When someone holds something as immense as the sun and speaks of truth, you tend to believe them.
You're probably right too.
Everything you say is right.
The people of the Land of Rivers may not understand what true self-will is.
And for a long time, they likely won't.
But right now, they understand one thing clearly.
If they don't make a decision now, that decision will be made for them.
Mufasa's proposal was met with unanimous support.
Thunderous cheers erupted inside and outside the city walls.
"From now on, we will live by our own will!"
"Long live the Kazekage!"
"Long live Mufasa!"
"Banzai!"
"The Sand Will Rise!"
Mufasa merely smirked at the response.
The Land of Rivers was small, crisscrossed with waterways, and had little arable land.
It was a nation sustained by fishing and trade.
Its only true value was being a buffer between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.
Given its economic state, a feudal system was more of a burden than a benefit.
Mufasa had come to tear it all down.
To transform this stagnant nation into something more efficient—a corporate dominion, governed by commerce rather than nobility.
No excess spending.
No unnecessary bureaucracy.
Not even land taxes.
From now on, the economy would be driven solely by trade and commercial taxation. Of course, as in any system, there would be those who managed and profited more than others.
After all, when everyone has unequal access to resources, some are bound to be more "equal" than others.
Perhaps Heitan, with his intelligence, would find a way to thrive under this new rule after his sentence of labor reform.
But first, there was a matter to settle.
Mufasa raised his voice once more.
"Good. Since you all agree, the covenant is complete."
A collective sigh of relief rippled through the crowd. For now, they were safe.
But Heitan's mind was still racing, already plotting how he could secure a place in this new order. His ambition, however, was crushed in an instant.
Mufasa's next words sent a chill down his spine.
"Now then, although the instigator, Momonosuke, is dead… his followers will not walk free."
The air grew heavy.
"Every soldier, every subordinate under Momonosuke will serve their due punishment according to their rank."
"The sentences will range from three to thirty years."
Sixty thousand prisoners—enough manpower to carve new riverways, build roads, and lay railways.
Mufasa was pleased.
Heitan, upon hearing his fate, collapsed onto the ground, trembling. Around him, murmurs of discontent stirred within the captured army.
Mufasa's expression darkened.
"What? Do you have a problem with this?"
When someone holds up something as terrifying as a miniature sun and asks if you have any objections…
You generally don't.
"Then all of you will drop your weapons and wait for the Sand Ninja forces to take you in."
Under the overwhelming presence of Mufasa's jutsu—Electromagnetic Release: Cruel Sun—
Sixty thousand men surrendered without resistance.
The Sand Ninja forces began rounding up the prisoners.
Even with the aid of puppet brigades, the sheer volume of captives made it a logistical nightmare.
Mufasa sighed and ordered additional reinforcements.
Kawasaki Town's prisoner-of-war camp would be expanded to house them.
Among the chaos, Taifu of the Hundred Beasts took the initiative to assist, bringing her own faction to help manage the prisoners.
Given the sheer numbers, Sand Ninja's original POW camp was still under construction.
For now, a hastily assembled structure of electrified fences and guard posts would serve as their containment area.
Whether or not the prisoners had shelter was not a concern.
Human rights?
Nonexistent.
Late into the night, Mufasa stood atop the tower, watching the Sand Ninja forces work tirelessly.
The front of Kawasaki Town was illuminated by torches and lanterns.
Above them, Tengan-1 hovered—a weaponized construct, its core pulsating with immense electrical energy.
If Mufasa wanted to modify or enhance it further, he'd first have to drain the excess lightning stored within it.
He had no such intentions.
This floating power bank was perfect as it was—capable of leveling armies and entire towns.
Its most devastating function?
Unleashing an electromagnetic storm, capable of instantly disabling all technology within an entire village or town. Useless for now, but in the future?
Kawasaki Town, however, had little in terms of electricity.
Wasting the weapon's full power here would be inefficient.
For now, he let Tengan-1 remain in the sky, passively absorbing energy.
In time, when the world of ninjas evolved, it would no longer be a mere deterrent.
It would become a true harbinger of destruction.
"My lord, shouldn't you rest?"
Taifu approached, now freshly bathed and dressed once more in a flowing kimono.
She carried herself with the practiced grace of an oiran, yet her eyes were sharp, studying Mufasa's expression.
It seemed she was testing him.
Mufasa smiled faintly.
"Are you Yamato Taifu or Kozi Taifu?"
Taifu smirked playfully.
"The Land of Rivers no longer has nobles or bloodlines. I am neither of those things."
Her gaze held steady.
"I am simply Taifu, a wandering woman."
Mufasa nodded.
Her form was supple, her movements graceful.
A wise woman indeed.
Understanding the nature of power is just as important as wielding it.
"That's good," he mused. "Then I'll be seeing you later."
He turned away, but Taifu's voice stopped him.
"My lord, the Land of Rivers is under your control. If you wish for my company, you need only ask. Speaking of money cheapens it."
Mufasa chuckled, wagging his finger.
"First of all, the Land of Rivers is not mine. It belongs to its people."
