https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-566-Class-Assignment-and-Recruitment-/12943264/
Chapter 567: The Conquest of the Land of Waves
Chapter 567: The Conquest of the Land of Waves
"Let me think about it some more!"
Hong hesitated, and this was her final response.
Her answer revealed a shift in her previous determination.
The reason, of course, was the influence of a hidden power.
If it weren't for the fact that Konoha was the village her father had died to protect, Hong would have already accepted Honglian's invitation and headed straight for the Tenshu Kaku.
Ordinary villagers might not know, but as a ninja who frequently left the village to carry out missions, she was well aware of the current strength of the Tenshu Kaku.
The key point was the welfare and benefits! It was on a completely different level from the major hidden villages.
Not only did they receive a guaranteed basic salary after registration, but they also enjoyed various welfare benefits, job security after retirement, and a pension that far exceeded that of the other hidden villages.
The major hidden villages tacitly blocked news about the Tenshu Kaku, not only out of fear of its strength but also because they worried that its superior treatment would cause dissatisfaction among their own ninjas. They couldn't compete when it came to offering better benefits.
This was especially true for Konoha! They were more concerned about their ninjas being poached.
No wonder there had already been numerous cases of ninjas leaving Konoha for the Tenshu Kaku, including members of the Uchiha Eldest Branch, the Yui Clan, and a large number of smaller ninja clans.
With these precedents, it was no wonder they wanted to indirectly suppress the Tenshu Kaku.
If they didn't suppress it, the morale of their ninjas would plummet.
If it weren't for their attachment to their homeland, Hong and Douen might have already defected.
However, as the ostracism continued over time, it also exhausted their friendship, so this time, even Yuuhi Akai was wavering.
"Hmph, what's there to think about? If we go to the Tenshu Kaku, we'll definitely have a better life than here!"
Douen complained directly.
Yes, both Hong and Douen were not living their best lives.
Especially Douen, as the disciple of a 'traitor ninja', she was constantly under scrutiny. The missions she could accept were only those with low pay, high risk, and heavy workload.
It was as if they were hoping she would die on a mission.
Fortunately, Hong was there to help. Using her reputation, she had taken on numerous easy designated missions and pulled Douen along, barely managing to support herself.
Note that 'supporting herself' here refers to maintaining her physical condition while also ensuring her strength continued to grow.
A ninja is essentially a 'killing machine', and maintaining chakra growth requires far more nutrition than a regular person.
Meals alone couldn't provide enough nutrition, so they had to rely on medicinal herbs and various secret potions.
Additionally, there were expenses for medical care, ninja tools, and more, making their income far from abundant.
So, someone like Bai Ya, despite his impressive strength, didn't live a comfortable life.
Hong and Douen's strength was far inferior to Bai Ya's, and with the ostracism, if they hadn't known how to play the 'beautiful ninja' card, they might have already been forced into submission with no way out.
In the original storyline, the two of them might have submitted, which is why Hong ended up marrying Asama.
It can only be said that the real ninja world is not as passionate and sunny as it is portrayed in anime. It is truly a dark place.
"Enough!"
Hong interrupted Douen.
Her mind was in turmoil.
"Izumi, when will you be leaving with the exchange team?"
Seeing Hong's state, Douen didn't press further but asked a different question.
"Probably after the Chunin Exam is over. But if you two want to go to the Tenshu Kaku, you can leave earlier. It will be inconvenient for me if I return after that!"
Although Izumi didn't know the full plan, she could keenly sense that the Tenshu Kaku was about to make a big move.
If the two of them didn't want to get caught up in it, it would be best to leave Konoha sooner rather than later.
Hong fell silent. Just as Izumi thought she would refuse, Hong nodded, "Okay!"
Although Hong didn't know why Izumi wanted her and Douen to go to the Tenshu Kaku early, she understood one thing: Izumi wouldn't harm her or Douen.
This was Hong's decision to defect to the Tenshu Kaku, but on the surface, it would be a long-term mission to the Tenshu Kaku.
Unless Konoha wanted to sever ties with the Tenshu Kaku, they couldn't stop or restrict such a mission.
If they dared to play that game, they could kiss their benefits on that side goodbye.
Speaking of which, in recent years, all the students who had been eliminated from the Konoha Ninja Academy had been absorbed by the Tenshu Kaku.
