Chapter 55, Seven Years Later (Three Chapters Combined, Including Bonus Chapter)...

Yan Sheng walked out from the side hall.

Madara Uchiha leaned lazily against a vermilion pillar, his arms crossed, his half-closed eyes locking onto Yan Sheng the moment he appeared.

Hashirama Senju stood beside Madara.

Ban raised his chin slightly, pointing towards the side hall where Yan Sheng had just left, and asked, "Is it done?"

Yan Sheng stopped and nodded in response.

......

On the surface, the five major powers continued to operate as before, but the real power had quietly changed hands.

It is worth mentioning that Yan Sheng knew that relying solely on military intimidation and illusionary manipulation was unsustainable and prone to unforeseen changes.

To prevent these rulers, who are accustomed to manipulating power, from outwardly complying while inwardly opposing him, and to ensure that his subsequent policies are implemented "without compromise," he needs truly reliable people.

—A person like Uchiha Masaki and Uchiha Uta, who possesses independent judgment, is loyal to himself, and can perfectly understand and execute his will.

Then some people ask, where did Yen Sheng get so many people?

The answer lies with Uchiha Madara.

Once the two brothers opened up to each other, the resources that Yan Sheng could mobilize increased exponentially.

Madara was the head of the Uchiha clan. He had a complete, efficient and loyal core team under his command, whose size and execution capabilities far surpassed those of Kokusatsu fighting alone.

Yan Sheng didn't care whether these people would obey him.

As long as Madara follows his orders, and these people must obey Madara's commands, the result will be the same.

***

Uchiha Hikaru, one of Madara's confidants, is also a cousin of Madara's lineage. He was one of the chosen ones.

When he received the order personally given by Ban, he froze on the spot as if struck by lightning, his usually calm and composed face filled with disbelief.

"Me... going to the Land of Water? To oversee the implementation of government decrees?" Fire Core wondered if he was hallucinating.

When did the Uchiha clan start getting involved in governing a country? Or did they go to another country? Is this the right thing to do?

Ban's expression remained unchanged as he added calmly, "Yes. Yan Sheng will give you a prepared form later to explain what you need to do."

Fire Core: "..." He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He only felt a wave of dizziness.

He must be having a bizarre dream, right? Otherwise, how could he hear such absurd things?

So wait.

When exactly did the Uchiha clan manage to quietly accomplish such a monumental feat as manipulating the government of a major power? Why was he completely unaware of it?

Not only the Fire Core, but several other capable and trustworthy confidants under Madara, such as Uchiha Misa and Uchiha Yasuhiko, also received similar appointments one after another, only with different destinations: some went to the Land of Lightning, some to the Land of Earth, and some to the Land of Wind...

As for the Land of Fire, it will be overseen by Uchiha Masaki and the growing Uchiha Uta, and Mikichi himself will also be personally stationed there to oversee the overall situation.

Such a large-scale personnel movement, especially the movements of the core members of the Uchiha clan, could not possibly be kept from Tobirama Senju, who possessed keen insight and an intelligence network.

Office building, inside Senju Hashirama's office.

Tobirama Senju slammed the report summarizing the unusual movements of the Uchiha clan onto the table, his crimson eyes fixed on his elder brother, his tone filled with barely suppressed questioning:

"Brother, what exactly did you and Madara Uchiha do on this trip? Why did the Uchiha clan travel to other major countries on such a large scale, even interfering in their internal affairs? How did things develop to this point? Shouldn't you explain this to me?"

Hashirama Senju scratched his head somewhat awkwardly, a sheepish smile on his face as he tried to get away with it: "Ahaha... Tobirama, well... the process isn't important, the result is."

"Isn't that important?" Tobirama's voice suddenly rose, his head buzzing with anger. "Then what is important?"

"Anyway, just take a look first," Hashirama reassured his younger brother, his tone optimistic. "Let's see how things develop. If something unexpected happens, we'll figure something out..."

"It'll be too late if something goes wrong!" Tobirama interrupted him bluntly, raising his question, "Besides, why the Uchiha? What about us Senju? Shouldn't we all be involved in something that involves the entire world?"

Hashirama was speechless when asked the question. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Strictly speaking, this wasn't something we Senju people did."

