Currently, the situation in Uzushiogakure is looking very promising...
Or rather, the spies hiding in the shadows are hiding very well. The Uzu-nin have not discovered any others besides those few so far.
"It seems it's time to gradually lift the restrictions on these rogue ninjas," Uzumaki Jun thought as he reviewed the ninjas recently recruited by Uzushiogakure. He saw that none of them had caused trouble, and some had even built good relationships with their neighbors.
It seemed they had already adapted to life in Uzushiogakure...
If no issues arise, they must be formally accepted to demonstrate Uzushiogakure's inclusive attitude—no discrimination, no neglect. This way, more people would come to join in the future.
Of course...
All of this must wait until Zetsu finishes his investigation to determine whether there are spies from other villages among them. No matter what, maintaining domestic stability is Uzushiogakure's top priority for now...
"This Zetsu..." Uzumaki Jun shook his head helplessly. "Does it really take this long to report the current situation to the boss?"
Was he being held back by Madara for the night...
"Huh?"
Suddenly...
Uzumaki Jun's expression froze, and he frowned. "This is..."
"Lord Jun!" Uzumaki Hibiki noticed the change in Jun's expression and put down the memorandum. "Did something happen?"
"Yes!" Uzumaki Jun nodded with a mysterious smile. "We're going back now."
"Understood!" Uzumaki Hibiki immediately became serious. "Yes!"
Finally, it's happening...
Uzumaki Jun activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and instantly returned to his office...
After so many days...
The second ninja clan in Uzushiogakure...
Has finally arrived!
...
"Kamizuru Clan..." Onoki stared at the land deed in his hand, frowning. "What is going on?"
The Kamizuru Clan had handed it over so easily. This was the land crucial to their survival and prosperity!
What were they planning?
After all the reasons, jutsu, and ANBU he had prepared...
Now...
None of them were needed!
"Has the Kamizuru Clan been acting strangely recently?" Onoki asked the ANBU beside him. "Or have there been any unusual movements?"
"No!" The ANBU knelt on one knee and replied. "It's just that the Kamizuru Clan members have rarely left their clan's territory lately. It seems they've been recalling all their clansmen."
"Is that so?" Onoki frowned deeply. "What are they trying to do?"
The First Tsuchikage was from the Kamizuru Clan, and now...
The Kamizuru Clan was backing down?
This isn't like them!
Could it be that they love the village so deeply?
Are they sacrificing their own clan for the greater good?
Quietly contributing to Iwagakure's development...
"Monitor the Kamizuru Clan closely," Onoki's eyes sharpened. "Report any suspicious activity immediately."
"Yes!"
...
"Lord Jun." After returning to the office, Uzumaki Hibiki saw Uzumaki Jun busy with paperwork and asked, "Do you need help?"
"No, I'm almost done." Uzumaki Jun didn't look up. "These documents will be handed over to the clan leader, and this one..."
He raised his head, holding a file in his right hand, and looked seriously at Uzumaki Hibiki. "This one must be delivered personally to the Elder. No one outside the Research Department is allowed to open it!"
"Understood!" Uzumaki Hibiki nodded solemnly. It seemed this was a classified document, especially with the sealing technique imprinted on it...
"I will deliver it to the Elder personally."
"Good." Uzumaki Jun nodded in satisfaction. "I'll be away for a few days."
"Ah!" Uzumaki Hibiki was taken aback. "Should I arrange..."
"No need. This time, I'm going alone." Uzumaki Jun waved his hand. "I'll be back in a few days."
"But Lady Kyoko..."
"Enough, leave." Uzumaki Jun sighed. "I'll leave a shadow clone here. Keep an eye on things, or else when my mother scolds me, I'll scold you!"
"I..."
Is this how it works?
Uzumaki Hibiki had something to say but held back. Finally...
"Understood!" He reluctantly agreed and left.
"How should I handle the Kamizuru Clan's arrival?"
Uzumaki Jun ignored Hibiki's departure and stroked his chin in thought. Safely accepting a clan from another village wasn't simple. If discovered, it could lead to the Five Great Villages declaring war on Uzushiogakure.
After all, no village would tolerate traitors escaping unscathed. Otherwise...
If defecting became risk-free, the ninja world would descend into chaos!
So, a foolproof plan was necessary.
Just as Uzumaki Jun was deep in thought, a figure slowly emerged from the ground...
Uzumaki Jun looked down, then suddenly smirked. "Got it!"
...
"Clan Leader!" An old man bearing the Kamizuru Clan's crest slowly entered, frowning at the Kamizuru leader. "Why did you hand over the mountain?"
"Sigh..." The clan leader sighed. "Elder, how do you think the Kamizuru Clan is doing now?"
"I..." The Elder hesitated, then also sighed. "Then what do you plan to do?"
"What do I plan to do? What do I plan to do?" The clan leader smiled bitterly. "What choice does the Kamizuru Clan have besides leaving Iwagakure?"
"No!" The Elder panicked. "Absolutely not! That would be desertion!"
Given their already precarious position in the village, desertion would mean annihilation!
Even if they left Iwagakure, how many of them would survive? Which village would dare defy Iwagakure, one of the Five Great Villages, to shelter them?
"There's no other way." The clan leader shook his head helplessly. "We..."
"Are hindering Iwagakure's progress!"
The burden of being the clan that founded the village...
Was simply too heavy.
Too heavy for the Kamizuru Clan to bear any longer.
"But if we desert..." The Elder sighed. "How will the Kamizuru Clan survive?"
"That depends on him." The clan leader gazed deeply at the Kamizuru children playing outside, oblivious to everything. "Without a foolproof plan, the Kamizuru Clan will not take this step."
"I..." The Elder sighed in resignation. "You've worked hard, Seihō. If..."
"Ah!! The old folks below... I'll keep them in line."
"As for the rest... just... just..."
"I have failed the Kamizuru Clan!"
Tears welled in the Elder's eyes as he shook his head, lowered his head, and turned away...
Watching the Elder's desolate figure, the clan leader's eyes also filled with tears. He... he too was reluctant. After all, this was the village founded by Lord Ishikawa!
But...
There was no other choice!
"I will not let anything happen to the Kamizuru Clan!"
Kamizuru Seihō's eyes burned with determination...