The Kawasaki Exchange is located beside the Kawasaki Canyon, on the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Fire, hence its Kawasaki.
This place is remote and sparsely populated, and belongs to the Land of Grass, so usually only ninjas from small ninja villages visit it. However, recently, a major event in the Shinobi World has led to a continuous stream of ninjas from major countries arriving here.
"Hey, what's going on lately? Why are there so many ninjas here? I remember there weren't many people here." In a corner of the exchange, a ninja from a small country looked at the bustling hall and asked his companion with a puzzled expression.
"Seriously? What have you been up to lately? Haven't you heard about the hottest news in the Shinobi World right now?" His companion looked at him in astonishment, as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Oh dear, I've been cultivating these past few days, how would I know what happened? Just tell me quickly." He was getting impatient, because his companion's words made him feel mocked.
"Hehe, then you're in for a shame." His companion glanced around for a moment, as if afraid of being overheard, and whispered, "Let me tell you, recently there's been a rumor circulating in the Shinobi World that the Light Organization possesses the secret of the Sage of Six Paths, and some even say that if you obtain the secret of the Sage of Six Paths Sage of Six Paths, you can become a god like him."
After several days of fermentation and with the added fuel to the fire, the news about the Light Organization has completely deviated from its original form, becoming increasingly exaggerated, with even the absurd rumor that obtaining the secrets of the Light Organization can make one become the Sage of Sage of Six Paths appearing.
Even though it's so exaggerated it's unbelievable, some people still believe it, and clearly, my companion is one of those who firmly believes this news.
He still possessed the rationality of a normal person and didn't believe the rumors about becoming the Sage of Sage of Six Paths at all. What he was more curious about was why the Light Organization, with its huge secrets, wasn't searching for them but instead coming to this small-town exchange.
"Since the Light Organization's secrets are so important, what are people from other ninja villages doing here? Shouldn't they be looking for members of the Light Organization?"
"Who says the ninjas of the great powers didn't search? Their presence here is the best proof, isn't it? Let me tell you the truth, a few days ago, people from the Light Organization showed up at the exchange right here. Otherwise, why would those big shots appear in this godforsaken place?"
"I see!" He nodded in sudden understanding.
That makes sense. If something important hadn't attracted the ninjas from the major powers, this usually deserted exchange wouldn't be bustling with activity today.
The conversation among the ninjas in the corner was a microcosm of the widespread discussion throughout the exchange.
Ninety-nine percent of the people in this exchange are there for the same purpose: to see if there's a chance to continue waiting for members of the Light Organization in this exchange.
At this moment, another group of people entered the exchange, immediately attracting everyone's attention as soon as they entered the exchange hall.
"Their Forehead Protector and their attire... they're from Kirigakure!" someone inside the exchange exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the group enter.
"Hey, keep your voice down! Are you out of your mind? Those are ninjas from the Bloody Mist Village, bloodthirsty monsters. I don't want to attract their attention." Hearing the exclamation from the person next to him, someone immediately whispered a reprimand. The terrified expression clearly showed how scared they were of the person who had entered.
There's no way around it; ninjas from the Bloody Mist Village simply possess that kind of intimidating power among ninjas from small countries in the Shinobi World.
"Hey, Kisame, is the information accurate? Are you sure it's here?" At the entrance of the exchange, Zabuza Momochi, his face wrapped in white bandages, looked around and asked the shark-faced man beside him. "These are all small fry. Would the Light Organization really show up here?"
He glanced around and saw no one dared to meet his gaze. Zabuza couldn't believe that anyone from the Light Organization would be in such a trash-filled place.
Zabuza, they silently cowered like turtles, or like ostriches burying their heads in the ground, pretending not to hear Zabuza's mockery.
"Heh, the information wasn't wrong. After all, if the information were wrong, they wouldn't be here." Saying this, Zabuza next to Kisame, pointed to another corner of the hall.
In the corner of the hall, two teams of ninjas, one dressed as Sunagakure and the other as a Iwagakure, sat quietly at two tables, seemingly indifferent to worldly affairs.
"Oh, I misjudged. There aren't just small fry here; there are giants here too." Zabuza an eyebrow. After seeing the ninjas from the two major nations, he was now certain that the Light Organization might be present.
