Natsuki settled the Zero-Tails in Hozuki Castle.
Right now, the Zero-Tails was too weak.
Even if he absorbed it with the Black Grail, it wouldn't yield much chakra.
The best method was to let it gradually grow stronger in Hozuki Castle.
Natsuki returned to Konoha.
He thought for a moment and went straight to the Research Department.
The newly built Research Department by Orochimaru was located not far from the Hokage building.
Although called a department, it was actually a large building, slightly smaller than the Hokage building, with three floors in total.
The third floor was Orochimaru's laboratory, specifically dedicated to researching Wood Release.
The other two floors housed other laboratories.
Natsuki hadn't paid attention to what specific experiments were being conducted and wasn't clear about the details.
After all, the head of the Research Department was the Fourth Hokage, Orochimaru.
"Teacher."
Natsuki knocked on the door and called out.
A moment later, the door opened.
"What is it?"
Orochimaru appeared, wearing a white lab coat.
"Amegakure has developed a type of generator that can convert water power into electricity."
Natsuki briefly explained the benefits of hydroelectric power to him.
"Sounds good."
Orochimaru nodded slightly and asked. "What do you plan to do?"
Hydroelectric power had many benefits, but in his view, the two most useful were:
First, it was cheap.
Konoha was called a village, but it was actually larger than many cities, so naturally, its electricity consumption was high.
Using hydroelectric power could significantly reduce costs.
Second, it provided a massive amount of energy.
Electricity was very common in many parts of the ninja world.
For example, the Five Great Nations and the Five Great Villages.
If there really was that much hydroelectric power, it could be sold to other places.
"My idea is to cooperate with Amegakure, first building two hydroelectric power stations to supply the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire."
Natsuki replied.
"You just go ahead and do it."
Hearing this, Orochimaru didn't say much more.
Although he highly valued experiments, as a ninja, he still leaned toward traditional thinking.
He didn't pay much attention to business and the like.
Of course, the most important thing was that he trusted Natsuki.
Coupled with being busy with experiments, he was too lazy to inquire further.
"Yes, Teacher."
Natsuki didn't find this surprising.
Based on his understanding of Orochimaru, such an answer was within his expectations.
Natsuki didn't disturb him further, turned, and left.
He then went to the leader's office in Amegakure.
But Yahiko wasn't there.
So he walked toward the office next door.
Natsuki raised his hand and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Konan's voice rang out.
She and Nagato were now advisors to Amegakure, with offices on either side of the leader's office.
Natsuki pushed the door open and walked in.
Konan suddenly froze upon seeing him.
She subconsciously stood up and hurriedly walked toward him.
"Where is Yahiko?"
Natsuki sat on the sofa and asked.
"He and Nagato are settling the Land of Sky ninjas we brought back today."
Konan immediately said. "I'll go call him back."
"No need to go through the trouble."
Natsuki looked at Konan and said. "Leaving this matter to you is the same."
"What matter?"
Konan asked with a serious face.
"The second business after the rainwater business: the hydroelectric power business."
Natsuki explained. "But considering the safety of the hydroelectric power stations, this time we are cooperating with Konoha."
Hearing this, Konan had no particular reaction.
She had a very good impression of Konoha.
Because Natsuki was a Konoha ninja.
Yahiko felt the same. Only Nagato harbored some resistance toward Konoha.
But out of respect for Natsuki, he wouldn't object either.
"Discuss this matter with Kakuzu."
Natsuki continued. "Have the Dawn Company establish a dedicated branch to handle the hydroelectric power business."
"Yes, Natsuki-sensei."
Konan nodded and said.
"Once the company is established, you can choose two locations to build reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations."
Natsuki suggested. "Choose locations that are remote enough."
If they were built in strategically important locations, they would definitely be destroyed when the Third Great Ninja War broke out.
Remote locations could reduce the probability of being attacked.
"Then I'll be leaving first. See you next time."
Natsuki stood up, walked up to her, patted her head, and said.
"Mm."
Konan lowered her head slightly, letting him pat her, a smile appearing on her face.
Natsuki returned to Konoha again.
He thought for a moment and went to the Hokage Secretary's office.
"Mikoto, come here for a moment."
Natsuki stood at the door and called out.
Uchiha Mikoto was momentarily stunned.
This was the first time Natsuki had come to the Hokage Secretary's office to look for her.
