Mikoto's First Kiss

Mikoto's actions surprised Qingshui somewhat.

In fact, even Mikoto herself was shocked by her own actions.

She had really just impulsively kissed him.

Now that she had calmed down, she thought she had been too rash.

Qingshui won't think I'm a promiscuous woman, will he?

Thinking this, Mikoto looked at Qingshui with a shy expression, only to see the surprise on his face.

"This is just my return gift, don't overthink it!"

Qingshui's reaction made Mikoto even more shy. She explained with a blush and turned to close the door and hide.

However, as she tried to escape, Qingshui didn't give her the chance and quickly grabbed her hand.

"This small return gift isn't enough."

As he spoke, Qingshui pulled Mikoto into his arms. Feeling the soft touch of the woman in his embrace, he lowered his head and kissed Mikoto's soft lips.

"Mmph!"

This sudden action made Mikoto's eyes widen.

Her first kiss was gone just like that.

Although this thought filled her mind, Mikoto didn't feel any aversion. She had actually had a good impression of Qingshui for a long time.

Moreover, this feeling was quite good, very comfortable.

Mikoto quickly became immersed in Qingshui's somewhat domineering kiss.

The news that Konoha was preparing to hold a joint Chunin Exam had already reached the ears of the high-ranking officials in various ninja villages.

In response, most of the small ninja villages chose to participate, allowing the young people in their villages to gain experience at the Konoha Chunin Exam.

However, the other four great ninja villages did not react the same way, each having their own thoughts.

Iwagakure.

Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, was currently in his office.

Because of a shortage of successors in the village, even his desire to retire had become a luxury.

After all, among the Third Kage, he was the oldest.

"Lord Tsuchikage, we've received an invitation from Konoha for a joint Chunin Exam."

The person who arrived was Ōnoki's son, Kitsuchi. Although he was only seventeen years old, he was already a qualified Jonin.

Looking up at Kitsuchi, a flicker of disappointment flashed in Ōnoki's eyes.

He was quite satisfied with Kitsuchi's talent and strength. Although he hadn't inherited his Kekkei Tōta, it was because Scorching Release was simply too difficult to master.

After all, Kekkei Tōta was a Kekkei Tōta, superior to Kekkei Genkai.

Kekkei Genkai was a brand new Ninjutsu formed by the fusion of two Chakra nature transformations, while Kekkei Tōta was formed by the fusion of three Chakra nature transformations.

Compared to Kekkei Genkai, Kekkei Tōta was many times more difficult.

Considering that the only Kekkei Tōta in the entire ninja world was Scorching Release, formed by the fusion of wind, earth, and fire, its difficulty was evident.

But unfortunately, Kitsuchi's personality was a bit too simple and straightforward. In Ōnoki's opinion, this meant he couldn't take on the role of Tsuchikage.

"Lord Tsuchikage, should we send people to participate?"

During work, one must address by title, which was why Kitsuchi addressed Ōnoki this way.

Upon hearing his question, Ōnoki replied impatiently.

"What joint Chunin Exam? Konoha just wants to show off its strength to the outside world. Why should we participate? Are we going to be a stepping stone for Konoha?"

Sunagakure.

Looking at the intelligence about Konoha's upcoming joint Chunin Exam, the Third Kazekage asked Rasa.

"Do you think we should participate?"

After a moment of thought, Rasa gave his answer.

"The village's top priority right now is to recover its strength as quickly as possible, so I think it's best if we don't participate."

Hearing Rasa's answer, the Third Kazekage shook his head.

"Rasa, it's true that the village needs to recover its strength quickly, but we must also participate in this joint Chunin Exam."

"Although I hate to say it, we have to admit that Sunagakure is at the bottom among the Five Great Ninja Villages. We need strong allies."

"Konoha is undoubtedly the best choice."

Hearing this, Rasa wanted to say something, but was stopped by the Third Kazekage.

"No need to say more, I've already decided. You and Pakura will each lead a team to participate in Konoha's joint Chunin Exam."

As the strongest Third Kazekage, he had the authority to decide this matter without needing a council of elders to discuss it.

"Yes, I understand."

Watching Rasa depart, the Third Kazekage also sighed inwardly.

Rasa was immensely talented. At a young age, he inherited his Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai, and could even suppress Pakura, who was also a Kekkei Genkai user.

Precisely because of this, it had forged his arrogant personality.

Because he intended to cultivate Rasa to succeed him, the Third Kazekage had guided him multiple times.

He hoped Rasa could mature quickly and think from the perspective of the Kazekage.

Kirigakure.

As the Third Mizukage who initiated the "Blood Mist Policy," his reputation within Kirigakure was currently very poor.

After all, any normal person, upon learning they had to kill their former comrades to survive, wouldn't react with approval.

But the Mizukage's power was absolute. Even the most senior elder, Genji, couldn't change his decision.

Of course, the Third Mizukage still had his limits.

The current "Blood Mist Policy" was nowhere near as insane as when Obito secretly manipulated Kirigakure in the future.

A Kirigakure Anbu suddenly appeared in the Mizukage's office, handing him a scroll from Konoha, which recorded the matter of the joint Chunin Exam.

After reading it, the Third Mizukage refused without hesitation.

"This has nothing to do with us. Ignore it."

Kumogakure.

Unlike the other Ninja Villages, the Raikage, the Third Raikage, was not sitting at his desk working, but was exercising nearby.

Dodai, his trusted and capable subordinate, was responsible for handling official business.

Only when something extremely important occurred would the Raikage himself handle it.

As it happened, Dodai, who had just received the joint Chunin Exam invitation from Konoha, informed the Third Raikage of the matter.

After hearing Dodai's account, the Third Raikage stopped his movements.

"Do you think we should participate?"

"Raikage-sama, I think we can participate. This is a good opportunity for us."

The good opportunity Dodai spoke of was to kidnap Uzumaki Kushina, an Uzumaki Clan member within Konoha.

Because they were naturally skilled in Sealing Techniques, and their vitality and Chakra were stronger than ordinary people, the Uzumaki Clan became the best choice for Jinchuriki.

This was also why Konoha specifically brought Uzumaki Kushina back to Konoha.

After all, Konoha possessed the Nine-Tails, the strongest Tailed Beast. Besides the Uzumaki Clan, no one else could suppress the Nine-Tails.

Meanwhile, Kumogakure possessed the Eight-Tails, second only to the Nine-Tails. The current Jinchuriki, Blue B, was in an unstable state because he couldn't fill the void within his heart.

To change this situation, the proposal to kidnap Uzumaki Kushina arose.

However, because Konoha's strength and status were undeniable, Kumogakure hadn't truly acted on it and was even somewhat hesitant.

But this joint Chunin Exam was undoubtedly the best opportunity. They could openly send people into Konoha.

"Good, then we will participate."