Renowned in the Ninja World, Ōnoki: "I Admit There Was a Gambling Element"

The Kirigakure Ninja arrived with great fanfare, only to flee in disarray.

The Konoha ninjas on Kijin Island erupted in cheers.

"You run pretty fast."

Qingye felt a slight sense of regret.

The thunderclouds in the sky had not yet begun to condense into a significant amount, the vapor barrier had not yet closed, and the hydrogen level had not yet reached the threshold.

Unfortunately, with the Third Mizukage having died in battle, Karatachi Yagura became more vigilant and immediately withdrew upon sensing something was amiss.

For the next period of time, the Kirigakure made no move.

Qingye was happy to have some peace and quiet and had no intention of actively seeking trouble with Kirigakure.

Jiro Island.

After Karatachi Yagura returned, he gave orders to everyone to help analyze the principles behind the previous Ninjutsu. However, more than ten days passed without any results.

Nobody can understand it at all.

Then a junior from Kirigakure who had recently graduated from the Ninja Academy came to report that he seemed to have guessed the principle behind that Ninjutsu.

"----What kind of Ninjutsu is this?!"

Yagura was completely stunned after hearing that.

Electrolysis of seawater?

Hydrogen explosion?

Now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense!

No wonder so many of them couldn't figure out the principle; they were just going through the wrong process!

Why does a fire suddenly break out where lightning strikes? Because the lightning ignites the hydrogen gas produced during the electrolysis of water!

Combined with the steam barrier that seemed to be enveloping them from behind—

Karatachi Yagura felt he had a pretty good idea of how the Third Mizukage had died.

Electrolysis of water, hydrogen explosion, water vapor accumulation after the explosion forming cumulonimbus clouds, further lightning strikes and electrolysis of water ----

Even now that he understands the principles of this Ninjutsu, he finds it difficult to break through this combo. Back then, the Third Mizukage was so confused that he probably didn't even realize what was happening before he was blown up!

Is there a way to break this Ninjutsu?

Karatachi Yagura asked the Anbu beside him.

"Well----"

The Anbu hesitated for a long time before asking, "Should we disperse the cumulonimbus clouds?"

How do I break it up?

Karatachi Yagura.

At the height of the clouds, what kind of Ninjutsu could reach that level?

Ordinary Ninjutsu could never reach this range, unless it's Tailed Beast Ball!

The thought of the Tailed Beast Ball Karatachi Yagura reminded Yagura of the Three-Tails, which had been lost due to the Third Mizukage's failed plan, and he felt a wave of distress wash over him.

What kind of mess is this?!

Kirigakure really suffered a huge loss in this war!

"Yagura- sama!"

Suddenly, a Anbu arrived to report, "News has come from the village. The Hozuki Clan and the Kaguya Clan Head have jointly sent a letter saying that they have discovered Mysterious Man secretly using Genjutsu to control the Third Mizukage, but unfortunately they were unable to capture him."

"Wait, what did you say?"

Karatachi Yagura's mind went blank for a moment.

"It means the Third Mizukage was controlled by Genjutsu."

The Anbu repeated themselves, then emphasized. "Furthermore, this letter was sent through Elder Genshi's channels."

"Elder Genshi ----"

Karatachi Yagura's eyes sharpened.

So, does this mean Elder Genshi agreed with the two men's assessment?

Was the Third Mizukage previously controlled by Genjutsu?

Boom!

A powerful surge of Chakra erupted!

The entire tent was like a storm, with documents flying everywhere, and the several Anbu trembling with fear, not daring to even breathe.

"Have you found out who that bastard is?"

Karatachi Yagura's face was filled with coldness, and the veins on his forehead throbbed wildly.

I see!

No wonder the Third Mizukage became so autocratic before!

There's also the plan to implant the Three-Tails and guide it into a rampage. The formulation of such a high-risk plan clearly indicates that someone is secretly plotting behind the scenes!

"Their identity is unknown, but it's confirmed they're from the Uchiha Clan. That person displayed Susanoo during the battle!"

The Anbu reported with their heads bowed.

"Susanoo — Uchiha, Konoha!"

Thinking of the Mysterious Man whose identity was unknown, and recalling Uchiha Aoya from before, Karatachi Yagura felt a surge of annoyance. "The Uchiha Clan is such a nuisance!"

"However, should we announce this? It seems a bit embarrassing—but if we do announce it, it will make other villages wary of Konoha and the Uchiha."

"So you're saying that Uchiha Aoya secretly controlled the Third Mizukage?"

"Wait, that doesn't seem to make sense..."

Karatachi Yagura, fell into deep thought.

Konoha.

Root Base.

"He killed the Third Mizukage and easily forced Karatachi Yagura to retreat—"

As Shimura Danzō looked at the intelligence that had just been sent back from the Kirigakure battlefield, his mind went blank for a moment.

