The Mizukage and "Madara"

Kirigakure, as the origin of this public opinion storm, had a significant number of people watching with cold eyes to see the first move of Hozuki Shingetsu since taking office as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

As the "Timely Rain" of Kirigakure and a genius of the Hozuki Clan hailed as the "Second Hozuki Gengetsu," not everyone believed he would succeed given the high expectations set for him.

After all, having strength and having a sharp mind are two different things.

Yes, I am naming the Third Hokage, the Fourth Raikage, and the future Seventh Hokage here.

In their view, they would concede that Hozuki Shingetsu possessed outstanding strength and superior talent, but that did not stop them from wanting to see him fail at such trivial administrative tasks.

Watch him build a high tower, watch him feast his guests, watch his tower collapse.

This world has never lacked people who remain silent from beginning to end, watching coldly and hoping for your downfall.

That is why, when the results of Hozuki Shingetsu's efforts were reported back, so many people were left dumbfounded.

Yes, I am naming the Third Mizukage, Ren, here.

He was not silent; he was even attempting to output aggressively.

"A bunch of trash in the shinobi world! To think that Sarutobi Hiruzen is called the restorer of Konoha, yet he cannot see through the schemes of such a wet-behind-the-ears brat? And that Ōnoki, what 'Ryotenbin,' what 'old fox,' following along in this nonsense! Does he want the shinobi world to fall into chaos that badly? Does he not know that steady development is the only hard truth?"

In the Mizukage Residence, the incumbent Mizukage, Ren, smashed vases all over the floor, pointing at the shards as if they were Ōnoki, venting his passion.

For Ren, he had actually prepared for the possibility of Hozuki Shingetsu succeeding.

After all, the Hozuki Clan had spent so many resources to promote Hozuki Shingetsu, and Hozuki Shingetsu had made such bold claims; therefore, regardless of the motive, and regardless of whether his suggestions were feasible, his measures were bound to achieve some effect.

However, in his view, when it came to Konoha, and especially the entire shinobi world, even if the Hozuki Clan exhausted their foundation, they would only be able to stir up one or two localized disturbances.

If it were merely that, it would likely not be enough to convince him, the "impartial" Mizukage.

When the time came, he would certainly let that young man, Hozuki Shingetsu, understand what it meant to say, "Even the referee is on my side; what right do you have to fight me?"

But he never expected that Hozuki Shingetsu's measures would achieve such results.

Under his fanning of the flames, in just three months, the continent of the shinobi world had turned into a pot of porridge; rumors were flying everywhere, and small nations were trembling in fear, terrified that one day they would suddenly be "protected."

If Ren did not know the inside story, he would have thought the Second Shinobi World War was about to break out.

Following this trend, in another two months, when the five-month period expired, would the shinobi continent be ready for the funeral feast?

To tell the truth, is this situation good for Kirigakure?

Good!

It is absolutely excellent!

Why did the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu, implement the Confidentiality Law back then? To put it nicely, it was to prevent the village's classified information from being stolen, but in reality, wasn't it because they couldn't beat the others, so they tightened internal management and monitored contact with outsiders!

Someone: I am familiar with this.

And now, with the shinobi continent in such a chaotic state, Kirigakure, nestled overseas and keeping to itself, might just become the biggest winner.

After all, according to this trend, the Second Shinobi World War might break out before long, and Kirigakure, which certainly would not participate, might be able to recuperate and restore its own energy.

The premise is that the Third Mizukage, Ren, does not implement the "Blood Mist Policy."

Of course, there is also the possibility that having lost the best period for expansion, they could only watch helplessly as one shinobi village swallowed the powers, and finally sharpened its blades toward the pigs and sheep.

However, this was not the result Ren wanted.

What he hoped for was that Hozuki Shingetsu's "Continental Balance Policy" could succeed, but not too successfully.

He really hadn't expected that once the power of public opinion propaganda was handed over to him, he could actually play it with such flair!

"Who was the bastard in charge of propaganda before? Bring his head to me at once!"

"...Lord Mizukage, no one was in charge of this area before, or rather, miscellaneous tasks like public opinion propaganda were lumped together with other messy things under the Internal Affairs Department..." the advisor on the side replied cautiously.

The advisors of Kirigakure are different from those of other villages.

Like Konoha, which has Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura acting as elders, Kirigakure officially has only one advisor: Genji.

Apart from Genji, there are no other advisors in Kirigakure.

So this "advisor" currently in the Mizukage's home was actually equivalent to a magistrate's secretary in the Ming and Qing dynasties, or a modern prime minister's cabinet; he was entirely the Mizukage's private staff.

"Lord Mizukage, what should we do now?"

Ren also had a headache; as things stood, Hozuki Shingetsu had built up too much momentum, and ordinary schemes would be hard to use against him.

However, he soon thought of something and turned to ask the advisor beside him.

