CHAPTER - 147 The Wandering Miko

After the Mist Village implemented a lockdown among the ninja villages, the Land of Rain, a region long marred by conflict, also announced a comprehensive lockdown throughout its territory.

Nevertheless, it raises questions regarding what emboldened Hanzō to take such a decisive step. The Land of Rain's geographical position is intricate, serving as a pivotal corridor for the three major nations and the three smaller nations, situated on the border of both categories.

Moreover, the Land of Rain had played a vital role as a battleground for the three major ninja villages. So, why would they choose to enforce a lockdown immediately after the war's conclusion? Weren't they concerned that the five major ninja villages might shift their focus and target them? With the war's end, these villages now had a larger pool of resources and manpower at their disposal.

As observers eagerly anticipated the responses from the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain regarding this development, Akihiko, upon perusing Hanzō's announcement, simply sighed and chose not to dwell on it further. It was all part of the plan he had meticulously crafted for the Land of Rain.

Akihiko was well aware of the reality. Even in the original timeline following the Third Great Ninja War, the five major ninja villages had settled into a period of relative in the aftermath of the Nine-Tails Attack, there were no large-scale wars, it was all about negotiations and compromises. Peace had been maintained, and even when Nagato employed the 'Rain Tiger at Will' technique to block access to the Land of Rain, none of the five major ninja villages opted for aggression.

It was evident that the toll of the war had left its mark on all parties, making it unlikely that they possessed the resources and energy for an immediate large-scale assault on the Land of Rain. Naturally, it was still essential to maintain adequate defenses. Akihiko stretched and muttered to himself, "It's time to embrace this era of peace."

He then glanced at the stack of documents before him, heaving a frustrated sigh. It appeared he would have to search for an assistant.


Simultaneously, in line with Akihiko's suspicions, the five major ninja villages grappled with their own apprehensions. The combined might of the Grass Village and the Rain Village was a force to be reckoned with. Furthermore, the leaders of both villages were formidable figures in the ninja world.

While it was plausible for the five major ninja villages to collaborate, they couldn't rush into declaring war at this juncture. The question loomed, Do they still desire peace? If the answer was affirmative, then initiating a war was not a viable option.

This was particularly relevant in Konoha's case, as the village had finally embraced peace after enduring an arduous struggle. Initiating a war was simply out of the question for them.

At this moment, in a concealed underground location within Konoha, Danzo, who had returned to his massive stone chair after a long absence, wore a deeply contemplative expression as he gazed ahead.

While Konoha as a whole leaned towards avoiding conflict, Danzo harbored a fervent desire to declare war against the Grass Village and the Rain Village. He saw this as a golden opportunity, believing that a Konoha-led declaration of war could entice the other four major ninja villages into action.

In his vision, if the five major ninja villages unleashed their full might, victory for the Grass Village and the Rain Village seemed improbable. He even envisioned himself stepping onto the Land of Grass's soil, where he would confront the captured leader of the Land of Grass, mirroring his own past captivity. In this fantasy, he would taunt the leader, proclaiming, "I told you, You are no match for me. I've always had only one true opponent!"

The prospect of turning this fantasy into reality excited him. However, his aspirations had been thwarted by Hiruzen. Hiruzen firmly believed that, at this juncture, Konoha needed respite more than another war. He was of the opinion that perpetuating the conflict would lead to an endless cycle.

This obstinate individual failed to recognize the potential inherent in the situation, Danzo silently cursed as he recollected their exchange. In his heart, he firmly believed that the leader of the Grass Village, whose wisdom was on par with his own, would seize this opportunity if it slipped away. The Grass Village could rise and, perhaps, even evolve into the sixth major ninja village.

Regrettably, despite presenting his most compelling arguments, his appeals had been repeatedly rebuffed. Yet, even in the face of this conviction, Hiruzen remained hesitant and persisted in his refusal. As a final retort, when Hiruzen's patience waned, he declared, "Danzo, do not forget that I am the Hokage!" To which, Danzo could only retort, "You will come to regret this, Hiruzen!" before departing in frustration.

It was this very frustration that now consumed Danzo. After all, if Konoha failed to take action, why would the other ninja villages readily step in? With the Grass Village and the Rain Village aligning forces, a prolonged stalemate could lead other villages to assume that Konoha was merely biding its time, waiting for them to make the first move before capitalizing on the situation.

Recalling the time when he had boldly proclaimed that his wisdom and strength would undoubtedly conquer the Grass Village and capture its leader, Danzo found himself in a stark contrast. Now, he struggled even to convince his own village to initiate an attack. In the darkness, a mutter escaped his lips, "Hiruzen, you fool. You've grown old." His countenance alternated between anger and disappointment.

