Lin Qing followed Mei Terumi along the streets of Kirigakure. Almost every tourist from out of town carried a little intelligence booklet, an obvious sign that the authorities were behind its widespread distribution.
"Was this also one of Yagura's policies?" Lin Qing asked.
Mei Terumi nodded. "Since taking office, Yagura has introduced one policy after another. In short, they all boil down to two things: killing and making money. This..."
She pointed at the intelligence booklet in Lin Qing's hand.
"This is only a small part of it. There's also human trafficking—you've already seen that—and..."
Mei Terumi lifted her chin slightly toward a street in the city center.
Kirigakure was shrouded in fog year-round, and the buildings along that street had deliberately extended their rooftops to block the meager sunlight, leaving the whole street dim.
In the shadows, neon lights flickered on, casting an alluring glow. Women of all sorts, dressed in finery and adorned with flower hairpins, stood with their hair and makeup meticulously done, their outfits revealing.
Men of every kind wandered the street, glancing around with leering expressions as their eyes swept over the women's faces, as though they were picking out merchandise. Among them were short, slick-haired men with silver tongues, constantly hustling for customers.
"Kirigakure has the most prosperous Kabukicho in the Land of Water... Actually, forget that. I think it's the most prosperous one in the entire Ninja World. Countless men pour in every day, throwing money around just for the chance to sleep with a courtesan. Half of the revenue goes to Yagura."
It was an enormous fortune.
Lin Qing could more or less guess why Kabukicho had been able to thrive so smoothly.
The oppressive Blood Mist Policy had sent people's stress levels soaring. No one knew whether they'd still be alive