Umbrella Corporation

The two began by throwing shuriken at each other, then moved on to a contest of taijutsu and ninjutsu.

Naruto focused mainly on defense.

At most, he used ninjutsu to force Sasuke to reposition.

Half an hour later.

Sasuke was exhausted, gasping for breath.

"Sasuke, can you even keep going?"

Naruto felt that he had already gone easy on him to an outrageous extent, yet Sasuke had still run out of stamina.

He was way too weak.

At this rate, forget revitalizing the Uchiha clan—how was he supposed to build a harem?

Would he even be able to handle Sakura?

Uh, why Sakura?

Naruto felt that Sakura had the greatest chance of succeeding.

As the saying went, the one nearest the water got the moonlight first; affection grew over time. That was all there was to it.

"Hmph!"

Sasuke merely snorted. Naruto's shuriken and ninjutsu had long since forced him to exhaust both his Chakra and stamina.

At that moment, he could not even maintain the last of his dignity and could only lie on the ground.

"Alright, the battle ends here."

Kakashi emerged at that moment.

From their battle just now, Kakashi had already seen it clearly.

Whether it was their Chakra reserves, the number and proficiency of their ninjutsu, or anything else, the two of them had long surpassed the level of Genin. They had even exceeded Chunin.

By comparison—

Sasuke: Chakra reserves somewhat above Chunin level; proficient in several Fire Release techniques and Chidori.

Naruto: Still impossible to gauge.

Chakra: Who knew how many times greater than his own.

Ninjutsu: All Five Attributes, a wide variety of techniques, plus multiple self-developed ninjutsu with countless tricks.

What confused Kakashi most was their combat experience and skill. They did not seem like novices, much less Ninja Academy students who had only just graduated.

Where had they learned all that?

Could such things be learned without experiencing battle?

Could this be what a genius was?

But that did not seem right either.

Kakashi himself had also been called a genius, yet he had never seen a genius improve so quickly.

"You two have both grown very quickly, far beyond your teacher's expectations." Kakashi praised them first. At this rate, he felt as though they were going to drain him dry.

Especially Naruto.

Kakashi continued, "However, there are still many areas where you can continue improving."

"Sasuke, you've learned Chidori well. Next, you can try to master deeper nature transformation. I will give you special training."

Kakashi said this as he glanced at Sasuke.

Sasuke's progress with Chidori had been rapid. Kakashi had only taught it to him a few days ago, yet he had already mastered it proficiently.

"Understood." Sasuke nodded.

Kakashi then looked at Sakura. "Sakura, your Chakra control has improved quickly. I have a Medical Ninjutsu scroll here, as well as a genjutsu—Hell Viewing Technique—that I can teach you."

"Alright, Teacher Kakashi." Sakura was delighted inside. Teacher Kakashi had praised her.

Finally, Kakashi looked at Naruto, his expression complicated.

During their last C-rank mission, Naruto's personal juicer had squeezed him completely dry.

There was already nothing left for him to teach.

"Naruto, you... just cultivate well on your own."

"Uh..." Naruto glanced at Teacher Kakashi, feeling rather speechless.

I thought that, Teacher Kakashi, as an experienced Jonin, you would surely have some profound insight. But this is it?

"Alright then, Teacher Kakashi."

Naruto nodded and took an orange from his backpack, continuing to replenish his vitamin C.

But as he looked at the other three, who had all begun training and were busy with their own things—

Naruto: I've been isolated by the little clique.

Taking advantage of the gap, Naruto checked the messages in the channel. Perfect—Zabuza had already made his move.

He used Flying Thunder God to go join the excitement.

The scene shifted to Gato's mansion.

"Mr. Nine Tubes."

Seeing Naruto wearing a Nine Tubes mask, Zabuza, whose hands were covered in blood, greeted this elusive benefactor.

Haku stood beside him, curiously studying Naruto.

Naruto was rather surprised as he looked at Haku, who was beautiful but actually a boy.

He was that beautiful and yet he was a boy?