Before long, he raised his head, let out a deep sigh, and whispered to himself, "I suppose I lack the strength."

If he possessed the kind of strength akin to the leader of the Land of Grass, perhaps even surpassing Hiruzen, he could have propelled Konoha to unprecedented heights if he were the Hokage.

Deep in thought, he touched the bandage concealing his right eye, his expression bearing a trace of indecision, as if recollecting something. The power of the Nine-Tails, feared even by the First Hokage, the awe-inspiring Wood Release that had sent shockwaves throughout the ninja world, and the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan.

No, it shouldn't be referred to as a legendary power anymore, considering that someone from the Uchiha clan had once again attained the Mangekyo Sharingan.

In the dim underground location, as Danzo wrestled with his thoughts and emotions, a Root ninja entered and knelt before him, saying, "Danzo-sama, The Wandering Miko has arrived."

Danzo's expression shifted once more, and he regarded his subordinate with an impassive gaze, instructing, "Let her in."

"Understood," the Root ninja acknowledged before making way for the Wandering Miko. Soon, a golden-haired female ninja wearing a mask entered. She respectfully bowed her head and addressed Danzo, saying, "Danzo-sama."

"Hmm," Danzo murmured. "I've heard that you've been diligently pursuing funding for the orphanage lately."

The Wandering Miko appeared surprised but promptly replied, "Yes."

"But you were unsuccessful," Danzo continued, inquiring further.

"Yes," The Wandering Miko didn't dare to deceive and promptly confessed to the truth.

"It's regrettable, but you are aware of the village's current predicament. We recently suffered an unexpected loss of 150 million Ryo," Danzo raised an eyebrow and went on, "With the war concluded, we must channel our resources into rebuilding the village. There's no surplus for unnecessary expenses."

"But..." 'The Wandering Miko' grew nervous upon hearing Danzo's words, raising her head quickly, her anxiety palpable, "The orphanage..."

"I don't want to discuss that," Danzo interrupted, maintaining his emotionless demeanor. "However, there's an opportunity now. If you complete this task, I will allocate the necessary funds."

"Opportunity? What task?" She felt a mixture of confusion and hope upon Danzo's words.

"There is an important mission for you to undertake." Before she could respond, Danzo pulled out a document from his robes and handed it to her, saying, "Take a look at this."

The Wandering Miko took the document and gazed at it for a moment, her expression momentarily blank. The document bore the title 'Land of Grass Talent Recruitment Plan,' causing her lips to twitch as she wondered, 'What on earth is this?'


A few days later, Akihiko, completely unaware of Danzo's scheme to dispatch talent and spies to the Land of Grass, glanced up and spotted the slowly approaching green train. He couldn't suppress a sigh and remarked, "Is it finally in operation?"

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CHAPTER - 147.5

"Ladies and gentlemen, the upcoming station is the final stop, Grass Village Station. Please have your luggage and belongings ready and do not forget anything on the train."

"Sir, sir, we have reached the final stop." Kojou's name called out roused him from his nap. Initially disoriented, he quickly oriented himself upon hearing the announcement.

He had made his way back home after the war's conclusion. With the factories in the Land of Rain stabilized, he had requested leave to return to his homeland and reunite with his wife and daughter. However, he had been unsure about the best mode of travel. Should he take a horse-drawn carriage with colleagues or depart with ninja escorts when the time was right?

While contemplating his choice, one of his colleagues suggested, "Why not take the 'Harmony Express'? I heard it's not only cost-effective but also very fast, and you can get home in just a few hours."

Kojou then recalled the leader's mention of this swift mode of transportation now in operation. He purchased a ticket with a mix of excitement and trepidation, and the next day, he boarded the 'Harmony Express.'

At first sight of this peculiar vehicle, he felt uneasy due to its colossal size. However, upon hearing others mention that the 'leader even praised it,' his anxiety subsided.

If even the leader approved of it, what harm could there be? With renewed excitement and a hint of nervousness, he carefully followed the instructions, found his designated seat, and settled in.

The train was abuzz with passengers eager to reach various destinations in the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain. As he took his seat, the unusual vehicle remained calm and motionless. He wondered when it would commence its journey.

Soon enough, the train began its motion, and to his surprise, the ride was smooth and steady. Kojou hardly felt any movement. He observed the changing scenery outside with curiosity and contemplated whether this vehicle would truly carry him home.

As the train progressed, it reached various small cities in the Land of Rain. Witnessing the vibrant reconstruction efforts and signs of peace, Kojou couldn't help but smile. Peace was undeniably a beautiful thing.

Kojou had also played a role in this peace, and he took pride in his contributions, even though he was just a factory manager. He had assisted in establishing new factories and aiding in the recruitment of refugees.

