Reborn as Sakura and Hinata: Lost in the Wind

It Takes a Village

I pensively paced across the room as I contemplated my next move. Was there any way this plan could work? I should have a good reputation with the surrounding towns, so there should be no reason for them to distrust me. The only problem would be convincing them of my idea, as outlandish as it was. Then there was my 'team' as well; would they even go for the idea?

"Are you... okay?" A small voice sounded from the doorway. I glanced over to see Karin poking her head into the room, eyeing me nervously from around the door frame.

I looked away for a moment, contemplating my choices, "I'm just thinking," I sighed, "about our next move." I smiled at her, mildly amused by her timid behavior, "You can come in, y'know."

Karin blushed, awkwardly shuffling into the room. There was a moment of silence before she asked, "So... what's the plan?"

"Well," I let out another tired sigh, "I guess we should just gather everyone up."

She nodded as we walked out into the open space outside of my old bedroom. The open space of the laboratory had a few tables, one of which Jugo was seated at observing some of the previous lab rats scurrying about the objects on the table. Suigetsu was leaning lazily on a platform, but sat up when I walked into the room.

"Alright," he grumbled, "We finally going to do something?"

"Yeah," Karin sassed, "Why do you think she came out here?"

"Easy there." I chuckled, placing a hand on her shoulder which caused her to flush.

"Are we leaving then?" Jugo turned his chair to face me.

"Yeah, I've been thinking about it so I have a rudimentary plan of action." I began.

Suigetsu's eyes narrowed, and I almost laughed at the way he mouthed the way 'rudimentary' in confusion, "Okay, cool." he huffed, "You have a plan, but what's the plan for?"

"Making a village." I stated flatly.

I heard Karin make a spluttering noise from next to me.

"You're kidding!?" Suigetsu shouted.

"Is that possible?" Jugo asked quietly, eyes wide.

I held up a hand, "Yes, it is possible. It'll take time, but it's feasible." I continued, "I have a good relationship with a good majority of the small towns that are unaffiliated with a village, as well as the stable people that we freed from the laboratories. We will go out systematically to each area and pitch our idea to them. Whoever we can gather will only act as more support to the future groups we try to accrue. With these people we will have a lot of labor, meaning we will be able to begin timely construction and building of infrastructure. It will just be some physical construction and then the establishment of various different systems, and then we will have a functional village."

"Okay..." Karin hummed, "But what then?"

"Then we just have to get our village to be recognized, which probably won't be easy, but doable." I answered.

"You're crazy. You know that?" Suigetsu scoffed, "Why the hell would I stay here and help you?"

"You don't need to." I shrugged dismissively, "The project doesn't ride on you being here to help; your continued involvement is completely your own choice."

Suigetsu's face fell a bit as he was probably expecting me to try to convince him to stay. Little did he know that I was determined to never beg anyone for anything.

"I'll help." Jugo smiled sheepishly. I smiled back; he was so sweet.

"I will too." Karin nodded determinedly, "Anything you set your mind to will definitely succeed!"