Konoha Notes

Chapter 267 Negotiation
Zabuza's reputation stems from what he did upon graduating, as well as his exceptional silent killing skills.

Kisame Hoshigaki, on the other hand, is completely different.

He was a man who specialized in killing his own people within the Hidden Mist, and he would stop at nothing to protect intelligence.

Would someone like that really support Mei Terumi's new rules?

Zabuza couldn't understand. But the doubts churning in his chest made him temporarily suppress the urge to leave immediately, and he stood at the door, looking at the two people in the office.

Mei Terumi did not take the knife.

"From now on, you will take over from Suigetsu Hozuki, master Samehada, and be responsible for the village's intelligence and security."

Kisame grinned, revealing his signature row of sharp fangs, forming an arc that was hardly a smile. He casually draped the heavy sword over his shoulder.

“Zabuza.” Mei Terumi’s gaze turned to the silent figure at the door. “Of the seven ninja swords, besides the broken sword Kubikiribōchō, the lightning sword Kiba, and the greatsword Samehada that now belongs to Kisame, the village also preserves the long sword Sewing Needle, the blunt sword Kabutori, and the explosive sword Hibiki.”

"Are you willing to become one of the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?"

Zabuza did not immediately respond to the invitation. His lower face, covered by bandages, obscured his expression, but his sharp eyes narrowed as he asked, "Where's the Twin Blades, Hiramekarei?"

"We've already chosen someone for the flounder."

A surge of anger suddenly rose up Zabuza's spine.

They invited him to join the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, but only let him choose from the three swords that were left after the initial selection?

Mei Terumi was demonstrating to him, clearly telling him that even though the Fourth Mizukage had not officially stepped down, she had already effectively seized control of the village's core power, and even held the power to distribute the ninja swords.
He has not yet acknowledged her status, nor has he lost in a direct confrontation.

So Zabuza answered with his actions, quickly stepping out of the office with a chilling aura.

“Zabuza’s angry,” Kisame said in his usual tone. “He’s not going to be my next mission, is he?”

Mei Terumi shook her head solemnly, her gaze passing through the window to the village shrouded in thick fog: "The extreme harshness and isolation of the past did not bring Kirigakure true strength and stability. Instead, it caused the village to bleed continuously in this blood fog, leading to its decline."

"On the contrary, other ninja villages, even without resorting to such extreme methods, have protected their own interests amidst fierce competition."

"So, I still hope that you can protect Kirigakure's intelligence from outsiders' covetousness, but at least you don't need to be as ruthless as before, Kisame."

Kisame Hoshigaki let out a low, husky laugh: "Change, huh...it's actually starting to look forward to something, future Mizukage."

He no longer felt his place in the village he used to live in, and he no longer understood who he was.

Killing enemies, killing comrades, killing those you were supposed to protect, killing the superiors who gave the orders... What do ninjas, who endure and trample on everything, ultimately gain?
A chaotic void. Kisame gripped Samehada on his shoulder, feeling the slight pulsation emanating from the blade, still unsure of the answer.

But the village wants change, and Terumi Meditation wants to bring about a different Mizukage.

At least, he could have some hope that he would be a certain kind of being in the future.
-
Within Konoha Village, there are very few places Shuji hasn't set foot in. Even the Uchiha clan's territory, known for its seclusion, is a place he frequents.

The only place he had never been was the Hyuga clan's territory.

In a sense, the Hyuga clan may be an even more closed-off clan than the Uchiha.

After all, the Uchiha area, and even the Naka Shrine, allows outsiders to draw fortune slips during the day. As for the Hyuga…

Stepping into this place, you're likely to be met with a barrage of disapproving stares, so it's understandable that other Konoha ninjas don't like coming here.

He came today at the invitation of Hiashi Hyuga.

When Shuji entered the Hyuga clan's residence, Hiashi himself, along with several white-haired elders, were already lined up to wait.

Even Hinata Hyuga, who should have been at school, stood quietly beside Hiashi, wearing a small kimono. She lowered her head, her fair face full of tension, and her small hands were nervously folded in front of her.

"Lord Shuji, welcome to the Hyuga clan."

Xiu Si was taken aback by the grand occasion, then felt a pang of regret, thinking, "Well, I didn't get to see my sister-in-law."

Should I ask where my sister-in-law is...? No, I'd be seen as a pervert.

Shuji was led by the group to a spacious and elegant reception room. The paper door was closed, separating the view of the courtyard outside, and the timid eldest daughter of the main family also disappeared from sight.

The room contained only Hyuga Hiashi and a few clan elders whose heads did not bear the mark of the caged bird.

"Regarding the establishment of a branch of the police force, all aspects have been coordinated." After his teacup was filled, Shuji did not touch it and went straight to the main topic of today's meeting, his tone calm, "Next month, the village will officially issue the order for its establishment."

“However,” he changed the subject without any beating around the bush, “the village does not want to see all key positions, from squad leader to grassroots members, monopolized by the Hyuga clan after the branch is established.” His words were very direct and without any embellishment.

The faces of the Hyuga clan elders instantly darkened, their eyes quickly exchanging glances, revealing obvious dissatisfaction and solemnity.

In the past two years, they have resisted the pressure from the Uchiha clan and tried their best to fight for what they want. Isn't it the same status and control that the Uchiha have in the police force?

"To avoid any ambiguity in the facts that might lead to misunderstandings, I'm making myself clearer." Shuji calmly turned his gaze to Hyuga Hiashi, who was sitting in the main seat, and repeated and emphasized the key points.

"The appointment of personnel in the branch office must ultimately be approved by the village."

"However, under normal circumstances, the village will not reject the list of personnel submitted by the branch manager."

"As long as the staffing is reasonable enough."

One of the elders, his Adam's apple bobbing, looked at Shuji and tentatively asked, "Lord Shuji, what exactly do you mean by 'reasonable' in the village's eyes..."

Shuuji's lips curled into a cold smile: "If the branch sets up ten regular squads, the village doesn't want to see five of them led by the Hyuga clan. If there are two Hyuga captains, as long as their abilities are verified and confirmed to be qualified, it's considered reasonable."

"If there is only one Hyuga captain, it is reasonable if his assigned position matches his character."

This refers to people who are simply connected through connections.

The elder frowned, still wanting to argue: "Isn't this standard too harsh..."

Shuji raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over every Hyuga clan elder present, finally settling on Hiashi's face.

"I'm not here to discuss this."

(End of this chapter)