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Waves surged, and the sky changed with the clouds.
Looking far along the coastline, at the very edge of the horizon, a white water column, like a pillar reaching the heavens, rose from the blue surface. Amidst the surging, boundless waves, it seemed to be stirred by some explosion.
Faintly, a tiny black dot could be seen, bravely fighting around the giant creature hidden deep beneath the sea, constantly treading water and circling its opponent.
On the coastline, an old, hunched monk quietly gazed into the distance.
Around him, a group of Ninja dressed as Hidden Mist Anbu stared intently at the distant movements, while the Sealing Squad behind them was fully prepared, awaiting the final strike.
"Boom—"
It wasn't until a piercing explosion suddenly rang out on the sea surface, and a surging water column, like a blade splitting the sea and sky, peeled a thin line of blood from the giant creature's surface, that the commotion on the sea finally began to subside.
"Quick!"
At his command, the Sealing Squad Ninja behind the monk all rushed out. Led by the Hidden Mist Anbu, they surrounded the giant creature, simultaneously throwing out capsules that revealed the Sealing Scrolls hidden within. These scrolls unfurled in mid-air with the momentum of their run.
From a distance, it looked as if these black dots were the foundation for a net large enough to envelop the giant creature from the seabed.
In just a moment, intense Chakra fluctuations emanated from the sea.
Elder Genji quietly watched this scene until Three-Tails Isobu was finally sealed inside the body of the Ninja in the center. Only then did he seem to slowly breathe a sigh of relief.
Ever since Hidden Mist Village discovered traces of Three-Tails Isobu, they had been busy with various matters concerning the sealing of the Tailed Beast.
Now that this mission was finally complete, the stone in Elder Genji's heart finally fell.
However, as if thinking of something, even as he watched this Tailed Beast succumb beneath their feet, Elder Genji, as one of Hidden Mist's leaders, did not show a relaxed expression, merely gazing quietly into the distance.
In a short while, the Sealing Squad and Anbu Ninja returned from the sea, bringing Yagura Karatachi, who was shirtless, with a faint sealing mark visible on his abdomen.
Although he had just gone through a major battle, whether it was because Isobu had been exhausted or because he had been replenished with Tailed Beast Chakra, Yagura Karatachi, despite his small stature, still appeared as vigorous as a dragon and a tiger.
Upon arriving before Elder Genji, he knelt on one knee and said solemnly:
"Elder Genji, I have not failed your trust."
"Yagura, you've done very well."
Seeing this, a slow smile appeared on Elder Genji's aged face, and he calmly said, "Can your body still bear it?"
"It's fine."
Although Yagura Karatachi still looked like a twelve or thirteen-year-old child, a Ninja's physical constitution cannot be simply judged by size.
Elder Genji nodded slightly, then said, "Then let's take a walk with this old monk."
"Yes."
The Ninja behind them naturally understood that this was a secret matter to be discussed between the higher-ups and had no intention of following uninvited.
The old and the young, just like that, slowly strolled along the coast of this small island in the easternmost part of the Land of Water.
"From now on, as the Third Jinchuriki, you will be one of the pillars of Hidden Mist Village."
"Genma, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, should still have a few years left in his life, but his age and body are no longer sufficient to undertake various missions in the Ninja World. All the remaining matters, big and small, will depend on how you handle them."
Elder Genji's voice was casual, but Yagura Karatachi consistently maintained the demeanor of an obedient junior, not allowing any extraneous thoughts to arise from these words. He calmly said:
"This subordinate is still young. If the various affairs of the Village were not managed by Elder Genji and Lord Third, this subordinate would probably not know the way forward."
"Even the opportunity Elder Genji granted this subordinate today to become a Jinchuriki is enough for Yagura to engrave in his heart."
"Haha, there's no need to be so serious."
Elder Genji turned to look at him, like a kind and gentle elder: "The opportunity to become a Jinchuriki is something you earned yourself. What does it have to do with this old monk?"
"Furthermore, among the young Ninja of this generation in the Village, you are probably the only one with the greatest chance of becoming a perfect Jinchuriki."
Yagura Karatachi lowered his head slightly, saying nothing.
In reality, this was indeed the case.
Ever since he received intelligence about the appearance of Three-Tails Isobu from Sawara Kiri a few days ago, along with the order for him to become the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, he had been busy with matters related to this.
Now that his wish had finally come true, he did not feel much joy.
The gap was still too great.
He didn't know if the shadow Sawara Kiri cast on him was too profound, or if his battle achievements and prestige were too terrifying.
Even after becoming the Three-Tails Jinchuriki and roughly sensing the total amount of Chakra in his body, Yagura Karatachi couldn't think of any opportunity to escape 'That Person's clutches.
In fact, after a direct confrontation with Three-Tails Isobu, he realized that a Tailed Beast was nothing more than that. Aside from its slightly larger size and Chakra, it was merely a beast with a bit of intelligence.
