After meeting Haku and Ranmaru, it was unclear what agreement Gensui, Zabuza, and Raiga Kurosuki had reached privately. In the end, these two Rogue Ninja personally assigned Haku and Ranmaru a mission: to cooperate with Chōjūrō and fight as Hidden Mist Village Ninja.
Zabuza even hoped that Haku would inherit his kubikiribocho and the title of Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist in the future. Haku's strength was comparable to Ino's. Not to mention the Hidden Mist Village wouldn't agree, even if he were given the kubikiribocho now, he couldn't even lift it.
Zabuza then gave Haku the weapon he had used in his younger days, a samurai sword brimming with killing intent.
At the same time, he ordered him to tie up his long hair, change his female attire to a white hitatare, dark hakama, and wear a pair of two-toothed geta.
After this transformation, Haku's face remained beautiful, but he gained a hint of heroism, which was much better than before.
Haku's swordsmanship was mediocre, but watching Zabuza cut people down daily gave him some experience.
It was too late to practice intensely at the last minute; the Konoha Ninja were waiting. Zabuza could only simplify some moves for him, combining them with Ice Release Ninjutsu, to try and engage in close-quarters combat with swordsmanship to disrupt the enemy's attack rhythm.
That's right, their imaginary enemy was Miss Ino.
On the other side, Raiga Kurosuki also conducted some special training for Ranmaru.
Ranmaru was too young and weak. Raiga Kurosuki didn't demand him to charge into an eighty-round battle of Water Release and Fire Release with Ino. Instead, by using his Red Eye to find the enemy's tracks in advance and relaying the information to Chōjūrō and Haku, Ranmaru would have completed his mission.
Chōjūrō, Ranmaru, and Haku thus formed a small team to represent the Hidden Mist Village in the battle.
The next morning, just as the sky began to lighten, Ao informed the Konoha Village Ninja of this news.
He spoke very officially, talking about fostering camaraderie and giving the younger generation a chance to grow, with warmth in every word.
However, at the end, he added: "The Second Mizukage left behind this genjutsu maze using his summoning beast, which contains a portion of his Chakra and can be considered the Second Mizukage himself. The original intention of setting up this genjutsu maze was to give young Ninja in the Village some opportunities for growth, so there is an age limit."
His meaning was simple: in this day and age, Secret Technique and Bloodline Limit are almost impossible to guard against. What if a Konoha Jonin shamelessly snuck in using other means?
Opening the genjutsu maze was Gensui's idea alone, and no one knew about it beforehand.
Now, Ao believed that the Konoha Ninja had no preparation at all, and as hosts, they had a significant advantage in terms of information. But if an elite Jonin, especially someone like Kakashi with a Sharingan, were to sneak in, then things would be hard to say.
His prior statement was a warning to Konoha.
Homura Mitokado quietly conversed with Kakashi and Asuma for a moment, then nodded in agreement on behalf of Konoha Village.
"Since you all have no objections, let's call the Genin now. The genjutsu maze is deep in the back mountain and only opens at specific times each day, so our time is tight." Ao had no intention of giving the Konoha Ninja time to prepare.
"Heh heh." Asuma chuckled: "Sir, allowing my subordinates to prepare some Ninja tools and delay for a short while, that should be fine, shouldn't it?"
Ao was thick-skinned and showed no change in expression, as if he hadn't heard Asuma's sarcasm.
"Gensui is still waiting for you all. I hope we can be a bit faster."
The Konoha people had no choice but to call everyone from Team 7 and Team 10. Time was tight, so they had to say a few words.
Ino, Shikamaru, and Sasuke knew that the Hidden Mist Village was not their home, and could even be considered an enemy nation, so the three of them were fully armed even when sleeping. Naruto and Sakura, however, were not. Both were hastily woken up, still in their pajamas, while Choji's face was covered in soot; he had been called out while roasting fish in his room.
Homura Mitokado cleared his throat. Ao stood by, showing no intention of stepping away.
Homura Mitokado had no choice but to "briefly" say a few words: "...Both sides are very sincere in this exchange. The Hidden Mist Village is willing to open the genjutsu maze for you. Inside the maze, you will encounter the images left behind by the Second Mizukage. After accepting and successfully passing the trials, it is possible to obtain some precious Ninjutsu. I hope you will bring your best state, demonstrate your abilities, and not let down the expectations and cultivation of the two Villages for you..."
As expected of the Third Hokage's old comrade, Homura Mitokado spoke in a very polished manner. The key was that he spoke so fluently that Ao, standing beside him, couldn't find an opportunity to interrupt.
He rambled on, effectively delaying for half an hour.
During this half hour, Naruto and Sakura changed into their battle attire and organized their Ninja tools. Choji washed his face and swallowed the slightly burnt roasted fish whole, even letting out two burps.
Ino and the others also ate some breakfast, adjusting their bodies to optimal battle condition.
Asuma quietly explained the Hidden Mist Village team they would encounter. The Hidden Mist Village had not concealed the roster; they couldn't possibly claim not to know who was fighting on their side, could they? That would be too fake.
Haku and Ranmaru were both old opponents; the former had a powerful Bloodline Limit, and the latter's reconnaissance and shielding abilities were very effective against Ino, making him a troublesome opponent. Chōjūrō was very unfamiliar to the five Genin other than Ino; they had never even heard of him and didn't know his specific abilities.
Ino was the most excited; this genjutsu maze felt like it was made for her! Who was the Second Mizukage again? Little Mustache? What was Little Mustache's name again?
She roughly recalled his Ninjutsu. Huh? This person seemed to be a Water Release Ninja!
Whenever Water Release was involved, she felt full of confidence.
It's true that Chōjūrō would become the Sixth Mizukage in the future, but was Ino afraid? Did he have 9 points in "Nin", 8 points in "Sei", and an Lv3 "Water Release"? No!
Her stats in these areas were already at the level of an elite Jonin.
Unless this maze tested some strange and obscure knowledge, as long as the content tested was related to Ninjutsu, at her current age, she feared no one!
Ino raised her hand and asked in a clear voice: "Asuma-sensei, if we learn Hidden Mist Village's Ninjutsu, will it cause trouble for the Village?"
Asuma looked at Ao, indicating for him to explain.
Ao's face was expressionless: "How much you learn is entirely up to you. To be honest, the Hidden Mist Village's Secret Technique and Ninjutsu are as vast as the sea; there are simply too many. We, these unworthy juniors, can't even master one percent or one-thousandth of the content. If you are able to learn powerful Ninjutsu, will you not use them in the future? If you use them, doesn't that mean you're helping us promote them? We'd be delighted."
He finally raised a finger: "However, I must emphasize one point: according to the rules between Ninja Villages, the Ninjutsu you learn within the genjutsu maze can only be used by yourselves. Without the Hidden Mist Village's permission, you may not teach them to others, understood?"
Ino had a innocent and naive expression, as if her previous question was just childish talk: "Oh, thank you, uncle. I feel relieved now that you've said that."
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!