Naruto: Heaven Rewards Diligence

The group still believed they had performed well, even feeling a touch of pride—yet in Naruto's eyes, their actions were riddled with flaws.

That realization quickly tempered their smugness.

Naruto walked over to the fallen leader. The ground was littered with blood and severed limbs, but none of it slowed his steps.

One glance was enough to confirm the man had never been a true shinobi. He wasn't trained in the proper way; he had simply stumbled across the method of refining chakra. His movements earlier betrayed it—his chakra control was abysmal.

"Burn the bodies with Fire Release."

Naruto's tone was casual, but his reasoning was sound. If the corpses weren't dealt with, they could easily bring about plague.

The others quickly gathered the bodies. Sasuke formed the seals and unleashed his Great Fireball Technique. Flames roared, consuming the bandits' remains until nothing but ash remained.

In the days that followed, when they weren't preparing to return to Konoha, they trained diligently.

Their progress was clear. They had already reached the level of competent shinobi.

But Naruto frowned as he addressed them.

"You all need to suppress your killing intent. If you return to Konoha like this, you'll immediately draw suspicion."

Concealing bloodlust was a basic shinobi skill—something taught in the Academy itself. Yet clearly, his teammates still couldn't apply it properly. More practice was needed.

...

Land of Waves

Meanwhile, on Shisui's side, the situation had taken a turn. Mei Terumī, the Fifth Mizukage, had already dispatched people to make contact with the Seven Colors Trading Company.

Shisui rubbed his temple in frustration. To be noticed this quickly—by a Kage, no less!

"Zabuza, should we reach out to Mei Terumī first? I doubt her intentions are entirely friendly."

In the meeting hall, Momochi Zabuza straightened in his seat. Hearing Uchiha Shisui's voice, he refocused immediately.

"The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī… she's not a simple woman."

Zabuza knew her well. Only a year older than him, yet he admitted without hesitation—her strength far surpassed his own.

Like Zabuza, she had despised the Blood Mist policy. But unlike him, she had the backing of a clan and the Elders' support. More importantly, she had the strength to match her position.

Despite being underestimated by many, Mei Terumī had reached the Kage level—and wielded not one, but three kekkei genkai:

Lava Release – the fusion of Fire and Earth chakra, producing molten magma with devastating destructive power.

Boil Release – the fusion of Fire and Water chakra, producing corrosive, high-temperature steam capable of melting even Susanoo.

Scorch Release – the fusion of Fire and Wind chakra, generating heat so intense it evaporates water and desiccates opponents.

A woman like that could not be dismissed lightly.

Shisui raised a brow. "What makes her so complicated?"

Zabuza fell silent for a moment before answering.

"The fact she was able to claim and hold the title of Mizukage during the chaos of the Blood Mist era speaks volumes. That alone proves her ability."

Even as he acknowledged her strength, Zabuza's thoughts drifted. No matter how formidable Mei Terumī was, she still didn't compare to Naruto. Naruto was someone who aimed not just to save a single village, but to reshape the entire shinobi world.

And Zabuza had made his choice—he would follow Naruto and Shisui, joining those who shared the same vision of a peaceful, prosperous future.

"We should make contact with Mei Terumī," Zabuza said coldly. "Expand our industry into the Land of Water. If she wants a share, we'll give it to her."

Shisui immediately understood. They wouldn't resist her interest—they'd use it. By embedding their industries into the Land of Water, they'd become indispensable, both to the nation and to Kirigakure itself.

In Naruto's words, it was an economic war.

After all, shinobi had families too. Families who could join the Umbrella organization, strengthening their foundation.

If Mei Terumī wanted profit, they would grant it. And in doing so, bind her to their cause—whether she realized it or not.

...

"Ao, investigate the background of the Seven Colors Trading Company."

Mei Terumī sat gracefully in her blue robe, her long crimson hair draped over one eye. Her scarlet lips curved with a dangerous allure, while the mesh stockings clinging to her pale thighs only added to her striking presence.

She was every bit the picture of elegance and seduction—yet beneath that charm burned a sharp and calculating will.

"Yes, Mizukage-sama."

The Hunter-nin commander bowed. In the next instant, his form flickered and vanished.

As soon as the room emptied, Mei Terumī's languid expression disappeared. Her gaze sharpened, carrying a glint of steel.

"Let's see your true face, Seven Colors Trading Company…" she murmured, her voice lingering in the chamber.

At the Seven Colors Trading Company's headquarters, Ao, dispatched by the Mizukage, trailed one of their operatives until he slipped inside the base.

Suddenly, chakra flared faintly by the riverbank before vanishing again. Ao's single visible eye narrowed as he stepped forward, only to halt when he noticed something unusual.

"A barrier?" he muttered, studying the shimmering outline before him.

For such an enterprise to employ even a minor barrier was no trivial matter.

Half an hour passed, yet Ao still hadn't found a way through. For now, he chose to remain hidden, patiently waiting for an opening.

Later that night, a door creaked open. A figure emerged from the compound, vaulted lightly onto the roof, and disappeared into the darkness.

Ao stirred immediately and pursued.

Inside, Zabuza calmly raised his teacup, sipping it dry.

"A rat's slipped in," he remarked coldly.

The "rat" in question was no accident—the figure who had departed earlier was Uchiha Yu, who had deliberately allowed Ao to catch his trail.

After deciding to establish contact with Mei Terumī, Zabuza and Yu had traveled here, leaving Shisui behind in the Land of Waves to oversee operations.

Still too few trustworthy hands… Zabuza thought grimly.

Ao followed Uchiha Yu into a barren stretch of land before his target abruptly halted.

"Come out," Yu said, his voice carrying quiet confidence. "You were sent by the Fifth Mizukage, weren't you?"

Ao's brow twitched in surprise. As a veteran of the Hunter-nin Corps, his skill in concealment was exceptional. Yet this man had seen through him so effortlessly.

Instead of replying, Ao's hands blurred into seals.

"Hidden Mist Technique!"

Thick fog rolled across the field, swallowing the moonlight.

Yu's eyes narrowed slightly. So, the Hidden Mist Technique…

In the past, this might have posed him some difficulty without openly using the Sharingan. But things were different now. Thanks to Naruto—and through Shisui—he had mastered a sensory technique.

Focusing his chakra, Yu immediately felt Ao's exact location within the mist.

His hands flashed through seals.

"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"

A massive wave of flames erupted from Yu, surging forward with devastating force. Compared to Uchiha Madara's legendary fire during the Fourth Great Ninja War, it was still far inferior—but within this battlefield, its might was overwhelming.

...

TN:

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