The situation of the Land of Waves was quite similar to the Land of Whirlpools—both were small island nations surrounded by the sea.
The difference?
The Land of Waves was so poor it couldn't even support a ninja village.
It had long been taken over by Gatō, turning into nothing more than a smuggling hub for illegal goods. The civilians were dirt poor, surviving off fishing and whatever scraps they could get.
After landing in the Land of Waves, Zabuza and Haku didn't react much when they saw the skinny, malnourished civilians along the coast.
But Uchiha Shisui, who grew up in Konoha, frowned slightly.
The living conditions here were so bad it almost felt unreal.
This was supposed to be territory controlled by a rich tycoon?
Zabuza noticed Shisui's expression and said casually:
"Lord Shisui, these people are actually doing fine. I've seen worse in the Land of Water. Hell, I've seen people eating each other in refugee camps."
Shisui nodded slowly, his expression turning serious.
"I see…"
Zabuza smirked and added in an exaggerated tone:
"If life wasn't forcing people into a corner, who the hell would want war? People steal, kill, and fight because if they don't—they die. Simple as that."
Shisui glanced at him.
"Didn't expect you to be this insightful."
"Of course," Zabuza snorted. "I grew up in the Bloody Mist. Back then, I killed every single one of my classmates during the graduation exam. Forced the higher-ups to change the system."
He paused, then let out a dry laugh.
"And in the end? The Mizukage was just a puppet being controlled anyway."
Zabuza's tone turned a bit bitter.
"Seems like Kirigakure is doomed to always be someone else's puppet."
Hearing that, Haku lightly poked Zabuza's shoulder.
Zabuza froze for a second, then quickly corrected himself:
"Ah—don't get me wrong, Lord Shisui. If Lord Naruto can let Kirigakure live like Uzushio Village… then he's basically a god in my eyes. I'd betray my village again without blinking."
Shisui didn't refute him.
Honestly… he thought the same.
Otherwise, he would've just disappeared with the remaining Uchiha instead of following Naruto.
While talking, the group moved deeper into the island.
Soon, they found the headquarters of Gatō Company.
Lavish buildings stood tall—completely out of place beside the surrounding slums. The contrast was so ridiculous it almost looked like a bad joke.
After quietly knocking out a guard, Shisui and the others used the Transformation Jutsu and walked straight in like they owned the place.
At that moment, Gatō was heading toward his bedroom with two women in his arms.
Then—
Shisui and Zabuza suddenly appeared.
"—?!"
Before Gatō could even scream, Zabuza's Kubikiribōchō was already pressed against his neck.
The cold blade snapped him back to reality instantly.
All the arrogance on his face vanished.
He forced an ugly smile.
"Gentlemen… if you wanted to meet me, you could've sent an invitation. No need for all this killing and—"
"Shut up."
Zabuza pressed the blade slightly harder.
Gatō immediately shut his mouth. Not even a squeak.
Good. He liked breathing.
Shisui ignored Gatō completely, scanning the villa carefully.
A man like Gatō might not afford Kage-level protection, but hiring a few Jōnin wasn't a problem.
He wasn't worried about fighting them—
He just didn't want to ruin the mission's "clean record."
Right as Zabuza was about to say something threatening, Shisui suddenly frowned.
"The situation changed."
Zabuza's expression shifted.
"Take him. We're leaving. Now."
No hesitation.
Zabuza knocked Gatō unconscious, stuffed him into a sack like garbage, and carried him out.
They retreated into a forest near the shore.
Zabuza immediately asked:
"Lord Shisui, what's wrong? And… are we still killing this bastard?"
Shisui didn't answer right away.
Instead, he untied the sack and activated his Sharingan, casting a genjutsu.
"Are you Gatō?"
The man shook his head blankly.
"I'm not Lord Gatō… I'm just his double."
"…What?"
Zabuza and Haku both froze.
They had just risked their lives to kidnap a damn fake.
Zabuza clicked his tongue.
"Great. We kidnapped a knockoff. What's next, find the real one in a bargain sale?"
Shisui continued calmly:
"Do you know where Gatō is? Or who else knows?"
The double shook his head again.
"I don't know…"
Shisui's expression darkened slightly.
This was bad.
If they couldn't find the real Gatō, the mission would be a complete failure.
Worse—
This might not just be Gatō's doing.
There could be another force interfering.
Haku asked nervously:
"Lord Shisui… what should we do? Inform Lord Naruto?"
Shisui shook his head.
"No need to bother him over something this trivial."
He paused, then said:
"Send the double back. Erase the memories of anyone involved. Gatō will contact him sooner or later."
Simple. Clean. Effective.
What Shisui didn't know—
Every single move they made had already been recorded.
Far away, inside a hidden chamber…
White Zetsu was replaying everything like a damn movie.
"Those useless wandering ninja trash actually dared to attack me?!"
Gatō smashed a glass of expensive red wine onto the floor.
The dark red liquid spread across the animal-skin carpet like blood.
He turned and stared at the masked man in front of him—
Obito, wearing his tiger-pattern mask.
"So this is why you brought me here? Because of a few random attacks?"
Obito's voice was cold and flat.
"Isn't that enough? They can kill you."
Gatō snorted.
Then narrowed his eyes.
"And how do I know you're not working with them?"
He sneered.
"I've used this trick myself—threaten first, then offer cooperation. You ninjas love selling yourselves for a good price."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Otherwise, why would anyone attack me? I've never provoked any ninja."
Obito tilted his head slightly.
"Never?"
He stepped closer.
"Didn't you send wandering ninjas to attack the Land of Whirlpools a week ago?"
Gatō waved his hand dismissively.
"So what? That country's been dead for years. Just a bunch of stray ninja dogs. Why would they come after me?"
Obito shook his head slowly.
Then said in a low, almost mocking tone:
"A few months ago, Uzushio Village was rebuilt."
"And the ones targeting you… are from there."
Gatō's expression stiffened.
"…What?"
Obito continued calmly:
"You provoked a ninja village without even realizing it."
"That's not just stupid…"
"It's suicidal."
Gatō's arrogance finally cracked.
His tone dropped.
"…What kind of village is this?"
"The Daimyō of the Land of Whirlpools is also the leader of Uzushio Village."
Obito paused, then added:
"And they're very interested in your wealth."
Gatō's face turned ugly.
After a moment, he stared coldly at Obito.
"…And you?"
"Aren't you here for the same thing?"
He smirked slightly.
"But since you came to me… I assume you can solve this little problem?"
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