Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 371 Hidden Mist Village Genin Squad

As night deepens, the hustle and bustle of Konoha Village fades away, and scattered lights, like stars, dot the landscape of the village, outlining its tranquil silhouette.

The observation deck atop Fire Shadow Rock offers a wide view, and the chilly night wind carries the atmosphere of the village below and the freshness of the distant forest.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shura stood side by side, seemingly at peace, but undercurrents were surging beneath the surface.

The Third Hokage, dressed in a white Hokage robe, swayed slightly in the night breeze, his pipe flickering in the light.

Standing beside him was Shura, still dressed in a black robe, his face covered by the cold, hard white three-eyed fox mask, silently looking down at Konoha.

In the shadows behind them, Yamato, the captain of the Anbu, personally led a team of several elite Anbu members directly under the Hokage, who, like lurking cheetahs, silently lay in wait in the darkness.

Their gazes were fixed on the figure in black robes, their chakra swirling slightly within them, their bodies tense, ready to respond to any possible unexpected situation.

Despite Shura holding a formal diplomatic invitation and despite the Third Hokage seemingly engaging in calm conversation with him, no Konoha ninja dared to underestimate this dangerous figure who had attacked the Hyuga, severely injured the Kumogakure, and single-handedly established the Land of Stars.

Every breath of wind in the air seemed to be frozen in place, like a taut string.

The detailed procedures for the Chunin Joint Exams, the number of participating teams from each country, venue arrangements, security coordination, and other complicated matters were basically agreed upon in the brightly lit Hokage's office.

The reason for moving here at this point is clearly not to continue discussing the details.

"I'm getting old, and this is all I have to do. I hope Lord Shura doesn't mind?" Hiruzen Sarutobi took out some new tobacco from his pocket and slowly filled his pipe bowl. His movements were steady and deliberate, as if he were carefully considering his next words.

"Go ahead." Menma's voice came through the mask, flat and emotionless.

He didn't even turn his head, his gaze still fixed on the myriad lights below. His posture was not like that of an invited guest, but rather like that of a king surveying his territory.

Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his pipe, took a deep drag, and the orange-red flame flashed briefly in his aged yet still shrewd eyes.

He slowly exhaled smoke, his gaze fixed on Konoha in the night, and said slowly, "A few years ago, Jiraiya returned from his travels and had a detailed conversation with me about his experiences in the Land of Stars. He mentioned many changes in your country, such as social stability, orderly livelihoods, and even a vitality that is quite different from that of traditional great powers."

"When I heard this, I was quite surprised."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, seemingly recalling Jiraiya's description at the time, his tone carrying a complex sense of emotion.

Several years ago, after Jiraiya escaped from Amegakure, he went to the Land of Stars with Hydrangea and had in-depth exchanges with Shura. Although in the end, the two had some unpleasantness due to differences in their ideologies.

However, Menma did not stop Jiraiya from traveling in the Land of Stars.

Jiraiya also recorded the customs and social conditions of the Land of Stars in his writings, and delivered the letter to Hiruzen Sarutobi, giving Hiruzen a clearer understanding of the Land of Stars.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also knew that his other disciple, Tsunade, seemed to be living in the bustling gambling city of the Land of Stars, spending her days with wine cups and dice.

However, Tsunade rarely contacted Konoha and never revealed to him any information about Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki being resurrected using the Impure World Reincarnation technique.

If he knew those things, he would never be able to sit here so calmly, enjoying the scenery and chatting with Shura.

Menma stood quietly, his mask facing the direction of Konoha, like a silent listener or an observer.

The night wind blew his nine-faced Suvaha cloak, making it flutter loudly.

Seeing that he remained unmoved, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued along his train of thought, saying, "In my spare time, I have also read some works that have been passed down from your country. The concept of 'reform' expounded in them is completely different from the tradition of the ninja world for thousands of years, and can be described as shocking."

"While I dare not entirely agree, I do acknowledge that there are indeed thought-provoking points. However..." He changed the subject, his tone becoming deep and slightly helpless.

