stonecrandall Chapter 124 If anything goes wrong, take down the Mizukage immediately!
Chapter 124 If anything goes wrong, take down the Mizukage immediately!
Chapter 124 If anything goes wrong, take out the Mizukage immediately!
"Hiruzen! Are you insane?!"
Akimichi Torifu suddenly stood up, his massive body trembling slightly with excitement: "Surrender to Kirigakure, do you know what that means! The dignity of Konoha, the interests of the Land of Fire, and the blood feud of those who died in battle—"
"Of course I know!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly raised his voice, and he also stood up, placing his hands on the table, his eyes filled with unfathomable pain and determination.
"I know this means humiliation! It means compromise! It means we have to say sorry to our comrades who died at the hands of Kirigakure, to the heroic souls who sacrificed themselves on the Eastern Front!"
"But Torifu, look outside! Look at those children still on the front lines, using their flesh and blood to hold off the attacks of Iwagakure and Kumogakure!"
"If we don't do this, if we have to divide our forces to fill that bottomless pit on the eastern front, then it won't be long before the ninjas from Iwagakure and Kumogakure break through our defenses and besiege Konoha! At that time, it won't just be a few thousand people who die, but the entire Konoha, the entire Land of Fire!"
"Dignity? Interests? Blood feud?"
"Of course I want revenge! More than anyone else, I want to personally twist off the heads of Makoto and Yagura to pay tribute to Shinnosuke, to pay tribute to Jiraiya, and to pay tribute to all the Konoha ninja who died in battle!"
"But then what?"
"Konoha is gone. Everything is over. The village that the First Hokage and our teacher built, the dream that the Uchiha and Senju clans created together—all of it will turn to ashes."
"I am the Hokage. My responsibility is not to act rashly, not to worry about the gains or losses of a single city or place, and not even to be concerned with personal honor or hatred."
"My responsibility is to ensure Konoha's survival. No matter the cost, no matter the infamy I bear, as long as the seed of Konoha remains, hope remains!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice lowered, yet became even more powerful, like the low growl of a wounded lion.
"A temporary bow is so that you can stand tall and reclaim everything in the future!"
"Compromising with Kirigakure now is not surrender, but a strategic retreat! It's about conserving strength and waiting for the right opportunity!"
The tent fell silent once again.
Akimichi Torifu opened his mouth, but found that he could not say anything in rebuttal.
Orochimaru stood to the side, his eyes showing little surprise.
The moment he saw the battle report from the Hidden Mist battlefield, he guessed that his teacher would do this. This Hokage, who always put the interests of the village first, could always make the choice that best served the interests of the village after weighing the pros and cons.
The representatives of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, standing to the side, breathed a sigh of relief.
As the pillars of their families, they also did not want to see more of their clansmen die meaninglessly on the battlefield, and peace talks were undoubtedly the best option.
"Teacher, what are your plans?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and sat back down in his chair, as if his fierce words had exhausted all his strength.
He picked up his pipe and took a deep drag.
The smoke rose again, blurring his tired but resolute face.
"I will personally draft a secret peace agreement in the name of the Hokage and deliver it directly to the Third Mizukage of Kirigakure."
"Specific terms can be discussed."
"As long as Kirigakure ceases all military operations on the Eastern Front, reparations or other conditions are negotiable!"
This is no longer a peace talk.
These words are practically tantamount to admitting Konoha's complete defeat on the eastern front and paying a real price in terms of territory and money; it is nothing short of surrender!
shame.
A blatant disgrace.
But no one voiced any objection.
Because everyone understands that this is the price the defeated must pay. Preserving core interests and gaining some breathing room is already the best outcome.
Will Kirigakure agree?
Nara Shikaku pondered for a moment before speaking, "Especially that Makoto Karatachi—his attitude is likely crucial. According to intelligence, his influence within Kirigakure is rapidly increasing, and he might even affect the Mizukage's decisions."
He will agree.
