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Chapter 141n
🕑 Added 2025-08-26 15:03:07 +0000 UTCChapter 141n
2-in-1-chapter
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The movements of the Konoha shinobi as they packed their gear could not possibly escape the eyes of the Mist-nin. When envoys were sent to inquire, Rēn truthfully relayed the news of the Cloud-nin marching south. The messenger, shocked and alarmed, immediately delivered the information back, and soon the higher-ups of Kirigakure were in an uproar over this intelligence.
“This is our chance.”
“As long as we ally with the Cloud-nin, we will have an opportunity to teach those damned Uchiha a fierce lesson.”
The speaker was the current head of the Hōzuki clan, Hōzuki Shōgetsu, representative of the hardline militant faction and father of Hōzuki Mangetsu and Hōzuki Suigetsu. His white hair framed a face that could not conceal its excitement, and his violet eyes gleamed with the battle-lust that had surged to the surface.
Yet—
Sitting further down the long table of the council chamber, Hōzuki Mangetsu rolled his eyes the moment he heard his father’s words, staring up at the ceiling in exasperation.
The old man really has no political sense at all.
The earlier meetings had already settled on substituting manpower resources in place of war reparations. And yet, at this moment, instead of discussing how many forces should be dispatched to support Konoha, his father was suggesting stabbing an ally in the back. Had his brain rotted?
Nor was it only his father. As Mangetsu’s gaze swept over the other clan heads and division commanders seated higher up, he saw no shortage of people nodding in agreement with the Hōzuki clan head. It was no wonder that the previous Mizukage had chosen to appoint a young successor to the title of Fifth Mizukage, rather than selecting from the still-active shinobi of that middle generation.
Were he in the same position, Mangetsu would never choose this pack of muscle-brained fools to lead the village either.
That said, he had not expected the final choice to be Terumi Mei. If asked whether he felt disappointed by that outcome, he would admit there was a trace of it, but he was surprised to realize it was far less than he had imagined. In that moment of clarity, he understood that his desire to succeed the Mizukage had never truly been his own; it had been the obsession of his clan.
Well, as long as it’s not that idiot Zabuza, I can accept it…
From the corner of his eye, Mangetsu glanced at Momochi Zabuza, sitting across from him with half his face wrapped in bandages. By rights, youths like them should not have been allowed to sit in on such high-level meetings, but the Mizukage had given them special permission to attend. Seated at the very end, however, they had little say.
Even so, Mangetsu could not suppress the thought that it was enviable for the Konoha shinobi to have yet another great war in which to participate.
“Mangetsu?”
“Mangetsu?!”
The voices in his ear snapped him back, his scattered thoughts gathering into focus. Looking toward the source, he found Terumi Mei watching him. No—more than just her. Many of those seated along the sides of the long table were staring straight at him.
Damn it!
Mangetsu cursed inwardly, but on his face he forced a calm smile and met their eyes unflinchingly. Tracing back along their line of sight, he locked eyes with Yagura Karatachi, seated at the head of the table.
“Our village has already entered into an alliance with Konoha,” Yagura said. “Now that the Cloud-nin march south to attack the Land of Fire, as allies we cannot simply stand idly by. Even though our own strength is currently depleted, we must still demonstrate our commitment. Mangetsu, I want you to lead a contingent of our shinobi as reinforcements to support Konoha.”
Yagura had seen the blank look in Mangetsu’s eyes and realized the boy had been daydreaming in the middle of the council session. Nevertheless, he patiently repeated the results of the earlier discussions in brief. From his words, it was clear that the proposal of Shōgetsu and the others to backstab Konoha in concert with the Cloud-nin had been firmly rejected, and a resolute decision had been made to stand beside Konoha.
After hearing the Mizukage’s explanation, Mangetsu blinked in surprise. Could such a fortunate turn truly exist?
“Mizukage-sama! Leave it to me!”
Mangetsu licked his lips, a cruel and savage smile spreading across his face, his sharp teeth gleaming as if reflecting a bloodthirsty light. His overflowing fighting spirit was so intense it seemed almost tangible. Watching from the head seat, Yagura gave a slight shake of his head.
As expected, removing this boy from the list of candidates for Fifth Mizukage had been the right choice.
Mangetsu was the very image of the Second Mizukage, consumed by a fanatic love for battle, a natural-born warmonger. Was it possible that the blood of the Kaguya clan had mixed into the Hōzuki line somewhere along the way? The thought flashed through Yagura’s mind but was quickly dismissed. He gave a quiet cough and said, “Mangetsu, then I leave it to you. We cannot spare too many forces for this mission, but you are permitted to select your own companions. As long as it remains within reasonable limits, I will grant your requests.”
