96-100

Chapter 96: A Calm Heart Faces No Fear, Even If the Sky Falls  

“He is Uchiha Itachi.”  

Tenzō snapped out of his thoughts and led Itachi to sit down directly at Mei Terumi’s desk.  

“Considering you’ve been slacking off during work hours, this one’s on you—you’re paying for it.”  

Tenzō sat next to Ao, while Itachi glanced around, walking toward the spot Mei had already cleared for him. She was practically shooting meaningful glances at him.  

“Of course, of course,” Mei quickly admitted fault when she saw Itachi sit beside her.  

Tenzō, watching this scene, felt secretly delighted.  

Another expense avoided.  

As the acting Mizukage, with no salary to speak of, and given the strained finances of Kirigakure, Tenzō couldn’t bring himself to misuse funds.  

As a result, he was always living frugally…  

Yes, Tenzō wasn’t upset at all; he was just playing the long game, scheming to make Mei and Ao willingly foot the bill for him.  

“Itachi, is it? I heard you’re a rogue ninja. How’s that life treating you? Is being a rogue ninja fun?”  

Mei, her eyes sparkling with interest, gazed tenderly at Itachi as she spoke.  

“Cough, cough!” Ao, sitting across from them, hastily cleared his throat to interrupt. Goodness, asking such questions in front of the Mizukage—did she even care about her future?  

Ao was a more traditional person, particular about decorum.  

Mei’s words were practically handing the Mizukage ammunition to hold against her. Even if she didn’t mean it that way, what if the Mizukage took it seriously?  

“Being a rogue ninja is a blast! He used to be my teammate, too. Ahem—just kidding!”  

Before Itachi could respond, Tenzō instinctively chimed in. Halfway through, he noticed the peculiar looks directed his way and quickly stopped himself, shifting the subject.  

Hearing the Mizukage himself act so nonchalantly was both a relief and a shock to Ao.  

Was the Mizukage really this unreliable? Or was it all a ploy to lower their guard and eavesdrop on their inner thoughts?  

Itachi chose not to follow up on Tenzō’s remarks. Information about the Akatsuki could be shared, but not within the Land of Water—after all, the tallest tree catches the wind.  

If the Akatsuki found out, it would inevitably lead to chaos and bloodshed.  

The less outsiders knew, the better.  

“Being a rogue ninja… it’s not bad. You can go wherever you want,” Itachi said with a faint smile after some thought.  

He accepted the sake cup Mei offered, skillfully avoiding her restless, wandering fingers.  

After downing the drink in one go, he added, “It’s a bit freeing.”  

“How enviable! I wish I could… Ahem.”  

Mei gazed at Itachi’s mature, handsome face. It wasn’t complicated—she just enjoyed looking at good-looking men.  

She caught herself after blurting out her thoughts and quickly stopped.  

“So, little brother, how old are you? Do you have a girlfriend?”  

Staring at the composed and dashing Itachi, Mei asked with dreamy eyes.  

Seeing Mei in full fangirl mode, Ao lowered his head and remained silent, moodily eating his food.  

Tenzō, who had been scarfing down his meal, nearly choked.  

“Mizukage-sama, have some water,” Ao said, patting Tenzō on the back and handing him a glass of water, epitomizing what it meant to be helpful.  

“Haha, I’m fine. Ao, don’t be so reserved. We’re all friends here—enjoy yourself,” Tenzō said after drinking the water. He avoided looking at Mei’s behavior, feeling a bit awkward.  

“Uh, Mei Terumi, right? You’re beautiful, mature, gentle, and… seductive. But don’t you think it’s a bit much to ask these kinds of questions the first time we meet?”  

Itachi was having a hard time handling Mei.  

He couldn’t tell if she was serious or if she was simply toying with him out of habit.  

However, with Mei Terumi’s stunning looks, curvaceous figure, and enticing demeanor, Itachi found himself having a hard time resisting her charm... 

“Little brother, you really don’t understand how to enjoy yourself, do you? Shall I teach you~?”  

Mei Terumi winked at Itachi with her beautiful eyes, sending a playful spark his way. Her tongue lightly brushed her luscious lips before she gently bit one of them with her pearly white teeth. Her slender waist swayed slightly, accentuating her already deep cleavage and making her allure even more irresistible. 

"So white? So round? Holy… This is testing my limits as a man!"  

Itachi grumbled inwardly, his heart racing uncontrollably, like a deer caught in headlights. 

Mei Terumi was too good at this… 

“Little brother, don’t tell me you’re still a virgin~?”  

