In the Land of Waves, inside the treehouse Gato had arranged for Zabuza Momochi—
"They missed!"
Gato, flanked by one of his bodyguards, stormed up to Zabuza with an aggressive air.
"I heard you were really good at martial arts. That's why I paid such a high price to invite you here!"
Swish!
Zabuza, lounging on the sofa, swung his massive sword forward. The blade stopped just a few centimeters from Gato's neck, making him break into a cold sweat instantly.
"Cut the nonsense." Zabuza's voice was low and deadly. "I'll take care of it myself this time. I'll chop off their heads personally."
"Hmph! Nothing will go wrong this time, right?" Gato's tone immediately softened.
He forced a smile and said, "The ninja on the other side seem strong. And since your little blunder, Brother Demon, they'll be more alert."
"Who the hell do you think you're talking to?" Zabuza sneered. "I am Zabuza Momochi of Kirigakure."
Not long after, Gato left the treehouse with a frustrated, angry expression.
"Damn that Zabuza! Has he forgotten who his employer is?" Gato cursed under his breath. "I paid him to do work for me, but instead he turns around and threatens me! I'm fucking pissed!"
The bodyguard behind him said calmly, "After all, he's a rogue ninja from one of the great villages. He's used to lawlessness. As long as he completes the mission, it'll be worth it."
"That's true," Gato admitted, his grin returning as his thoughts shifted.
But after a few steps, he ground his teeth. "No! Even if this is about dealing with those pests, I can't set a precedent. Otherwise, everyone around me will think they can help me with a job and then threaten me afterward. Where's my dignity then?"
The bodyguard thought for a moment before offering, "If that's the case, I have an idea."
"Speak!" Gato snapped, glaring at him.
"Zabuza is a traitor. Even if you kill him, no one will stand up for him. With his corpse, you can even claim a bounty from the Hidden Mist Village. If you tell others he was disrespectful to his employer, your reputation won't be tarnished."
"Well said!" Gato's eyes lit up, but he hesitated. "But he's famous and powerful. That's why I paid him in the first place. Killing him won't be so easy."
"Ninja are just tools," the bodyguard sneered. "If a tool doesn't work, replace it. And if there's nothing sharper, then use numbers. No matter how strong Zabuza is, he's alone. If you hire enough people and swarm him, he'll fall. I'll even lead the charge myself."
"That's right, that's it!" Gato's eyes gleamed.
Though short, he jumped up and patted the bodyguard's chest. "You're loyal. I'll reward you well after this is done."
"Thank you, sir!" The bodyguard grinned. "It's my honor to share your worries."
…
"As the owner of a shipping company, always knee-deep in dirty work, no wonder he monopolized this country's maritime trade. Every businessman really is a fucking liar."
The words drifted in from the air—ethereal, impossible to place.
"Who's there?" Gato immediately snapped to alert, his bodyguards stepping protectively in front of him.
From the woods, a masked figure stepped out. He glanced at the bodyguard with a cold gaze.
The bodyguard collapsed to the ground without resistance.
"What?!" Gato's face drained of color. Without hesitation, he turned and bolted.
This guy came with bad intentions!
It didn't matter who he was or what he wanted—Gato's only chance was to run back to the treehouse and hide behind Zabuza.
"No wonder he built such a big company. His survival instinct is top-notch."
The masked man chuckled, not rushing. He let Gato run a long distance before appearing in an instant, blocking his path.
Gato was so scared he tripped and fell.
Trembling, he stammered, "Don't kill me! I'll give you money, a lot of money, just don't kill me!"
"When did I say I wanted to kill you?" the man asked, voice odd.
It was Itsuki—his real body, which had arrived earlier.
He hadn't come to kill Gato. Why waste such a special money bag for travelers? Keeping him was much more profitable.
In the shinobi world, strength reigned supreme. But money was universal.
Money improved quality of life. And as a time traveler, Itsuki wasn't about to let himself live poorly.
"Not… kill me?" Gato blinked, then sighed in relief.
As long as he lived, everything was negotiable.
Itsuki's presence was suffocating, even more terrifying than Zabuza's.
Gato wasn't a shinobi—he couldn't measure strength. He just trusted his instincts: this man was stronger than Zabuza.
Quickly switching gears, Gato forced a grin. "Hero! I can tell at a glance you're no ordinary man. You're destined for greatness! How about joining me, Gato? Work for me, and I'll give you everything!"
Wow. This guy might look like shit, but his brain works in beautiful ways.
Itsuki silently gave him a thumbs up.
But he didn't waste more words. No point in negotiating with scum.
"Look at me."
Behind his sunglasses, Itsuki's pupils twisted into the blood-red Sharingan. Three tomoe spun rapidly.
Genjutsu: Sharingan!
With just one glance, Gato's eyes glazed over.
The Sharingan could rewrite consciousness if one's mental strength surpassed the target's—or if the target was caught off guard.
And Gato? A civilian with zero training? He was as defenseless as a naked beauty facing bandits.
Easily, Itsuki planted the subconscious command: he was Gato's master.
Everything Gato owned belonged to Itsuki. Itsuki's orders were absolute.
Unless some illusion master happened along and broke it—which, in this tiny shinobi-less country, was laughably unlikely—Gato would serve Itsuki for life.
…
Later, disguised as one of Gato's bodyguards, Itsuki returned to the mansion. Using sealing scrolls, he took nearly all of Gato's cash and valuables.
Over a dozen scrolls in total. Value: more than ten billion ryō.
As for the Wave Country mission? Itsuki wouldn't meddle too much. But he intended to save Zabuza and Haku—maybe even recruit them.
And as long as Zabuza lived, Gato would live too.
Which meant… Itsuki had just secured himself a long-term meal ticket.
Still, he couldn't help but scoff at Gato's business practices.
Monopolies were fine, but draining the pond to catch every fish? That was just stupid.
If Gato changed his ways, there wouldn't be nearly so much conflict. Everyone could be happy.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Konoha Harem Chat Group: I Can Fabricate the Future (Completed) is now on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you for your support! 💙