"Since its founding by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, Konoha has shared weal and woe with the Land of Fire, depending on each other for survival. This is not just an alliance; our path, our choice, has long been deeply rooted here. This is the foundation upon which Konoha was built, and it is our..."

“Just say ‘the ancestral laws cannot be changed,’ Third Hokage, why be so roundabout?” Menma suddenly spoke, his tone calm, yet like a precise scalpel, instantly dissecting the carefully wrapped warmth and helplessness in Hiruzen Sarutobi’s words.

"Cough cough..." Hiruzen Sarutobi was caught off guard by the direct and almost abrupt interruption, and he choked on his smoke. He couldn't help but cough twice, and his aged cheeks turned slightly red, whether from choking or some other reason, it was hard to tell.

He had intended to use more sentimental terms such as "Will of Fire," "Inheritance," and "Bonds" to explain Konoha's position, attempting to engage in a gentle exchange or debate on an ideological level. However, he did not expect that the other party would not buy into this at all and would incisively expose the veil of falsehood.

A soft sneer seemed to come from beneath the white three-eyed fox mask.

Menma didn't turn around, but his words came clearly and coldly: "Konoha is already deeply bound to the ruling class, the nobility, and the daimyo system of the Land of Fire. They rise and fall together. You are one of the biggest beneficiaries of this system, so naturally you cannot betray the class you belong to."

"Therefore, you cannot, like the Land of Stars, completely shatter the shackles of the old era and uproot those daimyo, nobles, and corrupt bureaucrats who leech off the common people. Because doing so would be tantamount to denying the very foundation of your own existence. Am I right, Third Hokage?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's fingers tightened slightly as he gripped his pipe.

The other party's words were sharp as knives, stripping away all the high-sounding reasons to reveal the cold and cruel reality.

He couldn't refute it, because it was the truth.

Konoha's strength is inseparable from the financial and material support of the Land of Fire, and what maintains this support system are those "parasites" that Shura regards as must be eradicated.

Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the power of the Star Country and the advantages of its system.

But change?
It's easier said than done.

The Sarutobi clan alone has intermarried with many nobles in the Land of Fire, not to mention other ninja clans.

But once change occurs, it means shaking the foundations of the nation, unpredictable turmoil and sacrifice, and the possibility of becoming enemies with other ninja clans in Konoha, or even with the entire traditional world.

Konoha couldn't afford it, and even Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't bring himself to make that decision.

Silence spread between the two, with only the howling of the night wind and the faint chirping of insects in the distance.

The members of the Dark Guard in the shadows seemed to breathe more softly, and Yamato's palms were slightly sweaty as he nervously watched the situation unfold.

After a long silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have calmed down. He took a drag of his cigarette, changed the subject, and his tone became steady again: "So, Lord Shura, in your opinion, what is 'peace'? Is waging war and annexing other countries what you call 'peace'?"

He wanted to know where the boundaries of this man's ambition and ideals lay.

"Peace?" Menma finally turned his neck slightly, and his mask seemed to tilt towards Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Is the Third Hokage trying to say that the rules set by your First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, divided the country into five great nations, distributed the tailed beasts, and maintained a fragile peace under a terrifying balance?"

His tone suddenly took on an undisguised sarcasm: "What a laughable and pathetic self-consolation. Such a fragile peace has been touted by you for decades."

"Your Excellency, please watch your words!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened, and his voice became stern.

Hashirama Senju was his lifelong teacher, the god of ninjas who created Konoha and the current ninja world, and he could not be disrespected by others, especially not in such a contemptuous tone.

"Be careful what you say?" Menma's voice suddenly rose, carrying a cold yet powerful aura that subtly suppressed Hiruzen Sarutobi's anger.

"The God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, what a grand title! He clearly possessed the absolute power to end the chaos and unify the entire shinobi world, but what did he do? He distributed the Tailed Beasts to other great nations like toys, calling it 'balance,' but what was the result?"

"Third Hokage, you have experienced all the major ninja wars. Tell me, from the founding of Konoha to now, in just over sixty years, how many major wars have swept across the entire ninja world in these sixty years?"

