With the current tasks duly organized, the meeting concluded, prompting everyone to disperse and commence their respective assignments.
Notably, Mubuki, temporarily entrusted with the position of president for 'The Shinobi Times' newspaper, chose to linger behind intentionally. While the concept of 'The Shinobi Times' was somewhat alien to him, his familiarity with newspapers stemmed from his roles as the head of the Intelligence Department and the Foreign Affairs Department. Regularly perusing reports from various sources, he had encountered information about newspapers in the past.
Now, in addition to serving as an advisor to the Grass Village, he found himself burdened with the added responsibility of leading the newspaper. Juggling multiple roles simultaneously was becoming increasingly taxing, especially considering the occasional need to assist the leader in shouldering blame. Frankly, he was feeling rather fatigued.
Initially, he was hesitant about accepting the presidency of 'The Shinobi Times,' he wanted to decline but Mubuki found himself unable to do so. The leader had asserted that, at present, he was the most capable individual within the Grass Village to shoulder this weighty responsibility, leaving Mubuki with little choice but to accept.
Yet, despite his acceptance, Mubuki remained uncertain about his role as the newspaper's president. Given the leader's high regard for him, Mubuki was determined not to disappoint when the time came to fulfill his duties.
"What do you need to do? Don't worry." Akihiko responded to Mubuki's inquiry with a momentary pause, then added with emphasis, "Just continue doing what you've always done."
"What do you mean?" Mubuki was left perplexed by the vague instruction. He wondered if the leader was referring to his original duties? The crease on Mubuki's forehead deepened, and he continued, listing various tasks, "Protecting the seedlings of the Grass Village, instilling the spirit of the Grass Ninjas, guiding the children's growth, collecting intelligence, and discreetly safeguarding the village from the shadows?"
Akihiko's expression morphed into one of speechless incredulity at Mubuki's reply. 'Do you not have a clear understanding of your role? And silently guarding the village? Isn't that Anbu's responsibility? Besides, when danger looms, you're notorious for being the first to flee, not the first to confront it.'
A slight twitch at the corner of Akihiko's mouth preceded a brief moment of silence before he directed his gaze towards Mubuki. "Do you still recall the two ultimate ninjutsu techniques I imparted to you back then?"
"Ultimate ninjutsu?" Mubuki repeated, his expression shifting as if delving into a distant memory.
In retrospect, Mubuki's decision to align himself with the leader was unwavering, fueled by a conviction that the leader was destined to restore order to the chaotic Land of Grass and rebuild the village.
During those tumultuous times, when the ninja world teetered on the brink of disarray and the Grass Village remained in shambles, its strength feeble and vulnerable to external threats, the leader entrusted Mubuki with a crucial mission. Tasked with persuading other factions to align with the Grass Village, Mubuki was bestowed with two ultimate ninjutsu techniques as a safeguard for his safety and the success of his mission. It was these techniques that played a pivotal role in shaping Mubuki into the individual he had become.
Indeed, while there were two techniques, they encompassed three distinct styles. The first technique, 'Genjutsu: Ninja Moral Kidnapping,' emerged as Mubuki's go-to maneuver, rendering him virtually invincible regardless of the opponent's age or gender, even if they held a position as esteemed as the village head. Employing this technique proved instrumental in extricating Mubuki from countless crises.
As for the second technique, it comprised two styles. The first style, 'Mouth Jutsu: Just Caring About You,' aimed to evoke and manipulate others' emotions to the fullest extent, fostering a sense of understanding by resonating with their anger and sadness. Within this style lay two ultimate moves: 'Don't You Want To...' or to just ignore facts and Speak Emotionally.
Conversely, the second style, 'Mouth Jutsu: Hypocrisy,' warranted little explanation. Notorious for its susceptibility to being exposed due to its inherent double standards, this style often resulted in Mubuki facing repercussions.
These techniques were far from ordinary; they were clandestine maneuvers inaccessible even to Grass Ninja Academy students. Remarkably, Mubuki continued to employ them to this day. The leader's sudden mention of these techniques left him pondering the leader's intentions.
