As Konan entered the Land of Waves, the scene before her felt like stepping into a whole new world.
The inn where Konan was staying was located next to the Land of Waves' Security Department. Although the Uchiha Clan's compound was in a remote suburban area, their workplace was still within the city limits of the Land of Waves.
There were always three Uchiha ninjas stationed here, along with a group of duty personnel selected from the Land of Waves' civilians, Rogue Ninjas, and Samurai.
Their purpose was to address the urgent needs of the people.
Most of the buildings here had been abandoned, but with the establishment of the Security Department, this area, being one of the first to be rebuilt, quickly became lively again.
Many of the Land of Waves' civilians competed to live here. After all, living next to a police station gave people a unique sense of security.
As she walked, Konan witnessed scenes she had never seen in the Land of Rain.
It had just snowed, and today the sky was clear. The evening glow illuminated half the sky, and the air no longer carried the musty smell of constant rain.
After the reconstruction, the main streets of the Land of Waves had been completed. The streets were clean, with no beggars or homeless people in sight.
Many workers were already finishing their shifts and heading home. As they walked down the streets, everyone wore happy smiles, as if there was nothing more joyful in the world than living in the Land of Waves.
This was a scene that had never appeared in the Land of Rain. Even under Nagato's rule as a god, the people of the Land of Rain rarely showed such happiness.
What surprised her even more was that, while passing a construction site, she saw someone walking directly on the walls to transport building materials.
'Are they Ninjas hired by the workers?'
'But can workers' wages really cover the cost of hiring Ninjas? '
The staff member leading the way naturally noticed the confusion in Konan's eyes.
Thinking that the other party might become a major client in the future, he explained, "Those are former Rogue Ninjas. They only know a few basic Chakra Techniques. Since they didn't want to join the Security Department or the patrol team, they went to work at construction sites alongside other workers."
"But let me tell you, people who can use Chakra are much more efficient at their jobs, and they earn higher wages too."
Konan was a little surprised: "Aren't they carrying out Ninja missions?"
"In the Land of Waves, Ninjas aren't allowed to take on missions independently. Here, being a Ninja is a profession… a part of the nation's military force. They are managed by the state and assigned missions by the state."
"Even if someone learns to use Chakra and master Ninjutsu, it's like acquiring a powerful skill. They can use this skill in other jobs, and they don't necessarily have to become a ninja. After all, being a Ninja involves combat and many dangers."
"Of course, during national emergencies, civilian Ninjas can be conscripted."
The staff member explained patiently.
"If Ninjas can't take on missions independently, how do they earn a living?"
"Of course, they do. Ninjas receive fixed salaries from the state."
Konan was even more puzzled. "Fixed salaries? Won't that lead to fewer Ninjas in the country over time?"
The staff member chuckled when he heard this and said, "Of course not. According to the latest regulations issued by our leader, Ninjas enjoy excellent benefits. Their jobs are stable, their incomes are high, and they receive discounts on many expenses within the city. They also have priority access to many welfare benefits. If they retire due to injury, the state will take care of their daily needs."
"Many people are eager to become Ninjas. After all, if a family has even one registered Ninja, the whole family won't have to worry about food or clothing."
"However, the Land of Waves is still in its early stages of development. Most of the children from civilian families are still in school and can't become Ninjas yet."
"Is that so? In that case, many people would indeed want to become Ninjas." Konan murmured to herself.
In the Land of Rain, a Ninja could barely support themselves.
In her memory, many Ninjas in the Land of Rain struggled to make ends meet. Their wives often had to work as hostesses to supplement the family income.
She wondered if she should suggest to Nagato that he try implementing a similar Ninja System in the Land of Rain.
But she overlooked a crucial point.
That is, the Land of Rain's finances could hardly support the salaries and welfare of an entire nation's Ninjas. Currently, the Land of Waves was only able to sustain this system thanks to the massive profits from its shipping company.
Of course, if Konan were willing to sell her explosive tags, she could probably afford it too.
"Huh? Clan head, aren't you supposed to be in school? Why are you here?"
"School's already over. I was passing by and decided to stop by."
Just as Konan was pondering whether to experiment with this system in the Land of Rain, she overheard a conversation between the staff member and a young girl.
Konan turned to look curiously.
She saw that the person talking to the staff member was a young girl with long black hair, wearing a blue-and-white padded coat. The girl also held a few books in her arms.
'Clan head?'
Konan was surprised that such a young girl was the clan head, but she didn't know which clan she was the clan head of.
Izumi noticed Konan's gaze and looked over.
'A new face?'
Izumi asked the staff member, "Uncle Yosei, who is this?"
Uchiha Yosei explained to Izumi, "This lady is here to sell explosive tags. I'm taking her to the inn near the Security Department."
"Explosive tags?"
Izumi's eyes narrowed as she carefully examined Konan.
There was something strange about the woman that caught her attention.
"In that case, I'll go with you."
Konan was startled when the young girl suddenly fixed her gaze on her. She actually felt a sense of danger emanating from the girl.
However, she maintained her calm and indifferent expression, as if nothing were amiss.
On the contrary, Yosei looked slightly puzzled and reminded her: "Clan head, you still have school tomorrow. Won't this affect it?"
Izumi's expression stiffened for a moment before she replied, "It's fine. I'll just finish the homework my teacher assigned while I'm there."
When Yosei heard the word "homework," he nearly lost his composure. He quickly turned around and led the way.
Seeing this, Izumi rolled her eyes but said nothing more.
Konan was surprised again: "Is this young lady still in school?"
Setting aside the fact that a young girl like Izumi was referred to as a clan head, her age alone suggested she was well past the typical age for attending school in the Ninja World.
Izumi glanced at Konan indifferently. After a moment's thought, she decided it wasn't sensitive information and replied, "The leader has said that anyone under sixteen is considered a child and must attend school. The Land of Waves does not allow children to be sent to the battlefield."
'What remarkable resolve!'
Konan sighed in her heart. This is something that even Konoha couldn't achieve. She, along with Yahiko and Nagato, had been wandering the world since they were five or six years old.
Yet, in this still-rebuilding nation, such a progressive mindset existed.
"What a great leader."
Seeing that Konan's expression didn't seem feigned, Izumi's wariness didn't lessen, but she did feel a bit more respect for the woman.
After Yosei led the two to the inn, he left, leaving only Konan and Uchiha Izumi behind.
In a reception room, Konan sat in a chair, waiting, while Izumi sat not far away, staring at her homework with a dazed expression.
This piqued Konan's curiosity, 'Could it be that the homework of the Ninja School in the Land of Waves is difficult?'
Konan realized she had been curious far too many times today, but she couldn't help it. For her, coming to the Land of Waves felt like stepping into another world.
A completely different system and a completely different philosophy.
Driven by curiosity, she moved closer to Izumi.
When she saw the homework questions, her eyes widened, and her face filled with confusion.
'What kind of questions were these?'
They weren't entirely unrelated to being a Ninja, but they didn't seem directly connected either.