Generally speaking, a ninja defecting is a fairly common occurrence within the ninja villages of the various nations. Since the inception of the ninja village system, every village has produced rogue ninja; the difference only lies in the quantity and quality. Of course, for ninja villages outside the Five Great Nations, the defection of a Jonin is indeed a major event.
Not to mention, the person who defected from the Hidden Waterfall Village this time was someone who held an important position in the village—Suien.
He was an existence who once had hopes of ascending to the leader's throne.
The defection of such a Jonin caused an extremely detrimental impact on the Hidden Waterfall Village.
Moreover, rumors were faintly spreading within the village that Suien's defection was forced by the current leader, Shibuki, allegedly involving the village's core interests.
Because of this, the young Leader Shibuki's position in the Hidden Waterfall became slightly precarious.
Especially since Suien, before leaving, had claimed that he would return in the shortest possible time to correct the village's mistakes.
This gave rise to different thoughts among some people in the village.
If not for the fact that Shibuki was the grandson of the leader from two generations ago, had received the approval of the previous leader, and indeed had a group of strong supporters underneath him, his position as leader would have long been unstable. Even so, the current Shibuki felt like an ant on a hot pan.
"Jun-san, have you still not found any trace of Suien?"
Inside the administration hall of the Hidden Waterfall Village.
Sitting in the main seat, Shibuki looked anxiously at a rugged-looking middle-aged man in front of him and asked urgently.
Two days had passed since the news of Suien's defection was confirmed.
During these two days, Shibuki had been suffering more than anyone else.
This situation was truly not what Shibuki wanted to see.
"No, Leader. We have searched all around the village, but there is no trace at all."
The middle-aged Waterfall ninja shook his head and said.
"How can this be?"
Shibuki's face was very grim.
When a high-ranking official of a village defects, the most direct solution is naturally to capture them back or kill them on the spot as quickly as possible. Even if it causes some negative impact, at least it won't shake the village's fundamental interests or his position as leader.
But now that Suien had successfully escaped, the subsequent problems became very serious.
Suien.
He wasn't just an ordinary Waterfall ninja.
He commanded a certain degree of prestige within the Hidden Waterfall Village; otherwise, no one would have viewed him as a strong candidate for the next leader back then.
Now that such a Jonin had defected, and it was 'heard' that he was forced out by the current leader, it would be strange if the village wasn't in turmoil.
It was akin to Tsunade being in power and then forcing Jiraiya to defect.
Therefore, it was perfectly normal for Shibuki to be questioned.
"This must be the result of someone inside the village helping, along with assistance from the outside. Otherwise, it would be impossible for Suien to erase all traces in such a short time."
Jun spoke with a solemn expression as well.
As a confidant of the previous leader and someone who had received kindness from the leader before that, Jun, although he hadn't thought highly of Shibuki in the past, was committed to fully supporting him now that he had become the leader of this generation.
In Jun's view, this was an unquestionable matter of principle.
"Internal and external, is it?"
A look of distress appeared on Shibuki's delicate features. For the sake of this village, Shibuki felt he had worked very hard, but why did so many people still not believe in him or support him?
For a moment, Shibuki even wondered if taking over the position of village leader was a mistake.
Otherwise, why would things have reached this point?
But this thought was cast out of his mind in an instant. Although Shibuki was young, and perhaps not mature or steady enough, he was definitely not an idiot.
There was no such thing as giving up the position of leader.
Not to mention that he had inherited the expectations of the previous generation's leader and his own grandfather.
For that reason alone, he could not back down.
"Then increase the search efforts and issue a kill order. We must find Suien in the shortest time possible. I want to see him if he's alive, and see his corpse if he's dead. Also, regarding the internal..."
Shibuki first showed a look of determination, but then, as if thinking of something, a look of hesitation appeared on his face.
After taking a deep breath, just as he was about to continue speaking.
Bang!
Suddenly.
A loud noise came from outside the door.
A slightly petite figure strode in with large steps.
"What exactly is going on with Uncle Suien defecting from the village!? Brother Shibuki, is it really as the village says, that he was forced away by you?"
Blue-green short hair, dark skin, orange pupils.
This petite figure was none other than the current top combat power of the Hidden Waterfall Village, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, a young girl named Fu.
The moment Shibuki saw Fu, he first revealed a smile.
But upon hearing her words, his expression stiffened involuntarily.
A young Waterfall ninja who had followed closely behind Fu looked anxious upon hearing her words.
He hurriedly walked to Fu's side: "Fu, how can you be so rude to Lord Leader!?"
Fu seemed not to hear the young ninja's words, staring stubbornly at Shibuki as if she wouldn't let it go until Shibuki gave her an explanation.
Shibuki rubbed his forehead, sighed lightly, and waved his hand, saying, "Echizen, no need for that. Fu is like my younger sister; don't be so uptight."
Shibuki's words weren't just politeness.
As someone only a few years older than Fu, she had been following him around since she was very young.
From childhood, he was taught by his elders to treat Fu as his own sister. Of course, at that time, Shibuki hadn't realized the importance of a 'Jinchuriki'.
Growing up, he certainly understood that point.
But the affection between them was quite deep.
Moreover, Shibuki wasn't someone who put on 'airs of authority', and he certainly wouldn't put on a leader's facade in front of Fu.
"Brother Shibuki, I know you are the village leader now and have to consider things differently than before, but Uncle Suien is different. I just want a precise answer from you. What exactly is going on?"
Fu tilted her head back, staring straight at Shibuki, asking in the most serious tone.
"Fu, this matter with Suien is..."
Jun, standing to the side, was clearly dissatisfied with Fu's attitude.
Frowning slightly, just as he was about to say something.
"Jun-san."
He was cut off by Shibuki waving his hand.
Immediately after.
Shibuki looked at Fu with a very serious expression and said, "Fu, please believe me. I absolutely did not do the things rumored outside. Suien chose to betray the village himself. Of course, there might be some misunderstanding in this, but everything can only be truly determined after we find Suien!"