In roughly a single day, the three ships under Momochi Zabuza's command had already entered the waters of the Land of Waves.
Kirigakure shinobi who had been planted in the Land of Waves in advance had already seized control of its only port.
The entire Land of Waves hadn't even had time to react!
After the Kinoshita clan had taken over all of Gato's commercial operations, they had continued to trade with small nations like the Land of Waves.
This meant that relations between the Land of Waves and Kirigakure had always been decent.
But "decent" was all it ever was!
If the Land of Waves' daimyō knew that a large number of Kirigakure shinobi were about to appear within his borders, anyone with half a brain would absolutely refuse.
So Kirigakure had no intention of asking a small nation like the Land of Waves for permission.
After the Kirigakure operatives stationed in the country seized the port, they smoothly guided Momochi Zabuza's three ships inside.
At the docks of the Land of Waves, a large crowd of civilians stared in shock and terror at the three massive ships that had suddenly appeared and the Kirigakure shinobi pouring down from their decks.
Many of them hadn't even processed what was happening.
Even those who sensed something was wrong didn't dare resist, faced with such an overwhelming number of shinobi. The country's few guards were utterly helpless.
"Lord Momochi Zabuza, I am Kinoshita Watanabe of the Kinoshita clan."
At the docks, Kinoshita Watanabe wore an expression of deep respect as he hurried forward to greet Momochi Zabuza, who had been the first to leap off the ship.
Momochi Zabuza took a deep breath of the salt-tinged air, a flash of excitement in his eyes.
This was his second time in the Land of Waves.
In some ways, Momochi Zabuza felt he had a certain fondness for this place.
After all, it was here that he had met Lord Yuto, who had only recently been revived at the time.
Momochi Zabuza allowed himself to savor the memory for a moment before looking down at the respectfully bowing Kinoshita Watanabe before him.
"Is everything prepared?"
Momochi Zabuza had no patience for small talk and cut straight to the point.
Faced with Zabuza's commanding tone, Kinoshita Watanabe's expression remained perfectly respectful, without the slightest hint of displeasure.
After all, he was merely an ordinary member of the Kinoshita clan.
And the man standing before him was a member of the Seven Swordsmen — the most elite unit in all of Kirigakure.
"Everything is ready." Kinoshita Watanabe kept his head lowered and replied swiftly.
"Lead the way."
Momochi Zabuza wasted no words.
A short while later.
Guided by Kinoshita Watanabe, Momochi Zabuza, Haku, and a handful of Kirigakure shinobi arrived at the very center of the Land of Waves.
What came into view was a cluster of two- and three-story mansions, immaculately maintained. The closer to the center, the larger the buildings became.
This stood in stark contrast to the low wooden huts that dotted the rest of the Land of Waves.
"I didn't expect such a poor place to have houses this nice."
Haku looked up at the scene before him, furrowing his brow slightly.
"That area ahead is where the Land of Waves' daimyō resides. Naturally, it would be a bit finer."
Kinoshita Watanabe didn't see anything unusual about it and offered the explanation casually.
Momochi Zabuza walked at the front and strode directly into the daimyō's estate.
Along the way, several guards attempted to block their path. But the invisible killing intent radiating from Momochi Zabuza made every one of them freeze in place, unable to take so much as a single step forward.
At that moment, a heavyset middle-aged man was lounging in a lavishly decorated office within the estate, yawning lazily from time to time.
This middle-aged man was the daimyō of the Land of Waves.
Suddenly, the daimyō heard a commotion coming from outside the room.
"What's going on out there? Why is it so noisy?"
The daimyō opened his groggy eyes, his face twisted with anger as he shouted at the guards outside.
The moment he finished speaking, the office doors were thrown wide open.
The two guards stationed outside stumbled back into the room, drenched in cold sweat and trembling from head to toe.
Seeing his guards in such a state, the daimyō — who had still been somewhat dazed — snapped fully awake and quickly looked toward the doorway.
Momochi Zabuza and the others strode in slowly, cold sneers plastered across their faces.
At this sight, the daimyō's entire body shuddered, his legs going weak in an instant.
"You... you're from Kirigakure. What do you want?"
The daimyō could clearly see the Kirigakure forehead protectors that Momochi Zabuza and the others wore. His voice trembled with panic.
"For the time being, Kirigakure will be taking control of the entire Land of Waves."
"Additionally, for the safety of your civilians, we need everyone living on the western side of the country to relocate eastward."
"So we're here to discuss this with the daimyō in advance."
Momochi Zabuza's gaze locked onto the daimyō as he spoke in a flat, level voice.
Though he used the word "discuss," there was absolutely no room for negotiation in his tone. It was less a discussion and more of a notification.
"No — impossible!"
Hearing that Kirigakure intended to take over the entire Land of Waves, the daimyō's first reaction was to spring to his feet and shout in protest.
For a brief moment, the daimyō actually forgot his fear.
"Is that so?"
Faced with the daimyō's refusal, Momochi Zabuza's expression didn't change in the slightest. A cold gleam flashed in his eyes as he glanced sideways at Haku.
If Lord Yuto hadn't specifically told him before departure to avoid harming the Land of Waves' civilians and daimyō if possible, Momochi Zabuza would never have bothered wasting words on this man.
Sensing Momochi Zabuza's gaze, Haku gave a small nod and stepped forward.
Under the daimyō's terrified stare, Haku formed a single hand seal in front of his chest.
As a cloud of white smoke dispersed, Haku's appearance had completely transformed into a perfect replica of the daimyō.
Momochi Zabuza wore a cold smirk as he looked at the now-stunned daimyō, releasing his killing intent.
The daimyō shuddered violently and collapsed to the floor.
"I agree! I agree!"
Staring at the Haku who was slowly walking toward him — especially since Haku now looked exactly like him — the daimyō scrambled frantically to his feet.
Hearing the daimyō's agreement, Haku's face broke into a faint smile.
To the daimyō, however, that smile was absolutely horrifying.
"Since you've agreed, then just sign here."
Haku walked up to the trembling daimyō, pulled a scroll from within his robes, and spoke with a smile.
[
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