Two days passed.
The delegation from Sunagakure traveled hard and finally passed through the gates of the Capital of the Land of Wind.
The thick city walls kept the sweeping yellow sands at bay. Heat shimmered inside, and carts and horses filled the streets. Everywhere Ebizo and his companions looked, the city seemed gripped by an unusual excitement.
Commoners and wealthy merchants alike wore smiles they could barely contain. In teahouses and taverns, people talked about the Angel Fund and the Angel Plan.
"I've already received the dividends on the money I invested!"
"They really paid up! Cold, hard cash in my pocket!"
"If I'd known, I would've mortgaged the family fields and scraped together more money to invest."
"The president of the Angel Fund is a good man!"
"I'm going to be a billionaire too!"
Many had their newly paid dividends weighing down their purses. They boasted excitedly to one another, dreaming aloud of overnight riches.
For months, the Angel Fund had paid its dividends on time, putting real money in people's hands. The fever had swept through the entire Capital.
Angel Corporation employees in suits could be seen everywhere, preaching the path to wealth and freedom from poverty to anyone who would listen.
Ebizo and the Sunagakure delegation walked among the crowds, their brows furrowed.
It was not just the Capital. Even remote towns had fallen under the Angel Fund's influence.
The situation went far beyond what the intelligence reports had suggested. Nobles and wealthy merchants were not the only believers. Ordinary townspeople trusted the company just as deeply.
The delegation soon arrived at the Angel Fund's headquarters.
Kakuzu remained in an inner room, sunglasses perched on his nose, as a subordinate reported that the Sunagakure delegation had arrived.
"President, the Sunagakure delegation is waiting in the reception