"Then that settles it..."
Hōzuki Mangetsu’s gaze swept slowly around the meeting hall.
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“Got everything packed?”
“Yes, I brought it all.”
Fujika patted the scroll pouch strapped to her waist.
No matter how young, as long as someone could refine chakra and had the basic mental capacity for logical action, they could use sealing scrolls. This great invention had brought immense convenience to shinobi life; even when traveling far from home, one no longer needed to carry heavy luggage. Everything required could be sealed into scrolls and summoned out whenever necessary.
Seeing this, Rēn reached out and lightly tapped his younger sister on the head before turning his gaze to the other children nearby.
“Yakumo, Naruto—how about you?”
“Master, I’m ready.”
“Rēn-nii, I can leave anytime.”
The two spoke almost in unison.
Yakumo then shot Naruto a disgruntled glare, as if to say, Couldn’t you have let me go first? Naruto caught the meaning in her eyes but could only respond with a sheepish grin.
Still, none of them lingered on such small quarrels for long.
Creak.
The door to the nearby room opened.
Out stepped Kimimaro, with white hair and green eyes.
“Kimimaro.”
Rēn looked at him and said, “Shisui must have explained things to you already. He has a mission to carry out. For now, you’ll move with me.”
“I understand.”
Kimimaro spoke with restraint. His natural sharpness, honed further by experience, left him tense in Rēn’s presence. His body would instinctively want to shift into a combat stance. Shisui, though equally strong, carried a gentle aura.
By contrast, Rēn’s killing intent was so overwhelming that simply being near him made Kimimaro uneasy.
“Am I really that frightening?” Rēn chuckled helplessly as he noticed the boy holding his distance. “Kimimaro, have you finished your preparations?”
“There is nothing for me to prepare. I can leave at any time.”
Kimimaro had been in Kirigakure only two days. Shisui was gentle, but not the sort who would think to arrange every necessity of daily life for a child in advance. If something was needed, he bought it, or let Kimimaro use his own spare items.
So Kimimaro’s words were true: there was little to gather.
During these two days, however, Kimimaro had realized that he was not likely to return to Lord Orochimaru’s side anytime soon. The cruel reality had shaken him deeply, though he had not become so fragile as to abandon hope.
If escape was impossible for now, then he would endure.
After all, Lord Orochimaru had said he would only need him once he had grown stronger. Until then, even if he could not return to Orochimaru, the man’s plans would not be hindered. Thus, Kimimaro resolved that before any opportunity arose to go back, he would remain with Shisui and grow stronger.
Though he loathed to admit it, he had witnessed with his own eyes Lord Orochimaru’s defeat at Shisui’s hands.
Perhaps, if he learned at Shisui’s side, he could grow strong more quickly.
“If everyone is ready, gather in the courtyard.”
Rēn gave Kimimaro one last glance and said no more. He did harbor some interest in the Kaguya clan’s bone release, a kekkei genkai that, like the Sharingan, likely traced back to the legacy of the Sage of Six Paths. But as for Kimimaro himself, Rēn had little care. His capacity for affection was limited, and he could not extend equal warmth to all.
His family, his disciples, his clansmen, his friends—these already divided most of his concern.
As for Kimimaro, that was Shisui’s responsibility, not his burden.
Kimimaro silently made his way downstairs toward the courtyard. Fujika, Yakumo, and Naruto did not walk with him. Normally, children easily found companionship, and Fujika had already been able to play with Suigetsu Hōzuki and other youngsters of the Hidden Mist.
But Kimimaro’s aura was too distinct. His unusual upbringing had given him a presence that others instinctively avoided.
Even Fujika, cheerful and lively enough to recruit the Nine-Tail’s jinchūriki as a follower on her first day at the Academy, had stayed away. She sensed danger in Kimimaro, much like a house cat stiffens when faced with a wild stray.
“Chihaya, keep a close watch on Fujika and the others. Their safety comes first.”
As the younger ones disappeared down the stairs, Rēn raised his voice toward the corridor ceiling.
At once, a slim figure appeared upside down on the ceiling where nothing had been before. Long, black hair hung down like a waterfall. Uchiha Chihaya gave a muffled “I understand,” then activated her invisibility jutsu again and slipped after the children.
To protect his sister, his disciples, and the Nine-Tail’s jinchūriki, Rēn had arranged for six Uchiha Jōnin to guard them in shifts. Chihaya was only one of them.
“Now then… it’s up to you.”
Rēn stood at the window, the scarlet glow of his eyes reflecting the mist-shrouded village. His gaze was fixed in the direction of the Mizukage’s tower.