"Secondly, we are not entangled in emotions. If it's business, we talk money. It keeps things simple."
"And lastly—"
His smirk widened.
"I find that free things often come at the highest price."
Taifu is the top oiran in the corridor.
She has seen countless dignitaries, warlords, and influential figures. But this is the first time she has met someone like Mufasa—a man with inexplicable principles and an unfathomable presence.
His strength was undeniable, but his character? That was even more elusive.
She studied his calm smile, her instincts on high alert. Men like him always carried hidden weapons—both in battle and in conversation.
Taifu bowed slightly. "Well then… on behalf of the Yamato Clan, I welcome you, Kazekage Mufasa."
Mufasa smirked. "That's right. A transaction is a transaction—one side pays, the other delivers. Both parties walk away satisfied."
A sign of maturity in a man wasn't how he admired beauty in his youth but when he started seeing beauty as an opportunity.
When you were young, you admired the sight of a beautiful woman and wondered: "Ah, why does she shine like the sea under the sun?"
When you matured, you asked: "When will she set sail? And how do I join her?"
Mufasa was a mature man.
He didn't waste words persuading people to be good, but he still wanted to convince Taifu.
"The Land of Rivers is about to transform into a corporate dominion," he said. "That dress? You might want to reconsider your wardrobe."
Taifu raised an eyebrow. "My lord, what do you mean? What kind of… 'company' are you really trying to establish?"
She had fought for powerful men before, standing alongside the Beasts of Anarchy for years.
Mufasa doubted he could change her worldview overnight.
Old bureaucrats like Kurozumi had already been sent to the labor camps, digging ditches as part of their "rehabilitation."
But for this new system to work, the Land of Rivers needed capable managers. Taifu was quick-witted, adaptable. She could be an asset—if she chose to be.
Mufasa sighed. "Why is it that every time I tell the truth, no one believes me?"
"Yes, I really do plan to turn the Land of Rivers into a corporation."
He continued, laying out his vision: "The river networks, the roads, the towns, the cities—they'll all be part of the company.
Landowners and citizens will hold shares. The company will maintain infrastructure, collect revenue from trade and transport, and distribute profits based on investment and contribution."
"Governance will no longer be dictated by birthright but by shareholder elections. The Land of Rivers will be run by its own people."
Taifu was stunned.
He was… handing over power?
"My lord… you truly don't wish to control the Land of Rivers?"
Mufasa shrugged. "Why would I? Should I station an army here? Send my own officers?"
He scoffed. "For what? A pile of fish? It's not worth the effort."
The Land of Rivers had no daimyo, no nobility, no formal military anymore.
The people were unburdened.
Once they tasted prosperity, Mufasa was certain they'd work to maintain it themselves.
Control through violence was fleeting.
Control through prosperity? That was permanent.
Taifu understood.
If she wanted status, she needed influence.
And the only way to secure that influence wasn't by serving another man—it was by becoming the company's general manager.
But there was one problem.
"My lord… what about security? The Land of Rivers is vulnerable."
Mufasa waved a hand dismissively. "There won't be a major war. The Land of Rivers is caught between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind. As long as they remain stable, we're safe."
"And internal security?" Taifu pressed.
"Simple. The company can hire security teams."
"And if something happens that regular security can't handle?" she asked.
Mufasa nodded. "I've already thought about that."
Taifu leaned in. "And your solution?"
Mufasa grinned. "I'm establishing the Sixth Division. A unit dedicated to patrolling the roads and railways, ensuring safety along the trade routes."
"Unlike conventional forces, these individuals will operate alone or in small teams, solving problems with their own skill."
Mufasa had already adjusted the Sand Ninja army's structure.
Traditionally, units operated in groups of twenty.
That was fine for large-scale battles, but for an expanding economy with vast roads and railways, it was too slow, too rigid.
He needed highly skilled, adaptable enforcers.
They would ride across the deserts and roads on motorcycles.
They would be empowered by the Kazekage to act with both the authority of law and their own judgment.
Taifu's eyes sparkled as she listened. "If you can assemble a force like that… the Land of Rivers truly won't need to worry."
She smirked. "So, what will they be called?"
Mufasa pondered for a moment before answering:
"The Kamen Riders."
Taifu blinked. "Kame Riders?"
Mufasa nodded. "They will wear masks. From the moment they put them on, they cease to be ordinary men. They become knights—executors of justice."
She chuckled. "Sounds dramatic."
"Maybe. But it will work."
———
Later that night, Mufasa went to the Pleasure House.
"Send for Taifu," he instructed a servant. "Tell her to join me."
The servant hesitated. "My lord… I'm afraid that's impossible."
Mufasa raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
The servant bowed apologetically. "She resigned. She left a letter behind… something about running for company manager."
Mufasa stood in silence, the wind whipping through the veranda.
Had he just cockblock himself?
———
Meanwhile, recruitment for the Sixth Division was skyrocketing.
Mufasa smirked as he reviewed the applications.
"So many applicants right off the bat, hohoho…"