#58

Orochimaru's hoarse voice echoed in the empty hall, carrying a rare trace of excitement.

"My lord, I will follow in your footsteps."

Mufasa smiled at his enthusiasm. "Good. The more we understand, the stronger we become."

Orochimaru nodded, eyes gleaming. "Power..."

"Power is just an accessory to knowledge," Mufasa corrected with a smirk. "True strength comes from understanding."

"Yes, my lord," Orochimaru replied without hesitation.

Mufasa turned. "Come, I'll show you the site prepared for the Gedō Mazō."

They made their way through the underground facility, eventually arriving at an expansive construction site adjacent to the Chakra Research Office.

The underground space stretched endlessly, filled with the hum of activity.

Ninjas bustled around massive metal frameworks, cranes lifted heavy parts into place, and landing platforms were stacked with raw materials.

Thick cables snaked across the floors and walls, pulsating with energy. In the center of it all, Mufasa's towering mechanical titan—Godzilla Zero—stood in the middle of an upgrade.

Several shinobi were climbing its massive frame, working diligently to install new components.

As they stepped inside, Mufasa's gaze landed on a rather flustered Kankuro, who was clutching a scroll as if he'd just been caught red-handed.

"Kankuro, what are you up to?" Mufasa asked, arching an eyebrow.

Kankuro looked like a kid caught sneaking snacks before dinner. "Boss, I—uh—I didn't do anything wrong, I swear!"

Mufasa followed his line of sight to the corner of the facility, where a massive humanoid frame stood partially constructed. It wasn't part of the original plan.

"Where did this come from?" Mufasa asked, stepping closer.

Kankuro scratched the back of his head. "I… built it. On my own."

Mufasa turned back to him. Next to the mechanical Godzilla, this new machine—clearly modeled after a Gundam—was in the early stages of construction.

It was already twenty meters tall, despite being unfinished, with only its legs fully built.

"You built this? In your spare time?" Mufasa asked, his voice unreadable.

Kankuro quickly explained, "I didn't use work hours! I did it all after my shifts, bought the materials with my own wages—even borrowed money! Boss, please don't be mad."

Mufasa studied him for a moment before breaking into a grin. He clapped Kankuro on the shoulder. "Haha, don't be so nervous. If you're a man, you have to pilot a Gundam."

Kankuro's eyes widened. "So… you're not mad?"

"Mad? No. Impressed? Definitely. If you need support, just ask me. The original plan was to equip you all with mechanical puppets in the future anyway. You're ahead of the curve."

Kankuro practically jumped three feet in the air. "That's awesome!" His excitement was infectious. He looked like he was ready to fly.

But then Mufasa's tone shifted. "For now, though, put the construction on hold. Have the workers stop what they're doing."

Kankuro's excitement deflated instantly. "Huh? Why?"

Mufasa folded his arms. "Forty-six towns in the Land of Wind need infrastructure—roads, highways, concrete reinforcements. We need specialists to guide them, people who know how to operate the necessary equipment. I need your workers to assist."

Kankuro frowned. "But isn't building these machines more important?"

Mufasa chuckled. "What good are machines without roads to transport them? Roads mean cars, trucks, cranes—entire industries flourishing. The stronger the Land of Wind becomes, the more resources we get. More resources mean better puppets in the future."

Realization dawned on Kankuro. "Oh… That makes sense. Alright, I'll get everyone to stop for now."

"Good. Go find Baki. He'll handle the arrangements."

With that settled, Mufasa led Orochimaru deeper into the facility, stopping at a large, open section of the cavern. Orochimaru surveyed it with an approving nod.

"Plenty of space," he remarked. "This will do perfectly for the Gedō Mazō."

"No rush," Mufasa replied. "Manpower is tight right now. Focus on other priorities first."

Orochimaru's expression darkened with curiosity. "Why not just capture all the Tailed Beasts now? Wouldn't that speed up your research?"

