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......
It was another year of winter snow.
Snowflakes slowly fell from the sky, blanketing the bustling Iwagakure in silver.
On the largest and highest mountain in Iwagakure, stone statues of Ishikawa and Muu had been erected, symbolizing two generations of Tsuchikage.
"Iwagakure has truly become more prosperous under Master's governance..."
Ōnoki, wearing Iwagakure Chunin padded armor, lay sprawled on Muu's stone statue with his legs crossed, feeling proud of Iwagakure's development over the past few years.
Four years had passed since his master took office.
These four years had brought earth-shattering changes to Iwagakure.
Steam engines, telegraphs, wires, and other inventions were successively developed by Iwagakure's Ministry of Technology, and the entire Village used radios to listen to the highest directives from the Tsuchikage Building.
However, these were limited only to the Land of Earth, because other countries were still at war.
For instance, Konoha was still fighting Kumogakure.
Since their last major defeat, Sunagakure could no longer hold on. Their battle lines were stretched too thin, and they hadn't even fully digested the fruits of their previous victory in the Land of Rivers. If they continued fighting, they wouldn't even be able to hold onto the Land of Rivers.
Retto and Shamon had already withdrawn their troops, retreating to the Land of Wind to build up their strength.
But Kumogakure was different. Kumogakure had seized the Eight-Tails and the Two-Tails through the Six Paths Treasures, the Kohaku no Jōhei.
Coupled with their still numerous elite Ninja, they continued to clash fiercely with Konoha.
Furthermore, there were too many hawks on Kumogakure's side.
It was clear that Kumogakure might have gotten carried away.
During this period, there were even multiple incidents of attempts to seize Sharingan and Byakugan, but Senju Tobirama was not soft. He immediately launched multiple counterattacks against Kumogakure.
There were even instances of dead Edo Tensei legions attacking Kumogakure with Multiply Detonating Tag.
(In the original work, Gold and Silver Brothers, as well as Muu and Hōzuki Gengetsu, all knew that Senju Tobirama possessed this jutsu after being Edo Tensei, indicating that Senju Tobirama had clearly used it in war.)
Kumogakure, on the other hand, used Iron Armor Sealing and the Kohaku no Jōhei Six Paths Treasures to deal with these Edo Tensei legions.
"Chunin Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage-sama has called you to welcome the Hidden Mist's visiting delegation!"
A Jonin said loudly, then left directly.
"Ugh! How troublesome, my rare relaxation..."
These past few days, Iwagakure was preparing for the upcoming New Year.
Coupled with Hidden Mist's recent proposal to visit Iwagakure, a pile of work accumulated.
"Coming!"
Ōnoki reluctantly stood up, stretched, and then jumped directly down from the stone statue.
At the Iwagakure Village gate, Muu, dressed in his tsuchikage robe, stood at the Village gate to welcome Hōzuki Gengetsu's visiting delegation.
This was not only a delegation sent by Hidden Mist, but also a meeting between the two Kage of the Ninja Villages, Hōzuki Gengetsu and Muu.
"Wow! It really is you! Hahaha, oh dear!"
"Muu, I almost didn't recognize you in that tsuchikage robe!"
Hōzuki Gengetsu excitedly greeted Muu.
"Wow! Muu, the Iwagakure you built is pretty good!"
Hōzuki Gengetsu, wearing his Mizukage robe, looked at Iwagakure's gate and its various bustling buildings with surprise.
"It's alright. I didn't expect us to have a chance to meet again."
Muu stepped forward and shook hands with Hōzuki Gengetsu.
"Don't worry, I'm just here for a friendly visit, and to celebrate the New Year with you!"
Hōzuki Gengetsu said with a grin.
Muu raised an eyebrow. Good brother, as long as he doesn't ask to borrow money, everything is negotiable.
"Alright, there's a New Year's Eve banquet tonight. I'll let you experience the New Year's atmosphere of Iwagakure."
Muu led Hōzuki Gengetsu, shoulder to shoulder, towards the center of the Village.
"Hey! Ōnoki, why are you still the same as a few years ago, you brat?"
"Muu, you didn't put a Particle Style: Added Weight Rock Jutsu on Ōnoki's head, did you? Why hasn't this guy grown?"
"Also, why is your head pointy?"
Hōzuki Gengetsu vigorously rubbed Ōnoki's head.
He remembered Ōnoki being this height during the last Ninja War.
Muu was slightly silent, unsure how to respond for a moment.
Ōnoki immediately became anxious and glared at the Mizukage.
"Hey!? Mizukage-sama! Then let me ask you, are you a man or a woman?"
Ōnoki said incoherently.
"Forget it, Ōnoki, forget it. Hōzuki Gengetsu, let's go quickly..."