Noticing Itachi’s flustered expression, Mei let out a soft, teasing laugh. 

“Damn it…”  

Itachi’s mood soured a bit. 

“Lady Mizukage, Itachi, she’s had too much to drink. Don’t take it to heart, please don’t mind her…”  

Seeing Itachi struggle to handle the situation, Ao quickly stepped in to defuse the tension. 

The relationship between the Mizukage and Itachi seemed pretty good. If Itachi ended up upset, things could get awkward for everyone. 

From the sidelines, Tenzo watched Itachi and couldn’t help but chuckle quietly. He shot Mei Terumi a quick look of admiration but didn’t dare to linger too long.  

After all, it wouldn’t be a great look for a Mizukage to act too blatantly… 

“Little brother, let’s have a drink.” 

Just as Itachi was rolling his eyes at Tenzo, Mei Terumi leaned in close to him, her warm breath brushing against his ear. Itachi felt a tingling sensation run through his scalp, almost as if it were about to explode.  

Was it his imagination, or did her soft lips actually graze his earlobe? A flush of red quickly spread across his cheeks as an inexplicable mix of excitement and nervousness welled up in his heart.  

This level of flirtation was overwhelming.  

He was this close to losing his composure... 

“Tenzo, I need to discuss something with you. Should we step aside to talk?”  

Itachi couldn’t handle it anymore and tried to make his escape.  

This whole thing felt like a trap straight out of a nightmare—a completely ridiculous situation.  

“What’s the rush? We just sat down. Leaving now would make it seem like I’m being a poor host,” Tenzo replied, clearly not understanding Itachi’s predicament.  

“Mei Terumi isn’t just the Mizukage; she’s the pride of Kirigakure, the village flower, an elite jonin, and still a young, single woman. She’s drinking with you, and you’re acting shy?”  

Tenzo found Itachi’s behavior incomprehensible. 

A beauty like Mei Terumi sitting right next to him, and he’s still hesitating? This was a once-in-a-lifetime moment!  

Besides, many at Itachi’s age were already married and had children...  

The thought stirred a kind of fatherly responsibility in Tenzo’s heart.  

He was determined to help Itachi out here…  

“Uh…”  

Hearing Tenzo’s words, Itachi froze, realizing he might have been too impulsive. But all he could do was silently repeat a mantra in his mind: A clear heart fears no disturbance. Ignore what you shouldn’t see, ignore what you shouldn’t hear… 

“Little brother, don’t you think I’m beautiful~?”  

Spurred on by Tenzo’s praise, Mei Terumi took full advantage of her tipsy state and launched another fierce offensive.  

Whether her actions were sincere or just playful was anyone’s guess. 

Feeling Mei’s delicate hand teasingly graze him, Itachi tensed up in nervousness. He quickly grabbed a drumstick from the table and stuffed it into his mouth, chomping down in an effort to distract himself.  

He decided to fight fire with fire—using his appetite to overcome his impulses.  

In his mind, love and relationships weren’t something he could afford to indulge in right now; they’d distract him too much from his goals.  

But Mei Terumi… she was just too tempting.  

His resolve wasn’t strong enough to remain completely unaffected.  

So he resorted to whatever means he could to endure it…  

Chapter 97: The Winds Rise in the Land of Water  

The Akatsuki Organization  

Pain sat at the desk, a deep furrow of frustration etched between his brows.  

He had been poring over documents endlessly, frustration growing with each passing day.  

For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of defeat, and he had been reviewing records for days.  

All of it was to find a single name: "Blood Moon."  

"How could there be nothing? Not a single word of information about someone like this?"  

Pain glanced at the bounty notice set aside. Apart from that single sheet of paper, there was nothing else about Blood Moon.  

He leaned back against the chair, feeling helpless.  

"That's right... Flying Thunder God!"  

After a short rest, Pain decided to approach Blood Moon’s identity from a different angle.  

He suddenly recalled Blood Moon's miraculous ability to traverse through space and the image of the kunai being used during their first appearance.  

It had to be Flying Thunder God—there was no doubt.  

"Konohagakure... I feel like I should already know his identity. Why can't I remember?"  

Pain muttered to himself, replaying all of Blood Moon's abilities in his mind. That inexplicable feeling became more intense.  

"Flying Thunder God... Crows? Black Hokage? A red giant? Mysterious eyes? A serpent?"  

Pain's eyes gradually became clear.  

After filtering out the irrelevant details, the truth revealed itself...  

