The execution ground in the Metropolis of the Land of Waves.
At this moment, it was packed with people, layer upon layer.
After giving the development plan to Shin Mikihashi, Natsume didn't leave immediately.
After all, they had no formal education. It was difficult for them to grasp many details and they needed his guidance.
Although he hadn't really put it into practice himself, he had seen a lot and wasn't completely clueless.
Half a month passed, and Shin Mikihashi and the others had completely pulled a switch, taking full control of Gato's company.
The first step was completed, and it was time for the next one.
To take over the Land of Waves and gain the support of the people.
It wasn't a complicated step.
Not long ago, Keisha, Tazuna's adopted son, led the people of the entire island in a rebellion but was executed by Gato.
The hatred had reached its peak.
In addition, Natsume would also arrange suitable jobs for them to contribute to the Land of Waves.
"Hello, everyone! I'm Tazuna."
An old man was standing in front of Gato, excitedly giving a speech.
Natsume didn't really like him, but he had the highest prestige in the Land of Waves. Recruiting him could save a lot of trouble.
"Why do we have to kill Gato? Because they seized the shipping business and destroyed the bridge. Killing Gato is to let everyone know that the old days are gone forever!"
Tazuna waved his hands excitedly and roared, "Lord Kishi, Natsume's alias is here, and peace has returned to the Land of Waves!"
"I'm now the chief bridge builder of Wanli Yangguang Shipping Company. The treatment is very good. I can get tens of thousands of Ryo every month, and if the bridge is completed, there will be an additional bonus of five hundred thousand Ryo."
After Tazuna dangled a big carrot, he moved on to the recruitment part. "We're in urgent need of experienced hands in bridge - building, shipping, fishing and other fields. Welcome everyone to join. The treatment will be excellent."
The crowd immediately erupted in excitement.
With Gato dead, the survival crisis was resolved.
With so many job openings, their lives would also become prosperous.
In an instant, Wanli Yangguang Shipping Company became a place they yearned for in their hearts.
Natsume nodded in satisfaction.
Letting Tazuna take the lead? That was a smart move indeed!
The Land of Waves was now firmly in his hands.
"Execute him!"
Tazuna turned to look at Gato and shouted.
A flash of the blade.
Gato's head rolled to the ground.
The crowd burst into unprecedented cheers and fell into extreme excitement.
"Shin Mikihashi, I'll leave the rest to you."
Natsume withdrew his gaze and said.
Of course, this was only temporary. When he came back, he would replace Shin Mikihashi with someone more capable and loyal.
"Yes!"
Shin Mikihashi looked at him with admiration in his eyes.
In the past half - month, he had truly broadened his horizons and learned all kinds of wonderful and unprecedented knowledge.
He was completely in awe of Natsume.
After delaying for half a month, Natsume set sail again for the Land of Water.
This time, he was going with the merchant ships of Wanli Yangguang Shipping Company.
Gato used to have the most business dealings with the Land of Water.
The reason why the Land of Water was called the Land of Water was that it had a lot of water and a developed shipping industry.
Naturally, Gato wouldn't miss this opportunity. Every year, he spent a huge amount of money bribing the Daimyo and nobles of the Land of Water.
He had even reached the point where he could borrow their reputations.
His ability to remain safe for so many years is closely related to the Land of Water.
Now it's Natsume who benefits.
He plans to enter Kiri Village in the name of a merchant.
As for who Gato is, the Daimyo and nobles of the Land of Water don't care, as long as the money keeps coming.
After Obito Uchiha controlled Yagura Karatachi, the Fourth Mizukage, apart from persecuting the Kekkei Genkai clans and ninjas, he left the rest untouched.
For example, the connection with the Land of Water.
In other words, Natsume can now barely be regarded as their superior or major benefactor.
As long as he's not too excessive, he won't be attacked.
Three days later, Natsume arrived at Kiri Village.
It was Mei Terumī who greeted him.
This wasn't just a coincidence.
It was an order he issued via the Land of Water, stating that a representative young ninja was required for investment discussions.
After Obito Uchiha's slaughter, Kiri Village was at its weakest.
The First - generation and Second - generation Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist were either dead or had fled.
As for the Third - generation, Suigetsu Hozuki and Chojuro, they were still kids under ten.
Among the older generation, only the Byakugan Killer Ao and the respected elder Yuanshi remained.
Of the two Jinchuriki, Yagura was under control and Utakata had defected.
It was truly a blessing from the ancestors that Mei Terumī emerged.
But she alone couldn't change the current situation of Kiri Village where there was a lack of new blood.
Chojuro, the Sixth Mizukage, can be called the weakest Kage. His battle records are really abysmal.
Mei Terumī was wearing a blue dress, bringing a touch of color to the dull Kiri Village.
Her long reddish - brown hair was draped over her back, reaching down to her slender thighs.
Her right eye was covered by her bangs, and her green eyes showed a calmness and composure that didn't match her age.
Her thin, red lips were slightly pursed, showing a faint smile, which was quite polite.
"Hello, I'm Mei Terumī. Are you Lord Kishi?"
She called him "Lord" because of the order from the Land of Water and also because of the allure of money.
Mei Terumī sized him up.
Natsume didn't use the Transformation Jutsu because he would be detected, so he simply wore a cat mask, showing only his eyes.
Although his face was hidden, overall, he gave a good impression with his neatly - dressed appearance and bright, non - lecherous eyes.
She was willing to greet him in person this time for the sake of money.
Mei Terumī was the most powerful and talented among her peers, and Yagura's bloody rule made her seem extremely normal.
In the minds of many ninjas, she was already the next Mizukage.
Mei Terumī was a career - oriented ninja who loved Kiri Village and wanted to revitalize it.
"I am."
Natsume nodded and said, "Please lead the way."
"No problem."
Mei Terumī withdrew her gaze and turned to walk in front.
Kiri Village, a ninja village enveloped in thick fog.
Coupled with Yagura's bloody rule, it always gave Natsume a depressing feeling, far less comfortable than Konoha Village.
The ninjas he saw along the way were also quite numb, having lost their vitality, or rather, hope.
"Lord Kishi, I have a question I'd like to ask."
Mei Terumī turned to him, her tone somewhat inquisitive, and asked, "Why do you want to invest in Kiri?"
"Why are you asking this?"
Natsume didn't answer but countered instead, "Don't you guys welcome it?"
"The environment in Kiri has been pretty bad these years. All the investing merchants have left. It's rather strange that you're going against the trend."
Mei Terumī, who managed to turn the situation around after Yagura Karatachi's death, was naturally no ordinary person.
It's only natural for her to say so.
Natsume was actually a bit impressed by her.
Starting with Kiri among the Five Great Villages was undoubtedly a hell-level difficulty.
Mei Terumī had done a pretty good job.
"When the other merchants leave, our company will become Kiri's only trading partner. Then we'll get substantial returns."
Natsume pointed at his own eyes and said, "This is a long-term investment because I believe Kiri won't stay this bad forever."
Mei Terumī stared straight at him.
His eyes were full of sincerity, even more determined than most Mist Ninjas'.
She was slightly stunned and felt a kinship with him.
Because she also believed that Kiri would soon have a turnaround, and all this was just temporary.
She just didn't expect a merchant to have such an idea. It was really unexpected.
"Kishi's audacity has really impressed me."
Mei Terumī turned to look ahead and said quite affirmatively, "If you're willing to invest, Kiri won't let you down."
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