With a smile on his face, Kisame stared straight at the peach field not far away, neither urging nor interrupting, quietly waiting for the other party to make a decision.
When Momochi heard Kisame's words, his first instinct was to be angry, but he quickly restrained his emotions, his expression uncertain.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, the ruthless Demon, was actually hesitating in the face of Kisame's question!
"Zabuza, are you still hesitating?"
"Who is that child? Would someone as self-serving as him hesitate in this situation?"
"Going to the unknown Konoha is probably a death sentence. Does Zabuza really need to hesitate?"
Sasuke Uchiha thought he already understood Zabuza, so he spoke in a puzzled voice after seeing his silence. Kakashi shook his head slightly, remaining silent, but his gaze toward Zabuza carried a different emotion.
"Lord Raiden once said that humans exist between gods and beasts—sometimes leaning toward one, sometimes the other."
"Some people grow more noble, while others descend into savagery. Most remain neutral, without a clear inclination."
"But the greatest difference between humans and other creatures is that humans can change!"
"There is no doubt that you were once a beast—killing your comrades in training, slaughtering your fellow villagers. Your inhuman nature was exactly like mine back then!"
Seeing Zabuza hesitate, Kisame couldn't help but speak. His words immediately caught Naruto and the others' attention. They weren't familiar with Kisame, but his past intrigued them.
"We are shinobi, we are tools, and tools do not need thoughts or emotions."
"This is what the Mist Village instilled in us from childhood."
"But is that really the case, Zabuza?"
"We are no different from others. We have flesh and blood. When we are cut, we bleed."
"Face your true feelings. Lord Raiden merely invited you to Konoha—if he intended to harm you, you would have been dead long ago!"
Kisame slung Samehada over his back again. Seeing the confusion fade from Zabuza's eyes and his gaze turn resolute, Kisame felt that he had made up his mind. Even if it was only for Haku, he would not fight any further.
"I'll go to Konoha with you!"
"I must take Haku back with my own hands!"
Zabuza declared firmly. Hearing his decision, Naruto and the others let out a sigh of relief—the oppressive atmosphere of the standoff had been suffocating.
Kakashi, however, frowned at Zabuza's decision. He didn't understand why Uzumaki Raiden wanted to meet with a rogue ninja like Zabuza. Across the shinobi world, all villages shared an unspoken agreement: traitors were to be shown no mercy.
Kakashi could already foresee the consequences. If word spread that Konoha was accepting rogue ninja from other villages, it would immediately place Konoha at odds with the entire shinobi world. Although many secretly used defectors for their own purposes, they did so discreetly, with strict secrecy.
Thinking of this, Kakashi turned to Naruto and the others.
"You three—what happened today must never be spoken of. Not in the village, not anywhere."
"Kakashi, I'll be taking Momochi Zabuza with me. And keep an eye on those two brats who attacked me earlier. See you around!"
Kisame exchanged a casual farewell with Kakashi before disappearing into the dense mist, vanishing without a sound. The thick fog covering the forest began to rapidly dissipate.
The Border of the Land of Fire
In a secret laboratory, Orochimaru was fully immersed in his research. Before him was an operating table, though unlike the ones in hospitals, his was larger, its edges engraved with intricate seals.
A person lay on the table, covered by a white sheet, with only their exposed abdomen visible. Orochimaru studied it intently, recording data onto a scroll.
Suddenly, the laboratory door creaked open, and Kimimaro and Akina entered.
"Hehe, Kimimaro, Akina, you're back."
"Why are there only two of you? Where is the one I wanted?"
Orochimaru glanced back briefly before returning his focus to the experiment, speaking in a casual tone.
"Lord Orochimaru, the target was taken by a ninja who suddenly appeared."
"We failed to intercept them, and they escaped."
Kimimaro knelt on one knee, bowing his head in shame as he reported.