To his surprise, the Sunagakure and the Iwagakure were remarkably patient, showing no reaction to his provocation. Did they lack the magnanimity expected of a major village?
"Alright, Zabuza, let's go in first. It's not proper for us to be blocking the entrance. We're people from Kirigakure, after all."
Suddenly, a clear and melodious female voice rang out behind Kisame and Zabuza. A figure with reddish-brown hair, delicate features, and a curvaceous figure appeared.
After the figure appeared, a ray of light seemed to appear in the previously dimly lit exchange hall.
"Hmph, I know." Seemingly somewhat displeased with the figure beside him, yet also somewhat wary, Zabuza snorted coldly, then stepped aside from the doorway and walked a few steps into the exchange's lobby.
"Haha, Mei Terumi, you're still as strict as ever." A white-haired, sharp-toothed young man standing behind Mei Terumi Mei Terumi laughed after hearing her words, "We're Kirigakure, even if we block the doorway, no one dares to say anything."
The white-haired youth's words were filled with pride and confidence in Kirigakure, and his domineering manner made one's heart burn with anger.
Finally, the Iwagakure Ninja, who had been sitting silently in the corner, couldn't stand the Kirigakure's arrogance any longer and spoke up mockingly, "It's ridiculous! When did the Kirigakure become so brazen? Have they forgotten how badly Konoha extorted them before?"
There's a saying that you shouldn't hit someone in the face, but the Iwagakure people seemed to have no scruples at all, rubbing salt into Kirigakure's wounds with their words.
It's understandable, though. If they knew the relationship between Iwagakure and Kirigakure, it would be understandable why the Iwagakure ninjas would mock the Kirigakure members.
Back then, the Second Mizukage launched a surprise attack on Iwagakure's home territory during the Shinobi World War, causing immense damage to the Iwagakure.
Only after forcing the Second Tsuchikage to perish together with him did they interrupt the Kirigakure's offensive momentum and alleviate the Iwagakure's predicament.
It was after that fierce battle that the hatred between Iwagakure and Kirigakure has continued ever since.
Iwagakure members had Zabuza's remarks earlier because they felt the situation was unclear and chose to remain patient. However, after hearing Kirigakure members spout such arrogant words again, they could no longer hold back.
The white-haired youth hadn't expected anyone to mock him, but when he saw that it was Iwagakure Ninja spoke, a knowing glint flashed in his eyes.
He grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth, his face full of arrogance. Then he raised his right hand, making a gun gesture, and aimed it at the location of Iwagakure.
When the surrounding ninjas saw the white-haired youth being mocked, he merely made a joking gesture, but inwardly they couldn't help but sneer at him.
This is the kind of ninja a great power can be, and this is all they can do when they're ridiculed? It's utterly laughable.
But when the people from Iwagakure saw the white-haired youth make that gesture, their mocking expressions immediately vanished, replaced by seriousness.
Unlike the ignorant ninjas, they recognized the technique the white-haired youth was about to unleash. It was the Water Gun Technique, a family secret technique passed down by the Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hozuki, who had once led Kirigakure into the Land of Earth.
The Second Mizukage used this technique to kill many Iwagakure Ninja, and it was recorded by Iwagakure after the war as a warning. In other words, the person in front of them was actually a member of the Second Mizukage Gengetsu Hozuki.
"So you're from the Hozuki Clan? No wonder you're so arrogant."
The Iwagakure members hadn't expected to encounter the Hozuki Clan on their mission, and they immediately assumed a fighting stance, their expressions wary while also suppressing any initial contempt. After all, they couldn't underestimate the strength of the Hozuki Clan.
Upon hearing the words of the Iwagakure Ninja, the sneers in the surrounding ninjas immediately vanished. The Hozuki Clan was a major clan in Kirigakure, not someone like them, a nobody, could mock. If the Hozuki Clan found out, they probably wouldn't even know how they died.
"It seems that Chief Gengetsu Yue has left a deep impression on your Iwagakure, making you remember the Hozuki Clan."
It was just an ordinary sentence, but paired with the white-haired youth's ambiguous smile, it looked incredibly sarcastic.
This expression instantly ignited the anger in the hearts of the Iwagakure members. "You brat, what did you say?!"
Seeing the imminent conflict, Mei Terumi couldn't remain calm. She knew that if they started fighting the Iwagakure people, there would definitely be huge chaos, which would be detrimental to their mission.