What a pity. Mm. Such a shame.

He wondered whether Haku had any older or younger sisters he could introduce.

"Mm, where is Gato?"

Zabuza pointed in one direction. "He's dead already."

Following the direction of his finger, Naruto saw Gato hanging from the wall.

He had died rather miserably, his eyes still open.

Yet the sight of him made Naruto's eyes light up.

The composition was pretty good.

Haku's bright white wall, Gato in dark clothes nailed to it,

Blood flowed down the wall from the corpse, branching like streams of various sizes before slowly gathering on the ground. Under the sunlight, it was a glaring dark red.

Under the blinding sunlight, the entire scene actually carried a certain artistic meaning.

This was one of the rare sunny days in the Land of Waves.

It was highly commemorative.

He had this year's news award in the bag!

He took out his game console, selected the camera function, and recorded it for posterity.

The next issue's headline had been decided!

"How should we deal with these subordinates? Should we..." Looking at the more than one hundred thugs outside, Zabuza revealed a bloodthirsty smile. His meaning was obvious.

Zabuza was not a good person, after all.

Besides, he had just obtained powerful strength, and he was itching to test his skills.

However, Naruto was not too pleased by that attitude.

He was going to become the Mizukage someday, yet he still acted like this.

That would not do.

It seemed Naruto needed to help him with some image management.

And besides—

Naruto looked outside.

There was a group of obvious villains. Their attitudes were arrogant, their smiles wicked, and their clothes gaudy. One look was enough to tell that they were not good people.

They all seemed to be Gato's thugs, accomplices who had aided him in his evil.

They were all excellent raw materials—no, they were all good comrades.

The proper approach was to learn from past mistakes and cure the sickness to save the patient.

Killing was only the final measure.

Naruto believed that after a round of his "persuasion," these thugs would certainly recognize their mistakes and reform themselves.

They would surely contribute to the revolutionary cause.

"Don't bother with them. Leave first. Leave this place to me," Naruto Responded.

"Alright."

Zabuza was somewhat disappointed, but since it was Nine Tubes' arrangement, he chose to respect it.

"Oh, right."

Before the two left, Naruto suddenly added, "Stay at your hideout. I'll send someone to find you later. He'll help you map out a route to becoming Mizukage."

"Understood."

After Zabuza left, Naruto began remaking these people.

There were 145 of them, all with Jonin templates.

However, they were ordinary people in their daily lives. Unless they had to fight to protect property, they would not reveal their strength.

Naruto already had plans for them.

They would mainly be used to establish sales channels.

They would not enter the great nations, focusing instead on business in small countries without ninja villages.

Media: newspapers, books, and magazines.

They would first get some practice in small countries while testing the market response.

In the future, they would enter the Five Great Nations, grow bigger and stronger, and create new glory.

Carefree Pills: fully roll out Xiong's Carefree Pills and start making serious money.

They would also launch the "No. 50 Carefree Pill" for civilians—that was, one-fiftieth of a Carefree Pill—and the "No. 100 Carefree Pill."

A No. 100 Carefree Pill could restore 100 HP, enough to bring an ordinary person from the brink of death back to full health.

It was practically a miracle drug.

It would surely sweep the entire world!

Price: 1,000 ryo.

This was a miracle drug everyone could afford.

As for the formula being leaked, who said Carefree Pills only came in Xiong's version?

Old Xiong had senior and junior brothers too, and a sect as well, alright?

This was also a good chance to relieve some pressure on Old Xiong. Recently, the pressure from the Hokage's assistant—that old dog named Danzo—had been a little too much.

That old dog did not look like a good person at all.

He actually had his eye on Naruto's business.

Just wait.

There was also Old Daddy Fast Food: forget the Land of Waves. This would only open in wealthy small countries, where there would be enough customers.

"Business is getting bigger and bigger. What should I call it?"

"How about... Umbrella Corporation!"

Thank you to all my godfathers for the monthly votes.

Thank you to all my esteemed readers for the recommendation votes and continued reading.

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