"Who was it?" Orochimaru was surprised. He hadn't expected Kimimaro and Akina to let the target escape.
Akina, whom he had secretly captured in Wufang City, had become terrifyingly strong after years of brainwashing and training. Additionally, thanks to his research on Akina, Orochimaru had successfully cured Kimimaro's genetic disease using Akina's flesh and blood. Now, when Kimimaro used his Shikotsumyaku, very few in the ninja world could oppose him.
Yet, even with this combination, they had failed? Against someone wielding an Ice Release bloodline?
"It was a Konoha ninja—skilled in Water Release—and he carried the sword Samehada."
"His companions called him Kisame."
Kimimaro recalled the battle and reported.
"A Konoha ninja? Kisame?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Orochimaru's face. Kimimaro, unaware of certain details, had yet to grasp the full picture—but Orochimaru did.
Orochimaru was a rogue ninja of Konoha, while Kisame was a rogue ninja of the Mist Village.
And not only did Orochimaru know that Kisame had betrayed the Mist, he also knew that Kisame had since gone to Konoha.
And there was only one person in Konoha who could command Kisame.
Years of intelligence gathering had led him to this knowledge.
"Interesting… My junior brother and I seem to share the same goal."
"That kid is after Kekkei Genkai as well. Is he planning to single-handedly dominate the ninja world?"
Orochimaru licked his lips, a cold glint in his eyes. He gently traced his fingers over the wound of the subject on the operating table. As he channeled chakra into the body, the surrounding seals activated, casting a green glow over the operating table.
"Your junior brother? Lord Orochimaru, was the one who intervened your junior brother?"
Kimimaro held Orochimaru in high esteem and was naturally curious about his past. Even Akina, usually expressionless, glanced up at Orochimaru in curiosity.
"Hoho, no."
"Kisame is not my junior brother—someone else is."
"Your generation may not know him. His name is Uzumaki Raiden. He was once famous in the ninja world."
"The Kisame who stole your Ice Release was acting on his orders."
As Orochimaru mentioned Uzumaki Raiden, a trace of emotion flickered across his face.
Back then, when Sarutobi Hiruzen passed the title of Fourth Hokage to Uzumaki Raiden, Orochimaru had harbored resentment. Even now, despite having moved on to greater ambitions, it remained a deep regret.
"Uzumaki Raiden? Lord Orochimaru, what kind of person is he?"
Kimimaro asked curiously, unfamiliar with the name.
"He… is a monster!"
Orochimaru's words stunned Kimimaro. It was hard to imagine someone powerful enough to earn such a description from Orochimaru himself.
"Hehe, in time, I'll take you to witness that monster's power firsthand!"
"I have unfinished business with him. It's time to reclaim what belongs to me!"
Orochimaru's lips curled into a sinister grin as his cold laughter echoed through the laboratory.
Time passed quickly, and a few days later, Kisame brought Zabuza back to Konoha. After Zabuza entered Uzumaki Raiden's residence, he never came out again.
However, from that day on, the guards accompanying Uzumaki Raiden changed. Initially, there had been only Kisame, but now there were two. The second carried a beheading sword, and both masked themselves, ensuring that no one knew their true identities.
Meanwhile, Minato Yuichi, who was staying at Uzumaki Raiden's home, gained a new training partner after school.
"Da-da-da-da!"
At noon, under the blazing sun that had driven away autumn's coolness, the sound of wooden swords clashing echoed through the dojo at Uzumaki Raiden's residence.
Inside the dojo, Minato Yuichi wielded a bamboo sword, launching a relentless assault on the young man in front of him. Faced with Yoriichi's storm-like attacks, the boy could barely parry with his own bamboo sword, finding no opportunity to counterattack.
"Master Yoriichi's swordsmanship is truly exceptional. To possess such skill at his age..."
"Haku is no match for Master Yuichi at all."
