A Better Idea

"How?"

The old man stared at Katsuki, awaiting his answer.

"Kaguya Clan Head, I think I have a better idea than a vague promise," Katsuki said thoughtfully.

The light in the old man's eyes dimmed instantly.

He didn't believe the better idea that Katsuki mentioned, thinking it was just an excuse for Katsuki to avoid agreeing to his unreasonable demands.

Looking at the old man whose energy and spirit had suddenly waned, Katsuki shook her head helplessly.

"Kaguya Clan Head, I'm not joking with you, nor am I making excuses. I do have an idea that I need to discuss with you. From my perspective, this idea is far more valuable than a promise that's only used up once. I think you can listen to it before you're disappointed. If you're not satisfied, I can still keep my promise," Katsuki said in a deep voice.

"..." The old man narrowed his eyes, his emerald green pupils retaining their sharpness despite the passage of time, and now possessing a touch more shrewdness. "Oh, then this old man is all ears."

A cool breeze blew in from outside, making the pages of the book rustle as it turned.

"What does Kaguya Clan Head think of the current situation in the Land of Water?" Katsuki asked, pressing down on the document in front of her.

"... Internal strife, endless internal strife," the old man replied.

"I've reviewed this intelligence." Katsuki flicked a stack of documents with her finger. "I also gathered some information in Hachinohe Town, which gave me a basic understanding of the Land of Water. Since the Second Mizukage's sacrifice and the Third Mizukage's ascension, the Land of Water has been embroiled in endless internal strife. It's not that the Third Mizukage was incompetent, but rather that the hidden dangers sown at the very beginning of Kirigakure's establishment have finally erupted... I'm sure Kaguya Clan Head understands what I'm talking about."

The old man remained silent.

Katsuki didn't seem to care and continued, "This hidden danger is the conflict between Kekkei Genkai users and ordinary people. I don't know when it started, but Kekkei Genkai users were demonized, becoming monsters in the eyes of ordinary people. To emphasize, 'monster' here is a derogatory term. In short, gradually, the relationship between the two was severed. This situation worsened as the Second Mizukage and many powerful members of Kekkei Genkai families perished on the battlefield, causing a significant decline in the strength of these families. The conflict erupted at this time..."

"Isn't that right, Kaguya Clan Head?"

"That's right... Kekkei Genkai clan are being targeted by hostility, not just the Kekkei Genkai clan of Kirigakure, but also independent ninja clans like our Kaguya Clan and the Yuki Clan. Actually, the situation within the ninja villages is better; no matter how strict Kirigakure, they are still our own people. It is us independent clans who are suffering..." The old man's face showed a sad smile.

"This war with Kirigakure is partly due to the fact that the youngest son of the Water Daimyo wants to seize the throne. Since Kirigakure supports the Water Daimyo son, they are trying to win over independent families like ours to serve him, promising that once he takes power, we can form a new Kirigakure..."

The old man started talking non-stop, as if he had just opened a floodgate.

"In short, the rise of commoner ninjas has inevitably threatened the status of Kekkei Genkai clan. The sharp conflict between bloodline clan members and ordinary people in the Land of Water has made them irreconcilable. Other countries are also facing the rise of commoner ninjas, but the peaceful environment has allowed them to coexist peacefully, and so far no major problems have broken out." Katsuki gave the old man a summary.

"Indeed... that's certainly true, a very insightful summary," the old man said.

"So, what I want to say is, since the environment in the Land of Water is so harsh, why cling to this big tree? There are still many ways out," Katsuki said slowly.

"Huh!? What do you mean?"

The old man squinted, his sharp gaze seemingly trying to see through Katsuki's thoughts.

"Change jobs. The benefits in the Land of Water are too poor. Without social security and housing fund, it's impossible to work there. How about coming to the Land of Fire? The benefits in Konoha are much better than in the Land of Water." Katsuki extended an olive branch.

The old man stared wide-eyed, looking as if he had seen a ghost.

"Are you joking, sir? I've never heard of any ninja village accepting missing-nin from another country. Your example from the Land of Whirlpools doesn't count. Everyone knows you and Konoha are in cahoots, practically family. Our Kaguya Clan are residents of the Land of Water. If we were to go to Konoha, not only would Konoha not accept us, but Mist Ninja Village wouldn't be able to afford to lose face. And then it would just lead to war again..."

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Katsuki interrupted the old man's long speech.

"Kaguya Clan Head, you've got something wrong, haven't you?"

"What?"

"Don't lump you together with Kirigakure, okay? Sure, no ninja village would take in missing-nin, but I already said you're missing-nin! You're not even Mist Ninja, okay? How are you considered missing-nin? Aren't you an independent clan? To be honest, if it weren't for your ability to use Chakra, you'd just be ordinary people, um... to be precise, wandering ninjas?" Katsuki questioned him bluntly.

"Huh--!?"

The old man was stunned. Katsuki's words were like a resounding bell, making his head spin.

Not everyone who can use Chakra is a ninja. To be considered a ninja, one must be registered in a legitimate ninja village. Strictly speaking, ninjas who do not come from a legitimate organization are not qualified to be called ninjas. This is where the term "wandering ninja" comes from.

These ninja clans, independent of the ninja villages, are technically also wandering ninjas. However, compared to those loose and chaotic groups, these informal organizations, bound by blood ties, are obviously more resilient. But ultimately, they are still wandering ninjas not recognized by the ninja villages.

Since they are wandering ninjas, it means they have no fixed nationality. Moreover, there is no such thing as nationality in the Shinobi World. Ordinary people don't care about the nobles, let alone flee to other countries. Anyway, there are countless ant-like commoners, and the same goes for ninja families. If one family is gone, another family will always rise up to take its place.

"As for whether Konoha will accept us, since I dare to speak up, I am confident. We will not look down on Kekkei Genkai; in fact, we welcome Kekkei Genkai families to join us. I can guarantee that." Katsuki patted his chest to assure them, completely ignoring the fact that he was just an ordinary teacher at the Ninja Academy.

"·····"

The old man's expression shifted between light and shadow as he scrutinized Katsuki's expression, trying to ascertain the reliability of her idea. He had to admit, Katsuki's idea had indeed impressed him.