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The Land of Rice Paddies.
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Fugaku Uchiha's mood was—complicated. It wasn't because the Kumogakure ninja stationed there were particularly strong. His Blitz Unit had easily swept through their defenses.
His unease stemmed from the nature of this—operation.
This was Konoha's first unprovoked act of aggression, a war of conquest disguised as—liberation.
The Kusagakure operation could be justified as a response to Kumogakure's encroachment. But the Land of Rice Paddies?
Konoha's primary objective wasn't even strategic, to establish a blockade against Kumogakure, but rather—economic. They wanted the Land of Rice Paddies' resources.
This invasion was driven by Konoha's desire for expansion, for cheap raw materials to fuel its growing economy.
And this—exploitation wasn't limited to resources. It extended to the people themselves.
Not in the same way as Kirigakure's "water ghosts," of course. As Gojo Kaigetsu put it, they were offering the locals—opportunities. Jobs. At—competitive wages.
It was still exploitation.
The Land of Rice Paddies didn't even have a Hidden Village. Their ninja had to rely on the Daimyo for missions.
Their equipment was outdated, their uniforms—nonexistent. They lacked even basic headbands.
The Daimyo of the Land of Rice Paddies had likely joined the Kumogakure Co-Prosperity Sphere because Kumogakure's approach was—direct.
They offered tangible benefits.
Membership in the Co-Prosperity Sphere came with financial aid, military protection, and symbolic political and economic support.
For a small nation, it was an attractive offer.
The Land of Rice Paddies' Daimyo, his merchants, and his advisors had readily agreed.
Too far from Kumogakure, too close to Konoha.
Their decision had led to this invasion.
Fugaku felt a pang of guilt, but he was a Konoha ninja. He'd follow Gojo Kaigetsu's orders.
He eliminated the Kumogakure ninja, offering mercy to those who surrendered.
Within half a day, they'd reached the Daimyo's palace.
The streets were filled with impoverished civilians, their faces reflecting—a strange contentment.
Fugaku, with his Sharingan, could sense their emotions.
There was no joy, no gratitude, only fear and resentment.
He was—unsettled.
The Sharingan's power amplified emotions.
In Kusagakure, the villagers had welcomed them as liberators. Here, in the Land of Rice Paddies, despite its worse conditions, they were met with hostility.
Fugaku sighed. Advisor Gojo, in his benevolence, sought to—"Acquire" the Land of Rice Paddies' resources and workforce. But to the locals, they were invaders.
Such unappreciated kindness.
Advisor Gojo's greatness—it needed no explanation.
The villagers didn't need to understand. They simply had to—accept.
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Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?
FanfictionIn a World where power is everything, Gojo finds himself reincarnated into the Naruto universe, armed with a unique System known as the Konoha Prosperity System. With each investment he makes in the growth and prosperity of the Hidden Leaf Village...
