"No! No, Lord Hokage!!"
Another shinobi appeared. This one was from the Hidden Mist Village.
"Lord Mizukage! Lord Hokage! We're closest to the Land of Water. You have no idea how terrifying our Land of Water is! They've captured all the children! They've taken away the children from every household! Our Land of Water needs saving even more!!"
"What?!"
Chōjūrō's whole body trembled, disbelief filling his heart.
I've only just become Mizukage, and I'm already going to become a sinner?
Damn it!!
He was unwilling to accept this. With the situation becoming critical, he finally began to empathize with Hashirama.
"What are they taking the children for??"
Chōjūrō grabbed the man by the collar.
"I... I don't know!"
"They suddenly mobilized and took away all the children!"
"According to the civilians, their strength... is probably on par with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen! And there are more than a thousand of them, maybe even tens of thousands!!"
Chōjūrō's mind went blank. He staggered back two steps, then fell heavily to the ground.
My strength right now... is only about equal to the Seven Ninja Swordsmen...
The enemy has over a thousand... maybe even tens of thousands...
It's over!
That was the only thought in his mind.
As Mizukage, I'm probably going to become a part of history—and the most infamous part of it at that!
He hated himself for being powerless, but there was nothing he could do.
Then he suddenly saw Hashirama beside him.
With a thump, he fell directly to his knees.
"Lord Hashirama! Please, I beg you! Save our Hidden Mist Village first!"
"They took those children away. War is a matter between us shinobi, so what are they planning to do to the children?"
"Lord Hashirama, please save those children! I... I... I'm willing to represent the