Kirigakure dispatched its Second Corps to the Land of Whirlpools for many reasons, but primarily because the First Corps had lost its ability to expand further.
The black market assassins had taught them a lesson!
Over the past few months, the First Corps had suffered over a hundred assassination attempts on its various battalions, squads, external deployment units, and even its main camps. Although many attempts failed or resulted in mutual destruction, a significant number of assassins successfully completed their missions and escaped unharmed.
The First Corps was overwhelmed!
This was the result of an investment of 350 million ryo!
If that sum had been used to hire mercenary armies instead, they could have inflicted heavy losses on the First Corps. However, employing black market assassins had an additional effect—it created an atmosphere of fear!
As a result, the First Corps became hesitant, unable to mobilize for large-scale operations.
For months, the Fourth Corps of Konohagakure remained stationed at the border without taking any action. The combination of their presence and Konoha's infiltration forces prevented the First Corps from advancing further.
Thus, the Third Corps of Kirigakure arrived!
Upon receiving this intelligence, Haruto Saito returned to Gutian Village with Minato Namikaze and Kaga the very next afternoon.
It had been over four months. During Haruto's campaign in the Land of Whirlpools, he had returned once before.
Now, looking at it again—
Gutian Village had changed dramatically!
Over the past four months, according to Haruto's plans, Kakuzu and Ryuno Hattori had developed Gutian Village through "gentle" means—expanding infrastructure, offering high wages for labor, and attracting refugees to settle.
The village's permanent population had surpassed 30,000, with over 10,000 temporary residents!
Construction had not ceased!
From the village walls, one could see that more than half of the area was now covered with buildings, primarily residential zones. Taller structures lined the main thoroughfares, forming the planned commercial district.
Other areas included designated reserves, farmlands, ongoing factory constructions, and empty military barracks.
Gutian Village showed signs of prosperity!
Yet, it was not truly prosperous.
The population had grown, but commerce remained limited, and tax revenue was negligible.
The village's finances were deeply in deficit! It was a case of constant investment without returns. But Haruto had money—so for now, it didn't matter!
At dusk—
In the palace's primary conference room, Haruto immediately convened an emergency meeting.
More than twenty people attended. Besides Kakuzu, Ryuno Hattori, and Jūzō, the others were newly promoted leaders selected by Kakuzu and Hattori over the past few months. For some, this was their first time meeting Haruto!
It was also the first time they learned who truly ruled the village!
Haruto had no fear of betrayal.
He trusted Kakuzu and Ryuno Hattori's judgment—especially Hattori's ability to cultivate loyalty!
"This is Inada Ko…" Kakuzu formally introduced a powerful individual—Inada Ko, a black market assassin with over 20,000 notoriety points!
As per Haruto's previous orders, Kakuzu had scouted a few reliable figures from the black market. However, only a select few were willing to serve Gutian Village long-term. In the end, Kakuzu only dared to introduce Inada Ko to Haruto.
The others were still too untrustworthy and remained hired on a contract basis, unable to learn about Haruto directly.
Four months to recruit just one person!
It was no easy task!
Inada Ko was an S-rank black market assassin! At forty years old, he had a lean build and specialized in Wind Release techniques. Though he was not as strong as Kakuzu, he was still a significant asset to Gutian Village.
"It's an honor to meet you, Lord Haruto!" Inada Ko stood up and greeted him with great respect.
Haruto was only fourteen!
But no one cared about his age—his battlefield achievements had placed him among the strongest shinobi, just below the absolute elite!
Haruto raised an eyebrow, then gestured to Inada Ko. "Sit. We'll talk privately in my office after the meeting."
This man harbored no ill intentions.
He could be trusted!
The meeting formally began.
Ryuno Hattori first reported on the village's development. Gutian Village now had housing for 100,000 residents, and underground facilities were still under construction. However, the village's tax revenue was only about 100,000 ryo per month, while expenditures exceeded 20 million ryo, not counting secret operations.
Next, Kakuzu provided an update on the village's secret expansion efforts.
Yes, Gutian Village was expanding—but very few knew about it!
Haruto had originally given Kakuzu tens of millions of ryo, which he used to seize control of Gutian Village. Afterward, internal strife ensued, leading to Haruto's complete dominance.
That same method—or a variation of it—was now being employed again!
"At present… we have covertly taken control of six small villages, each with a permanent population of over 3,000. Konoha's ANBU have purged internal threats from these villages. As for mid-sized villages with populations exceeding 10,000, we've secured one. We have yet to make contact with any larger settlements."
"In total, the seven villages under our control house 643 shinobi and 273 samurai, with a combined population of about 31,600."
"Over the past few months, only about a hundred shinobi have voluntarily joined Gutian Village."
"Hmm, good…" Haruto smiled in satisfaction.
Not bad!
With these numbers, he now commanded over a thousand shinobi. Though their skills varied and some might have ulterior motives, it was a solid starting point!
"What about the talents I scouted?" Haruto asked.
"The gifted individuals are undergoing secret training, but they're not yet useful," Kakuzu replied. He remained skeptical of the individuals Haruto had chosen—hundreds of families, over a thousand individuals, ranging in age from four to twenty-five.
Most had never trained before, making their potential uncertain.
"Good!" Haruto simply said.
These people were crucial! He didn't need anyone to understand his vision—time would prove him right!
"What about the production of Sealing Explosive Tags?" Haruto inquired next.
"Lord Haruto!" Jūzō stood up. "So far, we've produced around 600 C-rank Sealing Explosive Tags, 27 B-rank tags, and only 8 A-rank tags… We've used up three-quarters of the materials worth 3 billion ryo. Labor costs and compensation for casualties amounted to 60 million ryo…"
It was truly a money sink!
In reality, Sealing Explosive Tags were not inherently costly, but due to low success rates, the expenses skyrocketed. The skilled seal masters from Konoha had extensive knowledge of fūinjutsu but lacked experience in producing these tags. There had even been incidents where failed seals caused deadly explosions, necessitating compensation.
"Enough!" Haruto grinned.
It was enough!
Enough to blow up the Kirigakure encampments!