Sixteen Years Old, The Fourth Generation of Mizukage

When Kaguya Rei finished his day's work and walked into the restaurant he usually went to most, ready to order a sumptuous dinner to reward himself, the first time he entered the door, he saw Tsunade was violently dismantling a giant king crab, and Jiraiya was sitting next to her, looking at a plate of abnormal tempura made from deep-sea fish in front of him with an expression on his face.

"Ah, Yondaime-sama, this way, this way~"

Seeing Rei Kaguya appear at the door of the restaurant, Mitarashi Anko immediately waved her hand to him naturally, indicating that he could come over here.

After Kaguya Rei looked at the empty tables around him and confirmed with the boss whether Konoha and his party had booked the whole place, he walked to the empty seat next to Jiraiya and sat down, and He pointed at him mercilessly and mocked:

"You probably ate a lot of the insect dishes from Mt. Myoboku when you were training in sage mode, right Jiraiya? How come you are stumped by a mere serving of deep-sea fish tempura?"

"I'm worried that this thing is poisonous, isn't that okay?"

"Is Tsunade beside you just a decoration? Even if the problem is serious enough that she can't handle it, isn't there Orochimaru who can be used as insurance?"

"...Is it really okay to say this name so straightforwardly?"

"I've sent Anko out to pick them up. I'm still worried that you guys don't know that Orochimaru is working here?"

After unceremoniously criticizing Jiraiya's timidity, Kaguya Rei turned around and looked at Mitarai Anko who was feasting on a plate of crab roe fried rice and asked:

"Anko, how are you talking about cooperation with Tsunade-hime?"

"It didn't go well, but it's not a big problem. After I take Tsunade-sama to the first curse seal customization store we opened tomorrow, it shouldn't be difficult to continue the conversation."

Mitarashi Anko swallowed the fragrant food in her mouth and gave a vague answer, while Tsunade, who had just unwrapped the crab legs of the king crab and put a portion on Jiraiya's plate, frowned. He raised his eyebrows and asked Kaguya Rei:

"Wouldn't it be more straightforward for you to ask me directly about this kind of thing, Mr. Mizukage?"

"Asking Anko is asking about her work progress. Asking Tsunade-hime yourself will not have the same effect."

Kaguya Rei shrugged, picked up a piece of deep-sea fish tempura and took a bite. While feeling the enjoyment of the crispy and fragrant taste spreading between his lips and teeth, he answered casually:

"What do you think of this chef's skills? I have been struggling for a long time and haven't been able to make up my mind on whether or not to recommend his family to the famous names of the Land of Fire and let them help promote the special food of the Land of Water. Woolen cloth."

"The taste is very good. Even though the ingredients used are things I have never been exposed to before, I didn't feel anything bad when I tasted it for the first time."

Tsunade was silent for a moment, but still gave a matter-of-fact answer. Regarding Tsunade's evaluation, Kaguya Rei raised her chin proudly and turned to face the lobster bisque she ordered. The boss who came over said:

"Boss, Tsunade-hime from Konoha Village in the Land of Fire, just gave you a very good compliment on your craftsmanship... Based on her taste level, you should be qualified to be our food industry expert in the Land of Water. Representative, let me introduce you to the great names of the Fire Country, do you want to consider entering the Fire Country?"

"Oh my, that's really an incredible comment. Thank you to this distinguished guest." The boss who put down the plate happily bowed towards Tsunade who was pointed at by Kaguya Rei, and then spoke politely. He refused:

"But, Yondaime-sama, you also know that my health is not very good. If I go to other countries, no one knows whether I can live in good health. Instead of pursuing some illusory fame, can you Visiting my shop as always is the greatest recognition of my craftsmanship.”

"Well, it's okay if you don't go. If you leave, I really can't find a place that can replace your craftsmanship for a while..."

"Haha, if the Yondaime-sama says so, I will have to work harder."

The boss stepped back with a smile, while Jiraiya, who had witnessed the entire conversation between the two, narrowed his eyes and asked curiously:

"Do you really like this boss's craftsmanship that much, Mizukage-sama?"

"This is Kirigakure Village. For now, there should be no one worthy of my compliments."

Kaguya Rei gently took a sip of the lobster bisque in front of her, nodded appreciatively, and continued:

"His craftsmanship is genuine. It's just that he has always stayed in Kirigakure and has not gone out, so that his reputation is not obvious..."

"It's really not like the words Mizukage can say."

Tsunade, who still maintained the stereotype of Kirigakure, shook her head, sighed and said: "To be honest, until now, I still feel quite a bit about the fact that you Kirigakure suddenly became like this. It’s incredible…”

"There are countless incredible things in the world, but why is it that Kirigakure's change of appearance is the only one that makes you deeply moved, Tsunade-hime?"

Kaguya turned her face sideways, looked at Tsunade's ageless girl's face with her pure white eyes, and asked calmly.

"Because you changed Kirigakure's heart. Of all things in the world, nothing is more difficult to change than the heart."

Tsunade put down the tableware in her hands and said in a deep tone:

"In the Blood Mist, I don't know how many people in Kirigakure really believe in this creed, but under the rule of the Third Mizukage, or Uchiha Madara for so many years, it should have been deeply engraved in Kirigakure. It is in the hearts of all the people in Kirigakure... But now, at least where I can see it, in the eyes of Kirigakure residents, there are no traces left in the Blood Mist."

"Why? Why can you do this kind of thing? Why, as a ninja born in Kirigakure, have you not been affected by the blood mist at all? Why can you let those who have been against the blood mist in just two years? How can people who believe deeply in the policy change that much?”

"It's a simple truth."

Kaguya Rei raised his right hand, opened it slightly, then clenched it hard, then opened it again, and raised his other hand, pointing to the finger marks left on his palm when he clenched his fist hard, and calmly said:

"It takes a long, long time to learn how to hold your fist in a more lethal posture, but opening your palm is an instinct that even a newborn baby has."

"Whether it's Kirigakure or the ninja world, it took everyone an extremely long time to learn how to clench their fists into the most destructive posture, and how to use clenched hands to grasp weapons more effectively. It can effectively damage the enemy...but in contrast, the clenched fist only needs a little guidance from the brain to open it again."

"Even if there are traces left on the palms when clenching, as time goes by, these seemingly deep traces will quickly recover and heal."

"I just want to let the people of Kirigakure know that maintaining their lives is not just about clenching their fists and holding weapons, and then using them to severely hurt the enemy. That's all."

I hope I won’t continue spraying tomorrow after taking the medicine...

I can't even rest peacefully in bed