Kirigakure Mobilizes

Kirigakure Mobilizes

"Ah, the scent of the sea breeze—so refreshing."

Hozuki Gengetsu stood on the shore, gazing into the distance as he sighed.

Behind Hozuki Gengetsu stood Mizunaki Kuchiki, along with seven young men carrying seven different Ninja Swords.

"Lord Mizukage, an army of ten thousand ninja and fifty warships are ready. We can depart at any time."

Mizunaki Kuchiki looked at Hozuki Gengetsu solemnly.

This was the foundation of Kirigakure—the basis of their invincibility as they roamed the seas.

Even Tobirama Senju, known as the Water God, could not confront them head-on at sea. A Water God was ultimately only a Water God, not an invincible Sea God.

"Tell all ninja to prepare to board the ships. We will pacify the Land of Whirlpools in the First Great Ninja War.

"A mere ninja clan actually dared to establish a nation.

"Where did that leave the Five Great Ninja Villages?"

Hozuki Gengetsu said cruelly and arrogantly.

Mizunaki Kuchiki wore a cold smile behind him.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen smiled even more cruelly.

The Land of Whirlpools had slapped the Five Great Ninja Villages and the Five Great Nations hardest in the face. Among them, Kirigakure and the Land of Water had suffered the greatest humiliation.

The Daimyo of the Land of Water and the First Mizukage had fought south and north for years, conquering island after island and building town after town. Only after paying an enormous price had they become one of the Five Great Nations.

How many tangled interests were involved? How many forces had joined in and demanded a say?

They were both maritime nations, yet the Land of Whirlpools and Kirigakure—a single clan—occupied such a vast, resource-rich island. One clan raised enough ninja for a small Ninja Village.

In the past, while Hashirama Senju was alive, it was under his protection, so no one dared say anything. Later, Mito Uzumaki and the Senju Clan held great power and could persuade Konoha to send troops, so no one dared say anything then either.

But now? Heh. Konoha was fighting itself into a complete mess. Did it still have the leisure to care about them?

You bunch of little brats who had barely seen any war, get ready to taste what your Kirigakure masters were capable of.

"Kuchiki, send out all the Sensor Ninja and reconnaissance ninja. Also, send someone to check the border of the Land of Wind.

"Right now, the ones most likely to cause trouble are those Sand Dogs from the Land of Wind."

Though Hozuki Gengetsu was arrogant and confident that he could control everything, he still prepared to smile on the surface while cursing inwardly.

"Yes, Lord Mizukage."

Mizunaki Kuchiki respectfully withdrew.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen behind him seemed to have something to say, but they held it back.

All seven of them were Hozuki Gengetsu's direct subordinates, and the weapons they wielded had been forged by him. After some thought, they decided not to contradict their leader.

Hozuki Gengetsu was, after all, a decent Sensor Ninja. As a Kage-level expert, he possessed all the caution he should have had, and he naturally sensed the changes in the group behind him.

He sighed faintly inside. These men were already elites among elites. With the Ninja Swords, they could be called Quasi-Kage.

But had these idiots never considered why he had mass-produced "Quasi-Kage"?

Kirigakure simply did not have enough peak-level strength.

If they had enough, why would he do this? Would it not be better to keep them and let them advance on their own?

External power was ultimately external power. Was it not better to rely on oneself?

Mizunaki Kuchiki moved quickly. As the designated successor, both his strength and temperament were more than sufficient.

Once Mizunaki Kuchiki returned, Hozuki Gengetsu felt reassured. He waved his hand and led the ninja swiftly aboard the ships.

All supplies had been fully prepared, and every scout that needed to be deployed had already been sent out. Everything was ready.

He could not remain overly cautious any longer.

At the same time, at the border of the Land of Wind, in a coastal city.

This was one of the few cities in the Land of Wind. Because it bordered the sea, its economy was relatively developed, making it an important inland city of the Land of Wind.

At this moment, within Sunagakure's garrison in the city, Ebizo sat facing Bunpuku.

"Well? Can you sense whether there are any traces of Kirigakure nearby?"

Ebizo processed intelligence as he questioned Bunpuku, who sat silently with his eyes closed.

As for sensory abilities, every one of those sand-playing ninja in Sunagakure had invested in them.

Bunpuku possessed Shukaku, a massive battery, so his endurance was exceptionally strong—truly one charge was better than six.

"The sand tells me there is no unusual Chakra nearby. However, the wind tells me that the air is filled with murderous intent."

Bunpuku opened his eyes and spoke without joy or sorrow.

"In Lord Kazekage's words: science plus mysticism, intelligence plus sensing—the accuracy rate is over ninety percent."

The young Ebizo joked.

Though he joked on the surface, Ebizo felt extremely heavyhearted inside.

"Elder, everything will follow your decision. My duty is to protect your safety."

Bunpuku shook his head, ignoring Ebizo's teasing.

He was Yunqing's greatest supporter in Sunagakure, offering unconditional support.

Yunqing had given him freedom, given him faith, and given Shukaku an environment in which to live.

Under Yunqing's leadership, and with Shukaku's cooperation, Sunagakure had become highly accepting of both Shukaku and him.

Shukaku was already showing signs of evolving from the Sand Demon into the Guardian Deity of Sand.

"Fine. In that case, the two of us should make preparations and travel to the Land of Whirlpools as envoys.

"A proper diplomatic mission, carried out openly before the Land of Water and Kirigakure."

Ebizo said, his gaze turning icy.

In almost an instant, Ebizo understood everything and knew what to do.

Weak nations had no diplomacy. The Land of Wind was treating worthy people with courtesy; to the people of the Land of Whirlpools, they would be saviors.

To the Land of Water and Kirigakure, a Kage-level expert and a Quasi-Kage expert were already immense pressure, not to mention the Land of Wind they represented.

Especially since the peace treaty between Yunqing, Mu, and Hiruzen Sarutobi had already spread throughout the ninja world through the efforts of interested parties.

Ebizo, Sunagakure's strategist, understood very clearly what those interested parties intended. But it did not matter. A Double-Edged Sword could be used by them as well.

"Understood. If I discover anything, I will come notify you."

Bunpuku pressed his hands together, bowed slightly, and withdrew.

Ebizo watched Bunpuku with satisfaction. Ever since Bunpuku had become a combat asset, Sunagakure had cursed itself countless times for being foolish.

Such a valuable asset could become effective fighting strength merely by being given sufficient trust and sufficient honor. Why had they been so foolish before?

Would not their benefits be maximized only if Sunagakure grew stronger?

Every time Ebizo finished speaking with Bunpuku, he would curse those long-dead predecessors for being narrow-minded. They truly had been a bunch of short-sighted fools.

After returning to his room, Bunpuku calmed his mind and entered his consciousness space.

On a land filled with birdsong and flowers stood a modest mountain, with a small temple upon it. Bunpuku appeared before the temple and sat cross-legged.

He quietly began meditating and chanting scriptures.