The Land of Waves had actually been taken over by Uzushiogakure.
After hearing the news, Orochimaru was genuinely surprised. Even though Uzushiogakure had a powerhouse like Uzumaki Menma, it was still a newly established ninja village. Even if Konoha was secretly backing it, they should've kept a low profile.
But this? Straight-up occupying a neutral country?
That was basically screaming, "Come start a war with me!"
Villages like Kumogakure and Iwagakure wouldn't just sit around and clap—they'd absolutely jump at the chance to carve out a piece of territory.
After thinking it through, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
"Are they showing strength on purpose… trying to earn recognition from the other villages?"
But if that was true, then his earlier assumptions were completely off.
"…Or maybe Konoha isn't backing them at all."
"Maybe this is all just Menma's own strength."
After mulling it over for a long time, Orochimaru finally decided to head to the Land of Waves himself. At this point, he was wanted by both Konoha and the Akatsuki—there weren't many safe places left in the ninja world anyway.
A few days later, he arrived at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Waves.
Looking at the distant island, barely a black dot on the horizon, Orochimaru performed a summoning jutsu. A snake spat out a ring, he removed the seal on it, and calmly crossed the sea.
Once he arrived, Orochimaru shed his snake body—literally—and transformed into a pale young man wearing a bamboo hat. Blending in like a normal traveler, he started chatting with local fishermen.
From some casual разговор (and a bit of manipulation), he quickly gathered useful intel.
Gatō, the former ruler of the Land of Waves, had provoked Uzushiogakure—and got himself killed for it. His entire shipping empire had been swallowed whole and was now under Uzushiogakure's control, currently being reorganized.
But here's the weird part—
Instead of exploiting the people like Gatō did, Menma introduced favorable policies, supported civilians, invested in research talent, and even planned to build a bridge to the Land of Fire.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed further.
"This isn't how a ninja village leader behaves…"
"This is how a daimyo acts."
Combining political authority with ninja power?
Yeah… that kind of ambition wasn't small. Not small at all.
From a remote fishing village, Orochimaru made his way to the former company port. Despite the destruction from the recent battle, the place was already bustling again.
Rumor had it the Land of Waves would be turned into a major port city—handling trade between multiple great nations.
After speaking with a few officials, Orochimaru became even more interested in Menma.
Unlike the stubborn old Third Hokage, or Nagato, who played god, this young leader actually seemed willing to adapt and innovate.
"…Interesting."
"If I get the chance, I should meet him."
Just then, Orochimaru's gaze shifted toward a merchant ship docked nearby. A faint smile crept onto his lips.
He wasn't the only one interested in Uzushiogakure.
That ship alone carried over ten ninjas… and some of them were people even he didn't expect.
The Land of Waves was about to become a battlefield of attention.
Meanwhile… inside the company building.
Naruto—Menma—stared at the mountain of documents in front of him and frowned.
"So this is what being a leader feels like… damn."
Even though he wasn't some overworked 30-year-old Hokage yet, this workload was already disgusting.
No wonder future him was always sleep-deprived and stuck doing paperwork instead of training.
"Hell, at this rate, I'll go bald before I get stronger…"
Thankfully, this was only temporary. Once things stabilized, he fully planned to dump all this crap onto his subordinates and live like a proper hands-off boss.
Watching this, Zabuza Momochi silently felt relieved.
"Good thing I didn't become Mizukage…"
If he had actually succeeded back then, he'd be stuck in an office drowning in paperwork instead of swinging his sword freely.
That sounded like prison, not power.
Squatting nearby, Zabuza muttered to Haku:
"Haku, listen—become a combat ninja. Stay the hell away from paperwork. This shit will kill you faster than any enemy."
Haku, however, was flipping through documents with interest.
"But these are important responsibilities. That's why Kirigakure fell into chaos—because the Mizukage didn't handle things properly."
"Only a leader like Menma-sama… is truly worthy."
Zabuza's face twitched.
"…Kid, I picked you up, not him."
Why the hell did it feel like Haku had switched loyalty already?
Damn it.
At that moment, an Uchiha ninja knocked and entered after permission.
"Menma-sama, ninjas from Kumogakure and Iwagakure are requesting an audience."
Naruto didn't even look surprised.
"Let them in."
Soon, the visitors stepped inside.
The moment they saw Zabuza and Haku—especially the Kirigakure headbands—their expressions shifted.
After a brief stare-down, they turned to Naruto and spoke arrogantly:
"So you're the leader of Uzushiogakure?"
"We've accepted Gatō's commission. If you know what's good for you, get the hell out of the Land of Waves."
"We'd rather not get our hands dirty."
Zabuza almost burst out laughing.
These idiots have a death wish or what?
Did they seriously not know who they were talking to?
Or were they just that stupid?
Realizing this was a perfect chance to show loyalty, Zabuza grabbed his Kubikiribōchō, ready to start cutting people in half if needed.
The enemy ninjas flinched—but quickly regained their arrogance.
"Ohhh, now we get it," one of them sneered.
"So Uzushiogakure is just Kirigakure's little puppet, huh?"
"Trying to swallow the Land of Waves? Careful you don't choke on it."
Naruto finally frowned.
He didn't even bother replying.
With a simple gesture, the guards threw the idiots straight out of the office.
"Clowns…"
They weren't even jonin—just disposable pawns sent to test the waters.
Talking to them any longer would've been a waste of oxygen.
Right then, Shisui Uchiha returned from patrol and quickly reported:
"Menma-sama, multiple ninja forces are already hiding across the Land of Waves."
"Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Konoha… even Sunagakure has sent people."
He paused slightly, then added:
"And… the number of snakes has increased significantly."
Zabuza raised an eyebrow.
"…Orochimaru, huh?"
Shisui nodded.
"Looks like that slippery bastard is here too."
Naruto leaned back slightly, a faint smile forming under the mask.
"Good."
"The more that come…"
"The more we can crush in one go."
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