He didn't need Hiruzen Sarutobi's answer; he gave his own cold reply: "Three times! Each one, in terms of scale, scope, and death toll, far surpassed any single inter-clan war during the Warring States period! During the Warring States period, most of those who died in battle were ninjas. But in these three Shinobi World Wars, how many of those who died on the battlefield, or from the famine, plague, and displacement caused by the war, were unarmed civilians?"

"This number, even if you add up all the people who died in the past two hundred years, might not be comparable."

"Is this the 'peace' left behind by Hashirama Senju? Replacing small-scale, frequent battles with more efficient and brutal warfare—is this what he brought to the world?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's chest heaved violently a few times, wanting to retort, but found his throat was a little dry.

The other party listed cold facts, doubts that had occasionally surfaced in his heart but which he had forcibly suppressed.

The First Shinobi World War, the Second Shinobi World War, and the Third Shinobi World War, which just ended ten years ago...

Mountains of corpses and seas of blood, villages and towns devastated, countless families shattered, countless children orphaned...

These images flashed through his mind, making his rebuttals seem so pale and powerless.

"Does the war you launched result in fewer deaths?" Hiruzen Sarutobi, after all, was a Hokage who had experienced many trials and tribulations. He quickly regained his composure and questioned him sharply.

"The Land of Bears, the Land of Darkness, the Land of Swamps, the Land of Snow... and the great war with the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth five years ago! Every step of the Star Kingdom's expansion has been built on countless bones. Is this the 'path of peace' you seek?"

Faced with Hiruzen Sarutobi's questioning, Menma did not seem angry, but rather stubbornly asserted: "You only saw the brief pain brought by the war, but selectively ignored the 'rebirth' that followed."

"Indeed, the rise of the Star Kingdom was accompanied by war and death, but this is the necessary price of change! Bloodshed is inevitable in any change that overturns the old order."

"But you can't see it, or rather, you don't want to see it, whether the tens of millions of people in the Land of Stars today have a house to shelter them from the wind and rain on cold winter nights? Can they be guaranteed at least one full meal a day? Do they no longer have to worry about the exorbitant taxes levied by nobles and daimyo, or the unwarranted disasters of ninja battles? The elderly are cared for, the young are educated, farmers have their land, and workers have their jobs..."

"Can you guarantee these things? Can the Land of Fire guarantee them? Can Konoha guarantee them?"

His voice wasn't loud, but every word carried immense weight, striking Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.

Having enough to eat and wear, and not being bullied, are the most basic and direct desires of ordinary people.

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent again, his pipe seemingly losing its flavor.

He recalled the scenes he witnessed when he was young, during a mission he took through some areas of the Land of Fire.

Ragged refugees, desolate fields littered with the corpses of the starving, and emaciated farmers exploited by nobles...

He also thought of the orphanage in Konoha, where the number of children without parents increased year after year. Many of them were not Konoha orphans, but ordinary children from the Land of Fire who died from poverty, disease, or persecution by nobles.

Konoha can protect civilians within its own borders as much as possible and give relatively generous treatment to children with ninja talent, but for the countless civilians on the vast land of the Land of Fire, and for the deep-seated problems at the root of this country, there is really only so much it can do.

The peaceful and stable society of Shura's Star Kingdom stands in stark contrast to the social unrest in other countries.

"Hashirama Senju ended the Warring States period, which lasted for hundreds of years, and created a new order of one country and one village. No matter how many problems this order had, he was ultimately the founder of that era." Menma's voice rang out again, sounding particularly clear in the night wind, carrying a grand and firm will.

"And I just want to do the same thing."

"To end this seemingly peaceful, yet still chaotic, unjust, war-ridden, and oppressive era."

"Use the necessary blood and fire to burn this corrupt old world to the ground! Then build a brand new ninja world."

"This is my ninja way!"

On the viewing platform, the night wind grew stronger.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time, simply smoking his pipe and gazing at Konoha Village, which he had protected his entire life, his expression complex and unfathomable.

This clash of ideas has nothing to do with force.

He discovered that his long-held belief in the 'Will of Fire' was limited to a single country and village, and seemed so narrow-minded in the face of Shura's 'Will of the Star'.

