Chapter 646: Meeting of the Four Ninja Villages
"He's at the village gate right now. He says Ōnoki has something important to discuss with you."
"Tell him I'm in a meeting, then bring him into the village and find out exactly what it is."
Although the Third Mizukage was curious about Ōnoki's intentions, he was not prepared to personally meet with an Iwagakure envoy, even if he had not been in a meeting.
If Ōnoki had come himself, that would have been different.
The Hidden Mist Anbu nodded and exited the conference room.
Once the door closed again, the conference room fell into an eerie silence.
The elder advisor simply closed his eyes to rest, looking like an old man with low spirits.
At his age, he really did not want his reputation to be affected by such matters.
The Jonin Squad Leader looked thoughtful, but his mouth remained tightly shut. He did not dare make a sound.
There were differences even among the higher-ups. As the Jonin Squad Leader, he was nominally the leader of all Jonin in Hidden Mist, but on the list of high-ranking officials, he was at the very bottom.
In other words, he was the one most likely to be pushed out to sign the treaty and take the blame.
The advisor's face was stern, his expression grim, as if he was extremely displeased with the current situation, but he still did not speak.
The Mizukage's Advisor stood tall with his chest out, looking straight ahead with no intention of breaking the silence.
The Mizukage's Advisor was also considered a lower-ranking official among the higher-ups, but this position was special. It was tied to the Mizukage. Generally speaking, as long as the Mizukage had no problems, the Mizukage's Advisor would be fine.
"Mizuyū, tell me your thoughts." Seeing that no one was speaking, the Third Mizukage looked toward the Hidden Mist Jonin Squad Leader.
Mizuyū sighed inwardly.
What had to come would always come.
Who made his position the lowest?
Mizuyū's mind raced as he quickly formulated the safest answer.
Directly proposing peace talks? Impossible. That would definitely mean he would be sent to sign the treaty.
Refusing peace talks would not work either. That would too easily offend people.
Everyone knew that Yagura was the Third Mizukage's favored successor. If peace talks were ultimately rejected and Yagura was killed by Konoha, the person who first proposed refusing the talks would definitely be hated by the Third Mizukage. There would be no good outcome for him then.
"The military strength Konoha displayed in this incident cannot be underestimated. We must investigate why Yagura was defeated so quickly and why half of his troops were captured," Mizuyū analyzed with a serious expression.
Refuse or agree?
He chose neither.
The Third Mizukage showed a slightly displeased expression, but did not say much. Instead, he looked toward the Mizukage's Advisor.
The Mizukage's Advisor instantly felt immense pressure, but he had no choice except to speak.
After all, without the Mizukage's support, his position held even less power than Mizuyū's position as Jonin Squad Leader.
"Peace talks are a serious matter, and many things need to be considered, such as the opinions of the Ninja in the village, Konoha's objectives, and the impact of the peace talks..."
The Mizukage's Advisor said many things, but never clearly stated whether he supported or opposed peace talks.
There was nothing he could do. He was also somewhat unsure of the Third Mizukage's thoughts at this moment.
After such a defeat, would the Third Mizukage still value Yagura as much as before?
The Third Mizukage then looked toward the advisor.
Since everyone else had spoken, the advisor, not wanting to be the exception, also offered a few ambiguous remarks.
After the advisor finished speaking, the Third Mizukage did not follow the order and let the elder advisor speak. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and fell into thought.
Over a thousand captives was indeed no small number.
It had to be known that Hidden Mist currently had only a little over seven thousand Ninja in total. If Konoha killed all the captives, Hidden Mist's total number of Ninja would instantly drop by one-seventh, and the impact would be enormous.
The key was that this would not be death on the battlefield. It would be an incident caused by failed negotiations, which would anger the captives' families.
However, signing the peace treaty also made the Third Mizukage unwilling.
During his tenure, Hidden Mist had twice launched proactive attacks, and both had failed.
How would future generations evaluate him?
Ambitious but untalented?
Overestimating his abilities?
"Today's meeting ends here." The Third Mizukage rubbed his brow and spoke.
He was now worried about what would happen if there were no peace talks, but he was also unwilling to let this defeat affect his posthumous reputation.
After the Third Mizukage returned to the Mizukage's office, it was not long before the Anbu responsible for communicating with Iwagakure arrived.
"Lord Third Mizukage, this is a secret letter from Ōnoki for you. It has been checked, and there are no issues." The Hidden Mist Anbu handed a scroll to the Third Mizukage.
The Third Mizukage nodded and opened the scroll while the Hidden Mist Anbu tactfully retreated outside the office door.
At first, the Third Mizukage's expression was calm.
But after five minutes of reading, his face gradually became solemn.
"A Wood Release Ninja has reappeared, and Hayate Mugetsu is expected to become the second God of Shinobi?"
After reading, the Third Mizukage rolled up the scroll and fell into thought.
Did Hidden Mist and Iwagakure have a grudge?
