The Impending "Konoha Crush Plan"

"Belch!"

Mei Terumi took the wine glass from Kokoro, tilted her head back and took a big gulp. Her cheeks were already flushed, and she continued to complain drunkenly:

"Speaking of which, Yuri did Kumogakure have to fall for one of the children from Kumogakure? What's going on here?!"

Those shameless bastards from Kumogakure stole our Mist Village's ideas!

She waved her empty wine glass, continuing her indignant accusation:

"Just a few years ago, those guys were like nouveau riche, throwing all the money they made into military development."

When they saw that we had adopted a new approach, they shamelessly copied us, all the while claiming it was for peaceful development? Who believes that?!

"The development path of Mist Village was decided by him alone. Why, why should those guys from Kumogakure just so easily learn it?!"

Seeing Mei Terumi's drunken state, Koko quickly and gently pushed a glass of warm water in front of her, softly comforting her:

"Don't be so angry. In any case, it's always a good thing if the Ninja World can be more peaceful."

Moreover, Kumogakure only roughly referenced our plan. Their current focus is on developing cultural and entertainment film and television and electronic products, which not only does not conflict with the track that Mist Village is mainly targeting, but also brings us a lot of benefits, doesn't it?

The Land of Lightning has now surpassed the Land of Fire in the market, becoming our largest customer.

"... Hiccup, that's one way to put it."

Mei Terumi let out a hiccup, a fleeting hint of deep worry flashing across her hazy eyes.

She turned her slightly tipsy face towards Kou and whispered almost in a murmur:

"But I'm a little worried. Now it's not just Kumogakure, but also Konoha, Iwagakure, and Sand Village are starting various reforms one after another."

It's alright now; we still have a significant first-mover advantage.

But what will happen to us, the Mist Village, once they've perfected their own systems?

Looking at Mei Terumi, who rarely showed a hint of vulnerability and worry, Koko gently placed his hand on her shoulder and whispered:

"You're overthinking it. Don't worry, with the first-mover advantage we've built up, it will be difficult for other forces to compete head-on with us in the same arena in the short term."

And more importantly...

He paused, then looked intently into Mei Terumi's dreamy eyes and solemnly said:

"As long as everyone in the Mist Village works together, we will definitely be able to overcome any difficulties we encounter in the future."

That's what I believe.

Mei Terumi stared blankly into Kotoko's eyes, so close yet filled with tenderness and unwavering certainty, and nodded instinctively.

"Um!"

Everyone remained silent, watching the scene unfold with quiet smiles.

They also believed what Master Kong had just said.

As long as everyone is together, and as long as the adults are available, there is no difficulty that cannot be overcome!

Zabuza Kōkō pondered Zabuza's words several times in his heart, then, as if suddenly remembering something, he spoke in a solemn tone:

"Lord Kong is right. Although we need to keep an eye on Kumogakure and Konoha, they don't seem to pose any real threat to us for a long time to come."

"Compared to them, another force in the Ninja World might deserve our extra attention."

"Zabuza- Teacher, are you referring to the Akatsuki?"

Kimimaro, looked at Zabuza seriously, and asked in a deep voice.

Zabuza gave Kimimaro an approving look and nodded.

"You're right, kid. We must remain on the highest level of vigilance regarding that Akatsuki."

But what I really want to talk about isn't them.

"So, what exactly are you referring to...?"

Zabuza and said directly in a deep voice:

"What I'm referring to is that Land of Rice."

Upon hearing the name "Land of Rice," the smile on Koko's face froze slightly for a moment.

But everyone's attention was focused on Zabuza at that moment, and obviously no one noticed his subtle abnormality.

"The Land of Rice"?

Bai tilted his head, and asked softly with some doubt:

"Lord Zabuza, are you referring to the Land of Rice Fields from back then?"

"Ah."

Zabuza solemnly. He placed his hands on the table, a deep sense of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

About three years ago, the Land of Rice Fields suddenly and without warning officially changed its name to the Land of Rice.

And for some unknown reason, that originally impoverished and backward small country, which didn't even have a decent ninja village, suddenly had a group of quite powerful individuals who formed an organization called "Indonesia".

Unlike other countries, the Rice Organization did not exist in the Land of Rice in the form of a traditional ninja village. Instead, it scattered its members throughout the Land of Land of Rice, handling all matters large and small within the country—just like officials who directly obeyed the daimyo.

Although I might be overthinking it, I always feel that the way that Rice Organization operates has a strange sense of familiarity.

It seems... somewhat similar to our Mist Village.

"You're exaggerating too much, Zabuza- Teacher."

Suigetsu put her hands behind her head, and while Mei Terumi wasn't looking, she secretly took another swig of beer, then waved her hand dismissively.

"How could there possibly be someone as powerful as Lord Sora in that Rice Organization?"

I think they're just like those roughnecks from Kumogakure, trying to copy our Mist Village's reform path.

After all, not long ago there was news that the three small countries of Land of Waterfalls, Land of Hot Water, and Land of Rice were going to form an alliance, and it's still spreading like wildfire on the mainland.

Isn't this just a blatant copy of how Mist Village allied with Konoha back then?

"Necessary attention is certainly warranted, but to say they're hiding someone powerful enough to rival Lord Kong is simply unrealistic."

"... I never said that there must be someone as powerful as Lord Sora hiding in the Land of Rice."

Zabuza shook his head and said solemnly:

"A genius like Lord Kong is absolutely unprecedented in the long history of the Ninja World. The leader of the Rice Organization may be a talented person, but he is far from being comparable to Lord Kong."

But this doesn't mean we can let our guard down; we must remain vigilant in every possible way!

"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right."

Suigetsu gave a perfunctory reply, then buried her head back into the full bowl of rice in front of her and focused intently on eating.

Looking at this clueless brat, Jūzō Biwa's face darkened considerably.

"Hey, get serious! If you keep looking like that lazy bum, I'll throw you in a fish tank and lock you up for a whole month!!"

Looking at the lively crowd in front of him, he sighed silently in his heart.

He didn't say anything more, just sat there quietly, his gaze slowly sweeping over the group of people who were laughing and joking.

Suigetsu was frantically gesturing and begging for mercy to Jūzō Biwa, while Bai covered her mouth, trying hard not to laugh out loud.

Kimimaro remained seated with an upright and serious expression, but a rare, faint smile appeared on his lips. Zabuza stood by with his arms crossed, Mei Terumi, Zabuza, had succumbed to the effects of alcohol and fallen into a deep sleep beside him...

He looked at it carefully and attentively.

Because he knew very well that days like today would soon be gone forever.

Kouchi sighed inwardly, slowly shifting his gaze from the laughing and Mist Village members, and looking meaningfully towards Konoha through the restaurant's glass window.

Shortly before this victory celebration banquet, which he had organized himself, he had learned of something extremely important from the most recent Akatsuki all-member meeting.

The Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure, Fourth Kazekage Rasa, hired the Akatsuki, planning to launch the "Konoha Crush Plan" together with Akatsuki during the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams.

After receiving this mission, the Akatsuki immediately convened an internal meeting and officially announced what he had actually anticipated—

The operation to capture the Tailed Beast needs to be brought forward...

"It seems that Obito is finally ready to make his move."

He murmured to himself, turning his gaze back to his companions who were still laughing and joking in front of him.

But there was no trace of a smile left in those deep black eyes.

Now that Obito is ready to take action, I should also prepare to confront him directly.

Thinking of this, Kou couldn't help but slowly close his eyes.

This should be the last time I gather with everyone from Mist Village.

Before I knew it, I had been in Mist Village for nine years...

I'm still a little reluctant to part with it.