Chapter 315: Undercurrents in the Ninja World

A river jokingly called redundant by the Rain Kingdom was surging with waves due to the huge amount of rain in late summer. Kabuto Yakushi was fighting on the top of a tree. The big tree under his feet had long been submerged by the river, and the other side of the river was the new Rain Kingdom.

Separated by a river, the scenery is completely different. On one side are the beautiful rice fields that are resistant to lodging and flooding, with occasional farmers wearing straw raincoats busy in the fields. On the other side is the raging river, and there are few rice fields to be seen. If the difference in scenery can still be detected with the eyes, then the world of difference in humanities and society needs to be experienced with the heart. Even if the two regions started from the same starting line a few years ago, they are now very different for some reasons.

Yakushi Kabuto frowned, and kept pressing the palm magic on his chest with his right hand. He was trying to heal the wound. The rushing river was right in front of him, and he only needed to bend his knees and jump to turn danger into safety. Naturally, he wanted to minimize the chance of infection from the wound. Even if the enemy had a perceptive ninja, it would be difficult to accurately find the target under the cover of rain and river water. This killing operation initiated by Konoha might come to an end at this moment.

After a while, Yakushi Kabuto gave up using the Palm Magic Technique. He took out a first aid kit to wrap the wound, and then swallowed an energy bar. After making his preparations, he took a deep breath and jumped into the river. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared.

About ten minutes later, the Konohagakure ninja stood with a gloomy face at the place where Kabuto Yakushi had just stood. The three of them had made sufficient preparations for this killing mission, and even boasted in front of the Hokage, but now they had failed. This not only showed that Kabuto Yakushi was insidious and cunning, but also showed that they were not up to the task.

"Yakushi Kabuto, right? I remember this name. I haven't met such an interesting guy in a long time."

The Konoha ninja laughed and did not pursue alone, but returned the same way. Individual heroism is prohibited during the mission. Once discovered, even if the mission is completed, there will be severe punishment. This is a rule clearly written in the ninja manual. He gave up the idea of ​​continuing to pursue and chose to reunite with his companions before discussing other matters.

It was just before four in the afternoon. A meeting of elite jonin had just ended in the Konoha Village. Uchiha Fugaku, who was presiding over the meeting, walked down from the podium and several familiar ninjas surrounded him with smiles.

"Snapped!"

"Snapped!"

A few cigarettes were lit with a small lighter, and the topic of discussion began.

Uchiha Fugaku took a puff of his cigarette and said, "The cigarettes in the village are still not very tasty. You guys can smoke the new stuff I brought later."

The eyes of the middle-aged ninja standing closest to him flashed. The clan emblem embroidered on the collar of his uniform showed his identity as an Uchiha clan. Hearing this, he smiled and said, "Are there new varieties of Yuhua Stone cigarettes produced in the New Rain Country? These cigarettes are hard to find in the village these days. If the clan leader has brought a lot, please don't be stingy and share them with everyone."

"Yes, yes, it would be very honorable for us to distribute the cigarettes given by the Deputy Hokage. The boys below are all craving for them."

The elite jonin are undoubtedly at the top of the pyramid in the ninja village structure. Apart from the very few Kage-level powerhouses, they are the undisputed highest combat force and naturally have a lot of direct subordinates under their control.

Uchiha Fugaku smiled, took out cigarettes from his ninja tool bag, and distributed one pack to each person: "We came here in a hurry and didn't bring many. Hokage-sama has to leave some for us. Next time we come, we'll make sure everyone has one."

The atmosphere suddenly became lively. A group of guys with an average age of around 40 were smoking in the conference room, and soon the place, which had just been solemn, was filled with smoke.

"Shisui, do you want to have some?" someone greeted enthusiastically.

Uchiha Shisui was about ten years old and was promoted to Jonin two years ago. He still had a light amount of fuzz on his face, which made him completely different from the scruffy bearded guys around him.

Uchiha Fugaku glared at the guy who was making trouble and said, "He is still young and cannot smoke. Don't lead our good seedling astray."

Another person started to make a noise, "Hokage-sama learned to smoke and drink when he was in his teens. Now he is invincible in the ninja world. It can be seen that smoking and drinking are necessary on the road to becoming strong. Shisui, don't listen to Fugaku-sama. If you want to become as strong as Hokage-sama, you have to smoke and drink early."