"What do you mean?" Tobirama frowned, keenly sensing the oddity in his brother's words. "You went out with Madara Uchiha, didn't you contribute? Or is this entirely Madara Uchiha's plan?"

He leaned towards the latter and believed that his older brother had definitely been fooled by Madara Uchiha again.

Seeing his younger brother's expression that said, "As expected, it was Madara Uchiha again," Hashirama Senju sighed helplessly, shook his head, and hesitated before saying, "No, Tobirama, you've misunderstood. Madara wasn't the mastermind behind this."

"Huh?" Tobirama was stunned. It wasn't his older brother, nor Madara Uchiha, so who else could it be?

Unable to withstand the interrogation, Hashirama resorted to his usual stalling tactic. He scratched the back of his head and let out a hearty but clearly unconvinced laugh: "Hahaha, Tobirama, don't be so nervous! I can't explain the specific details in a short time, but trust your older brother! If anything happens, I'll take care of it."

As long as Hashirama Senju is there, the sky will not fall.

That's what they say, and it makes sense.

But this ambiguous and evasive attitude completely ignited Tobirama Senju's suppressed anger and resentment.

He devoted himself to the village, handling countless tedious yet crucial administrative affairs, but was completely kept in the dark!

"Big brother!" Tobirama took a deep breath, suppressing the surging anger in his chest, his voice as cold as ice. "If you continue to keep things hidden like this, shouldering everything yourself, or making decisions in private with Madara Uchiha while excluding me—" He paused, then threw out what he considered the most serious threat, "I'll just wash my hands of it! Since you won't let me know anything anyway, you can handle these documents yourself!"

After he finished speaking, he stared intently at Hashirama, hoping to see a hint of panic or compromise.

To everyone's surprise, upon hearing this, Hashirama Senju not only didn't get nervous, but his silly smile became even brighter. He even blinked and said slowly with absolute certainty, "Tobirama, you won't."

He knows his younger brother too well.

Tobirama may appear cold and speak harshly, but he has an extraordinary sense of responsibility towards Konoha, the Senju clan, and even his older brother.

That sense of responsibility weighed as heavy as a thousand pounds; it had long been a part of Tobirama's life. To ask him to abandon the village he had painstakingly built, to abandon what he considered his very life? Absolutely impossible.

That is indeed the case.

Seeing his elder brother's "I've got you figured out" attitude, Tobirama felt a deep sense of powerlessness overwhelm his anger.

"......snort!"

In the end, all the turbulent emotions turned into a cold snort filled with deep frustration.

Then, without wasting any more words, Tobirama turned around, the hem of his clothes drawing a sharp arc in the air, showing his extreme displeasure.

He didn't leave the building. He went straight to his office—where there were mountains of documents, budgets awaiting approval, family relationships that needed coordination, border patrol reports... countless trivial yet important matters concerning the daily operation of Konoha, waiting for him to handle.

With a loud bang, the office door was slammed shut.

Tobirama Senju sat back down behind his large desk, rubbing his throbbing temples, feeling more exhausted than ever before.

The eldest brother, Hashirama Senju, was powerful, but his mind was unconventional and overly idealistic, making him intolerant of mundane affairs; Madara Uchiha was even more capricious, with only his own goals in mind.

"Those two guys are all about giving birth and not about raising their children," Tobirama muttered, his voice filled with resentment.

One only knew how to make empty promises and rely on his power to cover up the failures, while the other was always elusive and rarely seen. All the pressure fell on his shoulders.

At this moment, he even felt a subtle sense of empathy, akin to "shared suffering," towards his long-time nemesis, Uchiha Izuna.

Although I hate Uchiha Izuna, I have to admit that it's good that Izuna is there. He can effectively control most of the Uchiha clan members—why most? Because he couldn't control Uchiha Madara (and also Kokushiro X)—and maintain the stability within the Uchiha clan, so that the entire Konoha administrative system doesn't collapse because of Uchiha Madara's "disappearance".

Otherwise, even if Tobirama Senju had the Shadow Clone Technique, he would probably be driven crazy by these two hands-off managers and the countless messes that followed!

Tobirama Senju sighed, resignedly picked up the top document, and forced himself to focus on his work. No matter what, Konoha had to keep running smoothly; even if the pillars of the village were unreliable, he had to hold the roost.

