Naruto: Seiryu's Aether

"I'm here to report."

Hashirama nodded, and Kūga conjured a comfortable chair with Aether, positioning it between Hashirama, Tobirama, and himself. Madara gave the chair a raised eyebrow before taking a seat, an amused look passing over his face.

After he settled, he began, his tone disdainful. "Kiri is weak. Their shinobi, their system... everything's in shambles. Even their Kage can't hold his own. I don't understand how they allow themselves to stay that way."

Kūga, Hashirama, and Tobirama listened, eyebrows raised, but they kept silent, prompting Madara to continue. "The Mizukage had his excuses about being 'wary' of Uzushio. The moment I activated my Sharingan, he practically fell over himself. Gave him a little pressure, and the man was on his knees." He huffed. "What kind of Kage is that weak? I bet he can't probably dance well."

Izuna sweatdropped at Madara's choice of words, especially at the part about "little pressure," while Hiruzen shivered at the thought of it. Seeing Hiruzen's reaction, Kūga couldn't hold back a laugh, nearly falling off his chair.

Once the laughter died down, Madara resumed. "Anyway, I can't say I've completely succeeded or failed, but I'm confident they'll think twice, if not three times, before even considering a move on Uzushio."

Hashirama nodded, satisfied despite Madara's forceful approach. He opened a drawer, pulling out several stacks of ryo, and handed them to Madara, Izuna, and Hiruzen as payment. They each accepted it, with Hiruzen bowing gratefully while Madara pocketed his without a second thought.

After taking his payment, Madara leaned back, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. "I'm interested in their so-called legendary weapons, their Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichininshū... it has lots of quirks but is durable. I sparred with a few of their shinobi, but none of them could really dance. At best, they were… barely entertaining."

Izuna rolled his eyes, catching on to Madara's use of "dance," a term he reserved for opponents who could at least keep up. Madara only considered it a "fight" if the opponent was truly strong.

Izuna glanced around, then stood. "If that's everything, I'll head out first."

Hiruzen took this cue as well. "Hashirama-sensei, Tobirama-sensei," he began earnestly, "please train me soon... I need it." Bowing, he excused himself and darted toward the door. Hashirama chuckled, watching him leave.

"Looks like you've inspired him, Madara," Hashirama said, amusement glinting in his eyes.

Madara merely grunted, brushing off the comment.

Kūga then turned to Hashirama. "Speaking of inspiration, I'd like to visit Uzushio soon. We missed it during our travels in the past."

Madara snorted, folding his arms. "Blame Hashi-baka here. He insisted on taking the longer route back then."

Hashirama chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Well, we visited without you once, Kūga. It's an amazing place, many fuinjutsu experts."

Kūga nodded thoughtfully before turning the conversation back to business. "By the way, Hashirama, about the Tetsu no Kuni deal with the water station…"

Hashirama gave him his full attention as Tobirama sighed. "I told him about it already, but go ahead."

Kūga focused on Hashirama. "I'd recommend against accepting any orders like that in the future. It's too risky if our shinobi have to receive payments at the destination. Ambushes could put both the payment and the lives of our shinobi in danger. Payment needs to be upfront, period."

Hashirama took a moment to think this over, finally nodding in agreement. "Alright, I'll set that rule moving forward."

Kūga smiled, nodding with satisfaction. "The tax revenue we're generating from the water station is substantial, and we need to prioritize secure payments to support the village's future projects. Funds can go toward initiatives like the Uchiha Police Force, the ANBU, and other crucial infrastructure."

Hashirama looked pleased, grinning. "You've created a good business, Kūga. It would be great if you could also invest in local farming. You seem to have a golden touch."

Kūga chuckled. "One step at a time. We've got plenty to work on with the village systems, so I'll focus on that first." He stretched, glancing at Hashirama. "Now that that's sorted… anyone else hungry?"

Hashirama's face lit up, and he turned to Tobirama with a grin. "Come on, Tobirama. Let's find a place outside to eat."

Tobirama opened his mouth to decline, but his stomach growled, betraying him.

