"Hm? The Six-Tails fell into the hands of that Menma Uzumaki, not Orochimaru? And the Hidden Waterfall Village and Hidden Grass Village have formed an alliance?"
Land of Water, Hidden Mist Village.
Inside a mansion with a very primitive style.
On a long corridor on the left side of the inner residence.
Genji, who was closing his eyes and dozing, suddenly opened his eyes slowly upon hearing the report from his trusted subordinate. A look of surprise appeared on that aged face as he looked at the Mist ninja in front of him and asked.
"Ao, you're not joking, are you?"
"No, Lord Genji. This is not only news obtained by our frontline reconnaissance personnel but also intelligence from the Hidden Leaf. That Fifth Hokage has formally sent us a request for joint action."
Being Genji's confidant and representing Genji's stance on many matters over the years, this Mist ninja undoubtedly held a decisive position in the Hidden Mist Village. The most important reason he was trusted by Genji was that this Mist ninja was very steadfast and steady. Even for the smallest matters, he wouldn't be sloppy. He remained consistent for decades. When reporting anything to Genji, he rarely used speculative words like "probably," "possibly," or "maybe," nor would he add a shred of personal subjective opinion.
All intelligence was reported to Genji objectively and truthfully, and then he strictly followed Genji's orders.
Unless Genji asked.
He never said any superfluous words.
Rigorous like a machine.
Because of this, among Genji's many trusted subordinates, Ao had always been the most special one, holding a position no one could replace.
"Let this old man see."
"Yes!"
After Ao bowed his head in reply, he immediately stepped forward and handed the scroll in his hand to Genji.
The old man's trembling right hand took the scroll and opened it very slowly, reading word by word leisurely. The space instantly became silent, while Ao still stood by with a calm face.
Genji fell into a long silence after slowly reading all the information recorded in the scroll.
It was fully over an hour later.
"It seems it really is so..."
A look of deep emotion appeared on Genji's haggard face.
"Sigh, making you wait so long every time, really sorry, Ao. Getting old, the brain doesn't turn fast..."
"No, Lord Genji is too serious. Then, how should we reply to the Hidden Leaf? And regarding the Six-Tails, how should we handle it?"
Ao still maintained a steady expression, slightly raising his eyelids to face Genji in front of him, asking softly.
"Although I don't want to go to war, it ultimately involves the interests of our village. Go, call Mei Terumi and Ao (Blue) over. Our Hidden Mist Village has withdrawn from the ninja world for too long; it's also time to return to the ninja world."
Genji said in a very slow but incomparably firm tone.
In the Third Great Ninja War more than a decade ago, their Hidden Mist Village was the defeated side. The number of dead and injured Mist ninja was countless. Later, their own Mizukage was actually controlled by outsiders, triggering bloody cases one after another.
Causing countless companions to die under the blades of their own people.
The three great noble ninja clans that once made the ninja world tremble with fear.
Also withered one after another.
Even though recuperation in recent years allowed the village to recover some vitality, it was ultimately far from enough.
Otherwise, the Hidden Mist Village would have long dispatched large troops to capture back the lost Three-Tails and Six-Tails.
How could they have waited until now!?
If possible, Genji naturally hoped the ninja world could transition smoothly for another period. Not too much, just another four or five years. Their Hidden Mist Village might not recover to its peak, but at least it could reach a level to go head-to-head with other ninja villages.
However, accidents happened so suddenly.
Continuing to remain silent was certainly possible.
But that would mean the Hidden Mist Village tacitly gave up a series of interests originally belonging to them, such as the current Six-Tails.
International unspoken rules had always been like this.
If you don't fight for it, everyone assumes you gave up.
This was a result Genji absolutely couldn't accept.
Therefore, even if the timing was wrong, their Hidden Mist Village had to act.
"Yes, Lord Genji!"
After Ao bowed his head sharply in response, he leaped and left the spot directly to notify Mei Terumi and Ao (Blue).
'Hidden Leaf, Hidden Cloud, Orochimaru, Menma Uzumaki, and the Hidden Waterfall Village and Hidden Grass Village? This really doesn't save any trouble for an old man...'
Genji slightly opened his extremely turbid eyes, a look of helplessness appearing on that aged face.
