Naruto Kirigakure System - Chapter 75
### Chapter 75: Boiling Hidden Mist, Radiant Starlight
With one hand rowing the boat and the other clutching the scroll tightly, Kisame couldn’t shake the strange feeling burning inside him.
Where did this feeling come from? Kisame pondered, lost in his memories.
It must have been from the Hidden Mist camp not long ago.
Taking the scroll and ready to execute his mission, he had looked up and seen the eyes of many people fixed intently on the scroll in his hand.
Those were eyes he had never seen before, but he could sense the emotion within them.
Joy.
Recalling that feeling once again, Kisame’s shark-like face broke into a smile.
He liked that feeling.
It was different from the past ten years filled with betrayal and lies. In that camp, holding that scroll, he could feel the support of many hands behind him.
He wanted to see that scene again.
Lost in thought, he smiled sincerely, though the smile quickly faded due to the habits of his past life. But deep down, he felt a new sense of purpose in his previously mechanical life of killing.
Shaking his head, he stopped thinking about it.
Now, his priority was to return to the village as soon as possible and share the news with everyone.
Traveling for a long time, as the sun set and the sky darkened, the stars began to appear.
With the scroll tightly in hand, Kisame headed straight for the Mizukage’s office, only to be stopped by an Anbu guard.
“The Fourth Mizukage isn’t here.”
Noticing the candlelight still burning inside, Kisame frowned.
“The one inside is the Third Mizukage.”
The Anbu replied.
“Where is the Fourth Mizukage?” Kisame asked immediately.
“At…” The Anbu shook his head helplessly.
Hearing the commotion outside, the Third Mizukage tidied up the scrolls and opened the door, calling out to Kisame.
“Come with me. I know where the Fourth Mizukage is.”
Seeing the Third Mizukage, Kisame and the other ninjas quickly saluted and then followed him solemnly.
The group of five walked through the dim streets until they turned a corner and saw a brightly lit river cutting through the town, bustling with people.
Shops lined the riverbanks, and the area was lively with pedestrians.
This kind of vibrancy was something Kisame had never seen in the Hidden Mist before.
However, on closer inspection, one could see that the people of the Hidden Mist still looked numb, their eyes devoid of life.
Ignoring this, the group continued walking.
“This is the commercial street the Fourth Mizukage opened up recently. There aren’t many shops, but there are plenty of people coming to join the excitement.”
The Third Mizukage said with a chuckle, not caring whether the others responded.
“The Fourth Mizukage and Mei are probably having some sweet dumplings nearby.”
He continued to lead the way, pushing through the crowd.
As the number of people increased, Kisame clutched the scroll tighter, his heart racing faster.
Finally, he saw a familiar figure at the center of the crowd, the Fourth Mizukage, Naoki Kaguya, without his usual attire.
“You go ahead. I’ll find some food.”
“Don’t mention that I brought you here.”
The Third Mizukage said before disappearing into the crowd.
Feeling a bit puzzled, Kisame focused on the task at hand and pushed through the noisy crowd to reach Naoki Kaguya, who was still eating dumplings.
“Fourth Mizukage-sama.”
“Yes.”
Naoki turned to Kisame, already knowing what was written on the scroll.
He took it solemnly and read through it completely before exhaling a long breath.
After years of planning, countless near-death experiences, leading his troops in fierce battles, and almost dying outside the Sand Village, it had all culminated in these light, two words.
“We won.”
Those two words held too much hardship and had been too distant for the Hidden Mist.
Before this war, the history of the Hidden Mist was filled with failures. In the hearts of its people, there was only numbness in the face of defeat and death.
But this time, everything had changed.
Seeing the unusual expression on Naoki Kaguya’s face, Mei couldn’t help but ask.
“Naoki, what’s wrong?”
Naoki’s expression shifted to a smile.
“Konoha wants to negotiate peace.”
“We won.”
Despite being prepared, Mei’s voice trembled upon hearing the news.
“We won?”
Seeing Naoki nod slowly, Mei’s face filled with a mix of emotions—shock, joy, and finally, tears of happiness.
“Naoki, tell them.”
“This is a great opportunity to win people’s hearts.”
Collecting himself, Naoki was well aware of this and wouldn’t miss such an opportunity.
He conjured an ice mirror and jumped to the top, standing high above the river.
It was the perfect spot for a speech.
The street remained noisy, but eyes turned involuntarily to the figure above.
Raising the scroll, Naoki met the numb and lifeless gazes of the crowd.
Looking at those eyes, the rehearsed lines and actions faded from his memory.
Today was not the time to showcase his personal power.
No matter how much he spoke or shouted, it couldn’t compare to letting them truly see the light.
High above the dim street, Naoki held up the scroll and shouted with all his might.
“We won!”
His voice was hoarse but powerful.
At first, there was silence. Some were too shocked to react, others too numb to understand.
But as cheers erupted, everyone joined in the celebration, the bonfires flickering and the waves roaring.
The crowd’s excitement sent smoke into the air, and the shaking ground resonated throughout the Hidden Mist.
Kisame raised his head, watching the leaping figures, their hands seemingly trying to lift Naoki higher, and clenched his fist tightly.
This is my purpose—to keep them jumping like this.
The old man’s sins are too heavy.
In the dark corner, watching the jubilant crowd, the Third Mizukage pounded the ground, trying to escape the pain gnawing at his heart.
If only it weren’t for me…
“What are you doing there? Listen to the Fourth Mizukage’s speech!”
Wiping away tears and bitterness, the Third Mizukage smiled at a child who, though not understanding the joy, joined in the cheering.
Let scenes like this fill the future of every child.
“Let’s go.”
Stepping out of the corner, he looked up at the Fourth Mizukage above.
He was not alone. He had the support of everyone along the riverbanks.
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