Chapter 91: The Turmoil in Amegakure
Taro Myōwa never dreamed that one day, he—a perpetual genin who couldn't even secure a mission—would rise to become the leader of a civilian organization with nearly ten thousand members!
As the war intensified, the situation in the ninja world grew increasingly dire, triggering a second wave of refugees. The Land of Rain, located at the crossroads of three major nations and backed by the wealthy Hourglass Group, naturally became the first choice for displaced people. For a time, Amegakure was overwhelmed, bursting at the seams with the influx of refugees.
Large groups of displaced individuals and unemployed wanderers loitered along the Shule River, desperately hoping to find work and earn a meal. However, unlike in previous years, the Hourglass Group did not open its doors for mass recruitment. Instead, it expelled a group of "slackers" from its factories.
These displaced workers joined forces with the refugees, causing disturbances and staging protests outside the factory gates. They shouted slogans like "We want food!" and "We want jobs!" Their loud demonstrations created a sense of unease among the factory workers, making it hard for them to focus on production.
After much deliberation, Yura devised a solution: setting up two relief stations on either side of the industrial zone—one in the east and one in the west—to provide free aid to the refugees. Though it was just two bowls of thin porridge, it was enough to keep them alive.
This move dispersed most of the refugee crowd, leaving only a few hundred expelled troublemakers. These individuals posed no real threat, as the Hourglass Group's Factory Defense Force was not to be trifled with. After a round of rough treatment, the troublemakers scattered like birds.
It was in this environment that Taro Myōwa reached the pinnacle of his life's career. Previously, he survived by making sarcastic remarks and ranting about the world in ramen shops and taverns, earning just enough for a meal. But now, his speeches found a much larger audience—not just in small establishments but on streets and squares, drawing crowds of thousands! Each wave of applause and each cheer fed his vanity immensely.
One evening, after finishing a speech, Taro collected tips from nearby shops and decided to treat himself to a good meal as a reward. Just then, a man approached him, introducing himself as Mr. Higashi Iwa and inviting him to dine at the finest restaurant in Amegakure. Thinking this man was a fan, Taro, following his principle of never refusing a free meal, gladly accepted. Little did he know, this dinner would change his life forever.
Mr. Higashi Iwa, half-masked and appearing to be a ninja, bore no headband identifying any village. At first, he showered Taro with praise, quickly earning his goodwill. But as the drinks flowed and the atmosphere grew warm, the conversation took a sharp turn.