Zabuza and Kisame, these two loyal Hidden Mist Anbu, are now wearing Konoha headbands, standing by Aomi's side like two fierce dogs ready to bite.
This transformation happened quickly, but that's the Ninja World for you.
Understanding, perception, and bonds are key here; the stronger the ninja, the more they pursue their obsessions.
Aomi, who understands them well, accurately grasped the soft spots in their hearts.
Especially for Kisame, listening to Aomi's words gave him a sense of having his innermost thoughts fully exposed by someone else.
What followed was a feeling of wanting to die for a confidant...
Just as Aomi said, Kisame's sense of identity had become somewhat blurred.
Stance, goals, and future all seemed incredibly false; this kind of life full of uncertainty and void made him more and more unable to accept it, pushing him to the brink of collapse.
Kisame doesn't mind killing, but he needs a reason and logic for it; he can't allow himself to become a mindless tool.
Fortunately, someone saw through his confusion and helplessness and was willing to offer him a helping hand!
Whether it is Hidden Mist or Konoha doesn't matter, the straightforward Kisame just wants a stable job, to live a life without betrayal and working diligently...
In a way, Kisame can also be considered a chosen worker, it's just that his former employer was too troublesome.
And as for Zabuza, once Aomi voiced his true inner thoughts, he couldn't keep up his tough facade...
What else could he say?
He bore so much for Hidden Mist, only to be met with repeated doubts, yet Aomi understood him so well. Better to work well with the new employer.
Hyuga Hizashi looked at the two individuals who had received the Konoha headband and Root Department Badge, with furrowed brows.
Seriously, now there are two more job thieves here?
Meanwhile, Kaguya Kimijiro and Terumi Mei felt a quiver in their hearts when Aomi's gaze moved over to them.
"Kimijiro, it's been a while since we met..."
Aomi stared at him with a smile, speaking slowly: "So, how is it? Returning to the Hidden Mist, did you experience life as I suggested?"
"Or have you already forgotten what I said?"
Kaguya Kimijiro hurriedly shook his head, then sensing it wasn't right, started nodding vigorously instead. He looked somewhat comical, but his tone was very sincere:
"Lord Aomi, since I heeded your teachings last time, I've stopped indulging in meaningless battles and started pondering over other meanings of life."
"Thanks to you, after I emptied myself, even the Dead Bone Pulse and combat techniques broke through slightly..."
Aomi knowingly nodded.
If categorized carefully, the Dead Bone Pulse is probably reconciled with the Byakugan-compatible Sage Body, generally requiring a gradual awakening process.
Forcing growth through excessive training of the Kekkeigenkai can lead to the body being unable to withstand the development pace, resulting in Bloodstain Disease.
Like Kaguya Kimimaro and Uchiha Itachi...
At Kimijiro's age, Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara were still figuring out how to skip stones farther, and that was during the Warring States Era!
One could only say that being an early starter doesn't determine the winner; timing and duration of exertion are crucial.
"Of course, I'm different, I'm way ahead in multitasking..." Aomi silently teased himself.
"So, are you interested in Konoha?"
Aomi gestured for Terumi Mei and Kaguya Kimijiro to relax, asking softly: "Feel free to speak truthfully."
Kaguya Kimijiro smiled and confessed: "Lord Aomi, I personally have long wanted to join your ranks. In my view, you are the future of the Kaguya Clan!"
Hyuga Hizashi took a deep breath, rolling his eyes.
Great! Another job thief, the Hyuga Clan's future lies with Lord Aomi, what has that to do with your Kaguya Clan!
Although the Hyuga and Kaguya Clans are quite close, Hyuga Hizashi stated that when it comes to fundamental issues, distinctions must be made.
"I've advised those old geezers in the clan..."
Kaguya Kimijiro earnestly said:
"Lord Aomi, you can't be too gentle with them. When it's time to use force, please don't hold back. There's no need to be courteous to them because of our bloodline. Without feeling the despair of death, their minds won't come to clarity!"
"You just need to beat them hard once, I believe the Kaguya Clan will understand your good intentions!"
"Lord Aomi, I would also like to join!" Terumi Mei pursed her beautiful lips, looking directly into Aomi's eyes, she softly said:
"The Hidden Mist is already a fragmented village, with your pure bloodline from the Hidden Mist, you are the most suitable candidate to be the new Mizukage!"
Hearing this, Hyuga Hizashi sensibly lowered his head.
Eyes on the nose, nose on the heart.
First Kaguya Kimijiro mentioned bloodline, then Terumi Mei emphasized purity, Hyuga Hizashi already understood, perhaps they have already seen something...
And not only the Hidden Mist Ninja, Hyuga Hizashi sometimes also inexplicably feels a sense of familiar bloodline in Aomi's gentle eyes.
In Konoha, speculations about Aomi's origins abound among the major ninja clans.
Many elders from the time of Senju Tobirama had opinions similar to Sarutobi Hiruzen or Uzumaki Mito...
But for Hyuga Hizashi, or rather for all the ninjas in the Root Department, this is just a meaningless topic.
No matter how Aomi mastered these abilities, his existence is the only salvation for those lost in the Ninja World.
That is enough.
Aomi smiled: "The position of Mizukage, huh? Let's win this war first..."
"Mei, what are your thoughts?"
Hearing Aomi's question, Terumi Mei was initially puzzled, how did Aomi know her name?
But thinking of Konoha's weak but noteworthy intelligence capabilities, Terumi Mei skipped over this doubt, quickly entering a state of thought, and said solemnly:
"Lord Aomi, I believe carrying out an assassination and decapitation operation on the Third Mizukage is feasible..."
"Currently, internal conflicts within the Hidden Mist are extremely intense, only the Third Mizukage, as the First Mizukage Byakuren's bodyguard, barely maintains some prestige to control the village. If he dies, the entire village will fall into a state of collapse, unable to function as a military force against Konoha."
"This way, the pressure of war on Konoha will be greatly alleviated, no longer needing to consider pressure from the Land of Water, and both I and Kaguya Kimijiro can contact our clans to swiftly seize leadership in the Hidden Mist, becoming your support."
As the future Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei, born in the Hidden Mist, showcased an excellent perspective.
The current Hidden Mist Village is like a loose alliance; taking down the only remaining leader will cause the rest to automatically fall into internal strife.
"Good plan."
Aomi approvingly patted Terumi Mei on the shoulder, smiling as he praised: "Your wisdom is as surprising as your beauty."
"Does anyone else have any opinions?"
Terumi Mei's heart skipped a beat, was Aomi complimenting her appearance?
Just as Terumi Mei blushed and thanked.
Kaguya Kimijiro spoke up in a low voice at this moment, his eyes flickering with killing intent, decisively refuting:
"Lord Aomi, this plan is too mild; an assassination won't be enough to rapidly allow you to rule the Hidden Mist!"
"I believe, we should devise a method to cause the Hidden Mist's forces to suffer a major defeat, then decisively kill the Third Mizukage head-on!"
"That way, it would match the nature of those Hidden Mist bastards, they won't behave unless they're beaten!"