XX-level Hokage

Then Mashiro led Yugito to see the empty rooms on the second and third floors one by one.

"You've seen all the empty rooms on the second floor. On the third floor, you can choose any of the rooms except for the one furthest in the east." Mashiro said with a smile. In the end, Yugito chose the second room on the east side.

Handing Yugito the key, Mashiro said, "You can go to town to buy some necessities later. There's money in the cabinet in the room, and the seal on you will be lifted in about two weeks."

"Um, thank you." Yugito said with a complicated expression as Mashiro was about to leave. "It's nothing. You are an excellent ninja, and I admire you very much," Mashiro said with a smile.

"It's nothing. You've already been enslaved by me, like a caged bird. I've always treated my subordinates well," Mashiro thought to herself.

Then Mashiro turned and left.

Chapter 75: Mizuki no Tsuki

"Is this your cat?" "Thank you, Miss Bai."

Bai watched the old man carrying his cat leave, smiling gently. Bai was very content with his current life.

Since Gato gave up on stopping the bridge's construction, the people of the Land of Waves gradually lost their hatred for him. Later, Gato gradually gave up his shady businesses and instead established numerous production and processing factories, providing many jobs for the lower classes of the Land of Waves. In these few years, Gato's reputation completely reversed, transforming him from a universally despised figure into a great philanthropist.

But for some reason, Kado continued to employ Zabuza and Bai, so in these past few years, Bai truly lived the life he longed for, without any fighting.

It's just ordinary life.

Because Gato mainly employs Zabuza, Zabuza has to act as Gato's bodyguard every day. During this time, Haku does what he can in the vicinity. Seeing the smiles on their faces, Haku can't help but smile too.

At noon, when it was time to leave work, Bai arrived at the entrance of the Kado Trading Company, waiting to see Zabuza appear.

As Gato's personal bodyguard, Zabuza could only rest at night, but he still had some time to eat at noon every day, so Haku would bring him food every noon.

But for some reason, Zabuza was nowhere to be seen at noon today. After hesitating for a long time, Haku went into the Chamber of Commerce building.

Upon reaching the fourth floor, which is where Kado resides, the fourth floor includes Kado's office, reception room, study, and temporary residence. Before reaching his office, there seemed to be some noise coming from inside.

Haku used Ice Release to summon several ice mirrors, and through the reflection of the light, he saw the scene inside the office through a small window.

In the office, Zabuza was sitting opposite a girl. The girl was very beautiful, wearing a black haori, with strange white eyes, and a Konoha headband hanging on her left arm. Gato stood respectfully behind her.

Who is she? Haku was somewhat surprised by Gato's respectful attitude; it was the first time she'd ever seen him with such an expression. Zabuza-sama's attitude was also strange; he kept his head down. Was it because she had said something?

At that moment, the girl glanced warily in her direction. Bai quickly made the ice mirror disappear.

"Have we been discovered?" Bai muttered to himself.

Then she quickly and quietly left, arriving outside the Chamber of Commerce building, where she waited quietly. Whoever that girl was, she must be a very distinguished person. She hoped she hadn't caused any trouble for Lord Zaibulian and Lord Kado.

Bai stood quietly, waiting for a long time, before the girl and Kado came out together. "My lord, Lord Kado," Bai bowed respectfully.

Mashiro stopped and looked Shiro up and down, saying softly, "Not bad."

“Sir, you’re right. Bai is indeed very good. She’s the most outstanding young person I’ve ever met,” Kado quickly echoed.

Mashiro smiled at this, said nothing more, and started to leave. Kado followed him away.

Only a blank expression remained on Bai's face, utterly bewildered. [Name: Mizuki Haku]

Gender: Female Age: 18

Relationship: Superior/Subordinate; Favorability: 20

Affection Reward (50): Ice Release

Affection Reward (90): Frost Power

What Zhenbai thought was good was not Bai's favorability reward, and she didn't even quite understand what Bai's favorability reward meant.

What truly impressed Mashiro was Haku himself and Haku's mastery of Ice Release. She had a new business venture that needed the help of Ice Release. At that moment, Zabuza also emerged from the merchant building. His expression seemed somewhat lost, but upon seeing Haku, it immediately turned cold.

"Lord Zabuza, here's your lunch." He walked up to Zabuza, handed him the bento box, and said. "Haku, come with me for a moment." Zabuza didn't take Haku's bento box, and said coldly.

Bai was somewhat puzzled, but he still followed Kan Zaibujian into an office in the Chamber of Commerce building.

"What's wrong, Lord Zabuza?" Bai placed the bento on the office desk and asked with some confusion.