She hurriedly got up and walked out.
"Natsuki, is there something you need me to do?"
Uchiha Mikoto followed him into his office and asked immediately.
"It's like this."
Natsuki told her about building the hydroelectric power stations.
"I see."
After listening, Uchiha Mikoto immediately said. "I will go to Amegakure tomorrow to coordinate with them."
"No rush."
Natsuki shook his head and said. "When Amegakure is ready, they will send someone over."
Uchiha Mikoto was slightly taken aback, then understood.
It seemed this matter didn't require her to do much, just act as a liaison.
Why did Natsuki seek her out?
Was it because he trusted her?
"Mikoto."
Natsuki looked at her, suddenly thought of something, and asked. "Are there many members of the Uchiha clan engaged in business?"
"There are some."
Uchiha Mikoto snapped out of her thoughts and said.
"Then can you start a company?"
Natsuki asked again.
"Start a company?"
A look of astonishment appeared on Uchiha Mikoto's face.
"The hydroelectric power stations will involve the hydroelectric business."
Natsuki explained. "To sell in Konoha and the Land of Fire, we need a company to handle it."
Uchiha Mikoto understood.
Her heart stirred, and she suddenly thought of something.
"I have a good friend named Uchiha Hazuki. Her talent is not great, and she is still only a Genin."
Uchiha Mikoto spoke up. "She got married a while ago, and her husband is a resident of Konoha and also a merchant."
Natsuki felt the name Uchiha Hazuki sounded somewhat familiar.
"Although her husband is not an Uchiha clan ninja, he has deep ties with our Uchiha clan."
Uchiha Mikoto continued. "I can use their power to start a company."
"That sounds trustworthy indeed."
Natsuki nodded and said. "But there's one thing I must make clear: I will only give you a ten percent share of the revenue from the hydroelectric business."
"I accept."
Uchiha Mikoto said without hesitation.
Although she felt ten percent was indeed very little, it didn't matter. She didn't care about the money.
The most important thing was her relationship with Natsuki.
Even if the hydroelectric business lost money, Uchiha Fugaku would take money from the Uchiha clan to cover the losses.
Natsuki chuckled softly.
Obviously, Uchiha Mikoto completely didn't understand the hydroelectric business.
Electricity was a pillar industry in the truest sense.
Once developed, it wouldn't be inferior to the rainwater business.
Even ten percent was a massive amount of wealth.
But Natsuki didn't state it explicitly.
Given Uchiha Mikoto's personality, she would be even more grateful to him once she learned the truth.
And did Natsuki lose out?
Actually, no, because this ten percent would most likely return to his hands eventually.
When the time came, he would have both the person and the money.
"I'll go handle this matter right now."
Uchiha Mikoto turned and left.
The door closed.
Natsuki walked to his desk.
Upon seeing two documents, he suddenly let out a soft exclamation of surprise.
Because he remembered who Uchiha Hazuki was.
She was Uchiha Izumi's mother.
In the original work, Uchiha Izumi could be considered Uchiha Itachi's childhood sweetheart.
Her talent was very high, awakening the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at the age of thirteen.
And her father was indeed an outsider merchant.
Unfortunately, he died during the Nine-Tails' Attack.
Because of his death, coupled with Uchiha Izumi's talent, Uchiha Hazuki took Uchiha Izumi back to the Uchiha clan.
Facts proved that this choice was even more unfortunate.
Ultimately, both mother and daughter died during the Uchiha Clan Downfall.
Natsuki smiled.
This was quite a coincidence.
But it could also be considered a good thing.
Two months passed in a flash.
Amegakure and Konoha successfully reached a cooperation agreement and had already built a reservoir.
The remaining matters were very simple.
First, power generation. Second, transmission.
Power generation went without saying, but transmission would be slightly troublesome.
Fortunately, there were electrical wires in the ninja world, just not high-voltage ones.
However, they could be researched.
Even if they couldn't research high-voltage wires, getting close to it would suffice.
If Konoha and Amegakure were thriving, Kirigakure was in utter chaos.
"What exactly is going on?"
The usually calm Third Mizukage stood up directly and asked with an angry face.
The Kirigakure higher-ups standing before him all fell silent, not knowing how to answer.
"Someone must be sabotaging this!"
A moment later, Genji said in a deep voice.
There was only one reason the Third Mizukage was angry.
