Naruto: The rise of Uzumaki Kingdom

"Open the door, fellow villagers. We are the Uzu army, a disciplined and organized force. We do not take a single needle or thread from the people. Fellow villager, please open the door."

"Creak—!"

"Fellow villager, you've finally opened the door. Quickly, take the people away. Remember, we are disciplined and organized. We absolutely do not take a single needle or thread from the people."

"..."

"The Uzu army is here to deliver warmth. Please open the door!"

"Hello, you have a delivery!"

"..."

...

In May of the 32nd year of Konoha, when the Uzu army entered the Land of Rain, they were warmly welcomed by the people of Rain.

The Uzu army strictly adhered to the nation's basic policies: coming from the masses, going to the masses, integrating with the masses, and starting everything from the masses.

At the same time, the Uzu soldiers kept in mind the Three Main Rules of Discipline and the Eight Points for Attention of Uzushiogakure.

They obeyed the law, did not take a single needle or thread from the civilians of Rain, and even helped and protected the local people, bringing them a sense of security.

The actions of the Uzu army made the people of Rain feel deeply moved, reflecting the fish-water bond between the army and the civilians, the heart-to-heart connection between soldiers and people...

"Something still feels missing," Uzumaki Hibiki muttered, frowning as he reviewed the records he had written about the events in Rain.

Suddenly, he paused and said, "Ah, right. I haven't written about Jun-sama yet, the great leader of Uzushiogakure."

He had almost forgotten the most important part.

Uzumaki Hibiki quickly added to his notebook:

The Uzu army has always remembered Jun-sama's teachings, not daring to forget even the slightest detail. They kept his words in mind at all times, leading by example, starting from the masses, going to the masses, and integrating with the masses.

The original purpose of the Uzu army's establishment was to serve the people...

"Hibiki, what have you been writing these past few days?" Komaki asked curiously, watching his friend scribbling away.

Ever since following Jun-sama, his good friend seemed to have changed a lot. Since arriving here, he had been carrying a pen and notebook, constantly writing something. His entire demeanor had undergone a dramatic transformation, as if he had become...

An intellectual?

"You mean this?" Uzumaki Hibiki adjusted his glasses and handed the notebook over. "This is a task assigned by Jun-sama."

"He asked me to record all the Uzu army's actions in Rain and the reactions of the people."

"There's such a thing?!" Komaki was shocked. He took the diary and glanced at it, then...

"As expected of an educated person!"

Komaki sighed in admiration as he looked at Uzumaki Hibiki. Then, he glanced at the scene outside the tent...

"Hurry up, hurry up!" a Uzu-nin shouted. "What are you dawdling for?"

"Throw away all that junk. Uzushiogakure doesn't lack such things."

"Listen up. Your good days are coming. Once you reach Uzushiogakure..."

"..."

A few civilians from Rain followed the Uzu-nin nervously, afraid that their lives might end at any moment.

...

"It really is a fish-water bond," Uzumaki Komaki sighed. "This is exactly how it should be written. We must let the entire shinobi world see this."

He remembered Jun-sama's mission: to promote the positive image of Uzushiogakure.

"Don't worry," Uzumaki Hibiki said calmly. "Jun-sama said it must be truthful, without the slightest fabrication."

"..."

So that's how it is. Uzumaki Komaki nodded in understanding. Jun-sama's words were never wrong. He walked out with his hands behind his back. Soon, the first batch of refugees would be sent back to Uzushiogakure.

Although these civilians from Rain had been brought here forcibly, their faces numb and blank, thinking the Uzu-nin would do something to them...

Once they reached Uzushiogakure, they would understand what life could truly be.

People who had experienced war cherished peace more than anyone else. So Komaki wasn't worried that these people would resent Uzushiogakure. Besides...

Rather than waiting to die in Rain, it was better to go to Uzushiogakure for large-scale construction. Over the past few years, Uzushiogakure had been short of manpower in all industries.

Especially Riki-sama, Jun-sama's father and the former daimyo of Uzushiogakure, who had even gone to the clan leader to demand more people.

Apparently, it was because he couldn't get an audience with Jun-sama.

In any case, Uzushiogakure was short on people!

...

"Konan," Yūketsu said helplessly, looking at the curious little girl beside him. "Why do you call Keita 'big brother' but call me 'uncle'?"

