A new arrival and it's about Itachi God. So, do give it a go.
And, If you're enjoying the story, please consider giving it a power stone!
Your support helps the book grow and lets me know you're excited for the next chapter.
Thank you for readingš
***
"Do you think Konohagakure will help us?"
Ten Terumi frowned.
Given his political experience, Mei Terumi's attempt to show goodwill to Konohagakure seemed a bit naive.
"It's a last resort," Mei Terumi sighed.
She knew the peace between the five major ninja nations was only because their interests didn't clash.
"So, showing goodwill requires careful tactics."
"Before, due to the manipulation of the Fourth Mizukage, information about the first round of the Joint Chūnin Exams was leaked."
"Konohagakure has drawn suspicion from Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure. I intend to immediately send someone to explain the situation to them as a gesture of goodwill."
Even if Kirigakure remained silent, the enemy would sooner or later spread the news of the Fourth Mizukage and the Three-Tails, thereby undermining the already uncontrollable power of Kirigakure and the Land of Water.
By then, the Land of Fire's suspicions would be dispelled.
"Is that all?"
Ten Terumi didn't think this alone would be enough to secure the Land of Fire and Konohagakure's assistance.
"Under normal circumstances, this method would definitely not work."
"But have you ever thought about why the masked man attacked Konohagakure five years ago?"
Mei Terumi asked.
"It doesn't seem like simple revenge, because if that were the case, he would have used all his strength."
Ten Terumi said that the masked man alone could have turned Konohagakure upside down.
If Akatsuki had used all its strength at that time, not even Konohagakure might have been able to resist.
"You know?"
Ten Terumi looked at Mei Terumi in confusion.
Mei Terumi frowned slightly. "I'm only speculating right now. Before the Four Nations' ninja left, the masked man tried to make Konohagakure the focal point."
"I suspect he did this to exacerbate the discord between the five major ninja nations."
"The original attack on Konohagakure likely had the same purpose, but was ultimately stopped by the Fourth Hokage and failed."
"The Akatsuki organization is secretly manipulating the power of Kirigakure and has gathered so many formidable rogue ninja. Judging from the current situation, they can no longer be simply dismissed as a mercenary organization driven by profit."
"So, Akatsuki's original purpose in attacking Konohagakure was to cause unrest in the ninja world and drive internal friction among the five major ninja nations?"
Ten Terumi said.
The Third Shinobi World War was halted because of Konohagakure's strength.
If Konohagakure had suffered heavy losses in that attack five years ago, the Wind, Earth, and Lightning Nations, along with the Land of Water, would certainly not have missed the opportunity to continue suppressing Konohagakure's power.
The Second and Third Shinobi World Wars were essentially caused by Konohagakure's rapid development, which far outpaced the other major nations, causing them to sense a crisis.
"Besides that, I can't think of any other reason."
Mei Terumi nodded and said, "I think the Konohagakure Hokage must have noticed this, which is why he's sharing all the information he's gathered about Akatsuki members with all the other nations."
"Thinking about it that way, that group's conspiracy is truly terrifying," Mei Terumi pondered, her hair standing on end.
The Blood Mist era that has ruled Kirigakure has persisted for over a decade, ever since the late Third Mizukage.
Yagura had succeeded as the Fourth Mizukage several years ago.
Mei Terumi's face was solemn.
While the exact nature of the conspiracy orchestrated by the masked man and Akatsuki remained unknown, it was certain it was not confined to just one village or one nation.
"So, from that perspective, if the Fourth Hokage could understand our true intentions, he might be willing to lend a hand," Mei Terumi said.
She didn't believe Kirigakure could afford the price of Konohagakure and the Land of Fire to help them.
Her true reliance lay in her belief that the Fourth Hokage, knowing the masked man's true intentions, would never allow rifts between the five great ninja nations to arise, giving the enemy an opportunity to exploit.
Years had passed since the attack on Konohagakure, so the Fourth Hokage undoubtedly possessed far more intelligence than she did.
Mei Terumi believed he could make the correct judgment regarding which side was more important.
"In that case, this is a feasible approach," Ten Terumi gazed at his daughter with satisfaction.