Great Ninja War.
This was something that could easily severely damage a ninja village's vitality.
Whether the victor or the defeated, after three Great Ninja Wars, the Five Great Ninja Villages all had to pay an extremely tragic price.
This was a heavy loss that required five or six years, or even longer, to recover vitality.
But their Hidden Mist Village was something else.
In the few years after the end of the Third Great Ninja War.
It had been in infinite internal strife.
Either someone assassinated the Mizukage today, or a ninja clan was destroyed tomorrow.
Even Genji himself encountered several assassinations during those years. The attackers killed, and the guards who died protecting him, already exceeded three digits. These people were all Mist ninja.
Among them.
The most terrifying casualties were the destruction of the three great noble clans: the Kaguya clan, Yuki clan, and Hozuki clan. One must know that the ninja of these three ninja clans combined already numbered nearly two thousand. And to destroy these three great ninja clans, the Hidden Mist Village paid an almost equally tragic price.
Other ninja villages were recovering vitality.
Only their Hidden Mist Village was constantly weakening itself.
Until Ao used the Byakugan to discover the abnormality of their Fourth Mizukage, completely solving the root of the problem, their Hidden Mist Village finally got back on track and started to recover vitality. But up to now, it had only been a few years.
Simply not enough to let the Hidden Mist Village recover to its past peak.
Otherwise, how could Genji allow their Three-Tails and Six-Tails to wander outside? Wasn't it just because they didn't have the strength to take them back?
Their Hidden Mist Village now lacked top-tier power, mid-level power, and even bottom-level power.
Weak as the Hidden Sand Village was, if they really risked their lives, exploding with a ninja army of ten thousand people was still no problem.
But for their Hidden Mist Village, if they really wanted to bring out a troop of ten thousand ninja, it would mean draining the family fortune, and directly emptying all defense lines on other borders.
Including their own ninja village possibly becoming an empty shell.
Was this possible?
The answer was obviously negative.
Therefore, Genji truly didn't wish to welcome a new round of ninja world collision now. That would not only interrupt their Hidden Mist Village's vitality recovery but might also suddenly make their Hidden Mist Village sink permanently.
But Genji had no choice.
The situation was just like this.
'Time waits for no man...'
Genji shook his head slowly.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
And in less than ten minutes.
On the other side of the courtyard corridor.
Two figures suddenly flashed over, stepping down from a distance and slowly pacing closer.
To show respect for Genji, this senior of the Hidden Mist Village.
Of these two figures, the one on the right had grey-blue long hair standing up, light yellow sealing paper hanging from both ears, and most noticeably, wore a black eye patch over the right eye, with veins bulging near the extending temple. With a solemn face, he was the only Mist ninja possessing a Byakugan besides the Hyuga clan—Ao (Blue)!
And the tall, voluptuous woman on the left wore a dark blue tube top dress, her magnificent chest almost bursting out. With waist-length reddish-brown crossed curly hair, slender and round legs, and mature charm radiating from those emerald green eyes, she was soul-stirring.
She was exactly the future Fifth Mizukage with a great reputation for beauty in the original story—Mei Terumi!
"Lord Genji."
When the two arrived close to Genji, they both knelt on one knee immediately, bowing to Genji with respect.
At this time, Mei Terumi hadn't become the Fifth Mizukage yet.
Like Ao, in front of Genji, the superimposed gap in status and seniority required them to treat him with the highest etiquette.
Or to be more precise.
Even if Mei Terumi ascended to the position of Mizukage as in the original story.
She would still treat Genji with the highest standard of courtesy.
Genji's qualifications and prestige were not for show.
"Ah, Mei Terumi and Ao are here."
"You should also know the reason why this old man called you two over, right? Speak up, what do you two think?"
Genji looked at Mei Terumi and Ao and said.
Ao, like the other Ao (Green/Bi), was Genji's old subordinate. Compared to Bi, Ao's conduct had a bit more overall view. Therefore, generally speaking, Ao was responsible for external affairs, while Bi was responsible for internal affairs.
And Mei Terumi was a genius from a small ninja clan in the Hidden Mist Village that Genji accidentally discovered in the past few years.
