Konoha Notes

Chapter 256 Blood Mist

The Hidden Mist is indeed busy with its own affairs; ending the Blood Mist is not something that can be accomplished simply by issuing a decree.

Even the Blood Mist itself is not a policy, but rather the result of various different rules evolving from one aspect to another.

The exclusion of bloodline families, the ironclad rule of never exchanging prisoners, the almost obsessive secrecy... these elements, both reasonable and unreasonable, together constitute the Blood Mist.

Even those who oppose the Blood Mist may only be opposing one aspect of the Blood Mist Village's policies, while they themselves are supporters of the other provisions.

For example, Zabuza and Mei Terumi, who were chosen by Genji, both opposed the discrimination against bloodline families, but they disagreed on the rule of not exchanging prisoners and the principle of absolute secrecy.

The latter can give a ninja a significant advantage at the start of a battle.

The former is conducive to maintaining the latter.

Of course, this difference of opinion did not affect the initial progress of the reform, since the decision was made by Elder Genji, not by Mei Terumi and Zabuza.

What truly stirred up undercurrents within the reformers was Zabuza's unintentional discovery—

He seems to have been completely excluded from the list of candidates for the Fifth Mizukage.

The Grand Master never made a clear statement, but his absence on certain occasions and his level of involvement in certain decisions were enough to illustrate the point.

However, since the master had not made any statement, Zabuza chose to show through his actions that he would not give up his fight for the Mizukage title.

"Momochi Zabuza has left the village again."

Mei Terumi received the message.

Previously, he went out and brought back a child named Bai, who was a ninja with the Ice Release bloodline limit.

Zabuza then turned to hunting down rogue ninja, accepting numerous high-level missions.

He tried to win more support with tangible achievements and a deterrent effect.

Mei Terumi didn't have any particular opinion about the position of Mizukage. If there were a more suitable candidate, she didn't need to be the most valued one.

However, Zabuza is a cold-blooded man who talks about "domination" all the time. Even though they share the same expectation of changing the status quo of the village, Mei Terumi is unsure what the future of Kirigakure, which Zabuza wants, will look like.

That scene was most likely far removed from her vision.

The Land of Water is the smallest of the five great nations in terms of land area, and it's difficult to say whether its population is larger or smaller than that of the Land of Wind. After all, although the Land of Wind has a lot of sand, its territory is vast.

A small population means a shortage of clients to provide commissions, and there are not many potential sources of commissions in the surrounding area.

This means that after the Blood Mist ends, there will inevitably be more people who can become ninjas, and Kirigakure will have to face the problem of the ever-increasing number of ninjas.

Even if the current Mist Village can accommodate the new additions, what about the future?

How can the isolated Wuyin find new sources of revenue growth to solve this problem?

Should they rely on violence to break the deadlock? Kirigakure doesn't possess such superhuman power. Even a Jinchuriki like the Fourth Mizukage can be controlled by genjutsu; they don't have the qualifications to seek development solely through force.

The side that truly possesses formidable military power is developing itself through other means.

Mei Terumi put aside the matter of Zabuza and glanced once more at the intelligence report from Konoha and Sunagakure on the table.

"You've seen that person before, the one named Xiu Si." The aged Yuan Master's voice rang out, interrupting her thoughts.

“That’s an impressive person,” Mei Terumi replied. “She possesses both magnanimity and talent…”

She glanced at the intelligence report in her hand again.

"And, a man with power." "That brief encounter taught him a good lesson."

"I have witnessed what outstanding people should be like, and I have realized how many shortcomings I have."

Mei Terumi looked at her hands.

"Even now, I understand more and more the meaning of that composure."

“If I had to give an evaluation,” she withdrew her hand and looked at the seated Master Yuan, “it would be a goal that makes people feel immense pressure, yet also makes them yearn for it.”
-
"Lord Shuji."

Ebisu was waiting outside the teachers' office. When he saw Shuji, he straightened up a bit.

"Yes, after the Chunin Exams, the 'Genin Training Program' plan mentioned earlier will enter the specific preparation stage." Shuji directly stated his purpose, "I am not good at systematic teaching, and my time is also limited."

"Therefore, I hope you can help me draft a preliminary implementation plan, Professor Ebisu."

"Yes, Lord Shuji, I will do my utmost."

Xiu Si hesitated for a moment, then spoke again: "Also, there's something else I'd like to trouble you with."

"I will probably be in charge of the ninjutsu instruction in the genin training course, at least in the initial guidance stage."

"More in-depth specialized training will then be entrusted to other ninjas."

"But as I just said, I'm not good at this."

After all, most of his ninjutsu were inherited from him. Even those that weren't inherited, Shuuji didn't find learning new techniques particularly difficult.

If we had to pinpoint a Versailles-like figure, it would be that his physical aptitude was so exceptional that even some skilled ninjas might not be able to provide him with the same learning experience.

"So, if possible..."

"Please rest assured!" Ebisu immediately understood. "I will formulate a detailed and targeted teaching plan based on the actual situation of the genin being trained."

"Thank you for your trouble, Ebisu-sensei." Shuuji nodded, and before turning to leave, he paused slightly, as if remembering something, and added in a calm tone, "Also, the village's special Jonin promotion quota next year... given Ebisu-sensei's teaching ability and contributions to the village, he should rightfully be promoted."

Ebisu was already capable of promotion, and he could achieve it through his own efforts.

But since you've asked someone to do extra work, it's only right to give them appropriate recognition and compensation, and help them get it done ahead of schedule.

Only after Shuji's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor did Ebisu slowly exhale.

He turned around and saw Iruka holding a stack of homework books, looking somewhat uneasy.

“Ebisu-sensei.” Iruka’s voice was a little nervous.

Ebisu looked at his junior and said in a more serious tone, "Teacher Iruka, the class you are in charge of has gathered the most promising seeds of this generation in the village."

"Please be sure to devote even more effort to it."

"I understand that unexpected situations are bound to occur during the teaching process, but it's not a good thing for Shuji-sama to run into them every time."

"The village's willingness to allocate more resources to the Ninja Academy is a result of Lord Shuji's strong advocacy."

He paused, his voice low and clear.

"So please make sure you don't disappoint him."

(End of this chapter)