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From the very beginning, the moment Yagura Karatachi met his gaze, he had already fallen into the complete hypnosis of 'Kyōka Suigetsu'.
Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch.
Complete control over the five senses.
Ultimately, it led to an overwhelming situation.
However, Sawara Kiri had no intention of eliminating Yagura Karatachi immediately.
He was currently at a very delicate juncture.
The ongoing Second Shinobi World War was gradually dragging all nations into an endless war of attrition, which was a heavy burden for both Konoha and Hidden Mist.
Under these circumstances, Konoha needed him, and Hidden Mist also needed him.
But similarly, the Hokage faction didn't trust him enough, and the Hidden Mist higher-ups dared not trust him even more.
Therefore, to make his already dangerous situation safer, Sawara Kiri had to give everyone a reason to trust him.
Whether it was Konoha or Hidden Mist.
At this moment, Yagura Karatachi, under the control of 'Kyōka Suigetsu', provided him with an excellent opportunity.
Sawara Kiri quietly looked down into the alley.
Yagura Karatachi was facing a trash can, still maintaining his arrogant victor's posture, arms crossed, looking down at the can whose lid had been overturned, revealing household garbage and unspeakable vomit inside, his tone cold:
"A minor punishment to serve as a warning is the Mizukage's leniency. Sparing you today is a boon for the Village."
"However, to prevent today's situation from recurring, the Sealing Technique on your body also needs to be updated."
"Hmph!"
As he spoke, Yagura Karatachi's small hand slapped into the side of the can, making the beer bottles inside clatter. His five fingers glowed with abundant Sealing Chakra, burning a hole straight through the can.
After retracting his hand, Yagura Karatachi admired the trash can in front of him, then nodded in satisfaction. Suddenly, he pointed his fingers together and low-chanted:
"Set!"
The effect of the Sealing Technique was excellent.
At least, the can containing the beer bottles and trash bags remained motionless.
A slight smile appeared on Yagura Karatachi's youthful face as he muttered to himself:
"It seems you've understood the Village's authority."
"Thank the Mizukage, Ren."
The boy's fingertip tapped the trash can lid, and he said coldly, "Next time, I don't want to see that look in your eyes again."
"Meow."
A cat meowed from far down the alley.
Yagura Karatachi immediately raised his head vigilantly and looked in the direction of the cat.
"Hmph."
"Konoha's Anbu are really slow."
He turned his head back, continuing to look at the trash can, and warned in a cold voice:
"Ren, remember the Mizukage's kindness."
"Lord Third's leniency won't come a second time."
"You're on your own."
When his words fell, he slowly left the scene.
In the alley, only the solitary trash can, burned with several holes, stood in place, clattering in the wind.
Watching this scene quietly, Sawara Kiri's heart eased slightly.
At least, from Hidden Mist's perspective, he was 'back under control' and worthy of continued trust.
However...
Sawara Kiri frowned slightly, looking at the several charred holes on the trash can.
The Sealing Technique was, after all, a hidden danger.
He thought, reaching out to unroll the reward scroll he had taken from Yagura Karatachi.
"Water Release: Cutting Rain"
"Water Release: Wave Riding Strike"
Although both Ninjutsu were B-rank in learning difficulty, one was to eliminate all Ninjutsu Chakra other than Water Release, and the other was high-speed movement on water, both were quite practical techniques.
Clearly.
After Yagura Karatachi's big stick, a sweet date was needed to appease him and keep him working for the Village.
However, this attitude towards consumables clearly expressed the inclination of the Hidden Mist higher-ups—Hidden Mist no longer had the extra energy to play the game of attrition with pawns like them as before; they had to resolve things quickly and integrate their strength as soon as possible.
"Hidden Mist hasn't had any severe external conflicts recently."
Sawara Kiri looked at the distant night, quietly inferring, "So... is it internal conflict?"
"The conflict between the Hidden Mist Ninja Clans and the Mizukage faction is even more serious than imagined."
The entire Ninja World was in chaos.
He only hoped that Hidden Mist, this ticking time bomb ready to implode, would affect him as little as possible.