Of course they did.
The Second Mizukage and the Second Tsuchikage had died together on the battlefield.
However, that was an old grudge. Looking across the entire Ninja World, if one counted strictly, all Five Great Ninja Villages had old grudges with each other.
The Third Mizukage believed that the intelligence Ōnoki gave him was largely true, or at least partially true.
Because Ninjutsu could not be faked, and Mugetsu could not always refrain from acting. Whether he had Wood Release and how strong he was would be exposed sooner or later.
"Could Yagura's capture be Hayate Mugetsu's doing?" A sudden flash of insight struck the Third Mizukage's mind.
If Hayate Mugetsu truly possessed powerful Wood Release as Ōnoki claimed, and if he could potentially become a second Senju Hashirama with continued growth, then Yagura's defeat would be very reasonable.
It would be normal for the powerful Wood Release Ninja Hayate Mugetsu to lead a Ninja unit into battle and for Yagura to be captured by mistake.
It was not that the Hidden Mist forces were weak.
It was that Konoha was too strong.
Immediately afterward, the Third Mizukage shook his head.
Now was not the time to think about this.
"Should I accept Ōnoki's invitation?" The Third Mizukage began weighing the pros and cons.
Ōnoki had not directly proposed an alliance to deal with Konoha and assassinate Mugetsu. He had merely invited Hidden Mist to send a representative to a meeting in the Land of Earth.
The Third Mizukage felt he could send a reliable Jonin to test Ōnoki's intentions.
In any case, peace talks were not something that could be finished in a day or two. As long as Hidden Mist did not make any major moves, Yagura should be safe.
...
Land of Wind, Sunagakure.
Ōnoki had also sent Ninja to Sunagakure.
"This old geezer isn't trying to trick me into getting involved, is he?" Rasa instinctively thought the information was false after finishing the scroll.
Hayate Mugetsu was recognized in the Ninja World as Konoha's strongest young Ninja, but he should not be as exaggerated as the intelligence claimed.
Moreover, if Hayate Mugetsu had mastered such powerful Wood Release, why had he not used it on the battlefield before?
Wood Release was very powerful. It was not only capable of both offense and defense, it could also suppress Jinchuriki.
However, Rasa reconsidered and felt that Ōnoki should not be that foolish.
After all, Ōnoki was not asking him to directly send troops against Konoha. He was merely inviting him to a meeting, so he should not be using such obviously false intelligence to deceive him.
Connecting this with the somewhat strange situation in the Ninja World recently, Rasa's expression became serious.
"Could it be that Hayate Mugetsu has been hiding and biding his time, only recently showing his strength after making progress in Wood Release training?"
After careful consideration, Rasa found that the intelligence no longer seemed so obviously false.
It was just too far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
A second Wood Release Ninja had suddenly appeared, and he even showed the potential to become a second Senju Hashirama.
If the Iwagakure Ninja who delivered the message had not been someone with a reputation in the Ninja World, Rasa would have suspected that someone was impersonating an Iwagakure Ninja to cause trouble.
"What is so special about Wood Release? Is it destined that Ninja who possess Wood Release will become as powerful as Senju Hashirama?" Rasa could not help wondering.
Logically, it should not be that way.
A Ninja's strength was comprehensive. Broadly speaking, it included their levels in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu, Chakra reserves, and physical fitness.
They should not become incredibly powerful just because they mastered a certain Bloodline Limit or secret technique.
But Senju Hashirama was strong, and the second Wood Release Ninja, Hayate Mugetsu, was also strong.
The first could be a coincidence, but what about the second?
Rasa called his trusted subordinates over to discuss the matter.
They felt that attending the meeting was an option, but whether or not to take action against Konoha would depend on the situation at the time.
After all, even if Konoha truly produced a second God of Shinobi, it would not have a particularly significant impact on Sunagakure.
Because the current Sunagakure was relatively weak among the Five Great Ninja Villages. Even without Konoha blocking the way, Sunagakure still had Iwagakure and Kumogakure ahead of it.
"How is Pakura's investigation coming along?" Rasa remembered something and asked.
Rasa had never forgotten Pakura, a Ninja who had once almost affected his position as Kazekage.
"There is no evidence that could lead to Pakura's imprisonment," the Sunagakure Jonin said, shaking his head.
"However, I found that Pakura seems very interested in the Shinobi Sect in the Land of Rain. She has taken time to attend Sōsuke's lectures twice."
"As a hero of Sunagakure, instead of focusing on missions, she's attending lectures from a Ninja faction in the Land of Rain. If the village were to pick the most studious Ninja, I would definitely vote for Pakura."
Hearing his subordinate mock Pakura for neglecting her duties, Rasa could not help showing a faint smile.
"Since she likes interacting with other factions, then send her to Iwagakure," Rasa said after thinking for a moment.
He found this to be a good opportunity to suppress her.
If the Iwagakure matter did not succeed, he could say Pakura was inefficient.
