Rain fell on the grey tiles of the new Village, creating a dense and crisp sound.Since the proposal that day, the sounds of construction above the Hokage Rock had never ceased.The sounds of chiseling wood, ramming earth, raising beams, and laying tiles intertwined, becoming the most vibrant new rhythm over Konoha Village.Hiruzen Sarutobi not only contributed three million ryo to the construction funds but also frequently came to this highland to check on the progress after handling his duties as Hokage.He stood at the edge of the new Village, where the scaffolding had not yet been fully removed.Watching the busy figures of the children working alongside the residents of Konoha, his eyes, which had weathered many storms, always held a touch of gratification and expectation.The villagers did not show much rejection or wariness toward these newcomers from afar.For one thing, most of them were just half-grown children with clear eyes and well-behaved manners, never causing trouble without reason; for another, over these thirty days, the children had earned the villagers' approval with their own sweat.The clamor ceased abruptly on the morning of the thirtieth day.In just thirty days, a small Village capable of accommodating over six hundred people was firmly established above the Hokage Rock.Rows of brand-new, sturdy wooden houses rose from the ground, with eaves aligned neatly, wide and smooth roads, and a training ground, assembly square, and leisure courtyard reserved in the center.Looking up from the streets of Konoha, this nascent Village was built against the mountain, situated on the majestic Hokage Rock.The houses were formed, but the real challenge had only just begun.Six hundred and forty-eight children, from different places, with different habits and personalities—without rules or leaders, it wouldn't take long for chaos to ensue.But if Jonin or high-ranking officials from Konohawere to intervene directly in management, it would seem too rigid, undermining the children's autonomy and making them feel like "outsiders" all along.Naruto thought it over carefully and finally made a decision—all managers would be selected from within the children themselves.Not by force, not by age, but solely by character, ability, and the will of the people.As the news spread, the entire new Village fell silent.The children were both nervous and expectant; most of them had been displaced for a long time, and this was the first time they had a home of their own, and the first time they had the opportunity to be respected and chosen.No one made a fuss, no one fought, and everyone silently looked at each other, secretly choosing the person they trusted most in their hearts.After several days of observation and recommendation, the final choice fell, without controversy, on a thirteen-year-old boy.His name was Cang Chao.Cang Chao was not the one with the most powerful Chakra among these children, nor was he the most eloquent, but he was the most steady, reliable, and willing to take responsibility.During the thirty days of construction, he snatched up the heavy work, took the initiative to do dangerous work at heights, took care of injured children immediately, and patiently comforted those who were upset.When Naruto announced that Cang Chao would be the male representative, not one of the six hundred children raised an objection.Cang Chao stood in front of the crowd, his cheeks slightly flushed, but without any pride. He simply bowed deeply to everyone, his voice steady and powerful: "I will not let everyone down."After selecting the male representative, the selection of the female representative was quickly put on the agenda.Naruto did not want to decide based solely on age or strength; he hoped this girl could become another pillar among these children with her gentleness and delicacy.Soon, one name was mentioned repeatedly—Su Youwei.Su Youwei was twelve years old, with a slender figure and gentle features.She was not as lively or restless as the other children, always staying quietly to the side, yet she could provide the most accurate judgment at the most critical moments.When building the houses, she could spot hidden dangers in the timber immediately; during breaks, she could comfort the young children who were homesick and scared; she never competed, yet she made people want to get close to her involuntarily.She never sought attention, yet in subtle ways, she provided a sense of security for many people.When Su Youwei's name was officially announced as the female representative, the girls' eyes turned red, and they applauded vigorously.Su Youwei stood beside Cang Chao, bowing her head slightly, and said softly: "I will work with Cang Chao to take good care of everyone."On the assembly square, Naruto looked at the boy and girl standing side by side, then at the young yet hopeful faces below the stage, and spoke slowly."From today on, this is no longer a temporary stopping point, but your home.""The Hokage Rock guards Konoha, and it will also guard you.""You no longer need to wander, no longer need to fear; as long as you work together, this land will become better because of you."The wind swept across the eaves of the new Village and also blew the windmill in the center of the Village.In the shadows...Danzo stood in the blind spot where the candlelight could not reach, his left hand pressing on the edge of the table, his bandaged right arm trembling slightly.Not because of fear, but because of extreme anger.Spread on the table was the intelligence just submitted by the Root Anbu; the few short lines of text were like a red-hot iron brand, searing his eyes fiercely."Absurd! This is simply absurd!"A low roar exploded in the enclosed space, startling the candlelight to flicker twice, casting the outline of half his face onto the wall, as hideous as an Asura."Establishing a new small Village above the Hokage Rock? What is the meaning of this?"Danzo slammed the intelligence onto the table."Uzumaki Naruto?! And that bunch of brats who don't know the immensity of heaven and earth...""Setting up a separate faction on top of the 'heart' of Konoha—isn't this a blatant sign of division?"He paced to the window and, through the gap, could vaguely see the new wooden houses above the Hokage Rock, and could even catch a glimpse of the slowly rotating white windmill.That splash of white was particularly jarring against the lush green of Konoha, like an irremovable thorn stuck in his heart.As the "Root" of Konoha, Danzo had spent his entire life obsessively guarding the "Konoha Order" in his heart.In his eyes, any existence that was out of control and could not be incorporated into the existing system was a hidden danger.And this "Windmill Village" that appeared out of thin air was not only built on top of the Hokage Rock.That was the commanding height from which the past Hokage watched over Konoha, and it had gathered over six hundred children of complex origins with unknown Chakra attributes.Is this building a Village? This is clearly dancing wildly on his minefield."Hiruzen Sarutobi! You certainly have a good temper!"Danzo turned abruptly, the anger in his eyes almost bursting out."Three million ryo in funding, personally supervising the construction, and even tacitly allowing them to elect their own representatives...""You are indulging them; you are raising a tiger that will cause trouble!"He knew too well what this meant.These children had their own Village, their own leaders, and a shared sense of belonging.They were no longer "refugees" that Konoha could settle at will, but had become an independent collective."This is almost saying to his face that they want to snatch 'his Konoha' from his hands!"A hint of ruthlessness appeared in Danzo's eyes, and he ordered into the shadows: "Pass down the order to take action against those brats; do not leave any traces...""Anyone who is not of my Konoha must be completely eliminated..."
