Third Mizukage

Sigh...

Jiang Rui propped up his chin, his eyes lifeless and his face the picture of utter despair as he stared fixedly at the ninja crouching before him.

"Don't mind me. Let me be alone!"

The ninja crouching across from him did not know whether to laugh or cry. He turned to the expressionless work machine from earlier and said, "Vertical Shaft, help me take a look."

The other person nodded, then coldly took the form and placed it before himself.

"Come on, little guy. I'll take you to find your family." After all, he was such a cute child. Even if he was a ninja, seeing him so helpless still tugged at the heartstrings. He would take him to the administrative department and check.

At that, Jiang Rui raised his head and shot him a sideways glance.

"I don't have any family."

His tone was somewhat subdued.

"Uh..."

"My parents died. They told me to find my clansmen..."

"Is that so? How pitiful." The ninja's tone softened involuntarily. He took Jiang Rui's hand and led him into the village, asking softly, "Do you know what your clansmen are called?"

Jiang Rui blanked out for a moment, seeming to search his memories before shaking his head. "I don't know much. I only heard... they're called the Hōzuki Clan..."

"What?!"

The man holding his little hand trembled as though struck by lightning.

"The Hōzuki Clan."

Jiang Rui suppressed his laughter and put on an exceptionally innocent expression.

"Uncle, do you know where they are?"

The Hōzuki Clan.

That was the main reason Jiang Rui had set his sights on Kirigakure.

The current Water Shadow was the Hōzuki Clan's head, as well as the disciple of Second Mizukage Hozuki Gengetsu.

As long as I used the Hōzuki Clan identity and paired it with decent strength, I'd have a huge advantage!

Then I could find a chance to snatch back the Three-Tails that originally belonged to the Fourth Mizukage.

Tsk, how could I lose with a flying dragon right in their faces? Just charge in and be done with it!

Strictly speaking, the Water Transformation Technique was not a Kekkei Genkai, but it was still a hereditary ninjutsu. Though it was far weaker than a Kekkei Genkai, it was still better than something like Void Style, wasn't it?

"Water Shadow!"

"Water Shadow!!"

"Water Shadow!!!"

"Come in."

The door opened, and Jiang Rui followed a woman into the Water Shadow's... well, office.

He wore a vertically striped high-collared trench coat, with long black hair draped over his shoulders and a teal hair ornament atop his head. Simply standing there, he gave off the chill of an icy wind.

In an instant, Jiang Rui cried out inwardly.

Kuchiki Byakuya, is that you?! Is that you?!

He really looked so much like him!

"It's Ito Rei. What is it?" Standing by the window, he glanced at Jiang Rui, who was craning his neck to look around, and revealed a puzzled expression.

Smack! Ito Rei slammed the documents in her hand onto the desk and eagerly pushed Jiang Rui before the Third Mizukage.

"Jinci just came to report that he found a Hōzuki clansman who'd been left outside the village. An orphan. Hurry, Teacher, take a look and see whose illegitimate daughter..."

"Oh." The Third Mizukage froze for a moment, then turned around.

"Stop letting your imagination run wild all day. Go sign all the mission documents later."

"You're making me review documents for you again..."

"Young people need more training."

Perhaps because he did not think it was anything important, the Third Mizukage appeared quite casual. Ignoring his subordinate's protest, he turned his interested gaze toward Jiang Rui.

"Which Hōzuki family are you the orphan of?"

Jiang Rui thought for a moment before answering.

"I don't know. But before my father died, he mentioned the Hōzuki Clan."

As he said that, Jiang Rui's height slowly decreased, and his lower body gradually turned into liquid...

Ito Rei watched him curiously, while a trace of nostalgia flashed through the Third Mizukage's eyes. One hand held his other arm while the other rested before his chest.

Hmm, not the Transformation Technique. It really was the Water Transformation Technique. It even seemed to be developed somewhat further than what ordinary Hōzuki Clan members possessed. Generally speaking, most clan members could only merge with water; full water transformation was still rather difficult.

A little genius, too.

But had any Hōzuki Clan members recently been stranded outside?

That was hard to say. After all, during the First Shinobi World War, quite a few Hōzuki Clan members had deserted.

Perhaps he only had part of the bloodline.

The Third Mizukage scrutinized Jiang Rui and nodded slightly.

The golden eyes aside, the sky-blue hair did match the lineage of Kaguya Tsuki's branch. Come to think of it, he had not visited Tsuki and the others' residence in a long time...

With that thought, he nodded. "Did your parents ever tell you the name of any clansman?"

"No."

"That makes things troublesome."

The Third Mizukage turned around and looked out the window.

After all, bearing the Hōzuki Clan name did not change anything. Having some bloodline did not mean one would receive the clan's care.

Seeing him turn away in silence, Jiang Rui glanced at Ito Rei. He had to admit, this stupid woman had been completely charmed by his cuteness along the way.

She raised her fist and silently mouthed, "You can do it."

Jiang Rui nodded, looking as if he had been encouraged, and said solemnly, "Water Shadow, I do not wish to return to the Hōzuki Clan. I only want to join Mist so that I can qualify to avenge my parents."

"Oh?"

The Third Mizukage asked curiously, "Who killed your parents?"

"Ninjas. Konoha ninjas." Jiang Rui's face darkened.

At the same time, Jiang Rui felt rather speechless inside. Heaven knew he did not hate Konoha at all, but Konoha was the closest to the Land of Water's border and occupied the richest central region of the continent.

Besides, now that he had joined the Land of Water, he could basically forget about the Konoha storyline. He should just honestly farm Twist Value instead.

If he beat Konoha hard enough and ended up making them lose the war, wouldn't he strike it rich?!

"Ambitious." The Third Mizukage nodded. "Joining Kirigakure is quite simple. After all, the village often recruits wandering ninjas as well."

And he was still young, so his loyalty could slowly be cultivated.

At that moment, Paradise's prompt sounded beside Jiang Rui's ear:

"Main Quest One: Join a faction completed. Base evaluation has risen slightly."

"Additional reward obtained: Water Clone."

"Main Quest Three unlocked: Join the Mist Hidden Assassination Tactics Special Unit/Mizukage Direct Mobile Unit. Time limit: two months."

"Main Quest Two: Increase world influence or Twist Value as much as possible."

"Side Quest obtained: Become the Water Shadow. No penalty. Time limit: none."

Not bad.

The Assassination Tactics Special Unit was probably Mist's Anbu.

There was even a reward. Water Clone... If I joined Konoha, would I get a Wood Clone?

All right, it would probably be a Shadow Clone.

"Then am I a Mist ninja now?"

"Not yet. Hmm." The Third Mizukage stroked his chin. "Generally, to join a Ninja Village, one needs relatives settled in Mist, a guarantor... As for children, they must pass an assessment or be recommended by a teacher."

Although Konoha's ninja academy had already existed for more than twenty years at this point, the other Ninja Villages still trained ninjas through clans or by having High Ninjas take apprentices.

It was not until the civilian geniuses of Konoha became famous in World War II, including Jiraiya and Orochimaru, that the major Ninja Villages began to follow suit. Only then did commoners gain the opportunity to become ninjas. Even so, the final Naruto still came down to bloodlines...

Looking at Jiang Rui, the Third Mizukage's gaze swept over Ito Rei as he said:

"The first condition is not a problem. After all, you have the Hōzuki Clan identity. Hmm, you still need to choose a teacher and prove your strength and determination."