Entering Kirigakure, Karatachi Yagura!

November of the Konoha Year 37.

Orochimaru and his group crossed the ocean and finally set foot on the island where Kirigakure was located.

The island is shrouded in mist year-round, and the air carries a chilly, damp atmosphere.

"Phew... We're finally ashore. Sailing at sea is such a miserable experience!" Hyuga Yueming couldn't help but complain.

"Tch, you have the nerve to say that? If it weren't for you delaying everyone, we could have arrived at least half a month earlier," Hyuga Ten couldn't help but scold.

"I didn't mean to, I just get seasick..."

"Hmph! It's just a mere sea! We are the Lord Hokage's warriors, we represent the face of Konoha!"

"Didn't you throw up too...?"

"..."

"Alright, that's enough. Let's take a short rest before heading to Kirigakure." Orochimaru interrupted their idle chatter, speaking calmly.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!"

Before long, Orochimaru, Shizuya Hyuga, and several Hyuga members found a restaurant on the street.

Upon entering, the atmosphere inside the restaurant was oppressive. There were very few diners, and everyone ate in hushed tones, not daring to speak loudly, their expressions filled with apprehension.

The Blood Mist Policy has been in effect for several years, and the shadow of oppression has long since fallen not only on the ninja class, but also on ordinary people who live in constant fear, lest some unwarranted disaster befall them.

Shizuya Hyuga swept his gaze across the crowd in the shop, his expression cold, and muttered in a low voice, "Hmph! So these are the people under the Third Mizukage's rule? It seems the people here also need the Lord Hokage's grace."

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru smiled faintly but did not reply. His cold eyes quietly surveyed his surroundings, silently memorizing everything.

Just as the group picked up their bowls and chopsticks, the wooden door of the restaurant creaked open.

Several ninjas wearing Kirigakure ninja vests filed in, led by a short, calm-looking baby-faced man.

As soon as they entered, the baby-faced man's gaze locked onto Orochimaru and his group. He strode across the hall, quickly walked to the table, and said in a deep voice, "You are from Konoha?"

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru raised his eyes and calmly nodded. "That's right, we are from Konoha. We are here to visit the Kaguya Clan of your village. May I ask who you are?"

The baby-faced ninja, with a solemn expression, spoke earnestly, "I am Karatachi Yagura from Kirigakure. I have come to meet you all and take you to Kirigakure on the orders of the Third Mizukage."

As soon as he finished speaking, Orochimaru smiled dismissively and said calmly, "Oh? On the orders of the Third Mizukage? Heh... Only the Lord Hokage of Konoha can command me."

"It seems you intend to refuse Lord Mizukage's kind offer?" Upon hearing this, Karatachi Yagura's expression turned cold, and his tone became unfriendly.

Just as tensions were about to rise, Orochimaru smiled slightly and said, "Very well, I'll accompany you. After all, the Mizukage is one of the Five Kage, and we, as guests, should give him some face."

After saying that, the group from Konoha put down their bowls and chopsticks, followed Karatachi Yagura out of the restaurant, and headed towards Kirigakure along the road shrouded in white mist.

The fog around the road was so thick that it could not be dispersed, and the visibility was extremely low. The road was slippery and deserted, and there were almost no pedestrians on the street. Occasionally, people would pass by, but they would all walk quickly with their heads down and their faces full of fear. All that could be seen along the way was a scene of people living in fear.

After a long silence, Orochimaru turned to look at Yagura beside him, his expression calm and his tone gentle. "To become Jonin of Kirigakure at such a young age, Kirigakure truly produces many geniuses."

Upon hearing this, Yagura's face darkened slightly, and she immediately snorted coldly, "Hmph! Don't look at me like a child. I'm an adult now."

As soon as he finished speaking, Orochimaru's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of helplessness flashed deep in his eyes as he secretly grumbled to himself.

Sigh... Before the Lord Hokage left, he specifically instructed me to take this opportunity to investigate the Kirigakure's strength and see if there were any exceptionally talented young talents. If so, I was to try my best to recruit them and bring them back to Konoha.

I'm really not good at this kind of clandestine abduction...

But the Lord Hokage trusted me implicitly, confident that I could handle it well...

I just met this young man; he has a calm and composed demeanor. To become Jonin at such a young age, I thought I'd found a rare gem. I never imagined he'd already come of age...

With this thought in mind, Orochimaru composed himself, his face remaining impassive, and spoke calmly, "I misspoke. You are indeed remarkable for your youth."

Seeing this, Yagura glanced at him sideways without saying a word, but her eyes held a hint of wariness.

This guy from Konoha doesn't seem like a good person.

We really need to keep a close eye on him...

These ninjas from Konoha are definitely not just here to visit relatives; there must be a conspiracy.

A thick white mist hung in the air, and the long road stretched into the shadows. The two groups, each with their own thoughts, silently made their way towards the Kirigakure.

As they ventured deeper into the heart of the land, the true Kirigakure finally revealed itself in its entirety. Just as described in the book, the entire village was situated on a series of islands in the Land of Water, with countless stone pillar buildings scattered about. Most of the buildings in Kirigakure Village were suspended above the lake, and stone bridges and boardwalks crisscrossed the waterways.

There are no warm sun and green Konoha here, only damp and cold air, carrying a faint sense of desolation, deathly silent and isolated from the world.

This is the Village of the Bloody Mist Village, Five Great Shinobi Villages renowned throughout the Shinobi World!

As soon as the group stepped into the main road at the village entrance, they saw the Third Mizukage, Mumei, standing with his hands behind his back, dressed in a Mizukage robe, Unnamed expression icy.

Beside him stood dozens of Kirigakure, each Jonin a chilling aura and staring sharply at Orochimaru and his group.

There was no trace of hospitality, only naked vigilance, hostility, and an overwhelming sense of killing intent.

Seeing this, Karatachi Yagura stopped and bowed, reporting, "Lord Mizukage, the entire delegation from Konoha has been brought to you."

The Third Mizukage's gaze slowly swept over Orochimaru, Shizuya Hyuga, and the Hyuga clan members accompanying him, and he spoke slowly, "Welcome, everyone, for your long journey to Kirigakure."

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru remained expressionless, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke in a deep voice, "We apologize for disturbing Mizukage. We have come here with no ill intentions whatsoever. We are merely paying a visit because the Hyuga and Kaguya are distant relatives. It is purely a matter of clan friendship, nothing more."

As soon as he finished speaking, a cold glint flashed in the Third Mizukage's eyes, and a chilling smile curled at the corner of his lips, "Reminiscing? It's been almost forty years, and the Hyuga Kaguya Hyuga. Now, just after your Konoha hosted the Five Kage Summit, they suddenly remember?"

"Orochimaru, do you really think I don't know Konoha is thinking?"

Having said that, the Kirigakure Ninja beside the Third Mizukage instantly surged with power and killing intent, ready to attack at the Mizukage's command.

Facing the Third Mizukage's interrogation and the murderous aura of the surrounding Kirigakure Ninja, Orochimaru showed no sign of panic. He waved his hand dismissively, looked directly at the Mizukage, and a cold smile played on his lips, "Otherwise what?"

"Lord Mizukage, do you perhaps intend to attack our Konoha delegation?"

"Since that's the case, then go ahead and do it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding air fell silent.

The surrounding Kirigakure Ninja looked puzzled: Isn't this guy afraid of dying?

How dare they provoke the Mizukage at the very gates of Kirigakure?

Is it because Kirigakure has been closed off from the world for too long that the Shinobi World has almost forgotten how terrifying the Kirigakure Ninja were?