Chapter 324: Chapter 324

The Land of Sugi, an obscure little country.

The Village of Sugi within this land is an insignificant shinobi village, but despite its lack of reputation, it has caught the attention of Kumogakure.

...

Late at night, Shinji and Minato led the three kids, hiding in the shadows, silently observing the bandit-like behavior of the Kumogakure squad.

The Fourth Raikage personally led a three-man team, infiltrating the Village of Sugi at night to steal their hereditary secret ninja techniques. However...

They were fiercely bitten back by the Village of Sugi.

The Village of Sugi did not have any notable strong shinobi, but they had hired a group of mercenary shinobi with special techniques, who did not belong to any country— the Xuanyuan Clan.

The Xuanyuan Clan used a secret technique to cultivate and control insects with explosive properties. These insects were microscopic, undetectable by the human eye.

Moreover, these insects could rapidly grow by absorbing chakra. If these insects infiltrated a shinobi's body without them knowing, the outcome would be disastrous.

Unless the shinobi stopped using chakra or underwent surgery to remove the insects. Of course, the surgery required a highly skilled surgeon; an average medical ninja couldn't perform it.

Back to the main point, although Kumogakure was often labeled as brutes, they had some brains. Realizing that the Village of Sugi had hired help, the Fourth Raikage Ay did not hesitate and retreated with his two subordinates, drawing the Xuanyuan Clan away.

The stolen secret technique was left with a shinobi named Amae, who was to rendezvous at a predetermined location once the pursuers were shaken off.

The plan was good, but the Xuanyuan Clan, known as shinobi killers, were skilled not only in secret techniques but also in hiding themselves.

Without sensor ninjas, the Fourth Raikage couldn't pinpoint their exact location and therefore couldn't counterattack.

During the chase, the Xuanyuan Clan managed to kill one of the Raikage's subordinates with their insect technique and also made the Raikage and another subordinate inhale the microscopic insects.

The chase ended at dawn with the Xuanyuan Clan voluntarily retreating.

...

Throughout the ordeal, Minato watched with a complicated expression. Kumogakure's bandit-like behavior hadn't changed. They had kidnapped his wife in the past, and now they were still the same.

To steal another village's secret techniques, the Raikage personally led a team. It was...

Smack!

"Minato, explain Kumogakure's behavior using your theory of love and hatred."

Feeling the weight of Shinji's hand on his shoulder, Minato couldn't refuse. His face showed discomfort.

Minato knew that such actions had nothing to do with love or hatred. The Village of Sugi and Kumogakure had no prior interactions, let alone love or hatred.

It was just Kumogakure's traditional way.

If they saw something good, they would steal it if they could, and rob it if they had the chance. This had always been the case.

"Uh..."

"Quick, use your usual explanation."

Seeing Shinji and the three kids waiting for his answer, Minato pondered for a long time and finally came up with a cliché answer that was neither right nor wrong.

"I... I think the Fourth Raikage loves his country, village, and subordinates. How... how's that?"

Seeing Minato's awkward smile and rubbing hands, Shinji clapped perfunctorily, "What an incredible analysis, Minato. I almost want to give you a passing grade."

"Uh..." Minato felt embarrassed but then firmly stated, "This is just an isolated incident! I assure you, the Land of Fire and Konoha would never do such a thing!"

"Really?" Shinji's interest piqued as he stared directly at Minato.

"Of co..."

Minato was about to affirm but then thought of another similar organization in Konoha.

Although the Hokage's faction might not do such things, Root... was another story!

He couldn't be 100% sure that Root hadn't done similar things. The only thing he could be sure of was that he hadn't done such things during his tenure.

Ignoring Minato, Shinji looked at the three kids, each deep in thought due to this incident. He then said, "The field trip or social observation has ended. Rest for the day and finish your essays. Choose your own themes, but..."

He leaned closer to Karin with a smile, "No plagiarism."

Karin instantly retorted, "I won't plagiarize! Just wait! I'll write a better essay than those two!"

"Really? Then do your best."

"You're so perfunctory! Koro-sensei is always like this! Really—!"

"Alright, let's head back."

At this moment, Minato hesitantly asked, "Uh, Mr. Anli, will the Raikage and his team be okay?"

"Is it any of your business?"

"Although it doesn't concern me, but..."

