On the streets of Konoha.
Several freshly graduated Genin wandered along the street, eagerly handing out thick stacks of flyers to passersby.
"Come take a look! The brand-new Konoha Food Processing Plant offers excellent benefits, a monthly salary of 5,000 silver coins, and one free meal per day."
"Close to home, high pay, and excellent benefits. Everyone is welcome to come check it out!"
"No matter your gender—as long as you're in good health and have nimble hands and feet, feel free to apply!"
The young Genin shouted enthusiastically while distributing their flyers.
Their shouts immediately drew the attention of nearby pedestrians.
Many onlookers paused and approached to grab a flyer.
A plain-looking middle-aged man dressed in simple clothes, his face marked by fatigue and a scar running across his cheek, stepped forward.
His eyes occasionally flashed with sharpness, and his posture leaned slightly to the right, suggesting some physical impairment.
"You serious?" he asked.
Watanabe Shin'ichi approached and picked up a flyer.
"Of course we are! The newly constructed factory is just outside the village of Konoha. Pay and benefits are great—we're hiring now. Anyone interested should go check it out!"
The freshly graduated ninja recited the prepared pitch warmly, passionately describing the factory.
Fueled by youthful energy and passion, the young ninja radiated such vibrancy that Watanabe momentarily lost himself in thought.
Looking at the flyer's contents, something stirred within him. He decided to follow the directions and head toward the registration site.
At the recruitment office, the entrance was bustling with people.
Dozens of people had already lined up, stretching their necks to peek inside, their eyes brimming with anxiety and hope.
Most of them were ordinary villagers, with a small number being injured retired Ninja with various injuries.
Watanabe was also once a Ninja—one who'd survived the Second Great Shinobi War and held the rank of Chunin.
Before the war, he'd lived comfortably, but after suffering severe injuries during the conflict, he was never able to regain his former strength.
Permanently physically impaired, he couldn't keep living life on the edge anymore, so he chose to live as an ordinary villager.
Yet life as a commoner wasn't easy. His pension wasn't enough to cover basic expenses, forcing him to work odd jobs just to survive.
But he certainly wasn't alone—there were many like him, too many mouths chasing too little food.
Don't underestimate the 5,000 silver coins; for ordinary people, that was enough to cover two or three months' worth of living costs.
"So many people here… I really hope they pick me," Watanabe murmured under his breath as he quickly joined the line.
Inside the factory building, within a modest office.
Satori Hyūga sat behind the desk, with an assistant beside him holding a pen, ready to take notes.
Across from them sat the applicants awaiting their interviews.
"Hello, please introduce yourself and tell us about your skills."
Watanabe stared nervously at Satori Hyūga before him—despite his youth, the boy exuded a terrifying sense of pressure.
My name is Watanabe Shin'ichi. I was once a Chunin of Konoha, but my injuries forced me into civilian life. My specialties include combat, reconnaissance, and instructional experience...
His voice trailed off as he spoke. After all, for a ninja, taking lives in battle came naturally—almost instinctively. Aside from that, he truly had nothing else to offer.
Unfortunately, such skills held little value in the village, often met with resistance from ordinary villagers.
And to make matters worse, his injuries had stripped him of most of his former combat prowess and experience.
As he listened, Satori's eyes suddenly lit up.
He drummed his fingers on the table, lost in thought.
An injured Chunin who retired—this was the first Chunin he had ever interviewed. Judging by appearances, the man's life hadn't been easy.
From his name alone, it seemed he wasn't from any notable clan—he was probably just a commoner ninja.
But even though he'd been wounded and become an ordinary person, he still possessed far more experience than regular people.
Skills like literacy, leadership, and discipline—fundamentals instilled in ninja from childhood.
Satori looked at him and said, "That's enough. I think I understand now."
Watanabe Shin'ichi paled in panic, thinking he was about to be rejected. He blurted out, "I don't eat much, and I'll work harder than anyone else!"
Satori raised a hand to stop the man from bowing so deeply. He announced cheerfully, "No worries—you're hired. From now on, you'll be the team leader of our factory, managing one production line. Your starting salary will be eight thousand taels."
"If you work hard and prove yourself, we'll raise your pay over time."
His words were like heavenly music to Watanabe Shin'ichi's ears, making him feel as if he'd stepped into a dream.
"Really? I've been chosen? And promoted to team leader?"
He never imagined he would be selected, let alone made team leader with a salary significantly higher than others.
Ever since he retired, his life had been a nightmare, filled with poverty and no hope whatsoever.
Because he once lived comfortably as a ninja, the contrast had been unbearable, driving him into deep despair and depression.
He could barely survive himself, let alone support his family.
Now everything had changed—he had a job, and a generous salary to boot. It felt exactly like dreaming.
Seeing the joy on the man's face, a flicker of pity passed through Satori's eyes.
Lower-ranking ninja who lost their usefulness quickly became worthless in the village—less valued than even ordinary villagers.
And yet, offering him a monthly wage worth less than a single mission's payment filled him with overwhelming gratitude, clearly showing how ruthless the village could be.
Still, it worked out in my favor—it only made me seem kinder.
Satori continued, "As a ninja, reaching the level of Chunin proves your capability and talent. Especially considering you were wounded defending our village—you're a true hero of Konoha."
"Working here as a civilian won't earn you what being a ninja did, but the advantage lies in stability and peace. As long as you study diligently, follow instructions, and obey orders, your income will steadily increase."
Tears welled up in Shin'ichi's eyes—he'd never been called a hero of Konoha before.
Overcome with emotion, he replied, "I'll work harder than anyone ever has."
At this moment, Satori Hyūga's brilliance seemed to infinitely expand before their eyes, as if the Sage of Six Paths himself had returned to life.
Once the others had left, Satori Hyūga interviewed several more people before finally ending the session.
In just one day, he had interviewed hundreds and recruited more than fifty individuals.
Among these hundreds, only the retired ninja could read and write—most Ordinary Villagers were illiterate. This made Satori keenly aware of the stark inequalities in the world.
"Lord Satori Hyūga," said a young woman from the Hyūga Clan wearing a loose-fitting kimono, her features delicate and refined. "The files for those who passed have been organized, as have the ones who didn't."
Her name was Hyūga Yui. A Branch House member by birth, she was quiet by nature and meticulous in her thinking. Satori had personally requested her transfer from the main family estate.
Throughout the recruitment process, she served as his secretary, recording details about each applicant.
Satori glanced at the thick pile of notes and gave a slight nod.
This was all the information on today's applicants. Although most had not been selected, they might still prove to be valuable candidates when the factory expands later.
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