Until the Kirigakure negotiation delegation actually arrived in Konoha, Black Zetsu still hadn't found a chance to meet with Mizushiro. As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Mizushiro bore responsibility for security. And according to Biwa Jūzō's arrangement, the six Swordsmen were split into three pairs, two per team, traveling together.
This way, they could rotate shifts without having every member on high alert at all times.
Although—
With Minato's squad escorting them, in theory there was no need to worry about encountering trouble on the Land of Fire's soil. Even if something strange did happen, the Yellow Flash of Konoha could handle it with ease. But that didn't mean they could entrust their safety entirely to Konoha. Their own vigilance and precautions were absolutely necessary.
So—
After weighing things carefully, Biwa Jūzō teamed up with Ringo Ameyuri; Hōzuki Mangetsu paired with Momochi Zabuza.
As for Mizushiro—
He was assigned to a team with Kyoichi.
The assignment fully considered the strength and personalities of each member, ensuring each group remained balanced.
But it was precisely this careful arrangement that created trouble for Mizushiro.
Kyoichi being an excellent sensory ninja was no secret. Because of that, even though Mizushiro had long noticed the markings Black Zetsu left behind, he never once attempted to sneak off using an excuse like "going to the bathroom." From beginning to end, he matched Kyoichi's pace flawlessly.
What he feared most was making contact with Black Zetsu only for Kyoichi to sense it—ruining everything.
If it were anyone else,
Mizushiro was confident he could quietly eliminate them and temporarily replace them with another White Zetsu clone.
But Kyoichi… was strong.
He had no confidence he could defeat him in a fight.
Therefore—
Rather than risking an attempted meeting, he chose to behave, lay low, and keep waiting. There was no rush. If things ever escalated to the point where he, this chess piece, was required, Black Zetsu would absolutely find a way to reach him.
And so—
The group traveled smoothly and without obstruction, arriving at Konoha Village.
"...So this is Konoha, huh."
Oniyuzu Anjō stood at the village gate, staring fixedly at the largest shinobi village in the world. In his eyes swirled a mix of envy, disdain, and other emotions too tangled to untangle.
It wasn't just him.
Even Kyoichi and the rest of the Kirigakure shinobi stared unblinkingly at the village so unlike Kirigakure or Iwagakure.
This was everyone's first time in Konoha.
"So many people…"
Ringo Ameyuri widened her eyes at the long line of civilians filing in and out of the gate.
It slipped out of her mouth instinctively.
Konoha hadn't issued any travel restrictions for the visiting delegation. The line of residents waiting to be inspected stretched all the way out the gate. Such a scene… was impossible in Kirigakure. Kirigakure's population was nowhere near comparable to Konoha's, and the village had nowhere near this level of attraction to outsiders.
"It's so lively."
"I wonder when our Kirigakure will look like this…"
"That won't be easy."
The self-proclaimed "negotiation experts" behind Anjō murmured among themselves.
At that moment—
"Looks messy to me. Not even a bit of aesthetic sense."
Momochi Zabuza said with a sharp, cutting tone.
These words—
Fell clearly into the ears of Minato's team. Minato himself kept a calm expression; he didn't get angry at the brat's remark. It wasn't that he didn't care—he just wasn't about to get into an argument with a hot-headed kid, especially with his students following him.
"Hey! What did you just say?"
Obito glared at Zabuza.
"I only stated the truth…"
"Zabuza."
Before the rebellious brat could spout something even more offensive, Anjō Oniyuzu barked sharply,
"You insolent brat! Apologize!"
"Elder Anjō, what exactly did I say wrong?"
Zabuza met Anjō's glare head-on, completely unafraid.
"You little—!"
Anjō nearly fainted from anger. Rebellious Swordsmen were nothing new—the previous generation wasn't obedient to anyone except the Mizukage. But even they weren't disrespectful from the very beginning. Their attitude had been shaped after joining the group and being indulged by the Mizukage.
But Zabuza?
This brat had only just joined the Seven Swordsmen. He barely even knew the Mizukage personally. How did he already develop this insolent attitude?
"Zabuza, your earlier words were inappropriate. It's better if you listen to Elder Anjō and apologize. If you refuse…"
Kyoichi's calm voice slid into Zabuza's ear,
"…then to prevent your recklessness from jeopardizing our mission, I'll have no choice but to use force."
"Kyoichi, are you threatening me?"
Zabuza's eyes turned sharp and hostile.
Others might fear Kyoichi,
But he did not.
He was a man destined to become the next Mizukage.
"It's a threat—but it's not just from me. If you refuse…"
Kyoichi's gaze didn't waver,
"…then at Elder Anjō's command, all of us will take you down."
Truthfully—
Kyoichi hadn't expected a mess like this.
But thinking it through, it wasn't surprising. Zabuza wasn't yet the rogue shinobi he would one day become after enduring the tyrannical rule of the Fourth Mizukage. He already had the title of "Demon"—a testament to his cold ruthlessness.
But in reality—
Zabuza was someone who was cold outside, warm inside.
He looked merciless only because he had given all his emotions to his village.
So when he heard others praising Konoha while implicitly belittling Kirigakure, he immediately got annoyed and lashed out. It was simply youthful impulse. He had not yet become the fully-formed "Demon" he would one day be.
"Zabuza, don't act like you're being wronged. You were the one who mouthed off first."
Hōzuki Mangetsu shot him a cold look.
"I don't like those idiots behind Elder Anjō either, but that's no excuse for you to spout nonsense. What you're doing is jeopardizing the mission."
Biwa Jūzō, Ringo Ameyuri, and Mizushiro also turned their eyes toward Zabuza—
Their posture making it clear:
If Elder Anjō gave the word, they would all rush in and subdue him immediately.
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