Little mattered to Kaji as long as the war stayed away from Konoha. And now, with the mastermind behind it all preoccupied weighing pros and cons, the dark plant would go offline from its schemes in the shinobi world.
His mind was filled with thoughts of the legacy he'd leave for his clan, but then he considered the long-term implications and realized it might stir social tensions in Konoha. After all, if he were to master techniques on his own, the other clans would feel threatened—Orochimaru already hoarded Konoha's vast arsenal of jutsu. Adding another? A political bomb.
Then, a brilliant idea struck him: the Konoha Research Event. He would gather the village's brightest minds for a brainstorming session on technique development. Enthralled by the scale of it, he hadn't stopped writing since waking, sipping steaming apple-cinnamon tea all the while.
The event would begin with project submissions for new techniques—no age or individual restrictions. Groups could register under their own names, presenting not the completed technique itself, but the idea behind it: an introduction outlining the concept, its applications in battle and daily shinobi life, and a conclusion weighing its advantages and disadvantages for different individuals—and, most importantly, its broader impact on the village.
He set these prerequisites deliberately. It was a way for his father, Hiruzen, to gauge the people's thoughts through a legitimate, respectable channel. The final submissions had to include political considerations—for oneself, for the village, and optionally for one's clan—but crucially, the proposal could not incite conflict.
Selected projects would be reviewed by Konoha's specialists, then passed to the Scientific Execution Unit: masters of all elements and shinobi researchers would convene for a public assembly—though the audience could only observe, not interfere.
"Wait, this could be a problem with spies..." Kaji muttered.
But another stroke of genius came to him: all spectators would need to preregister and undergo meticulous screening under genjutsu and Yamanaka mind techniques. To give the Uchiha a role, he'd involve them in security, deploying experienced three-tomoe Sharingan users skilled in interrogation.
"This is a military village, after all. Perfect."
With the leak risk addressed, he turned to the civilians who kept the economy running. While an elaborate project would be ideal, many farmers had never set foot in a school. So he divided submissions into categories: Agriculture, Combat, Intelligence, and Civil Development.
For Combat, Intelligence, and Development, the strict project format applied. But for Agriculture and Civil Development, instead of a formal proposal, a report on practical life experiences would suffice. Konoha's Genin Battalion—those unable to advance in the military ranks—could handle these missions.
"This framework could even generate revenue over time," he mused. "But let the economists handle the numbers."
He had already tested his Shadow abilities. Using Arise on fallen masters would grant him their knowledge and skills—though most of his Shadows came from the Dark Plane, entities he considered his patron. Whether they were truly "beings" didn't matter; everyone creates their own gods and beliefs.
Kaji couldn't help but wonder if Hagoromo gained anything from the Ninshu sects spread across the shinobi world. They preached the long-forgotten "Will," but only time would tell.
Lost in his relentless writing, he didn't notice Himari—dressed in training gear—settling onto his lap, soaking in his warmth as she silently read his notes.
Himari reflected that the Hyūga, despite their martial devotion to the Gentle Fist, could hardly be called innovators. They had stagnated, believing their taijutsu had reached its peak. Though some branch family members wielded strange ninjutsu tied to their ocular power, it remained locked within bloodline limits.
But she loved the idea of leaving her own legacy. She just needed something that harnessed the Byakugan while rivaling the Gentle Fist's apex. Unknowingly, Kaji had sparked a martial revolution in the Hyūga clan—one that would shake the foundations of taijutsu and ninjutsu. Their future technique, Nintaijutsu, would fuse chakra resonance with physical force, creating a style so intricate that calling the Gentle Fist "weak" would be sheer ignorance.
With welcome affection, the two lovebirds spent the entire morning entwined.
By the end, Kaji finalized his event proposal. He envisioned it as a festival, like Konoha's Winter and Summer Solstice celebrations—parades, music, and grandeur. For the name, he chose "The Amanheacer Event", embedding layers of hidden meaning.
Let the people ponder such a profound, philosophical title. To cement its place in their hearts, he'd craft limited-edition trophies—miniature statues or engraved plaques—sold after the event to honor participants. Letting the public own these would foster a sense of belonging, and soon, collectors would emerge across Konoha.