The Name of the Brilliant Moon

The Land of Water is not only known by that name; it is also called the Land of Mist, which is the very origin of the name Kirigakure.

This country is shrouded in mist almost year-round. Take Kirigakure, for instance: the entire village is situated deep within a valley, blanketed in thick fog. Once an enemy invades, the Kirigakure ninja activate their barrier; within that dense mist, visibility is reduced to nothing. Anyone who isn't a ninja of the village who wanders in likely wouldn't even know how they died.

Of course, not every place is as impossibly foggy as Kirigakure. After all, that level of density is intentional—a unique barrier technique that not only conceals the ninja but also serves as a defense.

However, every morning, the Land of Water is blanketed by heavy fog, and even the areas with the best visibility are no exception.

For Ogata and Qi, this master and apprentice duo, such times are the perfect opportunity to travel.

The Land of Water is not small. No, it is a true archipelago nation, with large islands connected one after another. It is not like the other four great nations where land is land and water is water; the environment here is quite complex.

Since the establishment of the Five Great Nations, three Great Ninja Wars have been fought, yet no country has ever managed to invade the territory of the Land of Water. This is simply because the place is too treacherous—hard to enter, and even harder to leave!

Kirigakure suffered heavy losses during the Second Great Ninja War, and coupled with internal strife, they were wounded further. Even so, their power within the Land of Water remains absolute.

Ogata and Qi have been on the run for a full year!

Combat is the best teacher, a sentiment Qi has truly come to understand.

When he first fled, he was a greenhorn who only knew the basics. Now, however, he can perform rudimentary Ice Release techniques and has learned quite a few Water Release jutsus. His proficiency in other basic ninjutsu and taijutsu has also matured significantly.

Although Ice Release is the primary combat style of the Yuki Clan, Qi's aptitude for Water and Wind Release is not bad at all.

Most importantly, he has mastered the chakra-sensing method used by Kirigakure's sensory ninja—utilizing the moisture in the air to detect the residual chakra emitted from an opponent's body!

However, as time has passed and they have drawn closer to the border, the Kirigakure search net has tightened. Especially recently, Qi has almost run into Kirigakure search parties.

Fortunately, his stealth skills are no longer so poor that he can only serve as "bait." He can now completely evade the searches of genin, saving himself a lot of trouble.

Now that he has truly entered the world of ninjas, Qi realizes how ridiculous the views he formed from anime were.

Even though he had cultivated a habit of staying as calm as possible while with the Yuki Clan, after truly coming into contact with battles between ninjas, he still couldn't help but feel a sense of dread at the strict hierarchy and the incomparable combat power associated with each rank.

In anime, the term "genin" is basically synonymous with "trash," but in the real ninja world, this rank constitutes the main combat force of every ninja organization.

Promoted to chunin, one becomes a true elite. As for jonin, they can be called legends; the story of any single jonin is enough to write a thrilling book.

The gap between each level is like heaven and earth, completely incomparable.

But even so, as the main combat force of each village, the idea that genin are just trash meant to be slaughtered is pure nonsense.

If not for the protection and guidance of a master like Ogata, Qi would have been dragged out and fed to the fish by Kirigakure genin search parties long ago, let alone seeing his strength skyrocket. I don't know if the quality of Kirigakure genin is the best among the Five Great Nations, but they never hesitated in battle, and even when facing a master like Ogata, they didn't waver in the slightest.

The scenes Qi saw in anime where genin would panic at the drop of a hat? He hasn't seen that even once. On the contrary, Kirigakure genin are fierce as hell!

After a year of traveling, Ogata and Qi finally arrived at the very edge of the Land of Water. This way, with a little more effort, they could pass through some satellite states and enter the Land of Fire. Once there, Kirigakure would naturally stop the pursuit.

The Kirigakure ninja probably never took these two seriously to begin with. To be honest, Kirigakure has too many important matters to attend to right now; constantly dispatching genin search parties was already giving these two plenty of face.

Regardless, these two killed Kirigakure ninja when they first escaped; not pursuing them would be unjustifiable.

However, letting the other party leave the Land of Water unscathed is not the style of Kirigakure, so for this final blockade, the village finally decided to get serious.

Thus, when Ogata and Qi arrived at their destination—a fishing port on the border of the Land of Water—they discovered a line of Kirigakure ninja standing opposite them...

It was obvious that this group was not genin. At the very least, that half-human, half-ghost aura was something the genin Qi had encountered could never compare to. Those genin were full of killing intent, but these people had no trace of humanity left in them...

But what was even more obvious was that the other side had been waiting for a long time...

"Brother Ogata, long time no see. You still have your old flair."

Standing at the very front were two people: a middle-aged man and a girl who looked about the same age as Qi.

The middle-aged man didn't look at Qi; his eyes were fixed on Ogata.

