Kisame Hoshigaki Successfully Recruited

"I wonder what you wish to ask of me?"

"Someone like me can help you?" Kisame Hoshigaki's shark-like face twisted as he grinned.

"Silent Skill Array!"

Ye Liangnai rapidly formed Hand Seals, creating a barrier that enveloped the two of them.

Kisame Hoshigaki immediately placed a hand on the sword behind his back, staring at Ye Liangnai with extreme vigilance. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Heh, no need to be so tense. I'm not here to fight!"

Ye Liangnai smiled and gestured for Kisame Hoshigaki to relax.

Then, he voluntarily took several steps back to show that he meant no harm before saying, "Don't you think Kirigakure as it is now is terribly hypocritical?"

"A companion fighting beside you one moment becomes the murderer who kills you the next!"

"This kind of Kirigakure is suffocating and despairing. It doesn't feel real at all, and it gives people no sense of security whatsoever!"

Kisame Hoshigaki was clearly taken aback by those words.

Then, he slowly narrowed his eyes and grinned. "So what if it is hypocritical? Hasn't it existed like this for all these years?"

"So what exactly is your purpose in saying this today? Hurry up. You don't have much time—there are too many eyes and ears in the Anbu!"

Ye Liangnai smiled. There's a chance. He said, "I intend to unite like-minded people to change Kirigakure and shatter this hypocritical reality."

"To build a Kirigakure where people can truly feel that life is real, where rewards and punishments are clear, conflicts are settled, and the people can live and work in peace."

"Kisame Hoshigaki, I need your strength. Are you willing to join me?"

Hearing this, Kisame Hoshigaki let out a low laugh, killing intent blazing in his eyes. "Aren't you afraid I'll expose your plan and leave you without even a place to be buried?"

"This is treason. Even if I kill you on the spot, there would be no problem at all!"

Ye Liangnai laughed as well. Then he said, "No, I believe you won't do that!"

"If you ask why, it's because you're Kisame Hoshigaki—a man of ambition unwilling to let his hands be stained with the blood of his comrades!"

Those words clearly struck Kisame Hoshigaki where it hurt, and he fell silent for a rare moment.

After quite a while, he finally said, "Then let me see whether you have the ability to accomplish what you said today!"

"If you cannot, I will personally cut off your head and soothe the hatred in my heart!"

Ye Liangnai replied confidently, "Since I dared to say it, I naturally have the confidence to do it! Welcome aboard, Kisame Hoshigaki!"

But though he appeared so calm and confident on the surface, he was actually very nervous inside.

His hands were sweating as though they had been soaked in water, which was proof enough.

Kisame Hoshigaki saw this but did not expose him. Instead, he asked, "When do we act?"

"Soon. Just wait for my signal! Before then, become as strong as you can!"

After saying that, Ye Liangnai removed the barrier. Just then, a squad of Anbu passed by!

His timing was exceptionally precise, without the slightest flaw.

"What are you two doing here? Sneaking around like this!"

The Anbu stared at Ye Liangnai and Kisame Hoshigaki as they questioned them.

"I was asking Senior Kisame Hoshigaki for advice about codes."

"I heard he has considerable experience in that area, so I thought he might be able to help me!"

Ye Liangnai casually made up an answer, his face not reddening and his heart not racing in the slightest.

"Oh, so it's Ye Liangnai!"

The two Anbu came a little closer before recognizing Ye Liangnai.

Then they said, "Then you should study properly under Kisame Hoshigaki. He's the most capable person in the code unit!"

With that, they left without harboring any suspicion.

Ye Liangnai could not help but breathe a sigh of relief, then continued his training journey.

However, during his breaks after training, Ye Liangnai could not help but sigh with emotion.

He had originally planned to use this period to earn enough Enhancement Points and raise his strength to the jonin level.

Then, he would recruit everyone in the village whom he believed could be recruited and wait for an opportunity to overthrow the Fourth Mizukage's rule.

But just as the saying went, plans could never keep up with changes!

The mission to infiltrate Kumogakure had come far too suddenly.

It disrupted all of his arrangements.

The next day, Mizukage's Office!

"Ye Liangnai, your identity upon entering Kumogakure will be Kira, a B-rank rogue ninja who could no longer endure Kirigakure's high-pressure policies and failed in an attempt to assassinate the Mizukage!"

"To make it convincing and prevent the Cloud Ninja from becoming suspicious, I will arrange for the Anbu to truly hunt you down in a life-or-death pursuit. You must prepare yourself mentally!"

"And adjusting your combat style for this mission by learning Lightning Release ninjutsu is a very good idea. It deserves praise!"

"Remember, the mission will last half a year. Record every piece of information you can access."

"When you return, I will grant you the position of a Kirigakure jonin!"

Hearing this, Ye Liangnai nodded and followed Mei Terumi away to alter his appearance.

Otherwise, he would definitely be exposed!

As for Yagura's promise, he did not take it too seriously.

A jonin position? Others might yearn for it, but he did not!

Anbu!

Altering one's appearance was a boring, lengthy, and somewhat painful process.

After all, changing from one person into another was no easy task.

Time slowly passed.

Two hours later!

Looking at himself in the mirror, Ye Liangnai could barely recognize himself.

Short silver-white hair, azure-blue eyes, a resolute and mature face, and a deep, heavy voice.

If no one said this was Ye Liangnai, no one would be able to recognize him.

The only thing that had not changed was perhaps his height.

Fortunately, Ye Liangnai was rather tall. At twelve years old, he had the height of a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old.

"Not bad. You really do look the part!"

Mei Terumi looked Ye Liangnai over and commented critically.

Then, Ye Liangnai was pulled by Mei Terumi to a certain training ground.

"As a test before your departure, let me see what you gained from studying under the Great Elder."

"That way, I'll know what to expect and can handle other matters more effectively!" Mei Terumi said, taking up a fighting stance.

Ye Liangnai did not refuse Mei Terumi's test.

He also wanted to see what level of strength he could display with this set of skills that had not been enhanced.

"Then here I come. Be careful, Sis!"

The combat style brought by the title White Cold Light consisted of powerful Mist Concealment Technique, formidable Water Wall Technique defenses, unpredictable Water Clones, and sharp swordsmanship.

But swordsmanship remained fundamentally the same despite its countless variations. Even if people knew its name, it would not arouse much suspicion.

"Three-Talent Flash!"

Three sharp flashes of cold light closed in on Mei Terumi from three different directions at tremendous speed.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Although Mei Terumi's Taijutsu was not outstanding compared to others of the same level, it was still more than enough to deal with Ye Liangnai.

All three flashes of cold light shattered, and Ye Liangnai was sent flying backward.