"Now that you know Karatachi Yagura was being controlled, don't tell me you still plan to survive under this kind of cruel rule?"
The meaning was clear—he was telling them to overthrow the current leadership.
Ao and Genji both stared at Hatake Satoru, their faces growing a bit more serious.
They couldn't sense even a trace of chakra from this kid, and his build didn't look like someone who could fight.
So why was he so confident, speaking to them like this?
Even with the blindfold covering his eyes, the pressure he gave off was overwhelming—like a beast opening its jaws wide.
The room fell completely silent. No one said a word.
"…Pfft!"
After a long pause, Hatake Satoru suddenly let out a laugh he couldn't hold back.
Ao's face immediately darkened, and Shisui couldn't help but twitch his mouth a little.
This wasn't just some Uchiha family squabble—they were facing the elders of Kirigakure Village here.
Hatake Satoru's attitude was really pushing it.
Before Ao or Genji could say anything, Hatake Satoru let out a loud, bold laugh, his words full of mockery.
"Hahaha, no way—don't tell me you're scared?"
"What's so funny!"
Ao's face turned as green as his name, cutting off Hatake Satoru's laugh right away.
Even if what he said was true, hearing it from an outsider was still a huge insult.
Way too arrogant.
This guy didn't know the meaning of respect—whether it was toward the Mizukage or the elders.
He always acted like he was above everyone else.
He's just an ordinary person…
What right did he have to look down on them like that?
"It was just too funny—I couldn't help it."
"Oh—I know full well you're not strong enough to take on Yagura."
"That's why we'll be helping you as outside support."
Hatake Satoru reached up to his black eye patch, wiping away imaginary tears.
His cocky smile vanished in an instant, and he looked at the two seriously.
"You're just a regular guy—what kind of help could you possibly be in a fight!"
"That kid doesn't look special either. What difference does it make if you're in or out?"
Ao glanced at Shisui beside him—one was a civilian, the other a ninja. What help could they be with such a big gap in strength?
"And most importantly, why should we even trust you?"
"You're clearly not from here. For all we know, you could be trying to stir up trouble and start a civil war."
Genji sat behind the table, quietly watching the group.
He was observing and thinking, not jumping into the argument.
Hatake Satoru leaned his face on his hand and looked at Ao with a bored expression.
"It doesn't matter what you think. If things keep going like this, Kirigakure will lose a lot of its talented people."
"Some rare Kekkei Genkai might even disappear for good—and that's your loss."
"Besides, whether I'm stirring things up or not, if your power is strong enough, you'd end up fighting anyway."
Genji let out a deep sigh behind the table.
This boy with the eye patch—though not a ninja—
Had somehow learned this much about the village's situation in such a short time.
In some ways, he really was a genius.
The fact that he managed to survive as a teacher with his teammate in that school—made sense now.
Ao clearly still wanted to argue back, but Genji gently raised a hand to stop him.
"You've made some good points. But we can't be sure how strong you really are."
"Mizukage-sama is the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki. If he loses control and transforms, none of us can say what will happen."
Hatake Satoru stretched his arms over his head and gave a lazy yawn.
"Mochizuki, it's your turn."
Genji and Ao looked confused and turned toward Shisui, who was leaning against the door.
"You sound like you're showing off or something..."
Shisui sighed a little and took off his sunglasses.
Long lashes, sharp eyes—and a pair of red eyes with the tomoe pattern appeared before them.
Genji's eyes widened in shock.
"Sharingan?!"
The Uchiha clan massacre had only happened a few days ago, and the Land of Fire quickly ordered the news to be kept quiet.
The war had only ended a few years ago—there was still a risk that other countries might try to invade now.
And with the Land of Water and the Land of Fire separated by seas and mountains, and Kirigakure itself being so closed off and strict, they had no way of knowing the Uchiha clan was already gone.
Ao stared at the face in front of him, mouth slightly open. He had just figured out why this guy looked so familiar.
"Body Flicker... Shisui?!"
When Ao had led Kirigakure's elite ninja to secretly enter the Land of Fire, he had seen that face clearly.
Their team was hit by Shisui's long-range genjutsu, and Ao immediately realized he was no match for this guy.
They didn't even fight directly—Ao just led his people away.
Back then, he felt it was a shame that someone as strong as Shisui was their enemy.
But now, Shisui of the Body Flicker was standing right in front of him, alive and well.
With someone like this on their side... maybe they really could stand up to the Mizukage!
Ao hesitated for a moment, frowning slightly, thinking about something as he asked,
"But... I heard you committed suicide?"
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