The Shark Gourd Jar That Sealed the Three-Tails

On an island not far from the coast, dense fog obscured the island, making it difficult to glimpse the situation within. After passing through a ring of fog that encircled the island's exterior and crossing a forest, one would find a well-organized, heavily guarded camp capable of housing thousands of people.

This was the Kirigakure frontline camp for their invasion of the Land of Fire, the central brain for thousands of Kirigakure Shinobi on the battlefield. Orders issued from here directed the movements of over a thousand Kirigakure Shinobi as they clashed and fought with Konoha ninja on various battlefields.

Today, the atmosphere in the camp was unusually oppressive, perfectly complementing the lead-gray clouds in the sky. Most of the Kirigakure Shinobi wore expressions of numbness and dejection.

The offensive against the Land of Fire had not gone smoothly. They were completely unable to breach or even break through the defenses established by Konoha ninja in the eastern coastal regions. Any occasional breakthroughs were fleeting, and by the time Konoha reinforcements arrived, they would be forced to retreat once more.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen had once infiltrated near Konohagakure, only to encounter a single Konoha genin who killed four of them on the spot, with only three managing to escape.

Later, the Fourth Mizukage personally intervened, but one of the Konoha Sannin, Orochimaru, appeared and fought the Fourth Mizukage to a stalemate. Finally, when the little monster Uchiha Shisui arrived, the Kirigakure Shinobi were forced to retreat.

Their only notable achievement to boast about was Ao acquiring a Byakugan from the Hyuga Clan, which served as a small comfort for the Kirigakure Shinobi, preventing them from falling into complete despair.

However, this sliver of confidence could not withstand the constant attrition. The operations planned in recent times had all ended in failure, crashing against an insurmountable obstacle, causing the atmosphere in the camp to grow more oppressive with each passing day.

"Let's retreat!"

Finally, someone spoke up first, proposing a retreat.

At these words, the tent fell silent. No one offered a rebuttal. They exchanged glances, seeing similar somber faces, and eventually, their gazes converged on the slender, diminutive figure seated in the main seat.

"Why are you all looking at me?"

The figure seated in the main seat spoke.

He had green hair and purple eyes, was not tall, and appeared childlike, looking like a boy of twelve or thirteen. In reality, he was a grown man in his twenties and the recently appointed Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure, Karatachi Yagura!

He surveyed the crowd; some looked down in silence, others wore blank expressions, and not a single person responded to the Fourth Mizukage's questioning gaze until his eyes fell upon the man who had first proposed the retreat.

This middle-aged man, with a refined appearance and emerald green eyes, sighed helplessly as he surveyed his colleagues. He met the Fourth Mizukage's gaze and declared resolutely:

"Mizukage-sama, the current situation has stabilized to a point where turning the tide again is extremely difficult. In my opinion, there is no point in staying here and enduring any longer. I suggest we retreat as soon as possible, while Konoha is not yet prepared for a counterattack. We can withdraw to our village at our leisure and continue to accumulate strength, waiting for the next opportunity to set foot in the Land of Fire."

His voice was sincere, his attitude earnest, and he spoke entirely from the perspective of the village's best interests.

"Clan Head Terumi suggests retreating. What are everyone else's thoughts? Fight or leave?" After the emerald-eyed man finished speaking, Karatachi Yagura continued to question the others who remained silent.

At this moment, seated directly opposite the emerald-eyed man, a middle-aged man with long, reddish-brown hair, a stern face, and an imposing presence, clearly stated the opposing view: "I don't think it's time to give up yet."

"Jonin Kirishima!"

Karatachi Yagura looked at the man, his brow furrowing slightly. "You believe we still have a chance to turn the situation around?"

His question made many present nod in understanding. The Mizukage also felt the situation was difficult to reverse and leaned towards retreating.

The loyal supporters who had not yet ascertained the Mizukage's inclination took comfort, and several prepared to voice their support for Clan Head Terumi's retreat proposal.

However--

At this point, Jonin Kirishima spoke, "Mizukage-sama, Konoha has successively engaged in major battles with Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure. Although they won all of them, they are undoubtedly weakened. Now, the Kumogakure in the northeast, which suffered less damage, is stirring again, tying up a significant portion of Konoha's strength. This is arguably the best opportunity!"

"Kirishima Shinya, don't spout nonsense here. Konoha may be weakened, but even a weakened Konoha has managed to hold us back with this single defensive line in the coastal areas. How do you intend to utilize this best opportunity?"

Clan Head Terumi questioned him unceremoniously.

If the person sitting opposite him had been the Clan Head of the Kirishima Clan, he would have spoken more politely. However, Kirishima Shinya, sitting opposite him, was not the Clan Head of the Kirishima Clan, but merely a Jonin of the clan. Even as the primary heir to the Kirishima Clan Head position, he was not yet in a position that warranted special attention to his tone of speech.

Kirishima Shinya remained silent. He once again surveyed everyone in the tent, confirming that no extraneous individuals were present. He then smiled and said, "I've had the [Shark Gourd Jar] brought here!"

"What?"

Across from him, Clan Head Terumi stood up abruptly, glaring at Kirishima Shinya. "Kirishima Shinya, what madness are you talking about?"

Karatachi Yagura's brow also furrowed deeply.

The so-called [Shark Gourd Jar] was a special ninja tool possessed by the Kirishima Clan. It was said to have been crafted by a powerful individual of the Uzumaki Clan centuries ago and could be used to seal Tailed Beasts.

Currently, the Three-Tails, one of the two Tailed Beasts possessed by Kirigakure, was sealed within the Shark Gourd Jar.

Logically, such an item should be under the control of the village. However, every family has its own issues. Just as Konohagakure had the Uchiha Clan as a ticking time bomb, Kirigakure had its own internal troubles.

That is, Kirigakure had too many powerful and influential noble clans.

The Kirishima Clan possessed the Kekkei Genkai "Boiling Release" and was exceptionally powerful and wealthy. What was more troublesome was that the First Mizukage hailed from the Kirishima Clan. It could be said that the Kirishima Clan was the founder of Kirigakure, wielding unparalleled influence within the village.

The Shark Gourd Jar was originally a ninja tool belonging to the Kirishima Clan. Although successive Mizukage had coveted this item and felt it should be controlled by the village, the Second and Third Mizukage had not been able to bring themselves to demand it, let alone Karatachi Yagura, the newly appointed Fourth Mizukage.

"I'm not mad. My mind is perfectly clear. That fellow Orochimaru has fortified this defensive line in front of us like an iron barrel. But if Konohagakure were to face an attack from a Tailed Beast, do you think this defensive line in front of us would still be this solid?"

Kirishima Shinya grinned, his smile twisted.