Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 90: Dai vs. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen?

Rasa and Minato exchanged pleasantries in the Hokage's office, discussing inconsequential topics. When Minato brought up potential cooperation at the upcoming Five Kage Summit, Rasa politely declined, saying, "Please allow me to consider it."

As the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa took pride in having defended his village from external threats during his tenure. If he bowed his head simply because of the power Konoha displayed during his welcome, he wouldn't be deserving of the title of Kazekage.

Moreover, what benefit would allying with Konoha bring if it meant provoking Kumogakure and Iwagakure?

Rasa's hesitation was anticipated by Minato. Konoha had always projected a non-aggressive stance to the world. During past wars, the reparations Konoha demanded were minimal, causing other villages to view it with less fear and even emboldening their ambitions.

To Rasa, it likely seemed that even if he refused the partnership, Konoha wouldn't retaliate against Sunagakure. However, agreeing to the alliance might earn the resentment of Iwagakure and Kumogakure.

Minato thought to himself that this perception would need to change sooner or later.

With a faint, meaningful smile, Minato said, "Kumogakure attacked Sunagakure previously. Doesn't Kazekage-dono want to reclaim those losses? If Sunagakure agrees to cooperate, Konoha will assist when the time comes."

Rasa frowned, recalling the plundering ways of the Kumo ninjas. Annoyed, he responded, "Please allow me to consider it."

Minato smiled faintly, choosing not to press further.

Kumogakure's aggressive tactics—plundering secrets, stealing Kekkei Genkai—were well-known. During the Third Shinobi World War, they even kidnapped a magnet-release ninja from Sunagakure. Recent reports indicated that Kumogakure had successfully trained a new magnet-release user, a ninja named Toroi.

Having Sunagakure's Kekkei Genkai stolen and seeing Kumo claim it as their own development must have deeply frustrated Rasa.

Indeed, Rasa was tempted.

Kumogakure had captured Sunagakure's ninja for research and now shamelessly claimed the resulting magnet-release as their own invention, declaring Toroi had developed it independently.

Magnet-release was derived from the power of Shukaku, created by the Second Kazekage. The idea that Kumo had conveniently "developed" it after the war? Preposterous.

"Kazekage-dono," Minato continued, "Please give me an answer before you leave Konoha. In the meantime, feel free to tour the village."

After some thought, Rasa didn't outright refuse this time but neither did he agree. "I will provide an answer before my departure. I have yet to tour Konoha. May I take a look around?"

"Of course," Minato replied with a smile. "Yakumaru, please guide the Fourth Kazekage."

"Yes!" Yakumaru emerged from the shadows, gesturing politely. "Kazekage-dono, this way, please."

Rasa accepted the arrangement without complaint. Whether as surveillance or genuine hospitality, it was expected that the Hokage would assign someone to shadow him. Doing so openly was preferable.

As he exited the meeting room, Rasa, accompanied by two guards, began observing Konoha's overall state.

"The environment here in the Land of Fire is truly superior. It's far better than ours," remarked Maki, one of Rasa's guards.

The Land of Fire was the commercial hub of the ninja world, and Konoha's strength made it a prime destination for merchants.

Every year, countless merchants were drawn to the capital of the Land of Fire, and Konoha similarly thrived during peacetime, bustling with activity.

The recent victory in the Third Shinobi World War had reinforced Konoha's status as the strongest ninja village, attracting even more merchants seeking stability.

The lively crowds and constant chatter in the streets showcased Konoha's prosperity.

As Rasa observed the surroundings, a heavy feeling settled in his heart.

He noticed some merchants from the Land of Wind among the crowd. Their familiar attire was an eyesore to him.

The Land of Wind had the largest territory in the ninja world, but much of it was uninhabitable due to a lack of resources. In recent years, many of its border residents had fled to other nations, unable to survive.

As for these merchants, their sense of national loyalty had all but vanished. Choosing to build their lives in a stable place like Konoha meant they would likely never return.

Baki noticed this too and, glancing at the silent Rasa, asked Yakumaru, "Is there some kind of event happening in Konoha? The crowd seems particularly purposeful."

"Of course, it's to welcome Kazekage-dono," replied Yakumaru.

"There's more to it, isn't there?" Rasa said, his voice steady. "I heard people discussing the Chunin Exams and merchant guilds."

His tone paused slightly on "Chunin Exams," revealing his heightened interest.

Yakumaru nodded in understanding. "The Chunin Exam arena is this way. Today is the public match. Konoha's citizens are allowed to watch. If you'd like, Kazekage-dono, I can take you there."

Rasa nodded in agreement.

The timing of the Chunin Exams during his visit was clearly intended to showcase Konoha's strength and future prospects.

Fine, he thought. This would be a good opportunity to compare Konoha's next generation with Sunagakure's.

Led by Yakumaru, Rasa entered the arena discreetly. As he scanned the competitors, his gaze swept over the participants.

"…"

This is Konoha's next generation? A bunch of eternal genin?

Surely, the war didn't wipe out all of Konoha's youth, right?

Seeing that most of the competitors were over 20 years old, Rasa turned his serious expression toward Yakumaru, who looked equally perplexed.

Konoha… What are you up to?

Rasa's two guards exchanged glances, smirking. Whatever the reason, Konoha seemed destined to embarrass itself today.

'Fuji, don't mess this up now! If you couldn't find suitable participants for the exam, you should've told me. Even Itachi would've been better than this. At this age, even if they have Chunin-level strength, it doesn't show.'

Yakumaru's thoughts were interrupted when the referee was suddenly replaced. He stared, dumbfounded, as Jiraiya stepped into the role, his expression unusually grim.

Why would the Sannin oversee a simple genin match?

"The next match: Takimoto Yoji vs. Might Dai."

On the stage, Takimoto Yoji—actually Fuguki Suikazan of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen in disguise—entered with an indifferent expression. He eyed Duy and reluctantly formed the seal of confrontation.

That accursed Hyuga Fuji! He thought angrily. Using them as experimental tools… How humiliating for someone like him, once one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, to fall so low.

Yet with Jiraiya watching, Fuguki couldn't act recklessly.

Fine. He'd bide his time. Sooner or later, Hyuga Fuji would regret not using Edo Tensei to control them.

"Eight Gates… Gate of Wonder, open!"

Feeling a faint sense of danger, Duy immediately opened the seventh gate. Fuji's words echoed in his mind:

'This Chunin Exam has special meaning. If you demonstrate your strength, you can officially be promoted.'

Strength… His only strength was taijutsu!

Fuguki, stunned, watched the blue steam rising from Duy.

That technique… It's the same as…

You're telling me this is a genin? What's wrong with Konoha?!

Fuguki scrambled to evade, using Water Release to hinder Duy's movements. But without revealing his identity or using signature techniques, he couldn't last more than a few exchanges before the nightmare began.

Rasa's eyes widened as he witnessed the high-level battle below. Turning to Yakumaru, he demanded, "Are they really Konoha genin?"

This is a joke, right?

Even setting aside the other ninja, the one in green spandex could hold his own against him. And you're calling this a genin?

If Konoha's genin were all like this, he'd immediately bring Sunagakure under Konoha's wing without hesitation.

"They are indeed genin," a complex voice interjected from nearby. "Due to various reasons, they never advanced before. Today's official matches are specifically for them."

(Chapter End)

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