Chapter 30: Konohagakure
Zabuza didn't just disappear.
Even though he was now a pirate and had nothing to do with Kirigakure anymore, he still had a personal reason to send out all the information he knew.
If Terumi Mei could overthrow the Fourth Mizukage's rule, that would be ideal.
However, the involvement of the "Revolutionary Army" in all of this might not be a good thing.
Shanks had mentioned that the Revolutionary Army wanted to create a more peaceful world. They were dissatisfied with the current world order and had already secretly overthrown several countries.
Zabuza simply wanted to give a small warning—not to let others take advantage of them while they were trying to use others.
Consider it a favor repaid to Terumi Mei.
"Captain, we looted a total of 300 million ryo this time. What should we do with the money?"
On the ship, Gato had finished counting the haul.
Not just him—the entire crew was thrilled when they heard how much they had taken.
With this much money, even after splitting it, each of them would get a nice share.
"This money was meant to fund Kirigakure's government expenses. Set aside 10 million to divide among the crew. The rest will be used for our own finances."
"Gato, you'll be in charge of managing it."
Zabuza thought for a moment and ultimately decided to let Gato handle the funds.
There was no other choice—out of everyone here, Gato was the only one who actually knew how to manage money.
"For the next while, I need to focus on recovery. Unless it's important, don't disturb me."
Zabuza's injuries weren't serious, but this battle had made him realize Haku's weaknesses.
In the coming days, he would need to train Haku intensively.
"Yes, Captain."
Hearing that he could spend this money however he wanted, Gato grinned from ear to ear.
Even though he didn't earn it himself, spending money stolen by the captain felt even better.
No, to be precise, being a pirate was way better than his old job as a greedy businessman.
Smuggling? How much money could smuggling even make?
Spending the rest of the money wasn't a problem for Gato at all.
If it were his own money, he might have to think carefully. But when it came to spending someone else's money, Gato had no worries at all.
...
A few days later, news of a pirate attack on the Land of Water started to spread.
But it wasn't spreading fast. The biggest reason? It was just too unbelievable.
Who would believe that the tribute money meant for Kirigakure Village got stolen by a bunch of pirates?
But it really happened. The Blade-less Pirates had sailed straight out of the Water Capital, and plenty of merchant ships saw it happen.
On top of that, Gato had already started making arrangements.
Every member of the pirate crew, including Gato himself, now wore headscarves with the Blade-less Pirates' emblem.
And beyond that, Gato had also started recruiting people under Zabuza's name.
At the same time, Gato reconnected with his old black-market contacts, but this time, he had a whole new look.
Weapons, materials, and all sorts of supplies could only be obtained through the black market.
Naturally, when the people there saw how openly Gato was operating, some of them started getting ideas.
But the more they learned, the more those thoughts disappeared.
A pirate crew that dared to go up against Kirigakure Village wasn't something they could afford to mess with.
Still, the fact that Gato went from a businessman to a pirate made others think.
If Gato could do it, why couldn't they?
Smuggling? Why bother? Robbery was way faster.
Before long, the waters around the Land of Water were swarming with pirate ships.
Many of them even claimed to be part of the Blade-less Pirates.
None of these merchants dared to challenge a major nation head-on.
But since the Blade-less Pirates had already made a move, why not give it a try?
"Gato, a lot of new pirates have shown up this month. Some of them are even eyeing the Land of Waves."
Zabuza and Haku had gone off to train, and the Blade-less Pirates had nothing to do, so they'd been staying in the Land of Waves for now.
This place was practically Gato's home turf.
"Let them watch. They wouldn't dare come ashore.
Go check on the shipyard's progress. The captain and vice-captain's training will probably be over soon. As long as nothing happens to the Land of Waves before then, it's fine."
Gato didn't care about the chaos.
This was just a bunch of people testing the waters.
They were all cutthroat businessmen—everyone knew how this game was played.
No one would cross the line unless they were really ready to make a move.
"Besides that, it looks like some of the islanders are up to something in secret."
"Is it about the bridge?"
Gato frowned.
There was no way that bridge was getting built.
Back when he controlled the Land of Waves, Gato had a firm grip on the entire sea trade.
Right now, even though Gato no longer cared about his old shipping business, his broader vision let him see a bigger issue.
Land of Waves was right next to the Land of Fire. Not long ago, they had angered the Land of Water. Once the bridge was completed, Land of Waves and Land of Fire would be connected, meaning Konohagakure's ninjas could reach Land of Waves anytime.
With the current strength of the Blade-less Pirate Crew, they wouldn't be able to stop the ninjas.
"Just block them."
Gato spoke in a low voice.
He wasn't a good man, but he wasn't the kind of villain who treated human lives like nothing.
Tazuna had been building the bridge for a long time.
Yet, his family was still alive and well.
Gato had never wanted to kill those ordinary people—not before, and certainly not now.
Now that he was following Zabuza, Gato's perspective had changed. Pirates had the ambition to rule the seas. Ordinary people and pirates lived in completely different worlds.
"Alright then, I'll take some men to guard the port."
The only way to leave Land of Waves was by ship, and all the ships were gathered at the port. Guarding the port would be enough.
But Tazuna had never planned to leave through the port. No boat? Then he would just build a small one himself.
Not everyone was like Shanks, who had ridiculous shipbuilding skills.
Tazuna wasn't a professional shipwright, but leaving Land of Waves wasn't difficult for him.
Two days later, under the cover of night, a small boat quietly sailed away from Land of Waves.
Tazuna and his people carried the money they had managed to gather and headed toward Konohagakure.
This was their last hope—their final chance to break free from Gato's control.
If the bridge wasn't built, then all the sacrifices made so far would be meaningless.
Konohagakure, the ninja village of the Land of Fire, was the strongest village in the ninja world.
Only Konohagakure could save Land of Waves.
With firm determination, Tazuna stepped into a bar in Konohagakure…
---
You can read 50 advanced chapters at my patreon.com/YeyeQiu