Chapter 449: Director of the Legal Affairs Department, Uzumaki Nagato
"Hmm, so did this experiment succeed or fail?"
Kenichi rubbed his temples.
He had just received the memories transmitted by his Shadow Clone, which meant the Shadow Clone had already dispersed on its own.
However, after carefully going through the memories he had received, Kenichi's expression remained somewhat strange. To be honest, he had not expected his experiment to end in such an odd way.
First, the Shadow Clone had indeed flown for a very long time, soaring through the sky. A full day had passed from the moment Kenichi sent the Shadow Clone upward until the moment it dispersed.
However, the high-altitude environment was clearly far more complicated.
After using the modified Airship Boost Ninjutsu, the Shadow Clone discovered that its flying speed was still somewhat slow. Although the chakra consumption from a single use did not seem significant, the total consumption after prolonged use was astonishing.
It could even be said that with that level of chakra consumption, Kakashi, before receiving Sharingan gene transplants, would probably collapse completely after using it only a little.
The cost efficiency was too low.
"The good news is that using this ninjutsu allows the Shadow Clone to directly become a human satellite and fly upward. I don't need to worry about wear and tear. The only losses are probably my chakra and the pain from the memories transmitted when the Shadow Clone disperses."
Kenichi pondered quietly.
Although the Airship Boost Ninjutsu did not consume much chakra each time it was used, frequent use resulted in a tremendous overall expenditure. With only one Shadow Clone sent up, Kenichi estimated that it could barely remain in the air for a single day.
That was enough to show just how costly this ninjutsu was.
It had to be remembered that Kenichi's current chakra reserves could already be described as having chakra measured by the ton. Even so, he could not endure such prolonged consumption.
The only advantage was that this method itself did not require anything else.
The Shadow Clone alone could serve as a satellite.
Furthermore, the Shadow Clone was a chakra energy body and did not need to drink, eat, or breathe. Combined with the enhanced vision of the Mangekyo Sharingan, it could still clearly observe the movement of people below.
However, high-altitude air currents also affected the Shadow Clone. When Kenichi received the memories, he could clearly feel how unstable the flight had been.
"It still needs improvement. More improvement."
Kenichi thought for a moment.
"This time, the goal is to reduce the resources required for this ninjutsu while ideally increasing its duration."
He felt that if this task were entrusted to Danzo alone, it might take a long time.
So he decided to give Danzo more manpower.
Fortunately, there were many ninja in the Land of Water and the Land of Snow. Although not all of them were Wind Release users, there were still some among them.
The only pity was that the Hidden Mist Village had been destroyed by Kenichi.
Otherwise, perhaps the Hidden Mist Village would have had a specialized ninjutsu research team, which would have made things easier for him.
Kenichi pinched the bridge of his nose, then walked to Amado Sanzu's laboratory to check on the progress of the clones.
However, as of now, the clones had not yet reached the stage where experiments could begin. Overall, though, they were growing promisingly.
Although the phrase "growing promisingly" sounded somewhat strange, that was indeed how Kenichi felt when he looked at those rapidly growing clones.
"But I'm really curious. How does a living organism grow this fast?"
Kenichi looked at the jars before him and stroked his chin.
If he did not need these clones to grow quickly for the Mangekyo Sharingan fusion experiments, he would have wanted to draw some blood and research them.
Kenichi was also curious about something else.
If he extracted Madara's cells and used them for cloning, would a cloned Madara still possess the same overwhelming talent as the original?
Kenichi shook his head.
Now was not the time to research such things.
The situation in the Shinobi World was very bad. Since Kabuto had transmitted intelligence last time, there had been no further information. The only thing Kenichi currently knew was that the Hidden Cloud Village was gathering ninja.
As for the other Ninja Villages, no qualified spies had been planted there yet.
Kenichi returned to the capital of the Land of Water.
There was an important matter he needed to handle today. Some officials he had promoted in the Land of Water were waiting for him.
Looking at the bustling capital, Kenichi narrowed his eyes.
Although he had decided to rename the country, he himself was still more used to calling it the Land of Water. Many local people in the Land of Water were also more accustomed to the old name.
Before this, Kenichi had been busy dealing with the rogue ninja inside the Land of Water and had not had time to bother with it.
Now, under the leadership of the constantly defecting Hidden Mist rebels, the number of hidden rogue ninja in the Land of Water was decreasing. Moreover, with the new policies issued by Kenichi, some hidden ninja had also been reported to the guard teams by ordinary people.
So, it was time to unify the place names across the entire Land of Water.
The old name, Land of Water, would eventually be swept into the dustbin of history.
As for the history books of the Land of Water...
Kenichi had other ways to handle those.
"Lord!"
A man in his early thirties was anxiously looking around. When he noticed Kenichi, he immediately jogged over and looked at him respectfully.
"How have the arrangements been made?"
Kenichi walked ahead, and the man carefully followed behind him, keeping pace step by step.
"Lord, according to your request, all the bosses of the shipping companies at the docks have arrived," the man said softly.
His name was Akutami Kyoshi.
He had originally been the administrator of the capital.
Although the Daimyo had been the true ruler in name, expecting those gluttonous parasites who knew only how to enjoy themselves to actually learn governance was asking far too much.
The man before Kenichi, however, was very capable. He had managed the capital in an orderly manner. Although he was not a ninja, he had extensive experience in administration.
Therefore, after implanting a mid-level parasite in him, Kenichi had allowed him to continue serving as the capital's administrator.
At the same time, Kenichi had also entrusted many ordinary civilian affairs to this man.
"Hmm. Has Gato, the president of Gato Shipping Company, arrived?"
Kenichi thought of something interesting.