………………

Dense fog is the eternal theme of Misty Village.

Even the morning sunlight could not fully penetrate the thick moisture that shrouded the valley year-round. The entire village seemed to be soaked in gray and damp cotton wool, the outlines of the buildings were blurred, and the voices seemed to be absorbed by the fog, making it feel oppressive and dull.

Five years ago, the "Blood Mist Policy" was officially abolished after an internal upheaval, but the trauma and fear left by that dark period still permeate every brick and stone of the village and the hearts of every villager in the Mist Village.

The air was filled not only with moisture, but also with a lingering, faint, rusty smell, and a deeper sense of unease about the past and uncertainty about the future.

The Hozuki clan's ancestral home is located in the southeast corner of the village, a traditional architectural complex built against the mountainside, appearing even more desolate in the thick fog.

Once upon a time, this place was thriving, one of the most prominent ninja clans in Kirigakure, renowned for its mastery of Water Release techniques, its unique "Water Transformation Technique," and its leadership of the "Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

And now...

squeak-

A heavy wooden door was pushed open.

Hozuki Suigetsu yawned, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and staggered out.

He had short white hair with light blue dye at the ends, and he was wearing only a loose dark blue yukata with the belt tied loosely, revealing most of his chest.

The boy's face still held a trace of sleepiness, and his skin appeared exceptionally pale in the mist.

"Ah-ha-"

He stretched out a long yawn, his bones making a slight "crackling" sound.

Then, shuffling along in his wooden clogs, he slowly walked to the water trough under the eaves, picked up a wooden ladle, scooped up the icy mountain spring water, and splashed it haphazardly on his face.

"Hiss—it's freezing." Shuiyue muttered, shaking her head, splashing water droplets everywhere.

After washing up, the drowsiness on his face dissipated slightly, replaced by an almost numb calm.

He turned around and opened another, more antique-style sliding door.

Inside the door was a room that was exceptionally tidy, yet eerily empty.

In the center of the room, there was a simple Buddhist shrine.

In front of the Buddhist shrine, three memorial tablets are neatly arranged.

His parents and his brother, the genius hailed as the most talented member of the Hozuki clan in history, who was proficient in using all seven of Kirigakure's swords, ultimately succumbed to illness and passed away three years ago.

Shuiyue knelt down in front of the Buddha shrine, her back ramrod straight, a stark contrast to her usual carefree demeanor.

He took out three incense sticks from the wooden box next to him and lit them with the flame of the ever-burning lamp.

Wisps of smoke rose, carrying the scent of sandalwood, filling the quiet room.

He didn't speak, but simply clasped his hands together and closed his eyes.

In my mind, my father's image has long been blurred, leaving only some fragmented pieces; my mother's face is even more distant, leaving only the warmth of her embrace and her indistinct humming in my memory.

The clearest one is the older brother, Hozuki Mangetsu.

That older brother who always had a relaxed smile on his face, was powerful but never put on airs, and would pat his head and say, "Suizuki, the Hozuki clan will depend on you from now on."

Three years ago, after his brother died, he was truly the only one left in the vast Hozuki clan territory.

Hozuki Suigetsu, the last bloodline of the Hozuki clan.

He opened his eyes and inserted the incense sticks into the incense burner.

Amidst the swirling smoke, the three memorial tablets seemed to be silently gazing at him.

"I'm going out," Shuiyue said softly, as if reporting something, or perhaps talking to herself.

Then he stood up, picked up a long, narrow object carefully wrapped in dark oilcloth, slung it over his back, and tied the strap.
That was a scroll that sealed the remaining ninja swords of Kirigakure.

I stepped out of the room, closed the sliding door, and locked that heavy silence behind me once again.

The sunlight seemed to be trying to penetrate some of the mist, casting shadows on the damp moss in the courtyard.

Shuiyue stood under the eaves, looking at the empty courtyard. The scene of children playing and clansmen coming and going was long gone.

He took a deep breath of the damp, cool air, suppressing the inappropriate sadness deep inside.

"Alright, let's get to work!"

His tone returned to its usual nonchalant as he walked out of the gates of the Hozuki clan's territory without looking back.