"Let's see, it must have been ten years since we parted. I didn't expect that former comrades would be enemies today."

"Unma, you've become long-winded too. I heard you became the head of the Anbu; I didn't expect it to be true. Is that your apprentice?"

Ogata chuckled.

"The Mizukage really thinks highly of us two. But I just don't understand: he keeps killing people internally—when foreign enemies invade later, will Kirigakure still have the strength to defend itself?"

"Brother Ogata, please watch your tongue. Regardless of anything else, he is still the Mizukage. As his subordinate, I cannot allow others to criticize him behind his back."

The middle-aged man said this with an unchanging expression, then waved his hand at the line of people behind him.

"None of you are to move."

Regarding this order, the group behind him seemed to have expected it; they immediately took a step back in unison and put away their ninja tools. Looking at them, it seemed they really didn't intend to strike, and in that instant, they seemed to have gained a bit more humanity.

"Bringing the Anbu along but not letting them fight? Unma, you aren't planning to go easy on me, are you? Aren't you afraid the Mizukage will kill you?"

Ogata was also a bit stunned.

"Do you look down on me? Don't forget, if I hadn't saved you back then, you would have already been slaughtered by the White Fang of Konoha."

"Brother Ogata, the Kaguya Clan was, after all, once a part of Kirigakure. No matter how cold and ruthless we appear in the eyes of outsiders, it is impossible to feel nothing when striking down former colleagues."

The middle-aged man named Unma sighed.

"You haven't killed many Kirigakure genin search parties this past year, have you? Consider it Kirigakure returning the favor. How about we make a bet?"

"A bet? Tell me what you have in mind."

"You and I have known each other for over twenty years; we know each other inside and out. It's impossible for us to fight without one of us dying. We both have apprentices—let the apprentices have a match."

Unma pointed to Qi, who was standing silently to the side.

"He possesses the bloodline limit of the Yuki Clan, and Mei is also a bloodline user, so this can be considered fair. If Mei loses, you are free to leave. If your disciple loses, then both of you will return to Kirigakure with me. I guarantee that I will explain the situation to the Mizukage and ensure your safety."

"Why don't you ensure the safety of the Kaguya Clan!"

Ogata sneered.

"As the leader of the Anbu, even the Mizukage would likely grant me this favor."

"You know that is impossible, otherwise I would have done so long ago."

Unma shook his head.

"I cannot protect the Kaguya Clan, but I can absolutely guarantee the safety of you and your disciple. I can tell just by looking at your disciple that he isn't the type to value his clan, and for your disciple's sake, you might not be unable to let go either."

"Are you a tapeworm in my gut or something?"

Ogata was very annoyed. He knew he had no choice but to accept this condition; after all, the other party was Anbu, a truly elite force, and Unma's strength was roughly on par with his own.

As for Kagetsu Qi, there was no need to even mention it. If the Kirigakure Anbu wanted to kill him, it would be no harder than killing a chicken.

"Kid, you heard him. Take care of that girl, and then we're leaving!"

Perhaps not wanting to waste more breath, Ogata simply looked at Kagetsu Qi with a fierce expression.

"If you lose, just pray that the Mizukage doesn't want to slaughter you! I'm not going back. A real man should die a quick death."

"Master, I don't want to go either..."

Kagetsu Qi was equally annoyed by his master's words.

"Do you really think I have so little backbone... This is so heartbreaking!"

"Heh, not bad! That's my Kaguya blood, a real man! Just a bit devious... Hurry up and get out there to fight. If you lose, I'll beat you to death!"

Ogata laughed heartily, reached out, and shoved Kagetsu Qi onto the field with a single push.

Damn it! You old scumbag, take it easy! Do you want me to die before I even start fighting!?

That slap was heavy enough that Kagetsu Qi nearly lost his breath...

Across the field, Unma saw this and grinned.

"Brother Ogata is still as bold as ever! It's no wonder his disciple has such backbone; he truly is worthy of being your student."

Bold my foot! Why don't you come and take a hit like that!?

Kagetsu Qi was so angry he nearly choked while standing on the field...

Perhaps noticing the dark expression on Kagetsu Qi's face, Unma nodded as if he "understood."

"Brother Ogata's disciple is just as combative... Very well, Mei, you go as well. Just attack; with us here, you won't be in any danger."

"Yes, Master!"

The girl was very polite and quite beautiful, looking like a porcelain doll. She first bowed to Unma, then walked to the opposite side of Kagetsu Qi and cupped her hands in a salute.

"Terumi Mei, reporting for duty! Please, enlighten me!"

Her voice is quite pleasant too... However, Kagetsu Qi knew that even though she was cute, he couldn't lower his guard. People from Kirigakure were all twisted.

"This Humble One is Kagetsu Qi!"

Kagetsu, meaning a combination of Kaguya and Yuki, was the surname he adopted since he carried the bloodlines of both clans.

