The Kaguya Make Their Move Again

"Mizukage-sama, when can we put our plan into motion?"

In a secret chamber within the Kaguya Clan compound, Kaguya Yoshio, the current clan head, was discussing matters with Ren, the Third Mizukage.

"Soon. Very soon."

Ren soothed Kaguya Yoshio, gesturing for him not to get agitated.

"We've been preparing for over a decade. How much longer are we supposed to wait?"

"You were the one who gave us that stone tablet and promised to help us obtain the flesh and blood of the other bloodline ninja clans. We kept our word and helped you drive back the Hozuki Clan, then waited another ten-odd years. And now we still have to wait?"

Kaguya Yoshio was growing impatient. He had heard those words countless times already, and now he desperately wanted an answer.

"Wait until next year. Once the results of the military budget cuts come out, we can use them to undermine that brat Hozuki Shingetsu's prestige. We can also use the discontent caused by the cuts to push the village into launching an external war, draining the strength of the Hozuki Clan, the Yuki Clan, and the other ninja clans."

"When the time comes, your clan should rein itself in. Don't charge ahead like before. Stay behind the other ninja clans instead. Those old Uzumaki fossils who survived the Warring States Period aren't like ordinary shinobi—they really can send all of you to the Pure Land together!"

After considerable thought, Ren finally gave a definite answer.

"A war? Then wouldn't your closed-country policy be a complete waste?"

Kaguya Yoshio froze. He was both delighted that the plan was about to begin and confused by Ren's actions. Canceling it in less than half a year—wasn't that just slapping his own face?

"Isn't it all because of that brat Hozuki Shingetsu? He's been stirring up trouble across the Shinobi World for the past half year, keeping Kirigakure at the center of attention. What use is closing the country if things keep going like this?"

Ren looked thoroughly displeased as well. His original intention behind implementing the closed-country policy had been simple: to prevent the other ninja villages from learning about their next move. That was why he had expanded the Confidentiality Law and enforced the policy. As long as they did not make any major moves again and again, they could quietly complete the purge while the other four great ninja villages were beating each other's brains out in the Second Shinobi World War. No one would notice.

Then it could serve as Uchiha Madara's perfect rear base.

But now, Hozuki Shingetsu had stirred things up so badly that the other four nations were all watching Kirigakure like hawks. There was no chance for him to carry out the plan in secret. Worse still, he could not publicize those intentions. He even had to praise Hozuki Shingetsu publicly for doing well. After all, the current situation in the Shinobi World was indeed better for Kirigakure than ever before. The nations were hostile toward one another, yet tacitly cooperating to suppress Konoha.

And no matter how closely the other nations watched Kirigakure, it was only through intelligence gathering. In terms of strength... sorry, Kirigakure simply was not important enough.

So why keep enforcing this thing?

To praise that brat?

Kaguya Yoshio had clearly thought of the same thing, and a gloating smile spread across his face.

"Speaking of that brat, it seems he rejected the marriage alliance you proposed?"

The moment those words were spoken, the smile vanished from Kaguya Yoshio's face.

Not long ago, Hozuki Zangetsu had sent someone with a message saying that Hozuki Shingetsu already had someone he loved and could only reluctantly refuse Kaguya Yoshio's kind offer. Though the words had been phrased beautifully, as old rivals, everyone had long investigated Hozuki Shingetsu's relationships thoroughly.

What beloved? It was merely an excuse to reject the Kaguya Clan!

This had utterly humiliated the Kaguya Clan within Kirigakure. They had offered their bloodline right to him, and he had refused it. One could only imagine how the other ninja clans would gossip about it behind their backs. Kaguya Yoshio had been so furious at the time that he even forgot the marriage alliance's original purpose was to lull their opponents into complacency. In his rage, he had nearly led his clansmen into launching the purge on the spot.

Fortunately, he quickly came to his senses and forcibly suppressed his anger. But even after so many days, having it brought up to his face still made him furious.

However, according to the law of conservation of smiles, smiles did not disappear—they merely transferred. Thus, Ren now wore the same gloating smile.

"Could it be that he doesn't like how your entire clan is nothing but bones?"

"So what? At least that's better than trying to steal a chicken and losing the rice you used to bait it!"

The two stared at each other, speechless.

"What has that brat been doing lately?" Kaguya Yoshio broke the silence. No matter how he thought about it, he could not swallow this insult. He had to cause Hozuki Shingetsu some trouble to vent his anger.

