Naruto: I'm really not an evil scientist!

In the past, even if they had ten times the courage, they definitely wouldn't have dared to do that directly.

After all, under the ironclad rules of the ninja world, ninjas are merely a weapon in the hands of the various ninja villages. Anyone who dares to have the idea of ​​turning the tables is courting death.

But now... the man named Payne is their greatest support, the anchor that can pierce the sky.

Not long ago, the Akatsuki organization, led by Pain, openly claimed responsibility for the death of Mizukage candidate Takagi.

This news struck like a thunderbolt, infuriating Kirigakure and causing an uproar throughout the entire village, with everyone eager to launch a full-scale attack for revenge.

Despite their anger and resentment, they were helpless in the face of a power capable of destroying a nation, forced to swallow their grievances.

What domineering power! Just one title is enough to make one of the five great villages of the ninja world bow down.

Since then, a rumor has spread like wildfire among the common people—Lord Pain seems to be planning to establish a nation! This news made the hearts of countless wandering ninjas pound wildly.

Lord Pain's strength goes without saying; he was a true Kage-level expert, even a god-like being.

The armed forces of secular countries are nothing to him; crushing them is easier than crushing an ant.

If he really established a country...

The wandering ninjas realized that this might be their best chance to shed the dishonorable identities of "traitorous ninja" and "stray dogs," stand in the sunlight again, and become respected "citizens" or even "public officials."

This naturally involves gambling, and it's a bet of one's entire fortune.

At the very least, the five great ninja villages will never let Pain go, especially Kirigakure, which was severely humiliated, lost face, and had people killed. They will definitely not let it go and will regard Akatsuki and Pain as thorns in their side.

However, since ancient times, profit and risk have been related; the bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish.

In this cruel world that moves ever forward and where falling behind means certain death, it's better to take a gamble and turn a bicycle into a motorcycle than to rot away like a rat hiding in a gutter.

The wandering ninjas exchanged glances and made their decision—to go all in.

In fact, things were indeed developing according to their plan, even more smoothly than expected.

After a heated argument and a series of exchanges of benefits, those usually high-ranking figures clearly tended to accept these wandering ninjas as a new political bargaining chip.

Even the most staunch supporter of this plan—the old Chinese man in charge of finances—was accidentally dragged into the water by a giant, sentient fish while fishing by the river, resulting in him ending up in the hospital and still lying in bed groaning; even though Kirigakure seems to have sent an envoy, appearing aggressive and wanting to stop this integration...

"Kirigakure, you will never achieve your goal," the wandering ninjas sneered inwardly.

The daimyo of the Land of Water used almost entirely overt tactics, a deadly knot that bound them and Pain to the same warship.

Anyone with a modicum of shrewdness could see that the Daimyo of the Land of Water was using the Akatsuki organization as a tool to eliminate the old nobles within the country.

Mist Village may be strong, but being caught in this situation... Why don't you make a move? If you dare to touch a daimyo, that's declaring war on the entire nation.

Unless they dare to raise their voices against the Daimyo of the Land of Water—which is impossible, as that would be political suicide.

Many things, before they even begin, already reveal the outcome.

The wandering ninja was full of confidence and even began to fantasize about how he would spend his wages in the future.

The discussion among the important figures gradually subsided, as if they had reached some kind of tacit understanding.

Just then, His Highness was suddenly greeted by the frantic reports from his attendants.

"Report! A ninja from Kirigakure has come to pay a visit!"

That shout shattered the previously harmonious atmosphere.

Before anyone could react, a shrill scream came from the chess room on the side of the main hall.

"Wow... Impossible... Absolutely impossible... How can you be so young and have such skill in chess..."

With this unwilling roar, a "pfft" was heard, and after spitting out a mouthful of blood, the finance minister who came to stop him—who was also the old Chinese man's deputy—finally coughed up blood, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground, twitching twice before becoming still.

He has been immersed in the game of Go for decades. Although, given his status, his skill level is certainly questionable, he usually just plays against bad players to feel superior.

Even so, it's impossible for someone to lose to a beginner!

But, sir, times have changed.

This is the power of technology!

Back then, with a similar AI chess-playing software, Hiruko played dozens of games in his neighborhood, defeating countless self-important old men. Before his mother found out and beat him up, he had never lost a game and even earned a lot of pocket money, which he used to buy a lot of instant noodles.

Now, times have changed, and many things can only be imagined now. The AI ​​of that time has long since iterated to who knows how many generations. But giving this old relic that only knows how to follow the same routine a little technological shock is still no problem.

That wasn't a crushing defeat in terms of chess skill; it was a dimensional reduction attack in terms of computing power.

Even the usually calm Mei Terumi couldn't help but feel a pang of pity when she looked at the Finance Minister, who was coughing up blood, lying on the ground with his eyes and mouth crooked.

This is the second high-ranking official to be eliminated by Hiruko using such "non-ninjutsu" methods in a short period of time.

He didn't use any ninjutsu or lift a finger, yet he caused the two to suffer excruciating pain, forcing them to physically exit the battlefield.

"Alright, that's enough. Let's not waste any more time. We should go visit the ruler of the Bird Country." Hiruko clapped his hands, as if he had just swatted a mosquito, his tone as relaxed as if he were strolling through a back garden.

"...Hmm." Mei Terumi sighed as she looked at the "corpse" on the ground, but she ultimately knew what was most important right now.

