Land of Water.
Kiri Village.
Natsume was leaning against the window, listening to Mizukage Mei Terumī report on work.
It was a pretty unique experience.
"All five shipping lanes have officially commenced construction."
Mei Terumī flipped through the documents. Beneath her calm tone was an inner unease.
Because she might be about to perform her first major show in life.
Although it was quite embarrassing, since she had promised Natsume, she had to deliver.
And it was seven hundred million Ryo.
Natsume didn't pay all at once but in installments.
Each installment was about fifty million Ryo, and so far, she had only received two hundred million Ryo.
According to his explanation, the cash flow was too large. Taking it all out at once would cause problems with the chamber of commerce's turnover.
It was quite reasonable.
Mei Terumī believed his story.
"Although there were many obstacles from other chambers of commerce, after Kiri Village stepped in, the issues were perfectly resolved."
It was indeed perfect.
Although ninjas usually adhered to the principle of not targeting ordinary people, this principle didn't apply to most ninjas in practice.
Take the Anbu for example. They did all sorts of things.
With a little manipulation from Mei Terumī and the backing of the Land of Water's name, other chambers of commerce would obediently give up the shipping lanes.
Actually, if it were up to Natsume, he would have taken a more gentle approach.
Like cooperation, sharing risks and benefits.
But it was the Land of Water, and it had nothing to do with him.
Mei Terumī spent about half an hour reporting and finally finished talking about all the recent events.
"Help me hire some chefs."
Natsume planned to venture into the fishing and culinary industries. "Preferably, they should be highly skilled and creative chefs."
The Land of Water was by the sea, so engaging in the seafood business was undoubtedly the easiest.
With the combined effects of branding and the influence of the aristocracy, seafood could definitely be sold at sky - high prices.
For example, several well - known seafood items from his past life in Japan, like red king crabs, tuna, and pufferfish.
More specifically, a bluefin tuna was once sold for three billion yen in 2019.
In the ninja world, an era dominated by Daimyos and the aristocracy, where people lived in decadence, this kind of grand occasion could be replicated.
The prerequisite was that the food was delicious enough and had the right prestige.
Natsume was even considering using [Genjutsu] along with seasonings.
There's a phenomenon known as the bandwagon effect.
If a Daimyo said the fish was incredibly delicious, other aristocrats or wealthy merchants would praise it even if they thought it was bad.
Natsume considered himself quite kind - hearted.
He was specifically targeting these aristocrats who had committed countless evils.
"Chefs?"
Mei Terumī looked up, her slender eyes filled with confusion. She asked, "What do you need so many chefs for?"
"Nothing. I just got an inspiration and want them to help me develop some dishes."
Natsume said off - handedly, "If you're interested, you can be the first judge to taste them."
"Okay."
Mei Terumī was curious about what he was up to, so she agreed.
"Is that all for now?"
Natsume rolled his eyes and asked with a smile, "How are you doing with your singing and dancing, Mizukage - sama?"
Mei Terumī's heart skipped a beat. Finally, this moment had arrived.
She stood up, still wearing a cold expression, and said, "There's nothing wrong."
"It's really worth looking forward to!"
Natsume jumped off the windowsill and sat in the Mizukage's seat. "Do you mind if I sit here?"
Mei Terumī frowned but said nothing.
Normally, no one but the Mizukage was allowed to sit there.
Because it's a provocation to the Mist Village.
But it was Natsume. Oh well, just let him do as he pleases.
Mei Terumī slowly inhaled and exhaled, then stood in the center of the Mizukage's office and began to dance gracefully.
She has a good figure.
Slimmer than Tsunade, yet still curvaceous.
Wearing a blue dress that accentuated her perfect hip and waistline as she moved.
The only slight pity is that her long, slender legs, though wrapped in fishnet stockings, are covered by white knee - high guards.
What a shame!
Actually, compared to her somewhat inexperienced dance, her singing was even better.
Natsume thought to himself that Mei Terumī had the talent to become an idol.
To have reached such a level in such a short time was truly remarkable.