So she reached out to stop the young man's actions and advised, " Mangetsu, now is not the time for you to make a move. The main characters haven't arrived yet. A conflict now will only lead to mission failure."
But her persuasion was to no avail. Hozuki Mangetsu maintained his ambiguous smile and said without turning his head, " Mei Terumi Jonin, the Mizukage has appointed me as the captain of this operation. You must obey my orders, not try to stop me. Or are you planning to betray Kirigakure?"
Mei Terumi's expression froze. Her initial thought of trying to persuade her was instantly forgotten, replaced by a surge of burning anger. But what angered her even more was that she couldn't vent this emotion at all.
Since Hozuki Mangetsu was the captain of this operation, she, as a team member, had no choice but to obey orders.
Therefore, she could only suppress her anger and say, "Fine, then Captain Hozuki Mangetsu, please remember our mission, otherwise I will report the details of this mission to the Mizukage."
After reminding Hozuki Mangetsu of something, Hozuki Mangetsu Mei Terumi lowered her arm and stood beside him.
Unfortunately, Mei Terumi didn't want to get involved in such trivial matters unrelated to the mission if she could, but she was now Hozuki Mangetsu's subordinate, and Hozuki Mangetsu represented the face of Kirigakure, so as Kirigakure ninja, she had to support him.
Zabuza and Kisame, Mei Terumi, stood to Hozuki Mangetsu's side, then assumed their fighting stances, ready for the battle to begin.
The atmosphere between the Kirigakure Villagers and the Iwagakure instantly became even more tense, as if a battle was about to erupt at any moment.
The surrounding ninjas were also affected by this atmosphere, and they couldn't help but grip their weapons tightly, preparing to deal with the upcoming changes.
Just as the situation was about to get out of control, another queue entered the exchange.
This team consisted of four people, all wearing Konoha Forehead Protector. They had youthful faces and looked to be no more than fourteen or fifteen years old. They were very young and appeared to be an ordinary Genin squad.
Moreover, this squad seemed oblivious to the tense atmosphere in the air, completely ignoring the standoff between Kirigakure and Iwagakure.
He walked straight up behind the four Kirigakure ninjas. Immediately afterward, he heard the leader of the Konoha squad say calmly, "Make way, you're blocking the way."
That calm demeanor was as natural as if someone were strolling down the street and someone blocked the way, and the person simply asked them to move aside.
This made the surrounding ninjas almost think they were on a peaceful street instead of in a trading hall where a battle was about to break out.
However, the surrounding ninjas quickly realized what had happened and felt a pang of regret.
They knew that the Konoha team was doomed, especially the young ninja who had called for the Kirigakure to make way; he could be beheaded and his blood spilled on the spot in the next second.
After all, he was facing the ruthless Kirigakure. Those people don't care about your age; if your actions get in their way, they'll take action immediately.
Sure enough, what happened next proved their theory to be true.
Hozuki Iwagakure Hozuki Mangetsu, turned their heads. Zabuza, glared at the Konoha Ninja with murderous intent, muttering, "Which bastard..."
But the next second, something strange happened.
Zabuza, who had been fiercely preparing to Zabuza, suddenly widened his eyes as if he had seen a ghost. His previously menacing face froze, and the curses he was about to utter stopped abruptly.
Hozuki Mangetsu and Mei Terumi, who were beside him, were in no better shape. They also looked astonished and their bodies stiffened when they saw the Konoha Ninja.
Then, the Konoha Ninja said again, "Make way, you're blocking the way."
His tone remained completely flat, showing no sign of wavering despite the four Kirigakure Kirigakure turning around, as if they were just ordinary ninjas.
This behavior made the surrounding ninjas break out in a cold sweat. They had seen people courting death before, but they had never seen anyone courting death like this.
The Kirigakure Village was already being very lenient by not making a move, and now the Konoha Ninja are still trying to get involved; they're practically courting death.
However, they failed to notice that the expressions of the Iwagakure, who were confronting Kirigakure, and the Sunagakure, who were also in a corner, were very unnatural. If one looked closely, one could even see fear in their eyes.
Just when the surrounding ninjas thought that Kirigakure would definitely take action against the Konoha Ninja who had offended them, what happened next shocked them to their core.