The Water Shadow Building stands in the center of Kirigakure, and is one of the few tall buildings whose outline can be clearly seen even in the thick fog.

The stone walls were covered with dark green moss and vines. At the entrance, two ninjas wearing Mist-covered headbands stood like statues, their sharp eyes scanning the occasional passersby.

Shuiyue strolled leisurely to the front of the building and saw a familiar figure standing somewhat awkwardly at the bottom of the steps, seemingly hesitating about something.

It was a boy of similar age to him, slightly shorter, with short, dark blue hair.

He was wearing a blue sweater with a light gray vest over it, and carrying a ninja sword on his back.

At that moment, he was looking down, his fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of his clothes, appearing very nervous.

"Yo, Chojuro!" Suigetsu raised her voice and greeted him lazily.

Chojuro seemed startled, his body trembled slightly, and he suddenly raised his head.

Seeing that it was Shuiyue, he breathed a sigh of relief and replied softly, "Good morning, Shuiyue."

"What are you doing? Standing at the door as punishment?" Shuiyue jumped up the steps and came close to Changshilang, tilting her head to look him over: "Are you still agonizing over whether to step in with your left or right foot first today?"

"No, no!" Chojuro quickly waved his hand: "I was just... thinking about some things."

"Thinking about something?" Shuiyue raised an eyebrow and naturally put her arm around Chojuro's shoulder.

"Let's think about it as we walk. What can we possibly come up with by standing here? Besides, keeping Master Yuan and Sister Terumi Mei waiting for too long won't lead to anything good."

As he spoke, he pulled Chojuro into the building without a word. Chojuro was clearly not used to such intimate physical contact; his body stiffened slightly, but he still obediently followed Suigetsu.

After walking for a while, Shuiyue suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

"Hey, Chojuro."

"Ok?"

"Have you thought about the ninja sword?" Suigetsu turned her head to look at the overly shy genius boy beside her.

"There are only three left: Longsword - Needle, Blunt Sword - Cutting Blade, and Explosive Sword - Spraying Blade. You have to pick one, right? Old Master Yuan and Terumi Mei have been urging you more than once or twice."

At the mention of ninja swords, Chojuro lowered his head even further, his voice barely audible: "I...I'll take any of them. Any one will do...The important thing isn't the weapon, it's the person wielding it..."

"Come on, you." Shuiyue rolled her eyes. "My brother said the same thing back then, but he managed to master all seven knives. What about you? If you had to choose, you'd just say 'anything is fine' or 'it doesn't matter.' If you act like that on the battlefield, the enemy won't be so kind to you."

He paused, a rare seriousness creeping into his voice: "Chojuro, you have talent. Inheriting a ninja sword isn't just about giving you a powerful weapon; it's also a responsibility. Kirigakure right now... needs capable young faces."

Chojuro remained silent.

Seeing him like this, Shuiyue suddenly sighed and tightened her grip on his shoulder.

You know what, sometimes I really envy you.

"Huh?" Chojuro looked up in surprise.

"I envy that you can still hesitate, that you can still say 'anything is fine'." Shuiyue looked towards the dim end of the corridor, her voice revealing a hint of vicissitude that was inconsistent with her age.

“My brother… he had no choice back then. The genius of the Hozuki clan was destined to inherit all the swords from birth. He had to be the strongest, he had to support the clan, he had to become the face of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist… even if it meant giving up his life in the end.”

His voice lowered: "If only he were still alive... With him around, we wouldn't have a chance to worry about these troubles."

Silence fell again in the corridor, broken only by the sound of their footsteps and the faint sound of dripping water in the distance.

Chojuro secretly glanced at Suigetsu.

This companion, who usually always laughed and acted like he didn't care about anything, now had a somewhat stiff profile, and an emotion he couldn't understand flashed in his always half-closed eyes.

“Suigetsu…” Chojuro opened his mouth, wanting to say something comforting, but awkwardly didn’t know how to start.

"Alright, alright, stop looking at me like that." Shuiyue suddenly reverted to her lazy demeanor and patted Chojuro on the back forcefully. "I was just making a casual remark. Let's hurry up and go, we're really late."