If the Iwagakure matter looked promising, then he could transfer Pakura away midway using some other excuse.
...
Land of Rain, Shinobi Sect.
Kitsuchi led a team of Iwagakure Ninja into Six Paths City.
"It seems there are more people now, and more Ninja."
Upon entering Six Paths City, Kitsuchi noticed that it seemed to have become even more prosperous.
The war burning across the Ninja World had not affected Six Paths City's development. On the contrary, it had promoted its prosperity to a certain extent.
Kitsuchi did not pay much attention to this.
Even if Iwagakure valued the Shinobi Sect, what they valued was Sōsuke and his group, not Six Paths City or the ordinary Ninja of the Shinobi Sect.
Relying on their cooperative relationship, Kitsuchi reached Sōsuke's office without obstruction.
"Sōsuke, Iwagakure needs a favor from the Shinobi Sect," Kitsuchi said directly.
Mugetsu nodded, signaling for Kitsuchi to continue.
"We have a need to cooperate with Kumogakure recently, and we hope you can convey some of our intentions to Kumogakure."
Due to the declared war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure, as well as the numerous battles that had occurred since the war began, Ōnoki was worried that directly approaching Kumogakure would backfire. That was why he wanted the Shinobi Sect to act as an intermediary.
Although the Shinobi Sect had some cooperation with Iwagakure, overall, the Shinobi Sect was generally regarded as a neutral force in the eyes of the public.
The first major reason was Sōsuke's unrestricted lectures.
Sōsuke generously taught all kinds of advanced knowledge to Ninja from different Ninja Villages and factions, naturally giving him a neutral and friendly image.
Then there was the Youth Martial Arts Tournament held previously.
Many Ninja from various large and small Ninja Villages had participated in the Youth Martial Arts Tournament, but under the Shinobi Sect's management, no violent incidents occurred. All participating Ninja were treated equally.
Sōsuke was famous and powerful, and the Shinobi Sect was also a well-known neutral force. That made them the most suitable intermediary in the current Ninja World.
"I need to know some specific details before I can make a judgment," Mugetsu said, taking a sip of tea.
He could not help someone without knowing anything. Otherwise, he might be sold out and still have to help count the money.
"The main content is intelligence about Hayate Mugetsu and Konoha's ambitions," Kitsuchi explained.
Before Kitsuchi arrived, Ōnoki had already considered this point and told Kitsuchi to disclose the intelligence directly.
First, when asking the Shinobi Sect for help, it was impossible to keep them completely in the dark.
Second, Ōnoki felt that Sōsuke had no reason to refuse.
Sōsuke had eliminated Danzo Shimura, naturally placing him on Konoha's opposing side. If he had a chance to step on Konoha, he would naturally join in.
This was not deep cooperation. Iwagakure would not station Ninja troops in the Land of Rain, so there was no harm to the Shinobi Sect at all.
On the contrary, if Konoha produced a second God of Shinobi, would the Shinobi Sect have an easy time?
It was likely that as soon as the war ended, Konoha would deal with the Shinobi Sect.
"Sorry, I refuse," Mugetsu replied with a faint smile.
What kind of international joke was this?
They were asking his Shadow Clone to help others deal with his main body?
He had no interest in playing a spy game.
"However, looking at this intelligence, it's possible that the main body has already dealt with Uchiha Madara. Otherwise, there wouldn't be such a big commotion," Mugetsu's Shadow Clone thought.
He was a Shadow Clone created before Mugetsu dealt with Uchiha Madara, so he did not have the main body's memories from that period.
"In that case, the Shinobi Sect has fewer concerns and can act more freely."
Kitsuchi was stunned.
This was different from what they had predicted before he came.
Why did Sōsuke refuse so directly?
"The Shinobi Sect has no intention of participating in the game of the Five Great Ninja Villages. Whether it is against Konoha or any other Great Ninja Village, it is all the same," Mugetsu explained.
Mugetsu's words completely blocked the path, leaving Kitsuchi and his strategist speechless.
"Sōsuke is too naive," Kitsuchi complained inwardly.
Although he was often called straightforward, he felt that Sōsuke was even more idealistic than him.
Was this something one could simply choose not to participate in?
Living in the Ninja World while still wanting to avoid the influence of the Five Great Ninja Villages?
However, Sōsuke's attitude was firm, and Kitsuchi and his group had no choice.
Finally, Iwagakure bit the bullet and sent envoys to negotiate a truce with Kumogakure, incidentally giving Kumogakure the intelligence on Mugetsu.
Perhaps because Kumogakure and Konoha were heavily engaged in battle and Kumogakure did not want to clash with Iwagakure, things went surprisingly smoothly.
In the end, Kumogakure also agreed to attend the meeting hosted by Iwagakure in the Land of Earth.
When the agreed date arrived, the various Ninja Villages sent Ninja to the Land of Earth as scheduled.
.....
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