Mufasa shook his head. "That would cause too much disruption. The risks outweigh the benefits. We need to consolidate our strength first. The Tailed Beasts will come in due time."

He smirked. "Besides, that's what Akatsuki is for. I'm the Kazekage. A protector of peace, remember? Can't have my image tarnished by such villainous actions."

Orochimaru chuckled at the irony, but Mufasa remained serious.

"Orochimaru, place a curse mark on yourself. You are forbidden from speaking of Project SS to anyone."

Orochimaru nodded. "Understood, my lord."

With that settled, Mufasa returned to his office and called for Baki, the one overseeing external affairs.

"Issue a recruitment order to all nations," Mufasa instructed. "The Village Hidden in the Sand is seeking individuals interested in scientific research."

Baki nodded and took notes. "What should the offer include?"

"Generous pay, housing provided, food and necessities covered. Bonuses for scientific breakthroughs. We need the best minds working for us."

Baki finished jotting it all down, then hesitated before speaking again. "My lord, the envoy from Iwagakure has been waiting for several days. Will you see him?"

Mufasa leaned back in his chair, exhaling through his nose. "Let me guess—Onoki is panicking?"

Baki nodded. "After Kitsuchi returned to the village, he went straight to the Tsuchikage. Apparently, Onoki was furious. Losing Roshi was one thing, but to have him captured by the Kazekage…"

Mufasa smirked. "And now he wants to negotiate?"

Baki nodded again. "He's willing to pay any price to get Roshi back."

Mufasa tapped his fingers against his desk, a thoughtful gleam in his eye. "Interesting. Let's see just how much Onoki values his Jinchuriki. Send the envoy in."

Mufasa scratched his head.

"I've been so busy lately, I completely forgot about it,", turning to Baki, he asked, "By the way, has anyone from Konoha come yet?"

Baki shook his head. "Not yet."

Mufasa frowned, rubbing his chin. That was odd. Given the situation with Sasuke, Konoha should have known about Sasuke through their intelligence and should've sent someone by now.

"Has our business with Konoha been affected?" he asked.

Baki shook his head again. "Everything is running smoothly. In fact, our operations have already started expanding into other cities within the Land of Fire."

Mufasa nodded approvingly. "Good. You've done well."

"I serve at your command, my lord," Baki replied respectfully before withdrawing.

Not long after, he returned, bringing the representative from Iwa—Kitsuchi.

The man from Iwagakure wasted no time, laying his cards on the table immediately. "Kazekage-sama, name your price for the ransom. Whatever it is, we'll pay it. Please, just return Roshi to us."

Mufasa smirked, deciding to tease him a little. "And what if I decide not to?"

Kitsuchi froze, his face momentarily blank before he loudly declared, "Then our villages will be at war! My lord, please don't do this."

Mufasa chuckled at Kitsuchi's distressed expression, beads of sweat forming on his temples. "Relax, I'm only joking," he reassured him with a grin. "You know, I'm a man of peace. War is the last thing I want."

Kitsuchi exhaled in relief, nodding. "That's a relief to hear. So, how much ransom are we talking about?"

Mufasa shook his head. "Talking about money is so crude. It damages the relationship between villages. Surely, the bond between Sunagakure and Iwagakure is worth more than mere money?"

Kitsuchi blinked in confusion. "Then… what exactly do you want, my lord?"

"Well, under normal circumstances, Roshi would be dead right now," Mufasa pointed out. "He challenged me and lost. By all rights, I could have killed him. No one could object to that, could they?"

Kitsuchi hesitated before nodding. "That is true… A mission is a mission. Victory and defeat depend on one's own strength."

"But, you see, I dislike unnecessary killing," Mufasa continued. "So, I've decided to spare his life."

Kitsuchi quickly bowed. "Thank you, my lord. We are grateful for your mercy."

