After Natsume fixed his hairstyle, the prompt sound from the Tamaki of Destiny finally arrived.
[Due to your actions, the destiny of Mei Terumī has changed. You have gained 100 destiny value.]
Not bad. This was a worthwhile move.
Natsume yawned and left the room.
To prevent any unexpected situations, he set up a simple barrier.
Once it was triggered by someone, he would know in time and carry out a rescue.
The next day.
Natsume opened his eyes.
He wasn't quite used to sleeping alone. Mainly because it wasn't warm enough, not that he could indulge in eating, drinking, and having fun at will.
Natsume changed his clothes and went to Mei Terumī's room.
She still hadn't woken up.
He suddenly remembered something and took out a black pill.
It wasn't any computer accessory, but a Military Rations Pill.
A special pill used to restore Chakra.
Natsume sat by the bed, slightly pried open Mei Terumī's thin lips with his fingers, and then fed her the Military Rations Pill.
It was made by Tsunade and melted in the mouth instantly.
Apparently, she had considered the possibility of the patient being in a coma.
Otherwise, Natsume would probably have to take a sip of water, hold the pill in his mouth, and force it in.
He laid her back down, wiped his slightly damp fingers, and waited.
Not long after, Mei Terumī woke up.
The weakness in her body still remained.
She was in a daze for two seconds. After recalling what had happened yesterday, she immediately sat up, her eyes full of vigilance as she looked at Natsume.
As the future Mizukage, she demonstrated the appropriate qualities at this moment.
She didn't feel excessive gratitude for being saved, nor was she disturbed by the strange emotions she had felt before losing consciousness.
On the contrary, Natsume's concealment was too astonishing.
Such a powerful Ninja had become a merchant and was even thinking of opening up five shipping lanes.
If he was a Ninja from another Ninja village, for Mei Terumī to help him would undoubtedly make her a sinner of Kiri.
Natsume smiled, pulled out a stool, and sat in front of her.
Women without a lovesick mind really had a unique allure.
No wonder so many people in his past life liked those cold and aloof female CEOs.
"Who are you?"
Mei Terumī sized him up with her eyes. "What's your real purpose?"
"I used to be a Ninja from Kiri. I fled because of the persecution of the Mizukage and joined an organization called Providence."
Natsume casually fabricated a story and said, "The purpose of our organization is very straightforward. We hope everyone can become prosperous."
"…?"
Mei Terumī tilted her head, showing a puzzled look.
She almost asked if their organization was a charitable organization.
As for Natsume claiming to be a Rogue Ninja from Kiri, there was a glimmer of credibility.
One reason was that he was truly proficient in Water Release.
The other was that because of the Bloody Mist, too many powerful Ninjas had fled.
Of course, she didn't believe it, mainly because the second half of his words were too outrageous.
"Since the beginning of recorded history, there have been three large - scale wars and countless small - scale wars in the ninja world. What do you think are the causes of these wars? Why has peace not come yet?"
Natsume looked at her and asked seriously.
Mei Terumī felt the change in his emotions and subconsciously straightened her expression.
This question is really hard to answer.
Many ninjas have thought about it and even put it into practice to bring peace to the ninja world. However, without exception, they all ended in failure.
"War is caused by resource competition," Mei Terumī pondered for a moment and said. "Why is Konoha Village the most powerful ninja village? It's because they possess the best resources."
"True, that's the reason, but it's not the whole story," Natsume asked again. "In your opinion, does Kiri Village have the poorest resources among the Five Great Villages?"
Mei Terumī nodded.
Previously, the biggest resource of Kiri Village was all kinds of fish, which could only satisfy people's hunger.
Now, Natsume had made use of the shipping business.
Strangely enough, why had the previous Kiri Village never thought of building warships and establishing a naval ninja army?
Was it because they didn't have enough money? Or were the Mizukages indulged in bloody internal strife?
"In my eyes, Kiri Village has resources no less than those of Konoha," Natsume said softly with emotion. "It's just that you guys don't know how to make use of them."
Marine resources are just as abundant as land resources.
Only knowing how to catch fish was truly short - sighted.
Of course, they couldn't be entirely blamed.
"That's impossible," Mei Terumī instinctively didn't believe it.
"Do you want to know?" Natsume asked with a smile.
Mei Terumī hesitated for two seconds and then nodded.
"The answer to this question involves several projects worth hundreds of millions," Natsume took out a contract and said, "Our Providence Organization always emphasizes fair trade."
Mei Terumī was slightly stunned. After glancing at the contents of the contract, she frowned.
The content on it was actually quite simple.
If she signed it, it meant that she would become a temporary member of the Providence Organization and owe Natsume two hundred million Ryo.
"Do you think I'll sign it?" Mei Terumī's expression became even colder.
This is a real - deal indentured - servitude contract.
Of course, she wouldn't sign it.
Two hundred million Ryo! How many missions would she have to complete to pay it off?
While Natsume only had to talk.
It was really unfair.
Although she really wanted to know what resources Kiri Village had that could compare with those of Konoha.
"That's a pity," Natsume took back the contract and said. "Since war is caused by the unfair distribution of resources, if everyone becomes wealthy, will there be no more wars? That's the purpose of our Providence Organization and why I'm helping you."
This part is not over yet. More exciting stuff is on the way!
It sounded strange, but it also seemed to make sense.
Mei Terumī couldn't understand it for a moment.
"I can't trust you."
"Normal," Natsume adjusted his sitting posture, leaned back, and found a comfortable position. "But you should also know that if I wanted to harm you, you'd be a corpse by now."
Mei Terumī was silent for a few seconds and then said, "Thank you."
This is a personal thank - you, not on behalf of Kiri Village.
Natsume understood and asked, "Do you still want to continue the cooperation on opening up the shipping lanes?"
"..."
Mei Terumī hesitated, not knowing how to answer.
Following her instinctive unease, she should break off the cooperation.
But the current situation in Kiri left her with no room to refuse.
It was so impoverished!
"I concealed it from you first, and it's really my fault. As compensation, I'll give you an Intelligence report for free," Seeing Mei hesitating, Natsume revealed her true intention and said, "Your Mizukage has betrayed Kiri."
"What are you talking nonsense about?!"
Mei Terumī's steady breathing became rapid.
Although she had been ordered to be executed by Yagura Karatachi, she never thought he would betray Kiri.
The Mizukage was already the most powerful figure in Kiri. Why would he betray it?
It was simply absurd!
"Tell Ao to use his Byakugan to observe the Mizukage, and you'll know whether I'm telling the truth or not," Natsume said, waving her hand.
Mei Terumī's already pale face turned even paler.
Using the Byakugan meant that Yagura was being controlled.
But he was the perfect Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails. How could he possibly be under someone's control?
Come to think of it, Natsume had also pondered this question.
Either Madara Uchiha had lent a hand, or there might have been a separate way of control.
For example, they first controlled the Three-Tails, and after Yagura sealed it in his body, they controlled him.
Of course, only the author of the original story knew the exact circumstances.
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