As the Third Mizukage who once served as the First Mizukage's guard, he had experienced two Ninja World Wars and witnessed major events like the deaths of the Second Mizukage and Second Tsuchikage in battle. Naturally, he maintained intelligence sources regarding occurrences across the Shinobi World.
These strange Ninja Beasts had recently swept across the Shinobi World's mainland. Multiple suspected Ninja Beast ecological zones had emerged in the Land of Water, and due to the powerful Chakra Infection Ability of these creatures' Chakra, many marine organisms had been contaminated.
Throughout this process, the Third Mizukage maintained an observant stance. It wasn't until three Gyarados clashed with the Three-Tails that the Mizukage led Hidden Mist ninja to intervene promptly.
It must be said that the Hidden Mist Village of this era maintained strong professional standards as one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. The Third Mizukage was a genuine elite, demonstrating considerable skill in both managing the village and governance models.
Turning to look back, the aftermath of the battle between the Gyarados and Three-Tails still reverberated across the sea. The crashing waves echoed like war drums, shaking the entire maritime region.
Yet Shiroishi and the Third Mizukage quickly transitioned from confrontation to dialogue.
After confirming the other party's intentions once more, the Third Mizukage fixed his gaze on Shiroishi and revealed a smile.
"Since you claim to be Hanzo's special envoy..." his tone remained gentle while testing the other's limits, "then come to the Hidden Mist Village. We can... discuss cooperation."
The Three-Tails' rampage, ecological terrain changes, and the appearance of Gyarados - all these significant events were surprisingly being bypassed by the Mizukage?
Many surrounding Mist ninja felt puzzled, but the Third Mizukage understood clearly: anyone who could emerge from spatial rifts and influence ecological zones was clearly no ordinary ninja. Rather than making an enemy, it was better to first probe or recruit.
Since negotiations were possible, they might as well proceed.
Shiroishi nodded without refusal. He wanted the Three-Tails, but not immediately. Forcibly capturing it while surrounded by hundreds of Mist ninja would create unnecessary complications.
With this thought, Shiroishi waved his hand, and the three Gyarados dove into the seabed, abandoning their ongoing struggle with the Three-Tails.
Thus, the two set out across the sea surface toward the Hidden Mist Village.
During their journey, Shiroishi denied any connection between the Land of Water's ecological zones and the Land of Rain, merely noting that the new Ninja Beasts were indeed affecting the global environment.
As sea winds whipped against his cloak, Shiroishi raised a finger toward the undulating waves ahead.
"After these Ninja Beasts propagate in these waters, the seawater, tides, temperatures, and Sea Vein currents will all undergo changes."
"These aren't changes that will occur in one or two years, but within three to five years, they'll undergo qualitative transformation."
The Third Mizukage narrowed his eyes. "What kind of qualitative transformation?"
Shiroishi provided the answer: "Completely new habitats will emerge in certain maritime regions of the Land of Water. Islands will develop new vegetation layers, and some small islands might even undergo structural changes. New inhabitants will appear in the seabed... Pokémon Colonies will redraw territorial boundaries."
His tone remained utterly straightforward - maritime changes of this magnitude would constitute national-level geopolitical shifts in the Shinobi World.
Failure to control such developments could easily trigger resource wars among the island's ninja clans.
Shiroishi produced a document from his robes and handed it to the Mizukage.
When the Third Mizukage unfolded and read it, his eyebrows immediately furrowed.
"...Pokémon Centers? And selecting a group of ordinary civilian children without Chakra aptitude to undergo Trainer training?"
This was a concept he had never encountered before.
"The Pokémon in the Ecological Zones won't harm ordinary residents, but this is to allow the people of the Land of Water to interact with, tame, and raise them."
He gently pressed his hand against the Red-White Ball.
"Lord Hanzo plans to establish numerous Pokémon Centers throughout the Land of Water."
The Third Mizukage silently observed the Red-White Ball, a flicker of interest appearing in his eyes for the first time.