She had surpassed him in more than just her ninja prowess.
She possessed all the qualities necessary to succeed the Mizukage.
"It should be possible. After all, even the Uchiha clan has received long-unseen fair treatment in recent years thanks to the Fourth Hokage's reforms," Mei Terumi remarked.
The masked man also possessed the powerful Sharingan.
Although she didn't know the details, the Fourth Hokage's generosity in accepting the Uchiha of Konohagakure clearly distinguished him from his predecessors.
"But, if it's really what you think, why did the masked man suddenly propose a joint Chūnin Exam, attracting ninja from all four nations, and then attacking Kirigakure to consume the power he controlled? What was his purpose?"
"Just to slander Konohagakure, isn't that a bit too much effort?"
Ten Terumi asked doubtfully.
"Yeah."
Mei Terumi replied, this was also something she hadn't figured out.
It now seemed that the masked man's plan to stage a joint Chūnin Exam and attack Kirigakure was doing far more harm than good.
"We must investigate these matters."
However, she didn't dwell on it too much.
Their own crisis wasn't over yet.
Her expression suddenly darkened.
"I want to hold a funeral for the deceased Yaguraāno, the Fourth Mizukageāas well as the civilians and Kirigakure ninja who perished in this enemy plot."
"I have no objection, but you must understand that this is against current village regulations."
"If you wish to do so, you must first change those regulations."
Ten Terumi looked Mei in the eye.
"Since you see the situation so clearly, you should know that for Kirigakure, overcoming this crisis requires more than just external help."
"You have the ability, obligation, and responsibility to lead Kirigakure and the Land of Water out of their current predicament," Ten Terumi's expression grew serious.
"Of course, I will spare no effort!"
Mei Terumi answered firmly.
Since she was determined to change Kirigakure, she must first stand in that position to have the power to do so.
Therefore, the succession to the position of the Fifth Mizukage was the undisputed right.
She would personally dispel the darkness that had shrouded Kirigakure for years, and starting with her own generation, bring a bright future to the village!
...
Drip.
This is a small nation nestled between the three great ninja nations of Fire, Wind, and Earth, where rain falls year-round, day and night without ceasing.
The Land of Rain.
Though small, this nation has managed to survive to this day despite this unique geographical environment because it possesses its own armed forces.
Amegakure, whose leader, Hanzo, is renowned throughout the ninja world, earning him the title of demigod.
Since the end of the Third Shinobi World War, Amegakure has sealed off all news from the outside world.
Under a gloomy sky, a building in the center of Amegakure is off-limits to all.
"I never imagined the MangekyÅ Sharingan's eye technique could reach this level," Tendo Pain glanced sideways at the masked man beside him.
Although Shurado had been struck by Shisui's left eye that day, he was merely an unconscious corpse, making him impossible for Shisui to control.
The masked man's eyes were filled with a deep gloom.
He had ruled Kirigakure for so long, yet once again he fell at the hands of the Fourth Hokage and the ninja of Konohagakure.
Naturally, he was furious.
But discussing this matter now was pointless.
"How much information do we still have about those two?"
The masked man suddenly asked.
"While Konan's abilities have been exposed, there might still be room for her true identity to remain hidden."
"But you should understand Kakuzu," Tendo Pain replied.
When Konan appeared before Itachi and the others that day, her appearance had changed.
Kakuzu had previously assassinated the First Hokage, and the Earth Grudge Fear he wielded was a secret treasure of Takigakure.
Uchiha Shisui and the others brought this information back to Konohagakure, and Kakuzu's identity was no longer a secret.
"Got it," the masked man said grimly.
"Next, prepare to welcome new members."
Although his rule over Kirigakure had failed, there was still someone whose power he could definitely harness.
With that, the masked man used his eye technique and vanished from the spot.
The Land of Birds, a tiny, almost unknown nation, barely even found on a map.
Swoosh!
Several figures moved swiftly through the woods nestled within a mountain about a hundred meters tall.
They all wore the attire of Kirigakure Anbu ninja.
One of them sported a shark-like face, a ferocious expression.
A massive, bandaged weapon slung across his back.
