Torifu had fought him in his youth, and he was a difficult opponent, but he could no longer be compared to Torifu. Counting the time, it had been almost twenty years since they last met. Getsuji was about eighteen or nineteen, perhaps twenty, back then. Now, he had also entered middle age.
"Congratulations to Hokage-sama on your blissful marriage." Getsuji dispersed the water spout behind him, and a team of Kirigakure Ninja lined up neatly behind him.
"Getsuji, it's been nearly twenty years since we last saw each other."
Getsuji also sighed with emotion. "Time flies, indeed. The Kumotsuru Torifu of those days was just a boy, and now I see you again on the eve of your wedding."
Although Torifu and Getsuji were not friends, they were old acquaintances. They had met during Torifu's youth. At that time, Getsuji was equally proud, having displayed his strength in exhibition matches. Now, he seemed much more reserved, though his power had certainly improved significantly. That towering water spout was not merely a visual effect—he was worthy of being called the Mizukage—but compared to Torifu, it was still insufficient.
Torifu hadn't sent an invitation to Kirigakure because the two villages had almost no contact, and it seemed that electronics hadn't even been fully popularized there yet. Torifu was unsure if Getsuji had come because of that. Regardless, he certainly wasn't here solely to celebrate Torifu's wedding.
However, seeing Getsuji's mostly unchanged appearance made Torifu involuntarily recall his childhood memories. Back then, when he won the match, Naori had cheered him on. In the blink of an eye, the successors of that generation had all become Kage, dedicating their full efforts to protecting their own villages.
"You must be exhausted from your journey. Please enter the village and rest. If there are other matters, we can discuss them later."
Getsuji nodded. The journey from the Land of Water to the Land of Fire was indeed very difficult. But for the sake of Kirigakure's transformation, he had no choice but to come. As an island nation, information was inevitably somewhat isolated, and without realizing it, they had been sidelined by the other three major villages. This was something Getsuji did not want to see. He had also heard about the electronics in the Land of Fire, so he seized the opportunity of Torifu's wedding to show up uninvited.
Torifu didn't mind at all; in fact, he was quite happy. After all, it had been so long since their last meeting, and it brought back childhood memories.
"Alright, Hokage-sama, we will enter first then."
"Mizukage-sama, please."
Torifu made a welcoming gesture, and then, amidst the cheers of the villagers, the Mizukage and his entourage walked into Konoha Village. Attendants quickly approached the Mizukage to explain everything about Konoha Village.
Getsuji looked at the newly established outer city of Konoha Village and finally felt its vibrant vitality. The streets were filled with red decorations, looking joyful and festive, while various screens played TV dramas and music, along with some small programs newly created by Torifu.
"Are those what you call electronics?" Getsuji asked.
The accompanying attendant immediately explained, "Mizukage-sama, that is merely a display screen; it doesn't have much function. All the main electronics are in your accommodation. I will take you there now."
Hearing the attendant's explanation, Getsuji became even more curious. The first time he came to Konoha Village, Kirigakure and Konoha Village were no different; both were newly established and equally underdeveloped. But after all these years, Konoha Village had undergone an earth-shattering change. Even the inner city was barely recognizable to Getsuji. Yet, Kirigakure remained the same after all these years, with no changes—the same old houses, the same dilapidated walls. Everything was stagnant.
"Did all of this change only after the Hokage took office?"
"Yes, Mizukage-sama. All of this was brought by Torifu-sama, including the new outer city and all the various electronics. Hokage-sama also mentioned that new electronics are already under development, and the villagers will soon have new things to use."
Getsuji fell silent. He had to admit that although Torifu was much younger than him, the achievements he had made were far beyond anything he himself could compare to. This was practically the re-establishment of a village.
"Let's go. Take me to see the electronics."
"Yes, Mizukage-sama. This way, please."
Everyone in the village wore brilliant smiles, genuinely welcoming the foreign guests. They did not fear these outsiders because they had the protection of the Hokage-sama.
Meanwhile, Katō Dan's Anbu members were covertly monitoring everything, preventing any desperate individuals from actually harming the villagers of Konoha Village.
Today was destined to be a lively one, with so many guests arriving at the same time. Fortunately, Konoha Village had built many apartments for guests. They initially thought they had built too many and wouldn't use them, but unexpectedly, they were all put to good use now.
The people from the Land of Iron had not yet arrived, nor had Kakuzu and his men. This was probably the most bustling event in Konoha Village's history, almost livelier than a Five Kage Summit. Although, currently, it was a Four Kage Summit.
Shortly after the Mizukage entered the village, Torifu was still lost in thoughts of his childhood. Just then, a carriage sped toward the gate of Konoha Village, followed by several Ninja dressed in black robes.
"His Royal Highness, the First Prince, has arrived!" shouted a man dressed as a servant.
He then opened the carriage door, and a young man with a handsome face stepped down from the carriage. The surrounding villagers immediately bowed their heads. Torifu was the only one who made no movement.
The First Prince walked up to Torifu and bowed to him. "Hokage-sama, congratulations on your happy marriage."
Torifu smiled. "Thank you, First Prince. Is the Daimyō's health still sound?"
"Thanks to Hokage-sama's blessing, Father is very healthy."
This person was the eldest son of the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, which was why the villagers bowed to him. Konoha Village was now considered an autonomous village with its own laws, so kneeling was not required. The Hokage's status in the Land of Fire was equal to, if not higher than, the Daimyō's. Although the Daimyō always complained about this, they were helplessly too weak. If Torifu had no intention of annexing the Royal Capital, the so-called Daimyō would have ceased to exist long ago.
Currently, the Daimyō managed the governance of the Royal Capital and other subordinate villages, while Konoha Village managed only the Ninja Village and protected the Land of Fire. It was fair to say that Torifu had given the Daimyō dignity. And the Daimyō had never stopped providing funding to Konoha Village, though Konoha Village certainly didn't need the money.
"Hokage-sama, as you know, Father is busy with countless state affairs and simply could not leave, so he sent me instead."
Torifu smiled. "I naturally understand. His Royal Highness, the First Prince, please come in quickly. The villagers will guide you to your accommodation."