"Uchiha Itachi... I didn't expect it to be you. Weren't you already broken? How did you become this strong? What on earth happened during this time?"  

Pain rummaged through records, pulling up Itachi's profile.  

He stared at the photo of a young Itachi, those deep eyes as calm as a still well.  

Suddenly, Pain felt that this person was truly terrifying.  

Especially considering how young he was yet wielded such formidable power.  

Worse still, such a powerful individual, who had once been part of their organization, had now become their enemy...  

He thought of Itachi lying motionless on a hospital bed, the cold indifference in his expression as he removed the ring...  

"Itachi, having a good day, huh? I didn’t expect Mei Terumi to be so forward—she might actually have a thing for you."  

Land of Water  

Juzo, a little drunk, was being supported by Itachi.  

"I'm still young and have no interest in relationships," Itachi replied with a hint of irritation.  

"Lady Mizukage, could it be that you’ve truly taken a liking to Uchiha Itachi?"  

Meanwhile, Ao was supporting Mei Terumi, who appeared slightly tipsy.  

Ao asked her calmly, his expression neutral.  

Hearing Ao's words, Mei, who had seemed dazed moments ago, suddenly became alert.  

Apart from a faint blush on her cheeks, there was no trace of her earlier drunkenness.  

"Of course I like him. He’s so young, handsome, and mature. The key is, he can even resist my charm! If I don’t marry such an incredible man, it would be a complete waste!"  

Mei patted her chest solemnly, the ripples of her motion leaving Ao momentarily dumbfounded.  

"Look at you—such a lecherous expression, no composure at all," Mei remarked disdainfully as she caught Ao staring.  

Her tone was full of reproach.  

Feeling a sudden warmth in his nose, Ao glanced sideways at Mei before discreetly wiping it with the back of his hand.  

He exhaled a quiet sigh of relief upon realizing he hadn’t embarrassed himself.  

"Do you think this will go smoothly?"  

Just as Ao relaxed, Mei looked at the villagers in the distance, their faces filled with smiles, and asked softly.  

"Huh?"  

Ao blinked, confused by her sudden question.  

"Our Hidden Mist Village has been isolated for so many years, suffering heavy losses. Now that we’ve reopened our village and reached out to the ninja world, do you think other villages will target us?"  

Mei's tone carried a trace of worry, and Ao’s distraction annoyed her slightly.  

But she still voiced her concerns.  

Compared to the rapidly developing and powerful villages, the Hidden Mist had indeed suffered greatly.  

"Don't worry, Lady Mizukage. Lord Aide has already sent letters to the Leaf Village. Since Sarutobi is still in power, and given their peaceful nature, they surely won’t refuse an alliance with us."  

Ao heard Mei Terumi’s words, his expression turned serious, and he replied earnestly. 

“But…” 

Mei Terumi recalled the actions of Kirigakure in the past. Now, it seemed they were subtly hoping for Konoha’s protection.  

Kirigakure hadn’t hesitated to covet Konoha’s prosperous and fertile lands before…  

They had launched numerous large and small-scale battles against Konoha…  

“Guy, you can’t act impulsively this time.”  

Outside Konoha Village.  

Two figures were sprinting swiftly, one in front of the other.  

The person in the lead had a bowl-cut hairstyle, sharp eyes, thick eyebrows, and a determined face. He wore a green vest—this was Might Guy.  

Behind him came a woman’s voice.  

The woman’s outfit combined pink and red, with a black, semi-transparent, lace-edged strapless top.  

Hearing Yūhi Kurenai’s voice behind him, Guy came to a halt.  

“Don’t worry! I’ll stay calm!”  

Under Kurenai’s concerned gaze, Guy turned around and flashed a wide grin, his sparkling teeth on full display.  

His confidence and enthusiasm seemed to wash over Kurenai like a wave.  

“Guy…”  

Kurenai looked at Guy’s demeanor and couldn’t help but feel her spirits lift. Guy was undoubtedly someone who could inspire his teammates with immense strength.  

“As a man, I will definitely protect you, Kurenai!”  

Guy solemnly promised.  

After turning around, his expression grew complicated.  

He thought back to the Third Shinobi World War. If it weren’t for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, his father wouldn’t have lost his life protecting them…  

And now, the place they were heading to was none other than Kirigakure.  

They were the diplomatic envoys sent to discuss preliminary terms with the Mizukage.  

After all, such delicate matters couldn’t always be handled through letters. While this was still the initial stage, it wasn’t serious enough for the Kages of both villages to meet in person yet. After all, the Kage was the backbone of their respective villages and couldn’t leave recklessly.  

