#52

The surviving ninjas below exchanged wary glances.

"Who are the ones being called?" someone whispered.

Even Kakuzu was puzzled. "I only came here to make money," he thought. He had always kept a low profile, avoiding unnecessary trouble. Why was he being singled out?

Above, Mufasa had already locked eyes on him. If Kakuzu didn't make a move, then Mufasa would be forced to act first.

These corrupt merchants had grown too bold, openly recruiting rogue ninjas and issuing missions as if the intelligence networks of real shinobi villages were blind.

Mufasa had already sent spies disguised as Sand Ninja to infiltrate and investigate the situation. After obtaining the list of names, he spotted Kakuzu's among them.

To blend in, Kakuzu had registered himself under the guise of a ninja from the Hidden Cloud Village.

It was the furthest village from the Land of Wind, making it unlikely that anyone would verify his identity.

He was only here to make some quick cash, but before he could even collect a single ryo, Mufasa had already marked him as a priority target.

Kakuzu was infamous for his large-scale area-of-effect attacks—an immediate threat. If anyone needed to be neutralized first, it was him.

From above, Gaara called out, "Kakuzu."

Still hesitant, Kakuzu remained silent.

A few seconds passed, and Gaara called his name again.

The growing attention was suffocating. He could feel Mufasa's intense gaze locking onto him. Realizing he had no other choice, Kakuzu finally stepped forward.

"I am here."

The crowd turned to get a better look at him. His eerie eyes—green pupils and a red sclera—sent a chill through the onlookers.

Gaara sighed, almost regretting what was about to happen. "Go stand in the containment zone."

Kakuzu walked forward alone. The other ninjas watched with curiosity, eager to see what the Sand Ninja were planning.

Reaching the massive four-pillar barrier, Kakuzu noticed how cautious they were. The Sand ninjas controlling the power grid opened a small section for him to enter, all while maintaining a safe distance.

They weren't foolish enough to get close and give him a chance to take a hostage. Instead, they pointed specialized ninja tools at him from afar. Judging by the elite shinobi present, those tools were not ordinary.

Kakuzu analyzed his options. He had his four masked hearts, but against four hundred armed Sand Ninjas, even his strength had limits.

Reluctantly, he stepped onto the metal plate inside the containment zone. The moment both feet made contact, an intense surge of electricity coursed through his body. His muscles locked up.

Before he could react, Squad 1 and Squad 2 launched their attack. Sealing tags, chakra suppressing guns, binding wires—everything was fired at him in rapid succession.

The paralysis from the electricity left him momentarily vulnerable. The binding seals, the chakra-suppressing weapons, and the electrified net all landed on him in perfect coordination.

Kakuzu barely had time to register what had happened before darkness consumed him.

Had he been conscious, he would have grumbled, "You young ones have no honor, ganging up on an old man like me."

His body collapsed onto the metal plate. Instantly, mechanical cuffs and electrified ropes bound him tightly.

Under Mufasa's leadership, the Sand Ninjas had mastered the art of controlling threats from a distance.

As an extra measure, several high-dosage tranquilizers were fired into Kakuzu's body to ensure he stayed unconscious.

Only after confirming that he was fully subdued did a squad drag him away, metal plate and all, securing him in a smaller containment area.

The swiftness of the operation left the onlookers speechless.

Ao, one of the captured ninjas, turned to Mufasa with a frown. "Lord Kazekage, what is the meaning of this? Why ambush us?"

Mufasa scoffed. "Ambush? Don't be ridiculous. You're ninjas—your entire body is a weapon. If you voluntarily suppress your chakra and render yourself harmless, we wouldn't have to go through all this trouble. But since you won't do it yourselves, don't blame me for taking precautions."

His reasoning was so bluntly logical that no one could argue against it.

Gaara remained unfazed and continued the roll call. "Ao."

Ao looked at the group of captive ninjas around him. His comrades exchanged uncertain glances, but resistance was futile.

He sighed. "Fine, I'll seal my own chakra."

A squad member stepped forward to handcuff him before leading him away.

Mufasa nodded in satisfaction. "See? Now that's a reasonable shinobi. Since you cooperated, your fine will be lower."

Ao cursed under his breath. This was highway robbery.

Seeing Ao comply, the remaining ninjas lost the will to resist.

The Sand Ninja had already taken down a Jinchuriki—any further struggle was meaningless.

Squads 1 and 2 proceeded to subdue the remaining 2,000 rogue ninjas. With their heads hung in defeat, the captured shinobi were rounded up.

Mufasa smirked. "Alright, everyone. No need to be discouraged. You can leave—once you pay the fine."

The defeated ninjas perked up.

"Seriously?!" someone asked, hopeful.

Mufasa chuckled. "What, you thought I'd feed you too?"

Ao frowned. "Then why capture us in the first place? If it was about the fine, why not just let us pay upfront?"

Mufasa laughed. "Because this was a training exercise. Our Sand Ninjas needed practice, and you all just happened to make excellent test subjects."

The rogue ninjas stood in stunned silence.

(⊙_⊙)

(￣□￣;)

…YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.

Not only were they used as training dummies, but they had to pay for it too?!

Mufasa grinned. "So, do you pay?"

Ao sighed. "Fine."

Kitsuchi grumbled, "Hand it over. I'll cover for Roshi as well."

Roshi was still in Gaara's custody.

