The primitive accumulation of capital is always cruel and bloody.
According to historical patterns, there are generally only two ways to complete preliminary capital accumulation.
Namely: Seize or Squeeze.
The first involves raiding other countries to accumulate wealth, just like the Western European nations during the Age of Exploration.
The latter creates wealth by squeezing one's own people, similar to a certain 'Nation A'.
What about their own [Homura Hidden Village]?
Right now it's just getting started, with barely 500 people in the entire village.
With such a small population, how could anyone extract enough labor value?
Even if you worked them like mules, this small number wouldn't create much value!
Therefore, if they wanted to grow stronger...
If Shimoku wanted to accumulate initial capital, he could only set his sights on other villages...
And now...
Konoha and Iwagakure had already been "raided" by him...
More like Robin Hood-style redistribution of wealth.
It would be difficult to succeed against them again.
At the same time, the other major hidden villages were barely maintaining a fragile balance in the current situation.
To raid them again and break this balance...
Would only harm the development of their own village.
Therefore, after careful consideration...
Only this [Waves Country] was most suitable.
[Waves Country] lay southeast of the [Land of Fire], a small island nation connected to the outside world by only one bridge.
The number of Ninja in the country was practically zero, with a weak economy and impoverished people.
Logically speaking, such a small and poor country wasn't worth Shimoku's attention at all!
However, Shimoku, who knew the *Naruto World* inside out,
Understood very clearly that although [Waves Country] was poor, Gato, the shipping company president who controlled [Waves Country], was one of the wealthiest men in the world.
This disgustingly rich man had built his fortune through illegal smuggling — all backed by yakuza and Ninja working behind the scenes. He was nothing more than a lowlife criminal.
Naturally, this was the perfect target for "robbing the rich to help the poor."
Moreover, after looting this evil corporation, they might also absorb and control Gato's shipping company.
Through thriving maritime trade, they could continuously generate income for their own village!
One move hits every target. How perfect would that be?
This was actually the real reason why Shimoku set his sights on this small country.
As for this, Tō Uchiha and the others naturally didn't grasp the deeper reasoning behind it.
But all of them understood one thing clearly.
They just needed to follow their Young Master.
After all, with the wisdom of the Young Master, he definitely wouldn't let them suffer!
"Young Master, are you going to that [Waves Country]?"
"Mm. Probably within these few days."
"I wanna go too! Let me go!"
"Relax, I actually do need some help this time. We'll pick the team before we leave — no need to rush."
"Sure thing!"
"Alright then. Tō, you're dismissed."
"Remember what I said. Don't hold back, go all out. The village infrastructure should be made as good as possible!"
"As you command!"
...
From then on, Shimoku began planning the village construction while preparing supplies for his journey to the [Waves Country].
However, that same afternoon,
An envoy sent by [Iwagakure Village] had just arrived at the village.
Out of sympathy for Elder Onoki's back pain, and to show appreciation for the generous seventy million taels of silver gifted by Iwagakure Village,
Shimoku still reluctantly accepted the envoy.
The visitor was a middle-aged ninja nearing thirty years old, seemingly only possessing the strength of a chunin.
He didn't look like much of a fighter.
However,
when this Iwagakure envoy arrived, he carried himself quite arrogantly. He looked down on this newly established village built by Uchiha traitors.
And after meeting the leader—truly just a little brat barely over ten years old—
he got even more smug.
Acting just like an elite ninja from a top-tier Hidden Village inspecting a lower-ranking one.
This made Uchiha Gin and others so furious they were itching to cut the bastard down!
But before he could show off for long,
Shimoku unleashed his Susano'o. With a single grab from its skeletal right hand, he crushed the man on the spot, snapping several ribs.
After receiving 'Shinigami's Greeting' head-on,
he quickly learned his lesson.
Not daring to act self-important anymore,
he spoke nervously as he explained his purpose:
claiming he had been ordered by Tsuchikage, the Third, to seek a secret alliance with the Homura Hidden Village, hoping to jointly oppose Konoha!
Upon hearing this, Shimoku without hesitation
kicked the envoy out without leaving any room for negotiation.
...
Watching the retreating figure of the Iwagakure envoy scurrying away in disgrace,
Shimoku's personal guards nearby felt slightly confused.
"Young Master, why not ally ourselves with Iwa?" Terumi Uchiha asked first.
In his opinion, since their village had barely taken its first steps, if they could join forces with Iwagakure—one of the Five Great Hidden Villages—to resist Konoha together, the benefits would probably outweigh the risks!
Shimoku shot a glance at Riyō and felt satisfied.
Asking questions when unsure was a good habit!
At least better than those clueless fools who acted without thinking.
"Form an alliance?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Would you really want to ally with a small Hidden Village when you don't even know what they're capable of?"
"Iwagakure merely wants to use us. They hope we'll weaken Konoha for them."
"There's absolutely no benefit, yet we'd face constant schemes and manipulations—all while maintaining a covert alliance."
"To put it plainly, such an alliance is utterly useless."
"Our village has just started, indeed fragile. But my minimum requirement is at least an open alliance!"
"Not this kind of vague and unequal connection!"
"Inferior allies only lead to exploitation rather than mutual support..."
Shimoku explained calmly.
Having witnessed the brutal history of worldly conflicts in his previous life, he deeply understood such political games.
Right now, of course, he wouldn't fall for Iwagakure's 'hypocritical' friendly gestures.
What wolf would truly trust a lamb?
Unless that wolf simply wanted to use this lamb to lure in more lambs...
Alternatively, this particular wolf was named Hui Tailang (Gray Wolf)...
Although, actually—who truly was the wolf? Who was the innocent lamb awaiting slaughter?
It remained unclear!
After all, he himself had recently stripped Iwagakure of a fortune's worth of resources.
After explaining everything, Shimoku
Riyō, Gin... the others also fell into contemplation.
The idea sounds simple enough,
but when you're right in the middle of things, it's anything but easy to see through.
After all, when a small and weak village receives an offer from one of the Five Great Hidden Villages, very few could resist being tempted.
Otherwise, in Shimoku's previous life, there wouldn't have been so many small nations sold off by the "So-called Beautiful Country," yet people were still happily counting the money for their own betrayal...
Furthermore, thanks to Nonou and Kabuto's long-term infiltration within Iwagakure,
the entire Iwagakure stood before him like a completely exposed dancer—having no secrets left.
At this point,
unless Iwagakure were truly willing to lower its stance and demonstrate sincerity in forming an alliance,
Shimoku would never possibly agree.
...
"Alright, we've seen our guests off."
"Let him deal with the report however he sees fit. That's none of your concern anymore."
"Besides, Riyō, Gin, get ready."
"At dawn tomorrow, we head to Waves Country!"
Once the Iwagakure envoys were dismissed, Shimoku started mapping out the real mission ahead—
and gave instructions to Riyō and the others.
Upon hearing they were going out on a mission, Uchiha Gin immediately grew delighted and couldn't help jumping up excitedly:
"Great!"
"But, are only the three of us going?"
Shimoku: "Also bring Yueji and Master Long… Riyō, go notify them."
"As you command!"
"Eh? Sister Yūki is coming too? Oh no… oh no…"
"We're totally doomed this time."
Gin couldn't help but feel gloomy.
With Yūki's sharp temper onboard, this trip was shaping up to be no fun at all.
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