Jiro Island, Kirigakure commander's tent.
Hozuki Akizuki looked over the ninja casualties from the last battle, his brow furrowed with worry.
What should I do...
Why did this war have to go on?!
Here on the Land of Sea's front line, the Kirigakure ninja stationed on the two islands were almost all members of the oppressed clans.
The war had been going on for months. How many people had they lost?!
They had received intelligence that many Bloodline Limit users were being held on Kijin Island, so he had organized a large-scale night raid to try to rescue their imprisoned comrades.
But in the end, they had still failed.
The strongest Kirigakure had were him and the Kaguya Clan chief stationed on nearby Taro Island. The two of them were no match for Orochimaru!
"Alas..."
Hozuki Akizuki let out a long sigh.
He stood up, and the chair beneath him scraped against the floor with a creak.
He took his cup over to the water jug and filled it, then sipped through the straw as he wondered whether Elder Genshi could put more pressure on the Third Mizukage and bring the war to an end sooner.
In the past, the Third Mizukage had at least taken Elder Genshi's proposals seriously.
But lately, the Third Mizukage had become unyielding, completely disregarding their opinions.
Hozuki Akizuki was lost in thought when he suddenly heard the sound of papers rustling behind him.
"!"
He whirled around. A Mysterious Man wearing a white mask marked with three Tomoe was sitting in his seat. He had no idea when the man had appeared!
What the hell?!
Who was this guy?
When had he gotten in?
How had Hozuki Akizuki not noticed a thing?!
"Your losses have been considerable, haven't they?"
Qingye flipped through the documents