Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 61: The Barrier Opens After Two Years

That night, Yu Nu Zhicheng sent out a shadow clone to redeploy the mimicry monitoring insect and pheromone recognition network around the waterfall and at the main road at the village entrance.

For the past two years, almost everyone in the village has lived with insects, and their bodies have long been tainted with the same scent as the insects.

No matter how skilled the disguiser, they cannot simulate this kind of pheromone that has been marinated.

These insects can detect whether someone is from the village or has the same scent immediately.

Then came the second line of defense—setting up surveillance cameras at key locations within the village, using mimicry insects for real-time monitoring, and combining this with an improved version of telescope technology, using the insects as eyes, and even being able to hear sounds.

This can be considered the latest research result of Shisei Aburame.

By redirecting the signals emitted by the insects into the improved crystal ball, images and sounds can be displayed.

After arranging all this, he secretly sent out a shadow clone to Togo Shrine again.

When Elder Ziying saw him, her expression became extremely respectful. She bowed and said, "My lord, what are your orders?"

"The village is about to open. I have entrusted this matter to the straight people in the village, but I hope you will try your best not to reveal that you are on my side, and at the same time give him your full support at the inauguration meeting."

"Sir, do you intend to support him?"

"That's right, he will become the hero leader of Takigakure. But I will not replace the one you've chosen, nor will I interfere in your political affairs. After all, although this young leader lacks strength, he is diligent and hardworking, and far better than you in handling internal affairs."

One civil official and one military officer... Is Your Excellency playing a game of checks and balances?

For the first time, Elder Ziying realized the depth of You Nu Zhicheng's methods. Even though the entire village was already under his control, he still wanted to support another powerful representative.

"Rest assured, sir. We are an extension of your will, and we will obey your commands in everything we do."

Aburame Zhicheng nodded without replying.

Next, he met with other elders in the village and asked them to collect various metals, medicinal herbs, and chakra conduction materials in the name of the village's development.

Many resources are simply sitting idle in ninja homes; it would be better to convert them into weapons, poisons, and medicines and redistribute them to the village ninjas.

Of course, the person distributing the equipment was a straight person.

You Nu Zhicheng intended for him to establish prestige in the village and become the apparent manager.

And the underground entrance to the entire insect hive was no longer just one, but he changed it to four:

The village's residential area, the basement of Takikawa Hide's house; below Togo Shrine; the newly built three-story conference hall, which is also below the chief's building; and finally, the area behind the waterfall, which connects to the outside of the ring mountain and is close to the exit.

That's right, the underground palace has expanded from twenty-five floors a year ago to fifty floors now, and its influence is extremely wide, almost equal to the area covered by the surface barrier.

This is equivalent to a huge ring mountain: inside the waterfall-like entrance is a pastoral village, while beneath the huge mountain is an entire underground palace.

Even Aburame Shisei himself wasn't quite sure how many insects were inside, since apart from some difficult-to-raise insects, the other insects only needed soil and water.

The whole village was in an uproar the day the barrier opened.

Many ninjas rushed out of the waterfall immediately, gazing at the sky outside, arms outstretched as if breathing in the air of freedom. Many young men, like birds released from their cages, headed straight for the largest town nearby.

Naoto stood at the village entrance, watching all this, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He recalled Aburame Shisei's words—"Aren't they living well?"

Now he understands. Some questions don't have standard answers. But at least now, they have the right to choose.

However, problems arose less than half a month after the opening.

A group of villagers who went out to buy supplies were robbed.

Zhi Ren led his men to the scene and quickly subdued the dozen or so bandits.

It was only during the first trial that they learned that these people were local thugs from a nearby town who had harbored evil intentions after seeing the generous spending of the villagers of Takigaku Village.

He frequented gambling dens, taverns, brothels—he spent money without hesitation. He just hadn't expected them to be commoners from a ninja village.

Naoto frowned after hearing this.

Back in the village, one of the ninjas suggested: "Why don't we move all those entertainment venues into the village? That way they won't have to go out."

The straightforward person immediately rejected it.

Prostitution, gambling, and drugs are the three forbidden activities of ninjas. If these shady industries are brought into the village, what peace and tranquility will remain in the originally peaceful village?

Moreover, even if everyone agrees, the various insects hidden in the fifty underground palaces will not.

But the problem remains: young people with spare money always want to go out and see the world; and once they've seen it all, they always want to find some fun.

That night, Naoto entered the underground palace again.

After listening to his troubles, You Nu Zhicheng smiled, a rare occurrence for her: "The pursuit of pleasure is human nature. They've been cooped up in the village for so long, it's no wonder there are problems when they're suddenly released."

"What should we do then?"

"Two methods."

Aburame Zhicheng held up two fingers and pointed, "First, plant the 'family harmony bug' in them; that will at least reduce some of the trouble. But the gambling problem can't be changed, since there are really too few entertainment facilities in the village right now."

"And the second one?" he quickly asked.

"Second, make sure they have no money to spend."

Naoto was taken aback.

"Our village is so rich now."

Aburame Shiki looked at him and said, "Those exquisite ninja tools and high-end daily necessities were all brought in at low prices through Ida Ryuji. Next time he comes, I can have him bring some expensive luxury goods. That way, the money in their hands will be recovered quickly. Without money in their hands, they naturally won't keep thinking about running away."

Naoto seemed to be deep in thought, but ultimately decided to think it over some more.

His main concern was that the villagers were being raised in excessive luxury. The meager harvest from the fertile land was simply not enough to sustain a truly extravagant lifestyle.

But more concerns came from the ninjas, who began urging the elders to take on missions outside the village after the village was unsealed.

Even without formal commissions, some people have started taking on side jobs.

However, the war outside is not over yet, and it is easy for us to be taken advantage of by those with ulterior motives.

As he first took on great power, he felt increasing pressure.

That simplest and purest joy has long since vanished.

In particular, looking back, he realized that many of his previous ideas were too naive.

"Takikawa-kun, Captain Sato...did he really die in an accident?"

"I didn't take any extra action; I simply remained neutral."

"I understand, Lord Shisei Aburame." On this day, Naoto finally changed his form of address and then turned to leave the underground palace.