Tsuchikage Building
A group of Iwagakure higher-ups sat upright below.
Mu sat in front of the Tsuchikage's desk, with the Tsuchikage Hat placed on it.
None of the higher-ups dared to utter a sound.
It was said that the previous Lord Tsuchikage Ishikawa had already hinted that Mu intended to punish some corruption within Iwagakure.
These higher-ups were afraid that Mu would investigate.
However, no one dared to bring it up, nor did anyone dare to ask.
Mu, meanwhile, was pondering the matter of the Tailed Beast.
But he had to first deal with Iwagakure's internal affairs before capturing Tailed Beasts and cultivating Jinchuriki.
This was also why he wanted Ninjutsu from Senju Tobirama.
Iwagakure itself had sealing Ninjutsu.
But Mu felt it was half-baked.
In later generations, even Killer Bee praised Naruto's Eight Trigrams Sealing Style as superior to the Armor Sealing Style.
So, Mu decided to use the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style to seal the Tailed Beasts.
Additionally, he needed to plan for the Ninja School and establish Iwagakure's Ninjutsu library.
Ah, just thinking about it made Mu a bit overwhelmed.
Being Tsuchikage was quite busy.
Mu slowly raised his head, looking at the higher-ups below.
"Everyone, I already know about the situation. Do you have anything to say?"
Mu paused his writing and spoke indifferently.
Actually, he didn't need the Tsuchikage to remind him; his Anbu had long known how much these people had embezzled.
Upon hearing this, all the higher-ups trembled, exchanged glances, yet still no one dared to speak first.
The air seemed to solidify, and coupled with the more or less oppressive aura of the Ninja World's number one on Mu, it was so stifling that people couldn't breathe.
Mu sneered, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.
"Since none of you are willing to speak, then I will speak for you. Embezzlement, bribery, lining your own pockets—you are truly something!"
Mu slammed the table.
"Lord Tsuchikage, we are used to living difficult lives… we were afraid of poverty…"
The Iwagakure higher-ups instantly couldn't bear it and were about to confess everything.
Unexpectedly, Mu's tone shifted.
"You all got rich together, why didn't you include me?"
Mu asked with a hint of anger.
"Huh????"
The Iwagakure higher-ups' expressions froze, and then everyone showed signs of wild joy.
Good, good, good.
So he was complaining that we got rich without including him…
Why didn't we include you? We were afraid you'd beat us up!
"Lord Tsuchikage, you should have said so earlier! We've kept a lot of money ready to show our filial piety to you!"
"Yes, yes, yes, we'll transfer the shops to your name immediately!"
"You can have as much as you want, Lord Tsuchikage!"
The Iwagakure higher-ups flattered him one after another, smiling.
"There's no need for transfers. How about this: if you have anything, just give me the money, and I'll handle it for you. This is called taking your money to do your business!"
Mu spoke indifferently.
Mu believed that at a certain height in politics, there was no distinction between right and wrong.
As long as Iwagakure's economy was fine and could grow, these people could embezzle as they pleased.
He understood the principle that "water too clear has no fish."
Besides, he didn't want to manage businesses directly; direct management was a bit too risky. How could a Tsuchikage also engage in commerce?
"Yes, yes, yes! Lord Tsuchikage, let's go with the flow together!"
"Right, let's get rich together, let's make money together."
Upon hearing the word "we," Mu instantly became displeased.
"Hey! Don't keep saying 'we, we, we.' You are you, and I am I. I call this 'mingling with the dust'!"
Mu said coldly.
"Yes, yes, yes! You are 'mingling with the dust'!"
The Iwagakure higher-ups laughed and echoed.
"Furthermore, embezzlement and bribery are not a big deal, but they must not affect Iwagakure's economic progress. You must never commit acts that violate Iwagakure's Will of Stone!"
Mu warned again coldly.
At the same time, Mu also took the opportunity to reprimand everyone present.
"I can turn a blind eye to other minor actions, but do not go against my will!"
"Do not trip me up in what I want to do. From an ordinary Ninja to a Tsuchikage successor, I have done this work for many years, whether it was establishing the Ninja School, leading the encirclement and killing of Hashirama and Madara, or leading Ninja wars."
"When I want to do something, it basically gets done. If there's something I don't want to do, other Ninja won't be able to do it either!"
"Are there any objections? Yes, but very few! Unless he doesn't want his Jonin vest…"
Mu's gaze swept over all the Iwagakure higher-ups present.
These Iwagakure higher-ups were all Ninja by origin, so they naturally understood what Mu was saying.
They also realized that Mu was reprimanding them.
The gist was: you can make money however you want, but you must obey me.
If you are obedient, you are allowed to make money. If you are not, then you can expect to go to jail.
"Alright, that's all I have to say. You may go back to work."
Mu lowered his head, ignoring them.
He had other thoughts behind doing this.
Mu had no family; he had always been alone.
Dirty money going into his pocket was no different from it going into the Village's treasury.
In other words, his taking bribes equaled making money for the Village.
Everything was for the Village.
Mu put on his Go-Shin Robe, pulling down his Tsuchikage Hat.
"It's time to inspect the Village's situation."
"Shichiba Fuma, you come with me."
Mu stood up, looking at the Anbu captain in the darkness.
"Yes!"
Shichiba Fuma knelt on the ground.
Currently, half of the Fūma Clan was engaged in education, while the other half directly served in Iwagakure's Security Department.
Iwagakure Commercial Street
This was Mu's first public appearance since taking office.
The Iwagakure residents and shop owners all came out of their homes to warmly welcome him.
For a time, the entire commercial street was packed with people.
The Iwagakure residents were jumping and clapping, and some were even crying.
"When eating, you must first open your mouth. The third floor must be built above the second floor. Before building a house, you must first lay the foundation!"
Mu said loudly.
"Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!!!!!"
"Wuwuwu! That's so profound!! As expected of the wise and mighty God-given Mu, the Tsuchikage!"
"Wuwuwu, so touching, I must take notes!"
"Lord Second is absolutely right!"
The Iwagakure residents cried, and the applause grew even more intense.
"Lord Second, your words are profound!"
Beside Mu, Shichiba Fuma's pen was almost smoking as he continuously took notes.
Upon arriving at the school, Mu did not disturb the students' classes.
Instead, he quietly looked through the Iwagakure Ninja School's textbooks.
On the first page of the book was his Will of Stone and his portrait.
After that was the history before the Ninja Village was founded, and Ishikawa's personal introduction.
Up to this point, it was still normal.
But then it started to become fantastical.
"Come, come, Director of the Ninja School Textbook Department, come here and take a look."
"When did I ever use a stone to shatter Susanoo?"
Mu asked, unable to keep a straight face.
The Director of the Ninja School Textbook Department obediently took the textbook.
It turned out that there was an essay in it about Mu casually picking up a stone, throwing it directly into the sky, and instantly knocking down Uchiha Madara's Susanoo.
"If I had that kind of power, I would have single-handedly swept through the Ninja World long ago…"
Mu said, looking speechless.
"We just wanted to make you seem more powerful…"
The director said awkwardly.
"Alright, facts are facts. There's no need to exaggerate. These children won't stay children forever; when they grow up, they'll know how absurd this is. You're harming me."
Mu said coldly.
"Yes! We will revise it immediately and send it to you for review!" the Textbook Department director immediately guaranteed.
Mu smiled slightly and patted his shoulder.
"Good, truly a battle-tested successor of the Will of Stone!"