Jūzō Biwa's expression changed. The pressure Gekko Chizan released without even trying was enough to make him feel a chill.
The Ghost of Konoha—this title wasn't given lightly. It was earned through real battle achievements.
"Hmph, this is Kirigakure, and you didn't come here to take my blade, right?"
As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he answered directly to the Mizukage, so he knew about Konoha's arrival and also understood their purpose.
The war was already over. Even though Kirigakure lost, it was only because the circumstances forced the outcome.
But Konoha's prosperity was inevitable. The rise of the Twin Stars had given Konoha the strongest new generation.
"Tch, you really don't know how to read the room. Come on, let us take a look around the Village Hidden in the Bloody Mist."
"No one has ever been allowed in here before."
Gekko Chizan was extremely curious about Kirigakure. After all, this was a village under absolute lockdown, where outsiders were simply not allowed to enter.
This entire country was surrounded on all sides by the sea. Hard to imagine that a place surrounded by water could still have mountains.
That alone made Gekko Chizan curious.
And the Land of Water was made up of islands of all sizes. Because it was far from the mainland and shielded by the ocean, both the country and Kirigakure became incredibly mysterious.
"Go ahead. But let me remind you—although the war has ended, when it comes to outsiders, we… hmph."
He didn't finish, but Gekko Chizan understood perfectly.
However, he had already prepared beforehand. On the way here, he set over a dozen crystal coordinates, each containing a technique kunai.
Convenient for retreat—because he didn't come alone. His wife and disciple were with him, so he couldn't afford even a moment of carelessness.
With a guide, everything went smoothly.
Along the way, not only Gekko Chizan, but Pakura and the three little ones were all looking around. One couldn't blame them—the scenery of Kirigakure was simply too strange.
Fog, fog, and more fog. Even the mountains in the distance were swallowed by the mist, leaving only their outlines.
"Wow… living in a place like this, no wonder people from Kirigakure aren't normal."
"Tsk tsk. If I lived in this fog all my life, I might really become some kind of crazed killer—see a person, chop a person."
Gekko Chizan was an optimist. Combined with the years of influence from the system, he was someone who longed for laughter.
But Kirigakure? With this fog everywhere, where would you even find laughter?
"Sigh… I used to think Sunagakure already had terrible living conditions."
"I didn't expect Kirigakure… Compared to this, Konoha, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure really are the best."
Having grown used to Konoha's prosperity, Pakura recalled the sandstorms of Sunagakure, then looked at this country shrouded in fog, and her heart filled with emotion.
The three little ones nodded repeatedly. During the war, they had seen many places, but none could compare to what lay before them.
Too terrifying. The suffocating, damp darkness under the thick fog was unbearable.
Not long after, Kirigakure appeared before them.
This was a village that looked somewhat ancient. Its architectural style… how to describe it?
In Gekko Chizan's words: completely bizarre and impossible to appreciate—Sunagakure's massive fortress looked better! With moss-covered walls and mist everywhere, Gekko Chizan almost thought he'd time-traveled again.
This was straight-up Silent Hill!
Suddenly, he turned to stare at Jūzō Biwa. His burning gaze made Jūzō Biwa uncomfortable, and he quickly asked:
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Are you suddenly going to put on a metal helmet and turn into a butcher?"
Jūzō Biwa: ????
What? Metal helmet? Butcher?
Was this kid crazy?
Jūzō Biwa suddenly stared at Gekko Chizan a few times.
Then he remembered the nickname—Ghost of Konoha. What normal person is a "ghost"?
And the way he fought… what normal person fought that shamelessly? Rumor said that when he fought Hanzo, he used every dirty trick imaginable. Was that something normal people did?
Right, this guy must be crazy. And he was a disciple of Orochimaru—would a disgusting snake ever take a normal student?
Gekko Chizan saw Jūzō Biwa's increasingly strange gaze and knew he was imagining things. He immediately spoke:
"Hey, you bastard, are you insulting me?"
"I'm telling you, my eyes are sharp—I can see all your little tricks!"
If it were any other time, Jūzō Biwa would definitely talk back. But he had just realized this kid was a lunatic.
And can a normal person argue with a lunatic? Of course not.
"You're right."
"I shouldn't have insulted you."
That flat sentence froze everyone on the spot.
Gekko Chizan's jaw dropped. He couldn't make a sound for a long time.
Pakura and the kids were stunned. Even the Kirigakure Anbu beside Jūzō Biwa were frozen. They were thinking: Captain… what happened to you???
"What? What did you say? Say it again?"
"I shouldn't have insulted you. You're right about everything."
Gekko Chizan was dumbfounded. Looking at the calm Jūzō Biwa, he began to doubt reality.
But very quickly, he understood.
Yes, he understood!
What did he understand?
That Jūzō Biwa must have been punished by the Mizukage after the defeat and developed a split personality!
Otherwise, this change would be impossible—one moment fierce, the next completely normal!
Schizophrenia! He must be schizophrenic!
Thinking of how terrifying lunatics could be, Gekko Chizan immediately restrained himself.
If this guy suddenly had an episode, he wouldn't hold back—and that Executioner Blade could swing at any moment. Damn, that thing was a disaster waiting to happen.
And seeing how the Anbu all stepped back in unison, Gekko Chizan mentally labeled Jūzō Biwa as a lunatic + schizophrenic!
"Hey hey hey, Jūzō, you're joking."
"My fault, my fault. Shall we continue?"
Gekko Chizan suddenly put on a smile, which only made Jūzō Biwa more certain of his suspicion, so he hurriedly responded politely as well.
"Well, Chizan-bro, you're new here. I haven't welcomed you properly. Come."
"I'll treat you to Kirigakure's specialty fog-wine later. It's really good."
Change always brings shock.
Whether Pakura and the three little ones or the Kirigakure Anbu, all of them felt their worldview shatter.
What was happening???
How did these two suddenly act like old friends?
What did they miss???
"Ah, so this is Kirigakure. Looks pretty nice."
"Thanks for leading the way!"
"Hahahaha!"
And so the two "lunatics," chatting away, walked into Kirigakure together with a group of utterly confused onlookers.