As a Jinchuriki from Iwagakure, his return was a priority for his village.

Kitsuchi, a high-ranking Iwa ninja, had been sent to retrieve him. With his broad build and unmistakable features, he was every bit the image of a hardened Iwa shinobi.

"Mufasa, right?" Kitsuchi asked cautiously.

Mufasa smirked. "Take a message back to Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage. Tell him the Kazekage wants to discuss a business deal." He glanced at Roshi, who remained restrained. "As for him, he'll be staying with me for a while. I'll send him back when our business is done."

Kitsuchi hesitated, his brows knitting together. "But, Lord Kazekage, you said we could leave if we paid the fine."

"And people have already left, haven't they?" Mufasa replied, crossing his arms. "I keep my word. Pay double, and you're free to go. If you leave the Land of Wind immediately, that is. Stay without registering, and the fine jumps to ten times."

The Iwa-nin frowned, realizing the Sand Ninja weren't giving them any room to maneuver. Those who had already paid were fleeing the Land of Wind as fast as possible, unwilling to risk further penalties.

News of Suna's harsh fines would spread quickly—missions in the Land of Wind would become a calculated risk from now on.

Kitsuchi scowled. "Then why can't I pay for Roshi?"

Mufasa descended from above, landing directly in front of him. His piercing gaze locked onto Kitsuchi, making the Iwa ninja's throat go dry.

"Let me tell you why," Mufasa said, his voice unwavering. "Because I run things here. In the Land of Wind, my word is law." His smirk widened slightly. "Now, you can either leave or stay as my guest—just like Roshi."

Kitsuchi nodded hurriedly. "I'm leaving! I'm leaving!"

"Good. And don't forget to deliver my message to Onoki."

"Understood." Kitsuchi took off with his fellow Iwa nin, not daring to look back.

Meanwhile, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and Hyuga Hinata had also paid their dues. Gaara allowed them to leave, and they carefully supported their unconscious sensei, Kurenai Yuhi.

Kiba took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Lord Kazekage… could you help release our sensei from the genjutsu?"

Mufasa eyed the three young shinobi, noting how they tried—and failed—to conceal their nervousness.

They had just witnessed him crush an entire army, dismantle a Jinchuriki, and counter techniques they had only heard of in stories.

He chuckled. "Alright. For Tsunade's sake." With a casual snap of his fingers, Kurenai's eyes fluttered open.

The three Genin nearly cheered in relief.

"Sensei! You're awake!" Hinata exclaimed.

Kurenai blinked, then softly murmured in a daze, "Your heart's been aching, but you're too shy to say it~..."

Hinata froze. ∠(°ゝ°）

Kiba's jaw nearly hit the floor. o_o???

Shino… remained expressionless.

Mufasa laughed. "Beautiful singing, but a bit inconvenient. Don't worry, she'll be back to normal soon. You can go now."

The trio wasted no time, hastily carrying the murmuring Kurenai away.

The Land of Wind was far too dangerous for them—they would think twice before taking another mission here.

With the majority of the captured ninjas gone, only two remained: Roshi and Kakuzu. Both were heavily restrained, bound with electric ropes and binding seals to ensure they remained powerless.

Mufasa turned to Gaara. "Escort them back to the village. Hand them over to the science division—they'll know what to do."

Gaara nodded. "Understood."

He signaled a squad from the Second Division to transport the prisoners. As they moved out, Mufasa turned his attention to another matter.

Lying on the ground, his face pale and his expression vacant, was Heiru. The once-influential merchant had been abandoned by his guards, left alone to face the consequences of his actions.

"Let's go," Mufasa said. "How long do you plan to sit there?"

Heiru jolted back to reality. Seeing no other options, he scrambled forward. "Lord Kazekage! I was wrong! Please, have mercy!"

Mufasa tilted his head in amusement. "Oh? And what exactly did you do wrong?"

"I shouldn't have worked with outsiders to exploit the Hidden Sand Village! I'll return all the money! I'll even compensate Suna for any losses!"

Mufasa scoffed. "That's an unnecessary promise. Do you think I couldn't take what I want if I wished?"

Heiru broke into a cold sweat. "I—I can talk to the daimyo! I can convince him to sign whatever you need. I can help you become the official Kazekage!"

Silence.

Then, laughter.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Loud, mocking laughter.

Mufasa laughed so hard that even Gaara, Sasuke, and the nearby Sand Ninjas turned to watch. Heiru stared, confused and terrified.

Mufasa finally wiped his eyes and raised his hand.

Heiru suddenly lifted off the ground, yanked into the air by an invisible force. He kicked and struggled, eyes wide in terror.

Mufasa's expression darkened. "You really don't understand, do you?"

"The times have changed."

"In the past, a Kazekage needed the daimyo's approval." He smirked. "But now, it's the daimyo who needs my approval."

He leaned in slightly, voice like steel. "From this moment on, no daimyo of the Land of Wind will take power without my consent."

Heiru's face drained of all color, his mind unable to process what he had just heard.

Mufasa's smirk faded. "Trashes like you doesn't belong in the new era."

His fingers twitched.

Boom.

Heiru's head burst like an overripe fruit, sending a spray of blood across the sand. His lifeless body collapsed, the blood trailing toward Sabakuto Town, the heart of the Land of Wind.

Mufasa turned away. "Let's move."

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Word count: 1853