Land of Whirlpools.
"This is quite interesting." Uzumaki Jun looked at today's shinobi world newspaper, a faint smile appearing on his face as he murmured, "When the time comes, we'll give one to each of the Five Great Nations, and then distribute a few more to some special smaller nations. I wonder what will happen then?"
Probably, those who study the history of the shinobi world will be utterly confused.
Wasn't it said that in the past, the shinobi world had no shinobi and was a world of samurai?
What's the deal with this stone tablet? And what about these ninja swords?
When the time comes, they'll either find a way to prove these swords are fake, or...
They'll overturn the recorded history and rewrite the past. But most likely, they'll choose the former—partly because Zetsu's forgery skills are so advanced that even those with the Mangekyō Sharingan can't detect it, let alone ordinary people. And another reason is...
Currently, very few in the shinobi world truly know what happened during that era a thousand years ago.
This is also Zetsu's fault...
The shinobi world's troublemaker, who has lived for a thousand years, constantly altering history from the shadows!
He has distorted history beyond recognition!
Moreover, after some time, the Akatsuki organization can take advantage of this wave and release low-grade scientific ninja swords, claiming that after arduous research, they have finally deciphered the techniques of the legendary swords and developed high-quality replicas...
"It's just that this Zetsu is really..." Uzumaki Jun shook his head helplessly and sighed. "Is he really that afraid of me?"
He hasn't even done anything!
He just made him run a few errands—how cowardly!
You see...
His ultimate goal is also to release Kaguya!
He...
Uzumaki Jun is a man of conscience and morals.
He absolutely cannot bear to see the tragedy of a shinobi-world version of "Splitting the Mountain to Save the Mother." And besides...
Kaguya, this poor mother, has been imprisoned for so many years. The filial son Black Zetsu, in order to save his mother, is willing to oppose the entire shinobi world. Just thinking about it is heartbreaking!
Having received nine years of compulsory education, three years of high school, and four years of undergraduate studies, growing up in an environment of socialist values and deeply influenced by Chinese culture that respects the elderly and cherishes the young, how could he stand by and let such a tragedy happen?
So...
"You have to believe me." Uzumaki Jun narrowed his eyes and murmured, "I am a good person!"
...
Kakuzu looked at the two scientific ninja swords in his hands and drooled.
Only a few days have passed, and now they're considered thousand-year-old national treasures?
Now, he even feels ashamed of his past life as a mercenary who killed and looted!
Running around tirelessly, yet earning far less than someone who just spins a tale. With just a bit of planning, the value of these swords has skyrocketed by thousands, even tens of thousands of times!
This money...
It's simply unbelievable!
"It seems I can't sell both to the same black market. I'll have to split them up." Kakuzu narrowed his eyes, staring at the swords as he muttered, "And I'll need to make these two swords look more aged."
Otherwise...
Who would believe it?
He, Kakuzu, is a man of principle. Even when deceiving people...
He must deceive them perfectly!
As for the sword spirits...
If you can't awaken them, that's your own fault!
"Maybe I should sell the Ice Release sword to the Land of Fire and the Fire Release sword to the Land of Water?" Kakuzu smirked. "And take advantage of these next few days to spread some rumors. When the Five Great Nations start competing, I can definitely fetch a huge price!"
...
Konoha.
"You..." Lady Mito looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen before her and finally sighed. "I already know. You may leave now."
"Thank you for your trouble." Sarutobi Hiruzen bowed respectfully. "Lady Mito."
Then, he turned and left.
He believed Lady Mito loved the village. She would surely make the right choice for the sake of the shinobi village.
Because Konoha...
Cannot be without the Nine-Tails!
"Sigh..." Mito watched Sarutobi Hiruzen's retreating figure. When Tsunade returned, she already knew what had happened to the Senju clan. Tears welled up in her eyes as she murmured, "Nawaki..."
Grandma has failed you!
Why did I let you become a shinobi?
When you were still so young...
Grandma...
I'm sorry.
"Hashira, I..." Uzumaki Mito's eyes were filled with confusion as tears streamed down her face. "What should I do?"
She knew Sarutobi Hiruzen was right.
Everything he did was indeed for Konoha's sake, but...