Shiroishi continued: "Pokémon Centers aren't just medical stations for treating Pokémon. They can also handle registration, identity verification, Trainer development, Pokémon exchanges, and supply distribution."
"Most importantly."
Shiroishi looked at the Mizukage, his tone calm, "The Pokémon Centers themselves are the core of organized management."
The Third Mizukage's eyes faintly brightened.
Civilians could obtain Ninja Beasts? Not the ninja clans, but himself directly managing these civilian Trainers?
This was rather interesting.
Shiroishi went on:
"Each Pokémon Center will be established on different islands, presided over by Trainers dispatched from the Hidden Mist Village, with the support of the Pokémon Medical System."
He didn't elaborate further, but the implication was clear.
All islands, ninja clans, and tribes within the Land of Water... would be connected through the Pokémon Centers.
Hearing this, the Third Mizukage gave Shiroishi a deep look.
The structure of the Hidden Mist Village was extremely fragmented - numerous islands, numerous ninja clans, all restraining each other and difficult to manage.
The Mizukage was embedded at the center, with governance difficulties far exceeding those of the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Sand.
The Third Mizukage had suffered countless headaches over this.
The ninja clans on various islands even carved out their own territories as kings.
If every island had a Pokémon Center
Becoming new nodes?
Then the power of these minor warlords would be weakened, island residents would naturally gravitate toward the Pokémon Centers, and identity registration, Pokémon cultivation, medical care, and training would all require center certification.
In other words, the people of the Land of Water would naturally be drawn into the system led by the Hidden Mist Village.
Thinking this, the Third Mizukage revealed a smile: "This proposal is indeed excellent."
After some brief exchanges, Shiroishi received exceptionally high hospitality upon arriving at the Hidden Mist Village.
Around the periphery of the Gedō Mazō.
A circle of White Zetsu were gathered together, staring like curious children at the black-purple gaseous life form floating in mid-air.
"Heheh Black Zetsu, how did you... give birth to another yourself?"
"It feels even weirder than you!"
"Even the voice is pretty similar!"
Several White Zetsu craned their necks, completely disregarding the atmosphere.
Black Zetsu emerged from the shadows, his face as dark as ever, but with clear anger flickering across it.
"I already said this isn't me."
"Aw, don't lie~"
One White Zetsu leaned in closer, "You two even have exactly the same aura. How could it not be you?"
"That's right, that's right, did your replication fail or something?"
The White Zetsu chattered incessantly, grinding Black Zetsu's patience to its limit.
Just then, the Gastly floating in mid-air revealed an extremely eerie, bone-chilling smile.
"That's right."
Gastly's voice was ethereal yet carried the same innate coldness as Black Zetsu's,
"My aura is completely identical to Black Zetsu's because I was originally part of him."
The White Zetsu froze for a moment, then immediately erupted in excitement.
"Really?"
"Are you two brothers?"
"Or... are you actually made from hair Black Zetsu plucked out and molded?"
Black Zetsu: "You idiots!"
Before his furious roar could fully subside, Gastly had already drifted leisurely before him,
Those white, overly pure eyes seemed capable of piercing through souls.
"There's no need for denial, Black Zetsu."
Gastly's tone remained unhurried yet carried undeniable certainty,
"The moment I was born, I took away part of your soul, part of your Chakra, part of... your desires."
Then, it tilted its head and showed the White Zetsus a harmless smile:
"If Black Zetsu gets busy later, you can report to me instead. After all, he and I are originally one."
Black Zetsu's face darkened to the extreme.
The White Zetsus clapped joyfully: "Great! Now Black Zetsu has an assistant!"
"With two Black Zetsus working together, efficiency will increase!"
Black Zetsu: "You... SHUT UP!!!"
After cursing the White Zetsus, Black Zetsu's expression grew even more unpleasant.
Because now the foolish White Zetsus couldn't distinguish between him and Gastly.
Clearly, and inexplicably, his influence among the White Zetsus had significantly declined, and even Uchiha Madara recognized Gastly as his will's incarnation.
Troublesome.
He'd been set up!