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Shin skimmed through Icha Icha Paradise, then tossed it aside, disappointed.
Though he hadn’t expected much, he found it utterly bland—Compared to the works he’d encountered in his previous life, it didn’t even come close.
He had zero interest in the book now. Besides, as a winner in life surrounded by beautiful women—did he really need to read this kind of stuff?
‘Should I go to Tsunade’s room tonight? Or Kushina’s? Or perhaps Mikoto’s? Mei Terumī isn’t a bad option either…’
———
While Shin was preoccupied with those thoughts, the entire Shinobi world—specifically, the other four Great Villages—was reeling in shock.
“Hiashi Hyūga became the Mizukage of Kirigakure?!”
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn’t believe it.
It wasn’t that he looked down on Hiashi Hyūga; he simply hadn’t paid him much attention.
But Hiashi’s recent actions had surprised Hiruzen repeatedly.
First, the clan-wide defection, and now becoming the Mizukage of Kirigakure. Hiruzen wondered how Hiashi had managed it.
“Shin Uzumaki must be involved.”
After contemplating for a while, Hiruzen concluded that Hiashi becoming Mizukage was definitely related to Shin Uzumaki.
Otherwise, with Hiashi’s strength alone, Hiruzen wouldn’t believe for a second that he could become Mizukage.
Danzō also received the news and felt incredibly resentful. That insignificant Hiashi Hyūga is actually doing better than him now?
The Mizukage title was, after all, equal in status to the Hokage. Although Kirigakure’s strength couldn’t compare to Konoha’s, their ranks were equivalent.
Seeing someone he’d always looked down upon achieve such a position naturally infuriated Danzō.
Anger needed an outlet. So, Danzō secretly plotted against Hiruzen Sarutobi, dispatching Root operatives to assassinate him.
Of course, Danzō’s plan failed. Hiruzen Sarutobi—a renowned powerhouse, wasn’t easily assassinated.
Though Hiruzen knew Danzō was behind it, he ultimately did nothing. He lacked concrete proof; it was only suspicion.
However, Hiruzen felt heartbroken. He considered Danzō an old friend, yet Danzō wanted him dead.
———
The other Major Villages were also shocked by Hiashi Hyūga becoming Mizukage. What was going on in Kirigakure?
Even if Hiashi led the Hyūga Clan to join Kirigakure, they were still outsiders. How could an outsider become Mizukage?
They didn’t know the details, but Kirigakure was now firmly labeled as weak.
Kumogakure, located across the sea from the Land of Water, even considered attacking Kirigakure.
However, upon learning Shin Uzumaki was involved behind the scenes, they immediately canceled their plans.
The entire village of Kumogakure held a grudge against Shin, especially A, the Fourth Raikage, who hated Shin to the bone.
But they knew their limits. Hatred was one thing; reality was another. They were no match for Shin.
Although A had a fiery temper, as a Kage, he was rational when it mattered. Even if he was willing to risk his life, he couldn’t drag his village down with him.
Having taken on the mantle of Kage, he had to bear the responsibility. Until he possessed sufficient strength, revenge was out of the question.
———
Hiashi Hyūga becoming Mizukage didn’t cause major ripples in the Shinobi world. No village made any significant moves.
Konoha and Kumogakure were wary of Shin Uzumaki—or rather, intimidated by him.
Iwagakure and Sunagakure, even if they wanted to intervene, were too far away, especially Sunagakure.
The Shinobi world entered a period of relative calm. The major villages, still recovering from the Third Shinobi World War, avoided friction.
Shin also had no interest in stirring up trouble. Once the main storyline began, there would be plenty of events. His current focus was teaching Hinata and Karin.
Actually, it was mostly just Hinata. Kushina had taken Karin away, insisting on training her personally.
Even though Karin was reluctant, she couldn’t refuse Kushina and had no choice but to follow.
“Mikoto, have your eyes changed at all?” Shin asked Mikoto.
Three years ago, Shin had sealed the ocular power of one Tenseigan into Mikoto’s eyes. By now, she should have completely absorbed and integrated that power.
Shin wanted to know if there were any signs of her eyes evolving into the Rinnegan.
“No, I don’t feel anything,” Mikoto replied, shaking her head.
“Let nature take its course. I don’t really care about my eyes evolving.” Mikoto smiled gently.
She wasn’t fond of conflict and had little ambition. Whether her eyes evolved or not didn’t matter much to her. Mikoto had always maintained a peaceful, contented attitude.
“That’s fine. The Rinnegan isn’t easy to awaken, and… it’s kind of ugly.”
The Rinnegan was undoubtedly powerful, but in terms of aesthetics, Shin felt it couldn’t compare to the Sharingan.
“You think the Rinnegan is ugly? Now I definitely don’t want it,” Mikoto said, turning to look at Shin.
“Didn’t expect you to care so much about looks, Mikoto,” Shin shrugged.
“Don’t you care about looks?” Mikoto rolled her eyes at Shin, leaving him speechless.
“Even if the Rinnegan is ugly, it only shows when you use it. No need to worry.”
The Rinnegan awakened naturally could be deactivated, unlike Nagato’s transplanted eyes, which were derived from Madara Uchiha’s. Those couldn’t be turned off voluntarily.
It was similar to Kakashi Hatake’s Sharingan. Because it wasn’t his original eye, he had to keep it active constantly.
This was one reason for Kakashi’s limited chakra reserves. Having a three-tomoe Sharingan constantly draining chakra naturally reduced the amount available for combat.
In a way, Kakashi’s Sharingan, while enhancing his abilities, also limited his potential. Without the Sharingan, Kakashi’s talent likely would have allowed him to reach Kage level.
But the topic was straying. They were discussing the Rinnegan.
“How is Hinata doing? Any signs of her Tenseigan awakening?” Mikoto asked.
Hinata’s eyes now showed a hint of blue within the white, like faint blue pupils, though it wasn’t obvious without close inspection.
“Not yet. Hinata’s eyes still hold a large amount of sealed ocular power. With her current strength, she can’t digest it all yet.”
Shin shook his head. However, he was 100% confident Hinata would eventually awaken the Tenseigan. Her Byakugan was exceptionally pure; evolution was practically guaranteed.
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