Natsume received VIP treatment—he stayed in the best room and ate rare foods.
But… it was just okay.
The room was nowhere near as good as his Gunma casino.
As for food, it was mostly fish. After a few meals, he was already getting tired of it.
Terumi Mei was quite busy.
After leading him to his room, she left, not returning until the fourth day.
"Lord Takashi, how have you found Kirigakure these past few days?"
"It lacks vitality."
Natsume took the chance to look around.
There's no pain without comparison.
No wonder everyone wanted to attack Konoha—it had the best location and environment.
But there was another reason: lack of development.
Sunagakure and Kirigakure were prime examples.
They were rich in natural resources, yet lived poorly.
It was just the limit of their times.
Natsume originally came to earn some fate points.
But with Terumi Mei coming to him, he thought he could do something more.
He wanted to control Kirigakure and the Land of Water through economic means.
This was Natsume's first time trying something like this—he lacked experience.
But if he failed, it didn't matter; he'd lose nothing.
If he succeeded, he'd gain immense wealth.
No matter how he looked at it, it was worth a try.
Terumi Mei, hearing this, was a little helpless. "That's always been Kirigakure's tradition."
Why was Yagura able to maintain his Mizukage position even with such a bloody rule?
It wasn't just strength—it was tradition.
Since the Third Mizukage, Kirigakure had been under high pressure, earning the nickname "Village of the Bloody Mist."
Yagura, under control, just intensified the persecution of bloodline limit ninja.
"Do you want to change tradition?"
Natsume noticed her suspicious look and explained, "Kirigakure isn't suitable for investment now. When I asked to meet the best of the younger generation, it was because I thought perhaps she could change that so-called tradition. In other words, I'm not investing in the Fourth Mizukage, but in you."
Terumi Mei's expression changed.
She had doubted Natsume's intentions at first, thinking he wanted to meddle in internal affairs.
But the rest of his words dispelled those doubts.
A very smart and far-sighted businessman.
That phrase flashed through Terumi Mei's mind, followed by a bit of delight.
Maybe his arrival could really bring change to Kirigakure.
"Change doesn't happen overnight."
She shook her head slowly.
She wasn't planning to rebel.
Even if she became Mizukage, it would only be after Yagura stepped down—maybe years later.
"You're still young; the future is yours."
Natsume smiled at her twenty-year-old face. "Let's talk about investment."
Terumi Mei looked serious, ready to listen.
"We're a shipping company, so our first investment is in shipping routes."
Natsume raised a finger.
"Shipping routes?"
Terumi Mei frowned. "If it's shipping, you should talk to the Land of Water, not us at Kirigakure."
Ninjas and the ordinary world were largely separate.
Most of the time, they lived by the sword, not by production or business.
To Natsume, it was a waste.
Such highly efficient people, yet their only job was killing.
"I want to open new shipping routes."
Natsume shared his goal. "I plan to hire Kirigakure ninja to help survey, cut through mountains, and reclaim land."
This was the first time Terumi Mei had received such a commission.
Previously, nobles or merchants only asked for escorts or assassinations.
But on second thought, ninja were indeed suited for mountain cutting and land reclamation.
Interesting.
Terumi Mei pondered, then looked at his mask. "What about payment?"
"Jōnin get A-rank missions, Chūnin get B-rank, Genin get C-rank."
Natsume replied. "The total payment is based on the number of people."
Terumi Mei's breathing quickened.
Kirigakure's bad environment had caused a mass loss of ninja, leading to fewer and fewer commissions.
Natsume's offer was a lifeline.
And very generous.
Normally, so many missions would mean bloody battles and many dead or wounded.
But now, it was easy work.
"How many people will you need?"
Terumi Mei's heart was stirred, but her tone stayed calm.
"Probably a lot."
Natsume pulled out a map of the Land of Water.
He'd bought it, but it was crude—just a rough outline.
In his previous life, it wouldn't even count as a map, just a doodle.
"My idea is to create five shipping routes. One connects all the islands and major cities of the Land of Water. The other four, one in each direction—east, south, west, and north—will connect to neighboring countries."
"You have big ambitions."
Terumi Mei's eyes circled the map before landing on him. "If you really open five routes, you'll control all sea traffic."
She was clever. Even if she didn't understand the full implications, she grasped the obvious.
"It's very difficult."
Natsume went on. "The current shipping is controlled by several companies. If I step in, they'll definitely attack, so I need Kirigakure's protection."
Terumi Mei was again tempted.
This meant a ton of commissions—enough to solve Kirigakure's unemployment problem.
And the village could take a cut, gaining enough wealth to invest in development.
"Many shipping companies are backed by nations. Even with us and the Land of Water, the pressure is huge."
Terumi Mei began bargaining.
If Natsume controlled all sea traffic, he'd make a fortune.
She wanted to earn more for her village.
"There's pressure, but also benefits."
Natsume smiled. "Kirigakure's environment is great—surrounded by sea. Other villages can't attack easily, but it's also hard for you to get out."
Ninja could walk on water, yes.
But over such long distances, most didn't have enough chakra.
In the Third Ninja War, both of Kirigakure's battles had one thing in common:
A small unit of elite ninja.
Like the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, or the Three-Tails self-destructing.
In fact, Kirigakure's tradition was designed to breed elite ninjas.
Terumi Mei's eyes widened.
This realization was even more shocking.
She suddenly understood the deeper meaning.
"After the routes open, Kirigakure can build its own warships and travel to every country. Our company can provide logistical support."
Natsume said slowly.
Why hadn't anyone thought of this before?
First, merchants didn't fight in wars.
Second, no one was a rich shipping tycoon like Natsume.
The existing routes were mostly natural; very few had been developed.
Terumi Mei stood up abruptly.
The implications were immense.
If there was another ninja war, Kirigakure wouldn't guarantee victory, but would have a huge advantage.
She looked at Natsume, suddenly feeling lucky.
Thankfully, she met him first; otherwise, he'd be a huge enemy.
Because the reverse was true as well—
If those five shipping routes were used by other countries, they could land in Kirigakure in force.