After hearing Sandayu's answer, Wen Lan was about to speak when he suddenly frowned and tilted his head slightly toward the forest.
Within seconds, the surrounding shinobi snapped into alert formation.
"Hidden Mist ANBU, acting under orders of the Mizukage, have arrived to assist Konoha!"
A loud voice echoed out.
Moments later, more than twenty figures landed at a safe distance, clearly signaling they held no hostile intent.
But when those ANBU saw the sheer number of Uchiha present, their pupils shrank beneath their masks.
This was not a task force.
This was war-level strength.
Wen Lan's brow relaxed slightly, though his gaze remained sharp and evaluative.
He raised one hand, signaling his forces not to act.
Looking at the uniform masks across from him, he spoke calmly:
"Send someone who can make decisions."
One ANBU stepped forward quickly, bowed, and said:
"Deputy Hokage, I am the captain of this unit. The Mizukage has authorized me to handle all matters here."
Wen Lan studied him for a moment.
"What did the Mizukage send you here to do?"
The captain visibly relaxed at the question.
That meant Wen Lan was not assuming hostility from the Hidden Mist.
"The Mizukage learned that a jonin from your village was killed. He ordered us to provide assistance.
Furthermore, he wishes to make it clear that this incident has nothing to do with the Hidden Mist.
If there are losses, our village is willing to offer compensation."
"Not necessary," Wen Lan replied calmly.
"A ninja dying during a mission is part of the profession.
Once a mission is accepted, protecting the target comes first—even at the cost of one's life.
This matter has nothing to do with the Hidden Mist.
Konoha is not an unreasonable village.
We have already identified the culprits.
You may inform the Mizukage that Konoha is fully capable of handling its own affairs. There is no need for concern about involvement."
The captain froze briefly, then bowed deeply.
"Deputy Hokage, your integrity is admirable. The Hidden Mist is grateful."
"Konoha and the Hidden Mist share peaceful development," Wen Lan said.
Then he turned toward the merchant.
"Inoue Sanki, correct?
Since the Hidden Mist is here, they will escort you the rest of the way.
The remaining payment for this mission will be handled by them."
"Yes… yes, sir."
The merchant nodded quickly, unable to hide his relief.
He had survived.
That alone was enough.
Wen Lan then shifted his gaze to Princess Koyuki and Sandayu.
"You two… will accompany me to the Land of Snow."
Sandayu froze, then lifted his head suddenly, excitement trembling in his eyes.
"Honorable ninja… you truly intend to go to the Land of Snow?"
Years earlier, the former daimyo's younger brother, Kazahana Dotō, had staged a coup and seized power.
Princess Koyuki had been forced into exile.
Dotō hunted her relentlessly to obtain the key she carried—the key to the legendary treasure of the Land of Snow.
The Snow Ninja Village had since fallen under his control.
If Wen Lan went there and eliminated Dotō—
Koyuki could reclaim her rightful position as daimyo.
Koyuki herself recoiled in fear.
"No… no… I won't go!"
Her voice trembled, tears forming in her eyes.
"That place… is nothing but betrayal and killing. I won't go back!"
She would never forget the night she fled the burning palace.
And she never wanted to return.
Wen Lan narrowed his eyes coldly.
"You think this is your choice?"
His voice hardened.
"The moment a matter involves a nation, the mission becomes S-rank by default.
Your concealed identity caused the death of a jonin from our village.
This is no longer about what you want."
He turned to the two surviving chunin.
"You two return to the village. The mission balance will be paid directly by Konoha."
"Yes, sir."
They bowed immediately and departed.
Wen Lan then addressed the assembled shinobi.
"All units—take the princess and her minister.
We move to the Land of Snow."
"Yes!"
At that moment, a Hidden Mist ANBU spoke up:
"Deputy Hokage, reaching the Land of Snow requires crossing open sea. If you permit it, we can provide a ship."
Wen Lan considered briefly, then nodded.
"Much appreciated."
In shipbuilding and navigation, the Hidden Mist stood unrivaled.
Their homeland, shrouded in constant fog and poor farmland, depended heavily on fishing and maritime travel.
As a result, their vessels were the finest in the shinobi world.
Half a day later.
Cold sea winds howled.
Sails billowed.
Massive waves slammed against the sturdy hull.
Wen Lan stood on the deck, gazing across the endless ocean.
Only a handful of Hidden Mist sailors operated the ship, yet its movement remained steady and precise.
He turned to look inside the cabin.
Princess Koyuki sat curled in a corner, hugging her knees.
Sandayu stayed close beside her, protective and tense.
Behind Wen Lan stood Shisui and Jien, acting as guards.
When Shisui noticed Wen Lan watching the princess, he finally spoke:
"Third Elder… why bring the princess with us? Our real target is the Snow Ninja Village."
Wen Lan glanced at him and let out a faint chuckle.
"In your eyes, am I that bloodthirsty?"
Shisui lowered his head immediately.
"I meant no disrespect."
Jien snorted.
"The Third Elder always has his reasons. He doesn't need you worrying about them."
Jien had become one of Wen Lan's most loyal supporters, defending him instinctively.
Wen Lan waved dismissively and leaned against the railing.
"Listen carefully.
Yes, they concealed their identities, which led to our ninja being attacked and Biliang's death.
But fundamentally, this was an intelligence failure during mission execution—not intentional harm.
We also bear responsibility.
When we issued the mission, we failed to verify their identities. That led to assigning the wrong mission rank.
That mistake is ours."
He paused, then continued:
"Princess Koyuki is the legitimate heir to the Land of Snow.
If she regains power, the rebel Snow Ninja will lose their legitimacy.
We may be seeking vengeance—
but Konoha must protect its reputation as well.
Otherwise, other villages will see us as tyrannical.
And if our reputation suffers, mission requests will decline.
If missions decline, how do our ninjas eat? How do they live?"
Shisui and Jien exchanged stunned looks.
Wen Lan continued, his voice calm and strategic:
"As long as she remains under our protection, we hold legitimacy.
We can intervene in the name of restoring the rightful ruler—
a lawful purge of rebellion.
And once we place her back on the throne, the Land of Snow becomes Konoha's ally.
That alliance provides future access to resources and intelligence.
At that point, Konoha will have supply support from both the Land of Fire and the Land of Snow.
That benefits the entire village."
Both men were speechless.
The plan wasn't just revenge.
It was long-term statecraft.
And most importantly—
it silenced critics.
Even if others suspected Konoha was installing a friendly regime, no one could legally fault them.
Wen Lan's gaze drifted across the rolling sea.
A faint smile touched the corner of his mouth.
—------------------------------
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