An inescapable net, the Mizukage goes missing

The Land of Water, an island nation with a unique culture, is also one of the Five Great Nations and home to the Kirigakure Ninja Village.

Although the country is surrounded by sea, it still has many unique landforms such as mountains, valleys, and Forest.

The reason why Kirigakure is called Kirigakure is because of a unique feature: the island where Kirigakure is located is surrounded by the sea on all sides and is often affected by the maritime climate.

Therefore, Kirigakure is shrouded in a thick fog year-round.

On the mountain path leading to Kirigakure, a staggering figure stumbled closer, and the two Kirigakure Ninja spotted the newcomer immediately.

"Let's go take a look!"

At his command, two Kirigakure Ninja swiftly darted out from the left and right, heading straight for the man.

"It's Lord Ao! Lord Ao is seriously injured!" A Kirigakure Ninja quickly helped the swaying Ao to his feet and called out to the squad guarding the gate of Kirigakure.

Soon, a stretcher was brought over.

The Kirigakure Ninja gave Ao a sip of water, and Ao's consciousness returned somewhat. Although he was still pale and weak, he was able to speak.

"Quickly, notify... the Mizukage has been captured by Konoha ninja..."

He was barely breathing, and after uttering only half a sentence, Qing's eyes rolled back, and he immediately collapsed and fell into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, the surrounding Kirigakure Ninja squad gleaned a piece of information from Ao's words: the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumī, was in trouble!

Kirigakure, Mizukage Building.

All the village's leaders rushed over upon hearing the news. Although Qing didn't finish her sentence, her meaning was already clear from those few words.

The Fifth Mizukage was attacked by Konoha Ninja.

"Didn't the Mizukage personally lead the pursuit of the Rogue Ninja Zabuza Momochi? Why is he involved with the people of Konoha?" a long-bearded old man asked with an unfriendly expression.

"As the captain of the first squad of the Anbu and a member of the Shadow Guard, Qing is responsible for the safety of the Mizukage. His words must be true." Another person in power was more concerned with the outcome than the cause of the matter.

"The Fifth Hokage of Konoha has just taken office. Although he has suppressed internal opposition, Danzo won't give up easily."

Although the people in the Conference Room lived deep within Kirigakure, far away in the overseas islands.

But who hasn't heard of Danzo, the Dark Danzo of the Darkness of the Ninja World? The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, was the branch of Konoha, symbolizing light, while Danzo was the root of Konoha, symbolizing darkness.

"Yes, what Konoha needs most right now is stability, and they would never attack the Mizukage." Another different voice rang out, clearly doubting the authenticity of the message left by Ao.

"Where's Qingren? Is he awake yet?" The long-bearded old man was getting annoyed by the noisy chatter around him, so he turned to ask the Anbu behind him.

"Not yet. The medical team said it will take at least a week to recover," the Anbu replied respectfully.

"One week? Seven days?" When that time comes, they won't need to go through all this trouble; they can simply elect a new Mizukage.

Ao's statement is incomplete. Was the Fifth Mizukage ambushed by Konoha Ninja and awaiting rescue? Or was he killed by Konoha ninja? Or was he captured by Konoha?

These three possibilities are only for now. In seven days, only two, or even just one, will remain.

"I propose that we first send a delegation to Konoha, and at the same time mobilize ninja forces to move westward. If things really come to that, we can seize the initiative," a powerful figure from the pro-war faction said coldly.

"No, we haven't figured things out yet, and we should find Lord Mizukage first." A different voice rang out from the corner of the table.

"I agree, we should find Lord Mizukage first!"

"I..."

Just as Kirigakure received the intelligence and its high-ranking officials were arguing amongst themselves, Konoha also received news of the disappearance of the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumī.

"A few days ago, the Mizukage sent me a letter saying that she Zabuza Momochi the border while pursuing Kirigakure, Rogue Ninja from Kirigakure."

Tsunade gripped the letter tightly in her hand with a serious expression, biting her nails as she revealed a headache-inducing look.

There were four other people in the Hokage's Office: three standing and one sitting.

"Lord Hokage, something seems amiss here. Shouldn't we be on guard against Kirigakure?" It was Kakashi who spoke first. As the Anbu Captain, Kakashi was the first to receive the news.

"You mean..." Tsunade's expression changed slightly, revealing shock.

"That's exactly what you're thinking." Kakashi nodded slightly, confirming Tsunade's thoughts.

