Out and About

It seems only Kiriya Shun Karatachi Yagura what Yagura is thinking, but even he doesn't seem to fully understand.

Everyone has their limitations and can only understand things within their comprehension. He only knows that everything the Mizukage has done will bring about a new change for Mist Shinobi.

As Karatachi Yagura's assistant, he should have made his leader feel that he understood his actions and thoughts.

The will of someone hidden in the intricate situation and chaotic affairs is not so easy to detect, even if he is the Mizukage, even if someone can glimpse a trace of it.

But for most people, it is ultimately difficult to see the whole picture.

"Touching the interests of upper-class families is like taking their lives; changing the mindset of the common people is like digging up their ancestral graves. Yagura, your idea is good, and you have the courage to take such a gamble, but what you don't understand is that the mindset of the lower classes is often the source of the interests of the upper classes."

"Someone like you, who sees through this kind of relationship and tries to change it..."

"They are a common enemy of both sides..."

The residence of Elder Genshi, who had served as an advisor to several generations of Mizukage, was located in the very center of Kirigakure, almost adjacent to the Water Shadow Building. However, during this period, the gates remained tightly locked, and Genji remained secluded.

He turned away all visits from prominent families, and even avoided the summons of the Mizukage by feigning illness. For such a high-ranking and powerful elder, he might not be able to do whatever he wanted, but he could certainly choose not to do what he didn't want to do.

However, the Genji, who was kneeling in the pavilion with a solemn gaze, showed no signs of illness whatsoever; he simply sighed softly.

The future is too uncertain for those living in that moment; even those who know the outcome might find it unremarkable. But for them at this very moment, it is a time of great anxiety.

He knew that Karatachi Yagura's idea was right; Mist Shinobi needed change, a top-down reform. But no one could guarantee that the outcome of this reform would be good; it would certainly come with blood and fire.

Those in high positions of power are often elderly, and the elderly often lack ambition and are most intolerant of so-called 'change'; they only seek stability.

Because...

They're dying...

The reason is simple, even dismissible, but it is the truth.

His concerns about Mist Shinobi and his underlying hostility towards change put this Mist Shinobi elder, who was even a few years older than Hiruzen Sarutobi, in a dilemma.

Perhaps the only option he has is neither to hinder nor to help.

Perhaps the biggest difference between them and Hiruzen Sarutobi is that the Mist Shinobi Genji have a greater sense of self-awareness in knowing when to retire gracefully.

"Very well, the future of the village... should be handed over to the younger generation..."

He slowly closed his eyes, leaned back on the sofa, and it seemed that only at this moment could the furrows on Genji's brow relax a little.

The sea is turbulent, stirring the hearts of everyone in the Mist Shinobi. No one knows where this giant ship, a solitary island at sea, will sail...

"Still no news in the last few days?"

"Yes..."

In a small courtyard in Kirigakure, where Kato Osamu and his group were staying, the three of them stood in front of Kato Osamu, looking somewhat dejected.

For the Terumi Family, one of the three major families, such a villa was nothing special, and Kato Osamu readily accepted their kindness.

Although it might seem inappropriate to do anything unusual under someone else's watchful eye, it would also put the other party at ease.

A faint blue light flashed in his eyes, and he smiled gently at the guards arranged by the Terumi Family in the distance. The two guards seemed to wake from a dream and nodded to Kato Osamu as well, completely unaware of anything unusual.

What's going on?

Orochimaru's mission scroll already states that once they enter Kirigakure, they should use a special communication code, and the spies hidden in Mist Shinobi will naturally contact him and hand over the intelligence scroll.

However, three whole days have passed, and there is still no news of any spies. In fact, he has already sent out the three kids, and they have appeared in almost every busy place. If the spies are there, they will definitely see the special markings on their bodies.

"Could it be that this person has already been unearthed by the Mist Shinobi?"

With a slight frown, Kato Osamu remained clueless. Mist Shinobi was not without its experts, and he couldn't be too ostentatious with his methods.

"Yugao, come out with me..."

Iruka looked somewhat dejected, seemingly because he hadn't served his purpose. Itachi also frowned slightly, pondering whether he had overlooked anything.

"Yes..."

As they stepped out of the courtyard, Kato Osamu walked at a leisurely pace. The Terumi Family guards following behind them remained silent, like statues, simply acting as their nominal 'bodyguards'.

Kirigakure was not as bustling as Konoha. There weren't many people coming and going in the village. Kato Osamu and Uzuki Yugao walked around casually, just like tourists visiting Kirigakure.

"The Land of Water appears to be an island nation, not very large in area, but because it relies on the sea and does not primarily rely on agriculture, the effective utilization rate of the soil has been improved, and the entire Kirigakure is almost the same size as the Konoha."

The geographical environment of the Land of Water makes it impossible for it to form multiple economic centers like the Land of Fire. It can only focus on Kyoto and Mist Shinobi as two key areas to radiate throughout the Land of Water.

Therefore, although the Land of Water is somewhat small and sparsely populated compared to the Land of Fire, the main political and economic activities of the entire country are concentrated in two places, which means that the population of Mist Shinobi is not much smaller than that of Konoha.

"Yugao, you should have a general understanding of the situation in Mist Shinobi these past few days..."

Is there anything suspicious?

Kato Osamu's voice wasn't loud, nor was it a direct Uzuki Yugao; however, the guards behind him seemed to ignore it.

Uzuki Yugao glanced at the guards behind her. Although she was used to it, she still felt that discussing such matters under the enemy's nose was a bit too arrogant.

"There were several heavily guarded areas, prohibiting anyone from approaching... but we were so focused on finding someone that we didn't investigate further..."

"These places must hold some secrets of the Mist Shinobi... If we can destroy them, we can definitely deal a heavy blow to the Mist Shinobi!"

Uzuki Yugao's face was filled with excitement, as if she was about to achieve a great feat. Kato Osamu's lips twitched, and he couldn't help but tap her forehead.

"That's fine too. Once this is over, I'll leave you alone in Mist Shinobi. You can do whatever you want with me then..."

"..."

"Teacher Xu... how can you bear to abandon such a young and innocent girl?"

Uzuki Yugao pouted, her face full of 'deliberate' sadness, but Kato Osamu ignored her and smiled gently.

"Don't worry, I'm capable of doing something like that..."

"..."

"Um?"

While chatting with Uzuki Yugao, Kato Osamu kept moving and focused on her senses.

As a spy stationed in Kirigakure, the Konoha Ninja undoubtedly harbored some animosity towards Mist Shinobi. However, in the instant he received the feedback from his sensory abilities, he noticed a strange phenomenon.

Many people here seem to harbor some malice, and this malice subtly points to one place— the Water Shadow Building...

"Things seem to be getting interesting..."

Kato Osamu's eyes flickered slightly, his gaze involuntarily falling on a hidden corner where a young ninja was concealed, his eyes filled with undisguised hostility...

Seemingly sensing Kato Osamu's undisguised gaze, the young ninja frowned, glanced at Kato Osamu, and then vanished in an instant.

"Her strength is very high... not far from Mei Terumi's..."

Kato Osamu pondered for a moment, then noticed something familiar about the young ninja.

"They've found a new owner so quickly...?"

"The Kubikiribōchō..."