Bright Eyes, White Teeth

The customs and culture of Mist Shinobi are very different from those of Konoha. Although Kirigakure appears to be on high alert during the war, undercurrents are swirling beneath the surface, and merchants who are connected to all the major families of Mist Shinobi have their own ways of doing things.

Kato Osamu three companions, disguised as merchants, followed other merchants' caravans. Without many incidents along the way, they soon came into view of the gates of Kirigakure.

"The Kirigakure is really strange..."

The three, who had never been to other villages before, were curious and couldn't help but look around.

"Don't look like you've never seen anything like this before. There are at least ten Mist Shinobi Anbu watching the convoy right now."

"If we're discovered..."

"You'll die..."

Kato Osamu sat in the carriage, his voice slowly emanating, but it only echoed in the minds of the three. After a slight pause, Uzuki Yugao and the other two subtly averted their gazes.

The closer they got to Kirigakure, the clearer the feeling of being watched became. Kirigakure had already received the news that merchants from the major merchant guilds in the capital were making a lot of noise about the blockade of sea routes and were preparing to go to Kirigakure to discuss solutions with Karatachi Yagura.

Karatachi Yagura also had a headache dealing with these big merchants. Even though he possessed many times their strength, some things couldn't be solved by force. Every leader understood the importance of the economy. Perhaps he could make an example of them, but he could never allow trade routes to be cut off.

The consequences of being penniless are exemplified by the Sunagakure.

"Misaka Kurasuke... we've arrived at Kirigakure..."

"Knew..."

Kato Osamu already knew the rules of Kirigakure. When he heard the people from the caravan ahead announce his arrival, he understood what he meant and slowly got up and got off the carriage.

Merchants are not nobles. Kirigakure might be hesitant to act against them easily, but they won't be elevated too high either. Routine inspections will still be conducted, even if it's just a formality, as it's a way for Kirigakure to demonstrate its authority.

"Whoosh..."

The Mist Shinobi's Anbu appeared out of nowhere and stood in front of Kato Osamu in an instant. With just a quick glance, he could tell that they were all ordinary people without Chakra. He made a gesture to the others and relaxed a little.

"The Mist Shinobi Anbu... their strength is roughly between Chunin and Jonin..."

As they sized up Kato Osamu was also subtly observing them.

Roughly: Exquisite cannon fodder.

The Mist Shinobi Anbu's inspection was swift. After confirming that they were all ordinary people without Chakra, they quickly left without giving them another glance.

Everyone has their own standard of value judgment, or rather, a certain group of people. Students in schools use grades as the evaluation standard and don't care much about other things, while craftsmen use skills as the evaluation standard, and those with superb skills have a superior status.

As 'superhumans' who also possess martial prowess, they naturally use martial prowess as the standard of evaluation. Even if they have made achievements in their respective fields, it does not affect their assessment of each other as 'cannon fodder'.

Let's go...

Kato Osamu glanced at the three of them. Even Itachi Uchiha seemed a little tense. Even though they had been told that no one could see through their Sealing Jutsu, standing so 'openly' in front of the enemy still made them feel a little uncomfortable.

"Ordinary civilians would be terrified at the sight of a ninja... Your acting skills, the three of you, were quite good..."

Iruka looked up at Kato Osamu with a puzzled expression, only to see him chuckle as he stepped through the gates of Kirigakure...

The sea breeze swept through the hall without a trace, yet it caused the girl's dark red hair to flutter gently, as she sat behind the elegant gate in the center of Kirigakure.

A girl with bright, clear eyes, a hint of allure but no coquettishness, sat gracefully in an elegant kimono, gently covering her hair.

"Xiao Ming, it's time for you to gradually take over some family affairs..."

The Terumi Family appeared somewhat disheveled under the pressure of the Blood Mist Policy, but this did not shake their status as Three Great Mist Families.

The claim that Kekkei Genkai demonized can only deceive ordinary people. The higher-ups of Mist Shinobi and the various clans are well aware that all the inconsistencies are merely a cover for the hidden interests of various parties.

Since the Third, the Shadow of Mist Shinobi has been attempting to reduce the influence of the Bloodline Clan through this method. Although it seems to have achieved some success so far, everyone understands that this is nothing more than a small political maneuver by the Shadow of Mist Shinobi.