At the edge of the dojo, Uzumaki Raiden watched Yoriichi's practice while Kisame and Zabuza sat nearby. Kisame, unable to hold back his admiration for Yoriichi's swordsmanship, was the one who spoke.
"Haku isn't skilled in Taijutsu."
In Raiden's home, Zabuza no longer wore a mask. At this moment, his attire was no different from that of an ordinary Konoha ANBU. Upon hearing Kisame's remark, he instinctively defended Haku.
Zabuza had been completely overwhelmed upon meeting Uzumaki Raiden. Even without Raiden making a move, Zabuza could feel the overwhelming pressure emanating from him. More importantly, after seeing how freely Haku lived in Raiden's home, Zabuza, despite his pride, chose to accept Raiden's protection and serve under him.
Raiden held no ill will toward Zabuza. While Zabuza's talent wasn't as remarkable as Haku's, he was still a shinobi capable of fighting Kakashi on equal footing. Gaining another capable fighter was never a bad thing for Raiden.
"I didn't expect the youngest son of the Fourth Hokage to be such a talent. His potential is no weaker than Neji's!"
Besides Uzumaki Raiden, there were other guests in the dojo. Sitting beside Raiden, Might Guy watched the duel intently. Behind Guy, Tenten whispered to Neji.
Their squad had the day off, and Might Guy had brought his students to visit Uzumaki Raiden. Coincidentally, Yuichi was also on break and practicing at home. Upon hearing this, Guy eagerly brought his students over to observe.
Tenten constantly praised Yoriichi's talent, but Neji paid little attention to him. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on Uzumaki Raiden. He had heard his father mention Raiden before, and as the principal of the Ninja Academy, Raiden was a significant figure. However, this was Neji's first time meeting him in person.
"In terms of Taijutsu alone, Haku is still lacking. Guy, have one of your students assist him."
"Yoriichi's Taijutsu still has room for improvement at his age, and he needs more combat experience."
"He should fight against more shinobi."
Uzumaki Raiden spoke calmly. Hearing this, Guy turned to Rock Lee and signaled for him to step forward. While Yuichi didn't interact much with Tenten or Neji, he was familiar with Rock Lee. In a way, they were both students of Might Guy, training under similar disciplines.
"Yes, Guy-sensei!"
Without hesitation, Rock Lee stepped into the dojo. He didn't announce himself but immediately moved behind Minato Yuichi, raising his leg and delivering a kick toward Yoriichi's waist.
Yuichi, who had been engaged in battle with Haku, noticed Lee's attack. With a single strike of his wooden sword, he forced Haku back before taking a deep breath and throwing a punch to block Lee's kick.
"Boom!"
A muffled impact echoed through the dojo as Lee, initially the aggressor, was forced to retreat. Stabilizing himself, he looked at Yuichi in shock.
However, Yuichi didn't hesitate. After repelling Lee's attack, he immediately lunged forward, sword in hand.
"His breathing technique is already taking shape. At such a young age, he can already block Rock Lee's attacks in terms of strength."
"In terms of Taijutsu alone, Yuichi is already at the level of a full-fledged shinobi."
Uzumaki Raiden nodded in satisfaction as he watched Yoriichi's sparring match with Rock Lee. He had a good understanding of Lee's capabilities at this stage.
Lee was already exceptional among young shinobi. He was a genius who could open the Eight Gates Technique, making his Taijutsu far superior to that of ordinary ninja. Yet, at this moment, Yuichi was holding his own against him. Though he relied on his breathing technique, this alone spoke volumes about his talent and potential.
At this rate, in just a few years, Konoha would have another prodigy renowned throughout the ninja world. Combined with the completed development of the two most promising shinobi of this generation, Konoha would soon bring true change to the world.
Unifying the ninja world through the Moon's Eye Plan!
This was Uzumaki Raiden's true ambition. Before that day arrived, his role was to cultivate Konoha's younger generation, shaping them into powerful, independent warriors.
(End of Chapter)