Minato hesitated. The Raikage's life was at stake. If something happened to one of the Five Great Nations' leaders, the Shinobi world would certainly be thrown into chaos.

Not might be, but definitely would be!

And Konoha might get dragged into it.

"Mind your own business and know your limits."

After saying this, Shinji led the three kids away. Minato, feeling a chilling killing intent in those words, was drenched in cold sweat!

It was the most terrifying killing intent he had ever felt in his shinobi career. Although it was faint, it was the most terrifying! He couldn't muster any will to resist!

After swallowing hard and taking a few deep breaths, Minato finally felt his body gradually returning to normal from its previous stiffness.

Only then did Minato realize he might not be as pure as he had always thought. His heart might already be pitch black.

He also understood why Shinji had shown such disdain for him.

Usually, this Mr. Anli was someone who condemned human evil while acknowledging and praising human goodness.

He always sarcastically talked about human flaws and stains while simultaneously extolling the bright and glorious aspects— a saint in darkness.

Yet recently, Minato had been ignoring good and evil, showing only deep selfishness or, as Mr. Anli said, hypocrisy.

All in the name of maintaining the fragile peace of the Shinobi world, all for Konoha, etc., had slowly turned him into someone Mr. Anli detested.

"I guess I am indeed detestable."

Minato scratched his head and concluded quietly.

Lastly, after glancing in the direction of the Fourth Raikage, Minato quickly caught up with Shinji and the others, silently praying for the Raikage.

After all, all he could do was pray.

...

As for the aftermath, while Shinji didn't follow up, he could guess how things would unfold, and reality wasn't far off from his expectations.

The Raikage met up with Amae, successfully acquiring the secret ninja techniques of the Village of Sugi. The injured subordinate didn't make it until reinforcements arrived.

The Fourth Raikage held on until the main forces arrived. Faced with overwhelming numbers, the Xuanyuan Clan retreated, and the Raikage returned to the village for treatment.

With the collective effort of the village's medical ninjas, the Fourth Raikage recovered. On the day he recovered, he swore at his subordinate's grave to avenge the Village of Sugi and the Xuanyuan Clan someday.

But that's a story for another day.

The next evening.

In the tent, under the lamp, Shinji meticulously reviewed the essays handed in by the three kids.

It had to be said, the kids were quick learners and had their own ideas. Kimimaro used the small incident to elaborate on the continuous arms race among the great nations.

He analyzed the significance of this military competition in depth, concluding that a war more devastating than the previous three Shinobi wars was inevitable.

Haku, on the other hand, approached the topic differently. He used the mercenary Xuanyuan Clan to illustrate the current state of shinobi who hadn't adopted the one-country-one-village system.

He boldly predicted the eventual fate of the Xuanyuan Clan and similar shinobi groups that didn't conform to the times, offering his own suggestions.

Karin's essay was more about her sympathy for the Village of Sugi and her disdain for the unethical behavior of the Land of Lightning, expressing her condemnation of their bandit-like actions.

Nonetheless, her essay had a bright spot, where she proposed a somewhat immature idea for new forms of cooperation and mutual benefit between nations, reminding Shinji of the political answers he memorized countless times in his previous life.

Overall, the essays showcased the kids' evolving thoughts and distinct personalities.

Kimimaro was undoubtedly a rational thinker, Haku was meticulous and observant, and Karin was a blend of emotion and reason. She acknowledged the role of the great nations in maintaining overall stability and improving productivity while deeply sympathizing with the small nations.

...

The next day.

Seeing the uniformly graded essays at fifty points, just below passing, not only the kids but even Minato felt a bit indignant.

He had reviewed them himself, especially Kimimaro and Haku's essays, which were well-written and theoretically sound.

As for Karin, her final suggestions were a highlight, emphasizing the need for the great nations to take responsibility, which had been enlightening for him.

Clearing his throat, Shinji began explaining.

"I recall mentioning at the beginning of the lesson that the current Shinobi world, which emphasizes shinobi villages while overlooking the role of national governance, is the biggest flaw in your essays, Kimimaro and Karin.

Kimimaro, your essay suffers from this more than Karin's. As for Haku, while your attention to detail is commendable, you need to avoid irrelevant details. Understood?"

"Yes—" ×3

"Mr. Anli always hits the nail on the head."