Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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There was a significant deviation from the original plan. Their mission had been simple: infiltrate Muchuan's territory, cripple his power base, and coerce him into becoming their secret agent. But they hadn't anticipated one critical variable—Muzan arriving in person.

Regret had no place in this world, and their miscalculation proved fatal. Muzan had sensed their presence long before they realized they were exposed.

In an instant, thorn-like protrusions of flesh and blood erupted from the Kumogakure shinobi's bodies. Their anguished screams echoed briefly before silence consumed them. Muzan stood amidst the carnage, his expression cold and calculating, his scarlet eyes glinting in the moonlight.

"Those brash fools never think things through," Muzan muttered, his tone laced with disdain.

Muzan preferred avoiding unnecessary conflict with the Great Nations. His hands were already full dealing with Konoha's interference. Although he feared no one—not the Five Great Nations nor their shinobi—instigating more enemies would only complicate his plans for the Land of Waves.

The subtle shift in the air was undeniable. Muzan could feel the growing tension. Attacks on ships passing through the Land of Waves had surged, disrupting trade and causing significant losses. Crews and shipments alike were vanishing without a trace. This was no ordinary banditry—it bore the hallmarks of coordinated sabotage.

"This reeks of Konoha and Kumogakure's meddling," Muzan mused aloud, his expression darkening.

In response, Muzan began hiring wandering shinobi to protect the vital trade routes. It was a temporary solution, but for now, it sufficed. Ever since Muzan had crippled Konoha's infrastructure, his enemies had grown wary of engaging him directly. Instead, they resorted to shadowy tactics, striking where they believed him most vulnerable.

Back in Muchuan's territory, Muzan stood over a map of recent attacks, studying it with quiet intensity. The other villages had adapted, shifting their strategies to counter him. But Muzan's lips curled into a sneer.

"Do they think this will stop me?" he scoffed. "How pathetic."

Shinobi, after all, were weapons—not producers. Their interference merely prolonged their own suffering. Muzan's gaze shifted to Muchuan, who stood nearby, visibly tense.

"Muchuan Hui," Muzan said, his voice low and commanding. "I'm giving you an opportunity—a chance to secure a fortune. But it depends on whether you're clever enough to seize it."

"Lord Muzan," Hui stammered, his heart pounding under the weight of Muzan's piercing gaze. "Please, give me your command."

Muzan's finger moved to a specific point on the map, tracing Muchuan's smuggling routes.

"I know about your smuggling operations," Muzan said, his tone sharp. "Everything that happens in my territory is under my control."

Hui's breath hitched. He had always feared this moment, but Muzan seemed more amused than angry.

"The only reason I've allowed it to continue," Muzan continued, "is because you were selling goods from the Land of Waves. But now, I'm offering you a better opportunity. Form a merchant alliance."

"A... merchant alliance?" Muchuan echoed, confusion lacing his voice.

Muzan elaborated. "Create a dual pricing system. Internal trade will benefit from lower prices, while external trade will face inflated rates. This disparity will force smaller lords and merchants to join the alliance to compete with the nobles of the Fire Country."

Hui's eyes widened as he considered the implications. "But... won't we lose money doing this? What if we end up taking significant losses?"

"You fool!" Muzan snapped, his voice cutting like a blade. "Do as I say!"

The sharp pricing disparity would ignite envy and competition among merchants and lords. That was Muzan's true aim.

By manipulating the market, Muzan would force smaller lords to choose sides. Those who aligned with the Fire Country's daimyō would pay inflated prices, while alliance members would enjoy substantial discounts. Over time, the nobles' grip would weaken as the alliance gained dominance.

An hour later, Hui emerged from the meeting, his mind reeling. Muzan's plan was unlike anything he had ever encountered. Where Hui had seen only short-term profits, Muzan envisioned complete economic domination.

"If this succeeds," hui muttered to himself, "the already chaotic Fire Country could be torn apart."

The simplicity of Muzan's plan belied its brilliance. Presenting the merchant alliance to the lords and merchants would seem like a benign offer. Yet, the incentives were irresistible, and the consequences of refusal were dire.

For Hui, the path forward was clear. Following Muzan's lead was the only option.

In his heart, Hui knew one thing for certain: Muzan Hataka was no ordinary man. He was a force of nature—one that would reshape the shinobi world forever.

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"Are you kidding me? A Merchant Alliance?"

"Is this price real? They can't be making any profit at all."

"I'm not sure... I think I'll wait and see what happens."

When the nobles and merchants first heard of the Merchant Alliance spearheaded by the Land of Waves, their initial reactions were a mixture of disbelief and suspicion.

Merchants, by nature, sought profit above all else. Yet the deals offered by the alliance seemed impossible—prices so low it appeared they were operating at a loss. The sheer generosity of the offer made some merchants wary, choosing instead to observe from the sidelines.