The seals and traps that had failed to affect Sawara Kiri earlier had all fallen upon this unlucky turtle.
It was precisely because of this that he was able to navigate this battle with ease and win effortlessly.
However, these words certainly couldn't be explained to Elder Genji.
So, Yagura Karatachi simply listened quietly.
Seeing this, Elder Genji didn't say much either, merely chuckled twice and changed the subject: "A few days ago, news came from the continent that the Land of Fire had annexed Roran and established a military base in the center of Roran's capital, which led Ōnoki and Hanzō to bring their armies to the border and confront Konoha. Are you aware of this?"
"Yes."
Yagura Karatachi recalled, nodding slightly: "I heard that even the traitor Sawara Kiri was dispatched, and with his strength alone, he suppressed the two countries, preventing them from moving, until they each retreated a week ago."
"The rise of the Land of Fire may now be unstoppable."
"Indeed…"
Elder Genji's voice seemed to carry a hint of emotion, and he sighed: "The last time I saw such power was during the era of the First Hokage. The two individuals of that era were also like him, one person worth ten thousand."
"Simply like a god."
"Letting such a promising talent go was the most unprofitable business Hidden Mist Village has ever done."
Yagura Karatachi did not respond.
The most unprofitable business?
That's not necessarily true.
As Elder Genji spoke, he suddenly turned to look at him: "Tell me, in the future, what should Hidden Mist do in the face of Sawara Kiri?"
"..."
Yagura Karatachi was startled by the question. He instinctively looked up, meeting Elder Genji's eyes, which were as still as a deep pool, and his voice faltered.
After a pause, he finally said, "This subordinate will certainly protect Hidden Mist completely, until the moment of his death."
"Ah."
However, Elder Genji did not seem pleased with this answer. Instead, he gently waved his hand and calmly said, "From the Sengoku period to the Ninja Village era, it has only been forty years. The tribal wars and chaotic feuds before that lasted for a thousand years, and didn't they all perish? When Hidden Mist was founded, I was still a young lad. I saw so many elders who were unwilling to integrate their families into the Village back then."
"But what was the result?"
"No matter how unwilling, no matter how much internal conflict escalated, weren't they ultimately enveloped within the collective of the Ninja Village?"
"A tree that moves dies, a person that moves lives."
"Some trends are beyond the power of mortals to reverse."
"The future is also like this."
Listening to these words, Yagura Karatachi's body seemed to stiffen.
Although he felt suspicious, he also felt that the things he had done should not have been discovered. Still, he bit the bullet and replied, "Your meaning is?"
Elder Genji looked at him gently, his gaze deep and serene: "Yagura, that you can truly put yourself in the shoes of the villagers and make two-pronged preparations, this is the spirit a Mizukage should possess."
"You've done very well."
"..."
When Yagura Karatachi heard him speak to this extent, his heart instantly turned cold, yet it was as if he saw a glimmer of light in the darkness. However, he dared not speak, merely pursing his lips tightly:
"This subordinate truly does not know which matter you are referring to..."
"It doesn't matter."
Elder Genji and Yagura Karatachi's quiet conversation gradually faded, drowned out by the sea breeze and the lingering waves, their voices no longer heard.
Although the Land of Fire's annexation of Roran was a minor incident, it still caused a considerable stir throughout the Ninja World, leading to widespread public discussion.
However, within Konoha Village, it was more of a storm in a teacup.
Most Konoha villagers had no real sense of their country annexing a small country, or rather, a small city, that bordered their territory.
The ones who suddenly became busy, however, were the newly established Konoha Research Department and the Anbu.
Various personnel constantly moved in and out of the Hokage Building. Hundreds of research proposals, solely revolving around the 'Humanity Preservation Institution' and the 'Near-Future Spatial-Temporal Lens,' were listed in one go and placed on the Hokage's desk.
Only at such times did Tsunade feel grateful that she hadn't been pushed into the position of Hokage by that brat's influence. Most of the tasks were thrown to Orochimaru to handle—he, on the other hand, seemed to revel in it.
Most of the border troops had been recalled, and even Sawara Kiri, who had been at the forefront, had received a recall order.
Minor skirmishes were not enough to reignite the next round of war among the nations, which had been severely battered in the Second Shinobi World War. Both the recuperation of their populations and the covert preparations and research required a great deal of time.
Once she had some free time, Tsunade naturally abandoned her duties and wandered around the Village on her own.
It was already nearing summer, and the weather was gradually becoming hot. The clothes of men, women, and children on the streets became much lighter, and looking down the entire street, there were pale, taut thighs everywhere.
However, Tsunade was not in the mood to look at these things. She simply ambled along the street by herself.
Her own clothes were also shorter. She wore a light-colored haori over her shoulders, with only a close-fitting short-sleeved top and long pants underneath. The ice-silk lining clung tightly to her body, outlining her ample curves, and the tight, special fabric subtly revealed traces of the inner layers. However, all the beautiful scenery was covered by the wide haori. In her hand, she hooked a bottle of rice wine, strolling leisurely through the Village like a common street loafer.
