Hozuki Shingetsu Argues Against the Crowd

...Actually, I quite like spicy food too.

Upstairs, perhaps seeing how oppressive the atmosphere had become, a Whirlpool Elder tried to lighten the mood with a small joke. But he had not expected that his words would only make the already awkward atmosphere even stranger.

"Oh? Then should we put you in first and let you test the waters?"

Uzumaki Takumi shot him a dark look and said unhappily.

A single day had been enough for Uzumaki Takumi to obtain accurate information. Aside from that Konoha squad, Konoha had truly sent no reinforcements at all.

In other words, what that Nara ninja had said before had merely been a lie meant to take several Nine-Tails Jinchuriki vessels from Uzushio Village. Coupled with the collapse of the front lines, the Uzumaki Clan had indeed reached the brink of life and death. Konoha could no longer be relied upon, escape was impossible, and the other major ninja villages would not hastily accept the Uzumaki Clan's defection.

So, they could either watch the Uzumaki Clan vanish from the Shinobi World forever, or join Kirigakure. Those were the only two choices left.

But if they joined Kirigakure just like this, he felt an inexplicable unwillingness, especially after Uzushio Village had fallen into its current predicament and Hozuki Shingetsu had forcefully killed the Konoha envoys.

It would make it seem as though the Uzumaki Clan simply could not survive without Kirigakure. Put simply, he did not want to enter Kirigakure in such a downtrodden state.

After all, the greatest taboo in negotiations was letting others seize your lifeline. So, Uzumaki Takumi wanted to use Hozuki Shingetsu's killing of the Konoha envoys to seize the initiative, properly take Hozuki Shingetsu down a peg, and lay a foundation for the negotiations to come.

The Uzumaki Clan had once been renowned throughout the Shinobi World. One clan had established one nation—what glory that had been! Even if they were forced by circumstances to join Kirigakure now, they still needed the proper dignity.

It was like an impoverished noblewoman forced to marry a nouveau riche man to make a living. She could only use cumbersome aristocratic etiquette to hide the unease in her heart and forcibly maintain her noble status, never realizing that this only made things more exciting.

"Clan Head, Kirigakure's guilty envoy has arrived."

Just as Uzumaki Takumi was deep in thought, Hozuki Shingetsu and the other two finally reached the third floor of the Tenshukaku and appeared before the Uzumaki higher-ups.

When introducing Hozuki Shingetsu and the others, the ninja leading the way deliberately emphasized the title "guilty envoy," intending to pressure Hozuki Shingetsu once again.

But Hozuki Shingetsu had long seen through the Uzumaki Clan's outward strength and inner weakness. How could he be intimidated by such petty tricks? He still maintained a composed bearing and met the expectations of everyone present.

"Hozuki Shingetsu, do you know your crime?"

An Uzumaki Elder stepped forward and shouted at Hozuki Shingetsu.

"Oh? What crime have I committed?" Hozuki Shingetsu adjusted his clothes and replied with a smile.

"You killed Konoha envoys in our Uzushio Village and placed our clan in an unjust and dishonorable position. And you still dare claim you do not know your crime?"

"Konoha envoys? Oh, you mean that group of wandering ninjas pretending to be Konoha ninja?" Hozuki Shingetsu said casually, leaving the Uzumaki Elder stunned.

"That's right! If they were not wandering ninjas impersonating Konoha, then why did they deceive you by saying that Konoha reinforcements were on the way? I think they simply wanted to trick you and take away those gifted children! Or perhaps their targets had been those children with the potential to become Tailed Beast Jinchuriki from the very beginning. They only went along with the story after seeing through Uzushio Village's current predicament!"

Hozuki Shingetsu shook his head as he analyzed the matter, then watched suspicion suddenly appear on the Uzumaki Elder's face. "But from what this elder is saying, that group did not seem to be wandering ninjas? They appeared to be genuine Konoha ninja? But if that is the case, why would Konoha's envoys deceive you? Could it be..."

