“Lord Unkawa!” “Lord Unkawa is here!” Someone with sharp eyes spotted Unkawa approaching beneath an umbrella, and their excited shout immediately drew everyone else’s attention.
“Take a break!” “Everyone, put your work down for a moment!” The elderly foreman lit up at the sight.
He quickly called for the workers to rest before jogging over to Unkawa.
“Lord Unkawa.” Grinning broadly, he pointed toward the newly completed houses behind him.
“What do you think?” “We followed your blueprints as closely as we could.” “If there’s anything wrong, just tell me.” “The old boys and I will fix it immediately.” Though traces of his former rough-and-tumble demeanor still lingered, the respect and gratitude in his eyes toward Unkawa were unmistakable.
“You’ve worked hard, Uncle Wudu.” Unkawa smiled before looking toward the completed buildings with clear satisfaction.
The Land of Rain truly was a harsh and unusual place.
But life itself was a miracle.
Extreme environments often gave birth to extraordinary forms of life.
One such plant resembled a banyan tree, complete with aerial roots.
Its trunk could absorb more than thirty kilograms of moisture from the air every day.
Its sap could replace waterproof sealants, while naturally purifying rainwater into drinkable water.
It was an ideal construction material for the Land of Rain.
Most houses here were built from it.
Raised on stilts, they had two levels—the upper floor served as living quarters, while the lower floor was used for storage.
Of course…
These buildings would eventually be replaced.
After all, the Land of Rain’s true strength wasn’t simply water management…
It was steel.
But for the present…
“Excellent.” “Truly excellent.” Unkawa nodded approvingly before looking back at the old foreman with a smile.
“Keep up the good work.” “Once the houses are finished and everyone’s settled in…” “I’ll find wives for all you bachelors.” The old foreman froze.
Then burst into hearty laughter.
Turning toward the workers behind him, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Did you hear that, you old bastards?!” “If you want a wife…” “Work harder!” “Lord Unkawa promised us!” “Work hard…” “…and you’ll get a wife!” “Hah!” “You’re the old fossil who’s desperate for a woman!” “Hahaha!” The workers erupted into laughter.
“Bullshit!” The foreman’s weathered face immediately flushed red.
“You’ve all got too much time to joke!” “Get back to work!” “Yeah!!” Everyone raised their tools and answered enthusiastically.
Then they returned to work laughing together.
Their energy visibly increased.
The noise, warmth, and vitality they radiated seemed enough to drive away even the chill of the rain.
“…” Yahiko’s expression grew complicated.
A trace of envy appeared in his eyes.
“You…” “Is your charisma really that incredible?” As unwilling as he was to admit it…
Even he couldn’t deny Unkawa’s influence here.
“Of course…” “…not.” Unkawa raised an eyebrow.
“You don’t seriously think I accomplished all this with words alone?” “I’m paying them twice the market wage.” “And I settle their wages every single day.” Unlike Hanzo…
Unkawa had no intention of simply opening granaries for disaster relief.
Nor did he believe empty speeches could convince people to work for free.
His approach was actually very simple.
Work-for-relief.
In these chaotic times…
The common people had already completely lost faith in the nobility and the Daimyō.
Simply handing out food no longer worked.
Many refugees couldn’t even believe nobles would distribute grain out of kindness.
Even when people praised Hanzo’s generosity…
The displaced refused to believe it.
Unless someone possessed absolutely no useful skills and was already starving to death…
No one wanted to become meaningless cannon fodder.
Most preferred relying on their own abilities to earn a living.
As for those willing to throw away their lives…
Supporting them before the war even began was simply a losing investment.
The cost far outweighed the return.
“Thousands of healthy people…” “If guided properly…” “…can create far greater value.” That was Unkawa’s belief.
He had never intended to build his reputation through charity.
Since the entire country had already lost everyone’s trust…
He might as well establish an entirely new system.
One that also benefited himself.
So…
He simply hired the refugees.
They worked.
He paid them every single day.
In both money and food.
Work…
Earn food.
Perfectly reasonable.
That system eliminated nearly all of the refugees’ worries.
No matter how many workers there were…
Their wages were never delayed.
“Twice the wages?” “Paid daily?” Konan blinked.
“Brother Unkawa…” “So you’re actually rich?” Unkawa chuckled.
“You should be asking…” “…where all that money ended up.” After all…
Development couldn’t exist without commerce.
As the saying goes— Teach a man to fish rather than simply giving him a fish.