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi had sent the two of them for this mission. On one hand, they would gather intelligence; on the other, they would gauge the Mizukage’s attitude.  

Such a minor task didn’t require the involvement of the “Blue Beast of Konoha.”  

This kind of careful work was better suited for Kurenai, who was more meticulous.  

As for Guy, his most important role was ensuring the safety of Konoha’s beautiful kunoichi.  

“Sasori, our mission this time is to head to the Land of Water. How about we take a detour and do some sightseeing?”  

In the Land of Rain, two figures wearing black cloaks with red clouds walked slowly along the road.  

Kisame, with his shark-like face, asked softly.  

“Are there any strong shinobi in your Kirigakure?”  

Hearing Kisame’s question, Sasori asked indifferently.  

For Sasori, nothing was more interesting than collecting puppets.  

“Uh…”  

Kisame’s shark face froze at Sasori’s question.  

That question struck a chord deep within his soul.  

Chapter 98: Jūzō's Thoughts  

Itachi brought Jūzō back to his home. 

Fortunately, Jūzō wasn’t too drunk—at least he still knew how to find his way back.  

By the time night had fully fallen, Itachi sat at the table sipping tea, his eyes reflecting a faint ripple of thought.  

“Finally awake? After all this time, your drinking tolerance is still as terrible as ever,” Itachi remarked, pouring a glass of water for Jūzō and glancing at him as he sat up on the bed.  

“I haven’t seen you in so long—I’m just really happy,” Jūzō said softly, rubbing his eyes and running a hand through his hair.  

“How have you been? Weren’t you supposed to be acting Mizukage? You look pretty worn out,” Itachi asked, his tone as calm as always, as he observed the fatigue on Jūzō’s face.  

“You don’t realize how stressful it is until you actually take on the role of Mizukage,” Jūzō replied, sitting down beside Itachi and taking a sip of the water handed to him.  

“Heh, why don’t you just find someone to take over for you? Being Mizukage doesn’t sound all that appealing,” Itachi said, looking at Jūzō, who was lazily leaning on the table, and shaking his head.  

“Ugh, I’d love to, but the mess in Kirigakure is even worse than I imagined,” Jūzō said, rolling his eyes at Itachi’s easy suggestion.  

“Oh? What kind of issues are you dealing with?” Itachi asked, his interest piqued.  

“Kirigakure used to be so closed off. After my efforts, we finally started opening up last month. We’re reconnecting with the outside world, inviting merchants, setting up missions—basically laying the framework for a fresh start,” Jūzō explained, treating Itachi as if he were an old confidant.  

“That sounds like a good thing. If it keeps up, the village will bounce back in no time,” Itachi remarked, thinking that Jūzō’s plans seemed to be progressing smoothly.  

“What’s so good about it? Reintegrating Kirigakure into the shinobi world means disrupting the established balance among the Five Great Nations. It’s going to cause shifts in missions, trade, and more. There are plenty of predators out there just waiting to take advantage of us. One wrong step, and things could end up worse than before,” Jūzō said, visibly frustrated.  

“Uh…” Itachi muttered softly, clearly uninterested in such matters.  

“So, what brings you here? Need my help with something?” Jūzō asked, deciding to change the subject when he noticed Itachi’s lack of enthusiasm.  

“Yeah. I’d like a copy of some of the Kaguya clan’s ninjutsu,” Itachi replied bluntly.  

“The Kaguya clan is extinct. What do you need their ninjutsu for?” Jūzō asked, puzzled by Itachi’s request.  

“I just find their techniques fascinating and want to study them,” Itachi answered casually, though he was hiding his true intentions.  

Copying kekkei genkai was a dangerous secret, best kept to himself. While it didn’t mean much to top-tier shinobi, for villages and nations, it could be as powerful as possessing a tailed beast.  

If kekkei genkai could truly be replicated, it would present a new challenge for the shinobi world.  

After all, every kekkei genkai possessed extraordinary abilities. If such techniques were mass-produced and integrated into armies, the thought of thousands or tens of thousands of shinobi wielding kekkei genkai was terrifying.  

“Is this urgent? If it is, I can look for it now. If not, I’ll check on it tomorrow,” Jūzō said. He didn’t pry further into Itachi’s motives. If Itachi wanted it, he’d help him get it.  

Jūzō suddenly remembered that Itachi specialized in Water Release techniques. He decided to find a couple of high-level Water Release scrolls for Itachi to try out tomorrow.  