Hozuki Shingetsu left the implication hanging, making the Uzumaki Elder break out in a cold sweat.

How could he explain it? Was he supposed to lay bare the conflict between the Uzumaki Clan and Konoha in front of Kirigakure? Would that not make their current situation even more embarrassing?

With no reinforcements coming from outside, would they not be completely at Kirigakure's mercy?

Before he could speak, another Uzumaki Elder immediately spoke up and firmly established the identities of Nara Shikacho and the others.

"Ahem... That's right, they were wandering ninjas! They had absolutely nothing to do with Konoha. Konoha's envoys are still on the way and have not yet arrived at Uzushio Village!"

Thus, Ino-Shika-Cho, along with a Hyuga ninja possessing the Byakugan, were forcibly labeled wandering ninjas in full view of everyone present.

"Very good. Then let us return to the previous topic. This elder, what crime have I committed?"

Hozuki Shingetsu was very satisfied with that elder's response. With a turn of the conversation, he continued attacking the elder who had stepped forward earlier.

"Uh... This..."

The Uzumaki Elder stammered, unable to answer.

"Enough!" Uzumaki Takumi stepped forward with a dark expression, stopping this farce.

What a bunch of fools. They had lived so many years, yet a child had led them around by the nose. They had truly grown stupid from staying in the village too long!

"Whether those people were Konoha envoys or not, you acted on your own and killed people in our Uzushio Village. Was that not far too disrespectful to us? Even if those people had problems, you should have reported it to us first and allowed us to apprehend them ourselves. Kirigakure has no right to kill people in Uzushio Village!"

Uzumaki Takumi looked at Hozuki Shingetsu as he spoke.

"That is indeed true." Hozuki Shingetsu readily accepted this charge.

Objectively speaking, he truly could not refute this accusation. Besides, he had to let the Uzumaki Clan gain the upper hand at least once, did he not? He could not suppress them from beginning to end by himself. If the atmosphere became completely hostile, how could they discuss the merger afterward?

Sure enough, after hearing Hozuki Shingetsu admit guilt, all the Uzumaki higher-ups, including Uzumaki Takumi, looked radiant and straightened their backs as though they had won a great battle.

"Then how does Clan Head intend to punish me?" Hozuki Shingetsu asked with a smile.

"..."

Silence fell over the room once more. Given that those people had been defined as wandering ninjas, what responsibility was there for killing them?

Expel him from the country?

But could they expel him at a time like this? If they expelled him, who would they negotiate with?

"Ahem, we called you here because there are important matters to discuss." Uzumaki Takumi coughed and skipped over the subject.

Hozuki Shingetsu also cooperatively assumed an attentive expression, without dwelling on the matter of punishment.

"You once said that Kirigakure was desperate for talent. Since it cannot control Tailed Beasts, it hopes that our Uzumaki Clan can join Kirigakure?" Uzumaki Takumi artfully arranged his words, turning his unavoidable submission to Kirigakure into Kirigakure begging for them to join.

Hozuki Shingetsu nodded without foolishly puncturing that thin veil. If the Uzumaki Clan wanted this bit of face, then he would give it to them.

Seeing that Hozuki Shingetsu did not argue back, Uzumaki Takumi could not help feeling a trace of goodwill toward him. If he had really exposed that pretense, the Uzumaki Clan would have had no face left at all.

"Because this matter is of great importance, even in Uzushio Village's current crisis, I still recalled most of our clansmen and elders so that we could discuss this matter here."

He turned the fact that the front lines had fallen and everyone had no choice but to retreat to Uzushio Village into the Uzumaki Clan showing Kirigakure great respect, recalling everyone for a meeting despite still being at war.

Hozuki Shingetsu still did not refute him. He merely nodded and smiled, giving him plenty of face.

"Ahem, then as for the specific details, you may discuss them first!" After Uzumaki Takumi said this, he shut his mouth and did not speak again.