...At the very least, the sky over Konoha cannot fall.

***

As Uchiha elites infiltrated the core of power in various countries, a set of decrees aimed at reshaping order, known as the "Pacifying Laws," was implemented simultaneously in the five major nations with astonishing efficiency.

The core objective of this set of laws is to stabilize the internal situation, improve people's livelihoods, and lay a solid foundation for eventual unification.

Yan Sheng knew that forcibly merging nations when their foundations were unstable and their people were suffering would only cause greater chaos and run counter to his pursuit of peace.

The main policy contents of the "Pacifying the People Law" include:

1. Land Survey and Rent Restriction Order: A mandatory survey of all land owned by nobles and powerful families was conducted, and the land was registered. Land rent was strictly limited, and any form of excessive plundering was prohibited. Some of the confiscated noble land or unclaimed wasteland was allocated to landless or land-poor commoners for cultivation, with an initial tax exemption for several years.

2. Water conservancy construction and road construction: Conscripting laborers (with reasonable compensation or tax deductions) to construct large-scale water conservancy facilities, dig canals, and build reservoirs within each country (especially in countries with wind and earth elements), while simultaneously connecting major official roads to promote commercial circulation.

3. Unify the tax system and punish corruption: Abolish the complicated old tax system, formulate a unified and transparent tax code, clarify the powers of tax officials at all levels, and severely punish those who are corrupt and exploit the people. Once verified, they will be executed without mercy.

4. Encourage farming and artisans: Promote improved farming tools and drought-resistant crops (in the Land of Wind), provide government-loaned seeds and farming tools, encourage artisans to establish guilds, improve their craftsmanship, and prioritize government procurement.

5. Selection of Officials from Humble Backgrounds and the Supervision System: Establish a centrally administered supervision system, granting Uchiha leaders stationed in various countries the authority to report directly to higher authorities and even make on-the-spot decisions. Simultaneously, when selecting lower-ranking officials, a degree of preference will be given to talented individuals from humble backgrounds to weaken the old aristocracy's monopoly over the grassroots.

......

Such drastic changes inevitably touched upon the deeply entrenched interests of the old aristocracy. Their privileges, enjoyed for generations—such as arbitrarily raising rents, controlling local areas, and enslaving commoners like cattle—vanished under the "Pacifying the People Law."

Initially, there was passive resistance and covert collusion.

"This is utterly absurd! How can we nobles be compared to commoners?"

"Without rent, how will we maintain our dignity?"

"Hmph, all talk and no action. Let's see how long he can keep this up!"

They either outwardly comply but inwardly defy local orders, delaying their implementation; or they unite to pressure the daimyo of their homeland (however, the daimyo are now in dire straits); or they attempt to bribe the newly arrived inspector (a member of the Uchiha clan), only to be rebuffed, as the Uchiha's Sharingan can easily see through their wicked intentions.

Yan Sheng's response was simple and direct: non-cooperation means destruction.

In the Land of Lightning, a powerful nobleman who controlled vast mineral veins openly defied orders, refusing to register the land and injuring the officials sent to carry it out.

Three days later, Uchiha Hikaru personally led a team to surround his mansion with lightning speed, killing him and his core followers who resisted to the bitter end. His head was displayed on the city gate, and all his property was confiscated.

When the news spread, countless nobles who had been observing and complaining were terrified and dared not openly resist anymore.

However, there are always those who are overconfident in their intelligence or whose interests have been severely damaged, and they choose a more covert form of resistance.

Unable to confront them directly, they secretly spread rumors and incited emotions:

"What 'Pacifying the People Law'? It's clearly a property seizure order! They're trying to drive us to a dead end!"

"Those people are ruthless and treat human life like dirt!"

"Such harsh laws and punishments are no different from tyranny. If this continues, the country will cease to exist!"

They attempted to portray themselves as defenders of "tradition" and "freedom," demonizing Yen Sheng's policies in hopes of provoking public resistance or even riots.

Unfortunately, they underestimated Yan Sheng's determination and the capabilities of the Uchiha intelligence network.

These nobles who were plotting behind the scenes were quickly exposed by Uchiha's spies or servants controlled by Sharingan. Yan Sheng did not simply execute them in secret, but chose a more deterrent method: a public trial.

