"Konoha's Dimensional Pirate: Reborn Uchiha Gin"

"Hmm!" Gin nodded firmly in response to Uzumaki Mito's words. "I'll draft a preliminary economic development plan. Once complete, we'll gather Konoha's top leadership to discuss and refine it."

"When the plan is finalized," he continued, "we'll convene a general assembly with all jōnin and clan representatives to ensure their feedback is included. After that, we'll make it public within the village—clans, families, and civilians will be able to acquire shares."

"Once internal subscriptions are complete, we'll formally invite the daimyo and the Fire Country's elite merchants to join. The first three phases will take roughly two months."

"During that time, I'll finish developing a series of household appliances and initiate mass production. Combined with the expanded Uchiha pharmacy network, this should impress the daimyo and Fire Country nobility. Simultaneously, we'll build a trade network to distribute Konoha-made appliances and medicines, launching our economic expansion throughout the shinobi world."

"As Konoha becomes richer and more secure, people will naturally want to settle here. We won't have to worry about vacant homes. For those who can't afford immediate purchase, we'll offer loans and installment plans."

"Hmm… that means we'll also need to reform the banking system and our monetary policy," Gin muttered, rubbing his temple. "So much to do…"

Although he had only assumed the mantle of Hokage the day before, Gin already felt the crushing weight of his responsibilities. He needed to delegate priorities quickly—otherwise, he'd get lost in the administrative maze and lose precious time for training and cultivation.

Uzumaki Mito's eyes sparkled with excitement at the sheer scale of the plan.

"The whole proposal is incredibly well thought out! But how do you plan to handle currency reform?"

"Simple," Gin replied with a grin. "Konoha will issue its own currency. The Uchiha Clan possesses more than enough gold to back it."

"However," he continued, "we can't act too quickly. Introducing a new currency would threaten the economic grip of the existing great powers. They might respond harshly. In fact, the other four great shinobi villages could even unite to attack us."

"The rulers of the five nations aren't fools," Gin added. "They're very perceptive."

"How else could they have reduced shinobi—those with overwhelming power—to mere mercenaries and disposable tools? It was no accident. It was a deliberate strategy executed over centuries."

"By monopolizing production, finance, and the population, they covertly restricted ninja activity. And since most shinobi lacked education or strategic awareness, they never understood the depth of this manipulation."

"For over a thousand years, the ninja were molded into their present role, embedded in the public psyche as expendable weapons. That's why I'm starting by reshaping this image within Konoha—both among shinobi and the civilian population. Then we'll extend that transformation outward."

"That's why you included ninja in the educational, engineering, and agricultural reforms," Mito said with understanding. "It makes perfect sense."

"I admit, when you brought up currency reform, I worried you didn't fully grasp the risks. But now I see you've considered everything. I was worried for nothing."

"Perhaps," Hikari interjected thoughtfully, "when we've aligned the Fire Country's nobility and a portion of the shinobi world behind us with shared economic interests, that will be the right time for Konoha to issue its own currency."

Since being entrusted with responsibilities in the new administration, Hikari had thrown herself into studying Gin's writings on ideology, governance, and economic structure. She not only read them—she absorbed and internalized their lessons.

Hashirama and Madara, standing nearby, listened in silence. Their blank expressions betrayed their confusion. After a few moments, they quietly slipped away—though not unnoticed by Gin and Mito, who exchanged knowing glances.

The next day, the square in front of the Hokage Residence was packed with villagers and shinobi.

"Look—it's Danzō! That bastard from Root! The one who snatched gifted children from clans and civilians alike, only to brainwash them!"

"That's right! But didn't Hokage-sama kill him on the battlefield when he tried to stage a trap? How is he alive?"

"You must not know—look at his eyes, his face. Those black sclera and cracks... that's the Edo Tensei—Reanimation Jutsu."

"So Gin-sama brought him back just for this? To let us see justice done with our own eyes? Finally! Death was too easy for this monster—I want to kill him a thousand times over!"

"Same! He took my son—and we never heard from him again. I want him to die the most painful death imaginable!"

"The Third Hokage is also there... he's old, but let's not forget everything he's done—good and bad."

"Good? Maybe. But look at his cronies—the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. Yeah, he had some accomplishments, but his crimes dwarf them."

"He did what he was supposed to do as Hokage. That doesn't erase the corruption, the oppression. Those clans extorted and abused their power!"

"Exactly! Life's already improved now that the Sarutobi and Shimura clans are under arrest. We're finally free from their tyranny!"

"Wait—they stooped that low?"

"What did you expect? They were protected by Hiruzen and Danzō. They felt untouchable. Buying votes, seizing land, dodging debts—it was business as usual for them!"

At that moment, Danzō and Hiruzen were brought into the square.

Danzō was shackled to a post, all his chakra sealed. He couldn't even twitch a finger.

He glared out at the crowd with fury, loathing radiating from his gaze. If he had his way, he would slaughter every last person here. In his eyes, these pathetic commoners had no right to speak his name, much less judge him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the former Hokage, stood silently beside him. His expression grew darker with every shouted insult, every accusation hurled by the villagers.

He had never imagined that just ten days in captivity would shatter his image so completely. The villagers no longer revered him. They no longer feared him. They spoke freely, their voices filled with bitterness and rage.

And the worst part—he knew they were telling the truth.

The Sarutobi and Shimura clans had grown arrogant and oppressive under his rule. But he'd been blind to it.

Partly because he was too busy hoarding power, and partly because he wore the Hokage's mantle. People hadn't dared to speak out. They'd suffered in silence, afraid to raise their voices.

Now that he and Danzō were deposed, their clans arrested, and Gin in power—the floodgates had opened.

"This is the end," Hiruzen thought bitterly. "Not just for me—but for the entire Sarutobi clan. Our reputation might sink even lower than the Uchiha's before the massacre."

He could only pray that Jiraiya and the others, out of old loyalty, would do something to protect the clan.

He recalled the prison visit from the day before—Orochimaru and Jiraiya had come to see him.

Orochimaru hadn't minced words.

"Sensei, at the trial tomorrow, plead guilty. Place as much blame on Danzō as you can. As for your clan... I'll try to preserve at least some of the bloodline. That's all."

With that, he turned and left, ignoring the sorrow etched across Hiruzen's face—and the disbelief on Jiraiya's.

After a long pause, Jiraiya sat by the cell bars and asked quietly:

"Old man... why did you do it? Why bring so much pain to the village? Why oppress the clans instead of building peace together? Why pretend to be the ideal Hokage while plotting in the shadows?"

"I admired you," Jiraiya said, his voice strained. "I thought the public image was the real you. But now I know—the real you was the one in the shadows."

"What hurts most... you ordered Danzō to conspire with Hanzo against the Uchiha. Your own comrades. Did you remember you were Hokage when you made that call? What happened to the Will of Fire?"

He went on, listing their shared memories, each word a dagger.

Hiruzen said nothing. There was no defense. He had done all of it.

Only when Jiraiya finally rose to leave did Hiruzen whisper:

"Jiraiya... please. Whatever happens, look after the Sarutobi Clan."

Jiraiya paused. Then, after a long silence, he replied:

"All right."

And without another word, he walked away.

--------------------------------

To be continued.....