The two quickened their pace, passing through several winding corridors, and finally arrived at a heavy oak door carved with the Fog Shadow symbol.

Above the door hangs a simple wooden sign with the words "Shuiying Office" engraved on it.

Chojuro took a deep breath, as if encouraging himself, then stepped forward, raised his hand, and gently knocked on the door.

"Please come in." A gentle yet authoritative female voice came from inside the door.

Chojuro pushed open the door, and Suigetsu followed behind him. The two of them went in one after the other.

The Water Shadow office was much simpler than I had imagined.

The room was spacious, but sparsely furnished.

Against the wall was a row of tall bookshelves, crammed with all sorts of files and books.

On the other side of the wall hangs a huge map of the Water Kingdom and the surrounding seas, with various information marked on it in different colors.

In the center of the room was a large, dark-colored wooden desk.

At this moment, sitting behind the desk is the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure—Yagura Karatachi.

This shadow, once known for his childlike appearance and formidable strength, now looks extremely tired.

He wore a blue robe and a straw hat, but his face under the brim had lost its former radiance; his eyes were sunken and his skin was unhealthy and pale.

He placed his hands on the table, his eyes gazing unfocused ahead, seemingly lost in thought.

Two other people were sitting next to the desk.

On the left is a hunched, bald old man.

His face was covered with deep wrinkles, and his eyes were almost squinted, making it impossible to see his expression.

All his teeth had fallen out, causing his mouth to be slightly sunken.

He was dressed in a simple brown robe and held in his hand a strangely shaped dark wooden staff with a snake's head carved at the top.

At this moment, he sat there quietly, as if asleep, yet naturally exuding a majesty that had been refined by the passage of time.

Elder Yuan Shi of Kirigakure.

On the right is a beautiful young woman.

She had long, flowing brown hair with curls at the ends, bright and intelligent emerald green eyes, and wore a blue off-the-shoulder robe with black fishnet stockings. She exuded a capable and composed demeanor.

But at this moment, a deep worry lingered between her brows.

Terumi Mei.

He is a candidate for the next Mizukage of Kirigakure and is also the person who currently handles most of the village's administrative affairs.

Mizuki and Chojuro walked to a spot about three steps away from the desk, stopped at the same time, and bowed respectfully.

"Fourth Hokage, Genshi, and Terumi Mei," the two said in unison.

Yagura seemed to snap out of his daze, his gaze fixed on the two of them.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but first coughed twice, his voice hoarse: "Um... I'm here."

He looked at Master Yuan beside him, his eyes questioning.

Master Yuan's eyes, which were almost slits, twitched slightly, and the hand holding the snake-headed wooden staff raised its fingertips almost imperceptibly, as a signal.

Yagura nodded, then looked at Suigetsu and Chojuro again, trying to make his voice sound stronger: "I called you here today because I have an important task for you."

He paused.

"Konoha Village is about to hold an unprecedented 'Chunin Joint Exams'. Not only will the traditional small and medium-sized ninja villages participate, but even the emerging Land of Stars and Kumogakure will send genin to participate," Yagura Karatachi said slowly.

"Our Hidden Mist Village has decided to send several small teams to participate."

Shuiyue raised an eyebrow, while Chojuro listened intently with a serious expression.

"After discussion," Mei Terumi spoke this time, taking over the conversation: "It has been decided that the two of you, plus a suitable genin, will form a three-person team to go to Konoha as genin from Kirigakure to participate in this exam."

The office was quiet for a moment.

"ha--?"

The silence was broken by a drawn-out, incredulous question.

Hozuki Suigetsu picked at his ear, his face clearly saying, "Are you kidding me?"

He glanced at Yagura Karatachi, then at Mei Terumi, and finally his gaze settled on Genshi, who seemed to be in deep meditation.

"Um... I'm sorry, Terumi Mei-nee, I might not be fully awake, did I hear wrong?" Suigetsu pointed to her nose, then to Chojuro next to her, who also looked bewildered.

"You want the two of us... to take the genin exam? To play this childish game with a bunch of little brats?"

