Three sides converged; the stage was set for four.
A massive cloud of shadow gathered and loomed overhead.
As it completely covered the sky above the entire Hidden Waterfall Village, no one within the vast village noticed it. For the ninja and civilians of the Hidden Waterfall, Suien's defection was already a major event with a terrible impact, but they had absolutely no idea that this was merely the beginning.
This included Shibuki.
Currently, he was still anxiously awaiting news from the search teams.
Two days prior, news had come from Fu that Suien had actually appeared to seek her out, attempting to abduct her. After she defeated him and was about to capture him, he was rescued by someone. Fu immediately sent a message asking Shibuki to send reinforcements.
Without a second thought or a shred of doubt, Shibuki—building on the personnel already dispatched—ordered Jun to lead another few dozen elite Waterfall ninja. Using Fu's training ground as a base, they were to search all the way toward the southwest.
He also dispatched additional personnel to guard Fu.
Although Fu's combat power was off the charts within the Hidden Waterfall Village, it was better to be safe than sorry, wasn't it?
Since then, Shibuki had very little direct force left around him, but he was completely unaware of this. Instead, he was still worried about Fu's safety and Suien's whereabouts. over the past few days, he had visibly become much more haggard.
Ultimately, it was a lack of experience; he was simply too young.
Shibuki remained oblivious to the shadow slowly creeping toward him.
---
"What? Elder Satoru has regained consciousness?"
It was under these circumstances that Shibuki heard a rare piece of good news.
With a look of pleasant surprise, he spoke to the Waterfall ninja specifically responsible for guarding Elder Satoru who had come to report.
"Yes, Lord Shibuki. Elder Satoru requests that you come over immediately," the ninja replied hurriedly.
"Quickly!"
Hearing the confirmation, Shibuki immediately set off toward the westernmost area of the village. Ever since Elder Satoru fell into a coma due to his fluctuating illness and the shock of Suien's defection, Shibuki had felt as if he had lost all support, becoming much more anxious.
Now, hearing that Elder Satoru had awakened, Shibuki's heart relaxed significantly.
He rushed over rapidly.
When Shibuki arrived outside the house where Elder Satoru was recuperating, a medical ninja specialized in caring for the Elder stepped out. With a look of fatigue, he said to Shibuki, "Lord Leader, although Elder Satoru has regained consciousness, his condition isn't particularly good. You cannot disturb him for too long. Please try to keep it brief and let the Elder rest more."
If possible, this medical ninja truly didn't want anyone disturbing Elder Satoru right now. The old man was very advanced in years and had many underlying injuries; he had essentially reached the point where his oil was running dry. Resting more might allow him to hold on for a while longer, but if he were overexerted—especially with excessive mental stress—no one could say what might happen in the next second.
But he couldn't stop it.
These were the Leader and the Elder of his own ninja village, after all.
"Mhm, I understand. You've worked hard these past few days, Furuki-san."
Shibuki maintained the utmost respect for this medical ninja, who had deep seniority in the village, even bowing slightly to acknowledge him.
"No, it is my duty. Then, please excuse me."
Furuki bowed in return and left the area.
He knew very well that others could not, and were not qualified to, listen to the upcoming conversation between his Leader and Elder Satoru.
---
After the medical ninja left, Shibuki gently pushed open the door in front of him.
The moment he stepped into the room, the smell unique to hospitals hit him in the face.
Although medical ninja often used jutsu to treat patients, for someone like Elder Satoru—who wasn't suffering from a specific injury or disease but was simply reaching the end of his lifespan—traditional medicine was still relied upon. To put it bluntly, it was a way to keep Elder Satoru hanging on to his last breath.
Approaching the figure, Shibuki's heart couldn't help but ache at the sight of the incredibly withered face.
Shibuki had lost both parents early in life and was raised by his grandfather. Since his grandfather was the village leader and couldn't always be with him, Elder Satoru had acted as a "guardian" for a considerable period.
Therefore, just like Fu, Shibuki treated Elder Satoru like a grandfather.
Mizuno Satoru seemed to sense Shibuki's arrival. His slightly opened eyes revealed cloudy pupils.
"Ah, is that Shibuki?"
Seeing the body struggle to sit up, Shibuki rushed forward in two or three steps, helping Mizuno Satoru up and leaning him against the cushion behind him.
"Yes, I'm here, Grandpa Satoru."
Shibuki wore an expression mixed with sadness and fear, his voice carrying a faint tremor.
Looking at Shibuki like this, Mizuno Satoru couldn't help but sigh silently in his heart.
To be honest, Mizuno Satoru had never been very optimistic about Shibuki taking over the position of Hidden Waterfall Leader. Shibuki had talent as a ninja; although not comparable to true geniuses, at just over 20 years old, he had barely reached the level of Jonin. Even if he was at the lowest tier—likely defeatable by any strong Jonin from the Five Great Ninja Villages—in a village like the Hidden Waterfall, having such strength was considered barely qualified.
The previous leader was only slightly stronger than Shibuki.
However, Shibuki's biggest problem lay in his lack of maturity and steadiness; his willpower still seemed somewhat weak.
He was easily affected by events, to the point where his mindset would waver.
His methods and thinking appeared too naive, too green.
Yes, Shibuki was young in age, but as a ninja, he wasn't considered young anymore.
To put it bluntly, Shibuki lacked the capacity to be a leader.
But firstly, the previous leader had insisted on Shibuki succeeding him. Secondly, it was indeed difficult to find a more suitable candidate in the current Hidden Waterfall Village.
Everyone had problems of one kind or another, including Suien.
Others might not see through him, but Mizuno Satoru could see past Suien's facade to his inner nature: he was an ambitious man with a dark mind. If Suien were allowed to succeed, the Hidden Waterfall Village would never know peace.
Mizuno Satoru saw this very clearly.
Therefore, Shibuki was truly the result of picking the best among a bad lot.
Mizuno Satoru had originally thought that with more experience and accumulation, Shibuki could grow into the role. But looking at it now, he was still far from ready.
Deep within Mizuno Satoru's pupils, at an angle Shibuki didn't notice, a flash of disappointment quickly passed.