In the squares of capital cities or important towns around the world, public trials were held one after another.

The captured nobles and their henchmen were brought to the stage, where the Uchiha Inspector personally read out their crimes. The dirty deals, the seizure of farmland, the killings, and the abuse of women that had been concealed by power were exposed one by one.

The gentlemen who were once high and mighty in the eyes of ordinary people are now ashen-faced, their ugly side exposed under the weight of irrefutable evidence and angry accusations.

"...Therefore, in accordance with the Law on Pacifying the People, the death penalty is hereby imposed and shall be carried out immediately!"

The executioner's blade flashed, or the noose was placed around the neck. When the blood of those once arrogant nobles splattered on the execution ground or their bodies were hung up for public display, the onlookers, after a brief silence, erupted into deafening cheers.

"Well done!"

"Heaven has eyes!"

"These beasts have finally gotten their comeuppance!"

The resentment and humiliation of being oppressed for so long were released at this moment.

Yan Sheng's iron-fisted methods were not seen as cruelty by the common people, but as justice delayed. They began to believe that the government was truly standing up for them and eliminating the parasites who rode on their backs.

However, amidst the cheers and applause, many ordinary people also felt a vague sense of confusion.

"When did the country...become so good to us?"

"Rent and tax reductions, canal and road repairs, and they even helped us kill those tyrannical lords... Is this really true?"

"Could there be some bigger scheme behind this? There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Accustomed to being exploited and ignored, they felt apprehensive and confused by the sudden blessing.

Thousands of years of hierarchical thinking and survival wisdom told them that any action by those in power must have a purpose. On the one hand, they enjoyed the tangible benefits of the new policies: land rents were reduced, newly repaired canals brought irrigation water, and smoother roads made it easier to sell goods; on the other hand, they instinctively felt uneasy, worried that there were deeper traps hidden behind it, or that it was just a fleeting illusion.

This sense of confusion is an inevitable product of the collapse of the old order and the incomplete establishment of the new order.

Yan Sheng didn't care about the public's temporary confusion; all he needed was the result—social stability, production development, improved livelihoods, and, in his eyes, the string of numbers representing merit that could continue to grow steadily.

He cleared away the obstacles with iron and blood, and appeased the people's hearts with tangible benefits.

After a brief period of intense pain, the world is being dragged onto a path toward peace with an unprecedented, bloody force.

Whether this path leads to heaven or another form of hell, no one knows. People can only follow the unseen mastermind behind the scenes, amidst confusion and hope, towards the unknown future.

***

Since the promulgation of the "Pacifying the People Law" in early autumn of that year, time has flown by, and five autumns have passed in the blink of an eye.

Golden rice ears once again bent the branches low, newly built irrigation canals shimmered in the sunlight, and caravans traveled back and forth on roads connecting various countries.

Nearly five years after the policy was implemented, its effects have gradually shifted from initial shock and bloodshed to visible stability and prosperity. Social order, agricultural production, and commercial circulation have all seen significant development.

During this period, a radical change occurred: the relationship between ninjas and ordinary people was reshaped. An additional law, called the "Ninja Code of Conduct and Civilian Protection Law," which was strongly promoted by Yan Sheng, acted like shackles on all ninjas who were accustomed to the supremacy of strength.

The legal provisions are as follows:

[Ninjas are strictly prohibited from harming the lives, property, and personal safety of civilians without cause. "Without cause" is defined as: not necessary for the mission, not in self-defense, and not through a legal trial process.]

They established a police headquarters independent of the administrative systems of various countries, possessing transnational law enforcement powers, and were specifically responsible for investigating and arresting ninjas who violated this law.

Those who violate this rule will be punished, depending on the severity of the offense, with fines, imprisonment, chakra depletion, or even the death penalty.

The heavy responsibility of enforcing this ironclad rule fell on the shoulders of the Uchiha clan. The reason was simple: at this time, Kokusatsu could only rely on Uchiha members.

The Uchiha clan was transformed overnight from a "guard force" in Konoha into core members of the police force that spans the five great nations.

In the capital and major cities of every major country, a branch of the Metropolitan Police Department was established, with at least one Uchiha elite stationed there to command and deal with troublesome ninja criminals.

