After the rebellion of Kinkaku and Ginkaku, the Second Raikage established a peace policy consistent with the Hidden Leaf Village. After many years of recuperation, the Hidden Cloud Village once again returned to its former glory. Although not as fertile as the Land of Fire, the mountains of the Hidden Cloud Village boast unique scenery.
Sora walked out of her house and the first thing she saw were the distant, cloud-shrouded peaks. Every time she saw this sight, she felt as if she were in a fairyland. Although she had never seen a true fairyland, out of her love for her own village, Sora believed this was the best scenery, surpassing even that of the Land of Fire.
Silently gazing at the distant scenery, after a while, Sora returned to her house, changed out of her casual clothes, put on her Hidden Cloud ninja uniform, and armed herself with ninja tools. She then stepped out of her door and headed towards the building where the Raikage resided.
The Hidden Cloud Village is centered around high peaks, which were once the training grounds for the Yotsuki clan. In the late Warring States period, the Yotsuki clan, impressed by the ideals of the First Raikage, contributed their ancestral land as the foundation for the Hidden Cloud Village. As the population grew, and to facilitate connections between the peaks, the Raikage built numerous bridges as connecting passages.
Arriving at the main peak where the Raikage was, Sora walked slowly along the street. The Hidden Cloud ninjas who saw her respectfully greeted her as "Lady Sora." As a student of the Second Raikage, Sora had excellent talent, and at a young age, she was able to serve as a jonin. For the Hidden Cloud Village, which revered strength, even a woman was worthy of respect.
Sora nodded slightly to the Hidden Cloud ninjas who greeted her. Being a cold-hearted person, she disliked interacting with strangers. It was only because they were comrades from the same village that she would respond. If they were complete strangers, one shouldn't expect a response from her.
Looking at the peaceful and tranquil village before her, Sora couldn't help but think, "It's truly peaceful."
Sora was born in the late Warring States period, a time when, due to the emergence of powerful figures like Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, the ninja world was no longer as chaotic as it had been in their childhood. Even if some small areas were still plagued by war, the major towns in the countries had stabilized. Therefore, Sora, who came from a decent background, had never truly witnessed the horrors of war and, under the martial atmosphere unique to the Land of Lightning, naively adapted to this environment.
During the Shinobi World War, Sora personally felt the pain that war brought her. The familiar faces of her comrades had all become a thing of the past, and the evil consequences of the Kinkaku and Ginkaku rebellion directly reduced the strength of the Hidden Cloud Village to a dangerous level. If it weren't for the Hidden Leaf Village maintaining post-war order, the Hidden Stone Village, which had always been wary, would not have let them off so easily.
After a conversation with Fumori Masaki, Sora gradually began to agree with Hashirama Senju's idea of peace, especially after seeing the peaceful development within the village. However, sometimes things do not go according to individual wishes, especially in large organizations like ninja villages. Even the consistently strong Raikage could not have absolute control.
Even though after Kinkaku and Ginkaku died, there was no longer any powerful group in the Hidden Cloud Village that could challenge the Raikage's authority, Sora, as a close confidante of the Second Raikage, knew that the warmongers had not truly disappeared. They were merely biding their time, waiting for the moment when pro-war sentiment within the village would rise, and then they would surface.
The Second Raikage repeatedly emphasized that the current peace among the Five Great Nations was the trend of the ninja world. No matter which country it was, unless they had a reliable ally, starting a war would inevitably lead to defeat. Moreover, due to internal strife, the Hidden Cloud Village's strength was far from what it used to be. The later they entered the quagmire of war, the more advantageous it would be for the Hidden Cloud Village. The Hidden Cloud Village could not be the first one to step forward as it had in the past.
Recently, the Hidden Cloud Village reached an agreement with other ninja villages to hold a joint Chunin Exam in the Hidden Leaf Village. This had been decided a long time ago, and every ninja village was preparing for it. Now that the resolution had been truly passed, the news of the joint Chunin Exam had been announced through national declarations and spread to every corner of the ninja world.
The reason Sora came to the Raikage's office was that the Second Raikage wanted to discuss this matter with her and her senior disciple. Her senior disciple was already waiting there. Seeing Sora enter, he nodded slightly and greeted her without saying much. The two then went together to the Second Raikage's office.
"Hoi, Sora, you're here." The Second Raikage gently put down his pen and said, "The Hidden Leaf Village has sent the date for the joint Chunin Exam. It's on the fifteenth of this month."