Mufasa smirked. "Now, in return for my generosity, surely you wouldn't mind offering a small token of appreciation?"

Kitsuchi narrowed his eyes slightly. "What kind of gift would you like, my lord?"

Mufasa sat up straighter, his voice carrying a weight of authority. "First and foremost, for the sake of continued friendly relations between our villages, I propose we sign some economic and trade agreements."

Kitsuchi tensed. "This won't involve the 'One Country, One Village Act,' will it?"

That policy had been a nightmare for Iwagakure. It had cost them both money and resources, leaving them at a disadvantage. Even now, the pain of it was still fresh in the minds of their ninjas.

Mufasa chuckled. "Yes, yes. You remember it well. But actually, it's the same agreement I signed with Konoha. I see no reason why we shouldn't do the same."

Kitsuchi considered this carefully. "If Konoha agreed to it… then perhaps… it might not be a problem. However, I must report back to Tsuchikage-sama first. The final decision rests with him."

Mufasa waved a hand dismissively. "Of course. Take your time, consult Onoki. You're even welcome to visit Konoha and see for yourself. Thanks to our trade, their economy is thriving. The cost of ninja tools has decreased, their disposable income has increased, and even their casualty rate has dropped by one percent thanks to the quality of our gear."

Kitsuchi nodded, clearly intrigued. "If that's true, our village would certainly be willing to sign. I will ensure that Tsuchikage-sama hears of this."

"Much appreciated," Mufasa said with a smirk. "Now, about Roshi's release…"

Kitsuchi stiffened slightly. "Yes, my lord?"

Mufasa leaned forward. "In addition to the trade agreements, I have a personal request."

Kitsuchi's expression turned wary. "What is it?"

Mufasa smiled. "I hear that Iwagakure possesses a forbidden technique—one that chakra into a material. I'd like to see it."

At once, Kitsuchi's entire body tensed, his face darkening. "My lord, that is a closely guarded secret of our village. I must insist that we offer a different compensation. If it's money or resources you desire, we can negotiate."

Mufasa's eyes grew sharp. "It's not negotiable. I want it. Go back and tell Onoki that without that technique, there will be no Four-Tails."

Kitsuchi clenched his fists, his frustration evident. "Kazekage-sama… are you declaring war on Iwagakure?"

Mufasa met his gaze with a cool expression. "If that's how you want to interpret it."

Kitsuchi's eyes widened. "W-Wait! No, my lord, that's not what I meant. It's just… I don't think this one technique is worth the risk of conflict."

Mufasa leaned back, looking satisfied. "I'm glad we see eye to eye. Go back and discuss it with Onoki. A mere forbidden technique isn't worth hostility between villages, wouldn't you agree?"

Kitsuchi sighed heavily. "… I will relay your message."

"Make sure Onoki understands," Mufasa said, his voice unwavering. "Without that technique, there is no Four-Tails. Not anymore."

Still reeling from the conversation, Kitsuchi left, his mind spinning. As he walked through Sunagakure, he couldn't help but notice the dramatic changes the village had undergone.

The streets were paved with metal, their polished surfaces gleaming under the sun. The main roads had moving walkways, allowing people to travel effortlessly. Towering buildings stood with metallic exteriors, a stark contrast to the traditional architecture of the past.

This was no longer the Sand Village he once knew. It was something else—something new.

Just how wealthy had Sunagakure become?

But was all of this really necessary? Sure, it made travel easier, but beyond that, what was the purpose? The sheer scale of the transformation left Kitsuchi questioning Sunagakure's motives.

The moving walkway slowed as it neared the hotel where he was staying. Stepping off, Kitsuchi took one last glance at the shimmering skyline before heading inside.

Once in his room, he quickly packed his belongings, his mind still racing with thoughts about Sunagakure's rapid development.

With his bags secured, he made his way to the village gates, renting a transport carriage to begin the journey back home.

The Tsuchikage had to hear about this.

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Word count: 1948