However, at the beginning of the reform, there was tremendous resistance.

How could ninjas, accustomed to acting recklessly with their strength, accept this sudden constraint? Especially those members with wicked intentions, their resistance was particularly fierce.

"What a joke! Did I work so hard to train in ninjutsu just to protect those ants?"

"If we can't use our power, what privileges do we ninjas have? How are we any different from those farmers!"

"What kind of bullshit 'Regulations' are these! They're just a new trick come up with by those high-ranking big shots!"

Their discontent and contempt quickly turned into action.

On the border of the Land of Earth, a group of Iwa ninja slaughtered an entire caravan in an attempt to steal their supplies.

In a town in the Land of Lightning, a Cloud Ninja got into an argument with someone at a tavern. In a fit of rage, he unleashed a ninjutsu that not only electrocuted the other person but also affected several innocent patrons, resulting in a tragedy.

On the coast of the Land of Water, a group of Kirigakure ninja, while on a secret mission, slaughtered an entire small fishing village that witnessed their landing in order to cover their tracks.

......

These heinous incidents are a blatant provocation against the new order.

Faced with such rampant resistance, the newly built police station immediately found itself stretched thin.

There's no way around it, we're short-staffed.

“Brother Ban, you’ve seen the situation.” Yan Sheng said, “We’re short-handed and inefficient. Can we ask Chief Qian Shou for some more people?”

Madara Uchiha had no objection to this. He then found Hashirama Senju and explained the situation.

Hashirama didn't hesitate and laughed heartily, "This is a good thing, Madara! Protecting the weak and restraining power are one of the original intentions of establishing Konoha! The Senju clan has an unshirkable responsibility!"

When Tobirama Senju learned of this, his first reaction was displeasure. To send the Senju to cooperate with the Uchiha?

But after calming down, his calculating mind quickly weighed the pros and cons.

Although the process was unpleasant, the result did help establish a positive image for Konoha and the Senju clan as 'maintaining order and protecting the people'.

In the long run, it will benefit the village and the family.

Ultimately, Tobirama acquiesced and selected some of the Senju elites skilled in perception, tracking, and sealing techniques to join the Metropolitan Police Department's joint law enforcement team.

Thus, an unprecedented scene unfolded in the world: the Senju and Uchiha formed a joint law enforcement team, their abilities complementing each other, like hunting dogs tracking down ninjas who had committed crimes, catching them one by one without a sound—

In the desolate valley, the Uchiha members used Sharingan genjutsu to disrupt the caravan, while the Senju members used powerful water or earth jutsu to suppress and seal them off, forcing the group of Iwa ninja who were slaughtering the caravan into a desperate situation.

The opponent roared, "You lackeys of nobles!" and attempted to detonate the explosive tags to perish together with the enemy, but was stopped in time by Thousand Hands.

In the dense forests of the Land of Lightning, a joint squad surrounded the Cloud Ninja who were indiscriminately killing innocent people.

The Cloud Ninja, using their Lightning Release to move at high speed, roared wildly, "Come on! Let's see if your laws are faster, or my Lightning Release!"

Ultimately, the Uchiha predicted his movement trajectory and, together with the Senju, subdued him.

On the misty shore of the Land of Water, the allied squad showed no mercy to several Mist Ninjas whose hands were stained with the blood of fishermen.

The battle was brief but deadly. The Sharingan saw through the Water Clone's trick, and the Thousand Hands' monstrous strength shattered their defenses.

Those who resist stubbornly shall be killed without exception.

......

Arrested ninja criminals were rarely executed on the spot. Most of them were escorted back to the place of crime or the capital city for a public trial.

On the high trial platform, their crimes were made public in detail, along with the victims' tearful accusations (if there were any survivors), physical evidence, and memory fragments extracted through illusion (a controversial but highly efficient method).

When the plight of the civilians whom the ninjas had once treated like dirt was clearly revealed, the crowd watching below the stage gradually transformed from initial fear into overwhelming anger.

"Kill them!"

"To avenge our fallen fellow villagers!"

Even ninjas cannot act with impunity!

Amidst public outrage, the judge solemnly reads out the verdict. Often, the verdict is immediately enforced.

Blood splattered again, but this time, it took away the "strong" who had once been above the law.