Hozuki Suigetsu's tone was full of absurdity.

"What is this? Bullying a kid?" Hozuki Suigetsu, who grew up under the Blood Mist Policy, naturally looked down on the genin from other ninja villages, even though he himself was only a genin.

"Mizuki!" Mei Terumi called out in a low voice, a hint of displeasure flashing in her emerald green eyes.

However, it wasn't because of Shuiyue's complaints, but because of that one word, "Big Sister."

"Watch your words."

"I'm just stating the facts," Shuiyue said, pursing her lips, but her voice still lowered.

Although Mei Terumi is usually mature and dignified, she can be a tigress when she gets angry.

The Yuan Master, who had been silent all along, suddenly moved.

His hand, which was holding the snake-headed wooden staff, paused slightly on the ground.

thump.

The sound was not loud, but it was unusually steady, as if it struck the heart.

The office fell silent immediately, even Shuiyue shut her mouth and looked at this true pillar of stability in Kirigakure.

Master Yuan still squinted, his aged voice slowly rising, like worn sandpaper rubbing together: "This is not just an exam, Shuiyue."

He paused, seemingly giving the young man time to process what he had just heard.

"This is a stage, and also a battlefield. It is a place for observation, and also for testing."

"Konoha has extended invitations to Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and... the Land of Stars. This is an unprecedented event since the end of the Third Shinobi World War, and it's also an opportunity."

Yuan Shi raised his head slightly. Although his eyes were still narrowed, both Shui Yue and Chang Shilang felt a sharp gaze fall on them.

"The Hidden Mist has been sealed off for too long, and the wounds of the 'Blood Mist' are too deep. We have lost too many ninjas, too much time, and... channels of communication with the outside world." The old man's voice was filled with a heavy sigh.

"We don't know what has become of the other villages, we don't know what kind of strength those emerging forces have, and we don't know where the future of the ninja world will lead."

“Your primary task this time is not the exam, nor the promotion,” Mei Terumi continued, her tone serious. “It’s observation, it’s intelligence gathering.”

"Observe the strength, characteristics, and fighting styles of the new generation of ninjas in each village. Observe the internal situation of Konoha and the true strength and weaknesses of the ninjas in the Land of Stars. Understand the current landscape of the ninja world and analyze potential allies and enemies."

Yagura Karatachi then added with difficulty, "Kirigakure... needs to reintegrate into the ninja world. But we cannot be blind; we must make judgments and choose a path based on understanding."

After he finished speaking, he coughed again, suppressing his voice.

Shuiyue's indifference gradually disappeared.

He understood.

This is not a genin exam; it is an intelligence war and diplomatic probe disguised as an exam, involving multiple parties.

They were like stones thrown into the mist to test the waters in Kirigakure, like eyes peering out of the thick fog to observe the outside world.

“But…” Chojuro began softly, his face filled with unease, “Why us?”

“Because there are no stronger genin than you in the village.” Mei Terumi’s gaze swept over the two of them: “Chojuro, you and Suigetsu are still genin, but your strength is already close to that of special jonin. It’s just that we haven’t been able to promote you because of your age, but we just happened to be promoted by accident.”

"This trip to Konoha may seem like a test, but the situation is complex, and conflict could break out at any time. The people we need to send not only need to be sharp at gathering intelligence, but also need to be able to protect themselves and even deal with sudden battles."

Silence fell over the room once again.

The only sounds were Yagura's occasional suppressed coughs and the incessant sound of the ocean waves coming from outside the window.

Shuiyue lowered his head, and suddenly remembered what his brother Manyue had said before he died.

“Shuiyue, Wuyin is our home. It’s sick and badly injured. But a home is a home. No matter how broken or dilapidated it is, someone has to take care of it and find a way to fix it.”

He raised his head, looked at Genji, then at Mei Terumi, and finally his gaze fell on the emaciated Fourth Mizukage.

This village is indeed riddled with problems.

Financially strapped, lacking talent, facing external threats, and internal turmoil.

The former "blood mist" policy not only slaughtered a large number of ninjas, but also completely destroyed the village's foundation of trust and its external relations.

