Participating in the Chunin Exam, I Was Broadcast Live!

The kunai slid directly past Kitahara Kaede's cheek.

The tip of the kunai was less than 0.5cm from Kitahara Kaede's face.

"That was really close—"

Kitahara Kaede said.

"..." Mei Terumi.

It wasn't that she had deliberately grazed him; it was that Kitahara Kaede had turned his head to avoid it just as she was about to strike.

This meant... his taijutsu skills were no lower than hers. She was an Kage level ninja, and her Kage status wasn't inflated. She might even be stronger than the previous Mizukage!

Therefore.

It wasn't surprising that Kitahara Kaede didn't participate in Sasuke and Naruto's taijutsu training.

It was because he simply didn't need to.

"Sorry, sorry," Mei Terumi said. "I just figured you'd definitely be able to dodge it."

"After all, your Konoha is full of geniuses."

"So..."

"Are you really not considering coming to Kirigakure?" Mei Terumi said. "I can appoint you as the next Mizukage directly."

"A direct candidate for Mizukage."

But Kitahara Kaede's expression didn't change at all.

"Do you think I'd go with someone who just pointed a weapon at me?"

"Ah, sorry."

Mei Terumi said, immediately picking up the kunai and blowing on it.

Lava Style emerged.

The kunai instantly melted completely.

The ground even caved in a pit from the molten lava.

"..." Kitahara Kaede.

Kitahara Kaede looked at her with a slight awkwardness.

He could sense Mei Terumi's actions were a bit of a flirtation, but... well... zero.

This woman was too unpredictable. She had a great figure for nothing. If she hadn't controlled herself and kissed him, he would have been melted instantly, right? Zero.

So Mei Terumi might think she was apologizing, but in Kitahara Kaede's eyes, 1.

Going to Kirigakure was already dead. 6

Ps: To those who gave flowers, may you grow 3 cm tonight! .7

Chapter 025 The Land of Waves is just a wallet? (Seeking data) 1

"Can you only sell your seafood to Gato?" 0

"Yes... that's right. The price is too low. Some people try to smuggle it out using their own small fishing boats, but their boats get attacked." 5

"So we have no way to survive..." 5

"We're barely alive—"

Ordinary villagers faced great risks fishing at sea, yet the purchase price for their catch was very low, while the cost of living remained high.

This was why the people of the Land of Waves seemed filled with resentment.

However, this was a land without ninja, and they were generally poor.

What was called a country was actually just the size of a small island, so there was basically no hope.

And the source of all this was the merchant Gato.

Gato had monopolized everything here.

Not only did he set the prices for goods, but he also purchased the villagers' seafood.

While Sasuke and Naruto continued their special training, Kitahara Kaede had been investigating around the surroundings.

"What are you investigating this information for?"

Mei Terumi asked curiously.

Having finally obtained Kitahara Kaede's permission, she stayed by his side, watching him take notes without disturbing him.

Only when Kitahara Kaede stopped writing did she step forward.

"My Team 7 took on the mission to escort the bridge builder Tazuna back to the Land of Waves."

"He has already arrived home."

"This mission has been completed."

Kitahara Kaede spoke.

The Fifth Mizukage nodded slightly, she knew about this. Because she had been following along.

"But, why do you think I'm not leaving now that the mission is complete?"

Kitahara Kaede asked in return.

This was Kitahara Kaede initiating conversation with her.

Mei Terumi gently squeezed her hands, thinking quickly to prepare a response.

Kitahara Kaede didn't want to go with her to Kirigakure, and wasn't interested in being a Mizukage candidate or the next Mizukage, but building a good relationship with him was definitely the right move.

And now, it was time for her to be tested.

"..." Mei Terumi.

So, why was that?

Was it to continue improving Sasuke and Naruto's taijutsu?

Or was there something in this small fishing village that attracted him? Probably not... it was sparsely populated, and though it was called the Land of Waves, it was just one island.

And as for Tazuna, the bridge builder, he was certainly preparing to build a bridge directly to the outside world.

So, was there anything in the Land of Waves that could attract him?

"..." Mei Terumi.

Sigh.

Even though she was the Fifth Mizukage, she now felt more nervous than when she assassinated the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura.

She slightly lifted her eyelids, stealthily glancing at Kitahara Kaede's expression.

Unfortunately.

She couldn't discern any change in his expression.

Novel group 605837297

So...

"Could it be..." Mei Terumi tried to say, "that you want this Land of Waves?"

"That's about the gist of it," Kitahara Kaede said. "I'm staying for two reasons."

"1. To stop Tazuna, the master bridge builder, from building the bridge."

"2. To eliminate Gato."

"Don't ninjas run for missions and fight for missions just for a few thousand Ryo?"

"Even though I'm just a rookie Genin, having more money is never a bad thing," Kitahara Kaede said.

The Mizukage nodded gently.

So that was it.

Then her answer should be considered barely adequate.

Kitahara Kaede's plan was to eliminate Gato and then replace him.

Wasn't Gato's wealth acquired this way?

"I thought you were a dragon slayer, but it turns out you're the dragon," Mei Terumi quipped.

This was a reference to the story of the dragon slayer who eventually became a dragon.

"I can't say I'm a wicked dragon,"

Kitahara Kaede said. "If controlled properly, they'll just see me as a hero."

"A hero?"

Mei Terumi blinked.

Gato was someone everyone in the village detested, yet you were going to replace Gato, and you still thought you'd be seen as a hero?

"I will increase the price of some fish."

Kitahara Kaede said.

"Those who acknowledge me first will receive a 50% higher reward for their purchases than Gato offered."

"And I won't stop outside goods from coming in."

"I will only prohibit them from taking seafood out."

"This..." Mei Terumi thought about it carefully and realized that if implemented this way, they might actually be worshiped as a savior.

After all, the basic living environment would be guaranteed... and then, income would increase, and motivation would be boosted.

Therefore... the villagers wouldn't hate him like they hated Gato.

"However," Mei Terumi was very curious. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I lack a partner," Kitahara Kaede said. "I can't stay here forever, can I?"

"Konoha won't allow it either."

"After all, I'm the wielder of Wood Release."

Kitahara Kaede said.

"But you're the Mizukage, and you have many subordinates."

"You can also make proper arrangements for subsequent matters."

"..." Mei Terumi.

Fine.

So it wasn't her answers or companionship that earned points, but rather her usefulness to him.

"..." Mei Terumi.

Then what was the point of her sticking close to him the entire way? Was she just being a masochist?

The Mizukage felt a touch of social isolation.

"However, there's still something you need to do," Kitahara Kaede continued. "Gato is yours to handle."

"..."

Gato is yours to handle?

Gato is hers to handle?!

"You're actually telling a Mizukage to go kill someone," Mei Terumi complained.

"Because the Mizukage is very strong," Kitahara Kaede appeased her. "Besides, you've always wanted to gain my favor, so... wouldn't a shared endeavor put your mind at ease?"

Of course it would!

Mei Terumi thought to herself.

Everyone in their small group was from Konoha, and Konoha had produced such a genius. If her Kirigakure didn't do something, it might truly crumble under her watch.