The cheers of the people were even more enthusiastic than when the nobles were executed, because they truly felt that the ninja power, which had once been unattainable and could easily take their lives, was now also shackled and needed to pay the price for their evil deeds.

"So even ninjas who kill us have to pay with their lives..."

"The Metropolitan Police Department really stands up for us..."

"The world seems to have really changed."

A subtle yet profound change is taking root in the hearts of ordinary people.

Their trust in the country was built up through repeated acts of bloody justice. Although confusion and unease still linger, the visible security of their living environment has made them begin to believe that this iron-fisted new order might indeed bring a long-awaited glimmer of light called fairness.

Five years is enough time for many things to become habits.

By the time the sixth autumn arrived, incidents of ninjas indiscriminately slaughtering civilians had become rare. The police station insignia scattered across the continent, and the combined deterrent power of the Uchiha and Senju clans they represented, had become a Damocles' sword hanging over the heads of all ninjas, forcibly etching the concept of "power must be restrained" into the final moments of this chaotic era as it gradually came to an end.

As time passed, in the autumn of the seventh year, the new order brought about by the implementation of the "Pacifying Laws" and the "Ninja Code of Conduct" had taken root in people's hearts.

The Metropolitan Police Department, once feared by many, has gradually transformed its image from "cold-blooded surveillance officers" to "maintainers of order" after countless instances of iron-fisted law enforcement and fair trials.

More importantly, joining the Metropolitan Police Department meant a stable salary and officially recognized "righteous" status. This made many ninjas who were not from the Senju or Uchiha clans begin to covet the position.

Therefore, in the seventh recruitment season, the Metropolitan Police Department issued a detailed "Recruitment Guidelines", which was open to all ninja clans and even well-behaved wandering ninjas, but the prerequisite was that they had to pass an extremely rigorous written test and interview.

On the day of the exam, a large crowd gathered outside the examination hall, located in a secluded courtyard in the capital of the Land of Fire. Young talents from various prominent families had gathered there, the atmosphere heavy with barely concealed anticipation and tension.

......

In a corner of the waiting area, a young man from the Hyuga branch family—Hyuga Atsuki—wearing a white kimono and with a bandage wrapped around his forehead, was unconsciously rubbing the hem of his clothes repeatedly with his fingers, his Byakugan slightly narrowed due to nervousness.

The Hyuga is a fairly large ninja clan, though not as powerful as the Senju or Uchiha. The clan is renowned for its Gentle Fist and Byakugan's keen observation skills, but precisely because of this, he is even more worried that defeat would bring shame upon the clan.

"Wen Shu, relax." A gentle voice sounded beside him.

Hinata Atsuki turned his head and saw a handsome young man with short black hair and a sunny smile. He was his friend, Sarutobi Kazuhiro.

"It's just an exam, just do your best."

Hyuga Atsushi forced a smile and said in a low voice, "You make it sound so easy. This written exam is too broad. It not only tests the details of the 'Pacifying Laws' and 'Ninja Code,' but also the geography and customs of various countries, criminal case reasoning, and I heard there are even moral essay questions. We usually spend most of our time training, so this..."

Hikaru patted him on the shoulder and said optimistically, "It's precisely because we've only ever focused on training that we need to step out of our comfort zone now! I heard that one of the examiners this time is Lord Hikaru from the Uchiha clan, and the deputy examiner is Lady Momoka from the Senju clan. Passing their test is itself a form of recognition."

He lowered his voice, "Besides, don't you think that being able to personally maintain this hard-won order is more meaningful than simply completing family tasks?"

Not far away, a candidate from the Nara clan leaned lazily against the wall, seemingly nonchalant, but his eyes quickly scanned the surrounding crowd. He whispered to Akimichi and Yamanaka beside him, "The exam questions are very interesting. They don't just test physical strength, but also emphasize thinking and ideas. It seems that what the higher-ups want is not just thugs."

Akimichi munched on some snacks and mumbled, "As long as we pass, we'll have endless government meals..."

Yamanaka frowned slightly, sensing the emotional fluctuations of the candidates around him: "Tense, anticipation, ambition... what a complex mix."

Further away, one could even see members of the Hozuki clan, as well as ninjas from other smaller clans. Their presence signified that the Metropolitan Police Department's influence had transcended the original core circle of the Five Great Nations.

