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  “Report-!!”

  “The Mist emissaries have arrived! They are currently waiting at the vilge entrance.”

  Kakashi, now an ANBU Captain’s uniform, abruptly burst into the meeting hall, dropping to one kh a serious expression. He delivered his report swiftly and cisely.

  His voice stopped Danzo, who had just stepped out of the room, in his tracks. He turned and walked baside.

  “What?! The Mist ninjas are here already?”

  Minato Namikaze shot to his feet, his expression darkening.

  He hadn’t expected the Mist emissaries to arrive before news of Konoha’s increased military spending had even spread.

  Truly… revenge is a dish best served cold, or in this case, quickly.

  Emotionally, Minato desperately hoped Gojo Kaigetsu would wi against Danzo.

  But rationally… the ces of victory were slim. Even in the best-case sario, even if Kirigakure was wary of Konoha’s power, the most they would do was temporarily tolerate them.

  Gestures of goodwill, vish gifts… uhe moon was made of cheese, Minato sidered these unrealistic.

  A pack of bloodthirsty madmen feigning tolerance? Accepting their goodwill would be an invitation for a vicious backstab.

  “Escort them to the guest reception room in the Hokage Tower.”

  After regaining his posure, Minato’s demeanor turned resolute.

  He approved of all of Gojo Kaigetsu’s as thus far. If this resulted ialiation from Kirigakure, he, as Hokage, would bear the primary responsibility.

  “Uhe leadership of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, Konoha experiehe shortest period of pea its history.” Minato repared to shoulder sufamy.

  During the Third Shinobi World War, it was Might Duy who single-handedly crippled Kirigakure’s forces. If today marked the beginning of the Fourth War, then the man to crush Kirigakure once again would be…

  A surge of adrenaline coursed through Minato. He adjusted his Hokage robes. “Bearing the title of Hokage, I will not lose.”

  Minato’s fervor seemed tagious.

  Fugaku, usually taciturn and burdened by the Uchiha name, spoke up, a rare occurrence. “Fourth Hokage… although I ot speak for the entire Uchiha , if Kirigakure dares to wage war against Konoha, I will stand by your side.”

  “We will win!”

  Fugaku’s gaze was unwavering, potent chakra brewih his calm exterior.

  If Kirigakure wanted war, they would have it!

  As a veterae Jonin of the Konoha Uchiha , since awakening his scaryly powerful eyes, he had yet to engage in a truly serious battle.

  He wondered if those madmen from Kirigakure could withstand his power.

  “…In the end, you still have no faith in me.”

  Gojo Kaigetsu chuckled wryly.

  Kirigakure hadn’t even stated their iio, and one was already shouldering the Hokage’s burden, while the other decred victory… really, they shouldn’t be throwing around such fgs so carelessly.

  Even if Kirigakure did initiate a localized flict, so what?

  These ninjas, despite their immerength, were overly cautious.

  Setting aside Jiraiya, the Third Hokage, and Danzo, who were Kage-level or near Kage-level, even Tsuh her hemophobia… Gojo Kaigetsu believed that if he were truly in mortal danger, she would overe her psychological issues.

  Even disting these remnants of the old era from Konoha’s current fighting force, just within this meeting room alohere was the “Yellow Fsh, Minato Namikaze,” the “Mangekyo Sharingan wielder, Fugaku Uchiha,” and the “Stro Ever, Gojo Kaigetsu”!

  The three of them together could easily be called the “New Era Sannin.” Aside from g a legendary ninja to bestow the title upohey practically fit the bill.

  They might not be able to defeat the Akatsuki at this stage, but taking on any single hidden vilge without Bijuu unleashed would be a piece of cake!

  Tap tap tap-

  Danzo returned, his tone sharp. “Fugaku Uchiha, the upiing with Kirigakure is the responsibility of the Konoha Elders. This is not your .”

  “Ued personnel, leave immediately.”

  Fugaku Uchiha didn’t argue.

  Regarding crucial decisioween vilges, even as the Uchiha Head and the Head of the Konoha Military Police Force, he was not qualified to participate.

  The power to decide the fate of the vilge and its s rested solely in the hands of the Hokage and the Elders.