Those who could register had ninja talents, but the Konoha Ninja Academy's admissions were based on connections and relationships. Unless your talent was off the charts, you'd be competing with hundreds of others for just a few dozen spots.
In the Tenshu Kaku, even if these ninjas didn't become top-tier warriors, they were at least guaranteed a spot as a Chunin.
The possession of innate talents like Sealing Jutsu and Medical Ninjutsu is a real boon.
Yes, the Konoha Ninja Academy doesn't lack for students, which is why they eliminate so many with ninja potential.
But the Tenshu Kaku is in dire need!
Ordinary people with ninja potential are rare, so these rejected applicants are the perfect targets.
Suckers!
The Tenshu Kaku's rapid growth is precisely due to feeding off Konoha's blood.
Of course, their vampiric ways aren't without benefits for Konoha.
At the very least, it prevents Konoha from becoming like that, right? (Serious face).
The next two months are all about daily life.
And Tang Ping isn't in a hurry either.
He's taking time to relax and adjust to his Celestial Body, preparing for the upcoming battle. Minato is taking the opportunity to study the Thunder God Technique, while Koushin is learning Sealing Jutsu.
Koushin isn't stupid; she's guessed Tang Ping's identity from Izumi and Minato's attitudes, so she's constantly pestering him to teach her Sealing Jutsu.
Life is truly blissful.
However, Tang Ping's mission begins today.
The Wave Country mission!
Dazna has finally come to Konoha to commission the task.
Tang Ping knows this is the last mission before the Chunin Exam.
Simultaneously, this mission is also an opportunity.
The Wave Country is a small island nation, not extensive, and just a bridge away from the Land of Fire, making it strategically crucial.
If the Mist Hidden Village wants to invade the Land of Fire, they can easily use the Wave Country as a forward base.
Similarly, the Lightning Country to the north would need the Wave Country for a sea invasion.
Previously, the Wave Country was under the watchful eye of various powers, making it challenging for the Tenshu Kaku to act. They could only build a port for rest and recuperation.
Now is the perfect opportunity.
By taking advantage of this mission, they can secretly control the entire Wave Country and turn it into a Tenshu Kaku stronghold.
This position is too critical to pass up.
Usually, taking action would provoke a fierce reaction.
But this Wave Country mission will already cause unrest, so their intervention won't draw too much attention.
Oh, and this is also an opportunity for the Mist Ninjas.
Zangetsu and Shiro!
The former is easier to deal with, being a rogue ninja from the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist and only an Elite Jonin.
But Shiro is different.
As the sole survivor of the Mizuyuki Clan, her talent is genuinely exceptional.
You should know that wandering with Zangetsu doesn't provide ample resources, severely limiting her strength growth.
Even so, she has awakened the Ice Style Bloodline Limit.
With various resources at her disposal, she's another guaranteed Shadow Rank genius.
So, Shiro is crucial for the Mist Ninjas.
Last week, when Tang Ping learned about Dazna coming to Konoha for a mission, he sent his plan to the new Mist Hidden Village and hinted that Terumi Mei would witness the emergence of a 'genius' from their village.
This is the last chance to reap benefits before the Chunin Exam.
Soon, Izumi informs them to let their 'exchange squad' and Team 7 depart for the Wave Country together.
Despite being a C-Rank mission, Kakashi's presence reassures Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Even when the Root wanted to send someone along, he stopped them.
Unfortunately, Hiruzen Sarutobi is unaware that Danzo, upon learning that the exchange squad is also on this mission, quietly dispatched a group of Root ninjas.
At the Konoha Village gates!
"Izumi!"
"Kakashi!"
...
Izumi, leading the exchange squad, and Kakashi, leading Team 7, greet each other.
Besides them, the team includes the mission client, Dazna!
A white-haired, bespectacled, stubborn, and sharp-tongued old man.
"Hmph, sending so many brats to protect me. Does Konoha lack strong ninjas?"
He 'whispers' his complaint loud enough for everyone to hear.
"You old coot..."
Naruto, with his backpack, is about to confront him, but Kakashi holds him back.
"Naruto, he's our client. We can't cause trouble!"
Kakashi understands this situation, as it affects his safety.
However, he won't explain his strength, even though he could easily protect them.
"Hmph!"
Naruto turns away in a huff.
The team sets off for the Wave Country.
(End of Chapter)
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