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
"Makoto Karatachi is no fool. The power and ambition he has displayed indicate that he has grand plans. Completely destroying Konoha in a short period of time may not be the best option for him and Kirigakure."
"If Konoha really launches a desperate counterattack, resulting in a lose-lose situation, Kirigakure may not gain more than it has now through peace talks."
Does Konoha still have the ability to fight Kirigakure to the death?
The answer is yes.
As the number one ninja village in the ninja world, Konoha's foundation is so strong that it can be described as exaggerated to an extreme.
Even before the outbreak of the Third Shinobi World War, Konoha's White Fang committed suicide, severing one of his arms.
Even in this war, Konoha was fighting against the other four major nations at the same time, fighting on four fronts.
Even on the battlefield in Kirigakure, countless Konoha ninjas died, including the legendary Sannin Jiraiya, Fugaku Uchiha, Shiki Aburame, Homura Mitokado, and countless elite Jonin.
However, Konoha's current strength still ranks at the top of the five great ninja villages!
This is the true value of being the number one ninja village in the ninja world.
It can be said that Konoha at this stage is absolutely capable of starting another war with Kirigakure, fighting until the sky darkens and the Great Dao is obliterated.
But so what?
Going to the death with Kirigakure would only allow the other three great nations to reap the benefits and laugh all the while, and it would bring no benefit to Konoha. Even if Kirigakure were wiped out, so what?
The Land of Fire has such fertile land that they haven't even finished developing yet. Why would they bother with a poor, remote, and dilapidated island?
Peace talks are the best way to resolve the issue right now!
"Lu Jiu, this matter requires your leadership. You are responsible for selecting the negotiators; they must be absolutely reliable, adaptable, and able to uphold the bottom line."
Nara Shikaku took a deep breath and nodded solemnly: "I understand, Hokage-sama. I will come up with a plan and personnel as soon as possible."
"To obtain the wind."
Hiruzen Sarutobi then looked at Torifu Akimichi: "The defenses on other front lines must not be relaxed, especially the vigilance against Iwagakure and Kumogakure, which must be raised to the highest level. We must show Kirigakure that although Konoha suffered a setback on the eastern front, it still has the ability to fight to the death and make other enemies pay a heavy price! That way, they will have some reservations at the negotiating table."
Akimichi Torifu nodded vigorously: "Leave it to me!"
"Haiyi, Dingzuo, work with Lujiu and Qufeng to stabilize the internal situation, especially—news must be strictly sealed off. The news of the disastrous defeat on the eastern front and the impending peace talks must not be leaked in the short term, otherwise the morale of the army will be completely destroyed."
"yes!"
The group bowed and silently withdrew from the main tent.
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi left Orochimaru behind.
Orochimaru.
"Teacher." Orochimaru bowed slightly.
"I do understand the principles you've put forward, but there are some things we can't just use recklessly." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his most proud disciple and lowered his voice slightly: "But we can't completely entrust the future of Konoha to a single peace talk."
Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
"Teacher, you mean—"
"I will allow you to peruse the Book of Seals, but what I need is controllable power that can be used for the village. Do you understand what I mean?"
A knowing smile flashed in Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils, and he lightly licked his lips.
"Of course, teacher. I've always—always understood."
"For the future of Konoha."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave him a deep look, but said nothing more.
He waved his hand, and Orochimaru also left.
Inside the vast tent, only Hiruzen Sarutobi remained, sitting amidst the billowing smoke, watching the sunset gradually sink below the horizon outside the window.
The afterglow of the setting sun was as dazzling as fresh blood.
He picked up his pen, unrolled a blank scroll, and held the pen tip there for a long time before finally letting it fall slowly.
Every single word carries immense weight.
This is a humiliating document.
But it is also a spark that preserves hope!
For Konoha!
"So, thank you for your help, Ao. It's all for the future of Kirigakure."
"Yes, Captain!"