Unkawa taught the refugees how to build houses.
Once construction was finished…
They could use the wages they had earned…
To buy the very homes they had built.
If they couldn’t afford the full price…
A down payment was enough.
They could move in immediately…
And pay the remainder through monthly installments.
Once the debt was repaid…
The house belonged to them forever.
Likewise…
After a day’s work…
People wanted food.
They wanted sake.
Once they had money…
Wouldn’t they naturally visit taverns?
Unkawa even selected talented individuals…
Teaching them new recipes and improved brewing methods.
Not only did this stimulate commerce…
It also satisfied his own appetite.
After all…
Bread remained the most popular food throughout the Land of Rain.
And the culinary standards of the shinobi world…
Left much to be desired.
Every new dish Unkawa introduced received overwhelming praise.
Where demand existed…
Someone would inevitably want to profit.
Want to farm?
Want to open a tavern?
You’ll need land.
Commercial land.
Farmland.
“I happen to own plenty.” Where had the land come from?
Well…
It had been confiscated from bandits.
Ahem.
Acquired legally, of course.
Can’t afford to buy land?
No problem.
You can lease it.
Thirty percent tax.
Twenty percent rent.
Lease it for ten years…
And afterward…
The land becomes yours.
From then on…
You’ll only pay taxes.
No more rent.
“…” Yahiko fell silent.
“…” Konan was speechless.
“…” Jiyun said nothing.
The three children gradually wore identical expressions.
They all looked at Unkawa…
As though staring at a living demon.
Compared with Yahiko and Jiyun, however…
Konan seemed deep in thought.
The money left Unkawa’s left pocket…
Circled around the city…
Then returned neatly to his right pocket.
From beginning to end…
It had never truly left the city.
“Don’t look at me like that.” Unkawa shrugged calmly.
“I never claimed to be a good person.” “But only when people possess stable livelihoods…” “…will they gain peace of mind.” “For those who struggle just to survive…” “Eating their fill is the greatest truth.” “I merely offer them hope.” “And an opportunity.” “Those who truly wish to live…” “…will desperately seize it.” “And those who can’t…” “…have no right to survive.” Take those construction workers, for example.
They were ordinary laborers with nothing but strength.
When work was plentiful…
They were builders.
When work disappeared…
They became bandits carrying hammers instead of tools.
They might not understand grand ideals.
But they understood one simple thing.
Who treated them well.
Who gave them hope.
Who allowed them to live…
Without numbness.
Without suffering.
Without tears.
Without hunger.
That was why…
They constantly tried giving Unkawa gifts.
Food they couldn’t bear to eat themselves.
Little treasures they considered precious.
Sometimes they simply left them outside his office…
Then immediately ran away…
Afraid he’d refuse them.
Crude.
Unsophisticated.
Yet…
That was their way of expressing gratitude and respect.
Just as Unkawa had said— Only after people were fed and clothed…
Would they understand propriety…
Honor…
And dignity.
Toward these awkward yet sincere people…
Unkawa never minded blending into their world.
Because of that…
His reputation among them continued rising.
To many people…
There was only Lord Unkawa.
The Daimyō?
Who was that?
They believed in Unkawa.
“Big Brother.” Jiyun suddenly looked up.
“I haven’t seen any patrols.” “So…” “Who’s maintaining order and protecting this city?” “It can’t rely entirely on everyone’s goodwill.” “And it certainly can’t depend on you alone.” “You won’t always be here.” “If bandits attacked…” “I don’t think the refugees alone could stop them.” “It’s only because you can’t see them.” Unkawa corrected gently.
“Not because they don’t exist.” The moment those words fell…
It was as though an invisible curtain had been pulled aside.
Within the dim alleyways.
Hidden among forgotten corners.
Even among the workers themselves.
Silent figures emerged one after another.
Tall.
Short.
Fat.
Thin.
Plain, forgettable faces.
They stepped silently from the shadows…
Like people who had always belonged there.
Every single one possessed the bearing of a born assassin.
“I’ve given them a name.” Looking at the astonished children…
Unkawa’s eyes grew deep and distant.
He smiled faintly.
“Akatsuki.” Night was yielding to dawn.
Yet the first rays of sunlight remained hidden behind layers of mist.
Only faint traces of light pierced the rain…
Reflecting softly upon the wet ground beneath their feet.
Behind Unkawa…
Countless owls stood silently.
Their wings still cloaked in the darkness of night.
They…
Were the first ray of light…
Before dawn broke.—
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