"Tsk."
"What a luxurious wish."
The next day, a secluded side gate.
After bidding farewell to the reluctant Yuki, Sawara Kiri, carrying his tactical backpack and full set of armored standard equipment, arrived at the rendezvous point right on time.
(Second Shinobi World War era uniform pictured above)
When he arrived, Hatake Sakumo, who was leading the team, and another teammate, Namikaze Minato, were already there.
Besides them, there was also the Hyuga Kurama reconnaissance squad responsible for assisting them, and a four-person Anbu medical team, all quietly waiting in place.
"Sorry, I'm late."
Sawara Kiri quickened his steps and greeted them with a smile: "Lord Hatake, Minato."
Hatake Sakumo was usually a very gentle and amiable man. Even when facing juniors, he didn't put on airs. Instead, he smiled at him and waved his hand, saying, "It's fine. There are still three minutes until the gather time."
"We arrived early."
"Have you had breakfast?" He said, gesturing to the paper bag in his hand, "It'll be tiring traveling later. If you haven't eaten, remember to buy something over there."
His calm and relaxed demeanor made it seem as if he wasn't preparing for a super-difficult mission, but rather taking elementary school students on an outing.
"Yes! I've already eaten." Sawara Kiri first answered quite formally.
Then, he immediately revealed his true nature, politely saying, "Of course, if you don't mind, you can also share half with me—is the side dish cumin beef? I've smelled it since just now."
"Is that so?"
As Hatake Sakumo was speaking, he suddenly shoved the entire half of the rice ball into his mouth, making his cheeks bulge, then turned to look at him:
"Too bad, it's all gone."
"..."
Clearly, this guy had no 'Konoha White Fang' idol burden whatsoever.
Instead, Namikaze Minato, standing nearby, couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
Sawara Kiri was also stunned for a moment.
This adult and his future dead-eyed son were completely different.
Namikaze Minato seemed used to it. He patted his shoulder and explained, "Don't mind him, Lord Sakumo is quite reliable during missions."
"Not just during missions."
Hatake Sakumo, appearing out of nowhere between the two, chewed loudly with bulging cheeks, adding to his image:
"He's also a reliable senior normally."
"Yes, yes~"
Namikaze Minato responded somewhat helplessly.
Sawara Kiri then turned to him, puzzled: "Are we waiting for anyone else in our squad?"
Hatake Sakumo swallowed his breakfast and tilted his head to look into the distance:
"Hmm, they're here."
Almost as soon as the words fell.
"Whoosh—"
The tall, slender figure suddenly appeared in the center of the group with a Body Flicker Technique.
The girl straightened up, turned to look at Hatake Sakumo, and spoke with the same cool composure and seriousness she always showed in front of others:
"Special Jonin, Uchiha Megumi."
"Reporting for duty."
Seeing who it was, Sawara Kiri's expression froze, and he still seemed a bit uncomprehending as he looked at her.
Why are you here?
Megumi, however, subtly winked in his direction.
Suddenly, Sawara Kiri remembered the girl's seemingly unconcerned demeanor when they said goodbye at dinner last night.
"I absolutely won't let you die."
So that's what she meant?
Sawara Kiri looked at Megumi with a somewhat subtle, amused expression.
This person is really...
Seeing no reaction from him, Megumi grew a little anxious, thinking he was angry. Her big eyes rapidly blinked at him, trying hard to give him a meaningful look.
Kiri!?
Namikaze Minato seemed to notice the eye contact between the two of them. He looked between them, deep in thought.
With everyone present, Hatake Sakumo finally began to announce the mission details.
"This mission is to infiltrate the Land of Lightning and extract the Tsunade Squad from an unformed encirclement."
"The requester is Lord Third Hokage, the mission is tentatively A-rank, and may be upgraded to S-rank at any time if we encounter the Third Raikage or multiple Jonin. The entire route is classified, and I will lead the team."
"Does anyone have any questions about the mission?"
"No."
Everyone answered in unison.
Hatake Sakumo nodded slightly:
"Depart!"
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