"You've mastered those techniques perfectly," nodded Akihiko, his gaze fixed on Mubuki, who appeared to grasp something yet remained puzzled. With a decisive movement, Akihiko rose from his seat. "Now, I will teach you one more."
Upon hearing of another ultimate ninjutsu, Mubuki's demeanor shifted, assuming a serious expression as he directed his sincere gaze towards the leader, Kusabana.
"This move is... Ultimate Genjutsu: Twisting Facts!" Akihiko stood with an air of authority, facing away from Mubuki, delivering the revelation solemnly. "Utilize these three moves with flexibility, and you'll undoubtedly propel the newspaper to greatness, making it the strongest in the ninja world."
Despite possessing a few more techniques, such as 'Mouth Jutsu: Instigation,' Akihiko deemed it unnecessary to teach them at this moment. Mubuki had already grasped some aspects of incitement, and there was no need to fan those flames further.
Observing Mubuki's enlightened expression, Akihiko nodded in satisfaction, his internal sigh echoing a sense of solitude. Among the denizens of the Grass Village, only Mubuki had the potential to inherit these secret techniques.
After a moment of contemplation, Mubuki's countenance radiated realization as he nodded affirmatively. "I understand!"
Expressing gratitude and admiration, Mubuki bowed slightly towards Akihiko. "Thank you for your guidance, sensei."
"Then leader, I should go and handle the newspaper now," Mubuki declared, excitement evident on his face.
"Wait!" Akihiko interjected, halting Mubuki's eager departure. "By the way, how's Danzo doing?"
Mubuki's expression shifted as he recalled the recent interactions with Danzo. "Danzo? Well, his opinions about us have only grown stronger since his last visit. Perhaps we didn't entertain him properly," Mubuki mused with a helpless shrug. "He's particularly adamant about Konoha not relying solely on us for trade. Especially after the recent appearance of the Flame Dragon Armor at the Ninja Summit. Danzo believes Konoha should develop its own technology instead of purchasing everything from us."
"After we introduced the 'new' scientific ninja tools to Konoha, our agent, Mitokado, opposed Danzo's suggestion," Mubuki continued after a sigh. "He argued that Konoha doesn't have the funds to invest in such endeavors anymore and can simply purchase the tools directly from us. In the end, it seems they couldn't reach a consensus and parted ways."
Akihiko sighed upon hearing Mubuki's account. He hadn't anticipated Danzo catching wind of their scheme so swiftly. Nonetheless, he dismissed the concern, stating, "I'll leave the newspaper to you, then," allowing Mubuki to depart.
Despite Danzo's knowledge, Akihiko remained unfazed. His investment of resources and time rendered Danzo's interference inconsequential. Moreover, Konoha likely lacked the additional funds required to invest further in such ventures.
"Oh, I forgot to inquire about the Stealing Uchiha Plan," Akihiko muttered to himself, his brows furrowing in thought after Mubuki's departure. He couldn't help but sigh, a tinge of frustration evident in his voice. "Danzo is dragging his feet with these matters. How do we expect to sway the Uchiha to join the Grass Village if he doesn't handle them properly? And what about weakening Konoha?"
His contemplative murmurs continued, "I wonder what Danzo has been preoccupied with lately."
…
Several days later, the Grass Ninja Village newspaper, 'The Shinobi Times,' was officially established. While it sparked curiosity from other ninja villages regarding the rationale behind the Grass Ninja Village launching its own newspaper, it failed to generate significant waves in the broader ninja world. Since this venture didn't contribute to enhancing a ninja's strength, it was deemed relatively inconsequential. In essence, it appeared to be just another unremarkable addition to the array of mediocre newspapers circulating in the ninja world.
Nonetheless, a handful of curious ninjas from various villages purchased a copy to satisfy their intrigue about the Grass Village's motives. Among them were undercover ninjas, following Danzo's directives to maintain constant surveillance on the Grass Village. After all, 'The Shinobi Times' might hold the key to unraveling the Grass Village's true intentions.
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