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The execution grounds in the capital of the Land of Waves were packed, with crowds pressing in from all sides.
Sasame had handed the development plan to Miboshi Shin but didn't leave immediately. Since these men had never been formally educated, many details were beyond their grasp, and they needed his guidance. Though he himself had no real-world experience, he had seen enough to avoid stumbling blindly.
Half a month had passed, and Miboshi Shin's group had completely pulled off their scheme—seizing control of Gato's company. With the first step complete, they moved to the next phase: taking over the Land of Waves and winning the people's support.
It wasn't a complicated task.
Not long ago, Kaiza—Tazuna's adopted son—had led a rebellion across the island, only to be executed by Gato. The hatred was already at its peak.
On top of that, Sasame would provide them with suitable jobs, ensuring they contributed to the Land of Waves' reconstruction.
"Everyone! I am Tazuna!"
An old man stood excitedly in front of Gato, delivering a speech. Sasame didn't particularly like him, but his reputation in the Land of Waves was unmatched. Winning him over had saved a lot of trouble.
"Why did we execute Gato? Because he hijacked our sea trade and destroyed our bridge! Killing Gato is proof that the old ways are gone for good!"
Tazuna waved his arms fervently, shouting, "With Lord Takashi here, the Land of Waves is finally at peace!"
("Takashi" was the alias Sasame had chosen for himself.)
"I am now the chief bridge engineer of the Thousand Sunny Shipping Company, with excellent pay—tens of thousands of ryō per month! And once the bridge is completed, there's a bonus of five hundred thousand ryō!"
After dangling this tempting offer, Tazuna moved on to recruitment: "We urgently need skilled workers in bridge construction, shipping, fishing, and more! Everyone is welcome to join, with excellent benefits!"
The crowd erupted.
Gato was dead—their survival was secured.
With so many job openings, prosperity was within reach.
In an instant, the Thousand Sunny Shipping Company became a beacon of hope in their eyes.
Sasame nodded in satisfaction.
Using Tazuna as the face of this operation had been the right decision.
The Land of Waves was now firmly in his grasp.
"Carry out the execution!"
Tazuna turned toward Gato and shouted.
A flash of steel—
Gato's head rolled to the ground.
The crowd burst into unprecedented cheers, swept up in wild excitement.
"Miboshi Shin, the rest is up to you," Sasame said, turning away.
Of course, this was only temporary. Once he returned, he would replace Miboshi Shin with someone more capable and loyal.
"Yes!" Miboshi Shin gazed at him with reverence.
Over the past two weeks, he had been exposed to an entirely new world of knowledge, leaving him in awe of Sasame's brilliance.
After a half-month delay, Sasame set sail again, this time heading for the Land of Water aboard one of the Thousand Sunny Company's merchant ships.
Gato's business had been most deeply entangled with the Land of Water.
True to its name, the Land of Water was a nation of rivers and seas, thriving on maritime trade. Gato had naturally sunk vast sums into bribing its daimyo and nobles—so much so that he could even borrow their authority.
His ability to operate safely for so many years had depended entirely on the Land of Water.
Now, those connections belonged to Sasame.
He planned to enter Kirigakure under the guise of a merchant.
As for who Gato was? 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, the only major changes he made were the persecution of kekkei genkai clans and shinobi. Everything else remained untouched—including ties with the Land of Water.
In other words, Sasame was now, in a way, their superior—or at least their biggest financial backer.
As long as he didn't push too far, he wouldn't face any hostility.
Three days later, Sasame arrived in Kirigakure.
Waiting to greet him was Mei Terumī.
This wasn't a coincidence.
He had used his influence in the Land of Water to issue a request for a young, representative shinobi to discuss investment opportunities.
After Obito's reign of terror, Kirigakure had been reduced to a shadow of its former self.
The first and second generations of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were either dead or defected.
The third generation—Hōzuki Mangetsu and Chōjūrō—were still children under ten.
Among the older generation, only Ao, the Byakugan hunter, and the revered elder, Chōjūrō's mentor, remained.
Of the two jinchūriki, Yagura was under mind control, while Hōshigaki Kisame had gone rogue.
For Mei Terumī to emerge in such circumstances was nothing short of a miracle.
But even she couldn't single-handedly reverse Kirigakure's decline.
(The Sixth Mizukage, Chōjūrō, would later go down in history as the weakest Kage, with a record too embarrassing to recount.)
Mei wore a blue dress, a splash of color against Kirigakure's gloom.
Her long, reddish-brown hair cascaded down her back, reaching her thighs.
Her right eye was partially hidden by her bangs, but her left—a sharp, emerald green—radiated a calm and maturity beyond her years.
Her lips, thin and red, curled slightly in a polite smile.
"Hello. I am Mei Terumī. Are you Lord Takashi?"
The title "Lord" came not just from the Land of Water's orders but also from the allure of money.
Mei studied him.
Sasame hadn't used a transformation jutsu—those could be detected. Instead, he wore a cat mask, revealing only his eyes.
Though his face was hidden, his overall presence was refined: neat, well-kept clothes and sharp, focused eyes—nothing lecherous.
She had agreed to meet him personally for one reason: funding.
Mei was the strongest of her generation, both in skill and talent. Yagura's brutal rule had made her appear all the more reasonable.
To many in Kirigakure, she was already the next Mizukage.
Ambitious and deeply devoted to her village, Mei was determined to restore its former glory.
"I am," Sasame nodded. "Please lead the way."
"Of course."
Mei turned and walked ahead.
Kirigakure—the Village Hidden in the Mist.
Under Yagura's rule, the thick fog carried an oppressive weight, far from the comfort of Konoha.
The shinobi they passed seemed hollow, their spirits crushed—devoid of hope.
"Lord Takashi, may I ask you a question?"
Mei glanced back, her tone probing. "Why invest in Kirigakure?"
"Why do you ask?" Sasame countered. "Are you not welcoming?"
"Kirigakure's situation has been… difficult in recent years. Many merchants have withdrawn their investments. For you to come now is… unusual."
Mei was no fool. After Yagura's death, she had been the one to stabilize the village.
Her skepticism was only natural.
Sasame couldn't help but admire her.
Of the Five Great Nations, Kirigakure had been dealt the worst hand.
That Mei had managed as much as she did was impressive.
"Other merchants leaving only means our company will become Kirigakure's sole trade partner. In time, the returns will be substantial."
Sasame tapped a finger near his masked eye. "This is a long-term investment. I believe Kirigakure won't remain like this forever."
Mei stared at him.
His eyes burned with sincerity—more conviction than most Kirigakure shinobi had shown in years.
For a moment, she was taken aback.
It was rare to find someone who shared her faith in Kirigakure's future.
And for that person to be a merchant? Unthinkable.
"Your courage is remarkable, Lord Takashi."
Mei faced forward again, her voice firm. "If you're willing to invest, Kirigakure won't disappoint you."
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 135 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 25 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
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