[Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.]
Hidden Mist Village was a city surrounded by lush mountains and clear waters, often shrouded in dense mist and filled with Eastern aesthetic charm.
However, as one sharp whistling sound after another streaked through the air—
Tension seeped into every corner of the village.
The civilians who had been walking the streets saw large numbers of ninja racing across the rooftops and hurried home with their children.
More than ten minutes later.
When Kazahana Eiji, the current Third Mizukage, arrived at the village gates with two ANBU ninja following behind him—
Nearly two thousand Hidden Mist ninja had already gathered there.
Though the number did not seem large, combined with the more than three thousand stationed in the capital, they had over five thousand ninja.
Such a force was enough to destroy every nation and Ninja Village in the Shinobi World apart from the other four great nations.
Of course, that was not all of them. Some ninja still needed to remain behind to guard the village and its borders.
"Move out!"
Kazahana Eiji swept his hand outward, appearing calm and composed, his expression resolute.
Yet inwardly, he was still hesitating over whether to risk everything to protect the Daimyo.
In his view, as Mizukage—
The safety and interests of Hidden Mist Village came first. The Daimyo and the Land of Water came second.
Still, they had an agreement. The Daimyo took part of the Land of Water's tax revenue to fund Hidden Mist Village, while Hidden Mist Village provided military assistance to the Daimyo and the Land of Water, defending the country against attacks and invasions from other nations.
In other words, the two sides were partners, not master and subordinate.
Of course, in terms of outward status, the Daimyo ranked above the Mizukage.
For