"He should be busy preparing to visit the Daimyo in the Capital," Ren said after recalling the intelligence submitted by the Anbu. "Other than that, he's been training. People have often seen him leaving the training grounds early in the morning and returning late at night recently. As for right now... today is the day the Yuki Clan changes its clan head. That brat should be attending the ceremony at the Yuki Clan."

"He sure has an easy life."

Kaguya Yoshio narrowed his eyes. Although he knew Hozuki Shingetsu's prestige would take a major hit in two months because of the military budget cuts, he could no longer wait. He wanted that brat to suffer right now!

Soon, he remembered a plan someone had offered him last night, and a malicious smile appeared on his face.

"What do you think about sending him as an envoy to Konoha?"

"An envoy to Konoha?"

Ren imagined the scene and immediately grinned.

If Hozuki Shingetsu were sent to Konoha, wouldn't Konoha tear him apart from top to bottom?

To say nothing of Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, the Uchiha Clan, and even Uzumaki Mito—they all wanted to rip him to pieces alive. The Uchiha Clan might seem grateful for following Hozuki Shingetsu's suggestion before, but they had not forgotten who started the whole affair. And Twelve Years a Slave? Your family is the one that has been slaves for twelve years!

As for Uzumaki Mito, the old woman had not forgotten who had spread the rumor that she was the third party who interfered in Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara's relationship.

So if Hozuki Shingetsu, the mastermind behind it all, really made a trip to Konoha, he might very well never come back.

Forget about not killing envoys during wartime. If someone truly wanted a person dead, it could not be easier. Besides, Konoha would surely know about the conflict between Ren and the Hozuki Clan, and they certainly would not fear retaliation between the two nations afterward.

"But he definitely won't go, will he?"

If they could figure it out, how could Hozuki Shingetsu not? The key was that there was no particularly suitable excuse right now. Unlike the matter involving the Daimyo, which required the Minister of Foreign Affairs to go personally. Forcing him to go was unrealistic as well, since it was not yet time to tear off all pretenses.

"Of course I know he won't go. That's merely the setup," Kaguya Yoshio said, shaking his head. A rare glimmer of wisdom shone in his eyes. "He refuses the first option. Then we give him a second one that looks far less dangerous, along with a suitable reason. He'll have to go, won't he?"

"Where?"

"Uzushio Village!"

Kaguya Yoshio explained, "Uzushio Village may be Konoha's ally, but it is not subordinate to Konoha. On the surface, Uzushio Village has no direct conflict with Kirigakure, and the public-opinion issues from before are nowhere near enough to make Uzushio Village kill him regardless of the consequences. As long as we can give Hozuki Shingetsu a legitimate reason to go, he will definitely do so as long as he does not fear for his safety. Then we only need to secretly send word to Konoha, and Konoha will naturally act."

"After all, the Senju and Uzumaki clans have intermarried for generations. Though the Senju have now withdrawn from public life, there is still some old friendship between the Uzumaki and Konoha. Quite a few of the old Uzumaki elders left over from the Warring States Period had wanted to join Konoha back then. As long as Konoha makes a request, those old men of Uzushio Village who specialize in sealing techniques will naturally have ten thousand ways to keep that brat there."

"And even if those old men do not make a move, that renowned Shinobi no Yami will not miss such an easy opportunity to eliminate a genius from another village—especially with a new Shinobi World war about to erupt."

"What excuse? What excuse can we use to send Hozuki Shingetsu to Uzushio Village?"

Ren considered it and realized that while this scheme was not especially ingenious, it could still achieve its purpose simply and directly when the Hozuki Clan did not know they intended to kill him.

"How about using the exchange for Tailed Beast Jinchuriki sealing techniques as the excuse?" Kaguya Yoshio said confidently. "Tailed Beast Jinchuriki are a matter concerning the entire village. From Genji to the various ninja clans, none of them would oppose seeking the relevant sealing techniques from Uzushio Village. But exchanging for techniques from Uzushio Village certainly won't be easy. Since this is only an initial contact, we need someone from the upper ranks who is not too important. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hozuki Shingetsu is naturally the best choice."

After speaking, Kaguya Yoshio looked at Ren smugly, hoping for his approval. Instead, he was met with an incredulous expression.

"So the Kaguya Clan is capable of such exquisite logic? Incredible. The Kaguya Clan actually grew brains and learned how to scheme against people..."

"Get lost!"

Kaguya Yoshio's face darkened. What was wrong with the Kaguya Clan? Had they eaten his rice? Why couldn't they scheme against people?

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