Chapter 20

Author's Note: Hey everyone, sorry for the delay in uploading. Work's been tiring, leaving me with almost no time to write. Plus, I hit a bit of writer's block, but I'm back at it now! If you're interested in more of my work, feel free to check out my other books. Some might be on hold (you know, busy schedules and all), but the one that's currently writing is called:

[I'm the Weakest Dragon in History on Skull Island (Multiverse HAREM)].

Thanks for sticking with me, and I appreciate your patience and support!

Now back to the story!

And again sorry for the lack of uploads and lackluster chapter

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[A day later after chapter 19]

[Location- SUNAGAKURE, Shiba's mansion]

[Third person POV]

Shiba tightened his grip on the heavy EDB(Elder Dragon bone) katana, the weight of it was a brutal and masochist challenge, but the kind he loved. Sweat dripped down his bare chest, pooling at his collarbone and running down his back as he swung the blade again and again, the blade slicing the air with a heavy whoosh, and combining the sword and his body with the gravity seal its a real treat for those who like pain and gain. A thousand swings later—it was a grueling torture training, but nothing less would satisfy him to go beyond his limits.

Beside him, Erza and Zoro also have the gravity seal, one on their bodies and sword, each of them locked in their own routine, their bodies sweating with concentration and aura. Shiba stole a glance at them especially at erza, feeling a wave of pride and horniness. They pushed just as hard, unwilling to back down. Zoro finished his swings first, the smirk forming almost immediately as he noticed Shiba slowing down.

""Come on, Cap'n!" Zoro jeered, effortlessly lifting his massive sword. "What's the matter? Don't tell me you're getting soft on us."

Shiba dropped to his knees, drenched in sweat, struggling to catch his breath. "Soft?" he shot back, grinning despite his exhaustion. "This from the guy who got lost three times trying to find the damn kitchen. Give me a second, asshole!."

Zoro then barked at Shiba. "Hey, I didn't get lost!. The kitchen just decided to move on its own!" he shot back.

Erza, who was catching her own breath nearby, wiped the sweat from her brow and cutely chuckled. "You two are impossible. Honestly, the way you guys push each other and fight each other, it's a miracle neither of you ends up in the hospital after every session or six feet under."

Both Shiba and Zoro's laughter echoed across the training ground. Shiba took a moment to savor this moment. Dragging himself back to his feet, he rolled his shoulders and gave his friends a smirk.

"Alright, fine," he said. "But next sword training session, I'm kicking both of your asses all at the same time."

As Shiba left them traning as he headed inside, a refreshing shower washing away the fatigue and heat of training. Once he finished, he wrapped himself in a fresh robe and made his way to his office, ready for another day of administrative duty.

The paperwork was grueling, but necessary. Reports on resources, trade agreements, requests from villagers—all things that demanded his attention. Suna had grown, but Shiba knew there was still more to be done. After hours of focused work, he leaned back, taking a moment to rest his eyes.

Shiba unrolled a massive, super-detailed map of the Land of Wind, a starter tool he'd acquired from the system early on. The map was unlike anything most shinobi had ever seen, detailing not just major landmarks but even small settlements, scattered oases, and potential trade routes winding through the vast desert and the map is constantly changing like a village recently had to evacuate because there was a giant infestation of camel spiders or a oasis recently popped up in his map.

His first priority was food. Increasing Suna's food production was crucial—not just for the village's immediate needs, but to support a larger population and a potential influx of soldiers. He made a note to invest in more irrigation systems to make farming in the desert more efficient and fast. With the Adam Tree in the heart of the village providing shade and nutrients, he could establish new fields and orchards. He'd also encourage villagers to start community gardens, maximizing every patch of fertile land.

What really caught his attention were the rare merchant caravans that ventured into the Land of Wind. They were the lifeblood of trade in the harsh desert, bringing with them exotic goods and rumors from distant lands. Yet, these merchants came infrequently, and their routes were unpredictable. Shiba realized if he could coax these merchants into visiting Suna more regularly, he could create a booming trade hub.

Shiba sat back in his chair, thinking. 'Merchants respond to incentives', he mused. What could he offer that would make the long, perilous journey to Suna worth it?

His mind quickly settled on the idea of offering benefits: rare spices cultivated in the fertile patches near the Adam Tree, high-quality liquor that could be distilled using the unique herbs and fruits of the desert that are unique only to Suna, and perhaps even exclusive trading rights for certain goods. If he played his cards right, these merchants would not only come back but also spread word of Suna's newfound prosperity but Shiba still wants to stay undercover, that is until the first ninja war starts and that's where he will show the world that Suna is a village you don't want to fuck with and has better living conditions than any other hidden village.

"First things first," Shiba murmured, making notes on the parchment in front of him.

Next, he thought about supply routes. Reliable transportation of goods would be critical if Suna was to thrive. He considered reinforcing the roads and establishing secure caravans to protect against bandits or rival nations.

Then there was logistics. Shiba knew he needed a system to track resources efficiently, ensuring nothing was wasted. He planned to appoint trustworthy officers to oversee supply chains, training them to anticipate shortages and plan for surpluses. He made a mental note to work on communication systems as well, perhaps utilizing messenger hawks or developing a way to use chakra signals to send messages across long distances.

Shiba groaned loudly, letting his head fall back against the headrest of his chair. He rubbed his eyes, feeling the weight of the plans he had laid out. Leaning back, he glanced out the window overlooking the village. From his office, he could see the streets bustling with life, people working and laughing despite the challenges of desert living. A lazy smile spread on his lips.

"Running a village is hard enough," he muttered. "Maintaining it… that's even harder."

Just then, the door creaked open. Erza stepped in, a playful grin on her face, and carried a small box in her hands. "I heard someone could use a break," she said, setting the box down on his less cluttered desk. She opened it to reveal a beautifully decorated strawberry cake, the bright red fruit glistening against the soft cream, this type of strawberries grows only on hot climates like a cactus do.

Shiba's eyes lit up at the sight, and Erza placed two forks beside the box. "You spoil me," he said, a genuine smile breaking through his tired expression.

Erza laughed lightly. "You're the one doing all the heavy lifting around here. Think of it as a well-deserved treat." She handed him a fork, and the two of them dug in, savoring the sweet, refreshing flavor.

They ate together, a moment of content filling the entire office. The strawberry cake was light and delicious, a welcome break from the constant planning and responsibility. Shiba felt some of the tension easing from his shoulders as he shared the simple joy of dessert with his friend.

Between bites, Erza looked at him. "You know, you're doing an incredible job, even if it doesn't always feel that way."

Shiba paused, meeting her eyes. "Thanks, Erza. I guess sometimes it's easy to forget that in the middle of all the chaos."

She nodded, a gentle warmth in her gaze. "That's why I'm here. To remind you to take breaks and enjoy the little things."

He chuckled, feeling a sense of gratitude. With people like Erza by his side.