The three of them, Qi and his companions, did not mention returning home separately.
Ao, who had left ahead of time, had already crossed the center of Kirigakure and arrived directly at the main gate of a somewhat ancient-looking mansion on the southernmost side. Ao, who had been calm in front of Qi and the other two, showed a respectful expression after entering the mansion, and his body subconsciously bowed slightly.
They drove smoothly and directly towards the courtyard at the very back.
By the time Qing arrived.
In the corridor of that courtyard, sat an old man with a withered face, holding a cup of tea. Beside him was a snake-shaped wooden cane. The old man's eyes were slightly closed, as if he were resting.
All around was quiet.
The moment Qing saw the old man, the respect on his face deepened, and he walked with the lightest of steps.
At the moment when you get close to the elderly person.
Qing immediately knelt on one knee and bowed in the softest and most respectful tone, saying, " Genji!"
And that was exactly as Qing finished speaking.
The old man seemed to have just come to his senses. His head turned very slowly, and his eyes were slightly open. The depths of his pupils were filled with turbidity and a sense of vicissitude. When a normal person saw the old man's demeanor, he would subconsciously think of words like "about to die".
This is not an exaggeration; the old man simply exuded an overwhelming sense of decay.
Even Qing and other subordinates who were directly under the old man's closest confidants had similar concerns.
In the original work, however, this old man's lifespan was comparable to that of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, who lived to the age of ninety before passing away peacefully. Now, at only sixty-seven or sixty-eight years old, he still has more than twenty years to live!
That's right, this old man is none other than Genji, the most prestigious elder in Kirigakure today, who co-founded Kirigakure with the First Mizukage Byakuren, and is the only one still alive today!
"Oh? It's Qing Xiaozi."
"Yes, Genji, I've come to pay my respects today..."
"I've already said it, there's no need for you to keep coming to check on this old man. I'm practically halfway to the grave. You young people should focus your energy on the village and not waste your time."
Before Qing could finish speaking...
Genji directly interrupted Qing, who was speaking slowly and deliberately.
"But..."
This left Qing feeling somewhat at a loss, and she instinctively wanted to say something.
"The future of the village depends on you young people, Qing. You must remember this. This old man of mine is already a thing of the past!"
A faint, sharp glint seemed to flash deep within Genji's eyes.
The words that continued to be spoken softly.
Qing was taken aback again, but then seemed to understand something. A complex look flashed deep in her eyes, but Qing still bowed deeply and said, "Yes, Qing understands. Then, Qing will not disturb Genji any longer. Please excuse me for today!"
"Um!"
After Genji closed his eyes, seemingly entering a state of semi-sleep again, Qing got up, took a few steps back, then turned and strode away from the courtyard.
And it was after Qing left.
" Genji, is it really necessary to go this far? I don't think the Fourth Hokage would care about these things, right? Qing, Bi, Gonbei, and Tasumori are still..."
A gray figure quietly appeared beside Genji, looking at him with a hint of hesitation. The powerful and chilling aura emanating from the Genji proved that the newcomer was among the best in the Jonin level.
This figure was the one responsible for protecting Genji, and one of Genji's most trusted subordinates. However, just as he opened his mouth...
"You've overstepped your bounds, Abe. Don't forget your place!"
The eyes of the Genji, which had been reopened at some point, were no longer clouded with confusion. Instead, they were filled with a chilling and sharp gaze. His words, though not particularly harsh, were clearly a sign of Genji Genji 'Genji anger, as the gray-clad male Mist Ninja who was always by his side and knew him best.
Not to mention, he could also sense a faint aura of danger emanating from Genji.
The gray-clad Mist Ninja trembled and immediately knelt on one knee, replying with a look of fear, "This subordinate knows his mistake, please forgive me Genji!"
But Genji seemed not to hear, still staring expressionlessly at the gray-clad Mist Ninja. The chilling aura emanating from him caused the gray-clad Mist Ninja to break out in a cold sweat, and his body trembled slightly.
He realized that he had underestimated his Genji's anger.
The faint, chilling aura that permeated the surroundings meant that even if the Genji were to kill him in the next second, the gray-clad Mist Ninja wouldn't be surprised in the slightest.
Fortunately, Genji clearly only wanted to give his subordinate a warning. He slowly turned back, closed his eyes again, and spoke softly.
"Yes, it's good that you know you were wrong. But remember, you must correct it and not make the same mistake again, understand, Abe?"
This immediately Mist Ninja, who quickly replied, "Yes, sir, I will obey your command Genji!"
Then.
It was also with a gentle wave of Genji's right hand.
The gray-clad Mist Ninja immediately rose again and disappeared into the shadows of the corner.
Genji, on the other hand, sat down again as if he were an old god.
'Still too young...'
He uttered such a barely audible word.
At the same time, in the core area of Kirigakure, in the Mizukage Building, in the Mizukage's private office located in the very center of the top floor.
As the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura received news immediately that Aoyama had gone to visit Genji.
At first, the young Mizukage was somewhat displeased, but later he received news that Ao had only stayed inside for less than a minute before leaving.
Karatachi Yagura was taken aback.
Then, as if he had just thought of something, he suddenly remembered something.
The Mizukage then gave a faint smile, "Young people these days tend to be a bit too impulsive; the older generation is much more composed."
He then immediately threw himself back into his work.
A power struggle among high-level officials.
Often, these issues lie hidden deep within the political landscape, rarely and inevitably revealed, because they often signify political instability—a result no competent leader desires.
That's how it was with the Genji.
The same applies to Yagura, who also has Karatachi Yagura.
This is the main reason why they can stand at the highest position in the ninja village and command tens of thousands of Mist Ninja.
However, these are matters between high-level officials.
It's not yet time for Qi to be qualified and capable of participating. Qi has only just Jonin, and the only thing he needs to focus on is his own development!
For example, right now, I'm focusing all my attention on the upcoming first squad mission!!