Naruto Kirigakure System - Chapter 18
“I’ve made up my mind.”
Hatake Kakashi spoke hoarsely as if suppressing a deep emotion.
Usually calm and indifferent, his face revealed an undeniable emotional change.
“Kirigakure, Kaguya Naoki.”
A breeze blew through as soon as he finished speaking, rustling the leaves.
Unlike in the past, what Kakashi saw was not the kind face of the Third Hokage but Kaguya Naoki.
“Yes, I’m here.”
Naoki placed his hand on a jagged rock, masking his nervousness.
Receiving a response, Kakashi continued, his voice rough like sandpaper.
“Information exchange is possible.”
“But only about Obito.”
With that, he immediately closed his eyes, unwilling to look at the two Kirigakure faces, while a bitter taste spread in his mouth.
He had made a decision.
A decision to betray the village.
The wind blew, and the fallen leaves carried different emotions on either side.
Naoki’s mouth slowly curled into a smile.
Beside him, Zabuza Momochi’s eyes widened in shock.
Kakashi, the most brilliant genius of Konoha, had effectively betrayed his village.
Naoki, this guy, actually succeeded.
Zabuza looked at Naoki with admiration and determination, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.
Kakashi suppressed his initial reaction and opened his eyes again to speak.
“If I need to conduct any probing actions, you from Kirigakure will be responsible for executing them.”
**The fate of the Ninja World has significantly shifted in favor of Kirigakure, earning an exchange opportunity *1**
Ignoring the mechanical voice, Naoki nodded without hesitation.
He didn’t care about the information; obtaining details about Uchiha Obito would be nearly impossible. Kakashi’s pursuit was destined to fail.
From the beginning, Naoki only wanted Kakashi himself.
The Sixth Hokage joining Kirigakure—just imagining such a future made Naoki want to laugh out loud.
However.
What a pity.
Naoki sighed inwardly.
Although Kakashi had agreed to exchange information and effectively betrayed the village, his progress toward betraying Konoha had not changed.
This also indicated one thing.
Kakashi still harbored hope for Konoha in his heart.
To break that hope, more significant unexpected events would have to occur.
Putting these thoughts aside, Naoki refocused on Kakashi, who seemed relieved after making his decision.
“Kakashi-kun, what about the method for exchanging information?”
Kakashi immediately responded as if he had already considered it.
“I have several ninja dogs that can be summoned. They can speak and carry information scrolls.”
“As for your identity issue, I will arrange everything in advance; you needn’t worry.”
Naoki nodded, a gentle smile spreading from behind his mask.
“Then it’s settled.”
“Kakashi-kun, after returning to the village, investigate thoroughly. And try to stay alive; the war isn’t over yet.”
“Okay.”
Kakashi’s voice was cold in response to the concern from the Kirigakure ninja.
“Also…”
Naoki suddenly stopped, swallowing the words he was about to say.
He had planned to tell Kakashi that Rin Nohara was still alive.
But.
Without experiencing absolute darkness, how can one cherish the hard-won light?
Seeing Kakashi gradually being consumed by sadness and darkness, Naoki silently apologized.
Kakashi, I’m sorry.
For my maximum benefit, I can only sacrifice you once more.
But believe me, that day won’t be far off.
When Rin Nohara safely arrives in the Land of Water, I’ll arrange a close conversation between you two.
What choices will you make about Konoha, Rin, and me then?
Sensing that Naoki had held back his words, Kakashi tentatively asked.
“Can I leave now?”
Naoki nodded.
Kakashi immediately turned and dashed into the forest, quickly disappearing.
Watching him vanish, Naoki’s smile faded, replaced by thoughts of the future.
The next step was to return to the village and await Uchiha Madara’s decision.
As long as Madara was willing to give him a position that allowed him to participate in battles, he could establish his reputation.
Naoki sighed.
Madara was not known for his generosity. This mission was bound to be fraught with challenges.
Hopefully, things will go smoothly.
Otherwise, if I try to seize the Mizukage position without any reputation, it would seem too reckless and rebellious, and the village would be ruined.
Rebuilding would take too long, and I can’t wait.
Seeing Naoki’s silent figure, Zabuza’s heart pounded.
His terrifying strength and effortless persuasion made Zabuza see the shadow of the Mizukage’s robe on Naoki.
Recalling Naoki’s past words about changing the village, Zabuza gritted his teeth and broke the silence.
“Naoki-kun, what do you think of the village?”
Naoki paused, turning to see Zabuza’s eyes filled with coldness and hope, his heart racing.
Sensing an opportunity, he spoke immediately.
“The village will eventually be destroyed.”
“The Third Mizukage’s ideas are too flawed.”
Naoki paused, calmly adjusting his collar.
“I believe it’s time for someone new to lead the village.”
Boom.
The previously calm sea suddenly stirred, waves crashing towards the shore, covering the last rays of the sunset and plunging the area into darkness.
In the shadows, Zabuza’s breathing grew heavy, almost suffocating.
Not from fear of the sudden waves but from Naoki’s shockingly impactful words.
Zabuza Momochi was genuinely nervous.
“Why do you think that?”
Naoki chuckled, his laughter spreading with the receding waves, creating ripples.
“Zabuza, you know the answer, don’t you?”
“When I graduated from school and those people demanded that I pierce the chest of someone who was supposed to be my comrade, I knew this village had to change!”
Zabuza looked up at Naoki, his eyes becoming extraordinarily calm.
If that’s all, how is it different from what I, Zabuza Momochi, want?
He spoke lightly.
“Is that all?”
Naoki sighed, continuing calmly with words that defied Kirigakure’s norms.
“That’s not all.”
“With such policies, the number of usable ninja in the village will dwindle until it falls out of the five great nations, becoming a minor country at the mercy of others.”
“You saw it too, that Wood Release and Mangekyo Sharingan.”
Zabuza nodded blankly.
“Tell me, who in the village can withstand such a monster?”
Zabuza hesitated. “The Third Mizukage?”
Naoki nodded slightly, seemingly acknowledging it.
“The Third Mizukage, who hasn’t fought since taking office, does he really have the strength to combat one of the world’s strongest?”
“The Sannin of Konoha, the Hokage, Minato Namikaze, Danzo.”
“Can the Third Mizukage who initiated the war withstand attacks from two of these powerful figures?”
Zabuza shook his head, shadows casting over his usually arrogant heart.
Will the upcoming war be that smooth?
The village’s future—is it really that bleak?
His eyes slowly moved up, looking at Naoki, and he asked in a complicated tone.
“If the Third Mizukage’s path is wrong, what will you do?”
Naoki calmly articulated his well-thought-out concept.
“Abolish the Bloody Mist policy, encourage childbirth, and increase the number of ninja.”
“Increase the number of ‘seeds.'”
“Reform the economy and livelihood, reduce prejudice in the village, and create a peaceful atmosphere to build bonds.”
“Improve the quality of the soil.”
“High-quality seeds in fertile soil will grow into towering trees.”
“And then…”
A sudden metallic clash accompanied by a muffled thunder interrupted everything.
Naoki turned, seeing thick clouds covering the sky, lightning piercing through the clouds, illuminating Zabuza’s sword.
Zabuza’s voice, filled with determination amidst the rumbling thunder, echoed.
“Then let me, Zabuza Momochi, help you become the Mizukage!”
“If you can’t do it, I, Zabuza, will spend my life…”
“And definitely kill you!”
**Zabuza Momochi’s fate line has shifted. Detection: Kirigakure ninja received exchange fragment *50**
I’ve been thinking about new uses for Ice Release as this Kekkei Genkai is about to come into play. Does anyone have any good ideas?
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