Chapter 532: Protecting Small Nations
The team returning from the Hidden Mist Village mission brought back not only news of victory and necessary spoils, but also an unexpected freelance addition: Kakuzu.
This Rogue Ninja from the Hidden Waterfall Village, who was a contemporary of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and had once attempted to assassinate Hashirama, was now wearing a brand-new Hidden Leaf Village Jonin uniform. He mingled with the crowd, observing the prosperous and peaceful Hidden Leaf Village with a complex expression.
His green eyes swept over the massive Hokage Rock, lingering for a moment on the newest, youthful face carved into it.
All of this began after Naruto subdued the Hidden Cloud Village and subsequently the Akatsuki Organization.
Naruto had once dispatched a Shadow Clone, taking Kakuzu to the Land of Hot Springs and other places to carry out a special mission.
By having an old-school S-rank Rogue Ninja like Kakuzu take action, creating chaos within those small nations or targeting specific individuals, and then having Naruto's Shadow Clone step in to stop Kakuzu, they could logically intervene in the country's affairs. Ultimately, this brought the small nations under the influence or control of Hidden Leaf Village, while also allowing them to acquire the "Earth Grudge Fear" hearts Kakuzu needed, along with extra funds.
The first target was the Land of Hot Springs.
The two worked together with high efficiency. Kakuzu felt that working with Naruto's Shadow Clone was much faster for making money than working alone, and the risks were controllable.
However, plans cannot keep up with changes.
When Naruto's Main Body was unexpectedly taken to another dimension by Otohime's "Taka-mi-musubi-no-kami", the Shadow Clone, which was closely linked to the Main Body, instantly dissipated due to the interruption of Chakra supply.
Naruto's Shadow Clone suddenly turned into white smoke with a "poof", leaving Kakuzu stunned; he thought Naruto had met with some misfortune.
He didn't feel much schadenfreude; instead, he felt a bit of a loss.
After all, the time spent following Naruto's Shadow Clone had been a rare "period of highly efficient cooperation" in his long life; no one was bossing him around, and he could happily make money and collect hearts.
After the Shadow Clone disappeared, Kakuzu didn't run away immediately.
Perhaps it was because he still had a glimmer of expectation for Naruto, or simply because he felt there was no better place to go even if he were free.
He continued to operate within his previous "business scope", making money while moving slowly toward Hidden Leaf Village to see how things would play out.
On the way, he encountered Kisame Hoshigaki, who had also been "recruited" by Naruto and was escorting some Hidden Mist prisoners and supplies back to Hidden Leaf Village. Kisame recognized Kakuzu, and after some exchange, Kakuzu followed Kisame's team back to Hidden Leaf Village and accepted initial "resettlement".
"As someone who once assassinated the First Hokage, I never expected that one day I would be able to wear a Hidden Leaf Village Jonin uniform and walk on the streets of Hidden Leaf Village."
While on the street, Kakuzu touched the high-quality fabric of the uniform on his body, his tone carrying a sense of absurdity and emotion that spanned a long passage of time.
Surrounding Konoha Ninja cast curious, vigilant, or scrutinizing gazes at him, but he didn't care at all; having lived for over ninety years, he was long accustomed to all kinds of gazes.
Naruto received Kakuzu, Kisame Hoshigaki, and two other acquaintances, Zabuza Momochi and Haku, in the Hokage Office.
Zabuza and Haku were dressed in samurai attire, looking exactly like wandering ronin.
Seeing the blonde youth sitting in the Hokage seat, Zabuza's eyes were complex.
Back in the Land of Waves, this boy was already very strong.
Who could have imagined that in just about a year, he would not only become the Sixth Hokage of Hidden Leaf Village but also sweep through the Ninja World with thunderous methods, forcing even the Five Great Nations to submit to Hidden Leaf Village's might.
Nothing is more unpredictable than the affairs of the world.
However, Naruto's state at this moment was not good.
He appeared to be sitting calmly behind the desk, but his brow was slightly furrowed, and deep in his eyes hid a trace of imperceptible fatigue and irritability.
In the Kamui Dimension, thousands of Shadow Clones were constantly attempting dangerous Kekkei Mora Fusions. The backlash of failure, like continuous, tiny needle pricks, constantly impacted his spirit and body through the memory feedback when the Shadow Clones dissipated.
