Aftermath

Naruto didn't pay attention to Zabuza's inner turmoil and continued, "Continue with the plan to distribute compensation. The scope can be expanded, and the intensity can be increased."

"I want to make the news that the Gato Corporation, which has a new boss, is showing kindness, the only topic of conversation in the streets and alleys of the Land of Waves within the shortest possible time."

"As for the higher-ups in other overseas countries..." Naruto paused slightly, "Follow your own plan and rhythm to eliminate them one by one. The methods must be clean and decisive."

"You need to make them understand that obedience can bring more benefits than during the Gato era, and rebellion leads only to death. You should be quite good at this, shouldn't you?"

Upon hearing this, Zabuza's face revealed a smile that was almost ferocious, yet tinged with excitement.

This kind of task of purging and deterrence was indeed his most proficient area.

"Hmph, don't worry. Dealing with these small fry isn't worth your personal concern."

"Very good." Naruto nodded. "The next focus is to completely take over and integrate all the industries Gato left behind, especially the shipping routes and warehouses. List all ongoing and upcoming transactions, assess which can be retained and which must be terminated immediately. As for the responsible parties... you know what to do."

"Of course," Zabuza responded in a deep voice.

"Also," Naruto put away the scroll and looked at Zabuza, "The name Gato Shipping can no longer be used. From today onwards, the company will be renamed 'Dawn Shipping'."

"Dawn... Shipping?" Zabuza repeated in a low voice, pondering the meaning of the name.

"Dawn..."

Haku softly uttered the new name chosen by Naruto.

A flicker of light seemed to flash in his eyes.

This was indeed a name that carried hope.

"Finally..." Naruto said slowly, "Under the name of Dawn Shipping, go meet the Daimyo of the Land of Waves. Inform him of the current situation, and that Dawn Shipping will take over all rights and interests of Gato Shipping Company in the Land of Waves."

In fact, before this, Gato had bribed the Daimyo of the Land of Waves with a huge sum of money.

This allowed him to gain many privileges, which enabled him to act with impunity in the Land of Waves.

Even if the Daimyo of the Land of Waves was unwilling, he could hardly resist.

After all, such a poor and weak country did not have its own ninja village, and even military forces like samurai could not contend with Gato's former power.

Zabuza was somewhat surprised, "You plan to interfere in the internal affairs of the Land of Waves? Do you want to... start from the Land of Waves and gradually achieve your plan to unify the ninja world?"

Recalling the grand goals Naruto had revealed earlier.

"Control this small country first, use it as a stepping stone, and then influence Kirigakure and even the world?"

Naruto, upon hearing this, showed a rather strange expression and retorted, "What are you talking about? I am a ninja of Konoha."

"As long as I am willing, the biggest obstacle to becoming Hokage is merely time. Why look for trouble elsewhere and start from the Land of Waves?"

"Then this is..." Zabuza was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Gradually controlling the Land of Waves in the name of Dawn Shipping is just to ensure that when the unification truly takes place in the future, it can be smoothly incorporated into the territory with a single document, saving unnecessary trouble and resistance later on," Naruto said casually. "The focus, from beginning to end, has always been solely on Konoha."

This matter was merely a move he had made in passing during the inevitable Land of Waves mission he experienced in each Reincarnation.

Besides this, there was the already planned Gato Shipping Company.

Gato, as the world's foremost rich man, although he only employed a small number of ninja, had little interaction with the major ninja villages, and also bribed Daimyos, which led to his arrogant and overbearing personality and behavior.

If it weren't for Naruto obtaining all the intelligence and information from everyone within the company through multiple Reincarnations, it would be easy for a general ninja village to kill Gato.

But it would be difficult to seamlessly control such a massive Gato Corporation in a short period.

The reason for taking control of Gato Company was not just about money; its true value was far beyond that.

It was a company that controlled inter-country maritime trade routes.

It controlled the truly important things in the ninja world, including logistics, trade, passenger transport, and finance.

In the ninja world, this was the main artery for the flow of materials between countries.

Even if problems occurred within Gato Company, as long as those puppets were made to appear again to re-sign contracts and distribute profits, No one would notice the connection between the future "Dawn Shipping Company" and Konoha Village.

Later, when Naruto controlled Konoha, he could use it to secretly transport weapons, supplies, and personnel to any reachable coast or port via sea, supporting future wars or reforms, and blockading enemy maritime supply lines.

Of course, this mainly targeted the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water.

After all, maritime affairs could not interfere with countries like Wind and Earth.

Zabuza felt a wave of shame, his heart deeply shaken once again.

So, Naruto had already regarded "becoming Hokage" as an inevitable intermediate stop?

And his ultimate goal...

Zabuza's heart shifted again. Perhaps, for this young man, reaching the pinnacle of Konoha was truly just a matter of time.

"I understand," Zabuza's expression became solemn. "I will personally go to see the Daimyo of the Land of Waves."

"The Daimyo of the Land of Waves is already Gato's puppet. He is not only greedy but also very cowardly... With just a little pressure, he will submit. Also, I suspect one of Gato's high-ranking officials will also quietly contact the Daimyo in the next few days, so pay attention."

Even a slight change could lead to significant differences in the future outcome.

However, it was still possible to reasonably deduce the results based on the previously acquired intelligence, unless a large number of changes had already been made.

"Don't worry, I'm good at this kind of negotiation."

A cold smile played on Zabuza's lips, clearly confident about this.

Naruto nodded, skillfully retrieving a scroll from a nearby cabinet, adding his own jutsu formula to it, and tossing it to Zabuza. "I won't seek you out proactively from now on. If you need to contact me, use this scroll."

Finally, Naruto left his Flying Thunder God Technique markers on both Zabuza and Haku. Within a certain range, he could directly sense them and teleport to their side.

Having concluded their current business, Naruto didn't linger. His figure flickered, and he vanished from Zabuza's stronghold.

One day later, the Daimyo's mansion in the Land of Waves.

In stark contrast to the dilapidated houses where the commoners of the Land of Waves lived, the Daimyo's mansion was built with great grandeur.

Nobles dressed in opulent attire moved in small groups through the courtyards, conversing in low tones.

Maids, heads bowed, carried various delicacies with light footsteps along the corridors.

Everything within the Daimyo's mansion was completely different from the impoverished town and village outside, forming a stark contrast.

It was the same country, yet it felt like two different worlds.

Momochi Zabuza's tall figure appeared here, making him particularly conspicuous.

The terrifying Kubikiribōchō on his back caused the nobles along the way to turn their heads, casting fearful glances.

Zabuza paid no mind to any of this. Guided by an attendant, he entered the Daimyo's reception room without a word.

This wasn't his first time stepping foot here.

The last time, he had stood in a corner as Gato's escort, coldly observing how the corpulent Daimyo fawned over Gato.

But this time, Zabuza had come in his own name.