Tobirama Senju's face was dark. It was already the third day since he led his troops to attack Kirigakure. His elder brother and that guy Madara had taken Sunagakure and Iwagakure immediately. Even that guy Izuna had broken through Kumogakure during the night. Only he was stuck in a stalemate, facing off against Yagura from opposite shores.
Yagura currently had a smile on his lips. He held his ground firmly, using the ocean as his boundary. As long as he could prevent Konoha from crossing the river, Kirigakure could survive for a long time. To that end, Yagura had even ordered people to destroy all the ferry boats on both shores during the night. Outsiders couldn't enter Kirigakure, and Kirigakure couldn't go out.
Moreover, he stood on the shore every day, observing Tobirama Senju's every move. And to prevent the other from using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he had even placed a large iron net in the sea specifically to block kunai.
Tobirama Senju was momentarily at a loss. His feelings were mixed. On one hand, he wanted to achieve military success. On the other hand, he couldn't help but worry about whether the ninja world's army could endure it.
The result was the current situation. The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, smelled the salty fishiness in the sea breeze, frowned slightly, and looked toward that island. The island symbolizing Kirigakure and the Land of Water's territory.
Suddenly, in an instant, Yagura's gaze met his, carrying caution and a hint of smugness. "Second Hokage, you should just leave early. Perhaps if you brought Uchiha Ryun, this could all be changed." After saying this, he sat down on his chair, looking at the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, on the opposite shore.
The two had fought on the sea surface before. At that time, the battle was so fierce it darkened the heavens and earth. Even when Yagura used Mizukage-level techniques, Tobirama Senju broke them instantly. Later, when competing in Water Release jutsu, this Tobirama Senju was even more absurd.
It was as if he had made a contract with the sea itself. Using the same Water Dragon Bullet, Yagura thought his own was big enough, but after seeing Tobirama Senju's, he realized how minuscule his own Water Dragon Bullet was.
After forming hand seals, Yagura had a massive water dragon coalesce from the sea, charging toward Tobirama Senju. Tobirama Senju used only three hand seals to perform the Water Dragon Bullet, its size twice as large as Yagura's. It swallowed Yagura's water dragon whole.
If the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist hadn't intervened simultaneously back then, and if Tobirama Senju, being cautious, hadn't dared to stay longer, Yagura would likely have been on his last breath long ago.
"A defeated opponent dares to talk about making us withdraw." Tobirama Senju snorted coldly. At this moment, Yagura had already climbed to the top of his list of evil ninja clans, surpassing even the Uchiha clan.
"Even if I can't defeat you, your army can't cross over. The route from Konoha to Kirigakure isn't exactly short. The money and provisions expended daily would be better used improving the lives of Konoha's people. Why waste resources and burden the people by insisting on attacking my Kirigakure." Yagura smiled.
He was also trying to shake the morale of Konoha's army, then use public opinion pressure to force Tobirama Senju to withdraw, thereby ensuring Kirigakure's safety.
Tobirama Senju gritted his teeth. He naturally knew Yagura's sinister intentions, but at the moment he didn't know how to refute it, causing morale to slump for a time.
But who would have thought that the next moment, Uchiha Shisui stepped forward. "Lord Mizukage, since you also know of Konoha's desire to unify the ninja world, why not lay down your arms and surrender with courtesy. You could still retain your position as Mizukage." Hearing these words, both Yagura and Tobirama Senju were stunned.
They both looked toward the source of the voice. Yagura's face was filled with indignation. "What does a little Uchiha brat know. Kirigakure's development to this day relies entirely on the diligent governance and self-reliance of successive Mizukages. We have never needed support from any other village."
"Now, it is you Konoha who are ambitious like wolves, intending to annex all ninja villages in the ninja world, and even change villages to departments, completely eradicating the hope of other villages, forcing them to live only on Konoha's charity."
"You actually talk to me about surrender. I spit on that. Even if I, Yagura, starve to death, even if I jump from here, I will not surrender. I say this right here. To surrender without a fight, this Mizukage would be ashamed to hold this position." Yagura's performance made the eyes of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen and other ninjas light up.
Thus, Kirigakure's morale rose by more than a little. "Lord Mizukage is right."
"Long live Lord Mizukage. Kirigakure would rather die than surrender."
"Lord Mizukage is mighty. With Lord Mizukage here, we can rest easy."
The ninjas of Kirigakure next door cheered one after another, causing Konoha's morale to drain further and further. They looked at the enemy ninjas with humiliation. They were skilled in land and plain warfare, not naval combat.
If the enemy weren't exploiting the geographical conditions, how could they be standing here doing nothing.
Uchiha Shisui's face darkened. He hadn't expected his few words to fail in persuading Mizukage Yagura. Instead, it gave him an opportunity to unite everyone, determined to resist Konoha Village to the end.
The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, sighed, looking at Uchiha Shisui. This descendant of Kagami was carved from the same mold as Kagami from back then, even their way of thinking was so similar.