This figure was Kisame Hoshigaki, one of the current members of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen and wielder of the great sword Samehada.
Kisame and his subordinates were on a mission through the Land of Birds.
Directly in front of the Kirigakure group lay an open space.
They leaped and landed on the clearing with a series of leaps.
"Slurp!"
Kisame's feet had barely touched the ground when the great sword Samehada behind him let out a series of cries.
Seeing this, he felt a sense of foreboding and immediately grasped the hilt of his sword.
Buzz!
Suddenly, the lines of a black barrier emerged from the previously barren empty space.
Boundary lines emerged, rapidly connecting.
"Barrier?"
At this moment, several of Kisame's men behind him noticed.
Kisame had already wielded Samehada and slashed down, appearing above the barrier wall that had begun to form.
The bandages on the blade ripped open, revealing Samehada's barbs.
The large blade, Samehada, made contact with the barrier wall, absorbing its chakra.
However, the barrier was clearly being manipulated, so the surface continued to form.
But the gap created was enough for Kisame to escape.
With a swish, he darted forward, just out of the barrier's reach.
By the time Kisame had escaped, the barrier had completely closed.
Those of his men still trapped within the barrier collapsed, unconscious.
"Illusionary barrier?"
Kisame's eyes darkened, but he didn't care to pay attention.
Just as he landed on the trunk of a tree in front of the clearing, an extremely nimble figure sprinted out from the side.
The person's speed was so astonishing that Kisame, caught off guard, had no time to retaliate and could only hold Samehada across his body, blocking it.
"Bang!"
The next moment, a heavy blow landed on Samehada.
It cried out in pain, and then it and Kisame were knocked back.
However, given Kisame's strength, he wouldn't be knocked down.
He slid a few meters through the trees before stopping.
"What?"
Even that was enough to make Kisame look forward in surprise.
"Who are you?"
Kisame said in a low voice, as the man landed just below the tree where he had been standing.
Seeing his attire, Kisame was speechless.
The green tights and slicked-back haircut made him look rather ridiculous.
He wore a Konohagakure headband around his waist, seemingly undisguised.
"A Konohagakure ninja," Kisame muttered, looking at the headband.
He didn't expect the newcomer to answer his earlier question, since he was the surprise attacking party.
However, the ridiculously dressed Konohagakure ninja responded with a resounding voice.
"Konohagakure's proud blue beast, Might Guy!"
Guy stared at Kisame, ready for battle.
"What a ridiculous outfit! He must be a rare and exotic beast, right?"
Kisame sneered, then glanced behind Guy.
Swish!
From the woods, another swift figure darted past, standing beside Guy.
"Are you, Sharingan Kakashi?"
Kisame examined Guy's companion and immediately recognized him.
In recent years, Kakashi's fame has grown, and his features are well-known to most of the jÅnin of the Five Great Ninja Nations.
"You, Konohagakure, are attacking Kirigakure ninja? Aren't you afraid of causing a conflict between the two nations?"
Kisame's expression grew increasingly serious.
Kakashi stared at him without replying.
He was merely carrying out Minato's orders, as it was rumored that Kisame Hoshigaki, who stood before him, knew the Fourth Mizukage's true identity and yet was still colluding with him.
Kakashi, Shisui, and Aburame Shibi had returned to Konohagakure several days ago and rested for a day.
Minato had tasked Kakashi with Guy and some Konohagakure members to encircle and eliminate Kisame Hoshigaki.
The remaining Kirigakure ninja were caught in a phantasmagorical barrier and lost consciousness before they could even see their enemy.
According to Minato's plan, Guy was the main force in the encirclement and suppression of Kisame Hoshigaki.
This was because Kisame's large sword Samehada could absorb chakra.
Guy's taijutsu was his nemesis.
"The Konohagakure ninja suddenly attacked me, is this because!?"
Kisame was no fool.
Although he had been on missions outside during this period, the Joint Chūnin Exam should have been held in Kirigakure.
Konohagakure's attack on Kisame during this period indicated that the Fourth Mizukage's true identity had probably been revealed.
.....
Please vote and give a review if you like the novel š