They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 2: The Timely Rain of Kirigakure

"What's wrong with the new moon?"

Hozuki Shingetsu withdrew his gaze from the Kirigakure Building and shook his head to indicate that nothing was wrong.

"Let's go, Ao! If nothing unexpected happens, the clan will probably be holding a banquet to celebrate me becoming a Jonin. If we don't hurry, we won't get any good stuff!"

Qing hesitated, not because she was hesitant about the food, since the main person in charge definitely wouldn't be there if he wasn't there.

"Would it be appropriate for me to attend the Hozuki clan's internal banquet?"

"Alright, since six years ago, everyone in the village knows that aside from not having the Hozuki surname, what makes you any different from the Hozuki clan!"

"Besides, I'm right here. Let's see who dares to gossip!"

Hozuki Shingetsu patted Ao on the shoulder, indicating that he didn't need to worry.

Upon hearing this, Ao's mind instantly returned to the scene six years ago when he had just met Hozuki Shingetsu.

At that time, he was just an orphan who had just entered the ninja academy. He was timid and hesitant at school, and dared not compete with others for anything, until Hozuki Shingetsu arrived.

"I probably never imagined back then that I would have such a friendship with the young head of the Hozuki clan!"

Recalling the scene, Ao couldn't help but smile. He immediately stopped refusing and followed Hozuki Shingetsu towards the Hozuki clan's territory.

"Young Master Xinyue, you're back from your mission!"

"Judging from Young Master Xinyue's expression, the mission must have been a great success, right?"

"Thanks to your support last time, we were able to get through this difficult time. We wanted to visit you last week, but you were away on a mission. It's good that we met you now. Please accept this small token of our appreciation."

Along the way, vendors on both sides of the street would come out to greet Hozuki Shingetsu from time to time, and Hozuki Shingetsu would respond with a smile, showing no airs of being the young clan leader of the Hozuki clan.

"Oh, Mrs. Aoi, you're too kind. As you know, I'm always happy to help others."

After a brief chat with Mrs. Aoi, who was selling seafood, Hozuki Shingetsu continued greeting people around him while carrying some seafood.

"Miss Ozawa, those thugs who harassed you last time haven't come back, have they?"

"Mrs. Ohashi, is your husband's injury any better?"

In short, the most prominent feature is that he is approachable.

"So this is the legendary young head of the Hozuki clan, the genius of Kirigakure? He really is as helpful and down-to-earth as the rumors say!"

"Truly worthy of being called the 'timely rain' of Kirigakure!"

A merchant from the Land of Lightning watched Hozuki Shingetsu's retreating figure, observing the harmonious scene between ninjas and civilians, and couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

In other countries, even in Konoha, a village known for its open-mindedness, ninjas, while not as prone to exploiting civilians as those in other countries, don't mingle with them either. In their eyes, ninjas are ninjas, and civilians are civilians. The gap between them isn't as large as the difference between nobles and commoners, but they are essentially two different social classes.

You should be grateful if they don't bully you; do you really expect the ninja gentlemen to help you?

Unless you pay more.

As for offering to pay money to help you?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

"You're obviously from out of town, aren't you? Everyone around here knows the name of young master Hozuki. If you run into trouble in Kirigakure, going to him is always a safe bet!"

Hearing the merchant's words, a busybody, with a look of disdain for a country bumpkin, couldn't help but say something that was half boastful and half proud.

"That belongs to someone else, what does it have to do with you? You're so proud of it, I'd think you were one of the Hozuki clan."

Despite cursing the passerby in his heart, his businessman nature still made him want to find out more information in hopes of future cooperation opportunities.

"So, according to you, this young Hozuki clan leader can solve any problem in Kirigakure? He never makes a mistake?"

The busybody was speechless for a moment, but quickly realized what was going on.

"Most of these issues can be resolved. If one isn't, then there's definitely someone sabotaging it from the shadows!"

"Oh? What do you mean?"

The merchant was about to ask more questions, but after noticing the passerby's gaze, paused tone, and interlaced fingers, he cursed inwardly and quickly handed over a note with a smile.

Seeing this, the passerby smiled with satisfaction and continued, "Think about it! What kind of people could we possibly offend on a normal day? What kind of trouble could we possibly encounter? At most, we might lack funds or have unsold goods, or at most, some petty ninjas might harass or extort us. These things are big deals for us, but for the young head of the Hozuki clan, can't he handle such trivial matters?"

"So, those things that couldn't be resolved must have been because the person in charge didn't carry them out after Hozuki casually gave the instructions, or some special circumstances arose that prevented them from being accomplished!"

"Special circumstances?"

Seeing the passerby hesitate, the merchant quickly stuffed a few more banknotes into the passerby's arms.

The passerby, who had been secretly feeling the thickness of the banknotes, then led the merchant to a secluded spot to continue their previous conversation.

"Ahem! I heard it! Note that I only heard it from a friend; I don't know if it's true or not!"

Before the speech began, the passerby emphasized one point.

The businessman had a knowing look on his face.

Ah yes, yes, I understand, I understand.

This friend can be anyone, but it definitely won't be you.

"I heard that a considerable number of the Third Mizukage's subordinates are jealous of Hozuki's talent, so they deliberately cause him trouble in some ways."

"Lord Mizukage?"

The merchant was puzzled; how did this get involved with the Water Shadow?

"It's not the Mizukage, it's one of the Mizukage's subordinates!"

The passerby emphasized this point, then waved to the businessman who still wanted to ask more questions, signaling him to leave quickly.

"That's all I know. I don't know the rest. Don't say anything else after we get out!"

Watching the businessman's departing figure, he seemed to remember something and emphasized it again.

"Remember, this has nothing to do with the Mizukage! If you need anything, go to Hozuki-cho and find Young Master Hozuki!"

After the merchant had completely left, the passerby looked around to make sure no one was there before spitting into his hand and carefully counting the few large bills in his hand.

"Hehe, the Hozuki clan can get another sum from these outsiders after paying them off. They're living the high life!"

"I don't know what those Hozuki gentlemen are thinking. They can get money just by repeating those words to people on the street. Could it be that the Hozuki clan and the Mizukage really have a conflict? ... But whatever, who would turn down money? The Hozuki clan? The Mizukage? What do I care? As long as I get paid! It's just that the KPI is a bit of a hassle..."

He stuffed the banknotes into the sole of his shoe, then returned to the street and, finding another opening, began his performance...

(End of this chapter)