---
"Are you Zenkichi?"
A young boy, no older than twelve or thirteen, stood in front of Zenkichi, eyeing him from head to toe.
"It's me. Are you Yagura?"
Zenkichi looked at the boy casually and replied in a calm tone.
Today was the day they were to depart for Konoha. Zenkichi, Yagura, Terumi Mei, and Elder Genji had assembled and were preparing to leave the Kirigakure base.
"I'll prove that I'm stronger than you."
Yagura clenched his fists, speaking to Zenkichi with passion burning in his eyes. "I'm determined to become Mizukage!"
Zenkichi: →_→
He casually touched the sealing scroll on his waist and let out a long sigh.
If only I had a straw hat...
I'd put it on this kid without hesitation.
"What's with that look on your face?"
Seeing Zenkichi shaking his head and sighing, Yagura frowned in irritation.
"Let me tell you—I'm not younger than you! Don't underestimate me!"
Yagura sounded angry. Clearly, his short stature had caused him plenty of frustration.
"I'm not underestimating you," Zenkichi said in a placid tone.
"A man with such a mighty physique... terrifying."
He said it with a composed voice, as though he had become some ancient seer.
Yagura's face darkened at Zenkichi's sarcastic praise.
"Can I hit him?"
Yagura pointed furiously at Zenkichi and turned to Elder Genji for permission.
"No."
Elder Genji sighed and looked at Yagura helplessly.
Do you think I don't want to hit him?
This guy is even stronger than I am!
But Elder Genji chose to preserve Yagura's pride. He didn't outright say Zenkichi was untouchable. Yagura, however, mistook the silence for silent support and grew even more agitated.
Terumi Mei glanced at Zenkichi with a mixture of frustration and helplessness.
He has the talent, the strength, the resources... Why does he waste them like this?
If I had your advantages, I'd already be Mizukage!
---
Konoha.
After entering the Land of Fire, the four-person team from Kirigakure was escorted all the way by Konoha ninjas.
"Remember," Elder Genji said seriously to the group—and to the hidden ANBU watching them—
"Don't act arrogant when we arrive in Konoha, but don't bring shame to the name of Kirigakure either."
"Don't start trouble, but if trouble comes to you, don't back down. Kirigakure isn't afraid of war."
He made sure the hidden Konoha observers heard that too.
Right now, Konoha was at odds with both Sunagakure and Iwagakure. They weren't likely to provoke Kirigakure unnecessarily.
Kirigakure, for its part, didn't want to escalate things either. This mission was more of a military display than a true diplomatic negotiation.
Bring a few strong, promising young shinobi to show off Kirigakure's strength—without actually starting a war.
If possible, they hoped to gain bargaining power through peaceful means.
After all, if you can't destroy a nation outright, war's real goal is to gain leverage at the negotiating table.
---
"Welcome, messengers from Kirigakure."
A Konoha ninja appeared in front of the group, smiling politely. He looked remarkably similar to the Third Hokage.
"I am Sarutobi Shinnosuke. I'll be your liaison during your stay."
"Shinnosuke?" Zenkichi looked him up and down. "If I'm not mistaken, you're part of Konoha's ANBU. Why aren't you in uniform or wearing a mask?"
Shinnosuke's smile stiffened slightly, but he kept his tone light.
"I'm not here in an ANBU capacity today. I'm here as a regular Konoha shinobi."
Zenkichi nodded thoughtfully. "I see. So even the Third Hokage is sending out his own son. Seems like Konoha is taking us pretty seriously."
The Hokage's biological son?!
Terumi Mei and Yagura were visibly surprised, and even Elder Genji raised an eyebrow.
Shinnosuke's lips twitched. "Seems you're well-informed. You know quite a bit."
"Not many people know I'm both a former ANBU and the Hokage's son."
Zenkichi chuckled and waved his hand. "That just means you've got a leak in your upper ranks. Better have the Third Hokage investigate. Might even be someone from Suna."
Shinnosuke: "..."
I'm just here to greet you. Why are you giving me political headaches already?
He shot a glance at Zenkichi, thoroughly annoyed.
This was no ordinary guest—he was a walking problem.
As he watched Zenkichi, Shinnosuke mentally noted a few key things.
First: Zenkichi seemed to have access to sensitive information about Konoha. Whether that information was real or bait, it was alarming.
Second: He might know things that even Kirigakure's leadership doesn't. That made him a potential goldmine—or a dangerous liability.
Third: And this was the most important—
This guy has an absolutely infuriating personality. I really want to punch him.
Shinnosuke silently added those three points to Zenkichi's file in his mind and gave the boy a sideways glare.
"Whoa! What's with the look?"
Zenkichi raised his brows and gave an exaggerated gasp.
"The angry Konoha ninja is so scary!"
Shinnosuke: ??(◣д◢)??
I really can't take this guy…
"Ahem! Right. Let's get you to your accommodations first," Elder Genji cut in smoothly, redirecting the conversation before things escalated.
Then he turned to Zenkichi with a satisfied look.
They hadn't come to Konoha for sightseeing. Testing the waters and touching nerves was exactly what they were here for.
Elder Genji had expected Konoha to probe Zenkichi first.
But unexpectedly, Zenkichi struck first.
Good. Very good.
---
Under Shinnosuke's lead, the Kirigakure delegation entered Konoha. After settling them into the guesthouse, Shinnosuke left.
Elder Genji turned to Zenkichi and said seriously, "In the coming days, someone will definitely test your abilities. Stay calm and don't reveal your weaknesses."
Zenkichi scoffed. "Weaknesses? I don't have any."
Elder Genji said nothing more, only shaking his head.
Even he wasn't sure if Zenkichi had any weaknesses.
That kind of thing was taboo in shinobi circles. Even high-level village leaders wouldn't investigate carelessly.
---
4 More Chapters to go.
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