After the song and dance ended, Mei Terumī's cheeks were flushed, whether from exhaustion or shyness.
"How... how was it?"
She asked nervously.
"It's amazing!"
Natsume gave her a thumbs up.
Mei Terumī immediately let out a sigh of relief, and a strange sense of joy welled up in her heart.
But a moment later, she realized something.
What am I so happy about?
Mei Terumī felt her face heat up uncontrollably.
Natsume was slightly taken aback. This kind of expression is quite rare, especially for the Mizukage.
"Anything else?"
Mei Terumī forced herself to suppress the flutter in her heart and said, "If not, I need to get back to work. Please give up the seat."
"Okay."
Natsume stood up, being quite the gentleman. He reached out his hand and said, "Mizukage - sama, please take your seat."
Mei Terumī hesitated for a couple of seconds, then regained her composure as the Mizukage and sat back in the soft chair.
A refreshing fragrance filled the air.
Natsume sniffed but said nothing more. He walked to the windowsill and stopped.
"Mizukage - sama, that outfit isn't suitable for dancing. I'll bring you a new one next time."
After saying that, he waved and disappeared from her sight.
"Next time?"
Mei Terumī was stunned, then showed a girlish annoyance. "This guy is so unreasonable!"
This chapter is not over yet!
As the Mizukage, she had never met someone so disrespectful.
He didn't even give her a chance to refuse and just made the decision on his own.
At the Daimyo's Mansion in the Land of Waves.
In the courtyard, Tayuya is training her Ninjutsu.
She was still wearing the kimono that Natsume had given her, holding a flute to her lips with both hands.
As her Chakra flowed, three huge summoned beasts emerged behind her.
They were humanoid in shape but looked extremely strange.
One held a wooden club, one had ghostly claws, and one had no arms.
Just then, Tayuya suddenly squinted her eyes, and the sound of her flute changed abruptly.
Demonic Flute: Phantom Spirit Wave[b]Demonic Flute: Phantom Spirit Wave[/b]!
The illusion unfolded.
Natsume was hanging in the air.
Three summoned beasts immediately launched an attack.
"You're dead meat!"
Tayuya shouted excitedly, but then her smile froze.
Somehow, Natsume appeared behind her and gave her a hard knock on the head.
"Ouch! It hurts!"
Tayuya's eyes welled up with tears, and she gritted her teeth and said, "Bastard!"
"Trying to use [Genjutsu] on me. You really have a nerve."
Natsume casually picked up her flute and said, "Let me borrow this for a few days. I won't give you a hard time this time."
He turned around and left, heading towards Mikoto Uchiha's room.
Standing outside the door, he knocked.
In less than a moment, Mikoto Uchiha opened the door. When she saw it was him, she was like a startled little white rabbit and quickly shut the door.
"Aunt Mikoto, I've got the latest news about Sasuke."
Natsume knew what her weakness was.
Sure enough, after just a few seconds, Mikoto Uchiha summoned up the courage to open the door.
"Aunt Mikoto, do you dislike me so much?"
Natsume sat down cross - legged and asked.
"No... no."
Mikoto Uchiha knelt opposite him, rubbing her hands on her lower abdomen, looking extremely nervous.
But it was about Sasuke Uchiha, so she had to force herself to stay focused.
"Um... how is Sasuke now?"
"Yesterday, I found a teacher for him. Do you know Kakashi Hatake?"
Natsume then picked up the teacup and took a sip.
Mikoto Uchiha's eyes immediately lit up.
Kakashi Hatake is a genius among young ninjas.
He is not only famous in Konoha Village but also well - known in other villages.
The nickname "Copy Ninja" is well - known to everyone.
And Mikoto Uchiha knew a bit more.
She knew that Kakashi Hatake got this nickname because of his [Sharingan].
Now that the Uchiha clan was destroyed, there was no one more suitable to be Sasuke's teacher in the whole Konoha Village than him.
"Thank you, Natsume."
Mikoto Uchiha replied sincerely.
"You're welcome."
