Naruto Uzumaki clutched his head and grimaced. "Is there news about Gato?"
Kakashi nodded. "His trail was spotted at the border of the Land of Waves. Looks like he plans to sneak abroad and start over somewhere else."
After Team 7 wiped out Zabuza's entire force, they spent several more days taking out hidden bases of all sizes. During that time, Inari ran around everywhere, urging the frightened workers to step forward again and help build the bridge.
But Gato had once been one of the few billionaires in the world. He still had the ability to make a comeback.
Naruto thought for a moment, then smiled at Kakashi. "Boss, I have an idea."
"Oh?" Kakashi grew interested. "Let's hear it."
The border of the Land of Waves.
The sea breeze carried a salty, damp scent past the forest of masts, while warehouses stood in neat rows nearby. Along the harbor, the blue water glittered under the light, and waves gently lapped against the embankment.
Gato had changed into work clothes and donned a long conical hat. His eyes swept constantly over the crowds along the shore.
He was only one step away from escaping this troublesome place and starting over somewhere unfamiliar.
Speaking of which, when he had first crossed over into this damned place, he had nearly broken down.
In his previous life, he had not been as handsome as Gong Yoo, but he had still been a fine specimen among men. Add in a pair of long, straight legs, and all the friends who knew him said he was practically Lee Kwang-soo's double... Well, to be fair, Lee Kwang-soo did look pretty good too.
But his experiences had nothing to do with Lee Kwang-soo. He had taken the civil service exam for five years in a row, only for his results to sink without a trace. In the end, he had worked as a cashier at a supermarket while nervously preparing for the exam.
He prided himself on working extremely hard. For example, every morning after getting up, he would copy down every single point he had studied the day before. The notebooks filled with writing were piled up in a storage room. He had even borrowed money from his mother to sign up for countless cram schools... Yes, borrowed. He would pay her back as soon as he passed the exam and started earning money.
But his mother did not understand him. She had actually said that the notebooks took up too much space at home and wanted to throw them away as scrap paper!
Damn it, how could she throw them away? They were proof of all his hard work!
Later, his internal struggles grew increasingly severe. Fortunately, a friend invited him to attend a small group sharing session. Everyone poured out their hearts and licked each other's wounds, and he finally felt a warmth he had not experienced in a long time.
After that, things had fallen naturally into place. He gradually gained the group leader's attention and was recommended for training, where he learned profound concepts such as "sacred doctrine" and "spiritual awakening."
At first, he had been somewhat doubtful, but the clan leader said these teachings could solve every problem facing humanity and placed great hopes in him.
"My friend, you have the chance to become humanity's savior!"
From birth until then, no one had ever valued him so highly. The clan leader's words were like a heavy hammer, completely shattering his psychological defenses.
He began preaching the organization's doctrine to everyone around him. Later, he simply stopped preparing for the exam. After all, what was more important: preparing for an exam or saving the world?
Throughout the process, only his mother had firmly opposed him from beginning to end. She had even threatened to report the organization. He had been furious. It was bad enough that she didn't support me when I was preparing for the exam. Now that I'm trying to save the world, she's still stopping me. Can't she stand to see me do well?!
Fine, fine! Don't even think about getting your cram-school fees back!
Later, perhaps he had worked himself too hard and passed out. When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a completely unfamiliar new world, inhabiting a short and bloated body.
Damn it, Mom! How did I end up in such an ugly body...? Oh, he was a billionaire? Then never mind.
Why did I cross over? Because I had spent my previous life tirelessly saving others, God rewarded me by letting me enjoy myself in this life.
As long as Koreans were alive, they could never escape the chaebol. But why not become a chaebol himself?
But he could not become complacent. He had to continue preaching in God's kingdom and let the radiance of truth shine over the earth.
Wait a second. This world seemed to have a profession called ninja. It felt strangely familiar. Had he heard of it somewhere in his previous life?
Never mind that for now. He would continue preaching in the Land of Waves. Judging by the looks of it, this should be the starting village. His great journey would begin here.
Damn it, what is wrong with these people? They can't even handle a three-man escort team?
Tch, the base I had just established was raided, and the assassins I hired at great expense were also defeated. What the hell? I'm the protagonist!
That fellow named Tazuna had gone into hiding... You little bastard! I'll have my friends search the mountains! Let's see what you can do!
It's over, it's over, it's over, it's over! They're coming! I have to get out of here!
It's the ninjas! Ninjas are the key factor behind all of this. Damn it, why does a stumbling block appear every time I want to accomplish something great? I haven't done anything wrong!
You Konoha bastards are just as foolish as my mother... Just wait. Once I make my comeback, I'll still be a hero! As Chow Yun-fat would say, this is true heroism!
Gato finally locked onto several people who seemed to be snakeheads. He began slowly approaching them one by one, observing them all the while.
"Friend... friend, are you looking to travel by water?"
The man turned around and lowered the brim of his hat. He held up five fingers.
Gato understood, but the price was far more expensive than he had expected. "Friend, I didn't bring much cash. Could you lower the price? I'll introduce you to a few more customers later."
The man revealed one blue eye. "Introduce customers? Are you an idiot?"
Gato immediately felt his blood surge. He was just about to argue with the man when another tall man suddenly pulled him away.
The tall man lowered his voice and snapped, "Are you insane? That man is a Konoha ninja, here specifically to fish for people like us!"
Gato was stunned, but he maintained his composure on the surface. "What makes you say he's a Konoha ninja?"
"Look at his eyes, idiot! He's one of the ninjas guarding Tazuna. His name is Naruto Uzumaki. Now look at his hair."
Gato focused his eyes and saw that a bit of blond hair really was sticking out from around the man's conical hat!
That was close. Thank goodness he didn't recognize me... Gato was secretly shaken and immediately hurried after the tall man.
When they reached a shadowy corner, the tall man quoted Gato another price.
"What? Even more expensive than the last guy!?" Gato's eyes widened. He could not help wondering whether he was being played.
"Take it or leave it. If you're not going, get lost. Ours is a customized service. Meals are provided throughout the trip, and you even get a map after reaching shore. Understand?"
At that moment, another person approached with his hat brim lowered. The tall man immediately became wary.
"Yamashita, can't we stay out of each other's way? This is my customer."
The man named Yamashita looked at Gato and said with a cheerful smile, "Brother, I've been watching you for quite a while. You're looking to travel by water, right?"
"My price is half his, and I'll take care of both your food and lodging."
The tall man flew into a rage and immediately reached into his pocket for something.
Seeing this, Gato hurriedly restrained the tall man and quietly slipped him a piece of silver, sending him away. He then asked Yamashita a few questions and officially settled on a price.
He followed Yamashita through several more turns, finally arriving at a secluded stretch of shore, where an opaque houseboat was moored.
"This is the place?"
"That's right."
Gato cautiously stepped inside. There was no one there.
He was puzzled when several more people entered one after another from behind him.
"Well, hello, my friend." The blue-eyed, blond-haired youth removed his conical hat and stared expressionlessly at Gato.
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