After talking with Yagura and Ao for several hours, Ao left the clan's territory with a heavy heart.
What happened today was truly horrifying, and he himself knew very well that from the moment he discerned the chakra within the Mizukage's mind, he was already on his captain's pirate ship, with no way off.
-
That kind of thing is simply—
"No.
""
Ao shook her head violently: "Lord Yagura was the only candidate for the Fourth Hokage from the start. This is perfectly reasonable, legal, and compliant with regulations!"
Without hesitation, the white-eyed assassin turned and entered the territory of the Dried Persimmon Clan, which was closest to the territory of the Lycium Clan.
And after Qing left.
Makoto Karatachi talked with Yagura for a long time, and Yagura finally nodded.
"I agree with your plans, Acheng, but I'm not sure how much power we can actually gather."
"Cousin, you can actually bring the clan chief here. He already possesses an unimaginable amount of power."
"Dad?"
Yagura was taken aback.
Gouju shrugged noncommittally: "You don't actually think our clan leader is a sugar-coated fool, do you?"
Before Yagura's meteoric rise, the Karatachi clan was only considered a mid-to-lower-tier ninja clan in Kirigakure. However, after the emergence of this exceptional genius, Yagura, the entire clan rose to prominence and became one of the top clans in Kirigakure.
This kind of approach cannot be achieved by a single strong person; more importantly, it requires the leader's ability.
Otherwise, take a look at the Hatake clan of Konoha.
Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha, was incredibly powerful, yet the Hatake clan was merely a small ninja clan in Konoha. This might be partly due to the different circumstances of the two major ninja villages, but more importantly, it was due to the abilities of their clan leader.
Putting everything else aside, just the fact that after Gouju Cheng stopped pretending to be a spoiled brat and started acting all high and mighty, Gouju Hui created a Mist Blade Squad, shows how valuable this old patriarch of the Gouju clan really is!
"Please invite the clan chief to come and discuss matters."
Yagura remained silent for a long time before finally giving orders to the family guards who had been standing not far away.
He really didn't believe that his patriarch father, who was always smiling and seemed to do nothing but cultivate, drink tea, and grow flowers, could possess any unimaginable power.
But since Cheng is so certain, there's no harm in listening.
After all, this concerns not only the position of Mizukage, but also the future of the entire Karatachi clan, and even the life and death of Kirigakure.
The family guards obeyed and left.
"—No offense, cousin, but shouldn't we go find the clan chief ourselves? Why did we have to make him come over?"
"They're all the same."
Yagura casually remarked, prompting Makoto Karatachi, who was standing nearby, to silently give a thumbs up.
You really know how to be a son, cousin!
Not long after, a series of unhurried footsteps came from under the eaves of the courtyard.
The newcomer was an elderly man dressed in a loose, dark purple kimono, with gray hair that was neatly combed, and a refined yet dignified appearance.
It is none other than Gouju Hui, the current patriarch of the Gouju clan!
"You still made me come over so late, it must be something very important."
Gouju Hui looked at the two brothers and said with a smile.
I thought it was terrible, terrible, terrible 0MG, that Yagura's position as Mizukage was in jeopardy.
As a result, Makoto Karimoto single-handedly turned the tide of the battle, achieving a miraculous comeback. Since Makoto Karimoto returned, the smile on his old face has practically never stopped. When he talks to his old buddies, he even looks down on them, transforming into a steelback beast!
Gouju Hui casually sat down next to the two brothers, without any airs of a clan leader or elder.
After organizing his thoughts, Yagura didn't waste any time and succinctly recounted Makoto's discovery that evening, Ao's Byakugan confirming that the Third Mizukage's brain had been long-term erosion and control by an unknown chakra, as well as the subsequent analysis and preliminary plan.
The more he listened, the more his smile froze, until finally his brows furrowed.
Even so, Makoto Karatachi did not interrupt Yagura, but waited until Yagura finished speaking before letting out a long sigh.
