Shinji and the others slowly followed Dodai's footsteps into Kumogakure.
What met their eyes were three-dimensional structures built into the mountains, with buildings constructed in a terraced fashion along the steep mountain slopes.
Shinji looked on with curiosity, as such a sight was rarely seen. And because they were built on the mountainside, the connections between them relied on suspended walkways and rope bridges.
Countless Kumogakure villagers were watching them from above.
"Are they from Konoha?"
"Yes, judging by their headbands and flag, they are indeed from Konoha."
"Are they the ones who injured Bee-sama?!"
"Is Raikage-sama planning to call them over to give them a good beating to vent his anger?"
Goodness gracious.
Shinji, relying on his excellent hearing, took these words into his ears.
Apart from the Genin who came to observe, who among those present was an ordinary person?
All eyes were on Dodai, who was at the very front.
Dodai, walking at the forefront, naturally felt the gazes from behind him. However, he still led Shinji and the others to their accommodation without changing his expression.
The folk customs of Kumogakure had always been like this. He, Dodai, did not have the authority to make the villagers shut up.
Now, what he was more worried about was whether Samui and Darui could stop the Raikage, that powder keg.
Upon hearing that Shinji was coming, A was in tears, full of rage, and declared that he would give Shinji a good beating.
Bee was still recovering from his injuries. Even though Shinji had removed the Chakra from Bee's body, he was still barely clinging to life when he returned. If it weren't for Eight-Tails' help, Bee might still be bedridden now.
And—
Dodai's gaze subtly shifted towards Shinji.
How fortunate Konoha was, first there was Minato, although Minato died not long after becoming the Fourth Hokage.
But now Konoha had Shinji, and he was even younger than Minato.
Amidst everyone's various thoughts, Dodai finally led Shinji and the others to a stop at a certain place.
This was a solitary mountain peak, looking similar to other places.
Only…
Shinji looked towards the distance, where there was a huge, double-horned structure. The outer wall was carved with the character 'Lightning.' Watchtowers were set up all around, and guards were everywhere.
The Raikage Building?
Seeing Shinji's gaze, Dodai changed his previous silence. He began to introduce it to the Konoha group.
Shinji, after a glance, no longer paid attention.
After Dodai finished his introduction, Hiruzen had someone go in first.
In someone else's village, no matter how eloquently they spoke, the necessary caution was still required.
Dodai didn't mind. He just stood by and accompanied them.
Suddenly—
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Kakashi immediately appeared in front of Hiruzen, his expression vigilant.
Shisui, who had been hiding in the crowd, also appeared behind Hiruzen at the same time, his long sword held horizontally in front of him.
Shinji, on the other hand, raised his hand, and in an instant, Yang Release Chakra Armor immediately covered his hands.
Two figures appeared beside Shinji, both looking at him with disbelief.
Their attack was actually blocked?
A red-haired girl, about the same height as Choji, tried to draw her sword, but Shinji merely glanced at her. He applied a little force with his hand.
Bang!
The girl's long sword snapped, and the broken fragments grazed her cheek, drawing blood.
Beside him, another boy, about the same as the girl, immediately abandoned his sword and retreated with the girl.
Shinji then properly looked at the two people who had attacked him.
Karui? Omoi?
Although these two were still young, he could still recognize them based on their features.
"How dare you! Karui! Omoi! What are you doing!" Dodai, looking flustered, stood in front of Karui and Omoi, scolding them.
"Wait a moment."
Shinji said calmly, "In the Ninja World, attacking someone means being prepared for death."
His voice was calm, yet it made Dodai break out in a cold sweat.
Drawing a sword against invited guests in one's own village.
Although the Raikage wouldn't care about such so-called etiquette or face, Dodai could not afford to be so casual.
Kumogakure's image needed to be maintained. They couldn't make a fool of themselves at this time.
Thinking of this, Dodai quickly bowed to Shinji and said, "I am truly sorry, these two children are Bee's apprentices, so they are a bit impulsive."
Shinji raised an eyebrow. That was a beautiful way of putting it.
Children, impulsive.
Meaning, if he took offense, it would be his fault, right?
Since when did the Ninja World have the concept of 'children'? In the past, children as young as six or seven had to go to the battlefield.
"Dodai-sama! What are you afraid of! If he wants to kill me, let him come!" Karui pushed away Omoi, who was holding her, and glared angrily at Shinji.
Shinji looked at the fiery Karui in front of him and felt a throbbing in his temples.
If he remembered correctly, this Karui in front of him was Choji's future wife, wasn't she?
"Shut up!"
A cold voice sounded, and footsteps gradually approached.
Samui walked over with a cold expression, her eyes fixed on Shinji.
Shinji raised an eyebrow. Well, another one coming for him.
Hiruzen, on the other hand, watched everything with interest, as if completely unconcerned about the current situation.
After a long while, Samui finally turned to Karui and Omoi and said coldly, "Apologize!"
As soon as these words were uttered, Dodai, who was standing by, involuntarily let out a sigh of relief.
Shinji watched with a calm and indifferent expression. After all, a fight was never going to break out from the start.
"Why sh—"
Karui was about to refuse when Omoi, beside her, covered her mouth.
Seeing Omoi constantly winking at her, and Samui's aura growing colder, Karui felt a chill down her spine. She finally nodded in resignation.
"Phew—"
Omoi couldn't help but exhale, then quickly bowed and apologized to Shinji, "Senior, I'm sorry."
Karui was full of anger, first glancing at Shinji, then at Samui. Finally, under Samui's indifferent gaze, as if suffering a great humiliation, she bowed to Shinji and shouted loudly, "I'm sorry!"
"It's fine, I didn't get hurt anyway. It's just that your swords broke." Shinji spread his hands and said nonchalantly.
Kakashi, hearing this, glanced at Shinji expressionlessly, muttering to himself, "Is this kid adding fuel to the fire now?"
These words weren't very harmful, but they were extremely insulting.
Sure enough, Karui, who was already resentful, was about to speak when Omoi, beside her, immediately pulled her away, then left without looking back.
Watching the two gradually walk away, Samui then nodded to Dodai and Hiruzen, and then turned and left.
Dodai adjusted his expression and still enthusiastically invited Hiruzen and Shinji and the others to enter.
Shinji shook his head, finding the drama not exciting enough.