Every second is precious; we can't let those old guys have too much time to reconnect.

The group composed themselves, straightened their clothes, and strode towards the main assessment room.

With the Chancellor of the Exchequer's downfall as a precedent, and that bloody lesson laid bare, how could the remaining attendants dare to stop them? They were so frightened that their legs trembled, wishing they could bury their heads in their crotches, and obediently made way for them.

Soon, the three of them arrived at the evaluation room.

As soon as the three entered, the originally noisy hall fell silent for a moment, followed by dozens of gazes that were like sharp swords directed at them.

There was inquiry, doubt, and anger... but not much goodwill—no wonder, since Kirigakure was nominally there to act as a tool for the Daimyo of the Land of Water, to cause trouble, it would be strange if they had a friendly attitude.

The Bird Kingdom has many valuables, and they are used to acting arrogantly and domineeringly. But at least at this moment, on the matter of "opposing Pain and establishing a nation," their interests are completely aligned with those of the Bird Kingdom.

These wandering ninjas want to rise to power, while these nobles want to preserve their authority.

Power comes first, then fortune follows.

Getting them to relent and spit out the meat in their mouths is by no means easy.

Hiruko tilted his head slightly and whispered to the red-haired beauty beside him, "Don't speak yet, I'll handle everything."

Chapter 505

"You're a high-ranking member of Kirigakure. The moment you speak, it becomes diplomacy between the two villages, changing the nature of the situation. Once the characterization is established, there's no going back."

“…I know, I’m not stupid.” Mei Terumi rolled her eyes at him, and although her tone was dissatisfied, her body betrayed her by taking half a step back, giving up the spotlight.

Hiruko and Terumi Mei whispered something to each other, then looked together at the head of the table.

Unfortunately, the two of them saw nothing.

The obstructive bamboo curtain blocked their view, preventing them from seeing what was behind them. Through the blurry bamboo shadows, they could only roughly confirm that a man dressed in magnificent court robes was sitting upright there.

...Nobles have so many broken rules; they even have to hang curtains when receiving guests, acting all mysterious and supernatural.

The three bowed to the bamboo curtain as usual, their movements flawless.

"Three guests have come from afar..." the man in court attire said coldly, his voice revealing an arrogance that kept people at a distance, but he still managed to save face by not ordering his men to take them down directly.

"But is there something important?"

As soon as the king uttered those words, everyone in the hall began to stir.

The officials who supported the wandering ninjas were delighted, while the opposition was eager to fight.

What follows will definitely be a lot of hard work, and even if you talk until you're hoarse, it may not be of any use.

Even if Kongming came, there would be a debate, and he might even have to borrow the east wind.

The wandering ninjas instinctively formed hand seals, though they dared not actually use them in the main hall, their muscle memory prepared them for battle at any moment.

The atmosphere was tense, as if a single spark could ignite the entire hall.

Fortunately, Hiruko, a refined and easy-going man who was actually full of wicked schemes, had already come up with a way to persuade them.

He pushed up his non-existent glasses, a confident smile curving his lips, ready to teach these frogs in a well a lesson.

"Excuse me," Hiruko said, her tone carrying an undisguised frankness.

He reached into the sealed scroll with one hand; the scroll glowed slightly, and he took out a large number of documents that had been written long ago.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, the papers poured out like snowflakes, falling heavily in front of everyone and covering most of the ground in front of the hall.

"Actually, it's like this: when we passed through the Bird Country, we discovered that there are many places in the Bird Country where we can make money, so we came here to discuss cooperation with your country."

He clapped his hands, as if brushing away some non-existent dust, and stared directly at the person in the hall.

“…Oh.” The king’s voice rose slightly, as if he had become interested.

His gaze slowly swept over the scattered documents, and his fingers tapped lightly twice on the armrest.

Hiruko knew very well that persuading the ruler of the Bird Country would be an extremely difficult task.

—Since this man dares to defy the wishes of the Daimyo of the Land of Water, he must be extremely worried about the future.

It's not that he doesn't understand the big picture; on the contrary, he understands it too well, which is why he's willing to offend a famous person to take this path.

Faced with the inevitable war that would engulf the world nine years later, some things could no longer be considered.

Even if the daimyo is angry, for now he can only make things difficult for the Bird Country, suppress trade, and cut off a few trade routes. In any case, he will never destroy the Bird Country or exterminate its people. Only if the Bird Country is destroyed will the northern borders of the Water Country be truly wide open.

But the war nine years later could... that would be the real catastrophe.

This is the difference between the wealthy and the capitalists.

Ultimately, they valued their lives more and absolutely refused to sell the rope used for hanging.

Beiliu Hu sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm.

The wandering ninjas had already taken their seats in the hall with impunity; one can imagine what the other party was thinking.

Therefore, Hiruko stopped beating around the bush and began to launch direct personal attacks.

His gaze locked onto a wandering ninja with piercing eyes, a face full of scars, and bulging temples—he looked like a brute.

It's no wonder Hiruko judged people by their appearance; ninjas simply had a terrible reputation.

Besides doing too many bad things, his bizarre appearance is also a major reason.

Of all the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, only Zabuza and Raiga look human. The others don't need makeup when they cosplay for Halloween.

"Sir, may I ask you a question?"

At this time, the relationship between Kirigakure and the wandering ninjas was very delicate.