Lock's plan to develop the company into a true consortium was simple.
He intended to create an organization capable of standing on equal footing with Konoha itself.
Simply destroying Konoha would be far too easy.
He wanted Hiruzen Sarutobi and the village to fall into decline—reduced to something like Sunagakure, or worse.
Only then would the pain carved into his memories feel repaid.
True revenge was not simple death.
It was stripping wealth into poverty and dragging supreme authority down into humiliation.
Besides, he possessed a method to rapidly cultivate powerful subordinates.
After all, he could not personally handle everything forever.
…Tazuna's small wooden house.
Sasuke finally woke after being unconscious for an entire day and night.
There was no relief on his face—only gloom.
"I have a feeling… that person never intended to kill us."
While unconscious, Sasuke had dreamed again of Uchiha Itachi.
That night.
The same nightmare returned again and again.
His mood was foul, and dissatisfaction with his own growth gnawed at him.
Unfortunately, he did not possess Lock's terrifying rate of improvement.
Otherwise, his revenge might have been achievable within months.
Clang!
The sound of a metal basin hitting the floor rang out.
"Sasuke!"
Sakura rushed forward, her voice trembling with emotion.
"It's great—you're finally awake! You were unconscious for a whole day!"
Because Sasuke had blocked most of the senbon needles, Sakura's injuries had been lighter. She had regained consciousness much earlier.
"What happened after we lost consciousness? And where are Kakashi-sensei and Naruto?"
Sasuke glanced around the room. Aside from Sakura, only a child peeked through the crack in the doorway.
"And who's that kid?"
"That's Uncle Tazuna's grandson."
Sakura introduced him quickly before answering his question.
"After we passed out, Lock came out and defeated all the enemies."
"I heard from Kakashi-sensei that he used three tails this time—and blasted a crater hundreds of meters wide!"
Sasuke's pupils shrank.
His expression darkened further.
Yet when he remembered Naruto—the so-called dead last—his mood eased slightly.
Unaware of his thoughts, Sakura continued excitedly.
"After the battle ended, Gato showed up with a group of genin and chūnin, trying to take advantage of the situation."
"But Kakashi-sensei drove them off, and they fled back to their base."
"Since Gato hasn't been completely dealt with, Kakashi-sensei went to guard Uncle Tazuna while the bridge is being built."
"As for Naruto… no, Lock… he went to the market alone to walk around."
Mentioning that, Sakura hesitated, worry appearing on her face.
"After the battle, Lock never gave control back… and Naruto hasn't come out again."
Though part of her preferred the calm and powerful Lock remaining in control…
Naruto's silence still troubled her.
"Naruto didn't take the body back?"
Sasuke immediately understood.
He glanced at Sakura with faint disgust before turning away.
Yesterday, Naruto had clearly said he didn't want Lock to come out.
Sasuke had understood Naruto's struggle, which was why he told him to escape instead of calling for Lock.
But Sakura…
Either she failed to notice Naruto's feelings—or she simply didn't care.
After they were injured, Naruto must have fallen into guilt and self-blame, retreating inward and surrendering control completely.
Sakura, confused by Sasuke's sudden coldness, said nothing.
She had long grown accustomed to his unpredictable attitude.
Turning back toward the kitchen, she brought out food she had prepared earlier.
The door opened.
Lock stepped inside leisurely, carrying a bag of takoyaki.
He had just finished wandering through the town.
Controlling the body personally—and actually tasting food—felt excellent.
Normally, Naruto only transmitted painful memories.
Pleasant experiences like enjoying good food belonged solely to the main personality.
"Lock, you're back!"
Sakura's eyes brightened immediately.
With his headband hanging loosely at his neck and his hair neatly tied, Lock looked composed and confident.
After setting food down before Sasuke, Sakura hurried over.
"How was it? Is the Land of Waves interesting?"
Lock glanced at her, then put on a bright, easy smile.
"I just walked around. The place is poor—barely any food stalls."
"But the taste isn't bad. Here. Naruto asked me to bring this for you."
He had not forgotten his intention to push Naruto forward—only to crush those expectations later.
"Naruto… but… I'd rather you brought it for me yourself…"
Sakura's face flushed red as she fidgeted with her clothes, her voice barely audible.
Lock heard it clearly.
For a moment, maintaining his smile required effort.
He pushed the food into her arms and walked toward Sasuke instead.
Seeing him approach, Sasuke unconsciously tightened his fist before relaxing it.
He was about to ask about Naruto—
When the door burst open again.
Tazuna's daughter, Tsunami, rushed in breathlessly.
"Something terrible happened!"
"Gato Shipping has signed an agreement with the Daimyō! They're investing in the Land of Waves and establishing a hidden ninja village!"
"He even sent workers to help build the bridge—he's going to become a great noble here!"
"What!?"
Inari rushed forward, fury written across his face.
"That villain bullied us for so long! There's no way the Daimyō would agree!"
"Inari… the notice has already been posted."
Tsunami's voice trembled.
"Many people disagree and are protesting outside the Daimyō's residence."
"Maybe… once he hears everyone's voices, he'll reconsider…"
Her words carried both anger and helpless hope.
Too many had died resisting Gato—including Inari's father.
Now he was being legitimized.
No one could accept it.
Listening to their naive optimism, Lock shook his head faintly.
"Your Daimyō won't change his decision."
"He's tired of poverty and wants prosperity."
"And funding a ninja village is an offer no small nation would refuse."
Lock had already confirmed everything.
A shadow clone had delivered the proposal earlier.
The moment Gato suggested it, the Daimyō agreed eagerly—smiling the entire time as if the past year of suffering never existed.
The noble title had even been offered voluntarily, an attempt to bind Gato permanently to the country's future.
"I don't believe it!"
Inari shouted and ran outside.
Tsunami glared helplessly at Lock.
"It's simply reality," he said calmly. "Pretending otherwise won't change it."
He then asked casually,
"Is there an empty room? And some paper and a pen?"
He intended to begin drafting the development blueprint for the shipping company—and the foundation of something far greater.
---
A/N: Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded. Please Check It Out. It will really help me out and will keep me motivated to continue.
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San