The next day, everyone from Hidden Mist arrived at the Military Police Force.
Yuuki also gathered the Ninja from Konoha, holding a large meeting.
After a brief introduction of the Ninja from both sides, Yuuki gave them time to get to know each other.
Indeed, some people are destined to have a fated connection; even if the plot is utterly shattered, they can still meet.
For example, the two masked men.
They noticed each other immediately, scrutinizing each other as if trying to see the hidden faces beneath their masks.
Neither of them was particularly talkative; they just stared at each other without any intention of speaking.
Yet, within their minds, various dramas were playing out.
This bandaged man, I've heard of him before, but wasn't he being chased all over by the Hidden Mist Anbu? Is this it? Is he the powerful Ninja that Captain Yuuki said was close to surpassing him?
Kakashi's feelings towards Yuuki were very complex; although he was used by Yuuki during the Root annihilation incident, he didn't hold any ill will after calming down.
He even felt somewhat grateful that Yuuki gave him an opportunity, an opportunity to understand the truth.
Later, after witnessing Yuuki's power on the Hidden Mist Battlefield, Kakashi, who was younger than Yuuki but occasionally felt like his teacher Minato, couldn't say he worshipped Yuuki, but he certainly respected him.
Therefore, seeing Zabuza, whom Yuuki personally acknowledged as having strength close to his own, Kakashi couldn't help but wonder if Yuuki was deceived by his fierce appearance.
After all, with no eyebrows and a masked face, he looked a bit scary no matter how you saw it.
Zabuza, looking at Kakashi's extremely arrogant and mocking hairstyle, was equally puzzled.
Although he had heard of the 'Copy Ninja' before, wasn't he just a rather outstanding Elite Jonin from Konoha?
This kind of character, apart from his outwardly arrogant demeanor, was actually vulnerable.
He didn't know how many seemingly strong but actually weak individuals had died by his hand.
This guy, with only his white hair being somewhat striking and the rest of him unremarkable, was he the one Lord Yuuki said had utilized the Sharingan better than Yuuki himself?
He couldn't help but feel that Lord Yuuki had been fooled by his arrogant appearance.
After all, with only a small part of his skin exposed around one eye, he did look quite intimidating.
Kakashi and Zabuza were both full of internal monologues, and miraculously, they both came to a common conclusion.
We must find an opportunity to test this guy's strength!
And Hohzuki Mangetsu and Uchiha Itachi naturally noticed each other immediately.
Among a large group of people who were at least 175cm tall, it would be strange if these two little squirts didn't attract attention.
Itachi looked at Mangetsu, who was slightly taller than him.
Joining this team at such a young age, was he also burdened with some special mission?
From the occasional mention of Lady Mei Terumī by the Kirigakure Ninja, Itachi felt that Mei Terumī might be like Yuuki, causing chaos in Hidden Mist for her own reputation.
It was said that the Terumī clan was one of the few great clans in Hidden Mist; indeed, no matter where, such narrow-minded Ninja existed.
Itachi looked at Mangetsu with a mix of recognition and sympathy; this was a Ninja, like himself, bearing a heavy burden in the darkness.
Mangetsu looked at Itachi, who was even younger than him in the team.
Was this the genius of the Uchiha Clan he had heard about before, personally recommended by Lord Yuuki?
Alas, indeed, as a genius, one must bear too much; if it weren't for Suigetsu's peaceful growth, Mangetsu would never have revealed his talent too early.
After all, the harsh training of the Hohzuki family, in order to reclaim the Mizukage position, was something that even adults might not be able to endure, let alone children.
Konoha was said to have been founded jointly by the Senju and Uchiha, yet no Hokage from the Uchiha Clan had ever been born.
Such obvious tear troughs at such a young age, he must often cry alone late at night.
Perhaps the Uchiha Clan's training was even more brutal than the Hohzuki family's; he wondered why he persisted.
Mangetsu looked at Itachi with a similar mix of recognition and sympathy; this was a young man, like himself, bearing the hopes of his clan.
The two looked at each other, both finding recognition and a fleeting moment of sympathy in the other's eyes.
I was right after all, perhaps we can communicate more in the future.
Kisame, on the other hand, stood quietly alone, pondering something.
He knew this unit was for chasing the mysterious person, but Kisame had met that mysterious person before departing.
The mysterious person called himself Uchiha Madara; Kisame found it absurd, yet also felt it was reasonable.
After all, only the legendary Uchiha Madara could have controlled the Mizukage for so many years without being discovered.
Perhaps Madara's reputation was too great, or perhaps Kisame had grown weary of the world; Kisame did not seek assistance but silently watched Obito.
Then Obito used his clumsy Nature Transformation, perhaps it was the mutual attraction between chuunibyo, or perhaps the added buff of the name Madara.
Kisame believed Obito's nonsense and from then on became a warrior who fought for a beautiful new world without betrayal.
Compared to this absurd world, the world Mr. Madara described was truly desirable.
Kisame saw Yuuki for the first time, who was said to be able to harm Mr. Madara and also made Yagura and Mei Terumī somewhat fearful.
However, Yuuki gave Kisame a feeling of such reassurance; that brilliant smile seemed to dispel the gloom in Kisame's heart.
But it was such a person who could make Hidden Mist fearful, Kumogakure wary, and Mr. Madara cautious.
This world was truly too absurd; the world in his dreams must be beautiful.
Kisame also glanced at Itachi, whom Obito had specifically instructed him to watch; apart from being a bit prematurely mature.
Kisame found nothing particularly special about Itachi, yet he managed to attract Mr. Madara's attention.
However, since it was a mission, he would just carry it out well; Mr. Madara must have his own intentions.
Most of the other Ninja were boasting about various deeds, and the topic quickly shifted to mutual one-upmanship.
Each recounted the power of their respective groups.
Kirigakure Ninja: We underwent brutal training from a young age; our Ninja quality is far superior to yours!
Konoha Ninja: We have Lord Yuuki!
Kirigakure Ninja: Our Hidden Mist has unique Hidden Mist Nature Transformation, which once made you Konoha suffer greatly on the Battlefield.
Konoha Ninja: We have Lord Yuuki!
Kirigakure Ninja: Our Lord Yagura is a perfect Jinchuriki; one person can destroy a nation.
Konoha Ninja: We have Lord Yuuki!
Kirigakure Ninja: Damn it, aren't you Konoha supposed to have everything? Why can't you say something else?
Konoha Ninja: We do have everything, but we have Lord Yuuki, what else do we need?
Kirigakure Ninja: ...
Immediately, the Kirigakure Ninja quickly changed the topic, no longer dwelling on that issue.
Yuuki returned shortly after, looking at the lively atmosphere.
"Very good, it seems everyone is getting along very harmoniously!"
Yuuki said insincerely with a beaming smile.
As soon as his words fell, everyone quieted down; indeed, they were all elites from both villages, their strength was hard to judge, but their discipline was quite good.
"Alright, the fun times are always short; we're about to go on a mission, now, line up!"
As soon as Yuuki spoke, the Konoha and Kirigakure Ninja instantly formed two distinct lines, and Yuuki did not specifically correct them.
"Very good, then, let's go!"
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The story doesn't end here 😉 The next chapter is already up on Patreon, you can read it here: [patreon.com/TripleCrown07]