Paying Respects

Jiraiya looked at Akaseki speechlessly. He had no idea why Akaseki could always say such cautious, roundabout things that somehow still sounded so sarcastic!

"Not exactly... Cough, cough. It wasn't just because of that. The First Mizukage, Byakuren, had originally wavered between Hozuki Gengetsu and Tora. Tora advocated isolation and conservatism, wanting to minimize contact between Kirigakure, the Land of Water, and the outside world while retaining only maritime interests. Hozuki Gengetsu, on the other hand, favored openness and actively participating in affairs on the continent.

"At the time, war in the Shinobi World seemed ready to break out at any moment, so Byakuren began to lean clearly toward Tora. He even brought Tora with him to the Five Kage Summit, treating him as his heir apparent. He had hoped that a closed, conservative policy would keep Kirigakure out of the coming war and allow it to remain untouched."

Although it had not been stated outright, the "guards" brought by the five First Kage to the Five Kage Summit were all their successors. It was a tacit understanding between them. Only the Mizukage's guard had failed to become the Second Mizukage...

"At the Five Kage Summit, only the First did not give up hope for peace. He strongly urged every village to cease hostilities. Moved by the First's sincerity, the conflicts gradually subsided, and Byakuren's views changed as well. In the end, he made Hozuki Gengetsu the Second Mizukage."

In the end, the First persuaded three hidden villages. Only Sunagakure remained dissatisfied, though it did not dare challenge the other four hidden villages at once.

"But not long after the First's death, the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu, perished together with the Second Tsuchikage, Mu. This threw both Iwagakure and Kirigakure into chaos.

"Iwagakure was better off. It had Ōnoki, who was both the First and Second Tsuchikage's disciple, as well as a highly capable and shrewd man. He quickly stabilized the situation both within and outside the village.

"Kirigakure's situation was more unusual. In the end, without any final orders from Hozuki Gengetsu, Tora forcibly took the position of Third Mizukage. Not only did he make a drastic turn in Kirigakure's policies, he also declared that the Hozuki Clan had rebelled and started a civil war.

"Because of its closed, conservative policies and its isolated position overseas, we had known little about the Land of Water's internal situation before. Only recently did we learn that Kirigakure's long-running internal conflict had not only failed to subside, but had grown increasingly severe. The Third Mizukage's purge of the Hozuki Clan had gradually escalated into conflict with all bloodline clans!

"More than a decade has passed. Kirigakure's civil war has stopped and started, with more fighting than peace. The Land of Water has practically become a minor Warring States era. They have now contracted so much that they cannot even spare attention for those island nations at sea.

"Not only is Kirigakure unable to protect them, but the chaos of war has also produced large numbers of rogue shinobi roaming the seas. Those small countries have now begun seeking cooperation with other hidden villages. The Land of Waves is one of them..."

Hearing this, Akaseki and the other two understood what Teacher Jiraiya meant—this might become an attempt by Konoha to intervene in those small overseas countries.

And beyond merely explaining the immediate cause, Teacher Jiraiya had also laid out the origins behind the current situation in simple terms, directly addressing the unusual circumstances of the Land of Water and Kirigakure.

On one hand, he was naturally reminding the three of them that although this appeared to be a B-rank mission, they might encounter Kirigakure defectors. Given Kirigakure's circumstances, Jonin—or even entire shinobi clans—fleeing into exile was hardly uncommon.

On the other hand, Akaseki felt that Teacher Jiraiya had deliberately brought up all these underlying matters in order to make him think more about such things...

"All right, you three go buy what you need... Then get some rest. We'll be back on the road this afternoon." Jiraiya said, glancing at Akaseki and Minato.

Ranwu was still somewhat puzzled upon hearing that—why did they need to rest again?

Afterward, Akaseki and the other two went to the market to purchase supplies for their sea voyage. Minato said at that moment, "Teacher Jiraiya must want us to think more, so that Konoha won't someday follow in Kirigakure's footsteps."

Akaseki: ...

Oh, so he meant you two as well. I thought he was saying it specifically for me!

"What kind of look is that? What are you surprised about? Didn't you understand?" Ranwu looked at Akaseki speechlessly.

"Cough, cough. We've bought everything. We... should split up and rest. See you this afternoon." Akaseki said after coughing awkwardly twice.

Minato agreed, then yawned as well.

Ranwu: ???

"Why are you two so worn out?" Ranwu asked in confusion.

At two in the afternoon, Team Jiraiya and Team Torifu Akimichi gathered at the village entrance.

Konoha had only one "village entrance." The other directions were protected and monitored by barriers.

Setting out east from Konoha, they reached the coast three days later.

"The envoy from the Land of Waves merchant association will be waiting for us at the port on May 6. We can move around freely in the port for the next two days. Torifu, shall we..." Jiraiya was about to invite Torifu out for some fun.

"No. I'm going to the Land of Whirlpools... A round trip will take a day and a half at most. Help me keep an eye on these three brats." Torifu said with a somewhat solemn expression.

Upon hearing the name "Land of Whirlpools," Jiraiya could roughly guess that Torifu was going to pay respects to the Uzumaki Clan.

"What is there to watch over with these little brats... Then you six can play around at the port by yourselves. Torifu and I will be leaving for a while." Jiraiya intended to go with him.

After all, Uzushio Village and Konoha had been ironclad allies. Both Jiraiya and Torifu Akimichi knew friends from the Uzumaki Clan.

But...

Half a year ago, shortly after the Second's death, when Hiruzen Sarutobi had only recently taken over and Konoha was in chaos, Uzushio Village had been attacked.

By the time Hiruzen received the news, it was already too late. Moreover, most of the Jonin had been sent northeast to guard against Kumogakure, leaving Konoha short-handed. By the time the support squad arrived, Uzushio Village had already been destroyed.

Konoha did not even know, at least openly, who had launched the attack!

Of course, although the attackers had concealed their identities, Konoha's higher-ups knew full well who they were...

And the destruction of Uzushio Village added fuel to the brewing of another great war in the Shinobi World. Konoha, previously considered the strongest, had not only lost the Second, but had also failed to react in time when its ironclad ally was destroyed. Naturally, the other hidden villages began to stir!

"Teacher Jiraiya, Akimichi Jonin, is that the Land of Whirlpools of the Uzumaki Clan? I would also like to go pay my respects." Minato spoke up on his own initiative.

"This..." Torifu hesitated slightly.

"I want to come too!" Akaseki added.

"Why are you joining in?" Jiraiya shook his head.

Jiraiya figured Minato wanted to go because of Kushina—he knew Minato had always been concerned about Kushina, and he also knew what had happened three days ago. But Akaseki...

"The Uzumaki Clan was not only Konoha's ally, but also related to the Senju Clan. Now that the Senju Clan is gone and the Uzumaki Clan has been destroyed, how could I, a member of the Uchiha Clan, not go pay my respects?" Akaseki said as though it were only natural.

"What do you mean, the Senju Clan is gone? I... want to go too." Ranwu said as well.

Jiraiya: ...

Here it came again. Akaseki's sarcastic remarks were back again!