Madara raised an eyebrow, chuckling as he said, "So, even Senju-'dono' has his weaknesses, huh?"

Everyone laughed at this, everyone except Tobirama, who rolled his eyes but stood up, giving a slight smile.

"Fine," he muttered. "Food does sound good right about now."

.

A day had passed, and as the soft morning light filtered through his window, Kūga awoke to find Reifū lying peacefully beside him. Her serene face, framed by the delicate glow of dawn, brought a gentle warmth to his heart.

He smiled, his thoughts soft and affectionate. 'You're so beautiful.'

Leaning in, he kissed her forehead, careful not to wake her. She remained still, deeply asleep, her breathing slow and even.

Kūga quietly got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. He took a refreshing shower, steam curling around him, before heading to his wardrobe.

Pulling on a black polo with rolled-up sleeves, black pants, and polished shoes, he noted with a grin that he was likely the only one around with a taste for this style.

Once dressed, he made his way to the kitchen, determined to whip up breakfast.

After gathering ingredients, he set to work. He started by washing and chopping the pork into neat, even cubes, his knife moving with practiced precision.

He seasoned the pork lightly before tossing it into a hot skillet, listening to the sizzle as the meat browned beautifully. Next, he washed the rice, letting the water run clear before placing it in a pot to cook, making sure it would turn out perfectly fluffy.

The savory aroma of the cooking pork filled the kitchen as he stirred in garlic, onions, and a hint of pepper, creating a rich and satisfying meal.

As he placed the final touches on the breakfast, he heard Kenta's door creak open. The young shinobi stumbled out, rubbing his eyes and yawning.

Noticing Kūga, Kenta mumbled a groggy, "Good morning, Sensei."

Kūga nodded with a smile, setting the plates on the table. "Morning, Kenta. Hungry?"

Kenta sat down, his eyelids heavy but visibly appreciative. As they began to eat, Kūga glanced at him. "So, how's training going?"

Kenta chewed thoughtfully before replying, "I've been focusing on familiarizing myself with the gauntlet. It's powerful, but I still need more practice to use it effectively. There's some progress, though."

Kūga nodded approvingly, taking another bite. "Good. Once you're a bit more comfortable, I'll have you spar with Hiruzen and Danzo. See if you can handle the two of them at once."

Kenta grinned, the competitive spark in his eyes. "I'll probably win, but sure, Sensei."

Kūga chuckled, shaking his head. "We'll see."

They continued eating, exchanging casual conversation here and there.

When Kūga finished, he placed his plate in the sink and looked at Kenta. "Leave some food for Reifū, and cover it up when you're done."

Kenta gave a quick nod, watching as Kūga used Aether to clean his mouth with a flicker of power before he headed out the door.

The early morning light had fully brightened by now, casting soft shadows across the quiet village as he walked.

Kūga looked up at the sky, his gaze thoughtful. 'I haven't been dreaming lately. I'm not sure if that's a good sign or not.'

Dismissing the thought with a shrug, he continued his stroll.

Villagers he passed greeted him with smiles and nods, to which he returned a friendly nod in response.

He stopped by the Water Station during this time where no one was here, even his employees, he used his ethereal sense to check the water supply beneath the building, confirming it was replenishing as expected.

Satisfied, he locked the glass doors and continued, glancing back to admire the sturdy station.

With the runes he had carved into its foundation, he was certain that not even Madara's powerful meteor attack could damage it.

His quiet musings on his steadily growing power accompanied him until he finally reached his destination.

The Uchiha Police Force building.

.

Inside the Police Force building, Izuna sat at his desk, sipping coffee, while other Uchiha officers worked around him. The atmosphere was lively, with some officers chatting and a few prisoners murmuring in the cells.

When the double doors opened, Izuna glanced up, noticing the visitor.

A brief sigh escaped him as he greeted the newcomer. "I was wondering why I couldn't sense who opened the door. So, it's you, Kūga."

Kūga strolled inside, casually looking around with a hint of nostalgia. 'Looks like the police stations from my past life.'

