I'M NARUTO UZUMAKI

The Land of Waves and Gato

The situation of the Land of Waves and the former Land of Whirlpools is similar; both are small nations situated on isolated islands. However, while the Land of Whirlpools was once home to the powerful Uzumaki Clan, the Land of Waves is a poor country unable to support even a minor shinobi village.

Its decline was accelerated when Gato, the corrupt shipping magnate, seized control of its economy. His company turned the region into a hub for smuggling, extortion, and the trafficking of contraband. Under his rule, the citizens suffered extreme poverty, barely surviving through fishing.

Upon arriving in the Land of Waves, Zabuza Momochi and Haku remained indifferent to the sight of the malnourished villagers along the shore. However, Shisui Uchiha, having grown up in Konoha's structured society, frowned at the stark contrast in living conditions.

"The standard of living here is so low… Hard to believe this land belongs to someone as wealthy as Gato."

Noticing his reaction, Zabuza scoffed. "Shisui-sama, these people are actually doing well. I've seen worse in the Land of Water—some refugee camps even resort to cannibalism when food runs out."

"I see," Shisui muttered, his expression solemn.

Zabuza chuckled darkly. "If not for desperation, who would willingly go to war? When survival depends on seizing an enemy's resources, there's no choice but to fight."

Shisui cast him a sidelong glance. "I didn't expect you to be so philosophical."

Zabuza smirked. "I was raised in the Blood Mist. I slaughtered my entire graduating class, forcing the Mizukage to reconsider the brutal academy system—only to later realize that Yagura himself was a puppet, controlled from the shadows."

He paused before adding bitterly, "Kirigakure was always someone's tool. It seems that fate won't change anytime soon."

At that moment, Haku nudged Zabuza's shoulder. Realizing his words could be taken the wrong way, Zabuza quickly clarified, "No offense, Shisui-sama. If Lord Menma can bring prosperity to Kirigakure, I'd gladly betray my village for him. He'd be a god in my eyes."

Shisui remained silent, not rejecting the notion outright. He understood the sentiment. That was why he had chosen to follow Naruto rather than disappear with his clan.

While they talked, the group approached Gato's estate. The luxurious villa stood in stark contrast to the surrounding slums. After easily dispatching the guards, Shisui and Zabuza used the Transformation Jutsu to infiltrate the mansion.

At that moment, Gato was making his way to his chambers with two women when Shisui and Zabuza suddenly appeared. Before he could react, Zabuza pressed the Kubikiribōchō against his throat.

Feeling the cold steel, Gato's bravado faltered. Forcing a smile, he stammered, "If you wanted a meeting, you could've just sent a request. No need for violence, my friends."

Ignoring him, Shisui surveyed the room, wary of any hidden shinobi. A man like Gato might not afford a Kage-level bodyguard, but hiring a Jōnin wasn't out of the question.

Just as Zabuza prepared to threaten him, Shisui's expression darkened. "Zabuza, something isn't right. We should leave with Gato now and interrogate him elsewhere."

Zabuza hesitated, but seeing Shisui's serious demeanor, he knocked Gato unconscious, stuffed him into a sack, and exited the estate.

Once hidden in a coastal grove, Zabuza asked, "Shisui-sama, did you notice something? Should we still kill him?"

Instead of answering, Shisui activated his Sharingan and cast a genjutsu on their captive. "Are you really Gato?"

The man in the sack shook his head. "No… I'm only a stand-in for Lord Gato."

Zabuza and Haku exchanged shocked glances. Not only was the real Gato still at large, but the ease with which the genjutsu extracted the truth was unsettling.

Shisui continued, "Where is Gato? Does anyone else know his location?"

The stand-in shook his head again. He had no idea where the real Gato was. Shisui's expression grew grim. If they failed to locate Gato quickly, their mission would be compromised. Worse, the presence of a body double suggested that other forces might be involved.

Haku broke the silence. "Shisui-sama, what do we do? Do we inform Lord Menma or continue the mission?"

"This is a minor issue. No need to bother Menma-sama. We return the double and erase the memories of those involved. Gato will eventually contact his substitute."

With the plan set, they moved swiftly.

Unbeknownst to them, White Zetsu had been watching, recording their every move. In a hidden chamber, the events played out via ninjutsu projection.

---

Gato's True Whereabouts

"Damn those rogue shinobi… attacking me like that!"

Gato furiously hurled an expensive bottle of wine, staining his exotic animal-skin carpet. He turned his sharp gaze toward the masked man before him—Tobi, wearing a tiger-patterned mask to obscure his true identity.

"So this is why you brought me here? Just because some hired mercenaries tried to kill me?"

Tobi's voice was devoid of emotion. "Isn't that enough? They had the power to end your life."

Gato scoffed. "And how do I know you aren't working with them? This whole 'threaten first, negotiate later' trick—I've used it countless times myself. You shinobi only care about selling your skills to the highest bidder. Why would they attack me without provocation? I've never crossed paths with any major ninja forces."

"You think so?" Tobi's voice was cold. "Didn't you hire rogue ninjas to attack the remnants of the Uzumaki Clan last week?"

"So what?" Gato sneered. "Uzumaki Country was destroyed long ago. Those stragglers are just vagrants now. What could they possibly do to me?"

Tobi shook his head. "You're a fool. Just months ago, Uzushio Village was reestablished. The ones who attacked you were its shinobi. You've made an enemy of an entire ninja village without even realizing it."

At the mention of an active ninja village, Gato's confidence wavered. "A new village? Hah! The Five Great Nations don't care about me—why should they?"

"The daimyo of the new Uzumaki Country leads Uzushio Village himself. And unlike the Great Nations, they don't care about treaties or politics. They're coming for your wealth."

Gato's expression hardened. He narrowed his eyes at Tobi. "And you? You clearly have your own interests. But since you're here… I assume you intend to help me solve this problem."

Tobi simply smiled behind his mask, but his silence was more ominous than words.

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