“Just now, Kado’s superior, Lady Mashiro from Konoha, came by. She was very interested in you, so I sold you to her,” Zabuza said calmly.

"What are you saying? Lord Zabuza!" Shiro's face turned deathly pale. She couldn't believe it, but Wen remembered the words of the girl who had just arrived at the building entrance.

"Didn't you understand? I sold you to Lady Mashiro. She has power and influence in Konoha. It's not like you're being treated unfairly by going with her. I'll also get a lot in return."

"This sum of money is enough for me to live comfortably for the rest of my life," Zabuza said coldly.

"You must be joking, right? I'm so ordinary, why would an adult like me need me?" Bai Yiran said in disbelief.

“Who knows? You’re so useless, I can’t figure out why she’d be interested in you. But since she’s willing to pay this price, I’m more than happy to accept,” Zabuza continued.

“Lord Zabuza, you must have been forced into this, right? If it really comes down to it, we can leave the Land of Waves and live somewhere else,” Haku said with immense sorrow.

"Leave? I don't want to live that kind of life anymore. Once the money she promised comes through, I'll be set for life." Zabuza said somewhat irritably.

"By the way, you should be an adult by now. Since you're going to be with someone else, why not give me your body first? It wouldn't be in vain that I've raised you all these years." (If not...)

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he reached out and began to tear at the white clothes.

She shed tears as she looked at Zabuza, knowing full well that these weren't Zabuza's true feelings.

She took off her coat and placed it in Zabuza's hand, saying sadly, "Since this is what you wish for, Lord Zabuza, I will go." She then gave Zabuza a deep kiss before leaving the office.

Zabuza held the white coat, his gaze complex, his body stiff. After a moment, he let out a deep sigh. Mashiro's words still echoed in his ears.

"You and Haku have only been able to live such a peaceful life all these years thanks to Gato, right? Do you know why? I've been secretly keeping your whereabouts in the Land of Waves under wraps. Many ninja villages have death warrants for you. You and Haku used to make a living by watching killings. You should know that Haku doesn't like killing; she even..."

"I'm not suited to be a ninja."

"You probably also want Haku to live in Konoha, right? Leave Haku to me, and I'll arrange a suitable job for her so she can live a stable life in Konoha." "You suspect I might do something to her? Unfortunately, Haku isn't a genius, and the Ice Templar of the Mizuki clan isn't a powerful bloodline limit either."

"Tell me, if I really want to do something, you can't stop me."

"I will give you some money. After that, you can choose to stay in the Land of Waves and continue to serve as Kado's guard, or you can go to other places. Of course, if you are willing to hand over your greatsword to me, I will help you remove the warrant for your arrest from the Land of Water."

You should know how to tell yourself, no one knows her better than you.

Although Zabuza didn't want to believe it, Mashiro's words were indeed true, and this was the best ending for the dialogue.

Looking at the bento box on the table, Zabuza began to eat heartily. "Bai, live happily ever after."

Mashiro is touring the factories in the Land of Waves, which are among her main tools for carrying out her plans.

Whether it was Akatsuki, Obito, or Madara, Mashiro didn't feel anything about the future enemies; they were just a bunch of losers.

The ninja world isn't just about ninjas; it's also made up of many ordinary people.

Technology, productivity, and employment—that's Mashiro's ultimate weapon. With the support of the common people of the ninja world, ninjas? Mere tools.

Chapter 76: Progress

"How well are the common people in the Land of Waves accepting this?" Mashiro asked, looking through the glass at the busy workers in the factory.

"Reporting to you, sir, they are very happy and their work enthusiasm is excellent. Many have even petitioned for me to open more factories," Kado said respectfully. Mashiro nodded in agreement. This was normal; the ninja world had always been dominated by ninjas, and the interests of ordinary people were severely neglected. Their ability to gain...

There aren't many ways to make money. You either become a farmer, a small merchant using your skills, or do some auxiliary work for ninjas, while also bearing the various risks brought about by ninja battles.

Now a place has emerged that can provide jobs for ordinary people, requiring little to no cost, and providing monthly income. This is the best possible place for ordinary people who have been struggling to make ends meet.

"We can put the factory expansion in the Land of Waves on hold for now. Next, we'll build factories in the Land of Fields, the Land of Grass, and the Land of Demons. I've already made arrangements with these three countries."

Then, Yukiori's affordable brand, Yunori, was launched as a pilot project in the Land of Waves, near the factory, to see how the workers responded to the purchase. If the response was positive, it would be expanded to the Land of Fields, the Land of Grass, and the Land of Demons.

