"Nakazawa..."
"Muromachi Jōen." Uzumaki Jun, following the list provided by the Uzumaki clan leader, slowly read out the names of today's outstanding graduates. But when he reached this name...
It sounded very familiar!
Wasn't this the son of the Uzumaki Country Police Chief?
If Uzumaki Jun remembered correctly, wasn't this kid quite mischievous? How did he become an outstanding graduate?
He glanced at the parents' seating area of the Chinoike clan...
Muromachi Jōmon was happily pulling on Kamizuru Seihō's sleeve, laughing loudly, "Haha, see that? That's my son! See that?"
Kamizuru Seihō, however, disdainfully brushed off Muromachi Jōmon's hand. As a wealthy figure in Uzumaki Country, he couldn't be bothered to chat with someone burdened with billions in debt.
Especially that smug expression...
It annoyed him!
"Don't worry, maybe your daughter was selected too?" Muromachi Jōmon didn't mind and cheerfully slung an arm around Kamizuru Seihō's shoulder again. "Oh, right, after this graduation, there won't be any more selections."
"What a shame!" Muromachi Jōmon sighed dramatically. "I wonder if she can apply to repeat a year. Then your daughter might still have a chance."
Hmph, let's see you Kamizuru folks keep flaunting your wealth in front of me!
"..."
Kamizuru Seihō turned his face away, taking a deep breath to calm himself. Today was an important day for Uzumaki Country. He had to stay composed and not stoop to arguing with a pauper.
Then, narrowing his eyes, he smiled faintly at Muromachi Jōmon and said lightly, "Have you paid off your debts?"
"..."
Damn it!
Muromachi Jōmon's cheerful expression instantly froze, as if someone had choked him.
On such an important day, could they not talk about money?
Just as he was about to retort and mock the Kamizuru clan's younger generation for their incompetence to salvage some dignity...
"Kamizuru Yabachi." Uzumaki Jun read out another name.
"..."
Kamizuru Seihō wore a faint smile and said leisurely, "For the Kamizuru clan, this is nothing to boast about."
"It's just the bare minimum."
"Unlike some people," Kamizuru Seihō sighed and shook his head, "who only have this one thing to show off."
Serves you right for flaunting in front of me earlier!
Now...
His face was red with anger.
...
"Work hard, and never forget..." Uzumaki Jun smiled and delivered the standard words of encouragement. "You will be the pride of Uzumaki Country."
"Serve the people!" Muromachi Jōen, upon hearing this, straightened his back and accepted the certificate handed to him by Lord Jun, shouting loudly, "I will definitely work hard!"
Uzumaki Jun nodded in satisfaction. It seemed that after all these years, Muromachi Jōen had been taught well by his father.
That expression, that posture...
A true public servant!
It seemed he wouldn't resort to killing his entire family on a whim anymore.
Then, he moved on to present the next certificate...
Uzumaki Country had abolished the traditional forehead protector and replaced it with a graduation certificate modeled after the original world—a red booklet with a spiral symbol and the name "Uzumaki Country First Affiliated Academy" printed on it. Below that was...
"The Uzumaki Shinobi People's Republic."
Since they were determined to follow the new path of socialism with Uzumaki characteristics, there was no need to adhere to the customs of the shinobi world.
"I will work hard," Kamizuru Yabachi said excitedly as she accepted the certificate. "I will study diligently and become a useful talent for society."
Uzumaki Jun smiled and nodded, then watched as Kamizuru Yabachi stepped down. Only one name remained...
Looking at the list in his hand, his expression shifted slightly in surprise before he smiled and announced, "The last one..."
"Shijō."
...
"How infuriating!" Hanzo of the Salamander sighed helplessly. Arms dealers truly had no conscience. He had purchased so many weapons from the Akatsuki, placed so many orders, and this time, he just wanted to buy on credit. Was it necessary to slam the door and leave without even looking back?
What ugly faces!
After such a long business relationship, they wouldn't even extend him credit. Didn't they trust Hanzo of the Salamander?
No matter what, he was a prominent figure in the shinobi world!
Would the "God of Shinobi" ever do something as dishonorable as breaking his word or betraying trust?
That was absolutely impossible!
"Ah..." Hanzo wore a bitter expression as he scanned the intelligence reports from below and shook his head helplessly. If things continued like this, the Land of Rain would truly be finished. But...
"Is there really no ally to be found?"
Just then...
"There is."
A calm voice rang out.
Hanzo quickly set down the newspaper in his hand and looked around, shouting sternly, "Who's there? Hiding in the shadows, too cowardly to show yourself?"
"Tsk, tsk." A figure slowly emerged from the ground, sneering at Hanzo. "It seems the Land of Rain isn't in dire straits yet. The 'God of Shinobi' still has quite the imposing presence!"
"Who are you?" Hanzo frowned at the dark figure that had risen from the ground, his guard up. "You're definitely not human."
"Who I am doesn't matter," Zetsu said flatly. "Just know that I'm the only one who can help the Hidden Rain Village right now."
And also...
He really wasn't human.
"..."
Hearing this, Hanzo fell silent, seemingly hesitating.
However...
"If you keep waiting, the Land of Rain will be destroyed," Zetsu said with a cold smile. "You... can't afford to wait."
Under the combined assault of the three great shinobi villages, the fall of the Land of Rain was only a matter of time. Add to that the looming threat of the Hidden Cloud Village...
So...
If it weren't for that red-haired kid asking him for help, why would he bother with this?
He had been leading a group of villagers in prayers for Mother Kaguya. How did he end up being dragged into this?
And without pay, no less.
He was suffering!
"How do you plan to help the Hidden Rain?" Hanzo finally sighed and asked. "You alone aren't enough."
"My organization and I won't intervene directly," Zetsu said flatly.
With his jonin-level strength, if he went out to join the fray, he'd probably never see Mother again.
"Your organization?" Hanzo frowned and snorted. "If you're not taking action, how can you help?"
By cheering from the sidelines?
"Our organization has our methods. How we do it is none of your concern," Zetsu replied coolly. "And..."
The five great villages weren't truly united.
"You just need to prepare the payment."
Hearing this, Hanzo narrowed his eyes at Zetsu, then smirked coldly. "I hope you're not lying to me. Otherwise..."
"I'll make sure you regret deceiving Hanzo of the Salamander."
"Tell me, then."
"What payment do you want?"
Right now, the Land of Rain had no other options. He might as well see what this mysterious organization could do.
"We don't need anything else," Zetsu shook his head, staring at Hanzo expressionlessly. "We only want..."
"The Land of Rain's steel!"
...