Chapter 46: Zabuza, the Hero of the Land of Waves

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

"I dare not forget!"

Seemingly thinking of Sakuragi Hanamichi, who had died in his arms sharing the exact same dream and determination to reform Kirigakure and become the Mizukage, the tough man Zabuza spoke with a choked voice.

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

"It's fine, I will help you fulfill your dream!"

Zabuza raised his head abruptly. An ideological imprint was now deeply buried in his heart; the person before him could help him achieve all of this.

However.

"How should I do it?"

Naruto—

No, Uzumaki Dayu chuckled with quiet confidence. This was the kind of thing he excelled at.

However, glancing at another person, Naruto asked, "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.

That won't do at all. He was going to be the Mizukage, so why was he still calling his subordinate a tool?

That would thoroughly chill his underlings' hearts.

Look at the old Hokage; he had the Will of Fire constantly on his lips.

Comparing the two.

Between Zabuza and the old Hokage, there was a gap of at least a hundred Kakashis.

Taking a glance at Zabuza, who was controlled by genjutsu, completely open and defenseless in his inner mind, Naruto intentionally asked.

"Would he be willing to die for you?"

"Yes." Zabuza answered without hesitation.

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

"......Yes." After just a momentary hesitation, Zabuza replied.

I see...

"It seems I misunderstood you. The two of us—no, the two of you are the best partners. Since that's the case, I won't separate you two. He will also be a pillar of support on your path to becoming the Mizukage."

Seeing that the genjutsu control was sufficient, Naruto extended his palm, preparing for the modification.

"As for what comes next, you just need not to resist."

His eyes shifted into the Rinnegan, and both Yin and Yang Release manifested simultaneously.

The modification began.

For Zabuza to become the Mizukage, strength was an indispensable component.

First of all, his chakra could not be lacking.

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

Yet Naruto chose to give him only 1 million.

Firstly,

As a hidden village, Kirigakure undoubtedly possessed various investigative methods. Since Zabuza was originally an ordinary person whom Kirigakure knew well, his baseline was fixed there, so he didn't give him too much.

Secondly, it was unnecessary.

Zabuza was going to become the Mizukage, not to wage war on Kirigakure.

1 million chakra, combined with a regeneration rate of 5% per hour, already qualified him as beyond the level of Kage.

More than enough.

Secondly was the chakra nature.

Zabuza naturally possessed Water Release chakra, and Naruto copied a portion of his own experience and imparted it to him.

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

Even so,

At this moment, Zabuza was already the strongest Water Release ninja in the entire shinobi world, apart from Naruto and his shadow clones.

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

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

Thus, the clone Zabuza's modification was complete.

Following Zabuza was Haku.

Much like Zabuza.

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

The unexpected bonus was the Kekkei Genkai Ice Release; Naruto maxed out Haku's Ice Release experience as well.

With this, the two members of the "Mizukage Contenders" team were fully modified.

The newly modified Zabuza experienced the terrifying chakra contained within his body,

Along with the countless experiences in using three types of ninjutsu that had suddenly appeared in his mind.

His heart surged with emotion.

From now on, strength would no longer be an obstacle.

It was just that this identity of his...

"My identity is problematic... I am still a rogue ninja at present. With this status, let alone becoming the Mizukage, even returning to Kirigakure will be quite difficult." Zabuza was still somewhat troubled.

He was a tough man, a person of iron and blood, lacking in cleverness and incapable of delicate scheming.

Seeing this reaction, Naruto silently thought to himself: Excellent.

The modification was a resounding success.

Up to this point, this Zabuza still believed he was Zabuza, rather than a modified clone who retained his entire personality while actually being altered and completely controlled by Naruto himself.

"The identity issue is easy to resolve."

A rogue ninja, after all, is merely a matter of narrative.

When Kirigakure no longer considers you a rogue ninja, you are no longer a rogue ninja.

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

No, that was the direction for the upcoming propaganda campaign.

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

With a focus on the media sector.

Have you forgotten the three pillars of American hegemony: guns, money, and loudspeakers?

Compared to the first two, the infiltration of the third is all-pervasive.

Former US President Eisenhower said: Spend 1 dollar on propaganda, and it equals 5 dollars spent on national defense.

Kissinger said: The power of a single free radio station equals twenty divisions.

They were all so blunt about it.

Regarding this, a great man also once said: "If you do not occupy the high ground of public opinion, the enemy will."

If the enemy occupies it, even if you are in the right, you will end up in the wrong.

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

Therefore, Naruto intended to play around with some loudspeakers.

What a coincidence.

The game featured a promotional pamphlet function that could be custom-designed with exquisite visuals and high-quality paper.

Moreover, it was cheap, costing only 1 ryo per sheet.

It would be just perfect for printing newspapers!

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

"Now, you have only one task."

"What is it?" Zabuza asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Take down Gato and become the hero of the Land of Waves."

"After that, Gato's assets will become your startup capital, as well as the promotional funds for you to become the Mizukage."

Seemingly picturing a certain scene, Naruto smiled, "So, in order to become the Mizukage, go take down Gato first and become the hero of the Land of Waves!"

......

Scene shifting, Naruto returned via the Flying Thunder God technique.

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

He had helped Zabuza enhance his strength and assisted him in fulfilling his dream of becoming the Mizukage.

Call him Uzumaki Dayu.

However, this was only the first one.

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

Uhm.

For the Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto himself would suffice.

That left three Kage.

So far, regarding these three slots, he had no targets and no intelligence.

In fact, he had merely bumped into Zabuza during a mission.

It made Naruto want to shout out loud across the ninja world: "Who else has a dream?!"

Unfortunately, he had to keep a low profile.

Instructing his shadow clones via the internal channel to keep an eye out for targets, Naruto sensed the direction of the three people.

Whoosh~

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

Glancing at Naruto, Sasuke lost interest, but Sakura showed concern.

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

"Minor issue, just a bout of diarrhea. If I, Naruto, don't have diarrhea for a day, my whole body feels uncomfortable."

Sasuke and Sakura: Eww~

"Alright, let's start training now."

Kakashi interrupted Naruto's nonsense, "You guys are progressing too fast. Now, Naruto and Sasuke, spar against each other so I can see your current strength."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged glances.

"Alright!" ×2