Chapter 072: Launching an Attack on Cardo

Today, for once, the sky was clear and free of fog.

The fleet’s formation sprawled beneath the bright sky, visible in its entirety.

The Hyuga clan had come to the Land of Waves at Naruto’s invitation.

Besides the Hyuga, the Inuzuka and Aburame clans had also sent their members. However, Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame, Naruto’s usual companions, were not among them—of Team 8, led by Kurenai Yuhi, only Hinata had come.

In truth, only Hinata could afford a bit of willfulness. She claimed her uncle, a fellow Jonin and a Hyuga clan powerhouse, was accompanying her for training; as the future heir of the Hyuga, she could also say she needed to learn how to handle clan affairs, thus excusing herself.

The Inuzuka representative was Elder Jaws Inuzuka, an aged senior of the clan who once shared a close friendship with Naruto’s father, Minato Namikaze.

The Aburame representative was Shiki Aburame, a rising star who had emerged in recent years. Once, he struggled to endure the pain caused by the insects inhabiting his body, unable to realize his potential. Now, with Naruto’s invention—the chakra feeding chamber—Shiki’s talent in using the insects had finally blossomed.

Alongside them, all members of Team 7 were aboard.

Sakura Haruno seemed to have found something more interesting than mooning over Sasuke; she was fervently studying the gunboat, convinced she might have another path besides becoming a medical ninja.

Sasuke breathed a sigh of relief, standing to the side, admiring the seascape while listening intently to Naruto’s words.

Kakashi leaned lazily against the ship’s railing, giving the impression of idleness, but his focus was trained on Naruto and the discussions underway.

Naruto was speaking with the clan representatives about the affairs of the Land of Waves.

Kakashi knew, in Naruto’s terms, this was called “seeking investments” and “painting grand visions.”

Thankfully, Kakashi was quick-witted; he promptly agreed to invest in Naruto’s venture and now held a considerable amount of original shares. When the mission concluded, he planned to search his house for any ancestral land deeds—if he found one, he’d be set for life.

Then he could claim a plot and build a factory, conducting legitimate business.

Whether the other clan representatives had authorization to invest, Kakashi couldn’t say. But he knew he could act as the head of the Hatake clan—for now, he was the only member, so he needed only look after himself.

Sasuke had similar thoughts.

He knew his parents were merely missing, and his brother’s body had never been found. Still, Sasuke had long decided that, no matter what, he would shoulder the responsibility of reviving the Uchiha. With Naruto’s conquest of the Land of Waves, such a promising opportunity, how could he not seize it early?

“I won’t say much more. Each of you is my elder—and my friend,” Naruto declared to the three clan representatives beneath the golden sunlight.

“My purpose in inviting your clans is simple and open: to share the costs and risks of managing the Land of Waves.”

“After all, wealth is not something one person can earn alone. Governing a nation is not the work of a single hand.”

“No matter how capable I am, I could never conquer a country on my own. I need your help.”

No one took Naruto’s words literally; up to now, the foundation in the fishing village of the Land of Waves was his alone. Not to mention the distant Uzumaki Village in Uzushio—Naruto’s realm as well.

He continued, “You’ve all seen the new technologies and industries here, you know the Land of Waves’ location, you’ve experienced the trans-sea bridge and our fleet.”

“The future potential of this land will far exceed our imagination.”

“So, lend me your strength!”

As Naruto finished, Elder Jaws Inuzuka spoke first: “No problem—my clan will fully support your enterprise! Even if it’s just me, I’ll stand by Minato’s son to the very end!”

Shiki Aburame voiced his support: “I’ll give you my utmost assistance, Naruto. As for why—before I left, the clan leader told me: the entire clan stands behind you!”

Hinata’s uncle smiled, gently patting his niece’s head, half teasing, half earnest: “The Hyuga clan has long since lost any reason to refuse, haven’t we?”

Hinata blushed, steam rising like a little engine.

“Thank you all,” Naruto said, smiling. “I, Naruto Uzumaki, am a straightforward man—I don’t deal in secrets. Since everyone supports me, let me show you the profit potential of this venture.”

“First, we’ll start by eliminating the greatest risk to the project.”

With that, Naruto turned and gestured to the group.

Behind him lay a small island.

A dock had been built there, crowded with ships.

Tall buildings stood, adorned with prominent signs.

This was a supply base for Kado Shipping Company—one of the starting points for their maritime blockade.

In the surrounding waters, Kado’s blockade formed an unbreakable wall, isolating this island nation from the outside world.

Yet, with Naruto’s arrival, that wall was facing its end.

To make the Land of Waves prosper, the blockade must be destroyed.

And breaking Kado’s blockade began at this very node.

Naruto stood on the flagship’s deck, gazing toward the island.

Preparations had been rushed, and his fleet consisted only of gunboats. He had wanted to wait until a destroyer and some frigates were ready before acting.

But recent intelligence forced him to accelerate.

Across the Land of Waves, save for his fishing village, unrest had erupted everywhere.

News of Terumi Mei’s latest setback had spread.

Moreover, there were signs of turmoil within the Hidden Mist; Terumi Mei had been compelled to return to the Land of Water with her trusted aides, Ao and Chojuro.

The local factions opposing Water Country’s meddling saw this as the perfect moment to break free, sparking a wave of reckoning.

The supporters raised by the Land of Water in the Land of Waves would not sit idly by.

The remaining Mist ninja scrambled to quell the rising rebellion, leaving Kado unattended.

It would be foolish not to seize the opportunity.

Thus, Naruto led his steam-powered gunboat fleet straight for Kado’s blockade.

These gunboats were unlike Kado’s small skiffs; their hulls were forged of steel, smokestacks belching white clouds, their decks bristling with steam-powered turrets exuding a daunting aura.

Even if Kado’s skiffs rammed them, not a flake of paint would be lost.

Of course, Naruto would never let those skiffs crash willy-nilly.

“Fire! Blast them to the heavens!” he shouted.

At his command, the steam turrets roared.

Thunderous shells tore through the sea, striking Kado’s ships and docks with relentless force.

The barrage was deafening; waves surged, and the henchmen aboard Kado’s vessels vanished without so much as a scream, swallowed by the whirlpool.

The docks and towering buildings crumbled beneath the relentless assault.

When they had set out that morning, the sun was just rising.

By midday, the maritime hub had been reduced to ruins.

Thus, Kado’s blockade was decisively shattered.

The Land of Waves’ sea routes to the outside world were finally open.

The cheers of the crew echoed throughout the fleet, reverberating back and forth among the ships.