"Have you heard? Konoha has reached an agreement with the Land of Waves. From now on, the Land of Waves' maritime trade will be handled by Konoha."
"That's huge! I heard that a lot of ninja who were planning to retire early have been called back into service because of it."
"What a shame. There goes their peaceful retirement."
"You're overthinking it. The recalled ninja are overjoyed. Compared to the Maritime Department's salary, retirement pensions are nothing."
As Team 7 returned to the village, news also spread throughout Konoha. Gato, a wealthy man from the Land of Waves, had paid Zabuza and Haku heavily to stop Tazuna and the others from building the bridge.
Yet after a long time had passed, the bridge gradually neared completion, while neither Zabuza nor Haku made any move to sabotage it. Gato finally lost his patience and personally led his men to invade Tazuna's village.
But how could ordinary people compare to Konoha's ninja? Team 7, led by Kakashi, effortlessly defeated Gato. Using that as justification, Kakashi killed Gato. Soon afterward, Konoha sent people to take over Gato's assets and related businesses, settling accounts with the great Gato who had dominated the Land of Waves for more than a decade.
Furthermore, under Konoha's leadership, the Land of Waves established good relations with Konoha and began close commercial cooperation. This brought the village a considerable income, enough to maintain its standing forces without having to reduce its combat strength.
"Kakashi, your team completed this mission exceptionally well. I've read your report on the operation."
"Despite facing the threat of one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, you brought your students back safely and completed the mission. I have to say, you did a truly splendid job this time."
"This S-rank mission can be