First hurdle: Written test.

The atmosphere in the examination room was solemn. The exam papers were distributed, and the questions were indeed as tricky and practical as rumored:

Volume of the Law on Pacifying the People:

Question 1: Please briefly describe the main differences and causes in the implementation of land rental restrictions in the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind.

"If a local nobleman refuses to allow a water conservancy project to pass through his fiefdom on the grounds of 'ancestral rule,' what steps can the Vigilantes take according to the law?"

......

Ninja Code Volume:

Question 1: Case Analysis.

"A squad tracks a criminal ninja to a civilian village, where the ninja takes hostages. Please list at least three action plans that prioritize the safety of the hostages and explain your reasoning."

Question 2:

“Discuss the relationship between ‘power and responsibility’ in conjunction with the duties of the Metropolitan Police Department, in no less than 500 words.”

......

Comprehensive Paper:

Question 1: "Based on the given map and intelligence, deduce the most likely hiding place and supply source of a bandit group operating along the border between Lei and Turkmenistan."

Question 2: "Translate a folk lawsuit recorded in the dialect of the Water Country and extract the key facts of the case."

......

Hinata Atsuki looked at the exam paper, his forehead slightly sweaty. Fortunately, the photographic memory granted by his Byakugan came in handy at this moment, and he buried himself in writing furiously.

Kazuhiro Sarutobi demonstrates flexible thinking, especially in case analysis, where he shows excellent adaptability.

Two hours later, the exam was over.

Those who passed the written exam faced an even more rigorous interview.

The interview took place in a spacious training ground, with the chief examiner, Uchiha Hikaru, seated at the head of the table, and the deputy examiner, Senju Momoka, sitting to the side.

An interview is not a simple battle, but a multi-faceted test:

The first test is the genjutsu resistance test: Uchiha Kakuzu will take turns casting basic genjutsu on the examinees.

It tests their willpower and ability to break free instantly.

Secondly, there is scenario simulation: candidates need to handle emergencies in a simulated environment, such as "mediating a conflict between the ninja clan and civilians" or "making a choice between protecting witnesses and pursuing criminals".

It tests one's on-the-spot judgment and depth of understanding of the regulations.

The third part is a question and answer session on concepts.

Senju Momoka calmly asked Hyuga Atsuki, "The Hyuga clan has an ironclad rule that the branch family protects the main family. If you were given a mission to arrest a member of the Hyuga main family who has violated the 'Ninja Code,' what would you do?"

Wen Shu stiffened, remained silent for a moment, then raised his head, his eyes flashing with determination as he looked at the examiner: "The laws of the Vigilante Corps are superior to the clan's rules. I will enforce them according to the law!"

When it was Hikaru's turn, Uchiha Hikaru asked, "What do you think is the fundamental meaning of the Metropolitan Police Department's existence?"

Kazuhiro answered loudly, "It's not about binding ninjas, but about defining the boundaries of 'power.' Power should be used for protection, not destruction, so that even the weak can enjoy freedom from fear. This is true power and order!"

Ultimately, after rounds of selection, a group of outstanding ninjas from different clans, including Hyuga Atsuki, Sarutobi Kazuhiro, and Nara, stood out and donned black uniforms embroidered with the Metropolitan Police Department emblem.

Their addition signifies that the order maintenance system built by Yan Sheng is gradually evolving from a temporary structure relying on the power of the Uchiha and Senju into a permanent, institutionalized organization that absorbs talent from all sides.

......

In the late autumn of the seventh year, the chill seemed to arrive earlier than in previous years.

Yan Sheng stood in front of the bronze mirror, the morning light shining through the window lattice, outlining a cold and hard silhouette of his tall figure.

He was twenty-two years old this year. The last trace of youthful immaturity had faded from his face, leaving only a cold and handsome appearance, like jade being sculpted. Between his brows lay a depth far beyond his years and an aura of absolute control.

Every day when he opens his eyes, he looks at himself in the mirror, not out of narcissism, but to examine the string of numbers above his head that only he can see.

Merit: 7854329

The golden numbers, suspended atop the image in the mirror, have already surpassed the seven-digit mark.

