Ao and Suikazan Fuguki walked into the Mizukage's office. The Mizukage, Yagura, who was sitting in the high position handling government affairs, did not even look up and continued his work.
After entering, Suikazan Fuguki spoke, "Mizukage-sama, I have brought him." After saying this, he retreated. Hearing this, Yagura nodded slightly and said nothing more, continuing his work.
Ao did not dare to speak. He stood in place, very restrained. After about twenty minutes, Yagura put down the pen in his hand and stretched. Ao was quick eyed and swift handed. He picked up a disposable water cup, filled it with water, then held the cup with both hands, bent his waist, and respectfully offered it.
"Oh? Thank you." Yagura smiled. He took the cup and drank the water in one gulp, then gestured for Ao to sit down.
Ao nodded, then carefully lifted a stool, placed it opposite the Mizukage's desk, and sat down quietly. He stared at Yagura, not daring to move.
Yagura laughed. This Ao was very green, even saying he was a child wouldn't be an exaggeration. Although he understood how to be low-key, how to hide his edge, he was still too immature when facing important figures and leaders.
"Ao, right? Is that your name?" Yagura asked a question he already knew the answer to. His eyes looked directly at the man before him, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Mi... Mizukage-sama, I, I am Ao." Ao's voice trembled a little. This was his first time meeting such a high-ranking person. Before, he thought a Jōnin was already incredibly impressive. He never expected that today, right now.
He would meet the highest leader of Kirigakure, the common commander and superior of all Jōnin, the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura.
"Don't be nervous, young man. I'm not much older than you. There's no need to be so reserved." Yagura waved his hand and smiled. "I heard that on the Konoha battlefield, you seized a Byakugan from the Hyūga clan."
Ao recalled Suikazan Fuguki's words and immediately nodded, his expression serious. "That's correct, Mizukage-sama. I did indeed obtain a Byakugan from the Hyūga clan, and I had it transplanted some time ago."
After speaking, Ao took off his eyepatch, revealing a formidable Byakugan. Yagura looked at it and nodded. "Well done. After obtaining the Byakugan, you didn't show off, but instead chose to leave the scene immediately and undergo the transplant."
"Ao, I would like to ask you to become the leader of Kirigakure's Intelligence Division, to investigate intelligence for our village, ensure we obtain accurate information, and achieve victory in the war." Yagura got straight to the point, directly appointing Ao, who had obtained the Byakugan, as the head of the Intelligence Division.
Ao felt calm inside, but on the surface he appeared very shocked. "Miz... Mizukage-sama, the head of the Intelligence Division... can I, can I really do it?" His voice trembled, and his performance satisfied Yagura.
"Of course you can, Ao. Even if you hadn't obtained this Byakugan, even if you were just an ordinary Chūnin, based on your character and abilities, I would still exceptionally promote you to be the head of the Intelligence Division." Yagura smiled.
Ao appeared deeply moved, but his heart held a different thought. 'Hmph, if I hadn't obtained the Byakugan, would Yagura even look at me? He didn't believe it. Some words are just for listening.'
"Mizukage-sama, Ao will definitely spare no effort and contribute his own strength to Kirigakure's intelligence. Ao is absolutely loyal to the Mizukage-sama." Although young, Ao was not stupid. He knew he was valued because of the Byakugan.
As for the leader's words, he would just listen to them. It was enough to be clear in his own heart.
Hearing Ao's declaration, Yagura laughed heartily. "Ao, what kind of talk is that? As a member of Kirigakure, even I, the Fourth Mizukage, am loyal to Kirigakure, loyal to the broad masses of Kirigakure." He stood up and patted Ao's shoulder.
Ao seemed to have a sudden realization, but his face still carried a trace of hesitation, which Yagura noticed.
"Ao, if there's anything you don't understand, just say it. If there's anything you can't do, just ask. As the Mizukage of Kirigakure, what I know, I will certainly not hide from you." Yagura was all smiles. Now, he looked at Ao as if he were his own trusted aide.
The original Ao might not have been worth noting, but now, Ao had seized a Hyūga's Byakugan on the battlefield of the Third Great Ninja War, escaped Konoha's retaliation, transplanted it onto himself, and obtained the Hyūga's Kekkei Genkai. Such an Ao was different.
Yagura planned to cultivate Ao as his confidant, so naturally he would have more patience and more goodwill towards this young man, willing to answer his questions.
"Mizukage-sama, you have toiled your whole life for Kirigakure. I always feel that being loyal to you is being loyal to your cause, is being loyal to Kirigakure. Is being loyal to the people of Kirigakure." Ao's words carried three parts determination, three parts seriousness, and four parts admiration.
This made Mizukage Yagura shudder. He suddenly looked at Ao, his eyes inadvertently moistening. However, he was the Mizukage. He could not cry. But today he learned that Ao understood him. Ao truly understood him.