"Just as I thought."
"Dad, what's wrong with you—"
Yagura was somewhat surprised.
His father's reaction didn't seem entirely one of shock; rather, it seemed as if his suspicions had been confirmed.
Teruhiko Koji raised his hand, interrupting Yagura's question.
He didn't answer directly, but looked at Makoto Koji with a complicated expression.
"Acheng, are you sure about Qing's white eye and your perception?"
"Sure."
Gojiki Makoto nodded, his eyes unwavering: "That chakra was cold and obscure, like a malignant tumor clinging to the bone, deeply entrenched, and certainly not formed in a short time. It's been there for at least a decade."
"More than ten years —"
Kujiki closed his eyes: "No wonder—no wonder that in the past ten years or so, many of the Mizukage's decisions, though seemingly sound, have actually been passive step by step. Seemingly for the sake of Kirigakure, they have always made subtle deviations at crucial moments, causing us to miss opportunities and even suffer unnecessary losses."
"The Blood Mist policy of the Hidden Mist is becoming increasingly severe, with the crackdown on the Bloodstained Families sometimes tight and sometimes loose, and relations with neighboring countries being inexplicably tense and then inexplicably relaxed—many things, now that I think about them, seem very strange."
"I originally thought it was the elders' obstruction, that the Mizukage was getting old and his energy was failing, or that he was being misled by some close advisors with ulterior motives—"
"But I never expected the truth to be so shocking."
Gou Juhui opened his eyes, and deep within those eyes that always carried a kind and smiling expression, a sharpness that had been accumulating for many years was now flashing.
He looked at his son, Yagura, and then at his nephew, Makoto Karatachi.
"You did the right thing. This matter must not be made public, much less be handed over to the council of elders for discussion."
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"Among those old guys, how many are truly loyal to Kirigakure, how many are only concerned with their own family's interests, and how many—maybe have already been infiltrated and won over by the force that controls the Mizukage—no one can say for sure."
Yagura was startled.
He rarely saw his father with such a stern expression.
"Father, did you already suspect something?"
"As the head of the clan and the father of the future Mizukage, it would be a dereliction of duty of me to be completely unaware of the abnormalities in the village."
"But I have no evidence, and I've never dared to consider the possibility that the Mizukage has been under long-term control. After all—it's too far-fetched, and too dangerous. If even the slightest leak were to occur, my entire clan of Karatachi would be annihilated."
Gouju Hui's gaze fell on Gouju Cheng again: "Cheng, you took too much risk this time. What if the controller notices, or if something goes wrong on Qing's side—"
"So the first person I contacted was my cousin, instead of telling everyone directly."
Gouju Cheng shrugged: "Besides, things have already come to this point. If we drag this out any longer, when my cousin officially takes over, that guy hiding in the shadows will shift his control target, and that will be the real disaster."
Gou Juhui remained silent for a moment, then nodded.
"You're right. Now is not the time to hesitate."
"Since we're going to take action, we must be quick, ruthless, and precise. Yagura, immediately summon all the Jonin and clan representatives who support you, ostensibly to discuss post-war reconstruction. You must make them understand that with the Fourth Hokage's ascension, Kirigakure will usher in a new era, past losses will be compensated, and future benefits will be redistributed."
"Also, you've already sent Ao to find those ninja clans?"
"Not many, just the Yuki clan, Hozuki clan, Hoshigaki clan, and Ringo clan," Yagura Karatachi said, shaking his head. "A-Cheng said these are all members of the Mist Blade Squad, so we can invite them, and we have a reason to invite them."
"Ah Cheng is right. The reason I arranged the Mist Blade Squad in this way was to bind these four races to us."
"But Qing————"
"Ao isn't stupid; he knows the principle that once you're on the boat, you can't get off," Makoto Karatachi affirmed. "Moreover, he witnessed that chakra with his own eyes and understands even more clearly how dangerous it would be for the entire Hidden Mist Village if the controller were allowed to continue lurking. He's a ninja loyal to the village, and we can trust him on that point."
