Chapter 321: Haneda: The Fourth Mizukage is Just Like Me!
The passenger ship sailed slowly across the sea, approaching a large island shrouded in pale white mist.
"That's the Land of Water up ahead," Haneda stood at the bow, gazing at the distant coastline. "I came here a few years ago, and it's still the same—always foggy in the mornings."
Beside him, Kakashi held a sandwich in his right hand and a carton of yogurt in his left.
He remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly, "The last time I came here was during the Third Great Ninja War… to save someone."
Haneda didn't continue the conversation. Instead, he bit into the breakfast Kakashi had brought him, savoring the sea breeze that carried a unique flavor with it.
The Hidden Mist Village was still following the Bloody Mist policy, which meant Mei Terumi hadn't yet broken the genjutsu Obito had cast on the Mizukage.
Perhaps, Obito might even show up here in the Hidden Mist.
But knowing Obito's personality, he would only come to see Haneda alone.
As for Kakashi…
Obito probably wouldn't ever forgive Kakashi.
Haneda looked up at the sky. The sunlight touched his face, but all he felt was moonlight.
Once he fused the Tenseigan and awakened the Rinnegan, and then used Kotoamatsukami and the Reincarnation Technique to offset the drawbacks of the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu, he could bring Rin back to life.
If the Fourth Great Ninja War came, and he, Kakashi, Rin, and Obito reunited, would Obito finally return to them?
The sea breeze gave no reply, and the sunlight remained silent as it illuminated his face. After another fifteen minutes, the ship docked at the port of the Land of Water.
The port was crowded and bustling. To avoid exposing themselves, Haneda and Kakashi steered clear of the crowds.
The two chose to trek through the mountains and forests, heading swiftly toward the Hidden Mist.
Because of the Bloody Mist's isolationist policies, much of its intel was beyond the reach of Konoha's ANBU. Only the local black market might hold fragments of information about the Hidden Mist's current state.
Haneda's target was Ao, the ninja who had transplanted a Byakugan.
The Byakugan had the ability to see through genjutsu, and knowing Obito's caution, it was unlikely Ao would be placed in the ANBU.
As long as Ao wasn't part of the ANBU, the black market would likely have detailed information about him.
Both Haneda and Kakashi had the same idea: spend some money to buy information from the black market and save time. Staying too long in the Land of Water might attract unnecessary trouble.
By evening, they arrived at a small town near the Hidden Mist.
After a full day of travel, Haneda and Kakashi booked a room at an inn and then wandered out into the night.
The Land of Water wasn't particularly safe at night. Most parts of the town were pitch black, except for the bustling commercial street where people gathered.
The commercial street was frequented by wealthier individuals, and troublemakers avoided causing issues there. Security patrols were also concentrated in that area, making it a good place for nightlife.
Haneda and Kakashi, used to Konoha's lively nights, couldn't sleep so early. They strolled through the streets to relax and scout for the black market.
Passing by a bookstore called "Midnight Books," Haneda noticed the somewhat eerie name, but the interior was brightly lit.
Kakashi's attention was drawn to the front counter, where a prominent display showcased My Struggle.
With a smirk, Kakashi remarked, "They sell your book here too? I thought it'd be banned in other countries."
Haneda thought of Obito and smiled knowingly.
Coming back to his senses, his expression returned to normal, and he smiled faintly. "Maybe it's because the Land of Water is so chaotic. The people here are combative, and even the Daimyo can't control them."
Kakashi recalled that Haneda had once mentioned there were four countries where My Struggle wouldn't be banned. He chuckled softly, "You predicted this long ago, huh? Seems like you've spent enough time here to really understand the Land of Water."
As they spoke, Kakashi approached the bookstore's counter and asked, "Boss, do you have any book recommendations? What's the best-seller here?"
The Midnight Books shop wasn't large. Behind the counter sat a bespectacled old man, who Kakashi immediately pegged as the owner.
The old man adjusted his glasses, closed the book he was reading, and revealed the large title My Struggle.
"This one, of course. It's the best-seller in the entire store. I heard from the supplier that it's also the best-selling book in the Land of Water!"
"The author of this book is a truly remarkable figure! The Fifth Hokage, who overthrew the Daimyo and established the People's Republic of the Will of Fire—a true head of state!"
"The philosophy and ideas he shares in this book are groundbreaking, surpassing countless predecessors and spanning eras!"
"That's my opinion too, but it's not just me who thinks so."
The old man leaned closer to Kakashi and whispered, "Rumor has it, the Fourth Mizukage himself said as much! And the Mizukage didn't deny it!"
The old man chuckled knowingly, giving Kakashi a conspiratorial look.
In a country under the Daimyo's rule, some topics couldn't be openly discussed.
If not for the bookstore's proximity to the Hidden Mist, My Struggle wouldn't have been openly displayed and sold without cover.
Kakashi didn't hesitate to take out some silver notes, the standard currency of the shinobi world, and purchased two collector's editions imported from the Land of Fire.
One was for himself, and the other for Haneda.
Though he already carried a copy, Kakashi didn't mind having another. After all, if his current copy got damaged, he could always ask Haneda for a signed replacement, making it one of only two signed collector's editions in the world.
Kakashi continued browsing the bookstore with Haneda, hoping to find books by another great author. Unfortunately, he couldn't find even a trace.
Disappointed, Kakashi lamented that Jiraiya's fame paled in comparison to Haneda's.
Not even Make-Out Paradise, that little erotic masterpiece, had managed to gain traction in the Land of Water. The disparity was clear.
As they left the bookstore, Kakashi couldn't help but remark, "Even the Fourth Mizukage agrees with your ideas…
"Haneda, if you were born in the Land of Water, this country would probably be renamed the People's Republic of the Will of Water."
"Overthrowing the Bloody Mist policy would definitely be your first priority, right?"
Haneda silently shook his head.
If he had been born in the Land of Water, he would have suffered greatly. Graduating from the academy required killing, and even after graduating, he would have to guard against his comrades.
He would've gone insane.
Moreover, Obito continuing the Bloody Mist policy wasn't just about maintaining tradition.
Rin's death, after all, was directly caused by the Hidden Mist launching a war against Konoha.
Obito likely harbored deep resentment toward the Hidden Mist. The Bloody Mist policy and the persecution of their clans were all part of his revenge.
The Hidden Mist had once boasted the most Kekkei Genkai of any village, yet it eventually fell into decline.
Haneda said, "The Hidden Mist lacks the foundation of higher education to nurture top talent.
"But people always hold out hope for something better. The Fourth Mizukage is one of those people—he's just like me."
"He's inherently kind, intelligent, broad-minded, proactive, and peace-loving… just like me!"
"As for my New Era Konoha-Style Will of Fire, I'm sure he deeply admires it!"
"Although the Fourth Mizukage hasn't yet decided to abolish the Bloody Mist policy, I believe he'll realize his mistakes and find his way back to the right path!"