As the acting Mizukage, Jūzō was overwhelmed with work, but helping Itachi get some techniques seemed like a small favor in return for his efforts.  

“So, how’s your time in the Akatsuki? Who’s your partner now?” Jūzō asked, breaking the brief silence in the room. He hadn’t wanted to bring this up earlier with others around, but now that they were alone, he could check in on Itachi’s life.  

“Uh, after I returned, the Akatsuki assigned me a female partner,” Itachi began. “But during our first mission, something went wrong. I got sick and ended up leaving the organization.”  

“Really? That’s great. The Akatsuki isn’t a place to stay for long,” Jūzō said, surprised but also reflective.  

If it hadn’t been for his own circumstances as a rogue ninja with nowhere else to go, Jūzō wouldn’t have joined the Akatsuki either.  

For rogue ninjas, the Akatsuki was a decent refuge—a place to lay low. While missions were required, it still offered more freedom than life in a village.  

“So, where have you been staying lately? If you don’t have anywhere to go, why not stay in Kirigakure for a while? Maybe even settle down here? I could pair you with Mei Terumī as your partner—how about that?” Jūzō joked with a grin.  

At first, Juzo seemed serious, but as he kept talking, a mischievous grin crept across his face.  

It seemed like he had thought of something amusing.  

...  

"Can you be serious for once? How does your conversation turn so strange all of a sudden?"  

Itachi glared at Juzo in exasperation.  

"I'm being serious. If you stay in the Hidden Mist Village, I promise you'll live a good life—no more fighting or scheming. You can freely enjoy life and experience the beauty of the world," Juzo replied, completely ignoring Itachi's annoyed look.  

He spoke with a sincere tone, as if making a solemn promise.  

"Forget it. I'm used to being carefree. Wandering the world feels more comfortable to me," Itachi said softly, averting his gaze from Juzo's earnest expression.  

After all, he was a rogue ninja, and his situation was very different from Juzo's.  

The Land of Water was about to open up to the ninja world, and there were already rogue ninjas from other villages in the Hidden Mist Village. What kind of message would that send?  

...  

Once the Land of Water's Hidden Mist Village connected with the rest of the ninja world, spies and informants from other villages were bound to establish bases here, monitoring the village's every move.  

It was an unavoidable reality.  

To revitalize the Hidden Mist Village, fresh resources had to be introduced.  

But with fresh resources came those with ulterior motives.  

Even a powerful village like the Hidden Leaf had its share of spies, both in the open and in the shadows.  

"Alright then, at least stay a few more days and enjoy yourself here. Let me show you some hospitality," Juzo said, dropping the subject after Itachi's response.  

Still, he couldn’t help feeling a twinge of regret.  

If only Itachi were willing to stay here.  

Settle down, get married, have a few kids—wouldn't that be great?  

Juzo genuinely wanted the wandering, displaced Itachi to have a place to call home.  

His intentions were heartfelt, albeit a bit overbearing.  

...  

Hidden Mist Village.  

Mei Terumi was in the kitchen preparing dinner.  

Looking at the plate of charred, pitch-black grilled meat, her once-hopeful expression turned a bit dazed.  

She had planned to make a delicious grilled meat dish for Itachi, bring it to him, and share dinner together to strengthen their bond.  

If everything went well, a candlelit dinner with a couple of bottles of wine might even lead to something more long-term.  

But before she could even begin her plan, it was already over...  

For the first time, she felt completely stuck.  

Chapter 99: Mastering the Jutsu and Preparing to Leave, Arrival of Konoha Visitors  

"Kid, get up!"  

The next day.  

After a busy morning, Juzo returned to invite Itachi to join him for lunch.  

He found Itachi still in his room, seemingly still asleep.  

Juzo knocked on the door and called out loudly.  

...  

Hearing Juzo's noisy shouting, Itachi opened the door.  

He hadn’t been sleeping as Juzo assumed. Instead, he was in his room refining chakra.  

"What is it? Are you already done with your work?"  

Looking at Juzo, who was full of energy, Itachi replied in an annoyed tone.  

"How could I be done already? But since you rarely visit, I thought I’d spend more time with you, showing you around our Hidden Mist Village and having some fun."  

Hearing this, Juzo gave a bitter smile, then added something sentimental.  

"Give me a break. You could just assign a ninja to show me around. You’re obviously trying to slack off and are dragging me along as your excuse."  

Itachi saw right through Juzo's intentions.  

Juzo had often tried to rope Itachi into these schemes in the past.  