"Yes, Elder..."

Mei Terumi possesses dual bloodlines, has been regarded Terumi Family since childhood. Although she has never made a name for herself in the Shinobi World, she is already like the young clan leader within the Terumi Family.

Looking at the Terumi Yu young woman before him, Teruyoshi felt a sense of satisfaction. She was dignified, composed, intelligent, and possessed two Kekkei Genkai.

If she were allowed to grow for a few more years, she would be fully qualified to the Terumi Family. As a bloodline ninja, she would naturally have the goodwill of countless suppressed bloodline ninjas.

Even if Karatachi Yagura wanted to take action against the Bloodstained Family, it wouldn't be so easy.

"Xiao Ming, what's your view on the current situation in Mist Shinobi?"

He nodded slowly, a smile on his face, but his gaze remained sharp as he looked at Mei Terumi Yu. This was his final test.

"The Fourth Hokage seems to be promoting civilian ninjas extensively lately..."

Mei Terumi's eyes flickered slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, she slowly spoke.

"Indeed, the selection process for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen provides opportunities for some commoner ninjas..."

Terumi Yu nodded and said nothing more, Mei Terumi's lips curved into a slight smile.

"But that doesn't change the fact that the Fourth Hokage rose to power by relying on the bloodline of the family..."

"The three major bloodline clans of Mist Shinobi rely on dozens of smaller clans. Although the number of commoners far exceeds that of the bloodline clans, the scattered commoner ninjas alone can hardly contend with the bloodline clans."

"The Fourth Hokage knew this too, which is why he took advantage of the situation to launch a war, attempting to shift domestic conflicts to external forces, weaken the Bloodline Clan through war, and at the same time promote civilian ninjas on a large scale."

"By relying on the hostility of commoner ninjas towards the Blood Clan, these commoner ninjas will stick closely around him."

Mei Terumi paused for a moment as she spoke.

"But he was too hasty..."

"The real enemy in this war is neither Konoha nor Cloud Shinobi."

If I were him, I certainly wouldn't have abandoned the agreed-upon Blood Mist Policy; I would have even promoted members of the Bloodstained Family.

He became a Shadow because of the Bloodline Clan, and naturally enjoys their trust. Over the years, countless Bloodline geniuses have been protected by the clan due to the Blood Mist Policy, so he can certainly immediately have a group of his own forces around him to overcome the predicament of having no one to rely on in the early stages.

Then, if he can feign compliance with the Bloodline Clan for a few years, win them over, and then participate in the Shinobi World War, promising the Bloodline Clan great benefits, such as granting them territory or high positions, he can incite the common people with hatred, racial sentiments, and nationalistic fervor.

When the tide turns, the Bloodstained Clan, driven by greed, will surely exert all its strength, leaving its talents depleted after the great battle.

There are countless civilian ninjas, and they will surely grow stronger through the war. Those who stand out and are capable of taking on great responsibilities will rise and fall in turn.

After the war, they will seek a righteous cause, or perhaps accuse the family of rebellion or collusion with enemy countries, to uproot the entire clan with a thunderous strike.

When the time is right, the situation is settled, and one holds absolute power, all obstacles can be swept away.

The Kirigakure of the Land of Water was no longer weak, possessing an ironclad internal system, and thus gained the qualifications to enter the Shinobi World and compete with other great powers...

"Unfortunately, he was in too much of a hurry..."

Mei Terumi's voice wasn't loud, and there was even a hint of regret in her words.

However, her words caused Terumi Yu's brows to furrow even more, and a chill ran through him. The more mature and strategic her words were, the more they revealed an unspeakable ruthless and merciless hand.

His eyes held a complex expression. If Mei Terumi hadn't been so young, perhaps back then...

"Little Ming..."

"You've really grown up..."

With a soft sigh, he stopped thinking about such unrealistic things and looked at the girl in front of him, Terumi Yu a pang of sadness for some reason.

"Elder..."

"Although this was my idea, someone has already done it before me..."

"Oh?"

Terumi Yu slightly raised his eyes, Mei Terumi remained silent, only chuckling softly as she gazed at the vast blue sea outside the window.

Across the sea, that's probably Konoha...

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