Under the circumstances where the top combat power of the Hidden Mist Village either died or defected...
Mei Terumi, possessing extremely strong talent, especially the talent of dual Kekkei Genkai, was the young generation Genji favored most.
If nothing unexpected happened...
Genji intended for Mei Terumi to become the next Mizukage.
But currently, observation was still needed.
This was the Hidden Mist Village after all. Since the establishment of the Five Great Ninja Villages, only Tsunade appeared as a female Kage last year.
And she also had the identity background bonus of being the granddaughter of the First Hokage.
Mei Terumi needed more tests to ascend smoothly in the Hidden Mist Village.
"Yes, Lord Genji. Although our Hidden Mist Village's situation currently cannot be considered too good, considering the issue of Utakata-kun, our Hidden Mist Village must take action. This belongs to our Hidden Mist Village's interests. Moreover, it cannot be ruled out that this is a probe by the Hidden Leaf on our Hidden Mist Village. Even without considering the Hidden Leaf, just the coveting from the Hidden Cloud Village means our Hidden Mist Village cannot truly continue to watch from the sidelines!"
Just as Genji's question fell, Mei Terumi on the left immediately spoke up in reply.
It could be seen.
Long before arriving...
Mei Terumi had already made a decision in her heart.
On the contrary, under Ao's seemingly calm appearance on the side, a trace of struggle and hesitation faintly flowed deep in his pupils.
"Mhm, Ao, what about you?"
Genji nodded slowly, looking at Ao on the side.
"Taking action and watching from the sidelines both have their pros and cons. I think it's better to compromise, Lord Genji. Just like pressuring the Hidden Leaf before, we symbolically show our attitude, and then see the actions of the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Cloud Village. If everything goes smoothly, we will take action then. Even if it's a bit late, we can control the risk within the minimum range. This should be the most appropriate approach."
After pondering for a while, Ao also spoke slowly.
A very moderate approach.
On the surface.
It was indeed the safest choice.
After all, if everything in the intelligence was true, the opposing side had three Tailed Beast Jinchuriki. That wasn't an existence ordinary ninja could oppose.
One careless move, the casualties to be paid would be calculated in four digits.
This was still a conservative estimate.
Heaven knew how much of the Nine-Tails' power Menma Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, could unleash!?
What if it was 100%?
Whoever acted in the first wave...
Would definitely be extremely unlucky.
The Hidden Leaf and Hidden Cloud Village had big businesses and could afford it. Their Hidden Mist Village was holding on by appearances now and couldn't withstand any huge impact.
Another large-scale personnel loss...
Would directly cause them to fall from the sequence of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
regarding Ao's answer.
Under Genji's seemingly unchanged face, a trace of extremely faint disappointment faintly flowed in his pupils.
Just as Genji was about to say something...
"No, Ao-san. If we wait until that time to take action, we will completely lose the initiative. Indeed, as you said, taking action now requires us to bear corresponding risks, but this is exactly what we should bear. This not only concerns the prestige of our Hidden Mist Village but more importantly, the status in the ninja world and the division of actual interests. The Six-Tails belongs to our Hidden Mist Village and absolutely cannot be touched by other ninja villages. Once the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Cloud Village progress smoothly, at that time, will the Six-Tails still be ours? And other ninja villages will definitely think our Hidden Mist Village has entered an unprecedented period of weakness. This is the most fatal point!"
Mei Terumi on the side already spoke up in advance, looking at Ao with a very serious and grim expression.
This seemed exactly the same attitude as at the beginning.
But there was a big difference.
The previous statement was just an attitude.
And these later words...
Were enough to prove Mei Terumi's strategic vision and boldness of judgment. This was the quality required of a qualified and even outstanding leader.
Genji was stunned for a moment.
Then, a look of extremely obvious appreciation appeared in his turbid pupils.
He didn't misjudge the person.
Mei Terumi was indeed the one capable enough to shoulder the great responsibility and future of the Hidden Mist Village.
"Mhm, Mei Terumi is right. In this joint action, our Hidden Mist Village should, and must, actively participate. It's not just a question of the Six-Tails anymore, but involves the pattern of our Hidden Mist Village in the ninja world next. We cannot retreat, nor do we have room to retreat."
