[Due to the story you wrote, "A Thousand ryō for a Shuriken," the Kumogakure advisory council implemented a policy to aid Kumogakure, resulting in a large order for the Konoha-based construction company.]

[Prosperity +33]

[Due to the story you wrote, "Adaptability Necessary for Survival in the Shinobi World," Kisame Hoshigaki of Kirigakure participated in a rebellion.]

[Prosperity +66]

[Due to the assertive orders you issued as the leader of the Konoha base in Kumogakure, you gained ill-gotten wealth.]

[Prosperity +3]

["Iki" has gained widespread popularity among the high-quality citizens and upper class of the Land of Water.]

[Prosperity +33]

[The Land of Water, Kirigakure, experienced internal conflict ahead of schedule due to Gojo Kaigetsu's influence.]

[…]

…

Gojo Kaigetsu leaned back in the chair in the Hokage's office, his hands clasped behind his head, a wide grin on his face as he listened to the system announcements.

The consecutive prosperity gains tickled his heart, leaving him wanting more.

If only the prosperity points could increase even further, it would be pure bliss.

His eyes lit up when he heard the words "high-quality citizens."

The Six Eyes beneath his black blindfold gleamed brightly.

What kind of information was hidden behind those words?

The term "high-quality citizens" encompassed a wide range of individuals. Apart from ninjas, there were many valuable professions in the shinobi world, such as scientists, master builders, tool smiths, and cryptographers…

And this time, unlike the previous +3 or +6 increments that resembled forum check-in experience points, it was a whopping 33 prosperity points!

"This indicates… perhaps due to the Kirigakure rebellion, the thoughts of those in the middle and upper echelons of the Land of Water's social pyramid have been significantly impacted."

This was fantastic news!

For the nation to develop, for the village to progress, and for Gojo Kaigetsu's new policies to take root in the shinobi world, high-quality talent was essential.

Establishing specialized schools for ordinary people would require a lengthy process. The fastest way was to poach talent from other nations.

In this closed-off era of the shinobi world, without war or a lack of opportunities in their home countries, how many talented individuals would willingly leave their homelands?

This time, it seemed like a big wave was coming.

After carefully selecting and absorbing these talents into Konoha, they could usher in another period of rapid growth.

Gojo Kaigetsu glanced at Minato, diligently working at his Hokage desk like a corporate slave, and couldn't help but sigh.

He, the highly paid advisor, had already delegated all his tasks. Staying in Konoha seemed pointless now. Why not… head to the front lines himself and make a big splash?

Previously, he did everything he could to stay behind the scenes because he lacked the ability to protect himself.

Now, with the Limitless and Reversed Cursed Techniques as his shields, coupled with the teleportation ability of the Space-Time Ninjutsu: Blue… Even if he couldn't win a fight, escaping wouldn't be a problem.

He was practically invincible.

Gojo Kaigetsu was always a ninja who acted decisively. He decided to put his plan into motion.

Like an obedient student, he raised his hand in the Hokage's office. "Reporting, Hokage-sama!"

"Kaigetsu-kun, you… have something to say?" Minato put his hand on his forehead, seemingly accustomed to this bizarre routine.

Despite being a qualified Chunin, he insisted on using the formal reporting style from the Ninja Academy training days during private briefings.

"Reporting, Hokage-sama, I want to… I have important matters to report!"

"Go ahead."

Gojo Kaigetsu cleared his throat, adopting a serious expression. "I plan to personally visit the Kumogakure base to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances."

"Eh? You're going to the Kumogakure base? Really?"

Minato stopped writing, his face etched with hesitation and confusion.

Instead of answering immediately, he pressed the emergency summon button on his desk. Within three seconds, a Hyuga clan Byakugan-wielding Jonin appeared beside him.

Minato spoke sternly, "Confirm Advisor Gojo's identity. I suspect he might be an enemy spy in disguise."

"Huh?" The Byakugan Jonin was startled but quickly activated his Byakugan to scan Gojo Kaigetsu.