This was really...

He was a year younger than Keita, still single, and still a bachelor!

How did he end up being called "uncle"?

"Actually, you should call Keita 'uncle' and me 'big brother,'" Yūketsu crouched down and took out a small bag from his backpack. "Keita's family already has a child." Though it was an adopted one, it still counted. He wasn't lying. "If you call me 'big brother,' I'll give you this bag of fruit candy."

"You know, even Keita doesn't have this. It's very sweet and delicious."

However...

Konan blinked her big eyes, looking at the small bag, then at Yūketsu. Her face showed hesitation. Keita had given her canned food before, but this...

Was it candy?

"Just call me 'big brother' once, and this whole bag is yours," Yūketsu coaxed, seeing her hesitation. "And if anyone bullies you in Uzushiogakure, your big brother Yūketsu will beat them up for you. Isn't that a good deal?"

"But Keita told me to call you 'uncle,'" Konan said hesitantly. "Keita said..."

"..."

No wonder she had called him "uncle" when he brought the medical ninja to the small wooden house. So that was the reason!

Yūketsu gritted his teeth and glared at Keita, who was resting nearby, cursing inwardly: That bastard!

"Don't listen to your 'uncle' Keita. He was lying," Yūketsu said with a smile.

"Then..." Konan glanced at the candy in Yūketsu's hand and finally decided, "Big brother Yūketsu!"

"Good girl, here you go!" Yūketsu patted Konan's head. "If anyone bullies you in Uzushiogakure, just tell your big brother."

"Mm!" Konan nodded, took the candy, and ran to her mother's side, saying happily, "Mom, have some candy!"

"Slow down, slow down," Konan's mother smiled and crouched. After being treated by the medical ninja, her body had gradually recovered. Now, she had followed the two ninjas to the Uzu army's camp.

These ninjas really were as they said—they hadn't harmed them. Instead, they had given them food, tents, clothes...

Though she didn't know what these ninjas truly wanted, she could tell they meant no harm.

"Maybe what they said is true?" Konan's mother murmured with hope.

"Mom, eat this. It's very sweet," Konan said, putting a piece of candy into her mother's mouth. "It's fruit-flavored."

"Mm," Konan's mother smiled and nodded. "Very sweet."

This kind of life wasn't bad at all!

"Did you thank the uncle?"

"Mm, I thanked big brother," Konan blinked her big eyes. "He said to call him 'big brother.'"

"Haha!" Konan's mother laughed softly and rubbed Konan's head. "Are you happy, Konan?"

"Happy," Konan nodded seriously. "Everyone here is nice."

They could eat their fill, and no bad people would hurt them. She was really happy!

Just then...

"Konan's mother," Keita walked over and said with a smile, "Tomorrow, you'll be going to Uzushiogakure, so please prepare today."

"Uzushiogakure..." Konan's mother froze for a moment, hesitating. She opened her mouth but ultimately didn't ask the question she wanted to.

However...

Seeming to sense her worry, Keita smiled and said, "Don't worry. Life in Uzushiogakure will be even better. No one will bully you there. Uzushiogakure is a nation of laws. As long as you don't break the law, nothing will happen to you. By the way, did you read the legal code I gave you a few days ago? Even if you haven't finished, it's fine. As long as you live normally, you won't break any laws. You'll get used to it over time."

"I read it," Konan's mother nodded.

She had originally thought Uzushiogakure was a strict, oppressive nation without freedom. But if they could eat their fill and not be killed arbitrarily by ninja, they would willingly go. Yet, after reading the laws...

Was Uzushiogakure truly a paradise?

"In Uzushiogakure, you'll also be assigned a job," Keita said. "Then, you'll be able to support yourself and Konan." He smiled at the adorable little girl sucking on her candy.

"And once your contribution points meet the standard, you can apply to become a citizen of Uzushiogakure. Children in Uzushiogakure receive free education, and the nation provides medical insurance."

"Th-this... is all true?" Konan's mother's face showed disbelief. "Is Uzushiogakure really this good?"

"You'll see when you get there," Keita said with a smile. "It might even be better than you imagine."

"All of this is thanks to..."

"The daimyo of Uzushiogakure, the great leader, Jun-sama!"