Naruto: The Shadow Lord of the Nara Clan

Matchmaking young couples is not something that can be done overnight.

Therefore, Yekura only had this idea and did not implement it immediately.

The most important thing for her right now is to send the remaining Sand Village ninja back to the village.

Yecang's forehead throbbed with pain as he thought about the current political situation in the village.

She thought Luo Sha was a bit naive.

She had no interest in vying for the position of Kazekage, but Rasa did not think so.

Everything she did was for the sake of Sunagakure.

With a sigh, Yecang stopped thinking about these troubling matters.

She led her younger ninjas, intending to seek out and cultivate relationships with ninjas from other villages.

After all, everyone was a "loser" in the Chunin Exams, so they naturally had a basis for empathy when facing a strong enemy like Konoha.

However, the ninjas leading the other villages did not cooperate with Pakura's "wishful thinking".

Amegakure was furious about the failure of the reference participants and left coldly without saying a word.

They felt that the longer they stayed in Konoha, the more face they would lose.

The ninjas leading the team from Kusagakure were strange; they never seemed to care about the Chunin Exams, as if they had come to Konoha for something else entirely.

Yecang glanced at the famous lord of "Ghost Lantern Castle" and shook his head.

The person exuded an aura that made her uncomfortable, and the gaze that kept glancing at her made Ye Cang feel extremely disgusted.

It was as if, in his eyes, Yekura was not a living person, but some kind of tool that could be used.

Therefore, Yekura set her sights on Takigakure Village.

However, when she proposed the idea of ​​"traveling together," the ninja leader from Takigakure politely declined:

"I'm sorry, we have other plans."

"All right."

Left with no other choice, Yecang had to lead his team away.

After the Sunagakure team left, Shibuki, who had been hiding behind the team leader, trembled and revealed half of his figure.

"Do we have any other plans?"

After witnessing Shikakage brutally murder his companion and being humiliated by a body search, Shibuki's ambitions before the exam vanished.

He didn't even dare to hold a grudge against Lu Ying. Every time he thought of that figure in the shadows, he was filled with fear and terror.

Glancing at the frightened Shibuki, the Takigakure ninja leader, Suien's eyes revealed blatant contempt and discrimination.

This kind of person is destined to become the leader of Takigakure Village in the future.

He felt it was extremely unfair.

The position of leader belongs to the most capable person!

This is the fundamental principle of the ninja world!

Just as he was feeling indignant, several figures passed by not far away.

When Shuiyan looked up, he silently lowered his head the moment his eyes met those of the Grass Village ninja at the front.

But in those eyes hidden beneath her hair, a restless light flickered.

……

Hokage Building, Ninja Reception Room.

The ninja wearing the deer-head mask said softly:

"Hello, I am an ANBU ninja responsible for escorting you back to the village."

You may call me "Deer".

Takigakure Village leader Zelin nodded solemnly, showing none of the humility he displayed when meeting Danzo.

He stared at the ANBU ninja in front of him, his heart filled with emotion.

Others might not recognize him, but someone with his wealth of experience could spot him at a glance.

This ANBU ninja is clearly Nara Shikakage, who participated in the Chunin Exams.

If he remembers correctly, Nara Shikakage is only twelve or thirteen years old.

Such strength at such a young age.

Even a glimpse through a small part is enough to reveal the profound foundation of Konoha.

Although Lu Ying has great potential, Ze Lin is somewhat worried about whether he can do a good job of protecting her.

However, Takigakure had no choice or right to refuse a ninja village of that size.

He sighed deeply, his eyes filled with only uncertainty about the future.

—How did I suddenly get caught up in Konoha's political infighting?

He just hoped he hadn't chosen the wrong side...

"deer."

Zelin stood up and patted his clothes:

"When can we go back?"

The deer-shaped shadow calmly reached out its hand towards the door:

"Anytime is fine."

"Alright, let's set off back to the village now."

"Please rest assured, I will eliminate all potential risks."

As soon as the words were spoken, the deer and human figures vanished.

Knowing that Shikakage was secretly watching him, Zelin left the Hokage Building and went to his lodging in Takigakure Village.

"Where's the hookah and the wooden man?"

The hookah subtly curled its lip:

"He was too scared to come out."

Zelin shook his head and sighed:

"Call him out, it's time to go."

He didn't think he had done anything wrong.

However, Zelin felt some regret and self-blame for the fact that Shibuki was frightened and developed psychological trauma.

Seeing Shibuki's trembling steps, Zelin's eyes flashed with heartache, and he comforted him:

"Shibuki, don't be afraid, we should go back now."

"Really?!"

Shibuki's eyes widened, and he scrambled up excitedly.

He didn't want to stay here for even a second longer.

Because even for a second, you could encounter that devil!

Seeing this, Zelin pursed his lips.

They're the same age, but one joined the Anbu at a very young age, while the other...

Ugh……

……

It's been almost half a day since we left Konoha.

Logically, Zelin and the others should have already returned to Takigakure Village.

However, due to the involvement of wood, their journey was significantly extended.

Fortunately, only Shibuki remains as a reference for Takigakure Village; otherwise, it would have taken even longer.

Having found a safe place to camp, Zelin began preparing dinner.

Shuiyan glanced around, memorizing the terrain, then approached Zelin from behind:

"Chief, I need to relieve myself."

"Go."

Shuiyan's lips curled up, and a sinister look appeared in her eyes.

A few minutes later.

Hookah returns.

He walked slowly toward Zelin, one hand hidden behind his back, obscured by the shadows.

Zelin was fiddling with the campfire, seemingly unaware of the unusual presence of the hookah smoke.

As the footsteps approaching with the hookah grew clearer, Zelin slowly spoke:

Are you alone?

"No other help?"

Upon hearing this, Shuiyan frowned and squinted her eyes:

"Chief, what do you mean by this?"

Zelin did not answer him, but turned to look at the bushes behind Shuiyan.

A cold voice came from the forest.

"There's no need to hide the hookah."

"The matter has been exposed."

"Moreover, this person is not Zelin."

Wuwei walked out slowly with his hands behind his back.

Dozens of Kusagakure ninja followed closely beside him.

"Who are you?"

The tall, imposing Wuwei looked down at Zelin and coldly questioned:

"Where did Zelin go?"

Shuiyan then realized that the Zelin in front of her was actually someone else in disguise.

His expression changed instantly, and he stared at "Zelin" through gritted teeth.

"Damn it!"

"Zelin" did not answer their questions, but silently deactivated the transformation.

Under the moonlight, a person wearing a deer-head mask stood sideways and said in a low, muffled voice:

"The dead don't need to know."