He made his judgment with a single glance. "Hokage-sama, the person before you is indeed Advisor Gojo. There's no doubt about it."

"Oh, is that so? You're dismissed."

"As you command."

Gojo Kaigetsu experienced firsthand what it felt like to be on the receiving end of his own antics. "Fourth Hokage-sama! Is this how you treat people?"

"Ah, sorry, sorry." Minato apologized flatly, without any emotion. "It's just that Kaigetsu-kun suddenly seems like a different person…"

"Come on, I've always been like this, haven't I? Wherever sacrifice is needed, wherever dedication is required, there I, Gojo Kaigetsu, will be!" Gojo Kaigetsu declared righteously.

"While it's true that everyone has their specialty, even during the most critical moments of the Third Shinobi World War, Kaigetsu-kun never once set foot on the battlefield."

Minato said pointedly. Then, he cleared his throat and composed himself as the Fourth Hokage should.

"So? Why does Kaigetsu-kun want to go to the Kumogakure base this time?"

"Theoretically, this mission is safe, and it's stipulated that even Chunin can accept it. However, Kaigetsu-kun, you're primarily a civilian official and haven't undergone proper ninja training for a long time…"

"The outside world, the shinobi world, is very dangerous. I'm worried you might die out there." Minato spoke earnestly, as if coaxing a seven or eight-year-old child who insisted on becoming a ninja.

"…It seems I'm truly underestimated."

Gojo Kaigetsu slowly rose from his seat, flexing his right arm and pointing a thumb at his chest. "Don't worry, I, your advisor, am the most… very strong!"

Seeing Gojo Kaigetsu's brimming confidence, Minato couldn't help but twitch his lips and sigh in resignation.

"I understand, Kaigetsu-kun. This is your ninja way, isn't it?"

"If you must go, please take my personal guard with you. They are Jonin with extensive combat experience and unwavering loyalty to the village. I wouldn't trust anyone else with this escort mission."

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Expecting a positive response from Gojo Kaigetsu, Minato was met with a firm refusal.

"That won't do!"

"How can a personal guard be stronger than the person they're protecting?! That would imply the protected individual is an insignificant nobody, destined to be killed off by the plot."

Minato: "???"

What strange things was he saying now?

"Then, I'll grant you special permission, Kaigetsu-kun. Form your own advisor guard squad." Minato compromised, assuming he had inadvertently bruised Gojo Kaigetsu's fragile Chunin ego.

"That won't do either! Only the Kage has the authority to form their personal guard. Any other guards or organizations, theoretically, belong to the village! Redundant formations are essentially bureaucratic baggage inherited from the feudal lords."

Minato took a deep breath. "Then what do you want?!"

"Oh, what I mean is, the ownership of the advisor guard squad belongs to the village. I only have the right to use the squad for 24 hours." Gojo Kaigetsu patted his chest. "Don't worry, I will critically utilize the advisor guard squad to gain a deeper understanding of the flaws of bureaucracy."

"…"

Minato opened his drawer, took out a Hokage token, and tossed it towards Gojo Kaigetsu.

Seeing the token was akin to seeing the Hokage himself. That was the rule!

With this token, he had a free pass within the village. He could forcibly recruit any upstanding ninja he fancied into his guard squad.

The village would cover all expenses related to the recruitment.

Gojo Kaigetsu gleefully pocketed the token and bowed to Minato. "The First Hokage passed away before he could even finish half of the village's construction…"

"The Anbu ninjas and the civilian officials are all part of a single entity. Rewards and punishments should be applied equally. Whether it's someone who has committed wrongdoing or someone who has acted with loyalty and virtue, they should all await my return, and I will assess their merits and demerits to demonstrate the Hokage's impartiality and fairness in handling state affairs. There should be no favoritism…"

"…I was originally a civilian from the Land of Flowers, hand-making soldier pills in my homeland. I only wished to survive in these chaotic times, not seeking fame or recognition among the Five Great Nations."

"Stop your rambling madness!!"

After a long while, once Gojo Kaigetsu had been scolded and sent away, Minato slumped back into his Hokage chair, letting out a long sigh of relief.