...  

In the end, the two didn’t go out. They sent a subordinate to gather some food from the village instead.  

To be fair, there wasn’t much to see in the Hidden Mist Village at the moment. The place was still in recovery.  

After three rounds of drinks, Juzo took out a scroll and placed it on the table.  

He pushed it toward Itachi.  

"Here’s what you wanted."  

Juzo said softly, looking at Itachi, who was gnawing on a chicken leg.  

"Oh, thanks a lot."  

Itachi glanced at his oily hands.  

Deciding to finish his meal before handling the scroll, he thanked Juzo quietly and ignored the scroll for now.  

...  

"It’s nothing. Besides the jutsu you wanted, I threw in two Water Release techniques for you to mess around with."  

Hearing this, the sharp lines on Itachi's face softened slightly.  

"Thanks."  

He nodded in gratitude.  

Honestly, Water Release techniques weren’t a big deal for Itachi. If he were in Konoha, he could just study Tobirama's jutsu and easily become a master of water-style techniques.  

At this point, Itachi didn’t lack for jutsu.  

Even if he encountered something impressive, he could usually copy it and use it himself.  

Of course, overly advanced techniques couldn’t be copied—especially those that required specific bloodline limits or other intricate conditions.  

...  

"Now that I have what I came for, I plan to leave this afternoon," Itachi said softly after a brief hesitation, setting down the pork leg he’d been eating and wiping his hands.  

"So soon? Aren’t you going to stick around and enjoy yourself a bit? The Hidden Mist Village is about to get lively—you don’t want to witness it?"  

Juzo looked a little surprised.  

"No thanks. Just a bunch of weaklings fighting each other—what’s there to see?"  

After considering the scene Juzo described, Itachi refused flatly.  

It didn’t seem particularly interesting.  

...  

"Kid, you’re getting pretty cocky these days. Your strength must have improved a lot, huh?"  

Hearing Itachi's dismissive tone, Juzo gave him a long, meaningful look.  

"Not really. I just don’t find it that interesting," Itachi replied casually, brushing off Juzo's remark.  

He had to get back to check if Orochimaru had made any progress with the Ryumyaku.  

Though he didn’t have high hopes, some things had to be seen with his own eyes.  

It was too early to draw conclusions.  

...  

"Alright then. If this is goodbye, who knows when we’ll meet again?"  

Juzo didn’t press further to make Itachi stay, merely sipping quietly on his drink.  

"Take it easy on the alcohol—it’s not good for you," Itachi said softly, watching Juzo down one cup after another with a hint of melancholy.  

"This isn’t just alcohol. It’s more than that..."  

"It’s the warmth of rivers, the muddy waters we’ve waded through, the remedy for days steeped in darkness..."  

“You…”  

Itachi fell silent for a moment, wanting to say something. He started but stopped halfway, unable to come up with any witty remarks.  

“If you think being the Mizukage is boring, then just quit. I think Mei Terumi is pretty good. Why not let her take over?”  

Hearing the subtle bitterness in Juzō’s words, Itachi decided to speak up.  

"In the Shūba, this is the unaltered version!"  

“Mei Terumi? Do you have feelings for her or something?”  

Juzō was momentarily stunned by Itachi’s words but quickly broke into a mischievous grin.  

After all, Itachi’s suggestion was completely unexpected.  

Given that Mei Terumi was a woman, how could Itachi even think of recommending her to take over the position of Mizukage?  

Could it be that even someone as composed as Itachi couldn’t resist Mei’s charm? Had he fallen for her? Should Juzō have a chat with Mei Terumi to help spark something between them?  

Juzō’s mind was flooded with ideas.  

…  

Naturally, Itachi had no idea that his casual suggestion had triggered such a storm of thoughts in Juzō’s mind.  

After all, Itachi had read the original story. He knew Mei Terumi did eventually become the Fifth Mizukage.  

When he made the suggestion, he genuinely wasn’t overthinking it.  

But in the current uncertain situation, his words were bound to be misunderstood by Juzō.  

At this point, Mei Terumi had yet to display her full potential. Satisfied with the village’s progress, she didn’t want it to plunge into chaos again.  

She was leaning toward a more laid-back role…  

…  

“Mizukage-sama, the delegation from Konoha has arrived…”  

Just as Juzō was about to indulge in another round of drinks, a voice came from outside the door.  

“Got it. Have Mei Terumi handle the arrangements and negotiate with them.”  