"Has the Daimyo's budget allocation for next year's military spending been issued yet?"

"Yes, compared to previous years, it has been reduced by... one-fifth."

"One-fifth, huh..." Ren felt a pang of pain; this one-fifth might seem small, but without this portion, Kirigakure would undoubtedly have a hard time next year.

"Since the total military budget has decreased, the budget for each department next year needs to be reallocated! We must spend money where it counts. For departments that are not very useful, or that don't benefit the village in the short term, I think their funding should be cut. What do you think?"

"Apart from the Foreign Affairs Department, there is nothing else that can be cut..."

"What are you mumbling about?"

"I said, Lord Mizukage is wise!" The advisor gave a start, immediately perked up, and began to play his part.

"I think that for a department like the Foreign Affairs Department, its current role for Kirigakure doesn't seem very important, so I think we should start with such departments. And fortunately, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is our Kirigakure's 'Timely Rain'; surely he will be able to look at the big picture and understand us, right?"

Ren smiled with satisfaction, but he quickly sensed something, immediately reined in his smile and ordered his advisor to leave at once.

"This Hozuki Shingetsu... he really is interesting! He reminds me of an old acquaintance."

After the advisor had departed, an aged voice echoed. A figure whose entire face was concealed by a mask, with only a scarlet gaze peering from his right eye, stepped out from the shadows, his body hidden beneath a voluminous black robe.

This stench of the sewers is truly similar to that treacherous bastard Senju Tobirama!

"Heh, it wouldn't be Senju Hashirama who killed you, would it, Madara?"

Third Mizukage Ren sneered, his tone lacking any real respect for this "Asura of the Shinobi World."

"Junior, This Seat merely gave you a chance to cooperate. What makes you think you have the qualifications to speak to This Seat as an equal?"

The robed figure stopped and stared at Ren for a moment. Then, as he spoke, a bizarre light emanated from his single scarlet eye. Seeing this, Ren's expression changed instantly, and he formed hand seals to prepare a defense.

However, it was clear that even against this fake "Uchiha Madara," Ren was no match.

Before long, accompanied by a thunderous crash, the courtyard of the Mizukage Residence was successfully reduced to ruins.

"Lord Mizukage, are you alright?"

The Mizukage's personal Anbu appeared immediately upon hearing the commotion, scanning the surroundings and guarding against any potential enemies.

"I am fine, everyone disperse!"

Upon hearing the Mizukage's voice, the Anbu did not move until Ren's figure emerged from the smoke. Only after they had personally confirmed it was Ren himself did they salute and withdraw.

Ren himself had not suffered any major injuries, though his clothes were tattered. Compared to the unscathed "Madara" standing nearby, it was evident that the Mizukage had been at a disadvantage in the brief conflict.

"Remember, do not forget who helped you eliminate Hozuki Gengetsu back then. Furthermore, that stone tablet capable of resolving the Kaguya Clan's Kekkei Genkai Disease was handed to them by your own hands."

An ominous voice sounded as "Madara" said pointedly, "I think you should know what the consequences will be if these secrets are exposed. Therefore, keep your status in mind and do not attempt to test anything. Even if I am half-dead now, dealing with the likes of you is more than enough."

"Cooperate with me obediently; I believe you are a smart man... do not disappoint me."

Ren stood frozen in place with a livid expression, as if he hadn't heard a word.

"Madara" did not mind his reaction and faded back into the darkness.

After all, as the leader of a village, one still needs to leave some face for the other; one cannot push too hard.

Yet, in the darkness, the conversation continued.

"I mimicked you well, right, Lord Madara? Especially that line, 'What qualifications do you have to speak to me as an equal?' Did it have at least three parts of your flavor?"

"Fool! I am not as stupid as you! This Seat never blathers before taking action!"

Uchiha Madara, whose true body was deep underground in the Land of Grass, sustained entirely by the Chakra of the God Tree, could not possibly be in Kirigakure.

The one appearing here was merely a unique White Zetsu individual known as "Vortex White Zetsu." Uchiha Madara was simply relying on the connection between the White Zetsu and the God Tree to remotely possess it with his consciousness.

"Lord Madara, should we still go and see that Hozuki Shingetsu? After all, in a sense, his actions have helped us a great deal."

"Hozuki Shingetsu? Just a lucky brat. Even Hozuki Gengetsu back in the day didn't have the qualifications to make me go see him, let alone this one? Ignore him! Wait until he has the qualifications to become Mizukage before speaking of it!"

"For now, stick to the original plan: completely muddy the waters of Kirigakure, intensify the conflicts within the village, and leave a stable, massive base for my unknown pawn in the future!"

"Yes, Lord Madara!"

"But Lord Madara, if I perform well, can you promise me one thing?"

"...Speak."

"Since you are controlling my body, how about you take a dump? I really want to experience what it feels like to take a dump!"

"...Get lost!"