Just as Guren was about to say something else, a dozen masked ninjas suddenly appeared behind her.
Before Yoruha could react, Guren instinctively moved him behind her, standing protectively in front of him with a wary expression as she eyed the ninjas across from them. "Anbu from the Hidden Mist Village."
Upon seeing their forehead protectors, Guren frowned and remarked. At this moment, Guren hadn't realized she was shielding Yoruha, making it seem as if Yoruha was weaker than her. Yoruha, however, was focused on one of the ninjas.
With a slight smirk, he said, "Not bad, you've already made it to the rank of Jonin."
Guren was momentarily stunned by Yoruha's words, unsure of what he meant. However, someone among the opposing ninjas understood.
One of the ninjas stepped forward, slowly removing their mask. It's important to note that Anbu are not supposed to reveal their true identities to ninjas from other villages.
When this ninja removed their mask, Guren instinctively exclaimed, "So beautiful!"
Beneath the mask was a stunning face, with a few strands of hair falling gracefully, adding a unique charm.
Seeing this person, Guren felt a pang of jealousy. "This playboy actually knows such a beautiful girl."
Guren knew that Yoruha must be acquainted with this ninja, and even though Yoruha had no romantic ties with her, she still felt a twinge of jealousy.
However, her jealousy was premature. The unmasked ninja looked at Yoruha and nodded, saying, "Thank you for sparing my life years ago, Mr. Yoruha. I've been keeping an eye on you all these years."
Hearing this, Yoruha chuckled, "Oh, it's rare for someone to pay attention to a nobody like me."
The person paused for a moment, then earnestly replied, "You're not a nobody. I've learned a lot about you over the years. I admire you greatly."
Yoruha smiled and patted Guren on the shoulder, "No need to be so tense, this is someone I know." Guren lowered her kunai but gave Yoruha a sidelong glance as she stepped back to his side. That look left Yoruha feeling a bit puzzled.
But that wasn't the main focus. He looked at the person before him and asked with a smile,
"How is life in the Hidden Mist Village now? Better than being a wandering ninja, right?" The ninja smiled, but to Guren, it was a dazzling sight because of their beauty.
She felt she couldn't compare to this ninja; they were far more attractive than she was.
Of course, Guren was quite beautiful herself, but always being by Orochimaru's side, she never paid much attention to her own appearance.
"If it weren't for Mr. Yoruha's mercy back then, neither I nor Mr. Zabuza would have returned to the Hidden Mist Village alive."
"Thank you, Mr. Yoruha." This ninja was none other than Haku, whom Yoruha had spared years ago. Having grown up, Haku was even more handsome, though he appeared more feminine.
Anyone unaware of his true identity would surely mistake him for a stunning beauty, even though his attire was quite masculine, he still looked like a woman. Yoruha was aware of Haku and Zabuza's return to the Hidden Mist Village.
Intelligence reports, Yoruha has the authority to review them.
Ever since Mei Terumi lifted the genjutsu from the Fourth Mizukage, the Hidden Mist Village, under her leadership, has opened up to external communication.
Naturally, Konoha has been able to gather more information about the Hidden Mist Village.
The return of an elite Jonin like Zabuza to the Hidden Mist Village naturally became very important intelligence.
Haku expressed gratitude to Yoruha, saying that if he wasn't on a mission, he would definitely invite Yoruha for a drink. Yoruha waved off Haku's thanks, saying, "There's nothing to thank me for. I quite admire your Ice Release."
"You were attracted here by the Three-Tails, weren't you?" Haku was momentarily stunned, then realized that Yoruha must have come because of the Three-Tails as well.
Without hiding it from Yoruha, Haku admitted, "The commotion caused by the Three-Tails was too big. Since we were nearby, we came to take a look."
"After all, the Three-Tails was once the tailed beast of our Hidden Mist Village. If it causes any trouble, we need to handle it."
At this point, neither Haku nor the Hidden Mist Village knew that the Three-Tails was Yoruha's summoning beast. In fact, very few people in the entire ninja world knew this.
Yoruha glanced at the Three-Tails, which had already returned to the sea, and said, "The commotion was indeed a bit much. I'm afraid you won't be able to control the Three-Tails with just your current resources."
Haku nodded, "That's true. We're just here to assess the damage caused by the Three-Tails. Fortunately, no one lives in the surrounding area."
"Don't worry, the Three-Tails won't cause too much destruction. But isn't the Hidden Mist Village considering recapturing the Three-Tails?" Yoruha asked.
Haku shook his head, "At the moment, our Hidden Mist Village doesn't have that capability." Indeed, even Mei Terumi herself currently lacked the ability to seal the Three-Tails.
Of course, if Haku knew that the Three-Tails was Yoruha's summoning beast, he would probably be shocked.
If the Three-Tails knew Yoruha was suggesting the Hidden Mist Village seal it, it would likely hunt Yoruha down.
It's just that the Three-Tails isn't here right now, so Yoruha dared to say such things.
After chatting with Yoruha for a while, Haku's subordinates reminded him it was time to leave.
At this time, Haku was a squad leader in the Hidden Mist Village's Anbu, while the captain of the Anbu was Mei Terumi. Haku was recruited into the Anbu by Mei Terumi.
Haku's Ice Release had become very powerful, and he now possessed the strength of an elite Jonin, even approaching Kage level. Because of this, Mei Terumi took special care of him. Like Chojuro, he was being groomed as a successor.
Haku's own strength was formidable, and he had the rare Ice Release kekkei genkai, while Chojuro wielded the Hiramekarei, making him very strong as well.
Although he seemed a bit timid at times, that was just his personality. In reality, with the Hiramekarei, his strength was at the elite Jonin level. Reaching elite Jonin at his age was already considered genius.
It's just that the original story mainly focused on Konoha's ninjas, so he didn't have much presence. If Haku and Chojuro were well-trained, they could definitely reach Kage level in the future. For the Hidden Mist Village, reaching Kage level is sufficient.
After all, Mei Terumi herself was only at Kage level, and the idea of super Kage level was beyond her reach. After all, there have been very few super Kage level powerhouses in the entire ninja world.
Currently, Haku was indeed doing well, and Yoruha's decision not to kill him back then had unexpectedly changed the course of his life significantly.
Haku left with his subordinates. Although they were from different villages, Haku had a very good impression of Yoruha.
Even after three years, he still regarded Yoruha as a very important friend. Yoruha had done a small thing on a whim, but for Haku, it changed the course of his life.
After Haku and the Hidden Mist Village's Anbu ninjas left, Guren grabbed Yoruha's arm and asked, "Who was that woman? You even know women from the Hidden Mist Village?"