Until they saw the figure dressed in tattered clothes, still wearing a mask, cheers erupted, piercing the sky!
“Kaguya Naoki-sama!”
“Kaguya Naoki-sama!”
The Kirigakure ninjas, bloodthirsty, cold, and cruel, held immense reverence for the strong.
Seeing Kaguya Naoki’s figure, they shouted with enthusiasm.
So what if it’s the Rinnegan?
So what if it’s Wood Release?
Didn’t this lord of the Kaguya clan quickly suppress someone who had both these super-bloodlines?
This lord is only fourteen, right?
Someone murmured, and the shout suddenly paused.
Yes, such an impressive achievement made them forget one thing.
This lord is only fourteen!
Some of the bloodthirsty ANBU shouted even more frantically.
And some of the more astute ANBU were already thinking about the future.
Kaguya Naoki, this most dazzling genius, would become another shining beacon on the battlefield.
Just like the Three Legendary Sannin and the White Fang of Konoha during the Second Great Ninja War!
Or like Namikaze Minato, the Yellow Flash, who was now at the peak of his fame.
If before, they were worried about Konoha having a solid figure like Minato, now, after seeing Naoki’s absolute power, they looked forward to the day the two would face off.
Weak and exhausted, Konoha waits to be dominated by Kirigakure.
While they were fantasizing, another Kirigakure ninja spoke uncertainly.
“If I remember correctly, Kaguya Naoki-sama’s squad still has vacancies.”
With these words, the place fell silent.
It seemed it was true.
They lowered their heads, their fervor mixed with other thoughts.
Although Kirigakure ninjas needed to be more politically sharp, facing a solid figure like Kaguya Naoki, they quickly estimated his political ceiling.
Mizukage!
The absolute ruler of Kirigakure, Mizukage!
Even if the political minimum would be a ninja with significant power in Kirigakure.
Such a strong figure, with a squad vacancy, inevitably stirred thoughts.
If they could join…
Someone noticed these thoughts spreading and frowned, reminding everyone.
“Don’t forget, he’s from the Kaguya clan. And you, who are you?”
With these words, that impulsive desire disappeared, and their eyes became complex.
As civilian ninjas, they were destined not to join Kaguya’s squad.
Otherwise, it would be the gravest betrayal against civilian ninjas, sure to be met with severe punishment.
Even if they endured such discrimination, what would it matter if this lord became Mizukage? A Mizukage from the Kaguya clan would only worsen the village’s chaos.
A coup was inevitable.
At that time, what meaning would following this lord have?
They followed their habitual thoughts, imagining the future with a Kaguya Mizukage.
But soon, without anyone else’s reminder, they internally denied all these thoughts.
This is Naoki-sama!
How could other Kaguya clansmen be compared to him?
After these days together, they knew this lord was different from other Kaguya clansmen.
On the contrary, he seemed to have more insight and ideas than these Kirigakure ninjas.
If he became Mizukage, perhaps the future wouldn’t be as bleak as expected; instead, he might bring new changes to the village.
These Kirigakure ninjas exchanged glances, silently pressing these thoughts to the bottom of their hearts.
If they spoke these thoughts, no one would believe them.
But as long as this lord appeared on the ninja battlefield, he might change some entrenched ideas.
Kirigakure needed to change.
Kaguya Naoki struggled to stand straight, gazing at the fanatical Kirigakure ninjas, a peculiar feeling rising in his heart, a sense of grandeur growing.
But soon, this grand feeling was doused thoroughly.
Would there still be a chance for such an emotional scene to reappear?
Previously, Naoki planned to rely on his achievements in the Third Great Ninja War to gain prestige and followers and then seize the position of Mizukage.
But now, everything has changed.
His performance against Uchiha Obito was too brave, so it was a big question whether Madara would allow him to appear on the battlefield again.
Naoki sighed deeply, which was the drawback of the Kaguya clan’s bloodline. Once they started fighting, they couldn’t help but give it their all.
Initially, this wasn’t a big deal in his plan.
Because Uchiha Obito possessed both the Mangekyo Sharingan and Wood Release.
In the initial estimation, Naoki thought it would be remarkable if he could barely hold his own.
But unexpectedly, Obito was too weak now.
Under the influence of the Kaguya bloodline, the battle-addicted Naoki fought with full strength, nearly killing Obito several times.
Now, the die was cast, and he would have to wait until they returned to the Land of Water to get answers.