Over the past seven years, he has instigated wars and then forcibly ended them; he has ruthlessly purged the old aristocracy and then implemented new policies to improve people's livelihoods; he has restrained ninjas and established order... The world has undergone painful transformations and reshaping under his will, with countless lives lost as a result, and countless others being able to survive better because of him.

These seven figures of merit are the quantifiable manifestation of all of this.

However, Yan Sheng's eyes showed no joy, only a deep and unfathomable melancholy.

Seven figures... still a long way from Yoriichi's seemingly endless karmic debt, a distance so vast it's almost despairing.

He has done everything he was supposed to do.

The process of unifying the continent is progressing steadily, order has been established, and people's livelihoods are slowly recovering. He even brought the most unstable force, the ninja, under his supervision. What else can he do? Should he reach into the smallest corners of society to mediate disputes in every household and help up every child who has fallen?

He stood silently before the mirror, his mind racing, considering all sorts of possibilities, even some more extreme, more fundamental ideas... but he rejected them all. Perhaps the cost was too high, perhaps the timing wasn't right, or perhaps the potential karmic repercussions would far outweigh any merit gained.

A sense of powerlessness known as a "bottleneck" clung to his heart like a cold spider web.

Just as the heavy silence was about to materialize, hurried but deliberately soft footsteps came from outside the door.

It was Uchiha Masaki; his voice rang out through the door.

"Young Master Yan Sheng, urgent intelligence."

"Enter."

Yashu pushed open the door and entered. His expression was more composed than it had been seven years ago, but a dark cloud hung over his brow. He held an urgent scroll in his hands, strode forward, and presented it with both hands.

"Urgent reports came from police stations and surveillance points across the country at the same time: a large-scale plague broke out in three coastal cities in the eastern part of the Land of Water, the northern oasis of the Land of Wind, and the southeastern mining area of ​​the Land of Earth... almost at the same time." Yashu spoke quickly, but every word was crystal clear. "The symptoms are similar: high fever, coughing up blood, and black spots on the skin. It spreads extremely quickly, and the preliminary mortality rate is very high."

Yan Sheng took the scroll and quickly scanned the locations, number of people, and symptom descriptions listed on it. His face remained expressionless, as if he were only hearing a routine weather report.

......plague.

This is undoubtedly bad news that adds insult to injury for the world. The nascent improvement in people's livelihoods may be destroyed, the newly stabilized order may fall into chaos again, and the death toll will rise at an alarming rate.

However, for Yan Sheng, who is currently stuck in a bottleneck due to his stagnant merit points—

His deep, penetrating eyes lifted from the scroll and gazed once more at the string of golden numbers above his head in the mirror.

Isn't this an opportunity?

The merit gained from saving millions of lives from plague and disaster must be considerable.

"Pass the word down." Yan Sheng's voice broke the silence, calm and utterly unwavering. "Activate the highest level of emergency response plan. Mobilize all stockpiled medicinal materials, recruit all ninjas proficient in medical ninjutsu, and coordinate with the Metropolitan Police Department to immediately rush to the epidemic area. Seal off the relevant areas and strictly control the movement of people, but ensure the delivery of supplies."

He paused, then added, his tone still calm: "At all costs, we must control the epidemic and treat patients. Any obstacles, whether human or otherwise, can be removed."

Ya Shu's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately lowered his head: "Yes! Young Master Yan Sheng!"

He turned and strode away, conveying this order that concerned the lives of countless people.

Yan Sheng was left alone in the room once again. He slowly turned around, no longer looking at the numbers in the mirror, but gazing at the gray sky outside the window.

The shadow of plague was gathering overhead, but in his eyes burned a cold yet intense flame.

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

Author's Note: Note: Policy references are made to my country.

—Then some people will say, "I am also a member of the feudal aristocracy. How could I harm my own interests? How did I come up with these ideas?"

First of all, my current goal is to accumulate merit points; I've switched factions.

Secondly, as the saying goes, the person who knows you best is your enemy. Looking at history, we can find no shortage of intelligent people, so why have many good policies and reforms failed to be implemented or carried out? The reason is simple: some people don't want to.

Our ancestors were very wise; don't treat them like fools.

Finally, the only remaining question is that it's necessary for the plot. [dog head with rose in hand]