--

Is Uchiha Aoya some kind of genius?

How old is he?

If he can take down the Mizukage now, won't he be unstoppable in a few years?

Will Shimura Danzō still have a place to stand in Konoha then?

"According to intelligence from the front lines, Uchiha Aoya also demonstrated Susanoo in his battle against the Third Mizukage," Aburame Ryoma added.

"Susanoo has already been mastered----"

Shimura Danzō by another headache.

His initial plan was to promote Uchiha Aoya's reputation, to flatter him to death, and to make him expend more of his Mangekyo's power on the battlefield.

But judging from the results, this guy doesn't seem to have used the power of the Mangekyo much at all!

He still doesn't know what kind of Dōjutsu Uchiha Aoya has awakened!

Even Susanoo only appeared once, in the battle against the Third Mizukage.

"Danzo, what should we do next? Should we continue to praise him to death?"

"Stop!"

Danzo quickly called for a halt.

Is this a case of "praising someone to death"?

Once news of what happened on the battlefield in Kirigakure spreads throughout the village, Uchiha Aoya's reputation will probably rival that of Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze!

If they keep praising him like this, that guy Uchiha Aoya might even be able to run for Hokage!

This was the first time he had ever encountered an Uchiha who gave him such a headache!

Danzo silent for a long time before speaking thoughtfully, "Ryuma, do you think it's possible to create a rift between Uchiha Aoya and Minato Namikaze?"

Based on intelligence from the front lines, the two seem to have a very good relationship.

This is not a good sign!

If Minato Namikaze were to succeed the Fourth Hokage, and then Uchiha Aoya age in a few years, he could also take away Minato's position as Hokage's assistant.

Then he'll be completely out of the picture in Konoha!

"Disaster!"

Aburame Ryoma shook his head directly. "I know Minato Namikaze's character very well; it's almost impossible for him to have any disagreements with his comrades."

"Well----"

Danzo sighed deeply.

Orochimaru, Orochimaru, I hope you can prove yourself and not let that junior Minato Namikaze steal the Hokage Position!

Iwagakure.

"Uchiha Aoya ----"

Ōnoki's expression shifted between light and dark. "He's the one who defeated and took away the Kitsuchi, and now he's even defeated the Third Mizukage!"

--

The Uchiha Clan is such a hassle!

Recalling some unpleasant memories, Ōnoki's expression darkened further.

He was humiliated by Uchiha Madara back then, and now his son has been defeated by another Uchiha. Both of them are still imprisoned in Konoha's jail!

"Because of the issues of Lord Kitsuchi's ransom and war reparations, we have been unable to reach an Peace Treaty."

The Anbu then delivered another intelligence report, "The Third Raikage of Kumogakure is making moves again, recently transporting supplies to the border, and may very well be planning an invasion of our Land of Earth."

"Those barbarians from Kumogakure, all they know is how to take advantage of a crisis!" Ōnoki was furious but even more worried.

Konoha, Uchiha, Kumogakure ----

A series of information collided in his mind, Ōnoki's brows suddenly relaxed, his eyes lit up, but he hesitated again.

"Although Konoha suffered significant losses in this war, they have too many top-tier fighters. They'll probably have to add another one Uchiha Aoya soon."

As he spoke, Ōnoki nodded, "I have an idea, which might require taking a gamble—speaking of which, that old bastard Sarutobi's attitude is getting softer and softer these days."

Through the peace negotiations with Konoha over this period of time, he has become increasingly certain of this!

A Hokage whose attitude is gradually weakening, and an Uchiha whose talents are fully revealed!

Is it possible to let conflict erupt between these two?

The Anbu asked, puzzled, "What does Lord Tsuchikage mean?"

"Let's delay the peace talks with Konoha a little longer. We can't budge on the ransom issue for Kitsuchi yet." After hesitating for a long time, Ōnoki finally made up his mind.

"And what about Lord Kitsuchi?"

Sweat was practically pouring down under the mask of the Anbu.

Kitsuchi Loess is your own son!

Aren't you afraid that Konoha might just decide to abandon peace talks altogether and send Lord Kitsuchi directly to the Exchange Center out?

"I admit there was an element of gambling involved!"

Ōnoki's attitude gradually hardened. "However, if it can really ignite a conflict between Uchiha Aoya and Hiruzen Sarutobi —it's worth the gamble!"

Just then, the door to the Tsuchikage's office was pounded on repeatedly.

Before the Anbu could even open the door to verify their identities, the people outside pushed the door open and barged in.

"Old man, what's the principle behind that infinite explosion Ninjutsu that summons lightning? It's so cool, I want to learn it!" A little blond boy who looked about two or three years old ran in excitedly.