"After all, I can't just sit around and do nothing."
"During the month Naruto is away, I also need to find some extra income."
Alright, Naruto's departure greatly reduced the efficiency of Team 7's d-rank missions.
The Shadow Clones created by Sasuke and Sakura simply couldn't replace Naruto. After completing two d-rank missions, they were already too tired to get up.
This cost-effectiveness was completely unreasonable.
After Sasuke left, Ge Liang found Haku and Zabuza.
"I'm going to Sunagakure to open a branch store in a bit, and I'm not sure when I'll be back. So, during this time, you two will look after the internet cafe."
"Don't worry, Boss, you can go with peace of mind."
"Please leave it to us."
Seeing Zabuza and Haku happily accept the task, Ge Liang nodded and walked out of the internet cafe, using Sword Flight to rush to Sunagakure... The Land of Wind is vast, the largest among the Five Great Nations (the other four being: Land of Fire, Land of Water, Land of Earth, Land of Lightning).
However, deserts occupy most of its territory, and annual rainfall is scarce. Its citizens build and live in Villages within desert oases. Trade with the Land of Fire is also very prosperous, making it an ally of the Land of Fire.
Before the deaths of the Third Kazekage and Fourth Kazekage, the financial power of Sunagakure was second only to Konoha among the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Unfortunately, the Third Kazekage was killed by Sasori, and the Fourth Kazekage was killed by Orochimaru some time ago.
Without the Magnet Release: Gold Dust of these two generations of Kazekage, and having to pay a large sum of money to Konoha, Sunagakure is currently in a precarious situation.
Ge Liang's timing to open a branch at this point is actually not good.
Externally, Sunagakure just lost its Fourth Kazekage, so it will certainly be extremely wary of strangers.
Internally, without a Kazekage, it's a time when various high-ranking officials of Sunagakure are vying for power, leading to internal strife.
If Ge Liang were a bit more patient and waited until Gaara inherited the position of Kazekage to open a branch, the situation would definitely be many times better than it is now.
It's just that the System is tricky; if Ge Liang doesn't open a branch in Sunagakure, then he won't be able to open branches elsewhere.
Only by getting the Sunagakure branch up and running can he randomly select another location to open a branch.
Therefore, Ge Liang came here impatiently.
"So what if the situation is a bit bad? I don't believe anyone in the current Sunagakure can stop me."
To ensure the smooth opening of this branch, Ge Liang had made some preparations.
Among other things, antidote pills were essential. If a fight broke out, even if Elder Chiyo used poison, Ge Liang wouldn't be afraid at all.
After eliminating the possibility of poisoning, Ge Liang was practically invincible in Sunagakure; even releasing Shukaku wouldn't scare him.
"I hope Sunagakure isn't too ignorant."
...The speed of Sword Flight was undoubtedly very fast, and with Ge Liang's disregard for chakra consumption, it only took him a little over an hour to travel from Konoha Village to Sunagakure.
Ge Liang didn't land directly inside Sunagakure but chose to land outside the Village. After all, he was here to open a store, not to provoke.
"Who's there?"
As soon as he approached Sunagakure, a Sunagakure Ninja shouted a warning.
Ge Liang quickly waved his hand, indicating that he wasn't there to cause trouble.
"Shatong, go ask what this person is here for."
"Yes, Captain!"
Just as Ge Liang thought, Sunagakure was currently very vigilant towards outsiders. In the past, Sunagakure wouldn't have made such a big fuss.
"Who are you, and what are you doing in Sunagakure?"
"I am a merchant, and I'm only here in Sunagakure to open a branch store."
Hearing this, Shatong's eyes lit up.
If there was anyone Sunagakure welcomed most, it was naturally merchants.
Most of the Land of Wind is desert, where resources are scarce and specialties are lacking, so few merchants travel there.
Now that the Fourth Kazekage had died, even the barely considered specialty, gold dust, was gone, and the number of traveling merchants naturally became even scarcer.
"Please wait a moment, I'll go report this."
The people of Sunagakure were naturally happy that a merchant had arrived.
However, the necessary procedures still had to be followed to prevent spies from other Ninja Villages from infiltrating.
"Oh, by the way, if I may be so bold, do you know anyone in our Village? If someone can vouch for you, the difficulty of the review will naturally be reduced significantly."
"I know Gaara, Kankuro, Temari, and that Jonin named Baki from your Village."
"Is that so... please wait a moment."
Hearing these names, Shatong gave Ge Liang a slightly strange look, then turned and went back to report to his captain.
"Since he says he knows Gaara and the others, go find one of them. This is a critical period, and we must not let our guard down."
The Sunagakure guard unit sent someone to find Gaara and the others. During this time, they didn't make Ge Liang wait outside the Village; instead, they invited him into a special reception room for such people, allowing him to rest a bit.
Not long after, the person sent out returned, bringing Gaara and his three siblings with him.
Coincidentally, Gaara and his three siblings had just accepted a mission and were preparing to leave the Village. When they heard that a merchant had arrived outside the Village and claimed to know them, both Temari and Gaara became interested.
Because of Gaara, they knew relatively few people in the Village, let alone merchants from other places.
With curiosity in their hearts, the three came to the reception room and met Ge Liang.
"Boss Ge? What are you doing in our Village?"
Temari's first reaction upon seeing Ge Liang was not happiness, but full of vigilance.
"Don't be so wary. My coming here should be good news for your Sunagakure."
"Good news?"
Temari's mind worked quickly. When she heard Ge Liang say that, she understood: was he here to open a store?
If Ge Liang was indeed here to open a branch, then for Sunagakure, it would indeed be good news.
Gaara and his two siblings didn't stay long at the internet cafe in Konoha, but both the magical games and the ability to Cultivate abilities held immense appeal for them.
Especially the ability to Cultivate abilities within the game, this was particularly attractive.
After all, if one can become stronger, no one wants to be weak.
"It looks like you've figured out why I'm here. That's right, I'm here to open a branch."
"How about it? Aren't you surprised, wasn't it unexpected, and aren't you happy?"
With their suspicions confirmed, Temari and her two siblings were naturally overjoyed.
As the children of the Fourth Kazekage, Temari and her two siblings could be considered among the small group of wealthy individuals in Sunagakure.
With the existence of the game, not only could Gaara's strength advance further, but Temari and Kankuro could also rapidly improve their strength.
Such good news naturally made them happy.
"I'll go find the Elders now and have them approve your assessment."