Today, Wuyin is like a wrecked ship struggling to navigate through thick fog and hidden reefs, and it could capsize at any moment.

"Understood." Shuiyue spoke, her voice no longer casual but serious: "When do we depart? Who is the third person chosen?"

“The third person is a bit special; preparations are still underway. However, other genuine genin teams will also participate as cover,” Yagura Karatachi said.

"Remember, gathering intelligence is the top priority. Whether you get promoted or not is irrelevant. Don't create unnecessary trouble."

Mei Terumi looked at Chojuro: "Chojuro, what's your opinion?"

Chojuro took a deep breath, raised his head, and although his face was still flushed, his eyes became firm: "I...I'm willing to go. For the village, I will do my best!"

“Very good.” Master Yuan nodded slowly, his snake-headed wooden staff pausing slightly. “Remember your mission. Observe more, listen more, and speak less. Konoha is not a friend, but it is not necessarily an enemy either. Be especially careful of the ninjas of the Land of Stars. Seven years ago, Kirigakure suffered a loss at the hands of Shura, and they have not been able to recover from it.”

Mentioning Shura and the ambush seven years ago seemed to chill the air in the office.

Shuiyue subconsciously touched the ninja sword scroll she was carrying on her back.

There were only three knives left inside.

The Twin Blades - Hiramekarei, the Broken Blade - Executioner's Blade, and the Great Blade - Samehada were all taken by Shura in that battle seven years ago.

Suigetsu Hozuki and Juzo Biwa, who participated in the ambush, died in battle. Hozuki Mangetsu survived by chance, but he was seriously injured, which may have indirectly led to his death.

That was one of Kirigakure's most devastating defeats in recent years, and a huge shadow that still loomed over the village even after the fog had lifted.

"Understood." Shuiyue's voice was somewhat cold. "We will be careful."

"The specific itinerary will be explained to you by the Anbu later," Mei Terumi concluded. "In the next few days, prepare yourselves. Chojuro, you should also decide which ninja sword to choose as soon as possible; this mission may require it."

"Yes!" Chojuro nodded vigorously.

"Alright, go ahead." Yagura waved his hand, his face showing even more exhaustion.

Suigetsu and Chojuro bowed again, then turned and left the Mizukage's office.

The heavy oak door closed behind them, shutting out the oppressive atmosphere inside.

The corridor was still dimly lit, but both of them felt as if they had breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hey, Chojuro,” Suigetsu suddenly spoke up.

"Ok?"

"Now... we really need to pick a good knife." Shuiyue grinned, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth, and wore a smile that was hard to describe as either excitement or some other emotion.

"If we go to Konoha, we might really have a chance to test those Star Ninja and see what they're really made of."

Chojuro saw the glint in his companion's eyes and, for some reason, his heart began to beat faster.

He clenched his hands, which were hanging by his sides, and responded in a low but firm voice:
"Ok!"

The two walked side by side, their footsteps echoing in the empty, dimly lit corridor, heading towards the fog-shrouded outside world.

Behind them, in the Mizukage's office, the conversation continued.

"Master, is this really a good idea?" Mei Terumi frowned. "Their strength is far from that of a genin, and the situation in Konoha is far too complicated right now."

After a long silence, Master Yuan slowly said, "Young eagles must leave the nest to learn to fly. The future of Wuyin will ultimately be handed over to the young."

He looked out the window, his gaze seemingly piercing through the thick fog, and saw the Konoha on the distant continent, where a storm was about to break out.

"Furthermore... we also need to send the voice of the Hidden Mist to the outside world."

bang bang-

A knock sounded on the door, and Mei Terumi called out, "Come in."

A green-robed man with pointed hair and an eyepatch over his right eye pushed open the door and entered, saying to the three men, "My lords, the orphan of the Uzumaki clan has been brought here."

Yagura, Genshi, and Terumi Mei looked over and saw a red-haired girl timidly following behind Ao as she walked in.

[PS: Mei Terumi, I originally wanted to post a swimsuit photo, but it was deleted during the review process last time, so never mind.]

(End of this chapter)