"Visiting" Hidden Mist Village

Land of Water, Hidden Mist Village.

After the First Shinobi World War, the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hozuki, had died in battle, perishing alongside Mu, the Second Earth Shadow of Hidden Stone Village. Hidden Mist Village suffered devastating losses, and after the war, even the Land of Water's economy fell into a slump for a time.

At this critical moment, Hidden Mist Village began a series of reforms spanning politics, economics, culture, and military affairs. Most importantly, Minazuki Sora, the most senior figure among them, succeeded as the Third Water Shadow, greatly steadying the morale of all Hidden Mist ninja.

The Third Tsuchikage of the neighboring Hidden Stone Village was merely some wet-behind-the-ears kid, while their Lord Minazuki had once served Lord White Lotus, the First Mizukage. He was a legendary ninja who had participated in the Five Kage Summit.

Under his leadership, Hidden Mist Village quickly recovered, breaking free from its gloom and flourishing once more.

Of course, it was not entirely Minazuki Sora's credit. Some of the policies left behind by the Second Water Shadow also played a crucial role.

For instance, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, a force directly under the Water Shadow that he had established.

These seven were not only elite ninja who had passed Hidden Mist's layers of selection, but each was also equipped with a ninja sword suited to their own Ninjutsu.

Working together, the seven could even conquer a small country overnight.

Such formidable combat power was not solely because the Hidden Mist ninja themselves were powerful. Their ninja swords accounted for a considerable part of it as well.

The origins of those ninja swords were even more extraordinary. Tracing them back, they had all been forged by Hidden Mist Village's most renowned swordsmiths, who came from a blade-forging Merchant Association known as Iron Cutting.

It was said that Lord Gengetsu had strongly supported the Merchant Association back then, specifically to provide weapons for the ninja sword forces. Their craftsmanship was exquisite, and the ninja swords they forged matched their wielders perfectly. Their power was immense, and on the battlefield, they had once become a deciding factor in the outcome of the battle situation.

That day, the Iron Cutting Merchant Guild received three special visitors.

The moment the three appeared, they blew apart the Merchant Association's main gate.

The young man at the front had his eyes covered with Black Satin. His teeth were like jade, his skin like ice and snow, and even as he strolled leisurely, he carried an otherworldly air.

To his right stood a cool, beautiful woman with a tall figure and waterfall-like black hair. A war fan and sickle were strapped to her back, while her somewhat Simple and Unadorned Warring States armor outlined her slender yet full curves.

To his left stood a fierce-looking Strong man. He was burly, and his Eyes resembled demons from hell, glowing with a dim green light. He was the one who had blown apart the Merchant Association's gate.

Perhaps calling them "visitors" was not quite accurate. They had come aggressively, more like debt collectors.

"Oikawa Genzo, get the hell out here!"

Kakuzu let out a deep shout. His rolling voice swept through the air like muffled thunder rumbling across the ground, echoing throughout the Merchant Association.

"How dare you!"

"You're courting death!"

Two Hidden Mist Village ninja leaped out in fury. One threw an Exploding Tag Kunai, while the other decisively formed Hand Seals.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

A roaring Water Dragon abruptly appeared and charged at the three along with a burning Exploding Tag Kunai. More precisely, they were charging at Shin'yu in the middle.

Shin'yu remained calm and composed, standing motionlessly with his Hands behind his back. Like a true blind man, he completely ignored the attack before him.

To his left, Kakuzu extended a Pitch Black arm and caught the Kunai in his grasp. With a booming explosion, it had no effect beyond a few wisps of dissipating black smoke.

To his right, a broad war fan stretched across Shin'yu's front, intercepting the Water Dragon and the surging floodwaters alike. The fan's handle bent slightly.

"Uchiha Reflection." Light's voice carried an eerie chill.

"Rumble!"

A flash of white light erupted, followed by billowing wind and blazing flames. The two Hidden Mist ninja were instantly swallowed by the sea of fire, leaving not even bones behind.

"Murder!"

"Murderer!!"

The Merchant Association immediately descended into chaos. Some of its employees were merely ordinary villagers and had never seen such a scene. They fled through the building in blind panic, scrambling about in utter disorder, terrified that a fireball might blast into the building. Some were even frightened into wetting themselves.

Then Shin'yu spoke, his clear and gentle voice echoing through the air.

"The person we're looking for is Oikawa Genzo, your Merchant Association's president. Everyone else, leave if you don't want to die."

The crowd regained a little composure, but they all fell silent in fear. No one dared make a move.

At that moment, a long-faced middle-aged man in the crowd had a flicker in his Eyes. Seeing that Shin'yu's group had no intention of rushing inside, he dashed out of the building and out of the Merchant Association, pounding toward the Water Shadow Building.

"Huh? You're really leaving?"

A hint of surprise entered Shin'yu's smile. Without even looking, he raised his hand and formed a finger-gun gesture.

"Water Release: Water Gun."

With a sharp whistle, a droplet shot from his fingertips, instantly piercing through the middle-aged man's back. He tumbled to the ground like a rolling gourd as a bright red flower of blood bloomed across the earth.

"I wasn't finished. I meant ordinary civilians," Shin'yu added. "Well, if you're a ninja and dare take even one step out of the Merchant Association, you'll be killed without exception."

He raised his voice. "Now then, does anyone else want to leave?"

With that example before them, who would dare step forward? This time, whether ninja or ordinary people, they all huddled inside the Merchant Association's building and did not dare show their faces.

"Very good." Shin'yu smiled.

Taking advantage of this moment, the people of Hidden Mist Village gathered around. Figures surrounded the three from every direction, and at their head was Hidden Mist Village's Third Water Shadow, Minazuki Sora.

"Who are you?"

Perhaps sensing the strength of the three, Minazuki Sora did not immediately order an attack. Instead, he asked in a grave tone.

"Uchiha..." Shin'yu slowly turned his head. "Shin'yu."

"!!!"

Minazuki Sora's Eyes flew open, his Pupils abruptly contracting as undisguised horror appeared on his face.

What's going on?

"Why is this monster here?"

Who in Hidden Mist has provoked him?

Cold sweat instantly covered his forehead. His throat went dry, and his pounding heart nearly leaped out of his mouth.

He had been present when Hidden Leaf Village held Princess Tsunade's Hundred Days Banquet!

He had also seen Gengetsu Hozuki nearly melt from fright.

Not only that, he had personally witnessed how this madman named Uchiha Shin'yu had bombarded Hidden Leaf Village, how he had brazenly declared war before the Five Kage led by the First Hokage, and how he had toyed with several Kage in the palm of his hand with nothing more than a Spirit Body!

Most importantly, this guy seemed to have... killed the First Hokage and the Second Hokage!

Back then, he had even rejoiced that Hidden Leaf Village had provoked such a monster. But today...

"So it's Lord Shin'yu. I don't recall any grudge between us..." the Third Water Shadow said with a dry laugh.

Shin'yu smiled politely. "No, there isn't. But if you continue attacking, then there will be."

The Third Water Shadow immediately understood. "No, no. We only came to welcome you."

He shouted at those around him, "What are you doing? Put your weapons away. There's nothing to see here, so disperse."

The Hidden Mist ninja were all bewildered. They had no idea why their Water Shadow, who had always been known for his sternness and coldness, was being so polite today.