Naruto: I'm Really Not an Evil Uchiha!

"Are they from the Hidden Mist Village?"

Shimizu silently observed the scene before him.

He had already learned through the simulator that the Hidden Mist Village would show up, so he wasn't particularly surprised.

"The woman in blue should be Mei Terumi."

Shimizu's gaze lingered on Mei Terumi.

This woman would become the Fifth Mizukage in the future. She excelled in Water Release ninjutsu and possessed two Kekkei Genkai: Lava Release and Boil Release.

Undoubtedly a Kage-level ninja, her most brilliant moment in battle was when her Water Release: Water Formation Pillar suppressed Uchiha Madara's Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame.

Shimizu's eyes paused momentarily on her ample chest before shifting to the man in front of her.

Zabuza Momochi.

One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and the original owner of the Executioner's Blade.

However, his end was somewhat comical—he used the Executioner's Blade to counter the Fourth Mizukage Yagura's Tailed Beast Ball in his transformed state, only to be struck down by his own blade when it rebounded.

"Come forward."

The Daimyo of the Land of Demons summoned his attendants once more, granting the Hidden Mist ninjas the same treatment as Konoha's.

"What brings you from the Hidden Mist Village?"

The Daimyo turned his attention to Zabuza.

He had only commissioned a mission from Konoha, so the Hidden Mist's arrival was unexpected.

"Your country has suffered from warfare, hasn't it? Now that you're a vassal state of the Land of Water, we from the Hidden Mist can help you resolve this issue."

Zabuza's mouth stretched into an unsightly grin, revealing sharp teeth. Red markings on his cheeks and jaw made his face even more menacing.

The Daimyo's eyelid twitched. Zabuza's appearance was far from pleasant, and the cross-shaped scar on his right cheek made his smile downright terrifying.

"We've already assigned this mission to Konoha," the Daimyo said.

"That's correct," Minato Namikaze added, standing up.

This matter concerned the village's reputation and could not be taken lightly.

If other nations saw Konoha losing its missions to competitors, they might doubt Konoha's abilities, tarnishing its image.

"Konoha hasn't started the mission yet, have they?" Zabuza said, his voice raspy. "In that case, I'm sure the Daimyo can cancel it and reassign it to us in the Hidden Mist. After all, the Land of Fire is vast, and Konoha has enough on its plate managing its own affairs."

"Geographically, we're closer and better positioned to provide assistance, wouldn't you agree, Daimyo?"

The underlying threat in Zabuza's tone was clear as he looked at the Daimyo.

The Land of Demons held some military value, and with the increasingly volatile situation, his village had sent him to secure allies and resources.

The Daimyo's brows knitted into a deep frown.

Under his sleeves, his fists clenched tightly, faint black mist curling around his fingertips.

If this had been ten days ago, he might have yielded to the threats, tossing the issue back to Konoha and siding with whoever proved stronger.

But he was no longer the same man he had been. He had gained the favor of Mōryō.

Why should he still be subject to the whims of these great nations?

Because of this newfound confidence, he had remained calm when Konoha's ninjas arrived.

Mōryō's immense power continuously reminded him of his limitless potential.

As the tense atmosphere settled over the room, Miroku, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke. "Why not have them compete against each other?"

The food on Miroku's table remained untouched. A faint sadness seemed to hang over her like a shroud.

"Hmm?"

The Daimyo turned to her, surprised.

Then he thought about it—perhaps Miroku feared retaliation from a major power like the Land of Water and wanted to protect the Land of Demons.

"Miroku must be thinking of the country's best interests," the Daimyo thought, deeply moved. His admiration and affection for her grew even stronger.

He had even started imagining a name for their future daughter.

"Very well. The local troublemakers in the Land of Demons have been growing bolder. Whoever proves capable will be granted the mission," he said, waving for his attendants to prepare a venue for the competition.

"Konoha's ninjas, you've heard the proposal," Zabuza said as he edged closer to Minato.

"But we were here first," Minato replied.

"Hah! First come, first served? Strength reigns supreme. Do you want to start a war with the Hidden Mist?"

Zabuza dismissed Minato's reasoning, forcing a moral dilemma upon him.

"This..."

Minato frowned deeply. This level of diplomatic conflict was far more serious than the Land of Demons itself.

The Hidden Mist was one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, a formidable power. Konoha would gain nothing from a direct conflict.

"Sensei, we must secure this mission. If they want to compete, then let's compete," Kakashi interjected.

For him, losing the mission equated to failure—a mark of incompetence in the eyes of the client.

Minato hesitated for a moment. He had recognized the Executioner's Blade at first glance, knowing that Zabuza Momochi stood before him—a famed member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

But with his Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato was confident he could keep the situation under control.

"Fine. However, we won't participate ourselves—only our subordinates will compete," he said.

"Suit yourself," Zabuza sneered, glancing at Mei Terumi, then at Shimizu and the others with barely concealed disdain.

The group filed out to a cleared space prepared for the duel.

The Daimyo, meanwhile, approached Miroku, trying to strike up a conversation.

But Miroku's attention was entirely elsewhere. She kept glancing at a certain man, her responses to the Daimyo half-hearted.

Following her gaze, the Daimyo's eyes landed on an Uchiha ninja.

Though reluctant to admit it, the Daimyo couldn't deny that the man was more handsome than him.

"Could Miroku really be so superficial?"

But they had only just met today. Why was she so fixated on him?

"Miroku, you keep looking at—"

Before he could finish, Miroku turned and asked, "Daimyo, could you help me find out who that man with the Uchiha crest is?"

After observing Shimizu for a while, she decided to gather some basic information about him first.

"Why?"

"Because he's handsome. Even as a priestess, I can still be curious about mortals," Miroku replied with a simple excuse.

Why Konoha's ninjas would ultimately kill the Daimyo of the Land of Demons remained a mystery.

For now, she planned to collect intelligence and share her prophecy with the Daimyo later that night when the ninjas were resting.

"I... I see."

The Daimyo forced a smile.

The priestess symbolized divinity and honor, deserving the utmost respect from every Daimyo.

Thus, he buried his feelings for Miroku deep in his heart. After finally summoning the courage to make a move, he discovered her apparent interest in another man.

"Angry? Do you want to tear that pretty boy apart? Fuse with me more deeply, and I will grant you the power," whispered Mōryō's voice from the tiny bell hanging on the Daimyo, as faint black mist swirled around him.

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