A Hegemon Takes Shape, Distant Storm Clouds and an Invitation

The massive Chakra Conversion Furnace had already taken shape deep beneath the Mizukage Building.

Thick, specially made chakra-conducting metal pipes crisscrossed the area, firmly locking down the Three-Tails Isobu's limbs and shell. Dark violet spirit-gathering patterns flickered across the metal surfaces, continuously extracting the chakra regenerated within the tailed beast.

That chakra was converted into energy and sent up to the surface through the main conduits.

Too exhausted even to growl, the Three-Tails lay sprawled at the bottom of the deep pool. Whenever its core recovered even a trace of power, the Eight Desolations Spirit-Gathering Array drained it dry.

Despite being a colossal beast, it could now only remain fixed in place, endlessly supplying energy to the Land of Water's new ruler.

Back on the surface.

The rising sun pierced through the dense fog that shrouded the village year-round, spilling across the newly renovated top floor of the Mizukage Building. The air was filled with a refreshing energy that seemed to cleanse the chest with every breath.

This was the direct change brought by the Eight Desolations Spirit-Gathering Array gathering the natural energy of an entire nation. Cultivating here increased both recovery speed and chakra-refining efficiency severalfold.

Ye was flipping through a stack of documents behind a broad mahogany desk. He was in no hurry, and the pages slid past his fingertips with a steady rustle.

The office door opened. Terumi Mei strode in with quick, steady steps, carrying a thick stack of account books. Her capable professional attire was as neat as ever. After placing the books at the corner of the desk, she leaned forward slightly.

"Um... the asset inventory is complete. The allocations for basic construction materials and medicinal herbs have been rearranged, and the ninja academy no longer needs its students killing each other. The first batch of recruits is currently undergoing physical training according to the Yaksha Codex."

"Oh, right. Yaksha's direct squad has already taken over all four city gates and the intelligence hub."

Ye set the documents on the desk. He was satisfied with the change in his subordinate, his gaze resting on Terumi Mei's face. This woman had fully settled into her role as a secretary.

A huge black banner fluttered in the wind outside the building. Embroidered at its center was a dark red longsword intertwined with a demon mask, forming the emblem of [Yaksha]. Whenever civilians and shinobi crossed the plaza below, they would unconsciously soften their steps before looking up at that banner.

The door opened again. Kabuto Yakushi hurried to the desk, his brow tightly furrowed by the urgency of the situation. Forgetting his usual composure, he spread a stack of coded letters across the desk and pressed a finger to one corner.

"Lord Ye... something happened over there."

"Our three concealed contact points in the underground banks all went dark this morning."

"This is the last bit of information we managed to intercept from the hidden channels."

"The Land of Water has been sealed off for so long, and with that chakra disturbance coming from underground a few days ago, a lot of people outside are watching us now."

"What we can confirm is that Orochimaru's people are wandering around the nearby seas. And over at the Rain Village, that mercenary organization called Akatsuki... they're actually offering a huge bounty for intelligence on our Hidden Mist Village."

Terumi Mei's fingers tightened, creasing the corner of an account book. Orochimaru was an exceptionally dangerous man, while Akatsuki was an armed group that had long operated in the shadows of war. The village had only just begun to recover, and attracting the attention of forces at this level could bring disaster at any moment.

"This won't do. We need to reinforce the barrier immediately and cut off every external communication channel."

Ye did not answer. A dim blue system screen had already unfolded before his eyes.

Ding. External forces are attempting to gather intelligence. A side-choice has been triggered.

Option One: Reinforce the barrier, completely seal off information, and passively evade investigation.

Reward: Advanced Invisibility Talisman.

Option Two: Continue developing quietly and ignore outside investigations.

Reward: Chakra Recovery Pills.

Option Three: Take the initiative to release false intelligence that Hidden Mist Village has changed hands, invest in the Shinobi World's underground banks, announce the emergence of a major power, and hunt down infiltrators in reverse.

Reward: Top-tier support item [God-Level Option Radar].

Ye's gaze lingered on the first two options for less than half a second before settling on the third. The system always offered options for escape, but he had rebuilt this nation to seize endless resources and hold absolute authority in his hands. He had no intention of barely surviving on some island. Option Three. He made his choice in his mind.

An unusual sensation appeared in his mind, as though an invisible detection network had been added. It was currently on standby. Whenever he wished, he could lock onto every key figure with plot value within a thousand meters. This rule-level support system that granted control over everything added a hint of interest to his eyes.

Not caring about the contents of the letters, Ye casually tossed the papers aside, rose to his feet, and searched across the Shinobi World map on the desk.

"There's no need to reinforce the barrier."

Terumi Mei looked at him in confusion.

"But... if this intelligence leaks out..."

"Don't make them work so hard to find it. I want you... to tell them directly."

"Kabuto, use Nonō's intelligence network to release two pieces of information in the underground black markets."

"First... the Fourth Mizukage Yagura was assassinated, and Hidden Mist Village is now leaderless and in chaos."

Kabuto's gaze flickered behind his glasses, but he did not ask any questions. He merely listened as Ye heavily tapped a finger against the underground black market region along the Land of Fire's border on the map, clearly having already decided their next move.

"Second, pour all our black market money into it. Put out the highest-level bounty in the entire Shinobi World. Say that we are buying unlimited quantities of chakra ore, rare medicinal herbs, and explosive tags. Large ships are acceptable too. The more, the better. Sign it with Yaksha."

Terumi Mei sucked in a sharp breath, her breathing gradually quickening. This had gone far beyond concealment. He was plainly announcing to the entire Shinobi World that the Land of Water had changed rulers, that its new master held immense wealth, and that he was preparing to start a war. Once those two pieces of news were released, Hidden Mist Village would immediately become the preferred target of every ambitious schemer, mercenary, and intelligence broker.

"My lord, if we do this, the village will become a living target."

"That's exactly what I want: a living target. If we want to catch them, we have to offer them something first. Since they want to probe our foundations, I'll use the entire Land of Water as bait. Let's see whose appetite is big enough."

Kimimaro was kneeling on one knee in the corner, a flush of excitement appearing on his pale face. The faint crackle of his bones revealed the killing intent he could barely restrain.

"Wherever you point, my lord, I'll kill my way there. I'll pile them all into corpses for you."

The doors were shoved open with force. The recovered Zabuza entered the room with intense killing intent, while Haku followed quietly behind him, his eyes clear and resolute.

"Kabuto said... someone wants to come here and probe us. Heh, my blade hasn't tasted blood in a long time."

Looking at the subordinates before him, Ye saw no fear in them, only a fervor for war. These followers accustomed to slaughter had already been unified into tools that carried out killing. Ye looked past the thick fog outside the window toward the far end of the sea.

"Go prepare. Sharpen your blades... It won't be long before those self-righteous fools come knocking on our door themselves."