Natsume hooked his index finger and said, "Come here."
Mikoto Uchiha's body trembled, and her eyes showed helplessness and pity.
"Aunt Mikoto, if you don't want to awaken the [Sharingan], I won't force you."
Natsume shrugged and said, "I'll leave now."
"Wait!"
Mikoto Uchiha's pupils shrank, and she quickly shouted, "I'm willing!"
She gritted her teeth and was about to stand up.
"I don't like you being so tall."
Natsume shook his head and waved his hand down.
Mikoto Uchiha was instantly stunned.
Throughout her life, people around her have always treated her with great respect. How could she ever have endured such humiliation?
"This is a necessary sacrifice for awakening the [Sharingan]."
Natsume spouted nonsense seriously, "Only in this way can you have intense emotional fluctuations."
Mikoto Uchiha bent down, got on all fours, and crawled up to him.
Her face was already flushed.
"Do you want to see Sasuke?"
Natsume reached out and pinched her cheek and asked.
Mikoto Uchiha nodded subconsciously but then quickly shook it.
"Okay, I respect your wish."
Natsume patted the tatami and said, "Sit down."
Mikoto Uchiha immediately breathed a sigh of relief and sat down next to him.
"Can you use Water Release[b]Water Release[/b]?"
Natsume picked up Tayuya's flute and twirled it between his fingers.
"No."
Mikoto Uchiha replied, "Since I don't go out to fight very often, I've only learned Fire Release[b]Fire Release[/b] and mastered the Sharingan[b]Sharingan[/b]."
"That's normal."
Natsume handed the flute to her and asked, "How about I teach you Water Release[b]Water Release[/b]?"
Mikoto Uchiha was slightly stunned and completely didn't understand what he meant.
But she didn't dare to defy him, so she took the flute and nodded.
Natsume whispered the Hand Seal[b]Hand Seal[/b] technique for Water Release[b]Water Release[/b] in her ear.
Mikoto Uchiha's face instantly turned bright red.
"How... how can this be?"
"Why not?"
Natsume reached out and ruffled her hair, saying, "Be good and listen to me."
"But... but... this kind of Water Release[b]Water Release[/b]..."
Mikoto Uchiha still resisted.
"Then you can train on your own, right?"
Natsume stood up and instructed, "Aunt Mikoto, don't forget your own purpose."
He left the room.
Mikoto Uchiha gritted her silver teeth, grasped the flute, and began to form the Hand Seals[b]Hand Seals[/b] and chant.
This special Water Release Ninjutsu[b]Water Release Ninjutsu[/b] can be mastered quickly due to the long - term chanting.
Natsume stood outside the window, admiring her efforts.
It looked very smooth and full of charm.
He used the Transformation Jutsu[b]Transformation Jutsu[/b] and turned into Fugaku Uchiha.
"Mikoto, what are you doing?"
Natsume pushed open the door.
"No, it's not like this!"
Mikoto Uchiha was instantly stunned. She covered her face with both hands, and the Three - tomoe[b]Three - tomoe[/b] in her eyes throbbed violently.
This chapter is not over yet. More exciting content is coming!
But she quickly realized the problem.
She raised her head, and a bone - chilling chill filled the air.
"Who are you?!"
"Aunt Mikoto, congratulations."
Natsume regained his original appearance and said, "Your strength has increased again."
Mikoto Uchiha suddenly came to her senses and slumped to the ground. The chill also disappeared.
She lay on the ground and cried.
She was extremely sad. Her tears soaked the spell - casting prop, which was Tayuya's flute.
"Stop crying."
Natsume stepped forward, patted her on the shoulder, and then said, "Crying also counts as time."
Mikoto Uchiha immediately raised her tear - streaked face.
"I know you don't want to see me. I'll leave."
Natsume sighed and said, "No good deed goes unpunished. But remember to practice the Water Release Ninjutsu[b]Water Release Ninjutsu[/b] three times a day. It will do you good."
He stood up and walked to the door.
"There are still two more times."
