Giant Wave

"Welcome."

The young man lifted the warm curtain and found a seat inside the izakaya, curiously observing the style.

Dim, warm light, ceramic bowls and plates, a raw wood bar. Since it was an izakaya in a ninja village, ninja tools and Konoha totems hung on the walls.

Three small dishes served on a blue ceramic plate were placed before the young man. The owner smiled and asked, "What would you like to drink?"

"A beer."

He then picked up the menu: "Edamame, baked scallops with cream, mixed stew, and fried chicken. That's all for now; I'll order more if needed."

The owner stood there, stunned for a moment, then slowly said, "Why don't you just tell me what you don't want?"

The owner wasn't particularly happy when he received the menu with only one item crossed out, as he didn't want anyone to die of overeating in his establishment.

"You're not from Konoha, are you?"

"No, I'm from the Land of Lightning. I'm here in Konoha for some small business and to admire the sights of the number one ninja village."

The owner's face lit up with pride upon hearing this. "Then I recommend you see the Rock Face. The Three Hokage are great figures who changed the ninja world!"

"I've heard of it. It's truly magnificent. I saw it this afternoon after dropping off my luggage, and it was truly awe-inspiring! By the way, boss, I heard the Uchiha clan is a prominent family in Konoha, why don't I see many of them?"

The owner shook his head, unwilling to say more. But someone nearby, overhearing their conversation, snorted, "The Uchiha? A prominent family? They're just bullies who pick on villagers!"

After saying that, he let out a loud burp and downed another drink.

"Shunta, you've had too much to drink!"

The owner's expression turned tense and anxious as he looked around.

Bang--!

The villager named Shunta slammed his cup heavily onto the table, creating a loud noise. The izakaya fell into a brief silence, and everyone turned their gaze to him.

"Isn't what I said the truth? They act like they own the place, ordering people around. Today, my stall extended just a little beyond the shop's entrance, and they kicked it over. I've had enough!"

Shunta finished speaking but heard no agreement. He looked up in confusion and saw the owner looking fearfully behind him.

"What have you had enough of? Would you like to tell us?"

Shunta shivered, and half his drunkenness vanished instantly. He stiffly turned his body and looked at the ninja behind him, whose shoulder bore the Uchiha clan's fan emblem of the Guard Unit. He forced a smile. "N-nothing, sir. Just some recent business troubles, I was just chatting."

The man placed a hand on his hip, looking down at the now respectful Shunta. His tone was calm, perhaps even dismissive. "Since you like talking so much, you can tell us all about it at the Guard Unit."

As he spoke, he pressed Shunta's face onto the bar counter, cuffed his wrists, and then looked at the young man who was drinking. "Outsider, don't pry into things. Be careful what you say, or you'll bring trouble upon yourself."

"Understood."

Seeing the young man nod obediently, the man shoved Shunta.

"Let's go!"

Several minutes after the two left the izakaya, the place finally became lively again.

The owner placed a plate of chicken meatballs in front of the young man and said quietly, "Since it's your first time in Konoha, I'll give you some advice: stay away from the Uchiha. It's safest not to interact with them."

The young man nodded and ate his food obediently.

For the next three days, he spent his days at the park restaurant, ate at the izakaya at night, and then visited a hot spring. His life was quite pleasant.

"Welcome back~"

The young man lifted the curtain blocking the moonlight, a slight frown on his lips, a hint of regret in his eyes.

Ichiraku Ramen only had Teuchi himself. Ayame, who was called the best seasoning for Ichiraku Ramen, wasn't even born yet. What bad timing!

His footsteps suddenly stopped, and then he walked into a corner as if nothing had happened.

"It's unexpected that you'd come here on your own."

The young man's gaze swept rapidly. The front and back of the alley were blocked by four masked ninja. Two ninja crouched on each of the surrounding rooftops.

"I really meant no harm."

The young man spread his hands, looking helpless.

"Someone with no ill intentions wouldn't be constantly using puppets to gather information in Konoha. Puppets without chakra threads. You're Hoshino Maki from the Sand Village, aren't you?"

Hoshino Maki didn't deny it but retorted, "Is it the Byakugan? That's truly an enviable bloodline."

The other party didn't answer. Hoshino Maki shook his head in annoyance. Why did I come here to sightsee? Ichiraku Ramen isn't even that delicious!

"Now that it's come to this, will you come with us willingly, or must we use force?"

The ninja on the rooftop stood up. In the moonlight, their eight shadows surrounded Hoshino Maki.

"That depends on whether you are from the Anbu or Root."

Beneath their masks, everyone's expression changed drastically.

The existence of Root was a secret even within Konoha. How could a Sand Ninja know about them?!

Moreover, judging by the other party's words, he seemed to know quite a bit about Root.

"Where did you get your information?!"

"I think you should answer my question first."

Under the masks, their eyes met.

Suddenly, the four ninjas on the eaves vanished. They reappeared, and the kunai in their hands pierced Hoshino Maki's body from four directions.

"So rude, are you really from Root?"

Bang--

The person pierced by the kunai suddenly turned into a log.

"Substitution Technique!"

Just then, the four felt as if a dark cloud had covered the moonlight above their heads.

"Be careful!"

The Root members blocking Hoshino Maki's escape route couldn't support them in time and could only shout a warning.

But it was still too late.

A three-meter-tall spider-shaped puppet appeared above them, spraying a chakra net from its abdomen to ensnare the four.