Without waiting for Ao on the side to continue saying anything.
Genji said decisively.
Hearing his Lord Genji suddenly make such a decisive decision.
Ao was stunned first, seeming very unaccustomed, because his Lord Genji had always been the type to plan before acting. For decades, there had never been a time when suggestions and decisions were made so quickly. It always required multiple weighings, and the final decisions often appeared very safe.
But today was vastly different.
Ao naturally found it hard to understand.
He didn't know what exactly caused such a big change in his Lord Genji?
However, what Ao didn't know was.
Genji had never changed. His decisions had always been very clean and decisive. The reason he appeared to think repeatedly in the past was merely that many times, he was just an advisor, and there was still a Mizukage in the village.
Genji, like Chiyo and Ebizo of the Hidden Sand Village, was an experienced senior who knew how to "keep his place." He wouldn't intervene in high-level affairs of the ninja village easily. These old people didn't want to cause misunderstandings, nor did they want to trigger internal conflicts in the village.
Precisely because they understood their status and prestige in the village too well.
Therefore, in the past decades, as long as there was a Mizukage governing the village, under the circumstance where the Mizukage didn't actively send someone to ask...
Genji always maintained silence.
The few times he took the initiative were all when the Second Mizukage died in battle, the Third Mizukage passed away, or the Fourth Mizukage was revealed to be under genjutsu and controlled by others. He acted for the interests of the ninja village, for the survival of the ninja village.
This formed a sharp contrast with the Hidden Leaf's F4.
This matter was the same.
With no Mizukage commanding the village, and at a critical moment deciding the survival and continuation of the ninja village, Genji naturally wouldn't have any hesitation.
Thanks to Genji's lofty prestige.
Although Ao didn't quite understand, a good habit developed over many years made Ao follow Mei Terumi. At the same time, the two bowed in sync and replied: "Yes, Lord Genji!"
"Mhm, this time Mei Terumi will lead the team, and Ao, you follow along too. This action is crucial for our Hidden Mist Village. Besides the troops on the front line, another 1,500 personnel will be mobilized from the village, totaling more than 3,000 people to go with you. Bi will be responsible for your logistics. Although it's a joint action request from the Hidden Leaf, it's best for us to be responsible for our own logistics. Remember, our ultimate intention is certainly to recover the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, but this is not the only, nor the primary goal. Mei Terumi, you should understand what this old man is saying, right?"
Genji nodded slowly. In those eyes that clearly seemed very turbid, an extremely sharp cold light flashed at this moment. His hunched body also seemed to straighten up at this moment, speaking with a hint of sternness.
"Yes, Lord Genji, please rest assured. I know very well what to do. I will definitely not disgrace the prestige of our Hidden Mist Village! Nor will I let other ninja villages take advantage of the situation."
Mei Terumi nodded heavily.
A look of determination appeared in those beautiful eyes.
This blatant meaning could already be "gotten."
Genji also nodded with satisfaction.
Only Ao on the side still looked half-understanding.
He wanted to ask something, but finally swallowed it back. Anyway, as long as Mei Terumi understood, it was fine. Although in age and seniority, Ao was undoubtedly Mei Terumi's senior, Ao also belonged to the kind of person who was dedicated to the public good. Just as Genji valued Mei Terumi, at this stage, Ao also felt that Mei Terumi was the most excellent one in the Hidden Mist Village in terms of strength, capacity, means, and overall view.
Whether leading the team this time or the position of Mizukage in the future.
Ao was willing to recognize Mei Terumi.
"Very good, then you go down and prepare. If nothing unexpected happens, the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Cloud should also be acting in these few days. Especially that Fourth Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village, he is not someone with a good temper."
Genji nodded slowly. His slightly raised line of sight seemed to be able to pass through the long border line to see the Hidden Leaf Village in the Land of Fire and the Hidden Cloud Village in the Land of Lightning, speaking softly.
"Yes!!!"
The Hidden Mist Village officially acted.
Different from the previous open observation, this time they were going to participate solidly. Of course, who the blade would point to was uncertain now.
The only certainty was that whether it was Genji or Mei Terumi, they absolutely wouldn't allow the core interests of their ninja village to be touched by other nations' ninja villages.