He turned to Izuna, a grin spreading across his face. "I'm here to review the organization's records. I assume Madara let you know?"

Izuna nodded and gestured to a seat near his desk. "Take a seat. I'll bring the books. Coffee?"

Kūga nodded. "Sure, I'll have whatever you're having."

Izuna left briefly, allowing Kūga to observe the office. The officers, busy with paperwork and shift changes, offered friendly nods as they passed by, while others exchanged farewells with those finishing their shifts.

Shortly, Izuna returned, balancing several thick ledgers and books in one arm and a cup of coffee in the other. He set the books and coffee on the table beside Kūga, then headed back to his desk.

"I'll be working on some reports, so if you need anything, just let me know," Izuna offered.

Kūga nodded, a wry smile on his face as he looked at the intimidating stack of books. "That's… quite a bit to go through."

He flipped open the first book, skimming through each entry with remarkable speed.

After hours of focused reading, Kūga closed the last book with a sigh of relief. "Finally done," he said, turning to Izuna, who looked up from his own work, eyes widening in disbelief.

"You… finished all of it?" Izuna asked, "Did you skip half the lines?"

Kūga shook his head, amused. "Nope. I just read fast." He glanced around. "Do you have any blank notebooks and pens?"

Izuna chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Not really. We're out of blank ones."

With a shrug, Kūga conjured a large notebook and a pen, setting them on the table.

Izuna's eye twitched slightly. "Why ask, then, if you can just create them out of thin air?"

Kūga only smirked, leaving the question unanswered.

He opened the notebook, immediately setting to work, revising policies and adding guidelines. He modified protocols for suspect treatment, stressing minimal force and a community-focused approach.

Serve the people, not the other way around, he wrote, pen gliding swiftly across the page. After nearly an hour, Kūga looked over his work, satisfied, and stood.

He handed the notebook to Izuna. "There are some changes here. The original rules felt too harsh on suspects and civilians. If you implement these adjustments, your team's effectiveness will improve, and it'll boost the Uchiha Police Force's image... and maybe the Uchiha Clan's, too."

Izuna looked at the notebook, eyebrows raised, and took it from Kūga. "Police rules and regulations, huh?" he muttered under his breath, a hint of curiosity in his gaze.

Kūga just grinned, waving over his shoulder as he headed for the door. "Alright then, I'm off. Adios!"

Izuna's face scrunched in slight confusion. "Adios?" he repeated to himself, shaking his head as he flipped open the notebook, reading the first few lines. 

Compassion for the people?

.

Kūga stifled a yawn as he made his way through the village toward the gates, a faint rumble in his stomach reminding him he hadn't eaten since morning.

Not far ahead, he spotted a food stand and murmured as he read the sign hanging above it, "Subarashi Dango?"

He shrugged, deciding it would do for a quick snack, and pushed through the blinds at the entrance.

Inside, the simple wooden stand displayed an array of dango skewers, each glazed in various sauces and topped with a mix of colorful powders.

The aroma was sweet and inviting, though Kūga doubted these small skewers would truly satisfy his hunger. He ordered a few, anyway... enough to sample the different flavors.

The owner, an elderly man with a cheery disposition, flurried around with enthusiasm, crafting the skewers with quick, skilled hands, and eagerly served them to Kūga with a warm smile.

Kūga bit into the dango, savoring the sticky, chewy texture and subtle sweetness of each flavor.

The elder dango-seller's kindness made the experience unexpectedly enjoyable, and Kūga exchanged a few words with him about the shop, which the owner explained had been around for nearly a decade.

After a short conversation and a handful of skewers, Kūga finished up, paid the man, and left with a slight smile, thinking, 'That was more of a snack than a meal. Guess I'll plan something more filling for dinner.'

As he neared the village gates, the guards on duty straightened and gave him respectful nods.

One of them raised a clipboard but quickly lowered it with an apologetic grin, waving him through without requiring any formalities.