The puppet landed and crushed them beneath it. Its eight spider legs pierced the ground like sharp knives stabbing into tofu. If they had landed solidly, the four could have been used as sprinklers.

Hoshino Maki sat on top of the spider's head, looking at the remaining four who wanted to attack but dared not. He patted the spider beneath him and taunted, "What, Root is afraid of death too?"

His words were like pouring oil on a fire. The four tightened their grip on their kunai, their thighs tensed, ready to charge at Hoshino Maki. But halfway through their charge, a ninja with two jagged red facial markings appeared in the middle, blocking their advance.

The person glanced at the Root members, said nothing, and turned around. "Lord Hokage requests your presence at the Hokage Building."

Hoshino Maki smiled, retracted the puppet into a scroll, released the four from their bonds, and then left first.

The four helped up their companion and watched him swagger away, their masked faces filled with resentment.

"Mmm, Konoha's dumplings are delicious. Do you want some?"

Hoshino Maki swallowed the dumpling in his mouth and took another skewer from the bag, popping it into his mouth. He was just being polite.

"Please do not keep Lord Hokage waiting."

"Of course. I expended quite a bit of energy in the fight just now. It's not unreasonable to replenish it, is it?"

The ninja remained silent, merely following behind him.

Hoshino Maki glanced at him from the corner of his eye.

The person behind him should be an elite Jonin from the Inuzuka Family. He's not young and is powerfully built, likely skilled in tracking and close-quarters combat. It seems Hiruzen has some understanding of me.

And the Inuzuka Clan's ninja dog should be nearby too, right?

It doesn't matter. Hoshino Maki wasn't planning to run anyway.

The two walked one after another and soon arrived at the Hokage Building.

"Lord Hokage."

"Come in."

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, Hoshino Maki's gaze swept across the room.

There weren't many people: the Third Hokage, Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and leaning against the wall, Konoha's Yellow Flash—Minato Namikaze.

These few could basically decide ninety percent of Konoha's affairs with a small meeting.

Hiruzen sat in the Hokage's seat, while the other three elders sat on one side of the sofa. Hoshino Maki casually sat on the other side and looked at the Third Hokage.

"Have some tea."

Hiruzen Sarutobi rested his elbows on the table, his fingers spread and pressed together. His aged face, dotted with age spots, met Hoshino Maki's gaze with a scrutinizing look.

The Inuzuka Family Jonin poured the tea and closed the door as he left.

"Hoshino Maki, we did not receive any intention of a visit from Sunagakure."

Danzo spoke first.

"Many things beneficial to both sides are ruined by tedious procedures. Everyone here is a seasoned ninja and can surely understand my good intentions, right?"

Mitokado Homura snorted and sneered, "Are you coming to Konoha to gather intelligence by bypassing tedious procedures?"

Hoshino Maki took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and leaned back on the sofa, speaking unhurriedly, "Information loses something when it passes through hands and becomes text, then is converted into intelligence. There will definitely be information loss in the process, especially since the information I need cannot be explained in just a few sentences."

"Oh? Why don't you tell us? If it's beneficial to Konoha, we can provide assistance."

Koharu wore a kind smile, appearing eager to facilitate cooperation between the two sides.

"The people of Konoha are all complaining that business is getting harder, yet prices keep rising."

Before Hoshino Maki could finish, Mitokado Homura interrupted, "Isn't this because of your war with the Cloud Ninja!"

"Is it? But they say this phenomenon started the year before last."

Hoshino Maki's retort left Mitokado Homura speechless. In fact, he didn't know why this was happening either.

But Hoshino Maki knew.

Konoha's development had reached a bottleneck, while the other ninja villages were still on the rise. Therefore, merchants were willing to go to undeveloped or developing regions to seek opportunities for wealth, rather than trying to break into Konoha's already established market.

The profitable industries there had long been carved up by Konoha and the Great Clans of the Land of Fire. Anyone who plunged in headfirst would surely end up with a bloody head.

The departure of the merchants took away a large amount of capital, resources, and job opportunities. It was naturally impossible for Konoha to maintain its previous development momentum.

To put it bluntly, the merchants felt they couldn't make money in Konoha anymore!

There was certainly a solution to this situation. The simplest was to expand the cake, to plunder other countries, which was also the method commonly used by most countries in feudal society.

But that would inevitably lead to conflict with local powers. The Third Hokage was also a person unwilling to provoke trouble. Under his leadership, Konoha had become prosperous and strong after a long period of recuperation. However, this successful inertia of thought now hindered Konoha's development.

Let alone actively attacking, he wouldn't even step in immediately if merchants suffered losses abroad. Instead, he would conduct thorough investigations, gather evidence, and then negotiate with the other party.

Thus, the resolution of matters was often calculated in months.

This made it increasingly difficult for merchants from Konoha and the Land of Fire to do business abroad.

Very civilized, very lawful, but not suitable for the current ninja world.

And what Hoshino Maki intended to do was to let everything form a general trend, a Giant Wave, so that the Third Kazekage could not stop it and could only go with the flow!

Thanks to @Moke for the 100-point reward!

I've read the comments about the cheat system earlier. There were indeed some issues with the writing. It has now been changed to affection points and upgrade points. Thank you all for your criticism and corrections!

@Grand Governor Zhou Gongjin of Eastern Wu Arsonist Group's idea is good. I've stolen it into the material bank.

Author's first theft, subsequent thefts will be prosecuted!

(Regarding questions about the number of Jonin and combat power, I'll address them in a QA session when we reach 100,000 characters.)