The execution ground in the metropolis of the Land of Waves.
At this moment, the place was packed, people standing layer upon layer inside and out.
After Natsume handed the development proposal to Shin Mitsuhashi, he didn't leave immediately.
After all, they had never been to school; it was hard for them to grasp many details, and they needed his guidance.
He hadn't truly put these things into practice either, but he had seen enough to not be completely ignorant.
Half a month passed, and Mitsuhashi and the others had fully swapped out the old for the new, completely taking over Gato's company.
The first step was complete, and they moved to the next.
Taking control of the Land of Waves, and gaining the people's support.
Not a complicated step.
Not long ago, Kaiza—Tazuna's son-in law—led the entire island in rebellion, only to be executed by Gato.
The hatred was already at its peak.
Besides that, Natsume would arrange suitable jobs for the people, so they could help rebuild the Land of Waves.
"Hello, everyone! I'm Tazuna."
An old man stood excitedly in front of Gato, giving a speech.
Natsume didn't particularly like him, but Tazuna had the highest reputation in the Land of Waves. Turning him to their side saved a lot of trouble.
"Why did we kill Gato? Because he stole our shipping, destroyed the bridge. Killing Gato is to let everyone know, the old way of life is gone forever!"
Tazuna waved his hands passionately and shouted, "Lord Takashi is here, and the Land of Waves will know peace!"
'Takashi' was the alias Natsume used.
"I am now the chief bridge builder of the Gunma Shipping Company, and the benefits are great. I get tens of thousands of ryo a month, and if the bridge is completed, there's a bonus of 500,000 ryo."
After throwing out this huge incentive, Tazuna moved to recruitment, "We urgently need skilled people in bridge building, shipping, fishing, and more. Everyone is welcome to join—the pay is excellent."
The crowd instantly erupted.
With Gato dead, their survival crisis was gone.
With so many jobs, life would soon become prosperous.
In a flash, the Gunma Shipping Company became a dream job in their hearts.
Natsume nodded in satisfaction.
Having Tazuna as the spokesperson really was the right decision.
The Land of Waves was now in his grasp.
"Proceed with the execution!"
Tazuna turned and looked at Gato, shouting.
A flash of blade.
Gato's head hit the ground.
The crowd burst into unprecedented cheers, falling into a frenzy of excitement.
"Mitsuhashi, I leave the rest to you."
Natsume withdrew his gaze and said.
Of course, this was only temporary—he would replace Mitsuhashi with someone more capable and loyal when he returned.
"Yes, sir!"
Mitsuhashi looked at him with admiration.
In the past half month, he had seen more new and wondrous things than ever before.
He was in utter awe of Natsume.
After being delayed for half a month, Natsume set sail for the Land of Water again.
This time, he traveled with a merchant ship from the Gunma Company.
Gato's previous main business was with the Land of Water.
Why is it called the Land of Water? Because there's so much water, and shipping is developed.
Gato naturally wouldn't let this opportunity slip by. Every year, he spent huge sums bribing the daimyo and nobles of the Land of Water.
He even reached the point where he could use their names for his own benefit.
The reason he could survive so long was inseparable from his relations with the Land of Water.
All this now fell into Natsume's lap.
He planned to enter Kirigakure under the guise of a merchant.
As for Gato, the daimyo and nobles of the Land of Water didn't care, as long as the money kept flowing.
After Uchiha Obito took control of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, nothing changed except for the persecution of bloodline limit ninja clans and ninjas.
For instance, ties with the Land of Water continued.
In other words, Natsume could barely be considered their superior, or at least their big backer.
As long as he didn't go too far, he wouldn't be attacked.
…
Three days later, Natsume arrived at Kirigakure.
He was greeted by Terumi Mei.
This was no coincidence.
He had sent an order through the Land of Water, requesting a prominent young ninja for investment discussions.
After the chaos caused by Uchiha Obito, Kirigakure was at its weakest.
The first and second generations of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were either dead or had fled.
The third generation—Suigetsu Hozuki and Chojuro—were still kids under ten.
Of the older generation, only Ao the Byakugan Slayer and the respected elder remained.
The two Jinchuriki: Yagura was under control, and Utakata had defected.
Having someone like Terumi Mei was truly a stroke of luck.
But she alone couldn't change Kirigakure's dire situation.
Terumi Mei, dressed in a blue dress, brought a touch of vibrancy to the dead and dreary Kirigakure.
Her long, reddish-brown hair draped down her back, reaching her slender thighs.
Her right eye was hidden by bangs; her turquoise eyes held a calm and maturity beyond her years.
Her thin red lips were slightly pursed, with the hint of a smile, remaining polite.
"Hello, I am Terumi Mei. Are you Lord Takashi?"
She addressed him as Lord both due to the Land of Water's orders and the allure of money.
Terumi Mei sized him up.
Natsume didn't use the transformation jutsu, as it would be noticed, so he simply wore a cat-faced mask, revealing only his eyes.
Although his face was hidden, his overall appearance was neat and clean, with bright, non-lecherous eyes.
She was willing to personally welcome him—for the sake of money.
Terumi Mei was the strongest of her generation in both strength and talent, and Yagura's bloody rule made her seem especially normal.
In the minds of many Kirigakure ninja, she was already the next Mizukage.
Terumi Mei was a career ninja—she loved Kirigakure and wanted to revive the village.
"I am."
Natsume nodded. "Please, lead the way."
"No problem."
Terumi Mei withdrew her gaze and led the way ahead.
Kirigakure—a village shrouded in mist.
With Yagura's bloody rule, Natsume felt a sense of oppression here, far less comfortable than Konoha.
The ninjas they passed were numb, lifeless, or had lost hope.
"Lord Takashi, I have a question."
Terumi Mei turned, her tone somewhat inquisitive. "Why do you want to invest in Kirigakure?"
"Why do you ask that?" Natsume countered. "Are you not welcoming?"
"Kirigakure's environment has been terrible these years. Merchants who tried investing all left. You coming here is quite odd."
After all the chaos under Yagura, Terumi Mei was no fool.
Natsume was a bit impressed by her.
Of the Five Great Villages, Kirigakure undoubtedly had the hardest start.
Terumi Mei was already doing well.
"If the other merchants leave, our company will become Kirigakure's only trade partner. We'll receive rich rewards."
Natsume pointed to his eyes. "This is a long-term investment, because I believe Kirigakure won't always be this bad."
Terumi Mei stared at him.
Those eyes were full of sincerity, even more determined than most Kirigakure ninja.
Her body tensed slightly, feeling a sense of kinship.
She, too, believed the village would soon see change—that this darkness was only temporary.
She hadn't expected a merchant to share that belief.
"Lord Takashi, your courage impresses me."
Terumi Mei turned forward, her tone affirming. "If you're willing to invest, Kirigakure won't let you down."