Kisame's mouth twitched. He instinctively thought that Rong Lin's goal was Samehada.
Because Rong Lin previously enjoyed hacking people with the Executioner's Blade. It's nothing to have such a hobby, but don't you know that's a weapon of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist? If it's given to you, wouldn't that mean one less? Furthermore, Samehada is currently in the hands of Kisame Hoshigaki.
Wouldn't that mean forcefully stripping him of his identity and weapon? Doing this would only cause discontent among his subordinates. Kisame felt a headache; he truly was a troublesome fellow, always finding something to give you a headache.
"Mei Terumi, Kisame Hoshigaki, and Samehada none of them can be missing!!" Rong Lin stared at Kisame, enunciating each word.
"If you don't believe me, then please return, everyone. I will release the people after your items arrive. And if you agree, then from now on, Samehada will no longer belong to your Hidden Mist Village. Otherwise, if I find out Samehada is gone one day, I will personally go to the Hidden Mist Village to search for it!"
For Hidden Mist Village, Rong Lin could only take a few people seriously: Mei Terumi, and Hozuki Mangetsu (though unfortunately he was close to death). Besides them, there was Kisame Hoshigaki, who was pretty decent, considered a qualified guard. This guy, paired with Samehada, was simply a pervert; it would be a pity not to keep him close.
As for others, one or two less didn't matter. He believed that with Uchiha Madara's and Black Zetsu's methods, they could recruit more people. He didn't need to worry about it himself. The extra request for Samehada was so he could get a complete Kisame Hoshigaki.
Otherwise, why would Rong Lin want this disgusting sword? Can you imagine hacking people with a big sword, and then a huge mouth suddenly appears on the blade, constantly grinding its teeth and making a guttural growl? That feeling is truly spine-chilling.
At least Rong Lin had no interest in Samehada. Compared to it, the Executioner's Blade was a bit more interesting, but unfortunately, it couldn't withstand too much abuse; it would shatter if too much force was applied.
"Alright."
Having lost so much, losing another Samehada wasn't unacceptable. Anyway, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were now merely a shadow of their former selves, with only two left after the war. He hadn't even blamed Kisame Hoshigaki for dereliction of duty, so it was perfect to just strip him of Samehada and let him switch weapons. Kisame quickly made up his mind and agreed.
A young Mei Terumi, a small figure Kisame Hoshigaki, and a great sword Samehada, exchanged for the Three-Tails.
"The people and items will arrive together. Of course, you don't need to worry about Samehada disappearing, the brat from the Hozuki clan is dead." Kisame stood up, turned around, and said.
Rong Lin was surprised. Hozuki Mangetsu, that guy, was dead? During the great war with the Hidden Mist Village, Rong Lin had only seen him once. Later, among the people taken in by the Hidden Mist Village, Hozuki Mangetsu was not present. He hadn't expected this guy to leave the battlefield early due to illness and return to the Hidden Mist Village. It was a pity for a genius to die from the torments of illness.
"Then I'm relieved." Rong Lin felt deeply regretful, but he didn't pay too much attention to it. He stood up and left the meeting room: "Then, before the items and people arrive, everyone, please rest well in Konoha. Consider it a mental break. After all, it's less than a month. Of course, don't do anything dangerous, otherwise, everyone will feel quite embarrassed!"
"You don't need to worry about that." Kisame replied, taking the others and leaving.
"Lord Mizukage, how could you…"
Leaving the Hokage's office building, someone immediately became anxious. Kisame glanced at him and said coldly: "Besides this, do you have a better way? Or exchange with more resources for the Three-Tails?! Do you think Uchiha Rong Lin would agree?"
The most frustrating part was that the Three-Tails was now practically Uchiha Rong Lin's private property. This meant whatever Rong Lin wanted to exchange for, that's what it would be.
It wasn't about what Konoha wanted to exchange for. If it were Konoha making the exchange, things would be easier. It was clear that Konoha had no interest in the Three-Tails and would only exchange it away. But when it came to someone like Uchiha Rong Lin, Kisame could only grit his teeth and concede.
"…"
Kisame's words immediately left the entire delegation speechless. Kisame was right. Now, it was a direct exchange with Uchiha Rong Lin alone, not with the Third Hokage or Konoha. You could haggle over the price, but the other party had one simple stance: not a single thing less. There was no room for negotiation.
"Let's go. It's a good time to rest in Konoha for a while."
They said "rest," but what were they actually doing secretly? Some things were best kept clear in everyone's minds. On the surface, they would rest; secretly, they would observe and gather intelligence.
"Yes." No matter what, he had already agreed. Now, even if he was unhappy, he could only grudgingly accept it. Everyone could only follow Kisame and leave.
On the third day after the negotiations ended, an order came down. Uchiha and Hyuga were on standby to depart to support the front lines. Uchiha went to the Land of Grass to participate in and support the war with the Hidden Stone Village. Hyuga, on the other hand, went in another direction, to the Land of Rivers, to support the White Fang.
Besides Uchiha and Hyuga, some families that hadn't deployed their forces before also sent out quite a few people. Of course, Uchiha and Hyuga were the main forces. This time, even the Aburame clan and Sarutobi clan deployed a considerable number of people. In order to end the war as soon as possible, the Third Hokage had to continue increasing military support to the front lines.
"Lord, are we going to the front line too?"
After the order came down, people from the major clans quickly took action. Shisui was very excited when he heard about it, thinking he had another chance to be deployed.
Unfortunately, Rong Lin directly poured a basin of cold water over him, drenching him completely and thoroughly chilling him to the core.
"Who told you we're going to the front lines? Stay put and cultivate honestly for me. Didn't you say you were researching some Crow Ninjutsu? Have you succeeded?"
Rong Lin's single sentence instantly made Shisui dumbfounded.
Shisui's ninjutsu research was also quite famous in the original work. Unfortunately, the ninjutsu he himself created flourished in Itachi's hands. When attacked, his body would turn into many crows flying everywhere. Many Hokage fans liked this move.
"Not yet."
Shisui's high spirits instantly dropped. "But, Lord, why aren't we going? You know Uchiha Itachi will be going too!"
"If Uchiha Itachi goes, must we go?"
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