Uchiha Shisui was so amused that his face turned red. He whispered, "Hokage-sama is unprecedented in history. How dare I hope to become as strong as him? It is a great achievement to be able to fight side by side with all of you seniors in this life. I hope you will not be stingy with your guidance."

Konishi Kakuei curled his lips and said, "Tsk, young people nowadays are too polite. They are not like us back then, swearing and chasing people around for fun."

As one of the few elite jonin among civilian ninjas, he was also on the village's recall list, otherwise he should be staying in the New Rain Country busy with government affairs.

Uchiha Fugaku put out his cigarette, waved his hand and said, "Don't tease him. Young people are thin-skinned and can't stand being teased. The tasks assigned in the meeting just now must be implemented as soon as possible. That day is not far away."

"Yes!"

Everyone dispersed, and each began to prepare for the tasks they were responsible for. Under the will of the supreme ruler, the Konohagakure was running like a tightly-fitting gear machine. A large number of ninjas were summoned, and the director of the mission department was so worried that his hair almost fell out. These were the equivalent of free money, but unfortunately no one had the time to bend down and pick them up.

In the extra-large conference room of the Hidden Cloud Village, the Fourth Raikage issued an order for a military exercise. The location was chosen to be in a canyon on the southwest side of the Land of Lightning, adjacent to the Land of Frost.

"It has been a few years since our ninjas have been seriously trained. The main purpose of this exercise is to test the logistical support capabilities, intelligence reconnaissance capabilities, small-scale penetration capabilities, and the command capabilities of a ninja squadron of more than 100 people. You must attach great importance to it. If anyone dares not take the exercise seriously, I will never show mercy in the year-end assessment!"

The fourth Raikage is quite like his father, strong as a bear, with a beard on his rough face, and his small eyes are shining with a capable look. Since the third Raikage was killed by Ye Shan, he was really depressed for a while, drinking in the office all day long. Fortunately, he immediately regrouped with the help of his good partner. Now that he has put down his leadership for several years, his domineering aura is growing day by day.

"The scale of the exercise will be around a thousand people. I will invite daimyo and other political figures to watch. Everyone, pay attention!"

After everyone had left, the Fourth Raikage sat on a specially made armchair, tapping the wooden table and chairs with his fingers, and couldn't help but think of the secret meeting a few days ago.

"Do you want to avenge your father?"

"The owner of the Rinnegan? No wonder you can ignore the village's perception barrier. Are you here just to talk nonsense?"

"If you want revenge, a month from now will be a perfect opportunity."

"The Jinchūriki's seal is useless during childbirth. Once the Nine-Tails breaks the seal and comes out, our chance will come."

"Do you really think I'm a fool? With Baiyun Yeshan in Konohagakure, a Kyuubi can't do anything."

"What if...Ye Shan isn't in the village?"

"Who are you?"

"Someone who, like you, has a deep hatred for Konoha!"

"I won't believe you. Baiyun Yeshan's strength is far superior to mine, and the village will not take risks just because of a few words from outsiders."

"You don't have to worry. Baiyun Yeshan is indeed very strong, but we have... here."

"Since that legendary figure is going to be involved, I will risk my life to help you! But I will only send a thousand men at most. This is the bottom line of the village's trust in you."

"One thousand is enough!"

In the secret basement of the Hidden Mist Village, the newly appointed Mizukage had a gloomy expression on his face, and opposite him sat his predecessor, Terumi Shiko.

"Haha, uncle, I heard that one daffodil can be exchanged for ten kilograms of polished rice. Are all the farmlands in the Land of Water used to grow daffodils? If this continues, we will collapse without the Leaf Ninja Village having to do anything! By then, even if the Mist Village wants to resist, it won't be able to provide enough food and strategic materials!"

"You traitor, why should I trust you!?"

"Just because of the man standing behind me! Your Water Country is on the brink of national destruction. If you don't take action, you will never get out of this situation!"

The Fifth Mizukage gritted his teeth and said, "I'll do this deal!"

"That's right, you will become the greatest Mizukage in history!"

In the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind, similar conversations were all being conducted in secret. A conspiracy against the Konoha Village was growing, waiting for the day to come and explode!