"The timing is tight," Sora said.
"It's fine, there's still time," the Second Raikage said, not at all worried about the journey. He continued, "The Kages of our five ninja villages will all attend this joint Chunin Exam, and you two, as the village's representative jonin, will go together. However, due to Bee's issue, he needs others to assist him."
"Lord Bee..." Both Sora and Hoi's expressions were a bit solemn. Then Hoi asked, "How is Lord Bee doing?"
"He's doing alright, but not good." The Second Raikage rubbed his head, clearly in pain. "Sigh, after being sealed by Kinkaku with the Amber Purifying Pot, Bee's spirit was struck. All these years, he's felt guilty towards me, almost causing me to be unable to return. As a result, the Eight-Tails took advantage of his vulnerability."
Anyone who has a Tailed Beast sealed within them will have their spirit affected by the Tailed Beast's power. Only the Uzumaki clan, due to their innate bloodline, are not easily affected by the Tailed Beast's spirit. For example, Mito Uzumaki felt no pressure at all, but others are different.
Bee of the Hidden Cloud Village, like the Raikage's name, A, is a title passed down through generations. It is a partner who forms a brotherhood with the Raikage. In terms of status, he is the second-in-command of the Hidden Cloud Village. As an important member of the village, Bee also takes on a certain important responsibility—that is, becoming the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki.
Among the nine Tailed Beasts, the Eight-Tails' power is closest to the indomitable Nine-Tails, so the spiritual influence it brings is also terrifying. Those who are given the title of Bee are all outstanding individuals in the Hidden Cloud Village, excelling in both temperament and talent. But even such a person, when facing psychological problems, can't help but be affected by the Eight-Tails.
Although A and Bee were not brothers by blood, they were closer than brothers. During the Kinkaku and Ginkaku rebellion, Bee was sealed by the Amber Purifying Pot due to a moment of carelessness. Although Kinkaku had never revealed the Six Paths Sage Tools before, Bee's carelessness in falling for the trap without knowing the rules was understandable. The Second Raikage himself had fallen victim to the Golden Rope's ability, so he didn't blame Bee.
However, Bee couldn't let it go. Knowing the potentially disastrous consequences of that incident, he found it even harder to forgive himself. Perhaps he was overthinking it; the Second Raikage repeatedly said he didn't mind, but it failed to fully restore Bee. A few days ago, the Eight-Tails' chakra almost leaked out, fortunately, the Second Raikage discovered it in time.
"Bee's current state makes it impossible for him to manage this village properly, so I hope Hoi can stay," the Second Raikage said.
Hoi's physique was extraordinary, beyond normal imagination. Without using chakra, he could withstand sword slashes with just his body, at most leaving some scratches that would quickly disappear. And when using his Lightning Release Armor, the techniques that could harm Hoi were very few. In terms of strength alone, the current Hoi could already serve as the Raikage. In fact, the Second Raikage also intended for him to take on the role. Having Hoi assist Bee in managing the village this time can be considered as early training.
"Okay," Hoi agreed readily.
"Sora, Hoi's students are entrusted to you. You will lead both of your students alone," the Second Raikage then said to Sora.
"I understand." Sora nodded. They were both fellow disciples, and their students knew each other, so there wouldn't be any problem leading them together.
"I'll tell you their detailed information later. There are some things you don't know, after all," Hoi said, turning his head.
Even students from the same master wouldn't have all their abilities fully disclosed. Ninjas must prioritize the protection of secrets; this is a matter of course. Sora agreed, and seeing that both students were in agreement, the Second Raikage proceeded to the next topic. He took out a scroll from a pile on the table.
"This is a set of regulations for the joint Chunin Exam sent by the Hidden Leaf Village. You can take a look," the Second Raikage said.
Sora took it, not rushing to open it. She planned to go back and read it carefully. At this moment, she heard the Second Raikage say, "Sora, as the village's representative jonin, you have another mission."
"What mission?" Sora was slightly taken aback.
"Although I will be attending the Joint Chunin Exam, that will be at the very end of the exam. Before that, only you can stay in the Hidden Leaf Village for an extended period. The mission I want you to carry out is to thoroughly investigate the current situation of the Hidden Leaf Village, not ninja intelligence, but rather the merchants within the Hidden Leaf Village," the Second Raikage said.
"Merchants of the Hidden Leaf Village?" Sora repeated, asking, "Why investigate merchant intelligence?"