"very good."
A hint of admiration flashed in Kojiki's eyes: "However, it's not enough to just let Ao do it alone. I'll personally go to those four clans later. Also, you did a great job at Kaguya-san. I can also go and say a few words to Kaguya."
"Besides, I've also built up some connections and resources on my own. If you're going to take action, don't overthink it, just go for it."
"Dad, you—"
Yagura was also somewhat speechless.
Gou Juhui waved his hand: "There are some things that were originally intended to be revealed one by one to help you gain a foothold when you officially take over the throne and face difficulties from those old guys. But the situation is special now, so we have to use them ahead of schedule."
"But remember, what we, the Karatachi clan, are doing now is not to seize power, but to save Kirigakure! To eliminate the malignant tumor lurking in the heart of the village! And our actions must be swift, completing the transfer of power with lightning speed before the controllers can react, while simultaneously eliminating the hidden dangers!"
"Acheng is trying to remove the control using the kaleidoscope; this is a crucial step. If he succeeds, everything will be fine."
"If we fail—"
A cold glint flashed in Teruhiro's eyes: "Then let's take care of the Mizukage immediately. We're at war now, so whether we pin it on an accident or Konoha, there's always a reason."
Gouju was quite taken aback.
The old generation is the old generation. He only had a preliminary plan with Yagura, but Teruhiko was already prepared for the plan to fail and directly killed the Mizukage to push everything to Konoha!
"Are you scared?"
Goujuhui looked at the two young people.
Yagura took a deep breath, his eyes resolute: "For Kirigakure, there's nothing to fear."
Gouju Cheng grinned: "Clan leader, since you've put it this way, if we don't do it, wouldn't it make our Gouju clan seem cowardly? Besides, I really want to see what that old bastard who's been hiding in the shadows for over a decade looks like."
Gouju Hui looked at the two of them, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.
"Now that you've made up your mind, just do it."
"Three days."
"Within three days, I will mobilize all available resources to pave the way for you and create the best opportunity."
"Now that the Fuguki is gone, the Samehada will definitely need to be reassigned. Yagura will definitely be going, and you, Makoto, are the captain who wields four ninja swords, so your opinion is very important. The Mizukage might even directly hand Samehada over to you."
"That will be a good opportunity."
Gouju nodded emphatically: "Understood."
"Yagura, in these three days, besides contacting the various clans and Jonin, you also have one more thing to do." Teruyuki looked at his son, "Visit Elder Genshi. Be humble and tell him that after you succeed him, you will respect the traditions of the elders, guarantee the rights and interests of his family, and hope to gain his support."
"Although Elder Yuan is conservative, he values rules and stability the most. If we can demonstrate sufficient strength and sincerity, he is likely to remain neutral, or even provide covert support."
"Yes, Father."
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"Furthermore, that controller—since he has been able to control the Mizukage for over a decade without being detected, his strength and methods are absolutely extraordinary. We must also prepare for the worst, and even be ready to wage a full-scale war against an unknown and powerful enemy."
"But it would be fine if he really went head-to-head with us. I'm just afraid he might do something underhanded, like secretly controlling things or something."
"I have a kaleidoscope too, I'm not afraid of him!"
"I'm relieved to hear that."
With everything arranged, Gouju Hui looked at the two brothers one last time, his tone unusually gentle.
"Remember, regardless of success or failure, you are all the most outstanding descendants of my Gouju clan."
"If we win this battle, Kirigakure will be reborn, and my clan, Karatachi, will truly stand at the pinnacle of the ninja world."
"If we lose—"
He paused for a moment, his voice low.
"Then I, this old man, will take all the blame."
"Father!"
"Chieftain!"
The two brothers spoke at the same time.
Gou Juhui waved his hand, and a smile reappeared on his face.
"Go, proceed according to plan."
"We'll see everything in three days."
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