At this moment, Hattori Ryuye had already completed his basic training. He could now think independently, observe people, and even take the initiative to suggest promotions. This was clearly a positive change!
His potential was immense!
As a puppet, only his combat abilities were retained, while all other skills had to be learned and developed by himself.
Haruto Saito didn't even ask Hattori Ryuye who he wanted to promote—it was certainly those whose loyalty had already been confirmed. He didn't care about their capabilities; Hattori Ryuye will judge it himself!
Haruto Saito does not care whether Hattori Ryuye will cultivate confidants!
It didn't matter even if he did! At most, it would lead to internal conflicts, but since he was absolutely loyal to Haruto Saito, it was not an issue!
******
Early the next morning, Kakuzu left Furuta Village with a large sum of money, heading toward the black market.
Haruto Saito also left alone, heading straight for Yamaryu Village.
Hattori Ryuya officially took over Furuta Village, with Jusan assisting him. Aside from them, there were over ten elite Root ninjas serving as the village's high-level combat force. Beyond that, no one else was significant. The two hundred or so other ninjas were mostly low-level, while the Konoha Anbu and infiltration units were not considered part of Furuta Village's forces since they operated independently.
Before leaving, Haruto Saito gave Hattori Ryuya a plan and instructed him to follow it.
The Mist's First Army Corps had already set up camp in the mountains of eastern Uzushiogakure! Perhaps having learned from the explosion of their vanguard camp over a year ago, they chose a very unique location this time. The surrounding terrain was complex, mostly rocky, making it difficult for enemies to silently place large-scale explosive tags.
Two days later.
The Mist's First Army Corps received news that Konoha's Fourth Main Combat Corps had left Konoha Village and was only four days away from the Fire-Whirlpool border! Konoha's deployment was expected by all major forces in the ninja world.
Konoha would never abandon Uzushiogakure!
However, Konoha's military arrangement was baffling!
Only sending the Fourth Army Corps? They were no match for the Mist's First Army Corps!
And Konoha seemed to have no additional plans. It would have made sense for them to split their own First Army Corps, send the Fourth to the Rain Country border, or deploy a vanguard unit.
But Konoha did none of these things!
They simply sent the Fourth Army Corps and nothing more!
Intelligence organizations across the ninja world analyzed this move extensively and came to one conclusion—they couldn't understand it! The Fourth Army Corps was absolutely no match for the Mist's First Army Corps; it was essentially sending fodder!
What else had Konoha arranged?!
Two days later, the major forces of the ninja world received new intel. They finally understood Konoha's plan!
Spending money!
News from the black market: someone had placed bounties on the Mist's First Army Corps members. In just one day, fifty-six bounties were posted, targeting fifty-six management-level ninjas within the Mist's First Army Corps, with a total reward of 3.4 billion ryo!
The black market was in turmoil!
The ninja world was in shock!
This didn't seem like Konoha's doing—Hiruzen Sarutobi was never so extravagant. But because Konoha had a financial powerhouse, all the factions agreed—it was Konoha's doing!
Or rather, it was Haruto Saito's doing!
As the wealthiest ninja in the world, Haruto Saito had redefined what it meant to be filthy rich!
The Mist's First Army Corps was in big trouble!
Would those targeted for bounties dare to act alone? Would they have to be extra cautious on every mission? There was no doubt—they would be hunted endlessly until they were dead!
Unless they went into hiding!
But how could they possibly hide?!
Losing those fifty-six people would cripple the Mist's First Army Corps' leadership! Many of them were core personnel. Unless the Mist retreated, but that would be pointless—if they sent another corps, Haruto Saito could just issue new bounties. Bounties could always be placed again!
The Mist had no choice but to endure it!
They could retaliate by placing bounties on Konoha's forces… but they lacked the courage to fork out 3.4 billion ryo in one go! Even the Water Daimyo's treasury couldn't afford that!
The Mist's plan to occupy Uzushiogakure had been utterly disrupted by this bounty!
Meanwhile, upon reaching the Uzushiogakure border, Konoha's Fourth Army Corps simply set up camp.
Their presence alone was enough to deter the Mist's First Army Corps!
As long as the Mist didn't push forward, everything was manageable!
Time flew by, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye!
News spread across the ninja world that the "Mist's hidden infiltration unit in Uzushiogakure" had once again been wiped out by Konoha's Akahito. The Mist's intelligence network had collapsed again.
However, the Mist seemed to have changed their intelligence-gathering tactics, dispatching reconnaissance ninjas directly to collect intel. This method was far less efficient than using infiltration squads, and information delivery was much slower.
But at least the Mist could still maintain intelligence collection with a new system!
Haruto Saito was in Uzushiogakure!
He had been extremely active recently, frequently exposing his whereabouts!
Many black market assassins wanted to kill him, but far fewer dared to act. After all, even Hanzo had been gravely wounded and forced to flee when attempting to assassinate Haruto Saito! Ordinary black market killers had no courage to chase him!
That was suicide!
Another half a month passed in the blink of an eye!
Intelligence reports indicated that in the past month, the Mist had taken control of over twenty villages near their First Army Corps' camp, establishing a structured occupation zone and gradually expanding outward using relatively mild tactics.
Upon receiving this intel, Haruto Saito did nothing!
He simply continued what he had been doing nonstop for months!
...
In a forest in central-western Uzushiogakure!
Rumble—
The roar of battle filled the air!
Two small figures were working together to hunt down a full-grown ninja! The adult ninja wore civilian clothing, making it unclear which faction he belonged to. However, he was skilled in Water Release jutsu and proficient in kenjutsu. Despite being just an elite Chunin, he was ferocious!
The two young figures attacking him were none other than Minato Namikaze and Kaga!
"Rasengan!"
A glowing sphere shot forward, blasting the adult ninja backward. Kaga flickered behind him, his blade flashing in quick slashes!
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Blood splattered!
A corpse fell to the ground in pieces!
The two kids panted heavily. The battle hadn't lasted long, but the intensity had been high! Kaga wiped the blood from his face and turned alongside Minato Namikaze to look toward the depths of the forest, their eyes filled with anticipation.
"Not bad! You've improved!" Haruto Saito stepped out of the woods, nodding approvingly. "However, this hunt still took you about four minutes. I can't let you take on Jonin yet—unless you can shorten your execution time to two and a half minutes…"