As long as this point could be ensured.
Genji and Mei Terumi wouldn't care about the rest. Even if the Hidden Leaf weakened and the Hidden Cloud rose, at most it would just be changing a ninja world overlord. At this stage, their Hidden Mist Village didn't want to, nor had the ability to participate in these things!
They just wanted to guard their own ninja village's turf!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Mist ninja gathered upon receiving the conscription order.
Each one was a ninja village elite. Mist ninja who could survive the more cruel and bloody Blood Mist internal strife a few years ago, excluding the rookie Genin who graduated recently and some lucky ones, the rest were elites who licked blood from the blade tip.
Even if only three thousand people, the combat power they could unleash was unparalleled. Not to mention the leader was Mei Terumi, a person currently possessing quasi-Kage level.
Such a legion composition, according to past experience, was already enough to deal with almost all hostile situations.
Moreover, the main force of this action was the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Leaf.
On this point, both Genji and Mei Terumi saw very thoroughly. And just as personnel were ready and supplies were almost mobilized...
Accompanied by Bi sending the reply letter agreeing to the Hidden Leaf's joint action in Genji's name...
Mei Terumi also led these Mist ninja, crossing heavy waves.
Heading towards the mainland at high speed.
And just before the Mist ninja acted.
The Cloud ninja located in the northeast corner of the mainland also launched action one step ahead, just as Genji predicted.
It could be said that the Fourth Raikage received the news even earlier than Genji.
Almost the moment it was corroborated by his own intelligence system.
He instantly flew into a rage!
The ferocious appearance revealed directly in the office was simply as if he wished to fly to the front line immediately, find Orochimaru, Menma, and others, and swallow them alive.
Although judging from the current intelligence, there was no evidence to confirm 100% that his Darui and the group died at the hands of Orochimaru and Menma.
But for this kind of thing, just suspicion was enough.
Not to mention.
The Nine-Tails itself was prey the Fourth Raikage had been longing to obtain.
And now adding the Six-Tails and Seven-Tails.
This was purely a collection of interests and hatred.
It was impossible for the Fourth Raikage not to act. Let alone when he dozed off, the Hidden Leaf directly sent a pillow. Therefore, the Fourth Raikage acted arbitrarily again.
Directly under the circumstance where intelligence was conclusive.
He issued an order for combat readiness mobilization.
Of course, under the rage, this Fourth Raikage A still maintained basic rationality. He didn't intend to wage a total war. One reason was fear of the preparations of the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Mist.
The Five Great Ninja Villages had fought each other for decades.
Talking about trust and friendship?
That was a joke.
Under any circumstances, the Five Great Ninja Villages had to be vigilant and guarded against each other. The kind of thing where one fought happily with other ninja villages in front, only to be ambushed by another ninja village from behind, had happened countless times in the past three Great Ninja Wars.
The Hidden Leaf was certainly a hard-hit area.
The Hidden Cloud Village also had experiences of disaster.
The Hidden Stone Village in the Third Great Ninja War was the most recent example.
Therefore, on the necessary defense lines, the Fourth Raikage not only didn't relax at all but further strengthened the defensive power.
As for the issues of Orochimaru, Menma Uzumaki, and the subsequent Hidden Grass Village and Hidden Waterfall Village.
This time!
The Fourth Raikage planned to lead the team personally!
Coincidentally, the Fourth Raikage really didn't want to see similar things happen again. The enemy to be dealt with now could be treated completely as a large ninja village of the same level—Hidden Waterfall Village + Hidden Grass Village!
The combat troops reached seven or eight thousand, or even more.
Most importantly, there were three Tailed Beast Jinchuriki!
And Orochimaru, an existence at the Five Kage level famous for many years (up to now, the vast majority of outsiders still thought Menma was subordinate to Orochimaru).
If handed over to others to be responsible.
That wasn't a question of being cautious enough or not.
But purely water in the brain.
The Fourth Raikage, determined to declare his ninja village's hegemony with the momentum of sweeping away fallen leaves in the autumn wind, issued orders from top to bottom without any hesitation.
Similarly, more than three thousand elite Cloud ninja gathered, and the Two-Tails Jinchuriki—Yugito Nii, specially summoned back by the Fourth Raikage.