  Fugaku silently resolved that during Kaigetsu and Minato’s era, the Uchiha must secure a seat on the Elder cil.

  These were the worst of times, yet also the best, the most hopeful of times.

  Even if he couldn’t achieve it, the exceptional new geion of Uchiha would! Itachi, Shisui, and his yet-to-be-born sed son…

  …

  …

  The leader of the Kirigakure emissaries was not Ao, the right-hand man of the Mizukage, but another fidant, Gonbee.

  Ao’s position in Kirigakure was equivalent to Shikaku Nara in Konoha, an absolute pilr of the vilge, unwavering regardless of political shifts.

  Loyal and intelligent…

  In theory, Ao would have been the ideal representative for Kirigakure in inter-vilge diplomatic affairs.

  However, at this juncture, his abilities as a ninja presented a delicate issue… His right eye was the Byakugan, taken from the Konoha Hyuga . As a gesture of goodwill, they might be asked to return it. The vilge had just lost two Kekkei Genkai users; they couldn’t afford to lose his Byakugan as well.

  Gonbee’s delegation was quite rge.

  Knowing Konoha’s nature, they deemed a sudden atta the emissaries during the meeting unlikely, so they came prepared.

  They had elite ninjas from Kirigakure’s, the Terumi , and a promising member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Zabuza Momochi…

  “Don't disgrace the pride of Kirigakure’s ninja, but don’t be overly arrogaher. After all, this time, Konoha is someone we o uh…”

  “…Learn from the barbarians to trol the barbarians. Take the younger geion to Konoha to observe. Ideally, they’ll learn the secrets of their enduring strength.” These were the Mizukage’s instrus before their departure.

  Essentially, he was sending them on a learning expedition.

  “Once we enter Konoha, mind your manners. We represent Kirigakure! Don’t embarrass the vilge.”

  Gonbee, walking at the front, instructed, “You younger ones, observe carefully. The responsibility of building a new Kirigakure will eventually fall upon your shoulders.”

  “Discard Konoha’s fws. Etch their strengths into your hearts like a brand!”

  “Do you uand?!”

  “Yes!”

  A young kunoichi from the Terumi , Mei Terumi, responded.

  "If you think the vilge is fwed, don't pin, learn to ge it!" This was her motto. She harbored a grand dream: to one day pletely eradicate the Bloody Mist, crushing any hint of its resurgence.

  Achieving this dream would be difficult, but if she became Mizukage, anything ossible! And uher vilges with their plicated political maneuvering, being Mizukage in Kirigakure required only ohing: to be the stro!

  Regardless of prior css, the stro in Kirigakure would bee the Mizukage. This was the most dired effective method of social mobility within Kirigakure.

  ‘…Konoha, sis founding fifty years ago, has always been the most powerful vilge in the shinobi world.’

  ‘If my goal is to bee the Fifth Mizukage, what I learn here?’

  Mei’s gaze hardened with resolve.

  Zabuza Momochi, a prospective member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, cked such lofty ideals.

  His hands were csped behind his head, his gaze brazen and defiant. His headband was askew, and his face was ed in bandages, perfectly fitting the Konoha stereotype of a Kirigakure ninja.

  Flippant, deli, wielding ninjutsu devoid of passion, and possessing a decidedly uncooperative mi…

  He was a terrible ninja, the antithesis of the Will of Fire.

  Unlike Mei, he felt no sense of belonging takure. In fact… if Haku hadn't already done what he inteo do, after maturing and being a Jonioo would have rebelled and fled the vilge.

  Fws or advas, it didn't matter to Zabuza. He simply wao leave Kirigakure and breathe the air of the outside world, and ially… if he could add a few powerful ninja to his kill t, honing his skills in the process, all the better.

  If you think the vilge is fwed, don’t pin, just defect!

  As for what stituted strength…

  Zabuza crossed his arms, gng sideways at the two Hyuga in guarding Konoha’s gate, poised for battle.

  ‘At least, not like those guys.’

  ‘Below Jonin, I’m invincible. Against a Jonin, it’s a one-for-orade. As for in, they’d need a Sharingan to even stand a ce against me.’