"Please, there's no need for concern," Muchuan Hui assured them, his tone calm yet commanding.

Despite the inherent risks, Muchuan Hui ventured into enemy territory himself to promote the alliance. This was no small feat, given his notoriety and the bounty on his head rivaling an A-rank mission. But Muchuan was confident. Their interests were intertwined, and any harm to him would have catastrophic consequences for all involved.

Moreover, the shadow of Muzan Hataka loomed over the alliance. Muchuan's authority was a direct extension of Muzan's overwhelming power, a statement no one dared challenge openly.

"Since I'm here, allow me to clarify something. Recently, many trade routes have been attacked by unknown forces."

Muchuan didn't explicitly name Konoha or Kumogakure, but everyone understood the implication. Both villages had a vested interest in curbing the Land of Waves' growing influence.

"Anyone who becomes a member of the Merchant Alliance will receive exclusive discounts and unprecedented privileges. The sooner you join, the greater your influence and share of management rights."

The words hung in the air, igniting greed and ambition in the hearts of those listening. Merchants were naturally calculating, and the prospect of exclusivity made even the most skeptical among them hesitate.

Back in Muchuan's territory, Muzan remained unconcerned about Hui's progress. He trusted his subordinates to execute his plans; success mattered more than the method.

"Lord Muzan," a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

It was Haku, who had just returned after days of travel. His usually composed demeanor was slightly worn, a testament to the challenges he'd faced.

"It seems you had some trouble on your journey. Where did Namikaze Minato's Flying Thunder God send you?" Muzan asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"An unknown forest," Haku explained. "From there, I found a nearby village to gather information. I also encountered a group of shinobi from a fallen clan—they wish to join us."

Listening to Haku's account, Muzan immediately recognized the clan in question: the Fuuma Clan.

In the original timeline, the Fuuma Clan had sought refuge under Orochimaru, leading to their tragic downfall. Their strongest members became mere vessels for Orochimaru's experiments, while the rest were discarded as fodder. This unexpected encounter with Haku, however, presented an intriguing opportunity.

"The Fuuma Clan," Muzan mused. "Interesting. If their allegiance is genuine, I'll grant them access to my Blood and some of my techniques."

Unlike bounty hunters, who were often unreliable, the Fuuma Clan had potential. Though fallen, their members still possessed unique skills that could be honed. Muzan saw value in integrating them into the Land of Waves, fortifying his forces as his territory expanded.

However, visiting the Fuuma Clan would require crossing most of the Land of Fire—a risky move given the current political climate. Muzan couldn't leave the Land of Waves just yet. The Merchant Alliance had only just begun to take root, and Hui might face obstacles he couldn't handle alone.

But the news arrived sooner than expected.

Prominent merchants across the Land of Fire began responding to the alliance's call, uniting under the leadership of the Land of Waves. This development sent shockwaves through the region.

It was a disruption more profound than the Great Ninja Wars.

The wars had been conflicts between shinobi factions. But the unification of merchants represented economic warfare—an attack on the very lifeblood of the Land of Fire. By controlling prices, the Merchant Alliance, led by the Land of Waves, could infiltrate enemy territories with impunity.

"It seems they succeeded," Muzan said with a satisfied smile as he gazed toward the horizon.

The alliance's formation marked a pivotal moment. The Land of Fire's economic stability would soon crumble under the alliance's influence. The consequences would be far-reaching.

In the Fire Country's capital, the Daimyo was livid. His advisors trembled under the weight of his fury.

"Those insolent fools! How dare they disrupt the economy of my land!" the Daimyo roared, his finger stabbing the air as though pointing at an invisible enemy.

Not all merchants in the capital were loyal to the alliance. Some served as spies for the Daimyo, feeding him information about the alliance's movements. But even they couldn't deny the alliance's effectiveness. Prices across the Land of Fire had skyrocketed, creating chaos in local markets.

"Deal with the Merchant Alliance immediately!" the Daimyo ordered. "Send assassins, dispatch shinobi—do whatever it takes to disband them. And if any merchant dares to defy us, let them face the wrath of the Land of Fire!"

The advisors exchanged uneasy glances. Suppressing the alliance wouldn't be simple. Any misstep could exacerbate the situation, plunging the Land of Fire into further turmoil.

Meanwhile, the Merchant Alliance continued to thrive. Those who joined reaped substantial rewards, receiving discounted goods and securing lucrative trade routes. The nobility, however, suffered immense losses, unable to compete with the alliance's aggressive pricing strategies.

Even as chaos spread through the Land of Fire, Muzan remained unfazed. Every step of his plan was unfolding perfectly.

"Let them resist," Muzan murmured. "Soon, they'll realize there's no escape."

The first domino had fallen. The Land of Fire was teetering on the brink of an economic revolution, and Muzan stood at the helm, ready to seize control.

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