He touched his blonde hair, feeling like he had missed something.

"From what Kaigetsu-kun said… the members of his guard squad must be Chunin, or even Genin?"

"Would they even be capable of protecting him?"

…

...

When Gojo Kaigetsu visited the Uchiha clan again, he could clearly sense a change in the atmosphere.

To be precise, it was the villagers' attitude towards the Uchiha that had changed, consequently altering the atmosphere within the clan.

Previously, a dark joke about the Uchiha circulated in Konoha:

A Konoha villager lost his messenger hawk. It was a hawk that could only curse, and if it fell into the hands of the Konoha Military Police Force, it would be disastrous. If this villager wanted to protect himself, he had to make a public statement in Konoha: "I have lost a messenger hawk. Also, what it said has nothing to do with me."

But now?

Jokes were just jokes after all.

Many Konoha villagers even carried birdcages containing messenger hawks and strolled in front of the once forbidden Uchiha clan territory, teasing the Uchiha clan members with their birds.

Gojo Kaigetsu also saw that many Uchiha children, who were not fit to be ninjas, were chased by their parents all over the streets, with one hand holding "Three Years in the Ninja Academy" and the other a kunai.

The once oppressive and heavy Uchiha clan had completely transformed.

"Vibrant, so vibrant!"

Gojo Kaigetsu couldn't help but sigh.

After he entered the Uchiha clan territory, within ten breaths, Fugaku Uchiha, along with his confidants, came forward to greet him.

His face was full of smiles. "Gojo-kun, why did it take you so long to visit our Uchiha clan?"

"Ah, official duties, you know. Ever since I received the Fourth Hokage's orders, I've been worrying and sighing day and night, fearing that I wouldn't be able to complete the entrusted tasks, which would damage the Fourth Hokage's wise reputation…"

"Then, what brings Gojo-kun here today?" Fugaku asked tentatively.

"About that…" Gojo Kaigetsu pulled out the Hokage's token from his pocket and showed it to Fugaku. "Conscription. You know about the Kirigakure's free action, right, Fugaku?"

"The Fourth Hokage ordered me to form a special mobile unit under the command of the advisor and head to the front lines to take control of the entire operation."

"Conscription? Kirigakure's free action?"

Fugaku Uchiha breathed a sigh of relief. He thought it was something big. "That's easy. I'll personally go to Kumogakure Village with you, Gojo-kun."

"Ahem, the main reason is that I want to take your young Uchiha generation to the front lines for training, and I'll guide them."

"That's good too. I'll gather our Uchiha ninjas of the right age."

Fugaku Uchiha nodded understandingly. The Uchiha ninja's training focused more on clan inheritance, and they were not short of money. Generally, they rarely participated in special operations targeting other villages.

However… Gojo-kun personally coming to the Uchiha clan to recruit people was undoubtedly a gesture of goodwill from the Fourth Hokage!

The Uchiha clan was finally going to start connecting with the Hokage's faction!

Fugaku Uchiha was secretly moved.

Soon, the eligible Uchiha ninjas were all gathered in the center of the training ground.

Gojo Kaigetsu glanced over and saw five-year-old Itachi and Izumi, as well as eight-year-old Shisui, among them.

After briefly explaining the situation, Fugaku handed the stage over to Gojo Kaigetsu.

The young Uchiha ninjas below looked like curious children, staring at the legendary benefactor who was praised within the clan.

"Don't forget the advisor's kindness" had almost been imprinted on their minds like a steel seal.

Gojo Kaigetsu had already set his sights on Itachi, Izumi, and Shisui, but he still pretended to observe each child.

"This operation is special. I will only choose the three most outstanding individuals who can pass my test."

"Gojo's Nine Trials, the first trial-Retrieve the Kunai from the Fire!" Gojo Kaigetsu's voice suddenly rose.

He walked to a brazier, took out the kunai he always fiddled with like a walnut, and heated the tip until it glowed red.

In the next second, Gojo Kaigetsu moved at a speed too fast for anyone to react and appeared in front of Shisui Uchiha.