"I'll go to Kirigakure. I'll keep an eye on things and get back to you as soon as possible." Jiraiya, became serious at this moment.

"No, you lead the team to find the Mizukage, over at Kirigakure..."

Tsunade tapped the table, her mind flashing through the files of Konoha 'Jonin. As the Hokage, the most important thing was to know who her subordinates were.

How can we best utilize the abilities of these individuals and their power?

Tsunade had her own ideas. Regardless of whether the Mizukage was kidnapped or killed, the other party must have been very strong.

If only an Anbu squad is dispatched to investigate, they are very likely to encounter unforeseen circumstances. Jiraiya leading the team, there will be no problem.

Another point is that Tsunade felt that reconnaissance along the eastern coast of the Land of Fire didn't require too much manpower, since it was most suitable to have the Hyuga Clan handle such tasks.

Just then, the door to the Hokage's Office was flung open with a bang.

Then two elderly people with gray hair walked in quickly, a man and a woman.

Utatane Koharu, an old woman, is a direct disciple of the Second Hokage. She is skilled in Medical Ninjutsu and is one of the three elders and Advisor of Konohagakure in the Land of Fire, holding a certain degree of political power.

The elderly Mitokado Homura was one of the three high-ranking officials who held considerable influence in the government. In his youth, he was a subordinate of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and a teammate of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"It's those two old bastards again!" Tsunade, her dislike for them undisguised, and her voice was crystal clear.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu naturally heard everything clearly. Although they were angry, they wouldn't show it so easily.

In particular, Tsunade is now the Fifth Hokage.

"We've all heard about the Mizukage's disappearance within the Land of Fire," Mitokado Homura said in a low voice, glancing indifferently at everyone in the room.

Utatane Koharu, however, stared intently at Tsunade, her face tense, and asked, "We want to know what you plan to do, Tsunade!"

Before Tsunade could answer, Utatane Koharu added another sentence.

"This is a diplomatic issue. Kirigakure is one of the Five Great Nations, and mishandling it could very well cause greater conflict between the two countries."

Bang!

Tsunade slammed her fist on the table in a fit of rage, making a deafening sound. She hated these two old geezers who never did anything but retreat and always liked to point fingers.

They entered the Hokage's Office without knocking and swaggered in with an air of superiority.

"I'm not Old Man!" The disappearance of the Mizukage was of great importance, Tsunade was already very irritable. Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu had practically walked into the line of fire.

Tsunade pointed sharply towards the office door, gritting her teeth as she forced out, "Now! Knock on the door before you come in!"

Upon hearing this, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's expressions changed drastically. In all their lives, they had never encountered anyone who dared to speak to them like that.

Even Tsunade's teacher, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi!

"Tsunade, watch your attitude!" Utatane Koharu shouted sharply, a cold glint in her eyes.

However, an even louder voice came from the sofa, "You're the ones who should be minding your attitude. The current Hokage of Konoha is Tsunade!"

Jiraiya was unwilling to stay in Konoha, partly because of Orochimaru, and partly because of the Third Hokage.

Because the Third Hokage placed too much emphasis on emotions, a group of so-called teammates and companions swaggered around and rode on his neck.

Jiraiya is different from Tsunade. Jiraiya is a strong man, Jiraiya alone. He earned his status and position through his own hard work, and he didn't have as many concerns Tsunade.

Angering Jiraiya would be a bad thing.

Seeing that things were going badly, Mitokado Homura quickly pulled Utatane Koharu. They had indeed overstepped their bounds; this was no longer the time for the Third Hokage of rulers to be in power.

"You are the Hokage, so you should shoulder the responsibility of protecting the village. That's all I have to say." Mitokado Homura said, then grabbed Utatane Koharu and walked out.

Go outside and knock before coming in? He can't afford to lose face like that!

Since Tsunade is annoyed by their meddling, she'd better pray that things can be resolved perfectly, otherwise... hmph!!

"Tsunade, they are Advisor after all, and it's a rule set by the Second Hokage." Jiraiya controlled his aura with ease and leaned back on the sofa.

"I know the time isn't right yet." Tsunade frowned, sat down wearily, and rubbed her forehead.

With internal troubles still unresolved and Konoha only appearing peaceful on the surface, how could she not be anxious after such a major incident?

Mizukage... you absolutely cannot die in the Land of Fire...

Tsunade only received news that Mei Terumī had disappeared within the Land of Fire, but she was unaware of the information that Kirigakure Ninja's Ao had brought back to Kirigakure.

It contains the words "Konoha Ninja"...