After the great war, Konoha, under the comprehensive reforms of people like them, had become much more prosperous than before.
The street she was currently on precisely divided Konoha's old and new districts, appearing like a straight line from top to bottom, delineating the past and future.
Several large buildings on the edge of the new city had already been erected, standing like an indestructible mountain range to the west when one looked up, casting large shadows that provided coolness.
However, at this moment, Tsunade's face was full of worry, and she was drinking sake in sips.
The only thing that could bother her so much was, naturally, that brat's matter.
Ever since Sawara Kiri and his group returned from their mission in Roran, everyone had submitted their mission reports, detailing what had happened in Roran.
Other things, like Anrokuzan, were fine. People who could travel through time from the future were not too surprising.
However, the extraterrestrial enemy that would descend from the sky in the near future, and Sawara Kiri's future death, had truly shocked her—there were such monsters?
What worried her even more was another point.
Orochimaru stated in the mission report that Sawara Kiri had used a never-before-seen Kekkei Genkai ability similar to the Shikotsumyaku of the Kaguya Clan of Hidden Mist Village.
"Shikotsumyaku, huh…"
Tsunade sipped her sake, murmuring softly.
In fact, as early as when Sawara Kiri first rose to prominence, they had already discovered the unusual aspects of this young man—whether it was his talent, which could be hidden for many years, or his supe learning ability, both were quite fatal flaws for a Ninja.
It was just that when Sarutobi Hiruzen was around, he was confident he could suppress the other party.
After he became a vegetable, Sawara Kiri directly suppressed all external public opinion with the speed of a cannonball taking off.
Even now, he could suppress a country alone, completely becoming the strongest and most crucial pillar of Konoha Village.
Orochimaru only mentioned this in the mission report precisely because of this point.
What right did Konoha Village have to point fingers at someone who had always protected it?
Forget about interrogation, no one even brought it up.
This was the benefit of strength.
However, while others could pretend this matter didn't exist, Tsunade, as one of the acting Hokage and the high-ranking official with the closest relationship to Sawara Kiri, could not remain ignorant.
She had been worried about this for many days.
Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly heard a greeting from afar:
"Lady Tsunade?"
She looked up and saw the three young members of Sawara Squad sitting at a roadside ramen stall, waving in her direction.
Tsunade's steps paused, her expression changed, returning to her usual casual, lazy demeanor, and she stepped towards them:
"Oh, you're back already?"
"That was quite fast."
Sawara Kiri smiled: "That's all thanks to Minato's Flying Thunder God. Otherwise, just the journey would have taken ten or eight days."
"Lady Tsunade, have you had lunch yet? Would you like to join us?"
Tsunade was also looking for an opportunity to talk to him. She boldly squeezed Minato aside and sat down confidently in his spot, speaking to the shop owner inside:
"Large pork bone ramen, everything, and an extra serving of bamboo shoots."
"Hey!"
Sawara Kiri noticed her action, but before he could say anything, Megumi on the other side had already cast a cold, dark gaze at her, then subconsciously glanced at the dirty thing placed directly on the table, her eyes filled with disdain.
Tsunade was still holding the sake. She glanced at Megumi, then said, "You all worked hard on this mission. This meal is on me today."
Namikaze Minato saw her demeanor and knew she had something to say to Kiri-kun, so he obediently moved to a further seat, not saying a word.
Sawara Kiri naturally realized this and instinctively looked at her, asking in confusion:
"Lady Tsunade... did you finally win money?"
"What kind of talk is that?!"
Tsunade was fine when other things were mentioned, but when gambling was brought up, her temper flared instantly—she hadn't even had time to go today!
However, it seemed she realized there were other questions to ask, so she reluctantly suppressed her temper and turned to look at him:
"Let's not talk about gambling for now."
"Kiri, shouldn't you explain something else first?"
Hearing her words, Sawara Kiri immediately understood.
Tsunade's gaze had been practically a straight line on him for days, and it was quite difficult for her to wait until now to ask. However, he still said with a smile:
"Which matter does Lady Tsunade wish me to explain?"
"Which other matter?" Tsunade's gaze couldn't help but falter. "Of course, it's about that bone Ninjutsu you used in Roran. What exactly is going on?"
"I'm telling you, those old guys in the archives department have been turning my office upside down over this matter, constantly urging me to come find you."
"Even if we all know what kind of person you are, if we want to suppress this for you, we still need an excuse, you brat, you really don't let people—"
"Actually, I am a Hidden Mist spy."
Just as she was rambling and complaining, her voice suddenly faltered.
She turned to look at Sawara Kiri.
Everyone present was stunned, quietly looking at him.
Only Sawara Kiri remained calm, as if he was talking about something trivial.
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