Kūga only returned their nods, lifting himself just slightly off the ground as he floated past the gates, taking in the scenery as he hovered.

It wasn't long before he arrived at the farm, a large, sprawling land with neatly laid plots of different crops, each row a testament to the farmer's dedication.

He noticed fields of rice, rows of corn, leafy greens, and fruit-bearing plants, all swaying in the light breeze.

Beyond the crops were enclosures filled with animals... chickens clucking in their pens, sheep grazing lazily, and a few cows resting under the shade of a lone tree.

'It's a good setup,' Kūga thought to himself as he floated down to the ground, his feet finally touching earth.

He noted the presence of a couple of Uchiha police officers stationed at the edge of the farm, along with a few shinobi hired to guard the area, a wise move given the occasional crop thefts in the region.

He approached a nearby barn where he spotted an older man sitting on a low stool, petting a scruffy herding dog while watching over a flock of sheep grazing behind him.

As Kūga approached, the farmer looked up, his face weathered but kind.

Kūga extended a hand and introduced himself. "Kūga Seiryu. And you must be the owner here?"

The farmer shook his hand firmly, giving a respectful nod. "Takeda. No surname."

Kūga nodded, a friendly smile spreading across his face. "Takeda-san, I came here today because I'm interested in investing in your farm. It has great potential, and I'd like to help you develop it further."

Takeda's face softened as he took in Kūga's offer, but there was a glint of hesitation in his eyes.

"Seiryu-san, I appreciate your interest, but as you can see, my farm's production is… slow." He paused, his gaze drifting across the crops, before looking back at Kūga. "With the water station's support with free water, it's gotten better, but I can't shake the thought of selling it someday. I have a family to support, and the earnings don't always cover what we need."

Kūga studied the farmer's face, noting the tired lines and strands of white among his brown hair. Takeda's shoulders bore the weight of years, perhaps as much from the strain of farming as from age itself.

With a reassuring smile, Kūga replied, "Takeda-san, I understand. But I'm not only offering ryo; I'm here to support you in ways that go beyond money."

Takeda's eyebrows drew together in confusion. "Support… beyond money?"

Kūga gestured for Takeda to follow him toward the rows of crops, leading him to a small tomato plant. He stopped and turned, catching the farmer's curious gaze.

"Just watch," he said, holding up a hand toward the plant.

Takeda's eyes went wide as he watched.

Kūga's hand hovered above the crop, a subtle glow enveloping his fingers.

Suddenly, the tomato plant grew, stretching and sprouting fresh, ripe tomatoes within seconds, each one plump and ready for harvest.

Takeda blinked in disbelief, his mouth slightly agape as he hesitated, then reached out to pluck a tomato from the vine.

He held it gingerly for a moment before bringing it to his mouth, taking a tentative bite.

The flavor burst on his tongue, ripe and full, as fresh as if it had taken a season to grow naturally.

Tears welled in his eyes, and he looked up at Kūga, speechless with gratitude.

Kūga scratched the back of his head, his expression sheepish. "Guess that worked a little better than I thought."

Takeda's eyes gleamed with an overwhelmed, almost reverent look as he turned to Kūga, voice trembling slightly. "H-How do you do it?"

Kūga gave a casual shrug. "It's my power," he replied simply, but his tone was warm, his smile a little sheepish as if to brush off the awe in Takeda's eyes.

Takeda blinked, his gratitude spilling over, and he stepped closer, his voice firm and resolved. "Kūga-sama, how much of the farm do you want? I'll give you whatever share you ask for... half, more than that if you need it. You can take anything as long as my family can keep this farm running, and my son… he'll always have enough to eat."

Kūga's smile softened, and he held up a reassuring hand. "I'll only take 45 percent of the farm. That way, you keep ownership and have control. The only condition is that you sell your crops at the lowest possible price to Konoha residents."

Takeda let out a relieved breath, bowing his head, unable to hold back the tears welling in his eyes. "Thank you, Kūga-sama. You're saving us… really, saving my family."