He was, after all, the Uzumaki Clan Head and the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools. It was one thing to forcibly change the subject by relying on his status, but if he personally entered the fray to discuss the details of exchanging interests with Hozuki Shingetsu, that would be far too undignified.

As soon as his words fell, an Uzumaki Elder stepped forward and looked arrogantly at Hozuki Shingetsu.

"This old man is the Third Elder of the Uzumaki Clan, responsible for assisting Clan Head with internal affairs. May I ask what position you hold in Kirigakure?"

The moment Hozuki Shingetsu heard this, he knew what the old man was trying to do. After spending so much time together, how could they not know Hozuki Shingetsu's position? Asking this was clearly intended to use the disparity in their positions to seize the initiative!

But this was an open scheme. He had no way around it.

"I am the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Kirigakure."

The Third Elder's eyes lit up at that answer, and he immediately pressed further. "Kirigakure sent merely a minor Minister of Foreign Affairs to Uzushio Village to discuss our Uzumaki Clan joining Kirigakure. Could it be that Kirigakure intends to slight us?"

At these words, the other elders present silently gave the Third Elder their approval.

That was a reasonable and well-founded question. Let them see how he dealt with it!

Even Uzumaki Takumi nodded approvingly. This way, they could naturally gain the upper hand.

But Hozuki Shingetsu did not panic in the slightest. He immediately replied, "Allow me to introduce myself. Standing before you now is the mastermind behind the Shinobi World's turmoil, the creator of Konoha's internal conflict, Sarutobi Hiruzen's lifelong enemy, Shimura Danzō's unattainable idol, the young clan head of the Hozuki Clan, Kirigakure's 'Timely Rain,' Kirigakure's current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kirigakure's future Fourth Mizukage, a man authorized to act first and report later, granted special authority by the Mizukage—Hozuki Shingetsu."

As he spoke, he took out a document stamped by the Mizukage, bearing the four words "act as circumstances warrant"—originally a prop Ren had prepared to complete the act, but unexpectedly used here by Hozuki Shingetsu.

After hearing that long string of titles, everyone present looked at Hozuki Shingetsu with indescribable expressions. This man was truly shameless when it came to glorifying himself.

But putting aside the hollow claims from his introduction, such as Timely Rain and future Fourth Mizukage, the status of young clan head of the Hozuki Clan combined with Minister of Foreign Affairs, plus that document, was actually enough to qualify him to sit at the negotiating table with them.

After all, they could not tear off all pretenses. As long as the explanation was reasonable, everyone could only accept it.

Seeing the Third Elder blocked, another Uzumaki Elder stepped forward and joined the battle.

"Your village keeps saying that it hopes we will join Kirigakure. What benefits would joining bring to our Uzumaki Clan? If we must join someone, would joining Konoha not be more beneficial? After all, we have years of trust with Konoha, and Konoha's strength far surpasses Kirigakure's by any measure. Compared with Kirigakure, choosing Konoha would be more worthwhile for us, both emotionally and practically, would it not?"

Since they had previously defined those Konoha ninja as wandering ninjas, it meant that "Konoha abandoned Uzushio Village and merely sent people to take away several Uzumaki children" could not be treated as something that had actually happened. That was what the wandering ninjas disguising themselves as Konoha ninja had said. Konoha's reinforcements might still be on their way.

Although everyone knew those were Schrödinger's reinforcements, neither side could puncture this false reality.

"Wonderful! Using the other side's spear against their shield—the Fourth Elder has improved greatly!"

Faced with the admiring looks from so many clansmen, the Fourth Elder looked smugly at Hozuki Shingetsu, waiting to see how he would answer.

But Hozuki Shingetsu merely snorted and asked directly, "Allies? May I ask where the Uzumaki Clan's allies are now? Are you referring to Konoha, or Senju?"

The Fourth Elder had been about to answer, but suddenly realized something was wrong.

If they were talking about the Uzumaki Clan's staunchest allies, it was naturally the Senju Clan. But the crucial question was, was the current Konoha still ruled by Senju?