Hearing his subordinate’s report, Juzō, who had initially planned to mess with Elder Genshi again, recalled Itachi’s earlier words.  

He decided to give Mei Terumi a chance to prove herself and gain some exposure.  

He took Itachi’s words seriously, even though the suggestion seemed unusual.  

Having a woman in power was extremely rare, though not unheard of. But women had to prove themselves even more capable than men in such roles.  

And this wasn’t just about holding power—it was about becoming the leader of an entire village and steering the fate of a nation.  

…  

“Let’s go. Shall we see who Konoha sent this time?”  

After his subordinate left, Juzō, unable to sit still, turned to Itachi and suggested they check it out together.  

Itachi thought for a moment, didn’t refuse, and nodded as he wiped the oil from his hands and mouth.  

He picked up the scroll on the table and tucked it into his robe.  

Seeing this, Juzō also stood up.  

…  

“What kind of people do you think Konoha sent this time? Do you think you’ll know anyone?”  

As they walked, Juzō asked.  

While asking, he removed the hat from his head, intending to put it on Itachi, only to remember that it was the Mizukage’s hat and shouldn’t be misused.  

Feeling a bit awkward, he put it back on.  

Itachi, unaware of Juzō’s thoughts, gave him a strange look. Juzō had taken his hat off for no apparent reason, only to put it back on as if he had lice or something…  

…  

“Who knows? Even if I recognize them, so what? Do you think they’d come all this way to pick a fight with me? This isn’t Konoha. Konoha wouldn’t send someone so irrational, would they?”  

Itachi smiled faintly and replied casually to Juzō’s question.  

In his mind, he speculated that the people sent this time were likely strategic thinkers like Shikamaru’s father. There was even a chance that the old fox Danzo could be among them.  

Chapter 100: Jūzō's Thoughts and Itachi's Dilemma  

Itachi and Jūzō walked side by side down the road at a leisurely pace, heading to see how Mei Terumī planned to host their visit. 

It was likely that Mei was just now setting out to welcome them.  

“Kai, what do you think of Kirigakure compared to our Konoha?”  

In a quiet room, Might Guy and Kurenai Yuhi sat together, sipping tea.  

Kurenai posed the question softly.  

“The environment here isn’t very comfortable—there’s too much mist,” Guy replied.  

Taking a sip of tea, he noticed his clothes were damp and felt a bit irritated.  

“The situation in Kirigakure has been unstable for years. Compared to our bustling Konoha, this place has been plagued by internal strife,” Kurenai explained, summarizing the events in the Village Hidden in the Mist.  

“I don’t really understand all that,” Guy said apologetically, noticing Kurenai’s slightly uneasy expression.  

Kurenai felt a tinge of disappointment at his response. Remembering the Hokage’s instructions, her mind buzzed with worry.  

She had heard that the new Mizukage had a temper. What if things didn’t go well and it turned into a fight?  

Her thoughts were chaotic, but her gaze remained firm.  

The Hokage must have had a reason for arranging things this way.  

“What’s our mission here in the Land of Water?”  

Elsewhere, Kisame Hoshigaki and Sasori stepped into the territory of the Land of Water.  

“Our task this time is for a foreign employer. We’re to investigate how the talks between Konoha’s envoy team and the Mizukage are progressing. If things go too smoothly, we’re to disguise ourselves as Konoha shinobi and cause trouble...” Kisame explained candidly, responding to Sasori’s rare inquiry about their mission.  

“I didn’t expect our organization to take on this kind of job. Which village would stoop so low to hire us for something so sneaky?” Sasori remarked with a mix of surprise and disdain.  

“Only the leader knows who the employer is, and it’s confidential. We just need to do our job and not overthink it,” Kisame replied nonchalantly to Sasori’s ridicule.  

He perfectly embodied the essence of what it meant to be a ninja... 

Perhaps in the Akatsuki, Kisame was the only one who truly lived like a traditional shinobi.  

“Itachi, what do you think of my plan?”  

In the Mizukage’s office, Itachi and Jūzō sat together as Jūzō casually shared his thoughts.  

Itachi’s expression was a bit peculiar.  

Jūzō’s idea wasn’t bad, but something about it felt off to Itachi.  

“How strong is your Kirigakure right now? If you go through with this, won’t it backfire and hurt you instead?” Itachi questioned, expressing his doubts about Jūzō’s plan.  

“Then lend me a hand,” Jūzō replied softly, undeterred by Itachi’s skepticism.  

His plan was to organize a large-scale military exercise to flex Kirigakure’s strength in front of their potential allies.  