The red-hot kunai was pointed at Shisui's eyes. If it moved an inch forward, Shisui's eyes would be ruined.

"Being my bodyguard comes at a price," Gojo Kaigetsu said cryptically. "Why didn't you dodge?"

"Because I'm not afraid."

"Why aren't you afraid?"

Shisui blinked. The advisor… was truly a strange person.

With his Sharingan activated, he could easily dodge such an attack at this distance.

But since it was the advisor, Shisui still considered Gojo Kaigetsu's face. "Not afraid… is not afraid."

"Good courage! You, Uchiha Itachi, and the little girl next to Itachi, the three of you have passed."

"???"

Immediately, a wave of dissatisfied shouts erupted.

An Uchiha never yielded to anyone, even if the opponent was a fellow clan member.

[Don't forget the kindness of Advisor Gojo] had already been instilled in every new generation Uchiha, thanks to Fugaku's promotion and the continuous influence of "Three Years in the Ninja Academy."

Perhaps the current loyalty ranking in the hearts of the new generation Uchiha was: Fugaku first, Gojo second, Hokage third…

"Damn it, how can this be!"

"Am I weaker than Shi… Itachi? He's not healthy, Advisor Gojo!"

"I'm healthier!"

"Ugh, I also want to repay Advisor Gojo's kindness!"

The vast training ground instantly became chaotic.

The new generation Uchiha tried to attract Gojo Kaigetsu's attention in their own ways.

Itachi Uchiha, whose name was called, looked bewildered. What did Shisui passing the test have to do with him?

It felt like a soldier pill was created just for him to swallow.

But the advisor's kindness had awakened his Sharingan. Itachi was still grateful to Gojo Kaigetsu and walked over without any objection.

Izumi Uchiha looked around in disbelief, pointing at herself with her index finger. "Eh? Me?"

"Yes, you. Don't dawdle, cough once!"

Gojo Kaigetsu clapped his hands, satisfied with the situation on the training ground. Not just Itachi, but the entire new generation of Uchiha was evolving in a strange direction under his influence.

"Alright, alright, don't think about repaying my kindness so quickly."

"Remember, the advisor's kindness is endless."

With that said, Gojo Kaigetsu swaggered out of the clan grounds, leading the three Uchiha children.

Amidst deep confusion, the three were dragged onto the pirate ship heading towards the Kumogakure stronghold.

Under the setting sun, Fugaku Uchiha looked at their backs with emotion.

"Two boys and one girl… It's just like the team assignments after graduating from the Ninja Academy. It's also an early ninja training for Itachi."

"But just now, Gojo-kun seemed to say… bodyguards?"

"Forget it, at least we're finally connected with the Hokage's faction."

After leaving the Uchiha clan, Gojo Kaigetsu didn't rush to depart.

Instead, he put on his mask, summoned his veteran actor troupe, and explained his plan before leaving.

This included, but was not limited to, "materials for making anti-counterfeit cards," "high-definition, uncensored, refined images of Konoha's buildings," and other strange items.

After giving his instructions, he finally set off with the three children towards the Kumogakure stronghold.

"Advisor Gojo, who were those ordinary people just now…?"

The three children had already packed their bags, filled with necessities like spare clothes, camping tents, and high-calorie soldier pills…

As ninjas, soldier pills should have been enough, but under Gojo Kaigetsu's strong insistence, they also packed these seemingly irrelevant daily necessities.

"It's not appropriate to call me advisor now."

"The three of you have been recruited into the Advisor's Guard Squad, responsible for protecting Advisor Gojo's safety." Gojo Kaigetsu said solemnly. "This operation is not about competing with ninjas from other villages, but about poaching people from Kirigakure."

"Since we're poaching, we naturally need to do a good job with publicity."

"The ninja approach is too crude. Professional matters should be handled by professionals."

"Those people just now were my special propaganda team. They will arrive at the Kumogakure stronghold ahead of us, so we can take our time on the road."

"Now, Kumogakure, activate!"