"You should know that because of the unearthing of the Shinobi Sect scriptures in the Land of Demons, the bookstores selling the Shinobi Sect scriptures couldn't bear the burden independently, so the Hidden Leaf Village got involved, right?" the Second Raikage said.
Sora nodded. She certainly knew about this matter; it was a very significant event in the ninja world in recent years. Since the disappearance of the Shinobi Sect, this was the first time Shinobi Sect ideology had circulated on this continent again. Even some nobles in the Land of Lightning were advocating Shinobi Sect ideology.
"From merchants traveling to the Land of Fire, we've learned that the Hidden Leaf Village has introduced some preferential policies for merchants in recent years, allowing ninja villages to cooperate with merchants. Although the specific details are unknown, the Hidden Leaf Village's financial income seems to have significantly improved," the Second Raikage said. "The most obvious evidence is that medical drugs from the Hidden Leaf Village are circulating in the Land of Fire's market, and there even seems to be a plan to establish medical branch hospitals."
"Oh!" Sora immediately understood. For a ninja village, the biggest problem was undoubtedly funding. Even ninjas could not detach themselves from society; without money, life could not be guaranteed, nor could the ninja village be developed. The current Hidden Cloud Village primarily relied on financial allocations from the Daimyo, and the village's own income came from land rents and mission requests, but these were merely a drop in the ocean for the village's enormous expenses. Now, the Hidden Leaf Village seemed to have found a way to open up new sources of income from elsewhere.
"As expected of the Hidden Leaf Village, always ahead of the other ninja villages," Sora mused inwardly.
It was not without reason that she thought this way. The Hidden Leaf Village was the first ninja village to be established, the title of Hokage was personally established by Hashirama Senju, and the Anbu and Ninja Academy were founded by Tobirama Senju... Every system and measure adopted by other ninja villages now imitated the Hidden Leaf Village, and none had surpassed it to this day.
"You know Fumori Masaki from the Hidden Leaf Village. I think this idea might have been proposed by that kid. He came up with quite a few things during the Shinobi World War, I've heard about them all," the Second Raikage said abruptly.
"Fumori Masaki..." Sora's eyes widened slightly, and her heart seemed to quicken.
"Although it's just hearsay, there are rumors that this person is also responsible for the specific planning of the joint Chunin Exam. In my opinion, he is very likely the next successor of the Hidden Leaf Village." The Second Raikage crossed his arms and said, "This person is not simple. With his humble background, he has surpassed the heirs of the Hyuga clan, Uchiha clan, Sarutobi clan, and Shimura clan. It really makes one worry about how powerful the Hidden Leaf Village will become in the future."
"He is indeed very impressive," Sora said sincerely.
The Second Raikage looked at Sora and said, "Indeed. When you go to the Hidden Leaf Village, Sora, you can try to build a good relationship with him. But never forget, he is, after all, a person from the Hidden Leaf Village, not the Hidden Cloud Village."
"I know!" Sora's voice became a little heavier.
The Second Raikage said no more, only nodded and said, "That's good."
"Sensei, is there anything else? If not, I'll go back and look at this scroll." Sora shook the scroll.
"Nothing, you can go back," the Second Raikage waved his hand.
Sora bid farewell and left. Hoi silently watched her retreating figure, then turned to look at his sensei and asked, "Sensei, why did you say that? Sora has always been concerned about Fumori Masaki's issue."
"It's precisely because of that, so it's better to say it early before problems arise, lest we regret it later." The Second Raikage stood up, took a few steps, looked at his proud student, and shook his head, saying, "The Land of Lightning is a country that reveres strength. This tradition has its good points and its bad points. Such things have happened in the past."
Hoi felt that what the Second Raikage was referring to was not the Kinkaku and Ginkaku rebellion, but another situation. Thinking of his sensei's warning to Sora, he sighed softly.
Walking home, Sora looked at the scroll in her hand, silently gazing at it. Fumori Masaki's figure seemed to appear before her eyes. She frowned slightly. From the beginning, she knew that the two of them ultimately belonged to different ninja villages. The current ninja world was not the era of deep exchange between the Five Great Ninja Villages like in Naruto Uzumaki's time, where people from two ninja villages could freely intermarry. So Sora had never had such expectations.
However, one thing Sora had to admit was that the impression Fumori Masaki had left in her heart was unforgettable, even without that kind of relationship.