"Is this the Land of Waves? It doesn't seem as terrible as Uncle Tazuna described?"
After getting off the boat, Sakura looked around and found that everyone here was smiling, street vendors were passionately hawking their goods, and everyone was dressed well, presenting a picture of prosperity that was nothing like the situation described in the mission briefing.
Even Kakashi gave Tazuna a meaningful look while also becoming more alert.
"Do you not believe what I, the client, have told you? The people here have always lived in dire straits. To build a bridge that connects to the mainland, do you have any idea how many people were executed in the public square ahead? Don't be misled by what you see before you!"
Tazuna, holding a bottle in his hand, spoke angrily, then slightly resentful.
He had brought all his savings and encountered no trouble on the way to Konoha.
But he had yet to expect issuing a mission to be this troublesome. Not only did he need to submit a detailed description of the mission content, but Konoha also sent someone to collect information before accepting the mission.
The mission would be officially graded and proceed according to the process if everything were verified.
Of course, this was because Tazuna was issuing an assassination mission, which inherently starts from B-rank, and not just Konoha assassinates anyone, thus requiring investigation and detailed information.
On the contrary, missions considered 'urgent,' without time to gather information beforehand, had somewhat relaxed scrutiny, like escort or protection missions...
These types of missions are set off based on the client's request, and it's easy for unforeseen incidents to occur, making it impossible to investigate beforehand.
Thus, Tazuna had thought it too simple.
Kakashi and others were here because Naruto could hardly bear staying in the village, not interested in finding lost cats, babysitting, or doing farm work.
This is different from what ninjas should be doing!
Hearing Tazuna arguing inside, Naruto was intrigued.
After finally getting Jiraiya's approval, Team 7 came as an advance party to investigate the specific situation of the Wahaikai Society in the Land of Waves.
If it was, as the client said, a villain up to no good.
Then, once they bring back information, the assassination mission will be officially issued for the safety of the ninjas taking the mission and Konoha's reputation.
Otherwise, if they help bad people assassinate good people, Konoha's reputation would also be tarnished.
Of course, the line between good and evil is vague, so it still depends on the client and the results of the investigation to see if the 'reason' is sufficient.
But Naruto thought more. Although the investigation mission was only C-rank, if they could confirm the target's 'crimes' and carry out the client's request directly, there would be no need for further action, allowing him to complete a B-rank mission successfully!
This way, after returning and negotiating with Jiraiya, they might directly skip D-rank missions and start focusing on C-rank missions.
Naruto had a good plan, but the trip to the Land of Waves would be unforgettable.
Walking into the Land of Waves, aside from Tazuna, everyone felt like they didn't have enough eyes to take it all in.
If there's a word to describe the scene before them, it would be 'bursting with life'!
Regardless of age, everyone radiated energy, filled with hope and expectation for the future, as if everyone believed that tomorrow's life would be even better.
In such a mood, everyone greeted those around them with a smile.
Even if someone accidentally bumped into someone else, after apologizing, there was no blame, and they might even stop for a chat.
Just the scene before them surprised Kakashi; even Konoha couldn't achieve this, right?
How could a country like this harbor an evil organization like the Wahaikai Society?
Then, Kakashi noticed that those doing physical labor, although spirited, occasionally cast envious glances at those around them, which made him think.
Could there be some hidden truth here?
Since they were here for an undercover investigation, Kakashi and others had already hidden anything that could expose their ninja identity and changed their clothes in advance.
So, they were fearless of being discovered. Kakashi quickly targeted someone and signaled with his eyes for Naruto and others to follow.
"Hello, we are travelers visiting here for the first time. I noticed you seemed to envy those people; could you tell me why? Your clothing does not seem poor, so there ought to be nothing problematic, right?"
Kakashi fabricated an identity and started to fish for information.
Though the person wasn't willing to answer such matters at first, after seeing the children behind Kakashi, he sighed, looked envious, and began to speak:
"Since it's your first time in the Land of Waves, you will soon find out even if I don't tell you. But since we've met, I'll let you know.
I'm also an outsider. About a year ago, sailors told me that everyone here is clothed and fed well, with a shortage of human resources."
"After a moment of hot-headedness, I came here. Truthfully, after the excitement wore off during the journey, I regretted it, afraid that I had been deceived!"
"But after arriving here, I realized there is a 'heaven on earth.'"
"Here, as long as you're diligent and willing to work hard, not only will you not starve, but you can also live well. In just one year, I escaped poverty and even found a lovely love. Now, my partner is even pregnant with my child..."
Listening quietly to his story, Kakashi and the others seemed immersed, while Tazuna appeared somewhat embarrassed.
"You've said that you've escaped poverty and formed a happy family, so why do you still envy those people?" Kakashi asked, puzzled.
The person sighed again, "How can I not envy them? Those are citizens of the Land of Waves, not only having citizenship but also enjoying all the benefits provided to citizens."
"Us outsiders, however, have to compete fiercely for the few immigration quotas available yearly."