  “Yes, Hokage-sama!”

  The Hyuga ninja seemed to have received a message from the Hokage Tower through some secret teique. Standing at attention, they slowly opened Konoha’s gates for the Kirigakure delegation.

  “Wele, emissaries of Kirigakure.”

  Gonbee nodded slightly, reiterating his instrus to his subordinates in a low voice before stepping onto Konoha’s soil, leading the way.

  After walking for a short distahe se before them opened up.

  The sight of Konoha’s main street unfolded before the Kirigakure delegation.

  ‘So… so big…’ This was Mei’s first thought, her brown eyes wide with astonishment.

  Mei had read “Iki I & II,” which depicted a peaceful, civilized, and powerful Konoha. She had mentally prepared herself, but witnessing it firsthand still left her deeply shaken.

  It was like a world from a genjutsu.

  Konoha’s new ercial street bustled with activity, carriages and donkey carts stantly ing and going.

  The architectural style of the ereet was unique and elegant, a blend of various designs, perfectly bining Gojo’s aesthetics with the traditional Will of Fire style.

  The streets were and tidy, practically devoid of litter. Novel shops lined both sides, their shelves brimming with a dazzling array of goods, attrag the attention of Konoha vilgers.

  Street vendors exuded a warm and inviting atmosphere, the colorful and diverse soldier pills on their stalls emittiig aromas.

  Laughter echoed through the streets, creating a lively and bustling se.

  Drawn by the charm of the ercial street, the vilgers of Konoha seemed to revel in this prosperous and peaceful world, lingering with delight.

  Mei eechless. Her usually straight posture involuntarily slumped slightly at the sight of such prosperity.

  Living in the same cruel era of ninjas, just one year after the end of the Third Shinobi World War, how could Konoha have developed to su extent?

  Where did their vilge get the funds to build su enviro?

  Look at the roads, as if reinforced by some strah Style jutsu, the very feel underfoot different from ordinary dirt roads.

  Look at the shops lining the streets, some of which were beyond her prehension, like "Foot Massage Parlor" and "Sauna"…

  Look at those dug business. Why did those who looked like wealthy merts resemble people from the Land of Water? No, wait, their familiarity suggested they were indeed Konoha vilgers. Their ats, though peculiar, were definitely from the Land of Fire. How could this be, after just a few days? Impossible, impossible.

  This Konoha… was too advanced.

  As they walked, a sense of bewilderment washed over Mei.

  Her dream was to beizukage, end the Bloody Mist, and transform Kirigakure into a truly powerful hidden vilge.

  But… setting aside the strength of their ninjas, just looking at what was before her, what she walked upon, how many years would it take for Kirigakure, even with all its might, to catch up to this Konoha?

  Even if they fiscated all the wealth accumuted by the vilge elders feions and used it for infrastructure, it probably wouldn’t be enough.

  Workers, teology, raw materials… just thinking about it gave her a headache. To achieve what Konoha had, they would likely have to hire people from Konoha, further enrig Konoha’s coffers.

  It was a snowball effect, the gap between Kirigakure and Konoha widening with each passing day.

  ‘Unless one day, a supremely powerful ninja pletely razes this Konoha to the ground, the chasm between our vilges will remain insurmountable.’

  It wasn’t just Mei. The other Kirigakure ninjas, their initially aggressive gazes, had also softehe once audacious and bloodthirsty ninjas noeared timid aant.

  Their eyes, filled with curiosity araint, darted towards the shops lining the streets.

  It was as if, with one goo many, fashionably dressed Konoha vilgers would leap out and accuse them of being try bumpkins from Kirigakure, telling them to scurry back to their small-town backwater.

  This robably the typical rea of outsiders visiting a major city for the first time.

  Fortunately, they were Kirigakure ninja! Not mere vilgers.

  After the initial shock, they quickly adjusted, naturally accepting the grandeur of Konoha.

  So what if it was just had more shops, friendlier vilgers, sturdier roads, and a more impressive Hokage Rock…

  So what?

  Kirigakure survived without all that!

  Mei’s heart ached, the invisible burden on her shoulders feeling a little heavier.

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