"Please, enlighten me... What the!"

Just as the word "me" finished, a kunai had already grazed past his nose...

"You brat! You actually launched a sneak attack!?"

After a year of combat, Kagetsu Qi's battle instincts had been constantly honed. Although the strike was sudden, he still managed to dodge it.

However, he was also filled with rage... This woman... she actually attacked the moment he finished his salute? And here he was, being so polite in his return!

"Master, Ogata is a famous taijutsu expert in the Land of Water, and he even saved my master's life from the White Fang of Konoha. I didn't expect his disciple to be so naive!"

Having missed her strike, the girl named Terumi Mei didn't seem to care. Instead, she revealed her true colors with a giggle, her porcelain face full of mockery.

This isn't a cute girl at all, she's a little witch... Look at that malicious smile!

"I attacked after you finished your salute, you're just slow! Idiot!"

"You're the idiot!"

Kagetsu Qi was so angry he laughed, but his voice came from behind Terumi Mei.

"Didn't notice I was behind you? That was a clone."

"What!?"

Terumi Mei hurriedly turned around, and what met her eyes was a fist growing larger by the second!

But the next moment, she revealed a smile of a scheme successfully executed.

"You really are an idiot, you fell for it!"

Time waited for no one; Kagetsu Qi's fist struck Terumi Mei's body firmly the next moment, but the result was completely unexpected—he passed right through her!

How did I pass through? Is she that fragile? And... this sensation!

Soon, Qi noticed something was wrong. Although the Terumi Mei before him had been pierced through, not a single drop of blood appeared; furthermore, her entire body dissolved into a mass of viscous liquid.

"Witness my Lava Release: Lava Body Prison!"

Terumi Mei's voice came from beneath the ground. She could actually use Earth Release!?

This was hardly surprising, however. After all, she was a user of Kekkei Genkai techniques. The number of elemental chakra natures that composed a Kekkei Genkai corresponded to the number of elemental techniques the user was proficient in—it was just that Qi did not yet know Wind Release.

But now was not the time for surprise, as the viscous liquid formed by Terumi Mei's clone had rapidly coiled around Qi's body and solidified at an even faster rate!

The hardness of the solidified substance was staggering; Qi found himself completely unable to break free!

"Too easy!"

Terumi Mei emerged from the ground, looking triumphantly at the sour-faced Qi.

"Just surrender obediently, you idiot brat."

"Yeah, surrendering obediently might be more convenient, you know."

Qi suddenly laughed, looking genuinely amused.

"I knew you were stupid; I was just waiting for you to come out."

"Oh? Still acting tough? Well, I'm out now, what are you going to do about it? That clone of yours is still standing there like a fool. Your reaction is so slow—you should have dispelled it already. It'll be too embarrassing if I'm the one to break it!"

Terumi Mei didn't buy Qi's act at all; she was extremely confident in her Lava Release.

"That may be true... but did you really believe that was a clone just because I said so?"

This time, the one speaking was not the Qi trapped by the solidified liquid, but the Qi who had dodged Terumi Mei's kunai at the very beginning; he was still standing in his original spot.

There was nothing strange about this. The pace of the battle was fast, and from the moment Qi dodged the kunai to the moment Terumi Mei dispelled her Earth Release and revealed herself, only the blink of an eye had passed.

Qi did not waste time. While speaking, he had already completed the hand seals and whispered, "Water Clone, detonate!"

Detonating a Water Clone was not actually easy to achieve; in terms of control, it required at least the level of a Chunin. However, the Yuki Clan possessed extraordinary talent and research regarding Water Release techniques. Thus, even though Qi was not a Chunin, he was still capable of doing it.

Anything related to Water Release, in the hands of the Yuki Clan, would inevitably double in effectiveness—whether it was training speed, power, or control. This rule was the same as the Uchiha Clan's affinity for Fire Release.

"Boom!"

This time, the solidified liquid could not withstand the power of the Water Clone's explosion and was blown to smithereens. Even Terumi Mei, who was nearby, was caught in the blast, sent flying a great distance by the water-laden shockwave.

She shrieked in anger. From the time she was a child until now, when had she ever suffered such a loss at the hands of a peer? What she couldn't understand even more was how Qi had figured out that the one she had left on the ground from the start was merely a clone.

This girl was indeed devious. From the very beginning, she had submerged herself underground; it could be said that what Qi and Ogata had seen initially was her clone.

However, Qi was a rare ninja with sensory abilities. The air in the Land of Water was naturally rich in moisture, and after sensing it slightly, he discovered that the girl's chakra fluctuations were significantly off-standard. It was obvious that she was merely a clone, not the real entity.

Everything he had done afterward was simply playing along to deceive her, acting the part to the end. Just as Ogata had said, he wasn't exactly a good person either...