But now, at this life-or-death moment deciding whether the village would continue to exist in the future, this method simply wouldn't work. Only force, only violence, could resolve this matter.
Tobirama Senju lamented at this moment. 'Indeed, Uchiha Madara was right. He is a politician. A politician completely different from Hashirama Senju, one who only looks at what is beneficial for the village.'
Therefore, he now desperately wished he could break through this situation and capture Kirigakure. Just as he was deeply analyzing and dissecting himself, Uchiha Ryun arrived with an eight-thousand strong ninja force to join Tobirama Senju.
Instantly, Konoha's morale rose again, even reaching a boiling point. The Konoha ninjas, seeing Uchiha Ryun's appearance, cheered now.
"It's the Hokage."
"The Hokage has come to support us."
"The Hokage is here. Then this farce should end."
Tobirama Senju's eyes lit up now. Listening to the ninjas' talk, he couldn't help but smile. Indeed, Uchiha Ryun's image was already deeply rooted in people's hearts. Just by appearing, he attracted all the ninjas.
He raised Konoha's morale to its peak. Such morale, decades ago, could also be achieved when Hashirama Senju summoned the great Buddha. But he understood that was everyone submitting to his elder brother's strength, not genuine allegiance.
Now, Uchiha Ryun was different. His strength was certainly important, but the reforms he had implemented had already allowed every villager in Konoha to accept and benefit from them.
These benefits could be enjoyed not only by the current generation but also by future generations. They were truly reforms beneficial to the village.
"Lord Mizukage, we haven't seen each other since I left the inauguration ceremony. I hope you've been well." Uchiha Ryun's face carried a smile as he looked at Yagura. Unexpectedly, Yagura's expression changed. He wanted to say something but couldn't get it out. The next moment, he seemed to think of something and felt reassured. "Uchiha Ryun, don't be so arrogant either."
"Now, all the places you've been to in Kirigakure, all the Flying Thunder God markers you set, I have long since destroyed them. It's impossible for you to instantly teleport to Kirigakure." Yagura sneered.
Uchiha Ryun sensed it. Indeed, the Flying Thunder God markers in Kirigakure were all destroyed. It seemed Kirigakure had long been guarding against an attack by Uchiha Ryun.
If it were before, he might have felt troubled. But now, sorry, the ones who should be worried aren't us Konoha, but you Kirigakure.
"Will you really not reconsider the words of my clan's genius just now. Yagura, if you surrender, I can still spare your life. If you stubbornly resist, I don't mind trampling Kirigakure." Uchiha Ryun said unhurriedly.
Mizukage Yagura's expression changed. If Tobirama Senju was impotent rage, then Uchiha Ryun, his trump cards were truly unfathomable. For so many years, he had never managed to figure out Uchiha Ryun's trump cards.
All kinds of ocular techniques, all kinds of ninjutsu, all kinds of treasures emerged endlessly. Every time Mizukage Yagura thought he understood Uchiha Ryun, in the next moment, Uchiha Ryun would display astonishing new moves.
It was as if Uchiha Ryun had no end. Even though Uchiha Ryun was recruiting him to surrender from the opposite shore, even threatening his life, he could not abandon this Kirigakure he had defended for so long.
Just as he was about to respond to Uchiha Ryun, a female voice rang out. "It's so lively here. Husband, are we negotiating?" Tsunade smiled, appearing on the opposite shore of Kirigakure with another eight thousand strong army.
Now, Konoha's ninjas numbered twenty five thousand, causing the Kirigakure ninjas on the opposite shore to suck in a cold breath, unable to help but sigh, why did Konoha have so many ninjas.
Yagura's expression changed, but he quickly returned to normal. He had the sea as his village's safety barrier. Even if the opposite side had fifty thousand people, he feared nothing.
"Hokage, I am sorry. As the Kage of a village, there is no reason to surrender without a fight. Later, during the great battle, I hope that after my death, you will not trouble the people of Kirigakure." A bad premonition welled up in Yagura's heart.
He always felt something bad was going to happen to him. In the coming battle. But as the Mizukage, he could not retreat. He must firmly persist to the end.
Uchiha Ryun nodded. "After Kirigakure is subdued, the people of Kirigakure will be the people of Konoha. Kirigakure will be Konoha's Mist Department."
"That's good. In that case, let me experience the Hokage's strength." After saying this, Yagura stood on the shore, already mobilizing chakra, ready to respond to Uchiha Ryun's attack at any moment.
However, the next moment, Uchiha Ryun clapped his hands together. "Ice Release: Frozen Universe." Immediately, a burst of cold air was released from under his feet, spreading along the land in front of him into the sea.
Five seconds later, the sea surface began to freeze, spreading at the fastest speed, until it connected the two shores.
Tobirama Senju!!!!
Tsunade Senju!!!!
Yagura!!!!
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