But his true intention went deeper. He hoped to use the alliance with Konoha to unite Kirigakure’s forces and solidify its power.  

The idea was ambitious, but Itachi thought Jūzō was being overly extravagant.  

It would undoubtedly consume significant resources.  

“Forget it. I think going to such lengths won’t yield much benefit. I can help you, but you’ll need to adjust your plan a bit,” Itachi said after some thought.  

“How would you change it?”  

Jūzō, who had already decided on the exercise, initially planned to use the encounter he and Itachi had experienced in the Land of Water as a template. It would be a red team versus blue team exercise.  

The only difference was that their two-person infiltration would be replaced by an entire squadron’s invasion, while the rest of the forces defended. 

"Just directly evaluate for Jonin. As long as someone reaches Chunin, they’re eligible to take the exam for promotion to Jonin. There's no need to worry about whether they meet the task count criteria."  

"It’s a time of crisis for your Kirigakure. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. This simplifies things, too."  

In response to Jūzō's inquiry, Itachi spoke softly.  

From his perspective, Kirigakure's current combat strength was lacking. Promoting a batch of Jonin first would be the best step.  

Moreover, Jonin authorized by Jūzō were likely to be loyal to him, thus strengthening his power base.  

"That doesn’t sound too bad, but isn’t this kind of rushing things? Typically, Jonin who qualify based on task completion are seasoned, highly experienced, and incredibly powerful. They can achieve a lot."  

Hearing Itachi’s suggestion, Jūzō frowned slightly, feeling it was a bit unreliable.  

However, in Itachi’s view, simple tasks could be done by anyone, while difficult missions often led to disaster, even for genuine Jonin.  

The difference didn’t seem that significant to him.  

"Then why not set up a Chunin exam specifically for Kirigakure? Highlight the future potential, and use the opportunity to win over the younger generation of Mist ninja. Groom them to grow into assets for you."  

In response to Jūzō's hesitation, Itachi offered another suggestion.  

This approach felt more grounded.  

From his perspective, since Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn’t coming here personally, Jūzō’s grand gestures seemed ineffective and a waste of resources.  

"But if we’re going to hold a Chunin exam, why limit it to Kirigakure’s kids? We might as well invite participants from other villages. That way, we could subtly expand our influence and send a message: ‘Kirigakure is back.’"  

Upon hearing Itachi’s words, Jūzō made another proposal.  

Once again, the budget and scale of the plan grew.  

Jūzō’s words left Itachi feeling powerless.  

Itachi felt Jūzō had a habit of aiming too high, always wanting to go big.  

This left Itachi with some concerns.  

If other villages were invited, it might not be a huge issue. With Kirigakure’s remaining foundation, they could manage a Chunin exam and pull it off successfully.  

However, if something went wrong—like a situation akin to Orochimaru’s destruction plan—it would ruin Jūzō's reputation entirely.  

While such an event might stimulate the economy, with outsiders spending money in Kirigakure, a fight breaking out could be catastrophic. If innocent civilians or weaker individuals were caught in the crossfire, Jūzō would surely face a storm of backlash.  

The risks outweighed the benefits.  

Given Kirigakure’s current fragile state, a misstep by Jūzō could leave the village in even worse condition.  

It was a risk they couldn’t afford.  

"Taking too big a step could backfire. Jūzō, I suggest you think it over carefully…"  

With these thoughts in mind, Itachi paused and earnestly advised Jūzō.  

After all, Itachi wasn’t from the Land of Water or Kirigakure, and he wouldn’t be staying there permanently.  

While he could maintain order if he remained, his presence risked exposing his identity, which could lead to other complications.  

The Akatsuki might even descend upon the village en masse…  

Looking at the bigger picture, Itachi felt Jūzō’s plans were not very reliable.  

"Itachi… How about you stay in Kirigakure? I’ll abdicate and make you the Mizukage instead…"  

Hearing Itachi’s repeated rejections, Jūzō looked helpless.  

He had a gambler’s mindset, always trying to achieve great things with minimal resources.  

But knowing Kirigakure’s dire situation, it was hard for him not to feel anxious.  

After all, as one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Kirigakure had fallen far behind the others.  

Their true foundation had been squandered long ago by Yagura…  

"Don’t even joke about that. You should consult Mei Terumī and Ao more often. Don’t try to handle everything on your own."  

Seeing Jūzō’s weary demeanor, Itachi refrained from saying anything more.  

He understood that Jūzō was in a tough spot.  

Feeling anxious was only natural.