That was, during this period, the failure rate of missions related to the Daimyo of the Land of Water had reached eighty percent.
This was clearly no longer a normal probability.
Although most of the missions issued by the Daimyo of the Land of Water were relatively difficult, the failure rate had previously been at most ten percent.
After all, the ninjas executing these missions were all elites of Kirigakure.
"Of course I know someone is sabotaging this, but in five months, you guys haven't found a single clue?"
The Third Mizukage asked with a face full of dissatisfaction.
"I apologize, Lord Mizukage. It is my dereliction of duty."
Hozuki Mangetsu hurriedly said.
He was now the Anbu Commander. Failing to find any clues was clearly his incompetence.
"We can't blame Mangetsu for this."
Genji shook his head and said. "I believe this matter is related to the Kuja Pirates."
"Why do you say that?"
The Third Mizukage froze for a moment and asked.
"Because the Kuja Pirates have also disappeared for five months."
Genji paused and said. "Most importantly, during this period, our Kirigakure ninjas have released many slaves due to mission failures."
The Third Mizukage couldn't help but fall into thought.
They had indeed released some slaves.
But he hadn't paid attention to it.
As a ninja, and the Mizukage, he naturally wouldn't care about the life or death of these slaves.
Now being reminded by Genji, he realized the problem.
Because Kirigakure ninjas wouldn't release slaves for no reason.
The greatest possibility was that they were induced by someone.
"As far as I know, every time the Kuja Pirates finish robbing a merchant ship, they distribute some of the wealth for free to the poor and slaves of the Land of Water."
Genji added.
"It seems it is indeed the Kuja Pirates."
Upon hearing this, the Third Mizukage believed Genji's judgment.
"Then what is the Kuja Pirates' goal?"
Karatachi Yagura asked, puzzled. "Just to release slaves?"
"Probably not just that."
Genji said thoughtfully. "With their strength, they could directly release the slaves. They wouldn't need to go through so much trouble."
"Is it to make the Daimyo of the Land of Water dissatisfied with us?"
Karatachi Yagura asked again.
"The attitude of the Daimyo of the Land of Water is inconsequential."
The Third Mizukage said very confidently. "Even if all the missions fail, he cannot do without us."
If the Land of Water wanted to establish itself in the ninja world, it couldn't abandon Kirigakure.
This was determined by the system of one country, one village.
Once the Land of Water announced its abandonment of Kirigakure, other countries would become restless.
Especially the other four of the Five Great Nations.
The fundamental cause of the Great Ninja Wars lay not in the ninja world itself, but in the Five Great Nations.
The Five Great Nations needed war to acquire resources and benefits.
"Regardless of the Kuja Pirates' goal, we must find them."
Genji said with a firm tone. "If this continues, it will only make us a laughingstock to the other hidden villages."
"We'll start from two aspects."
The Third Mizukage pondered for a moment and said. "First, investigate for spies."
"Yes, Lord Mizukage."
Hozuki Mangetsu groaned inwardly but still had to agree.
The Anbu had already been investigating for spies.
Important missions were top secret.
Especially missions related to the Daimyo of the Land of Water.
For the Kuja Pirates to know not only the mission details but also the executors, it was obvious there were spies within Kirigakure.
"Although the Five Great Ninja Villages all plant spies in each other, the Kuja Pirates' intelligence is too accurate and fast."
Genji's heart stirred, and he asked. "Could the spy be beside the Daimyo of the Land of Water?"
"That is highly likely."
The Third Mizukage tapped his desk and said. "Raiga, take a ninja squad to the metropolis of the Land of Water."
"Yes, Lord Mizukage!"
Kurosuki Raiga responded hurriedly.
"Second, investigate the whereabouts of those slaves."
The Third Mizukage continued. "Mangetsu, your Anbu will handle this as well."
A new year arrived.
Natsuki's New Year holiday was much busier than before.
After all, he had to accompany Yakushi Nonou and Uzumaki Kushina.
After the New Year, Natsuki resumed working and training.
He now had an additional item in his training regimen.
Besides the Spirit Transformation Technique, there was also the development of the Love-Love Fruit.
Early February.
While working, Natsuki felt an obscure summoning.
The environment shifted, and he arrived in the Land of Sea.
Tagorihime immediately reported the recent actions of Kirigakure to him.