Why did her heart feel so heavy with sorrow?
"I..." Uzumaki Mito opened her mouth but ultimately sighed. In a hoarse, aged voice, she called out, "Bring that girl here!"
"Yes!"
A shadowy figure appeared immediately and responded respectfully.
...
Land of Whirlpools...
Nighttime.
Rehabilitation Camp.
"I can't take it anymore!" A short-haired Kiri-nin angrily threw down his pen and shouted. "Copying, copying, all day long! Now my head is filled with words like prosperity, democracy, freedom, equality, justice, rule of law..."
"I'm going to lose my mind!"
"Let's escape!" The Kiri-nin stood up, looking at his comrades around him. "It's been so long. It seems the village has abandoned us. We can only rely on ourselves now."
"If we stay here any longer, we'll go insane."
"The Land of Whirlpools is truly vicious, using this method to drive us mad."
However...
"Our chakra is sealed. There's no way we can escape," another Kiri-nin said helplessly, raising his hand. "When Jūzō-sama told us to run before, we couldn't even manage it. Now it's even harder."
"No, there's a chance!" The short-haired Kiri-nin shook his head. "We have an opportunity."
"What's your plan?" Pakkun Jūzō and Hoshigaki Fuguki exchanged glances and asked. "If anything goes wrong, all of us prisoners will..."
Die along with you!
And besides...
If there was a way, who the hell would want to stay here copying books?
"There's a way—the rehabilitation camp warden!" The short-haired Kiri-nin narrowed his eyes. "That disgrace of a shinobi, betraying his own village yet living so comfortably here."
"How unfair!"
"But..." The short-haired Kiri-nin smirked coldly. "He's still a prisoner. His chakra is sealed too."
"You mean..." Pakkun Jūzō frowned. "Cooperate with the rehabilitation camp warden?"
This plan...
Sounds pretty stupid.
Even if his chakra is sealed, he's living a good life now—with a wife, a daughter, a home, and a job. Why would he cooperate with them?
But...
"No!" The short-haired Kiri-nin shook his head and sneered. "I mean, when his wife brings their daughter to visit, we'll take them hostage and force the Land of Whirlpools to let us go."
You think you can live so well as a traitor?
Heh!
Let's see what you do now!
"But..." Pakkun Jūzō hesitated. "What if the Land of Whirlpools just kills the hostages and still refuses to let us go?"
"No, they won't." The short-haired Kiri-nin shook his head and said mockingly, "This is a country that prides itself on peace and democracy!"
"If they act recklessly, their reputation will be ruined."
Hearing the short-haired Kiri-nin's explanation, all the Kiri-nin present brightened up and nodded. This guy made sense!
It seemed that after so many days of studying, he had gained some insight. They were all taught by the same teacher—why was he so much smarter?
"In that case..." Pakkun Jūzō narrowed his eyes, about to make a decision when...
"I need to use the bathroom. I'll be right back." Hoshigaki Fuguki stood up and said. "You guys keep talking."
"What's wrong with Fuguki-sama?" The Kiri-nin all looked at each other in confusion. "Can't he hold it in at such a critical moment?"
As for Pakkun Jūzō...
"This Hoshigaki Fuguki..." Pakkun Jūzō narrowed his eyes, watching as Hoshigaki Fuguki left. Then, he turned back to the Kiri-nin and said, "Never mind Hoshigaki Fuguki. He'll probably be back soon. Let's focus on refining our plan now."
"Because..."
"We can't afford even the slightest mistake!"
Otherwise...
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist will need replacements.
...
Hoshigaki Fuguki walked out of the rehabilitation camp dormitory and glanced back disdainfully, muttering, "What a bunch of idiots."
Here, they have food, shelter, and don't need to run around killing people. Why would they want to leave?
Aside from having to attend classes...
Hoshigaki Fuguki thought it was pretty good!
If he could...
"I wonder if I can live..." Hoshigaki Fuguki narrowed his eyes and murmured, "A happy life like the rehabilitation camp warden?"
So...
"Your Majes—ahem! Uzu-nin-sama, I have a secret to report! I have a secret to report!" He shouted at the patrolling Uzu-nin ahead. "Someone is planning to..."
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