He had once robbed Gato, the future black-hearted merchant, and even placed him under genjutsu. He wondered whether that man was still alive now.
"Lord, President Gato is also on this invitation list. He has already arrived," Akutami said softly.
Kenichi nodded, then walked into a building whose decorative style looked completely out of place compared to the other buildings in the Shinobi World.
This building had been designed by Kenichi himself, modeled after a certain White Palace in appearance.
It was also the government office building of the capital. It contained Kenichi's own office, though he had not visited it once since its completion.
The building materials and funds had been easy to obtain.
Kenichi had simply used the Daimyo's private treasury.
The cost of this administrative center was nothing more than a drop in the bucket compared to the Daimyo's private wealth.
Kenichi pushed open the door, revealing a conference room.
The long table was already filled with people, but the main seat at the center remained empty.
Seeing this, Kenichi took the main seat without ceremony and swept his gaze across the people below him.
Most of them were ordinary people. There were no ninja among them.
Under Kenichi's gaze, each of them wore a fawning smile. As for the administrators who had been implanted with parasites, the reverence in their eyes could not be hidden.
Kenichi's gaze landed on a short man.
The man's iconic hair and familiar features allowed Kenichi to immediately recognize his identity.
Gato.
Gato looked at him with fear while wiping cold sweat from his forehead. The moment he noticed Kenichi's gaze, he immediately lowered his head and did not dare meet his eyes.
The Mangekyo in Kenichi's pupils flickered slightly.
"How interesting."
Kenichi smiled.
The false memories he had implanted in Gato's mind had been broken.
It seemed Gato had remembered being extorted by him.
But what did that matter?
Kenichi did not care.
Let alone Gato remembering now, even if he remembered the entire incident clearly, with Kenichi sitting right there, Gato would not dare say a single word.
That was the confidence brought by strength.
"So, the reason I gathered all of you here today is one matter."
Kenichi did not pay too much attention to Gato.
This "kind person" he had encountered on his first path to wealth was no longer worth Kenichi's notice.
Kenichi did not even need to act personally. He only needed to express dissatisfaction with Gato, and the man would probably end up dead in the street the moment he left the capital.
But Kenichi was not that bored.
A man like Gato, while black-hearted, had ability. Otherwise, he would not have been able to develop Gato Shipping Company to its current scale.
However, he was too black-hearted. Using Gato might bring Kenichi trouble.
So Kenichi planned to implant a low-level parasite in Gato and let him honestly run his business.
In any case, the reproduction of low-level parasites was now completely problem-free.
Kenichi had done this with all important positions and officials.
He was not bored enough to control those officials into kissing his feet or erecting statues of him. He simply used the parasites to turn those officials into good officials who were diligent, cared for the people, and would not become corrupt.
That way, Kenichi would not have to worry about becoming a new evil dragon.
Everyone sat up straight. Their attitudes were respectful, and their eyes were serious.
Kenichi raised an eyebrow.
No wonder so many people became addicted to the pleasure of power.
This feeling was indeed rather satisfying.
"The country's maritime transport and trade will be opened in the future, but not now. As for the docks..."
Kenichi took out the plan he had discussed with his political advisors and briefly explained it.
There was no other way.
The Land of Water was simply too poor in resources.
As a maritime nation, its main economic sources were reselling its local specialties and selling fishing catches. Selling fish could not earn much, because most countries in the Shinobi World could fish, except for the small landlocked nations.
Not opening up was definitely not an option.
The small Land of Water needed more goods and resources to ensure its people had enough living supplies. Moreover, Kenichi himself needed maritime transport to deliver some of his research equipment, and he also needed to use the Land of Water Daimyo's money to purchase large quantities of goods.
Money, when it was just paper, had no value.
It only gained meaning when exchanged for various things.
Kenichi had originally planned to open up gradually, but now that war might be approaching, he had to be more cautious.
At a time like this, ships leaving the Land might be plundered by hostile nations and Ninja Villages.
Although sufficiently high profits could make these merchants ignore the risks and continue doing business, these complicated matters still needed to be handled carefully.
That was the reason he had summoned the shipping companies.
After dealing with the issue of cargo transportation, Kenichi dismissed the shipping company personnel from the conference room.
The administrators implanted with parasites remained.
"During this period, all coastal areas, especially towns near the Shinobi World continent, should complete relocation work as much as possible. Move the people to towns farther inland."
Kenichi spoke to the administrators before him.
They were all administrators he had personally selected. They had experience in governance and were reliable in their work. After being implanted with parasites, they had become his most loyal subordinates.
The rustling sound of writing came from below.
"War might break out at any time. I need you to handle logistics and coordinate large quantities of war supplies into the capital at the same time..."
Kenichi pinched the bridge of his nose.
He truly did not want to deal with these complicated matters, but there was no other way.
He did not have many especially useful subordinates right now.
Although his sensei had once wanted to become Hokage, his sensei was clearly not suited for it.
Now, his sensei was more interested in ninjutsu research and scientific research.
As for Nagato...
Kenichi glanced out the window.
Nagato was currently with another group of professionals, discussing and formulating the Country's first set of laws.
As for the original laws of the Land of Water?
They were completely unacceptable.
They were full of class oppression, and in certain special circumstances, the Daimyo even held the so-called First Right. It was suffocating.
So Kenichi had abolished that complicated and inefficient legal system.
He needed to establish new laws.
Nagato had initially shown no interest in this work, but after Kenichi explained the importance of laws to him, Nagato had actively participated.
Keeping Nagato in the capital was also part of Kenichi's intention.
After all, Obito had suffered a loss at his hands.
Who knew what Obito might do next?
What if he wanted to reclaim the Rinnegan?
.....
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