Before Takeda could bow lower, Kūga reached out, his hand gentle yet firm, stopping him mid-bow. "No need for all that, Takeda-san. And cut it with the 'sama,' yeah? I'm just your investor."

Sniffling, Takeda straightened, nodding with a grateful but humble smile.

Kūga crossed his arms thoughtfully, glancing over the farm. "Now, here's the plan. You're going to hire some people to handle deliveries and extra work. You handle the payments and paperwork. I don't want your family working here for free, so pay yourselves too. Start by focusing on expanding the business over the next six months, and use my shares for that purpose." He looked Takeda in the eye.

"After that, start giving my monthly share to the cashier at the water station after paying taxes. And speaking of taxes, pay them. Religiously."

Takeda nodded eagerly, taking in each instruction with full attention. "Understood, Kūga-san. Wait… the water station? Why do I… hang on, do you own the water station?"

Kūga chuckled at Takeda's dawning realization and nodded. Takeda's face broke into a grin, and he let out a hearty laugh. "You're Kami-sama's gift to Konoha, aren't you?"

Kūga laughed lightly, not bothering to confirm or deny, but his gaze turned thoughtful. Then, with a playful glint in his eye, he gestured toward the fields with an encouraging nod. "Why don't you start with a full harvest?"

The familiar glow of Aether surrounded Kūga's hand as he raised it, and Takeda watched in wide-eyed amazement as waves of energy seemed to ripple through the entire farm.

The crops responded as if breathing, swelling to full, ripe size in mere seconds, transforming the landscape into a bounty of fruits, vegetables, and grains ready for harvest.

Even the animals perked up, their coats glossy, their health evident in every movement.

Takeda could barely believe what he was seeing.

Speechless, he opened his mouth to thank Kūga again, but Kūga interrupted with a chuckle. "Now, crops will be harvestable every week. Doesn't matter the season, but you'll still need to water them, or they'll dry up and wither."

He pointed at the enclosures. "Your livestock will stay healthy and reproduce steadily, so keep enough people on hand to manage all this. You think you can handle it?"

Takeda nodded fervently, still trying to process the miracles unfolding before him. "Yes, Kūga-san, I'll make it work. But… it'll take some getting used to."

With a slight smile, Kūga extended his hand and called forth a soft blue light, muttering, "Aether: Storage."

Instantly, a bundle of ryo notes appeared in his hand. He handed the thick stack to Takeda. "Here... 200,000 ryo. Use it for whatever you need to get the farm moving forward. And…"

Takeda took the stack with shaking hands, his gaze fixed on Kūga, who walked a few steps over to a shabby-looking farmhouse nearby.

Kūga gave the structure a long look before flicking his wrist casually.

Aether around him, and materials began to materialize in thin air... bricks, timber, steel beams. Each one moved with precision and purpose, floating and arranging themselves seamlessly.

The simple wooden frame of the farmhouse transformed, expanding outward, reinforced by new walls and sparkling glass windows.

The roof took shape with polished shingles, and a solid stone pathway appeared, leading to the new front steps.

Bit by bit, the farmhouse became a two-story residence, sleek and sturdy, equipped with a spacious front porch and elegant details.

A final flourish of Aether settled the place with a quiet hum of energy, like a spell had completed.

Takeda's breath hitched as he beheld the new house, his hands covering his mouth as tears poured down his face.

It was everything he'd ever wanted to provide for his family.

Unable to contain himself, he fell to his knees, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you, Kūga-sama! My family and I—we... we'll serve you and your family for generations to come!"

Kūga waved a dismissive hand, shaking his head with a grin. "Now, let's not make any big promises. Just put this farm to good use. It'll keep you and your family happy, and that's enough for me."

Takeda sniffled, his heart too full to form words, and gave a resolute nod, wiping the tears from his eyes. Kūga patted him on the shoulder. "Now come on, let's fill out some paperwork and make this all official. I've got a schedule to keep."

"Y-yes, sir!" Takeda stammered, his face beaming with pride as he followed Kūga back toward the new farmhouse, ready to put his farm's future into motion.