Chapter 103
"Just walk around for now. Someone will give you a tour later. They started the same way you did, so they'll know exactly what's going through your head."
Zixu spoke slowly and calmly. He had done this plenty of times before and was used to it by now. Before long, someone arrived to show Zabuza and the others around, leaving him with nothing else to worry about.
"I've got things to take care of, so you guys go and get familiar with the village. I'll be off." Zixu quickly bid them farewell. His priority now was figuring out what had happened.
Riding at full speed, he rushed to the village office and handed over daily affairs to Hyuga Neji. Not only was Neji an exceptional fighter, but he was also skilled in handling intelligence and had a good temperament. He could always make calm and rational decisions. Zixu had complete trust in him.
At that moment, the acting village chief, Neji, was rubbing his temples while assessing the village's losses. Though the Akatsuki hadn't entered the village, the real problem wasn't just their actions—it was the fact that they were being targeted at all. The village had already been exposed to the outside world, and continuing its isolationist policy would only backfire.
Maybe it was time to open the village to the world. Keeping the shinobi confined would only create more internal strife. It would be better to allow them to infiltrate other villages and engage in battle elsewhere—it was a way to release their pent-up aggression.
Still, Neji couldn't make that decision alone. He needed Zixu's input before taking any action. Right now, he was discussing the matter with Karin and Hyuga Chinano.
Squeak.
The door swung open from the outside. Chinano frowned in irritation. Didn't they realize they were in the middle of something? At least knock first!
"Please knock before entering," Karin reminded in advance. She knew Chinano might lash out, so she stepped in to prevent a harsher scolding.
The person at the door hesitated, perhaps realizing their mistake. Without a word, they stepped back, shut the door, and knocked.