The shipping company had been Gato's life's work.
Even though it had been seized, he still didn't want it to collapse under the management of someone who knew nothing about business.
After all, enormous funds had already been invested into the Land of Waves and the construction of a hidden ninja village.
If the newly established seed company failed to capture the market and generate profits, shipping revenue alone would never sustain everything.
Lock glanced at Gato.
Cold sweat instantly poured down Gato's face as he pressed his forehead tightly to the floor.
Suddenly—
Whoosh!
"Ahhh!"
A miserable scream echoed through the room.
A golden-red fox tail pierced straight through Gato's arm, blood pouring out instantly.
"I don't like dissenting voices. I also don't like being questioned. Within this organization, I only want one voice."
Lock's eyes turned into crimson vertical pupils.
A suffocating killing intent flooded the room, dropping the temperature as if everyone had fallen into an ice cellar.
"Understood?"
Ignoring the pain, Gato frantically kowtowed.
"I understand, Master!"
"Please forgive me this once!"
At the side, Zabuza and Haku stood rigidly still, not daring to move.
After only one day apart, Lock's aura had clearly grown stronger again.
Previously, they believed they could easily defeat one of his Shadow Clones.
Now…
They weren't certain they could win even against that.
The rate of growth was terrifying.
"Don't let it happen again."
The fox tail withdrew, and the killing intent vanished.
The room returned to normal.
"From today onward, the shipping company will be renamed the Four-Star Consortium, and its emblem will follow the design on this mask."
After speaking, Lock placed the custom mask onto the table.
Then he pressed his hands together calmly.
"Wood Release: Vegetation Technique."
Instantly, the seeds before him sprouted.
They grew wildly.
Within a single breath, rice stalks taller than a person filled over half the room.
"Wood Release!?"
Zabuza's composure was finally shattered.
This was the legendary Bloodline Limit of the God of Shinobi!
Just how many hidden abilities did this Nine-Tails Jinchūriki possess?
The fear and respect in Zabuza's gaze deepened.
With Lock's current strength, Zabuza felt he could likely overwhelm even the Five Kage.
Haku and Gato, meanwhile, did not understand Wood Release's significance.
But they understood rice.
Both stared wide-eyed at the massive grain stalks towering several times higher than normal crops.
"I-Is… this really rice!?"
Gato asked reflexively.
The moment the words left his mouth, his face paled.
He immediately began slapping himself repeatedly with his remaining hand.
"This is definitely rice!"
"Only a great master like you could create such divine crops!"
"The Five Kage aren't even worthy to carry your shoes—!"
Flattery poured out endlessly.
But beneath it lay genuine excitement.
These rice plants could provide shade like trees.
Their yield would absolutely exceed one thousand catties per mu.
For the Ninja World's food market, this would be equivalent to a Great Ninja War.
With cheap grain, entire agricultural economies could collapse.
Control food—and control nations.
Gato's breathing quickened with exhilaration.
"Master! Just one year!"
"In one year, we can flood every nation with cheap rice, force farmers to abandon traditional crops, and make all countries dependent on us!"
His loyalty was no longer forced.
Between being a wealthy merchant and becoming a core member of a world-level power, even a fool knew the better choice.
"To build a world-class company, you truly aren't stupid."
Lock gave him an approving glance.
Compared to Zabuza and Haku—who looked completely confused about the impact of cheap grain—Gato was undeniably useful.
"But selling rice is too slow," Lock continued. "We are a seed company. We sell seeds."
"I've modified these seeds. The first generation can reproduce normally."
"But second-generation seeds will only serve as food—they cannot sprout."
"Have someone harvest this batch. It's enough to open the market and builda reputation."
"I'll later provide another batch capable of harvesting once every two months, up to three times."
Gato's eyes shone brightly.
Selling seeds meant faster expansion, higher profit, and less resistance.
Farmers everywhere would rush to buy them.
And if governments attempted bans—
Their own citizens would rebel first.
"I understand!"
"I'll arrange harvesting immediately and begin company promotion tomorrow!"
Gato sprang up and rushed outside in excitement.
Lock ignored him and turned toward Zabuza and Haku.
Feeling his gaze, Zabuza bowed respectfully.
"Leader, what are your orders?"
Lock nodded slightly.
"The hidden village will be called Four-Star Village, matching the Four-Star Consortium. Its emblem will be four small stars."
"In the coming days, you'll accompany me."
"I need to recruit some shinobi."
"If we're founding a hidden village, we need capable fighters to maintain appearances."
Running through memories of the original timeline, Lock quickly selected two targets.
—Karin.
—Hidan.
Karin would appear soon during the Chūnin Exams as a Grass Village ninja, making her easy to locate.
As for Hidan, he had not yet joined the Akatsuki.
At this time, he should still be in the Land of Hot Springs, running his cult and acting as a serial killer.
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