Water Gate? Who Is He?

"Where there's a will, there's a way. Haven't you heard that before?"

Kakashi was rendered speechless by the retort.

Where there's a will, there's a way... Yes. As long as people are willing, what is there that cannot be done?

But...

Strange. When had the mission system become so twisted?

Was it because of the Will of Fire?

Yet in the next moment, Kakashi's heart tightened.

Damn! I almost got brainwashed!

"Who issues your missions? And what is the process for accepting and completing them?"

Kakashi asked.

"During wartime, they're issued by the big shots in the village. Normally, we shinobi rely mainly on missions commissioned by the nobles and Daimyo to make a living."

"We divide missions into different ranks according to their difficulty, then set standardized rewards for them. Once a mission is completed, shinobi can collect a certain commission. Of course, the village takes a cut as well."

Kakashi explained.

"Huh? You mean your survival depends on missions?"

Kakashi nodded.

"That's right!"

"Of course, the Daimyo also provide the village with some development funding every year, but that alone is nowhere near enough. We have to accept commissioned missions!"

"Even the appointment of our Hokage is decided by the Daimyo, so... missions are an indispensable part of both shinobi and the village."

Kakashi and Obito were completely speechless.

The Hokage were confirmed by the Daimyo?

What qualified them to make that decision? What did they understand?

A bunch of useless drunkards and gluttons could actually meddle in the affairs of a Shinobi Village?

And what were you shinobi doing? With such powerful abilities, why could you only survive by taking missions?

Those nobles could make you serve them hand and foot just because they had money. So what were you training so hard for?

Wasn't this the same as turning yourselves into dogs, with money as the leash? Whoever had the money held the leash?

Obito felt that this world was not as good as he had initially thought.

The Shinobi Village System was not nearly as romantic as those old men in the Empire had described.

What even was this?

"The Shinobi Village System really is a malignant tumor! Unification is the only way! I never understood what the Emperor said before. I even thought that letting a hundred flowers bloom was a good idea. But in reality, everyone is shackled by their own greed and desires, leading to endless conflicts and friction just like in this world!"

"This is a fundamentally flawed world! Kakashi!"

"Kakashi, why don't we go kill that bastard merchant named Gato?"

Obito was filled with righteous indignation.

Tazuna was already moved to tears.

"Thank you! Thank you, my honored shinobi! The people of the Land of Waves will certainly remember what you have done for us!"

Naruto swallowed hard from the side. He wanted to join in, but their conversation was too high-level for him to understand.

"All right. We can't be bothered to drag you along for the rest of the journey. Obito, place a restriction on them."

Now that he had decided to help, Kakashi no longer hesitated.

For them, killing a crooked merchant was as easy as lifting a finger.

They did not need to worry about as many things as Kakashi and Konoha Village did, such as the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Gato's cooperation with them, or diplomatic concerns.

They would just do it!

Those people had no regard for justice or law. They exploited ordinary civilians without limit as long as they could funnel profits their way. The people of Konoha Village found it troublesome, but the two of them did not!

Perhaps winning the people's hearts would allow the Empire to integrate into the Land of Waves without any obstacles.

Not far away, Sasuke finally returned, his whole body bleeding and his breath ragged.

Naruto's eyes went wide with rage at the sight.

This was the one who had sacrificed himself for Naruto's first kiss! His best friend!

How had he ended up like this?

"Sasuke! Daijoubu?"

Naruto cast a concerned look at Sasuke.

Seeing that Sasuke seemed somewhat dazed, Naruto turned his gaze toward Obito and Kakashi.

"Hey! You two bastards! What did you do to Sasuke?"

Naruto roared at them, furious flames flickering in his eyes.

He could not stand seeing Sasuke hurt. His heart was filled with resentment and anger toward Obito and Kakashi.

Obito looked toward Sasuke and could not help clicking his tongue.

This kid had been far too hard on himself. The Imperial Body Refining Method required gradual progress. His high-intensity overexertion had naturally overwhelmed his cells, causing him to bleed.

"Master..."

Sasuke spoke, looking toward Obito.

Naruto was instantly dumbfounded.

He stared at Sasuke in disbelief.

"Sasuke! Do you know what you're saying?"

"Master? You actually recognize these two as your masters?"

"You've chosen to betray Konoha, haven't you, Sasuke? How could you do this? Didn't we agree that we would compete for the position of Hokage together and inherit the Will of Fire?"

"No! I won't allow you to do this!"

Naruto shouted frantically, trying to make Sasuke change his mind.

Sasuke looked at Naruto disdainfully and began to sneer.

"What a foolish loser, Naruto!"

"Who's interested in competing with you for the position of Hokage? You don't understand what I carry on my shoulders!"

With only hatred for Itachi and the resolve and courage to avenge his clan in his heart, Sasuke no longer cared about the so-called Will of Fire.

Whoever had the strength was the boss. As far as betrayal was concerned, he felt no pressure at all.

Not everyone had been brainwashed as thoroughly by their village as Naruto.

Kakashi glanced at Sasuke and sighed.

"Sigh... This is all the village's fault..."

"No! Impossible! Sasuke isn't like that!"

Naruto looked toward Obito again.

"It must be you! You cast a genjutsu on him!"

Naruto struggled to attack Obito and Kakashi.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Relying on his immense Chakra, Naruto immediately created countless clones.

Obito was also startled.

"Is this the talent of the Uzumaki Clan? His strength isn't much, yet his Chakra exceeds that of most Jonin in the Empire! No... many Jonin could never reach such a terrifying amount of Chakra even in their entire lives!"

The Shadow Clone Technique was classified as a forbidden technique because many people could not properly control such a large amount of Chakra. Creating too many clones could easily cause them to die from exhaustion.

Yet this little brat had created several hundred clones in one go!

Obito was only mildly surprised, however.

"Fire Release—Great Fire Annihilation!"

Terrifying flames erupted, and the Shadow Clones exploded one after another, turning into clouds of white smoke.

Naruto's true body soon appeared.

Obito grabbed him and applied a Curse Seal that locked his Chakra. Naruto was instantly rendered helpless.

Feeling the Chakra inside him vanish completely, Naruto asked nervously, "W-what exactly did you do to me?"

Obito sneered disdainfully.

"Kid, you're far too reckless and ignorant. I'm curious—didn't Master Minato ever teach you properly?"

Obito was utterly perplexed. By all accounts, Master Minato was extraordinary in both talent and ability. How could Naruto in this world be so useless?

Could Master Minato in this world have died young as well? But how was that possible? With his Flying Thunder God Technique, he was second to none when it came to staying alive!

Forget Kage-level opponents—even someone at Six Paths-level would have a hard time hunting him down!

"Master Minato? Who is he?"

Naruto's face was filled with confusion.