Kuro: Kids, Is It Too Late for Me to Run Away Now?
Looking across the entire Ninja World, apart from Uchiha Madara, who is most likely hiding in the shadows, there is no other person who has the ability and motivation to do this.
But if it was Madara's doing, then who was the one who secretly took Orochimaru away?
Sending Shadow Clone is a possibility, but even if Madara were still alive, he'd be a frail Old Man who needs help to defecate. How did he regain his mobility?
If he has found a way to regain his youth, then what was his motive in orchestrating Obito's corruption and having him carry out the Eye of the Moon Plan in his place?
Kou was thinking rapidly, unconsciously sinking himself deeper into the chair.
He raised his hand, rubbed his temples, and sighed irritably.
"Sigh, first Orochimaru disappeared, and then, the Rinnegan has most likely already been taken by someone else... Nothing seems to go right."
Thinking of this, Kou felt the weight pressing on his heart seemed to have increased even more than before.
"Is it simply a matter of having too few clues?"
Although the Land of Rice is a power that they built up from scratch, over the years, the number of truly capable people who can actually make it to the table is still too small.
With the Mysterious Peacock Method, which has virtually no side effects, the air force of the Land of Rice has gained absolute air superiority over the Ninja World.
In terms of low- to mid-range combat power, none of the Five Great Nations are a match for the Land of Rice.
Ultimately, however, there are still too few people who can truly play a decisive role in clashes between top-tier combatants.
Aside from himself and Fu, who is Jinchuriki, there are only three other people in the entire Land of Rice who can be considered Kage Level fighters.
The former leader of the Tsuchigumo Clan, Hotaru's grandfather, En no Gyōja.
Natsuhiboshi has mastered the Mysterious Peacock Method to its ultimate level.
And Guren possesses the Crystal Release Kekkei Genkai and grew up under his tutelage.
The rest, including Hotaru, Fūma Arashi, and the Sound Four, have good potential, but they still need time to develop.
The increasingly complex and unpredictable situation clearly means they won't have much time left.
"Now that things have come to this, it seems we must integrate the power of the Five Great Nations as soon as possible..."
Only in that way can we pull that old slippery eel Uchiha Madara, out of the gutter in the shortest possible time!
Kou slowly sat up straight, his fingertips tapping on the unopened letter beside him, bearing the emblem of the Land of Rice, a rare look of conflict appearing in his eyes.
Inside are the official alliance documents to be sent to the Five Great Nations tomorrow.
"... What should we do about Mist Village?"
He raised his head and gazed at the dome of the main hall, pursing his lower lip guiltily.
Needless to say, the other four great nations are unwilling to cooperate even if we try to reason with them. I wouldn't mind driving a large Susanoo and carrying two boxes of milk to each of them for "friendly consultations."
But with the Mist Village... it's really hard to bring myself to use force.
"Well..."
Kou sighed helplessly, his eyes dimming slightly.
"I wonder how everyone in Mist Village is doing now."
They probably already know the truth, that their "Lord Kong" doesn't exist at all, that what exists is just a fraudster named Uchiha Kuro...
He muttered a self-deprecating laugh to himself, unconsciously clenching his fists.
"They must all know me by now."
Just as Kou sat there gazing at the dome, his mind a jumble of old dreams he had been having repeatedly recurring these past few days, a hurried running sound came from outside the main hall.
Kou slowly broke free from his deep thoughts and looked in the direction of the sound.
What came into view was Karin's figure.
Bathed in the morning light, her crimson hair resembled a constantly dancing, warm, and bright fire.
Karin...
He unconsciously uttered a soft call, and felt a sense of comfort in his heart.
After all, at this moment, the only thing that could bring him some comfort was this girl who had always been by his side and whom he treated like a younger sister.
As she thought this to herself, the corners of her mouth naturally curved upwards.
Just as he was about to wave to her with a smile as usual, Karin's urgent words had already slipped out and entered his ears.
"Master, something terrible has happened! Something horrific has occurred!!"
"... No way, not again?!"
Koko's heart skipped a beat. He quickly stepped forward and slipped from behind the desk to Karin's side, firmly holding her small arm as he said, feigning calmness:
"Calm down, Karin, the sky isn't going to fall."
Let me guess, is it Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation army that's attacking? Or is it Uchiha Madara's Susanoo outside the border?
"Could it be that Obito, that idiot, won the revival match with Ice Tea Elbow and is now coming here to prepare for another battle?"
"Master... what are you talking about?"
Karin paused for a moment, then shook her head vigorously:
"None of those!"
"Neither of those? Hmph, then it's nothing."
Kou let out an exaggerated sigh of relief, then naturally raised his other hand and placed it on Karin's beautiful hair, instructing her in an old-fashioned manner:
"Karin, you're a grown woman now. You can't get so anxious every time something happens."
You should learn Ninjutsu from your master, and you should also learn more about resilience and things like that from me.
Look at your master, what storms haven't I weathered?
It is precisely this composure, this unwavering calm in the face of adversity, that has allowed me to rise from humble beginnings to become the strongest Ninja World today!
He boasted insincerely, feigning profundity, and said:
"Remember this: only those who, like their teacher, remain as composed as a Buddha in any situation and at any time, can have the last laugh."
"As expected of Master!!"
Karin spoke with an expression of adoration, clapping her little hands in perfect unison.
"Haha, that's natural, that's natural."
He smiled and said, feeling a rare sense of comfort in his heart.
He lowered his head and smiled at Karin:
"Alright, alright, what exactly happened? Tell your master, and I'll easily sort it out for you!"
Karin tilted her little face up and said with a grin:
"It's nothing really that big of a deal, it's just that Mist Village sent a delegation."
"Oh? That's a good thing, hahaha--"
Just as Kou was about to continue laughing, he seemed to realize something, and his smile froze instantly.
"Wait, what did you just say?"
Karin obediently repeated it again:
"It's the Mist Village delegation. They want to discuss with you in person the formal alliance between our Land of Rice and the specifics of opening Odd Jobs Agency) and Logistics Company branch within the Land of Land of Rice."
"Talk to me... about an alliance? Who? Mist Village?!"
"Yes."
Karin nodded vigorously, seemingly oblivious to her master's almost-crazy expression, and added enthusiastically:
"The team leader is a very, very beautiful older sister. She looks to be about the same age as you, Master."
There was a tall boy with her, I think his name was... Utakata?
At this point, Karin's eyes curved into two beautiful crescent moons:
"That older sister, is she the Mei Terumi you mentioned to me before, Master?"
I didn't expect you to come all the way from Mist Village, it must have been very tiring.
Master, haven't you been saying these past few days that you must find time to have a good chat with everyone in Mist Village? This is perfect opportunity!
Lao Kou: "..."
"Oh, Master? Why aren't you saying anything, Master?"
Karin leaned forward "worriedly," stood on tiptoe, and waved her little hand in front of Kokoro's eyes:
"Master?"
After being called several times by Karin, Koko finally came to his senses, stiffly lowered his head, and forced a smile that was more like a grimace.
"Karin, tell me... Master, is it too late for me to go hide at your Uncle Kakashi's house now?"
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