Natsume said as he closed the door. At the same time, he thoughtfully set up a barrier[b]barrier[/b] for her to ensure that no one would notice her.
He then went to see Ena Uzumaki. After some communication, he returned home.
The sky was clear in the Land of Waves[b]Land of Waves[/b], but it was pouring rain in Konoha Village[b]Konoha Village[/b].
Natsume stroked his chin and wondered if he should send an umbrella to Tsunade.
However, she was the Hokage[b]Hokage[/b] now, and it seemed that she didn't need him to send one.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Natsume was slightly taken aback. It was really rare for someone to knock on his door.
Lady Tsunade and Shizune have the keys and never knock on the door, so they are like family rather than guests.
It's daytime now.
If someone is looking for Lady Tsunade, they would definitely go to the Hokage Building.
If they're looking for Shizune, they'd have to go to the Konoha Hospital.
"Looking for me?"
Natsume got up and opened the door, quite surprised.
Ino Yamanaka.
She was wearing a purple tank top and purple shorts, showing off her toned abdomen and slender waist that could be easily grasped.
But at the moment, she looked a bit disheveled.
The rain had soaked her entire body.
"Come in quickly."
Natsume quickly handed her a towel and asked, "Why didn't you bring an umbrella?"
"It suddenly started raining when I was halfway here," Ino Yamanaka replied, blushing slightly. "Sorry."
"What's there to apologize for?"
Natsume pointed to the bathroom and said, "Go take a shower, or you'll catch a cold. I'll get you some clothes of Sister Shizune's."
Ino Yamanaka definitely couldn't fit into Lady Tsunade's clothes.
Shizune's clothes would be a bit big, but she could wear them.
"Thanks."
Ino Yamanaka initially wanted to decline, but eventually agreed to Natsume's suggestion.
Mainly because she could stay a little longer.
The sound of rushing water rang out.
Not long after, Ino Yamanaka walked out of the bathroom.
She picked up the towel and wiped her hair.
After that, she pulled her hair into a single ponytail with both hands and regained her energetic look as a young girl.
"What did you come to see me about today?"
Natsume looked at her and asked.
As she expected, Shizune's clothes were a bit too big and covered Ino's proud waist.
Well, it's a bit of a pity.
"Um... Natsume-kun, is Lady Tsunade still taking on apprentices?"
Ino Yamanaka was a bit shy for once.
"You want to be her apprentice?"
Natsume was a bit surprised but also thought it made sense.
In the original story, she and Sakura Haruno were Lady Tsunade's apprentices.
She just didn't expect it to happen several years earlier.
"It's Sakura," Ino Yamanaka explained. "She wants to learn Medical Ninjutsu[b]Medical Ninjutsu[/b], so she sent me to ask."
"What about you? Do you want to learn?"
Natsume asked with a smile.
Ino Yamanaka was stunned.
She really hadn't thought about it.
It was Sakura who wanted to heal Sasuke Uchiha in the future.
Originally, they planned to go to the Konoha Hospital to ask, but then she remembered that Natsume's teacher was Lady Tsunade, so she came here.
Now that she was suddenly reminded, if she became Lady Tsunade's apprentice, wouldn't she be Natsume's junior sister?
She'd have more reasons to get close to him in the future.
Ino Yamanaka wasn't the kind of shy girl. She boldly said, "If it's your suggestion, Natsume-kun, I can give it a try."
Four thousand words. Fifth and sixth updates. PS: The sixth update is a bonus update[b]bonus update[/b] for reaching 800 monthly votes. The bonus update[b]bonus update[/b] rule for this book is to add one chapter for every two hundred monthly votes and one chapter for every 5,000 recommended votes[b]recommended votes[/b]. The average number of subs is currently unstable, so there won't be bonus updates for now. Once it stabilizes, based on the first - subscriptions[b]first - subscriptions[/b] of 1,700, there will be one bonus update[b]bonus update[/b] for every additional one hundred in the average number of subs[b]average number of subs[/b]. Please vote more monthly votes and recommended votes.
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