The superimposed pain and pressure were difficult to bear, even with his tenacious will.
If it weren't for the status and responsibility of the Hokage, he would have loved to leave here immediately, find a quiet place to deal with the difficulties of his cultivation with all his might, or at least focus his mind to alleviate the discomfort.
"Alright, let's get down to business."
Naruto tapped his knuckles on the smooth desk, the crisp sound silencing the slightly subtle atmosphere in the office.
He forcibly pulled his attention back from the subtle pain in his body, his gaze sweeping over the four powerhouses before him, who had different backgrounds and experiences but were now all associated with Hidden Leaf Village in some form.
"Now, the general situation of the Ninja World is set. The Five Great Nations and their Ninja Villages have voluntarily accepted Hidden Leaf Village's management and protection."
Naruto came straight to the point, his tone calm but carrying an unquestionable meaning. "However, there are still many independent small nations and small Ninja Villages that remain outside this system.
How can this be allowed?
Peace and order must cover the entire Ninja World."
He paused and looked at the four of them: "I have summoned you here because I hope that you and Deidara can serve as deputies, following four Hidden Leaf Village Jonin to lead four elite teams to these regions that have not yet submitted.
Your mission is to go and 'protect' those countries and Villages, helping them realize the necessity and benefits of joining the new order led by Hidden Leaf Village."
Calling it 'protection' when it's actually an invasion...
This thought flashed through the minds of Zabuza, Haku, and Kisame almost simultaneously, but none of them said it out loud.
They were no strangers to such high-sounding rhetoric, but they didn't expect this young Hokage to use it so frankly.
It was Kakuzu whose green eyes lit up slightly; he seemed very interested in this mission.
He stepped forward, his voice raspy: "Sixth Hokage, if you could let me handle the Hidden Waterfall Village, that would be perfect."
He licked his lips, as if recalling something: "The location of the Hidden Waterfall Village is extremely hidden, tucked behind a massive waterfall. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and outsiders find it hard to locate the entrance.
And I, as someone who came from the Hidden Waterfall Village, am all too familiar with its terrain and defenses.
If I go, perhaps it can be done with half the effort, reducing unnecessary casualties and losses."
Naruto glanced at Kakuzu and nodded: "Very well. I'll leave the Hidden Waterfall Village to you."
He added, his tone carrying a reminder: "Also, there is a Seven-Tails Jinchuriki inside the Hidden Waterfall Village, a girl named Fu.
Proceed with caution. Try your best to capture her alive; don't kill her.
The Jinchuriki is a very important strategic resource."
"Understood."
Kakuzu nodded, a flash of sharpness in his eyes. Returning to his old home as a conqueror—this feeling was quite novel for him.
As for the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, he would naturally be careful.
Naruto leaned back, his hands resting casually on the wide chair armrests. Although his posture was relaxed, the invisible pressure he exuded made the few people in front of him straighten their backs involuntarily.
"I look forward to your good news."
Naruto's gaze swept over Zabuza, Haku, and Kisame: "Nara Shikamaru will communicate with you in detail about the specific targets and personnel arrangements later. As for you two," he looked at Zabuza and Haku, "The Hidden Mist Village may need you in the future."
Zabuza nodded silently, while Haku bowed respectfully: "Yes, Lord Sixth Hokage."
Finally, as if remembering something, Naruto added: "Oh, right, do not touch the Land of Snow and the Land of Demons for now.
Once I finish dealing with some things on hand, I will go there personally."
After giving the instructions, Naruto waved his hand, signaling that they could leave.
Kakuzu and the others saluted and exited the office.
The moment the door closed, Naruto's long-tensed nerves relaxed slightly, but the new round of painful feedback from the Shadow Clones came back, making him groan and sweat bead on his forehead.
He rubbed his temples, looking at the mountain of documents waiting for approval on the desk, and then thought of the endless cultivation in the forest outside the Village. The feeling of irritability rose in his heart again.
"There is really not a moment of rest."
He whispered to himself, forcing himself to sit up straight and picking up the report on top.
After just one glance, Naruto threw the report onto the desk.
"Dumping all the work on the Hokage Office? Do I pay them to sit around and do nothing?"
"Anbu, bring him to me."
There was no help for it; he was very angry right now.
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