Chapter 46: Zabuza, Hero of the Land of Waves

"Zabuza, you haven't forgotten your dream of becoming the Mizukage, have you?"

"How could I dare to forget!"

As if recalling Haku, who died in his arms and shared his dream of changing the Hidden Mist Village to become Mizukage, the tough man Zabuza's voice choked.

"I wouldn't dare to forget, even in death! But... I'm a rogue ninja now, and today I couldn't even defeat three kids..."

"It's okay, I'll help you fulfill your dream!"

Zabuza's head snapped up. An indelible mental imprint was now deeply embedded in his mind: this person in front of him could help him achieve all of it.

But then, he asked, "How?"

Naruto—

No, Uzumaki Duo Yu (Many Fish) smiled confidently. This was something he excelled at.

However, seeing the other person, Naruto asked again, "Do you trust him?"

Following Naruto's gaze, Zabuza looked at Haku.

"He is the person I trust the most, and also my most useful tool."

A tool?

Hearing this, Naruto frowned.

This wouldn't do. Someone aiming to be Mizukage shouldn't refer to their subordinate as a tool.

It would deeply dishearten his underlings.

Look at the old Hokage; he constantly spouted about the Will of Fire.

Compared to that,

Zabuza was at least 100 Kakashis behind the old Hokage.

Glancing at Zabuza, who was under genjutsu, completely open and unguarded, Naruto deliberately asked,

"Is he willing to die for you?"

"Willing." Zabuza answered without hesitation.

"What about you? Are you willing to die for him?"

"...Willing." After only a moment's hesitation, Zabuza replied.

So that's how it is...

"It seems I misunderstood you. You two are the best partners. Since that's the case, I won't separate you. He will also be your aid on your path to becoming Mizukage."

Seeing that the genjutsu was almost complete, Naruto extended his palm, ready to perform the modification.

"For what's to come, just don't resist."

His eyes shifted to the Rinnegan, and Yin-Yang Release manifested simultaneously.

The modification began.

For Zabuza to become Mizukage, strength was an indispensable part.

First, chakra couldn't be lacking.

Zabuza's body, compared to an ordinary person's, could contain more chakra, a full 3 million.

But Naruto only chose to give him 1 million.

One reason was that,

As a shinobi village, Hidden Mist would undoubtedly have various detection methods. As an ordinary person, Zabuza was very familiar to the Hidden Mist, and his potential was already clear, so not too much was given.

Second, it wasn't necessary.

Zabuza was going to become Mizukage, not to attack the Hidden Mist Village.

1 million chakra, plus a 5% per hour recovery ability, was already considered Kage-level or even beyond.

It was more than enough.

Next was chakra nature.

Zabuza naturally possessed Water Release chakra. Naruto copied his own experience and gave it to him.

Although Zabuza lacked Naruto's heaven-defying attribute values and various passive abilities,

Even so,

At this moment, Zabuza was the strongest Water Style ninja in the entire shinobi world, aside from Naruto and his clones.

To help him stand out in the competition for Mizukage, Naruto also additionally equipped Zabuza with Earth and Fire nature chakra.

And he brought these two chakra natures up to the same level as his Water Release chakra.

With that, the clone Zabuza's modification was complete.

After Zabuza, it was Haku.

Similar to Zabuza,

1 million chakra, and his existing Wind and Water Release chakra attribute experiences were maximized.

The unexpected bonus was the Ice Release bloodline limit. Naruto also maximized Haku's Ice Release experience.

With this, the "Mizukage Contention" team's two members were fully modified.

The modified Zabuza felt the terrifying chakra contained within his body,

And the countless usage experiences for three different ninjutsu that had appeared in his mind.

His heart swelled with emotion.

Now, strength would no longer be an obstacle.

It was just his identity...

"My identity is a problem. I'm still a rogue ninja. With this identity, let alone becoming Mizukage, even returning to the Hidden Mist Village is quite difficult." Zabuza was still a bit troubled.

He was a tough man, also a man of iron will, with little cunning, unable to play delicate games.

Seeing his reaction, Naruto secretly thought, Excellent.

The modification was very successful.

So far, this Zabuza still believed he was Zabuza, and not a modified clone retaining all of his original personality but actually being controlled by Naruto.

"The identity problem is easy to solve."

A rogue ninja, it's just a matter of perspective.

When the Hidden Mist Village no longer considers you a rogue ninja, then you're not a rogue ninja.

Did you think Naruto's words in the previous chapter were nonsense?

No, that was the direction for the upcoming propaganda.

That's right, Naruto was preparing to enter the cultural and entertainment industry.

The focus was the media field.

Have you ever noticed the three pillars of American hegemony: guns, money, and the loudspeaker?

Compared to the first two, the third penetrates everywhere.

Former US President Eisenhower said: "A dollar spent on propaganda is worth five dollars spent on defense."

Kissinger said: "The power of a free radio station is equal to twenty divisions."

They were both so outspoken.

In response, a great man once said: "If you don't occupy the high ground of public opinion, the enemy will occupy it."

If the enemy occupies it, then even the truth will become false.

It seemed that this world knew very little about such things, and regulation was frighteningly lax.

So, Naruto was preparing to play around with the loudspeaker.

What a coincidence, right?

In the game, there was a propaganda brochure function. You could customize it, the pictures were exquisite, and the paper quality was good.

And it was cheap, only 1 ryo per sheet.

Perfect for printing newspapers!

Thinking of this, Naruto replied, "Next, I will assign you a helper. He will become your strategist and help you realize your dream of becoming Mizukage!"

"Now, you have only one mission."

"What?" Zabuza was a bit confused.

"Take out Gato, and become the hero of the Land of Waves."

"Then, Gato's assets will become your startup capital, and also your propaganda funds for becoming Mizukage."

As if envisioning a certain scene, Naruto smiled, "So, to become Mizukage, go take out Gato first, and become the hero of the Land of Waves!"

The scene shifts, and Naruto uses Flying Thunder God to return.

Taking advantage of this interval, he quietly summarized this trip.

He helped Zabuza strengthen his power and aided him in fulfilling his dream of becoming Mizukage.

Please call him Uzumaki Duo Yu.

However, this was just the first one.

Next, there were the Hokage, Tsuchikage, Kazekage, and Raikage, a total of four Kage.

Erm.

For Hokage, he, Uzumaki Naruto, would suffice.

So, there were still three Kage.

As of now, there were no targets or intelligence regarding these three positions.

Even Zabuza was someone he met during a mission.

It made Naruto want to shout throughout the shinobi world: "Who else has a dream?!"

Unfortunately, he had to keep a low profile.

After telling his clones in the channel to keep an eye out for targets, Naruto sensed the direction of the three of them.

Whoosh~

"Kakashi-sensei, I'm back~" Naruto ran out from behind a tree.

Sasuke glanced at Naruto and then lost interest, but Sakura showed some concern.

"Naruto, why did you take so long? Are you okay?"

"Minor issue, just a little diarrhea. I, Naruto, feel uncomfortable if I don't go once a day."

Sasuke, Sakura: Ewww~

"Alright, let's start training now."

Kakashi interrupted Naruto's playful remark, "You two are progressing too fast. Naruto and Sasuke, spar with each other now. Let me see your current strength."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged glances.

"Okay!" x2.