the Uchiha clan had implemented his suggestion.

Just as Hayama was leisurely eating his buns, four young men in unusual attire swaggered into the market, stepping right into the middle of the occupied street stalls. They wore neatly pressed shirts with the words "Konoha City Management Office" printed on them, wide-brimmed hats bearing Konoha's insignia, and loose black pants. Their outfits were precisely the ones Hayama had described for a city enforcement unit.

The leader scanned the area and, recalling his training from the past few days, lightly waved his hand. One of the men behind him immediately raised his voice and shouted, "Alright, everyone stop what you're doing! We have an announcement!"

The vendors were confused—none of them knew who these people were. But seeing their uniformed appearance, they guessed they were some kind of official authority and reluctantly gathered around, watching them warily.

For Inoue Kamesaburo, a man who had spent his days committing petty theft and enduring the scorn of his neighbors, this was a rare moment of authority. He relished the fearful and respectful looks directed at him. Coughing into his fist, he declared, "Three things you need to know! Listen up, because I'm only saying this once!"

"First, from now on, remember our faces. This street is under our jurisdiction. No one else's authority matters here. Got it?"

The merchants exchanged uncertain glances before hesitantly muttering, "Understood…"

Inoue Kamesaburo frowned. The response wasn't enthusiastic enough. His companion, Dogazou, immediately barked, "Did you all not eat breakfast? Say it louder!"

"Understood!" The response was louder this time.

Satisfied, Inoue Kamesaburo nodded and continued, "Second, from now on, every one of you must collect a copy of the Land of Fire Daily from us. The Uchiha clan is distributing it for free. Reading the news daily is good for you."

"Third, every day at 10 AM and 4 PM, you can visit the Uchiha External Affairs Office near the Naka River to collect discount coupons. First come, first served, while supplies last."

Now, the vendors were thoroughly baffled. They had no idea what a newspaper was or what these "discount coupons" meant, but they dared not question these enforcers directly. Instead, they quietly made a note to check it out later.

"Alright, back to business!" Inoue Kamesaburo, reveling in his newfound authority, announced with satisfaction.

Hayama observed all of this with keen interest, quietly admiring Uchiha Fugaku's efficiency. In just a few days, the "City Management Bureau" he had proposed had already taken form. It wouldn't be long before the resentment of the vendors shifted onto these enforcers. Meanwhile, the Uchiha clan could sit back and reap the benefits.

"Lord Hayama, what's a discount coupon?" Kawabata Daisuke asked.

Hayama swallowed a bite of his bun and replied, "I heard it can be used like money, with varying amounts. Very popular."

Excited, Kawabata Daisuke rubbed his hands together. "Then I'll have my wife go collect some later. Haha, thanks, Lord Hayama."

"No problem."

After finishing his meal, Hayama grabbed his short sword and headed toward the training grounds. No matter where or when, one's own strength was the most reliable thing. He had understood this long ago.

Time passed, and soon, summer arrived. Konoha had undergone noticeable changes.

First, the village had become significantly more crowded. With the war no longer blocking trade routes, merchants flowed in freely, boosting Konoha's tax revenue. To an outsider, Konoha might seem more like a commercial hub than a militarized village.

Second, the scars of war had gradually faded from the villagers' expressions. Everything seemed to be thriving.

Most notably, public opinion about the Uchiha clan had shifted dramatically. Months of effort, coupled with the Uchiha clan's vast wealth, had won the villagers over. They now saw the Uchiha as just and prosperous rather than arrogant and oppressive. The Konoha Police Force received so many banners of gratitude that Uchiha Fugaku couldn't stop smiling.

As for the money spent? The Uchiha clan barely cared. The northern territories of the Land of Fire were Uchiha-owned lands rich in resources. The funds they had spent were nothing more than a few shovelfuls of mined wealth.

After all, when you had your own mines, money wasn't an issue.

Unfortunately, Hayama's proposal to establish the Ninjutsu Development and Reform Committee had been rejected. According to Uchiha Fugaku, the decision had been blocked by several stubborn elders.

Ultimately, the civilian ninja faction was still viewed as an unreliable investment. From the perspective of the powerful ninja clans, it was always preferable to nurture their own prodigies rather than waste resources on outsiders. After all, the Uchiha clan had no shortage of talent.

Regardless, the Uchiha clan's once negative reputation had been significantly improved. In a way, Hayama had repaid a portion of his debt to Fugaku for taking him in.

However, what Hayama didn't know was that an undercurrent of danger was rising in the village.

And soon, he would lose something important once again.

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