Two weeks later.
With manpower and funding provided by the Four-Star Consortium,
the bridge connecting the Land of Waves to the outside world was completed ahead of schedule.
It took less than half the time compared to the original timeline.
The completion of the bridge, combined with the establishment of the Four-Star Seed Company, created a large number of jobs.
In the present Land of Waves, nearly everyone had accepted the new order—except those whose relatives had died at Gato's hands.
Of course, Lock also arranged for Gato to spend money hiring respected figures to publicly praise and whitewash him among the civilians, subtly guiding public opinion.
They claimed the suffering of the previous year had merely been a "trial before investment,"
and that the Land of Waves had passed through resilience and unity, meaning prosperous days with full stomachs were finally coming.
A flood of speeches that sounded logical but were actually empty praise and fabricated promises
gradually erased resistance among the majority of citizens.
People began imagining a hopeful future.
Many even felt grateful—now they had jobs, income, food, and soon their own hidden village.
There was no longer any need for Gato to defend himself personally.
Anyone still cursing or boycotting the Four-Star Consortium would immediately be drowned out by other citizens.
His prestige was faintly beginning to rival that of the Daimyo of the Land of Waves.
The Daimyo himself didn't care.
After all, he now received money and could live luxuriously like nobles of the great nations.
Compared to the past—when he lived in fear of assassination while silently enduring humiliation—this life was paradise.
In short, Lock's strategies learned from another world left Gato utterly convinced.
The fact that people worked for minimal wages yet remained deeply grateful felt absurd even to him.
If he had possessed even half of these methods before, the Land of Waves would have fallen long ago.
Naturally, such tactics only worked on impoverished nations like the Land of Waves.
Team 7, raised in prosperous Konoha, was completely stunned watching these openly manipulative strategies unfold.
Especially Kakashi—he simply couldn't understand.
If Gato possessed such methods and boldness,
why had he spent an entire year failing to conquer the Land of Waves before their arrival?
Did their appearance force him to suddenly start thinking?
Although confused, Team 7 had completed their mission and had no reason to remain.
After bidding farewell to the reluctant Tazuna family, they began their journey back to Konoha.
Meanwhile.
Land of Hot Springs.
Hidan, dressed in a black coat with slicked-back hair, blocked a traveler's path.
"Hey, brother, interested in learning about Jashinism?"
"What—Ahhh!"
Moments later,
the unfortunate passerby was nailed to a tree with iron rods.
A strange ritual pattern drawn in blood spread beneath the trunk.
The screams attracted Lock's three-person group, who had been tracking Hidan.
"This is already the third victim we've seen," Haku said softly, frowning at the bloody scene.
"Such cruelty…"
Seeing Haku's reaction, Zabuza grinned.
"No money involved, no grudges—just killing for pleasure. I kind of like trash like this."
Though he himself had killed many people, they were always mission targets or enemies.
And when targets were pitiful, Haku often staged fake deaths while Zabuza pretended not to notice.
Compared to this, he suddenly felt he was practically a good person.
Zabuza turned toward Lock, a bloodthirsty smile forming.
"Boss, can I kill him later?"
"The screams of scum like this must sound wonderful."
Lock, who had been sensing malicious intent with closed eyes, opened them.
"If you can kill him, go ahead."
After speaking, he casually turned down another path.
"Follow me. He hasn't gone far."
Zabuza's smile stiffened.
If Lock believed he couldn't kill the target, then he absolutely had to prove otherwise.
With a dark expression, he quickly followed.
Soon enough, they encountered Hidan walking leisurely down the road.
Hidan noticed them and turned around.
"Oh? Three at once! Lord Jashin truly blesses me!"
Excitement filled his face.
Due to his killings, travelers had become rare.
Three people appearing together was practically a day's harvest.
"Hey! A handsome guy, a beauty, and an ugly man. Want to join Jashinism?"
Haku ignored being mistaken for a girl.
"Ugly man?" Zabuza's expression immediately darkened.
If Lock said it, fine—he was the boss.
But this lunatic dared say it too?
Hidan misunderstood the silence as confusion and enthusiastically explained.
"Our doctrine is amazing!"
"You can kill freely, make Lord Jashin happy, and maybe even receive blessings!"
"Isn't that absolutely subarashii?"
Zabuza's disgust deepened.
He pulled the Kubikiribocho from his back and pointed it forward.
"So you're the serial killer. Ready to die?"
"If you don't want to die, don't let him get your blood," Lock added casually.
Hidan's eyes widened.
"You know about the ritual? Are you also a follower of Jashin!?"
"You talk too much."
Zabuza swung his blade instantly.
Hidan countered with his scythe, aiming to trade injuries.
A deep slash tore across Hidan's chest, blood spraying outward—
But Zabuza's body dissolved into water beneath the scythe.
Behind him came a cold voice.
"Hmph. Full of openings. I don't know why the boss is interested in trash like you."
The Kubikiribocho pierced straight through Hidan's heart before being violently pulled free.
Blood splattered everywhere.
"Too easy. Boring."
Zabuza withdrew his blade with disdain.
But just as he turned away, his arm was suddenly grabbed.
Hidan, head lowered, clutched him tightly.
"Do you have any idea…"
He spat blood as his foot secretly traced a pattern on the ground.
"…how much that hurt!?"
With an enraged roar, his scythe slashed forward again.
"What the hell? You're not dead!?" Zabuza's eyes widened.
He blocked with the Kubikiribocho while kicking free from Hidan's grip.
Hidan laughed wildly instead of retreating.
He raised the fingers that had touched Zabuza's blood and licked them clean.
"Prepare to receive Lord Jashin's judgment!"
"The ritual begins!"
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