The goods needed by the Cloud Weavers are inexpensive but of average quality, so they have the factories in the Land of Fields and the Land of Grass produce them.

Furthermore, the production plant of Hyougoya in the Land of Waves will be shut down, and all Hyougoya products will henceforth be produced in the factory in the Land of Demons.

"We'll take the equipment and some skilled workers from the Land of Waves with us," Mashiro said.

Kado pondered for a moment, understanding Mashiro's intention, and said, "Yes, I'll arrange it right away." "By the way, how's the deployment to the four great nations of Wind, Water, Thunder, and Earth going?" Mashiro asked.

"Reporting to you, sir, because they would provide tax revenue, none of the four ninja villages stopped the Yukiori family and the Hyogoya from setting up shop there. However, due to the local industries, their development has been extremely slow, and the profits have been unsatisfactory," Kado said with a sigh.

"Being ostracized is normal. If it weren't for the Hyuga clan's endorsement, the Yukiori clan and Hyougoya would probably have received the same treatment in Konoha. In a few days, I will have the daughters of the Fifth Kazekage and the Third Tsuchikage endorse us. We will take the opportunity to launch more events to give ordinary people a sense of participation. We should also be more humble towards other low-end competitors and make it clear to them that the Yukiori clan and Hyougoya only take the high-end route and will not take over their market."

"Of course, it doesn't matter in the Land of Wind, but don't go too far in the Land of Earth. The Third Tsuchikage is a tough nut to crack," Mashiro said.

"Yes, sir." Kado was incredibly excited. Successfully capturing the markets of the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth meant that even more money would flow into their hands.

"Once the factories in the Land of Fields and the Land of Grass are on track, and the Cloud Weaving family's business model has matured, we will push the Cloud Weaving family into the markets of the Five Great Nations. Leaving aside the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water, I want you to completely conquer the daily necessities and clothing markets of the other three countries," Mashiro said expressionlessly.

"No problem, sir." Despite some hesitation, Kado remained confident.

More markets mean more orders, more orders mean more jobs and more money, more jobs mean more labor, which in turn contributes to more markets, and more money leads to larger-scale production.

Daily necessities, clothing, snacks—this is just the first step. Mashiro will move on to the next step... "Kado, stockpile more land in the Land of Waves," Mashiro said with a smile.

"?" Even Kado couldn't understand what Mashiro meant this time. Land is always the cheapest thing.

"Alright, go and arrange things," Mashiro said without answering Gato's question. "Yes," Gato replied, unconcerned, and turned to leave.

“You’ve been here for a while now,” Mashiro said with a smile. No one responded.

“Have you ever heard of the Byakugan? I can see you very clearly,” Mashiro continued, still without moving.

"I saw the reflection in your ice mirror, Mizuki Haku." Mashiro said, turning to look at a screen behind her. A moment later, Haku slowly walked out from behind the screen.

"Is there something you want to ask me?" Mashiro asked, looking at Haku. Haku nodded first, then shook his head.

"You should know that Zabuza is wanted by the Water Village, right? Selling you to me was Zabuza's own idea; he was tired of the life of fighting."

He also hoped you could have a more stable and peaceful life. I promised him I could help him get out of his predicament of being hunted down and provide you with a better life, so he agreed to my conditions. "Mashiro said to Shiro.

"I know." Haku had already guessed this. She understood Zabuza and knew that he had largely agreed to Mashiro's request because of her. But just as she said, since it was Zabuza's wish, she would agree.

“I don’t blame you. Going to Konoha is a good thing for me, a chance to experience a new life,” Haku said softly. “Then why did you come to find me?” Haku asked.

“I wanted to ask when you were leaving so I could prepare in advance, and then I accidentally overheard your conversation with Lord Kado,” Bai said softly.

"So, what are your thoughts?" Mashiro asked softly, watching the sunset.

"You are a very gentle person. If ordinary people all had stable jobs, perhaps the ninja world could be at peace," he replied.

Bai, you are a very intelligent person, but you have misunderstood one thing. While ordinary people are indeed the foundation of stability in the world, whether or not peace can be achieved depends on their ability to manage it.

"It was the strategists who decided. Alright, you should go back now. I'll take you back to Konoha this morning," Zhen Bai said leisurely.

Bai bowed respectfully, then turned and left.

I heard from Nagato that Akatsuki has already collected the Six-Tails, and the time has long since come for what I promised Konan.

Now we can start making some plans. Let's first make Nagato lose his Rinnegan. Then, we'll have Nagato lead the Six Paths of Pain to the Hidden Lightning Village to capture the Eight-Tails, and then…

Mashiro pondered, then disappeared into the shadows.