Life at sea was incredibly boring. Two Jonin were guarding the prisoners, who were Raiga Kurosuki and Zabuza Momochi. Haku and Ranmaru were extremely loyal to their respective masters; if their masters weren't rescued, they wouldn't leave even if told to.
For the first two days at sea, Naruto was quite excited, constantly chattering to a few people about Tazuna and the villagers building the Naruto Bridge.
Everyone humored him.
Ino could only conclude that people in this world had an extraordinary obsession with 'bridges' or with communication between people.
Their Yamanaka Clan's First Clan Head followed the Six Paths Sage to build bridges, Minato's Team blew up bridges at Kannabi Bridge, Naruto built bridges again in the Land of Waves, they started blowing up bridges again at the Tenchi Bridge battle, and finally Danzo went to seal bridges.
These few broken bridges, constantly messed with—did they ever consider the bridges' feelings?
Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji had a good relationship in school, and Ino had no choice but to listen along.
This guy talked about the Naruto Bridge eleven times in three days at sea.
Finally, Ino got annoyed. She waved her hand and started rolling her eyes: "You guys chat, I'm going to cultivate."
More than half a month later, the group made a big detour and finally arrived at the port of the Land of Water. After that, they took the prisoners and traveled day and night, spending three days to reach the Hidden Mist Village.
Team 10 was experienced in internal competition and had a good balance of training, plus Choji cooked for them. At this point, while not exactly radiating energy, they were at least in good spirits.
Team 7, however, was not doing well; they had been pushed hard. Naruto and Sasuke both had bloodshot eyes. Those who knew would say this was a Konoha Village diplomatic mission; those who didn't would think they were escaped convicts who had run without rest.
"Why are everyone's spirits so low? Kakashi, what's going on?" Homura Mitokado, a Konoha Advisor wearing glasses, questioned Kakashi and Asuma.
What could Kakashi say? Sorry, my fault, I'm guilty!
Homura Mitokado didn't have time for much, only giving a few simple pointers: "This exchange with the Hidden Mist Village cannot be too aggressive, nor can it be weak. We must show our strength, and you Genin are key to this mission. Remember, you now represent not only yourselves but also the Village. All of you, pull yourselves together!"
With him saying that, who would dare to object? Not to mention the six Genin, even Asuma, the Hokage's own son, quickly snuffed out his cigarette, straightened his face, and put on his weathered expression to show his maturity.
They were greeted in the Hidden Mist Village by a Jonin named Ao, who was in his forties and appeared quite steady.
Ino specifically looked at his right eye, covered by an eye patch. If she remembered correctly, a Byakugan from the Hyuga Main Family was transplanted there.
Ao's attitude was neither servile nor overbearing. He recognized both Rogue Ninja, Raiga Kurosuki and Zabuza Momochi.
The first order of business upon meeting was the handover. The two Rogue Ninja were given to the Hidden Mist Village's Anbu; after that, whether they were killed or tortured was no longer Konoha's concern. Also handed over were Haku and Ranmaru, these two 'accessories'.
Two elite Jonin, two Ninja Blades, two exceptionally promising young juniors—the gift Konoha presented was of no small value.
The unpredictable elite Jonin and Ninja Blades were nothing; the true value lay in Haku and Ranmaru, two men with Bloodline Limits. According to traditional views, if both parents are Ninja and the father has a Bloodline Limit, the chance of it being passed down through the bloodline is as high as sixty percent.
Give each of them ten wives, make them procreate vigorously, and in twenty years, the Hidden Mist Village would have many more Ninja with Bloodline Limits.
What? You say Haku and Ranmaru don't like women? That's not even within the Hidden Mist Village's high-level considerations! It has to happen, one way or another. If the men aren't proactive, the women can force it!
Ao spoke a few words to both of them. Ranmaru was still young, and his personality was hard to gauge.
Haku's personality was genuinely good! Calm-headed, highly intelligent in combat, and his Bloodline Limit was very powerful. Most importantly, he was obedient and followed orders. Aside from being somewhat effeminate, he was a perfect tool in every other aspect. The Hidden Mist Village needed such talent.
Ao didn't mind Haku's effeminacy. The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, was also hard to distinguish by gender, and Ao was used to it. What's wrong with being a bit feminine? Zabuza, that tough guy, felt surrounded by sissies, so he tried to assassinate the Mizukage with his kubikiribocho, but we think it's okay!
Ao solemnly promised that while Zabuza's past attempt to assassinate the Mizukage couldn't be erased, as long as Haku was obedient, the Hidden Mist Village would not kill Zabuza.
Haku thought for a moment and then accepted the condition.
Ao was considered a moderate in the Hidden Mist Village. This time, he was ordered to receive the Rogue Ninja to prevent other Ninja from clashing with Konoha Village. He also secretly used his Byakugan to observe Raiga Kurosuki and the other three. The results were good; the four were only a bit weak, and Konoha's people hadn't tampered with the prisoners. It seemed their sincerity was full.
He led everyone to rest in the Village. Finally, he gave a very direct instruction, hoping that everyone would only move within the designated areas and not wander off.
Homura Mitokado knew this was a given. When Konoha Village held the Chunin Exams, Konoha also didn't let those foreign Ninja run wild. He nodded, indicating that their side was willing to abide by the Hidden Mist Village's rules.
Ao excused himself and quickly went to report to the Village's current power holder, Advisor Genshi, and the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī, who was publicly said to be cultivating.
Currently, all power in the Hidden Mist Village was in Advisor Genshi's hands. Mei Terumī herself had no objections, largely because the Fourth Mizukage had left behind a super mess. The 'Village of the Bloody Mist' had a bad reputation, and the Village's interior was hollowed out by various feuds, revenge, and rebellions.
Mei Terumī's abilities were strong, but not god-like. She needed Genshi's prestige to help her suppress the many conflicts within the Village. The old man was a figure who had followed the First Mizukage; he was ninety years old this year. How many more days could he live in a world of slaughter like the Ninja World?
Mei Terumī wasn't worried about Genshi holding too much power. Time was her friend; when the time came, their minor conflicts would cease to exist.
The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī, sat in the main seat, while Genshi, leaning on a cane like a flickering candle in the wind, sat to the side. In the room were also Genshi's two trusted confidants, the Village's elder Jonin, Biwa and Gonbei, plus Ao. These five were the highest echelon of the Hidden Mist Village.
Ao was responsible for receiving the Konoha group, and he immediately reported his observations to them.
"Overall, Konoha Village is sincere this time. Leaving aside the Ninja Blades, the loyalty of Raiga and Zabuza to the Village is hard to guarantee. Reinstating them would definitely cause great hidden dangers. I recommend long-term surveillance for the two of them. However, the young men named Haku and Ranmaru are both excellent, with talent second only to Chōjūrō. I believe these two young men are our main focus."
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