In Izumi's expectant expression, Zhang Miao led her out of the Kamikage's office building and headed towards the outside.
As Fukaku and Kasaki, among others, were responsible for establishing and managing the village, and all of them were affiliated with Konoha, the structure of the Kamigakure" was very similar to that of Konoha.
To the north lay the Kamikage's office building and the ninja academy, the west housed the residential areas of villagers and ordinary ninjas, along with the hospital. To the south, there were markets and shops. The eastern residential area was where the ninjas recruited by Zhang Miao lived, distinctly different from the other three areas due to a series of reasons. It was surrounded by high walls, guarded by several ninjas clad in sky blue flak jackets and whirlpool-shaped masks, displaying a high level of vigilance.
Under these circumstances, compared to other areas, the eastern residential area appeared much more mysterious, earning the nickname "Land of Divine Grace" among the citizens of the Land of Waves.
The place where Zhang Miao took Izumi was referred to by the citizens as the "Land of Divine Grace," the eastern residential area.
Izumi was a sensor-type ninja. When she saw the masked ninjas at the entrance, she immediately sensed the chakra fluctuations emanating from them. She realized that all these ninjas were high-ranking!
It's worth noting that regardless of the country, high-ranking ninjas were the backbone of major ninja villages. Any place guarded by high-ranking ninjas was of significant importance!
Now, with six high-ranking ninjas before her, it made her involuntarily reveal a hint of apprehension.
"Um... Ryunosuke-sama, are we really going in?"
"Of course!" Upon hearing Izumi's question, Zhang Miao grinned broadly, then gently patted her shoulder. "Don't worry; coming here is like coming home. Let's go!"
After saying this, Zhang Miao took Izumi's hand and headed towards the main gate.
Initially, Izumi was concerned that the several high-ranking ninjas at the gate might stop them. However, to her surprise, as they approached, all the ninjas bowed their heads in unison and greeted them.
"Boss!"
Hearing this address and seeing the respectful attitude of the high-ranking ninjas, Izumi widened her eyes again, looking at Zhang Miao with disbelief.
"So... what Ryunosuke-sama said was true; he really is the leader here!"
In the midst of Izumi's incredulous gaze, Zhang Miao simply nodded with a smile and raised his hand to the high-ranking ninjas.
"No need for such formalities. Continue your duties!"
"Yes!"
After Zhang Miao's words, the masked high-ranking ninjas stood up straight, while Zhang Miao, with the dumbfounded Izumi in tow, walked through the gate and into the residential area behind these high-ranking ninjas.
Upon entering, Zhang Miao noticed that Izumi still appeared dazed. He couldn't help but shake his head.
"This girl is not calm enough. Well, I'll just have to wait until she gets used to it!"
With that thought, Zhang Miao didn't say much more but continued to lead Izumi forward until they stopped in front of a double-storey wooden house.
"We're here!"
Upon hearing Zhang Miao's words, Izumi finally snapped out of her daze. She glanced at the house in front of her and then looked at Zhang Miao, her face filled with surprise.
"This... How is this house so similar to my home?"
Seeing Izumi's surprised expression, Zhang Miao immediately winked playfully at her, "Not just the house, but the person inside too!"
Saying so, Zhang Miao walked up to the bewildered Izumi and then reached out to knock on the door of the house in front of them.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
Just as Zhang Miao knocked on the door, a voice that Izumi found deeply familiar rang out.
"Please wait, coming!"
Following this voice, a young girl quickly opened the door and stepped out. Seeing Zhang Miao, she immediately revealed a joyful smile.
"Boss, you're back?"
Seeing the radiant smile of the girl in front of her, Zhang Miao's smile grew even brighter. He nodded as he laughed.
"Yes, I'm back. Haven't seen you for over a year, and you've become even more beautiful, Izumei. Come, give me a kiss!"
"Hehehe..."
The two long-unseen young individuals soon became a playful sight. Meanwhile, Izumi, standing at the door, once again fell into a state of bewilderment.
"Is that girl... me?"
As it turned out, the person joking and laughing with Zhang Miao wasn't someone else, but the ninja recruited by Zhang Miao using Izumi's ninja fragments—Izumei!
According to the system's rules, the age of recruited ninjas was maintained at their peak strength. If they had died young, they would retain their appearance from before their death.
In the original Naruto storyline, Izumi died when the Uchiha clan was exterminated. Therefore, Izumei recruited by Zhang Miao had the same age and appearance as Izumi at that time.
Suddenly seeing someone identical to herself was not something easy for anyone to accept, so Izumi was momentarily stunned.
"Who... who are you?"
Hearing this, Izumei also noticed the Izumi at the door.
Realizing that her actions with Zhang Miao had just been witnessed, her face flushed red, and she gently lowered her head towards the Izumi at the door.
"Izumi, hello. I'm Izumei, seventeen years old. You can think of me as your elder sister!"
"Elder sister? Seventeen years old?" Hearing Izumei's words, Izumi widened her eyes. "You look exactly like me; I thought you were only thirteen..."
"Hehe..."
Seeing the surprised expression on Izumi's face, Izumei couldn't help but laugh. While laughing, she reached out and held her hand.
"As loyal companions to the boss, our lives are eternal, so our appearance never changes. That's also why this place is called the 'Land of Divine Grace.' Come in, I'll explain slowly!"
After saying this, Izumei led Izumi into the house while turning her head and smiling at Zhang Miao, who was still standing at the door.
"Boss, I'll take care of Izumi younger sister; you can rest assured, hehe!"
While speaking, Izumei took Izumi upstairs. By the time her words faded, the two of them had disappeared from Zhang Miao's view.
Seeing this scene, Zhang Miao smiled faintly once again.
"With Izumei helping with the explanation, it saved me a lot of trouble. Next is to deal with the 'belongings' on me."
Thinking this, Zhang Miao immediately turned and left Izumei's house, arriving at the eastern residential area's farthest east, a large courtyard near the sea.
When Zhang Miao arrived, a tall, white-haired ninja was already standing at the courtyard's entrance. Seeing Zhang Miao, he immediately knelt on one knee.
"Kasaki greets the boss!"
As it turned out, the person appearing at this time was none other than Kasaki, and the large courtyard in front was Kasaki's home!
Seeing Kasaki kneeling before him, Zhang Miao immediately raised his hand towards him.
"Kasaki, you don't need to be so formal. I have something to entrust to you this time. Let's discuss it inside!"
"Yes, boss, please!"
After hearing Zhang Miao's words, Kasaki stood up and invited Zhang Miao into his home.
After stepping into Kasaki's home, Zhang Miao scanned the surroundings and nodded. "Hmm, the courtyard is spacious, perfect for placing things. Let's do it here!"
After saying this, Zhang Miao waved his hand vigorously. Suddenly, in Kasaki's empty courtyard, a "small mountain" over ten meters high appeared.
This "mountain" was entirely made up of debris, mostly consisting of shurikens, kunais, and other ninja tools, interspersed with a considerable amount of banknotes and jewelry, instantly filling Kasaki's spacious courtyard to the brim!
Seeing this scene, Kasaki's eyes widened instantly.
"Boss, did you just rob Konoha?"