Byakugan.
?
"Ao," Mei Terumi said, "I'm giving you some time off lately. Get some proper rest."
"Don't come report to me for the time being."
"Understood?"
"Or how about going to support the Ninja Academy in Kirigakure?"
"Huh?"
Ao's mouth fell open.
???
He didn't understand!
Didn't this mean... that the Mizukage was distancing herself from him?
"Lady Mizukage, did I... make some kind of mistake?"
Everyone saw Mei Terumi as the genius and hope who had ended the bloody reign of the Fourth Mizukage.
They all hoped to work together to revitalize Kirigakure. He was no exception.
But... being transferred away just like that?
"There are some things I can't conveniently explain," Mei Terumi said. "But I still trust you."
"Still, I need you to provide support at the Ninja Academy for a while."
"This is an A-rank mission!"
"Uh—"
Ao hurriedly dropped to one knee to acknowledge the order.
Because this was a mission.
But—
"Then, Lady Mizukage, how long... will I need to stay at the Ninja Academy?"
Ao asked cautiously.
He was among those who supported Mei Terumi, but he didn't want to be pushed away.
He also wanted to do something for this broken Kirigakure.
"I don't know yet. Go there for half a year first," Mei Terumi said.
"And really, don't take it to heart."
"This truly isn't me distancing myself from you."
Mei Terumi said, then seemed to remember something and hurriedly added,
"And when you see me normally, there's no need to come over and greet me."
"???????"
Ao was now completely covered in question marks.
She wouldn't even let him greet her, and she still said this wasn't distancing herself from him?
???
Ah...
Ao became deeply depressed.
But the current Mizukage was Kirigakure's hope. Everyone wanted reform, so... he couldn't become an obstacle.
After setting down the documents, Ao could only take his leave.
Then...
He didn't see the Mizukage for half a year.
"I don't have a choice either."
Mei Terumi had clearly noticed Ao's low spirits, but she merely shook her head.
Ao was loyal, and like her, he hoped Kirigakure would change.
But... Ao's left eye was a Byakugan from the Hidden Leaf Village!
She had just poked the Hidden Leaf Village's hornet's nest, and inside were the Hokage of every generation.
Ordinarily, Ao could boast that he had seized a Byakugan from the Hidden Leaf Village!
It was a medal, a battle achievement.
But...
Right now, she was weak, helpless, and pitiful.
If the Hokage in the group learned that she had someone here who had stolen a Byakugan... then... wouldn't they bully her to death?
So it was fine to be a little cowardly.
Besides, there was value in it—very great value.
Because—
[This small group will observe Kitahara Kaede for three hours every day.]
Her fingers lightly tapped against the desk.
Kitahara Kaede.
The information she had obtained through indirect inquiries indicated that he was the Hidden Leaf Village's... Wood Release wielder.
As expected of the Hidden Leaf Village.
With the First Hokage in hand, the world was theirs.
Many people said that if the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha joined forces, wouldn't it just be Susanoo-clad Buddha statues, two men wiping out the four great nations?
Then Kirigakure would have had no place at all.
But... the First Hokage was already in the group. Something so beyond ordinary had already happened, so...
Perhaps one day, Hashirama Senju himself might return to the world.
Then... her choice... really was to keep her head down for now.
Perhaps if she submitted to the Hidden Leaf Village early, they might lend her a hand in the future.
Because the First Hokage was famously ridiculously naive.
No wonder his nickname was [Hashirama Senju]. In the past, he had nearly given away the tailed beasts directly to every ninja village.
Thinking it over, Mei Terumi found her place.
She would become an inconspicuous member of the Observe Kitahara Kaede (^_-) Small Group.
After all... she was the weakest one in it.
With that thought—
At ten-thirty the next morning.
The Observe Kitahara Kaede (^_-) Small Group activated.
[Welcome, all group members, to log in.] [Today's three-hour observation of Kitahara Kaede will begin in ten minutes. Please prepare yourselves. Those who go offline will be granted new titles.]
Mei Terumi looked at the system prompts and immediately got herself ready.
She knew... it was coming!
Kitahara Kaede, was it?
Even the Hokage of every generation had to watch him together, so... what kind of person was he?
Mei Terumi was filled with curiosity.
Then she saw Kakashi Hatake, the Kidney-Deficient Hokage, leading his students as they accepted a mission to the Land of Waves.
P.S.: Brothers who send flowers and rating votes, you'll grow two centimeters tonight.
Does Water Dragon Bullet Require Hand Seals? I Don't! Part One
The Land of Waves mission was to escort old man Tazuna from the Land of Waves back to the Land of Waves.
It was merely a C-rank mission.
It didn't seem difficult.
Because it was simple, Kidney-Deficient... no, Kakashi Hatake directly led his students in accepting the mission.
The students in his class were all elites.
Sasuke had graduated as an elite Chunin, while Naruto had Adamantine Sealing Chains and was also his teacher's son. On top of that, the Chakra system that had prevented him from using ninjutsu due to the Nine-Tails' influence had now been repaired by Kitahara Kaede.
So Naruto's strength was naturally Chunin+.
Then there was Kitahara Kaede—his current strength could not yet be assessed, but it was presumably not low.
After all, he was learning Wood Release.
With someone like the First Hokage, once people saw your face, they wouldn't even want to fight you.
Because they knew they couldn't win.
Therefore—
Taking all that into account—
Kakashi quickly accepted the mission.
Observe Kitahara Kaede (^_-) Small Group
Minato Namikaze: This is Naruto-chan's first mission. I'm a little nervous.
As an old father, and because he had never been able to accompany or care for Naruto, Minato had always been highly emotional.
The First Hokage and Tobirama Senju were both grandfathers as well. They shared one granddaughter, Tsunade Senju, and doted on Tsuna greatly.
So they understood Minato's feelings.
Tobirama Senju: Minato, have you accepted what happened to Naruto before?
Minato Namikaze: I can't accept it. If I get the chance, I want to ask the Third Hokage for an explanation.
Minato's stance was clear. He was a gentle and broad-minded man who had sacrificed his life for the village.
That was the duty of a Hokage.
But while I was fighting on the front lines, you people were abusing my son in the rear?
Then what the hell was I fighting for?
Much of his current emotional stability came from seeing that little Naruto's situation was no longer so terrible.
After Kitahara Kaede resolved the issue with little Naruto's Chakra system, little Naruto's face was filled with smiles and enthusiasm.
That gave him a little peace of mind.
Therefore—
Just as he had said before, although Kitahara Kaede had used Naruto, he was also a true friend of the Namikaze clan.
Tobirama Senju: Ah, I know all that. If I get the chance, I also want to confront Hiruzen.
Before you continue