"An expected counterattack."
Natsuki nodded and said.
"We have paused the liberation of slaves."
Tagorihime said calmly. "The capabilities of Kirigakure are not weak, and the number of slaves is large. If we continue, we will definitely be discovered."
"You did very well."
Natsuki praised.
"The interference with their missions is still ongoing."
Tagorihime added.
Although Kirigakure was investigating for spies, their spies were actually the snakes of the Ryuchi Cave.
Investigating for spies was ultimately a futile effort.
"Keep everything else the same. Just add one new task: monitor Kurosuki Raiga and grasp his movements at all times."
Natsuki instructed.
Kurosuki Raiga was one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and the sword he used was called the Lightning Swords: Kiba, which possessed the effect of attracting lightning.
The Lightning Swords: Kiba was Natsuki's target.
After all, he needed it to unlock the ability of the Senji Muramasa template.
The Third Mizukage sending Kurosuki Raiga to the metropolis of the Land of Water actually made things easier for him.
He naturally wouldn't miss such an opportunity to catch him alone.
But Natsuki wanted Kurosuki Raiga to play an even greater role.
For example, controlling him to assassinate the Daimyo of the Land of Water.
Of course, he definitely couldn't let him succeed.
It would be best if an unfamiliar Jonin stepped forward and saved the Daimyo of the Land of Water.
And this unfamiliar Jonin naturally had to be from the Kuja Pirates, or more accurately, a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Natsuki had previously investigated the Guardian Ninjas of the Daimyo of the Land of Water.
His Guardian Ninjas were similar to those of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, all coming from various ninja factions.
The Five Great Nations were so large. Naturally, the Five Great Villages weren't the only ninja factions.
Under normal circumstances, a ninja of unknown origin couldn't become a Guardian Ninja.
Natsuki could only take an unconventional approach.
But the current problem was, who should he send to save the Daimyo of the Land of Water?
The three Snake Princesses could work.
But they had their own things to do and weren't suitable for staying by the Daimyo of the Land of Water's side long-term.
Natsuki snapped out of his thoughts and returned to Konoha.
"Lord Natsuki."
An Anbu ninja appeared. "Lord Hokage requests your presence in his office."
Natsuki couldn't help but be somewhat surprised.
It was rare for Orochimaru to proactively summon him.
Natsuki nodded and headed to the Hokage's office.
"Natsuki."
Orochimaru got straight to the point. "Next month is the Ninja Academy graduation season. Quite a few students have applied for graduation."
"Which students?"
Hearing this, Natsuki understood.
"Here is the list."
Orochimaru handed him a scroll.
Natsuki stepped forward, took the scroll, and began reading.
As expected.
He saw many familiar names.
For example, Might Guy, Sarutobi Asuma, Yuhi Kurenai, Uchiha Obito, and Nohara Rin.
In the original work, they didn't graduate in the same year.
The first to graduate was naturally Hatake Kakashi, followed by Might Guy, and finally Sarutobi Asuma and the others.
The fact that they were graduating together now was clearly due to his butterfly effect.
Besides them, there were also some less familiar students who also appeared in the original work.
For example, Morino Ibiki, Hagane Kotetsu, and Mizuki.
"The quality of the graduating students this year is very high."
Orochimaru said unhurriedly. "I hope you, Nawaki, and the others can become their Jonin instructors."
As Hokage, he considered not only the students' talent but also their future achievements.
Simply put, he wanted to bind the geniuses to the Hokage lineage as much as possible.
Especially the civilian geniuses.
"I can be a Jonin instructor."
Natsuki said with a smile. "I think Nawaki and the others would also be very willing."
"Then you will be in charge of assigning the graduating students to squads."
Orochimaru nodded and said. "Once you've made your selections, give me the list."
Have him assign the squads?
Natsuki was momentarily stunned.
Because assigning graduating students to squads had always been the Hokage's job.
Orochimaru definitely wasn't being lazy.
Natsuki looked thoughtful.
The greatest possibility was that he wanted him, Nawaki, and Yakushi Nonou to freely choose their respective students.
He had to admit, this actually suited his intentions quite well.
"I understand, Teacher."
Natsuki responded immediately.
He turned and left the Hokage's office.
Walking down the street, he fell into thought.
His previous idea was to make Might Guy his student.
His idea hadn't changed now, but who should he choose for the other two students?