The Land of Wind, a country built on an arid desert, where sandstorms rage.

Two gaunt figures, wrapped in thick headscarves, walked through the Wind and Sand. A slightly taller old man beside them said in a low voice, "We've walked for so long, why don't we go ahead and rest?"

"Ahead? It's an Oasis!" Chiyo, still in Chiyo daze, looked up and saw a patch of green in the yellow sand a hundred paces away.

The Oasis was small, practically a tiny space compared to the vast desert, but it was more than enough for the two of them to rest.

Rustling...

The wind is silent, and so is the sand. The wind blows the sand as it rolls away, making a rustling sound as it rubs against the sand.

The two entered the Oasis, only to Oasis it was already inhabited.

"Advisor, what important matter cannot be discussed in detail in Sunagakure? Why must you invite me here?" The Fourth Kazekage Rasa, looked at Chiyo and Ebizo with a puzzled expression.

Besides the question, there was also a hint of displeasure in his low voice.

If it weren't for Chiyo Ebizo's dedication to Sunagakure, perhaps they really had something important to do. Otherwise, why would he have abandoned so many things to come to this godforsaken place?

"I invited you here because I need your help with something." Chiyo forced a strange smile.

Rasa frowned slightly. Why did Chiyo Ebizo seem so strange today? Was it because they hadn't seen each other for so long?

Slightly concentrating, shaking off the strange thoughts in his mind, Rasa asked in a deep voice, "What is it?"

"It's nothing special, I just wanted to borrow something from you." Ebizo's figure flashed, appearing directly behind Rasa.

The Kazekage's Shadow Guard immediately noticed Ebizo and quickly surrounded him to offer assistance. At that moment, Chiyo also made her move.

As Chiyo waved her hand, several puppets flew towards the approaching Shadow Guard with a clattering sound...

After Chiyo and Ebizo witnessed Sasori, they initially intended to capture him, but abandoned the idea because of Tōka's appearance.

A battle several years ago had already taught the two that they were simply no match for Tōka.

To be precise, their combined strength was utterly insignificant compared to Tōka's.

Having seen her grandson after many years, Chiyo's wish was mostly fulfilled. Although she was a little disappointed that she couldn't bring him back, the two of them had been away for quite a while.

Therefore, after their hasty retreat that day, the two returned directly to the Land of Wind.

Sunagakure is a massive fortress, with its entrance being a narrow slit that, from a distance, resembles a line connecting heaven and earth.

The guard noticed Chiyo and Ebizo entering and immediately leaped down, standing respectfully before them and calling out, "My esteemed Advisor!"

"Hmph, I'm just a dying man, not some Advisor." Chiyo snorted coldly, then walked past the two guards and went inside.

Ebizo nodded, indicating that the two didn't need to be so polite, and followed Chiyo into the village.

Just then, one of the guards suddenly spoke up and asked, "When will Lord Kazekage return? Baki Jonin has important business with Lord Kazekage."

"When did Rasa leave?" Ebizo was slightly taken aback, not understanding.

Rasa left Sunagakure and asked them what their purpose was.

They had just returned from the Land of Fire and hadn't received any news along the way, so how could they possibly know where Rasa was?

The guard was bewildered by the question and quickly explained, "Wasn't Lord Kazekage going to see the two Advisor?"

He was the one who brought the messenger in!

Upon hearing this, the scene seemed to freeze instantly, as if the air itself had solidified.

Chiyo and Ebizo exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes. They had never seen Rasa before!

"This is bad! Rasa seems to be in danger!"

The resourceful Ebizo immediately realized that someone had used their names to lure Rasa away.

"Quickly, take me there right now!" Chiyo's face darkened, and she turned and strode out.

The stunned guard only felt a gust of wind blow past him, Chiyo's figure had already appeared in the yellow sand beyond the Sky-and-Earth Line.

Ebizo frowned slightly and lowered his leg, which he had just raised.

He turned to one of the guards and asked, "How many men did Kazekage take? Where did they go? And why did they leave?"

Upon hearing this, the two exchanged a glance and shook their heads in unison, indicating that they did not know.

"The messenger only said that Advisor Chiyo and Ebizo have important matters to discuss with Lord Kazekage," one of the guards reported truthfully.

Ebizo's eyelids twitched, a sense of foreboding washing over him. He quickly pointed at one of them and said, "You take two squads and follow them immediately."

Then he turned to another guard, "Go and inform everyone to hold an emergency meeting immediately!"