Muu pulled Ōnoki away. He should have known Hōzuki Gengetsu had such a sharp tongue and shouldn't have brought Ōnoki down.
Muu and Hōzuki Gengetsu first had a simple chat in the Tsuchikage Building.
"How is Hidden Mist developing?"
Muu asked slowly.
"Hmm, it's alright. We mainly develop maritime trade, so the economy is decent. It's just that our politics are too convoluted..."
Hōzuki Gengetsu waved his hand, saying helplessly.
"Heh heh, politics in every family is convoluted. As the head of the Hozuki Clan, you wouldn't be unable to contend with those Kekkei Genkai clan, would you?"
Muu said teasingly.
Hōzuki Gengetsu's usually grinning face rarely showed a hint of bitterness.
Muu watched Hōzuki Gengetsu calmly.
Actually, someone like Hōzuki Gengetsu, who is both humorous and a bit scatterbrained, is not suited for politics.
You can let him fight, participate in wars.
But when it comes to participating in politics, Hōzuki Gengetsu can't compare to himself, unless he is another "Hōzuki Gengetsu"...
"Two sirs, the banquet is ready. Would you two like to go now?"
An Iwagakure etiquette staff member reported respectfully.
"Let's go. Tonight is New Year's Eve. I'll take you to see fireworks."
Muu stood up with a faint smile.
"Then I shall respectfully obey."
Hōzuki Gengetsu smiled.
Surrounded by everyone, Muu and Hōzuki Gengetsu ascended to the highest point of the Iwagakure Building.
A banquet had already been set up there, with a lavish feast on the tables.
Several microphones were placed in front of Muu.
"What is this? A Ninja tool?...."
Hōzuki Gengetsu looked at it curiously.
"This is a Mickey Mouse tool that will be used later..."
Muu waved his hand with a slight smile.
Soon, the opening began.
"Next, please welcome the Tsuchikage-sama for his New Year's address!"
Clap clap clap clap clap!!!
Iwagakure residents ate their New Year's Eve dinner, watched the firecrackers and fireworks outside, and Muu's voice came from the radio.
"On this occasion of bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new, I, Muu, in the name of the Tsuchikage, extend my sincerest New Year's blessings to every citizen of Iwagakure!"
"Here, I extend my highest respect to all who have contributed to the Village, and I wish every Villager good health and family happiness in the new year. May Iwagakure, through our joint efforts, forever prosper like an unyielding tall mountain!"
Muu's voice echoed from radios in every household.
At this moment, Hōzuki Gengetsu heard Muu's voice coming from this small box, and only then did he understand its purpose.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!!
Thousands of fireworks simultaneously soared into the sky, exploding above Iwagakure.
Wow!
"Such beautiful fireworks!" Hōzuki Gengetsu exclaimed, looking at the dazzling fireworks in the night sky.
Muu smiled and looked at Hōzuki Gengetsu, "This is just a small scene. Iwagakure holds a grand fireworks display every year."
As the fireworks rose, the atmosphere in Iwagakure reached its peak.
"I heard you Iwagakure people eat sushi by pouring it onto the table, is that true?"
Hōzuki Gengetsu asked while eating sushi from his plate.
(No regional black, purely a meme, all under heaven are one family)
"Bro thinks playing an Iwagakure meme makes him an Iwagakure person, right?"
Muu's face tightened as he joked, "Northwest, this is the life, what do you think?"
"Hahahaha! Just kidding, just kidding! Here, let me pour you a drink myself!" Hōzuki Gengetsu picked up a bottle of wine.
He casually opened the bottle cap.
Bang!
The bottle cap bounced directly onto Muu's head.
Muu's face darkened.
"Gengetsu, are you the only one eating? The bottle cap landed on my head." Muu said faintly.
Hōzuki Gengetsu's eyes widened, and he quickly removed it for Muu: "Sorry, brother, it was an accident!"
"This is wine I brought from Hidden Mist. Let's drink it together!"
Hōzuki Gengetsu hastily ordered someone to bring out Hidden Mist's wine.
Muu's eyes widened: "Gengetsu, you've already called me brother, what more can I say? Come, I'll give you the Tsuchikage position!"
The Tsuchikage hat was placed directly on Hōzuki Gengetsu's head.
Hōzuki Gengetsu looked solemn: "No, brother, you're too emotional. Come, I'll give you the Mizukage!"
The Mizukage hat was placed on Muu's head.
Muu held the Mizukage hat: "Isn't this ridiculous?"
The officials from Iwagakure and Hidden Mist behind them were all struggling to hold back their laughter.
These two Kage didn't seem like such master actors before.
Iwagakure's New Year's Eve party passed in such a joyful atmosphere.