"Konohari, do you think it's possible to combine the Active Mizuame with sealing techniques?"
During the Umino clan's relocation, Umino Yoru spent his spare time refining the clan's secret techniques with Umino Ikkaku and his wife.
The Black Rope Technique, which primarily harnessed Yang Release, was already well-developed. However, the Mizuame Technique still held untapped potential.
Fortunately, Umino Ikkaku and his wife were well-versed in sealing techniques—especially Konohari, who was a rare Special Jonin from the Barrier Team and highly skilled in fuinjutsu. Together, they could refine the Mizuame Technique further.
"Clan leader, this is absolutely feasible! How did you come up with such an ingenious idea?" Konohari's eyes lit up as she immediately grasped the brilliance of this development path.
Yoru hadn't arrived at this idea out of thin air. He drew inspiration from Sunagakure's Sand Release techniques and the sealing traditions he acquired from Shou Ranhoushou. Many of those seals utilized active flowing sand as a medium—so why not replace it with Active Mizuame?
In fact, Active Mizuame might even offer better compatibility. However, perfecting this technique would take considerable time.
Thus, Yoru entrusted the meticulous development of the Mizuame Sealing Technique to the Umino couple. It wasn't hard to imagine a future where every Umino shinobi carried a gourd or was laden with sealing scrolls.
But Yoru's motives weren't purely for the clan's benefit. He also sought Konohari's expertise in fuinjutsu to aid his own training.
He had realized that mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique required not only exceptional spatial ninjutsu talent but also advanced sealing knowledge—especially for practical combat applications.
With his past-life memories, Yoru knew he could use summoning creatures to train in the Flying Thunder God. But without high-level sealing techniques, even shadow clones couldn't brute-force his way to mastery.
He was far from reaching the level of future users like Namikaze Minato in real combat.
Still, his efforts hadn't been in vain. Through relentless shadow clone training, he had achieved the most basic application of the technique.
His breakthrough came from studying the Flying Thunder God Squads—like the one formed by Shiranui Genma, Tatami Iwashi, and Rakidou Raidou.
By coordinating three shadow clones in the same manner, Yoru could teleport his main body. This "Cooperative Flying Thunder God" allowed him to frequently travel to the Land of Waves to handle affairs for the Wave Country Oceanic Trade Company.
"Boss, selling fish inland isn't very profitable. With our limited funds, wouldn't it be better to focus on more lucrative overseas trade?"
Gato voiced his objections when Yoru proposed selling seafood to inland cities in the Land of Fire. Compared to the meager profits from fish, the returns from oceanic trade were far greater.
"Gato, even a monopoly needs a foundation. Wave Country has to have something worth exploiting first."
Yoru laid out his vision—Wave Country's economy relied almost entirely on fishing. Its people were poor, living subsistence lives with minimal trade.
Squeezing them dry would only breed resentment. Instead, Yoru proposed enriching Wave Country through sustainable commerce.
With its potential as a port city, Wave could establish trade routes inland—selling seafood to the Land of Fire and later distributing goods from across the world.
On return trips, inland products could be shipped back to Wave's ports for international trade.
Moreover, as Wave developed into a bustling port, food shortages would arise. A dedicated trade fleet could exchange high-value seafood for cheaper grain.
"Brilliant! If Wave becomes the greatest port city in the shinobi world, the trade volume would be astronomical!"
Gato's perspective shifted—from a cutthroat profiteer to a strategic magnate.
"Then draft the proposal. For the first inland fish sales, target Konoha."
After delegating business matters to Gato and Kakuzu, Yoru headed to the ocean to meet Umibouzu.
This time, he came prepared with a top-tier summoning contract, intending to make Umibouzu the Umino clan's inherited summon.
Like Katsuyu, Umibouzu could split itself—making it ideal for the clan. Its only drawback was its current weakness compared to the legendary summons of the Three Great Sage Regions.
But for the fledgling Umino clan, Umibouzu was more than sufficient.
With proper training, it could grow as powerful as Gamabunta. And if not… well, Orochimaru's "modifications" were always an option.
The re-contracting process went smoothly.
To ensure Umibouzu's safety, Yoru frequently returned to the sunken ship, using Samehada to transfer chakra and strengthen it.
He also began transporting salvaged antiques via sealing scrolls, handing them to Gato for sale.
These treasures became the trade company's flagship commodities, ensuring long-term profits. The first few shipments were so valuable that Kakuzu personally escorted them, reaping enormous profits.
With the Cooperative Flying Thunder God, travel was effortless. Yoru shuttled between Wave and the Umino relocation team without wasting a moment.
The initial journey to Kiharagahara had taken less than a week, but the return trip to Konoha stretched over half a month—despite favorable roads and expensive transportation.
The arrival of the 300-strong Umino clan caused a stir in Konoha.
Civilians watched in envy, dreaming of their own families rising to clan status.
But the established shinobi clans reacted with scorn. How could the Uminos possibly support so many members?
Unlike the refugees from the Land of Rivers—who were settled using war spoils and village support—the Uminos had to fend for themselves.
Feeding 300 people cost over 100,000 ryo monthly. With only Yoru and the Ikkaku couple as earners, the clan seemed doomed to collapse.
That is, until the Wave Country trade caravans arrived in Konoha.
The mocking clans fell silent.
And those with stakes in the fish market?
They saw a threat.