Hopefully, he can secure the position of squad leader.
Initially, because of his Kaguya clan identity and being labeled as mindless, he had dreamed of being appointed the prominent commander of Kirigakure by Madara.
Now, it seemed impossible.
Naoki gathered his scattered thoughts, looking at the Kirigakure ninjas with a complicated gaze.
“Withdraw from the Land of Fire!”
Ding!
Mission completed!
Calculating results.
Captured Nohara Rin successfully!
Failed to place the Three-Tails Jinchuriki within Nohara Rin
Failed to release the Three-Tails Jinchuriki in Konoha
Captured Kakashi and Nohara Rin, both with significant potential, receiving extra rewards
Exchange opportunity +1
Detected that Kirigakure ninjas and the legendary ninja Zabuza have significantly changed their views of you, receiving extra rewards
Exchange opportunity +1
Huh?
A surprise.
Before the mission, Naoki knew he was destined to complete only the first phase and miss out on the mission’s rich rewards.
So, seeing the two exchange opportunities slip through his fingers didn’t bring any negative feelings.
But Naoki didn’t expect an extra twist, granting him two exchange opportunities.
Unfortunately.
Naoki felt his body and sighed slightly.
After recklessly using the Dead Bone Pulse for over a decade, his body finally showed signs of the Kekkei Genkai disease.
But he didn’t plan to use the exchange opportunities now to find a way to delay the disease.
Naoki wanted to test his body’s limits.
To make the most out of delaying the Kekkei Genkai disease.
After all, in the upcoming Third Great Ninja War, the frequency of using the Dead Bone Pulse would only increase.
Without enough exchange opportunities, it would be a disaster for him.
Naoki took Kakashi from a Kirigakure ninja’s back and turned to the silent Zabuza.
“Let’s go.”
The Kirigakure ninjas gathered their thoughts, nodded in unison, and disappeared into the forest.
On the way back, without the help of White Zetsu, the number of Konoha ninjas surged.
Fortunately, Naoki had a pair of Hyuga’s Byakugan. They encountered no danger Except for accidentally entering the Byakugan’s field of view of a Hyuga branch member.
Upon reaching the coastline, the Kirigakure ninjas split into teams again.
Those left with Naoki were none other than the lone Zabuza and the unconscious Kakashi.
Taking out a bottle of emerald green potion, much to Zabuza’s regretful gaze, Naoki poured it all into Kakashi’s mouth.
Watching his trembling eyelashes, Naoki spoke leisurely.
“Kakashi, let’s talk. I’m Kaguya Naoki. You should be willing to say a few words to me.”
Kakashi opened his eyes and looked at Naoki with a dead look.
Ignoring Zabuza’s shock at Kakashi’s cooperation, Naoki smiled and spoke first.
“Kakashi, why didn’t your Konoha release a monster with the Mangekyo and Wood Release earlier?”
Kakashi fell silent, and Naoki continued as if firing a barrage at Kakashi’s mental defenses.
“And he was your companion, right?”
“Can you tell me his name? If you’re willing, I’ll share some information.”
From the bottom of his heart, Kakashi wanted to refuse Naoki’s offer, but the information tempted him.
It wouldn’t matter much to these Kirigakure ninjas if it were just a name.
After hesitating, Kakashi spoke hoarsely, “Uchiha Obito.”
“So, the Sharingan you have came from Uchiha Obito?”
Kakashi hesitated but nodded.
After answering Naoki’s first question, the seemingly impregnable mental defense had weakened.
He just hadn’t realized it yet.
“But wasn’t Obito supposed to have died in the battle at the Land of Earth?”
“Why did he appear today?”
Kakashi’s heart clenched; he wanted to know the answer, too.
“And an Uchiha had Wood Release capabilities?”
Kakashi clenched his fists, unwilling to think deeply.
Having witnessed part of the village’s darkness, Kakashi was afraid to uncover everything.
But Naoki wouldn’t give him that chance to escape, scoffing with words that pierced his heart.
“When did the Senju and Uchiha clans get along well enough to marry?”
“So, Konoha has been conducting Wood Release.
experiments?”
“And they have a successful subject. Your teammate, Uchiha Obito?”
As the words fell, a mechanical voice rang out.
Hatake Kakashi’s fate line has shifted. Detection: non-Kirigakure ninja, defection to Kirigakure countdown (1/10)
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