He understood him more than the other shinobi, the elders, the common people. He was his kindred spirit.
Yagura turned around, raised his head, pretending to be aloof. "You kid, aren't you just saying nice things to deceive me." His voice trembled slightly.
Ao heard it, but did not continue with praise. Instead, he spoke very sincerely, "Mizukage-sama, every word I said is true. If I lied, may I..."
"Enough. Ao, I understand you. As for swearing, forget it. By the way, I have a Nin-Taijutsu here called Coral Palm. I will pass it to you today. I hope you work hard and live up to my expectations." After saying this, Yagura took out a scroll from somewhere and threw it accurately towards Ao without looking back.
Ao caught the scroll, his eyes complex. "Mizukage-sama, Ao will definitely not fail your expectations." After speaking, he put the scroll away.
Yagura nodded. "I believe you. Alright, you may go out now. Call Suikazan Fuguki in for me."
Ao said, "Yes." After speaking, he slowly retreated. Yagura heard the door close. He let out a breath. "The livelihood and future of tens of thousands of people in the village rest on my shoulders alone. It's been a long time since I've heard such words."
Before he could lament much longer, the door sounded again. This time, it was the tall Suikazan Fuguki who entered. He looked at Yagura's back and was suddenly stunned.
Then, after reacting, he cupped his hands and saluted. "Suikazan Fuguki, pays his respects to the Mizukage-sama."
Suikazan Fuguki's voice brought Yagura back to his senses. He slowly turned around. By now, he had suppressed the earlier emotion.
He returned to his seat and narrowed his eyes. "Suikazan, sit."
Suikazan Fuguki nodded and sat in the seat Ao had just occupied.
Yagura did not speak. The index finger of his right hand rhythmically tapped the solid wood desk.
"How is the investigation? Does that Ao have any problems?" Although Yagura already had an extremely good impression of Ao from the previous conversation, as the Kage of a village, he could not be too emotional. Rationality was what he should choose.
"Reporting to Mizukage-sama, it has been confirmed now. Ao has a clean background. His family has been from Kirigakure for generations. There is no possibility of him being a Konoha spy." Suikazan Fuguki had just gone out to do exactly this.
Because his ability and cunning were countless times stronger than ordinary people, he was reused by Mizukage Yagura.
Yagura understood that such a person must be guarded against. He was a double-edged sword. Used well, he benefited his rule. Used poorly, he could harm him, even leave a handle.
But what time was it now? It was a time when Uchiha Ryun was overpowering a generation. A time when others had to act according to Konoha's whims. Was character important at a time like this? Not important. As long as he could bring benefits to his rule, to Kirigakure, then he would reuse him.
Hearing Suikazan Fuguki's report, Yagura visibly smiled. He nodded. "Good, I understand. Suikazan, I'll have to trouble you again. Teach that kid how to manage the intelligence department, how to gather intelligence."
Suikazan Fuguki's eyes widened. The intelligence department. That kid was assigned to the intelligence department. Then he suddenly thought of something. Right, that kid got the Byakugan. Sending him to the intelligence department was normal.
After all, that kid's Byakugan was a great tool for gathering intelligence and scouting terrain. But that kid...
Although Suikazan Fuguki felt in his heart that Ao couldn't possibly pose any threat to his position, it was better to be safe than sorry. Later, he would have to find a way to ask what the Mizukage-sama had said to him.
Didn't you see how happy and obvious Mizukage Yagura's smile was now, hearing that Ao's family background was clean?
But, it didn't matter. Suikazan Fuguki thought, if that kid was completely open with him later, then it meant the kid knew his place, was sensible, and he naturally wouldn't mind helping him.
If that kid was evasive with him, using ambiguous words to fool him, to him, forget teaching him the skills needed to run the intelligence department, if he didn't teach him a lesson, he would write his own name, Suikazan Fuguki, backwards.
But at this moment, he was in the Mizukage's office, in front of Yagura. He naturally could not reveal such thoughts. He bowed respectfully. "Yes, Mizukage-sama. I will give that young man called Ao some extra 'care'."
Suikazan Fuguki's voice was calm and earnest, not revealing his inner thoughts.
Yagura nodded. "You may go. Also, thank you for your hard work. Go to the treasury and take 300,000 Ryo as your bonus for this period." Yagura smiled, then closed his eyes.
"Yes." Suikazan Fuguki smiled. Tsk tsk, the feeling of being trusted by the Mizukage was really good. For such a small matter, which was part of every shinobi's duty, the Mizukage-sama gave him an extra reward.
After Suikazan Fuguki left the office, the smile on Yagura's face quickly faded. He murmured, "Greedy for money. Greed is good. I'd be worried if you didn't want anything, weren't greedy for anything. Then, I would have to suspect if you had a problem."
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