Under the leadership of this Fourth Raikage.
They sped all the way down, heading towards the location of the Hidden Waterfall Village in the southwest direction of the Land of Lightning.
It must be said.
This Fourth Raikage was truly unparalleled in execution.
When the Hidden Leaf Village received the news.
The Fourth Raikage had already led his own Cloud ninja troops to the territory of the Land of Frost, then headed west all the way, pressing straight towards the Land of Waterfalls.
"Fourth Raikage, do we really not want to wait for the Hidden Leaf to act together? And regarding the Hidden Mist, I heard the Hidden Leaf also sent special personnel to request joint action. Judging from the current situation, either the other two go up first, or it's most appropriate for the three to act together. If we detonate the war first, we are very likely to suffer the heaviest blow. No matter what, there are three Tailed Beast Jinchuriki there now."
On the rapidly marching road.
Dodai, the staff officer following closely beside the Fourth Raikage, also looked at the side of the Fourth Raikage's face with a trace of gravity and said in a deep voice.
Regarding this action itself.
Dodai didn't oppose it.
Hatred existed in itself. Dodai knew too well Darui's status in his own ninja village and in his Raikage's heart. Such an important figure being killed must be avenged. Their Hidden Cloud Village wasn't the Hidden Leaf.
Otherwise, the Fourth Raikage wouldn't have clashed hard with the Hidden Leaf directly when there was only a little sign. Now that it was almost 100% confirmed to be done by Orochimaru and Menma Uzumaki, action was inevitable.
Not to mention there were huge interests like the Six-Tails, Seven-Tails, and Nine-Tails involved.
Dodai couldn't not support it.
But he still opposed dispatching troops so hastily. The posture must be put out, but at least they should drag the Hidden Leaf to act together, right?
This was not only sharing pressure but also a kind of pressure on the Hidden Leaf.
Dodai didn't want to see it end up with their single ninja village confronting Orochimaru and Menma Uzumaki hard; the risk was a bit too high.
"Dodai, necessary caution is indeed needed, but it depends on the occasion. Now is not the time to fuss about those details. Hmph, wait for the Hidden Leaf? No, I won't give up such an initiative. As for the risk you mentioned? Just defeat the enemy with thunderous momentum, isn't that enough!? Moreover, do you think the Hidden Leaf will still watch from the sidelines when they actively proposed it? Do they dare!? Now the initiative is in our hands. Unless that bunch in the Hidden Leaf really wants to trigger a total war with our Hidden Cloud Village. But even if that happens, I have countermeasures!"
The Fourth Raikage A didn't look back, speaking directly with a tone that seemed to carry disdain.
Causing Dodai's face to change slightly involuntarily.
The next second, a look of realization flowed in his pupils. At this moment, Dodai could truly understand why his Fourth Raikage led the troops forward so decisively.
Seize the dominance!
Was the most critical urgent matter!
As long as this point was ensured, wouldn't it be up to their Hidden Cloud Village to decide what to do later?
After understanding this, especially confirming that his Raikage wasn't truly blinded by rage and rushing up recklessly, the big stone hanging over Dodai's heart also slowly relaxed.
"I understand your meaning. Then on the other side, I will pay extra attention."
Dodai nodded in reply.
"Mhm, I leave it to you. This time, I want the entire ninja world to tremble at the power of our Hidden Cloud!"
The Fourth Raikage snorted coldly.
The aura flowing out of his body was like violent thunder.
With an explosion of chakra.
He proceeded at an even faster speed.
Converging gazes, the three great ninja villages acting respectively. And Menma, who had estimated and prepared long ago.
As the three great ninja villages acted.
Especially when the troops of the Hidden Cloud Village approached at the highest speed.
Menma also received the most accurate news immediately.
And it should be said, even with prior mental preparation, when receiving the intelligence of the synchronous action of the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Leaf (due to distance, news of the Mist ninja hadn't been received at this time).
Menma couldn't help but feel his heart tighten.
Even Menma was like this.
Let alone Shibuki, Agun, and others.
The moment they received the news, they obviously revealed very nervous and worried expressions.
Having expectations in mind.
And when this scene truly arrived.
There was still a fundamental difference!!