While rain continued to fall in the Land of Rain, the scenery transitioned as they entered the Land of Grass. The clear autumn sky and refreshing breeze welcomed Kojou. Returning to the Land of Grass after a long absence filled him with a sense of serenity and tranquility.

His longing to see his family intensified as the journey continued. However, the train remained in motion, and he patiently gazed out the window. The train made stops at several stations during the journey.

However, From the outset, he had known that the Rain Village was the starting point and the Grass Village the final destination.

As the familiar surroundings and comfortable ride eased his nerves, Kojou gradually relaxed. He had thought that he would remain awake throughout the night out of nervousness, given that it was his first experience traveling by train. Yet, in the midst of the peaceful surroundings, fatigue began to overtake him. And before he realized it, he had drifted off to sleep.

Unbeknownst to him, Kojou had reached his destination. He expressed his gratitude to the train attendants for waking him up, gathered his belongings, and joined the crowd heading towards the exit.

The area outside the station was somewhat crowded, likely due to the numerous passengers disembarking. As he drew nearer to his home, the calm in his heart began to give way to tension once more.

He wondered about the situation at home. Although there had been assistance from Ninja in delivering letters, it had been many years since he had last seen his wife, Shuko, and his daughter, Ruko. With a mix of anticipation and nervousness, he stepped outside and gazed at Grass Village, not far in the distance.

The station's platform was located outside the village. It was worth noting that thanks to the alliance between the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain, restrictions on entry and exit for those who had come to work from the Land of Rain had been lifted. Nevertheless, some entry restrictions still apply to Grass Village.

Kojou took out the paper from his pocket and handed it over. It served as proof of his information and granted him entry into the village. Without it, he would need to register and have assistance from relatives and friends in the village to verify his information.

After a brief wait, a ninja addressed him, "Mr. Kojou? Your information is registered. Please proceed. Next!"

Kojou retrieved his information proof, collected his luggage, and entered Grass Village. The environment inside the village appeared more lively compared to the Land of Rain. Even the streets were noticeably cleaner, and many beautiful houses had sprung up.

Kojou marveled at the transformation Grass Village had undergone in the years he had been away. However, he didn't linger much, Because he was overwhelmed with the desire to see his family. After entering the village, he immediately rushed for the factory.

Would Shuko and Ruko be taken by surprise at his sudden return? With eager anticipation, he hurried toward the factory. When he laid eyes on the familiar building, he couldn't help but slow his pace as he finally arrived at the factory.

In contrast to the factories in the Land of Rain, those in Grass Village were exceptionally spacious. Here, they not only accommodated production facilities but also places for residence, education, and research.

Kojou took a deep breath and retrieved his information proof, preparing to register at the entrance.

"Mom, doesn't that silhouette look like Dad?" At that moment, a familiar voice called out from behind, startling Kojou and causing him to turn to see what was happening.

Before he could react, the voice exclaimed again, "Hey, it's really Dad! Dad's back!"

Kojou turned around in surprise and saw a figure rushing toward him. It was his daughter, Ruko, And not far behind her was his wife, Shuko. Moreover, Ruko had grown up, as it had been many years since they last saw each other.

"Dad, you're finally back? Hehehe!" Ruko looked up at her father, her joy evident. "Mom and I were planning to take the train to see you in a few days. We didn't expect you to return so soon."

Shuko approached, smiling, "Ruko, your dad has just returned, and he must be tired. Give him some space."

She looked at Kojou and greeted him, "You're back, Kojou."

"I'm back!" Kojou's heart, which had been filled with a mix of anticipation and nervousness, suddenly felt at ease. After all, these were his family members, and there was no need to be nervous around them.

As they chatted and made their way home, Ruko, with an enthusiastic expression, suddenly turned and said, "Dad, guess what's changed about me?"

Kojou observed her and replied, "You've grown up," as he had already noticed her growth.

"No, silly! Look again!" Ruko pouted, indicating to her neck.

Puzzled, Kojou noticed the headband around Ruko's neck and realized what she meant. "Congratulations on graduating. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for your graduation."

"Hehehe! I'm a proud Grass Ninja now," Ruko said with a smile, not minding that her father initially missed the detail.

"Amazing, Do you need a gift? Dad will make up for it," Kojou ruffled Ruko's hair and felt a deep sense of gratitude. Despite the years that had passed, he still vividly remembered the times when they had been just a struggling family of three, enduring hardships during the war. Everything had changed since then, and it was all thanks to their leader.

As they walked home, with Kojou listening to his daughter's stories, he glanced at his wife and daughter and couldn't help but smile. He whispered to himself, "It's truly wonderful."