"Konoha is the village that inherited Lord Hashirama's will. Moreover, the current Hokage was a disciple of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. Naturally, Konoha is our ally!" Another person stepped forward to confront Hozuki Shingetsu.

Hozuki Shingetsu glanced at him and continued questioning.

"Senju Hashirama's will? Where exactly is that will embodied? How has Konoha put it into practice? Please provide detailed examples."

Everyone was speechless once more. After the First Five Kage Summit, who did not know that Senju Hashirama's will was to end war and bring peace to the Shinobi World?

And had Konoha practiced that will?

"No matter what, Kirigakure's strength is far inferior to Konoha's. That is an indisputable fact, is it not?" Someone else stood up, ignoring the subject and directly addressing the heart of the issue.

"Correct. Kirigakure's strength is inferior to Konoha's." That was indeed a fact. No matter how eloquent Hozuki Shingetsu was, he could not change that reality.

But before the others could celebrate, Hozuki Shingetsu continued, "However, if the Uzumaki Clan is not afraid of being condemned as cowardly parasites who fear death and reap rewards without effort, then choosing Konoha is fine as well."

Under everyone's puzzled gazes, Hozuki Shingetsu continued. "If the Uzumaki Clan enters Konoha, you cannot possibly start completely from scratch. You will naturally need to receive all the appropriate treatment, correct? Based on your status, at the very least, you should receive treatment equivalent to the three Ino-Shika-Cho clans, right?"

Everyone present nodded. That was only natural. The Uzumaki Clan had established a nation by itself; surely it could not receive the same treatment in Konoha as small clans like Hatake and Gekko?

"Then here is the problem. When Konoha was first founded, there were countless critics and enemies everywhere. It was the time to forge a new world, to transform everything, when everyone needed to contribute their strength. The Uzumaki Clan did not join then. Now that others have shed blood and sacrificed their lives, united as one to build Konoha into what it is today, you want to go there and enjoy the fruits of their labor?"

Everyone fell silent. That was indeed true. To enjoy such treatment without contributing anything would inevitably make them seem like they were living off others' work.

But Hozuki Shingetsu did not remain unyielding. Seeing the current silence, he gave the Uzumaki Clan some face and offered them a way out.

"But Kirigakure is different. Kirigakure is currently rebuilding from ruins and desperately seeking talent. The Three-Tails and Six-Tails frequently run rampant, making our lives truly miserable! That is why Kirigakure has been eagerly awaiting the Uzumaki Clan!"

Hozuki Shingetsu's candid admission of weakness and lowered posture eased the atmosphere once again. But as the saying went, it was better to face a godlike opponent than pig-like teammates. Just as Uzumaki Takumi was preparing to take the offered way out, something unexpected happened.

Perhaps being suppressed by Hozuki Shingetsu alone earlier had been too humiliating, causing some clansmen who remained immersed in the Uzumaki Clan's past glory to desperately seek a chance to regain face.

An elder stood up and smugly summarized, "So in the end, Kirigakure is still the one begging us to join! Since that is the case, we must carefully discuss the terms."

This is bad!

Uzumaki Takumi inwardly cried out in alarm. He turned his head and, as expected, saw Hozuki Shingetsu staring at that elder with a dark face and an expression of utter dissatisfaction.

"Are you fucking refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit?"

Seeing how utterly uncooperative the Uzumaki Clan was, Hozuki Shingetsu finally grew angry. He had repeatedly offered them a way out, yet the Uzumaki Clan insisted on clinging to their lofty airs and refused to come down.

Fine, then they could stay up there!

"Discuss? Discuss what? The Lightning-Earth Allied Forces that will arrive soon? Konoha's reinforcements that will forever remain on the road? Or the fact that your clan is about to be exterminated?"

Ignoring the embarrassed fury of everyone whose thoughts had been exposed, Hozuki Shingetsu continued his ruthless assault.

"What a pity. A thousand-year ninja clan like Uzumaki made one wrong move and ended up facing death and extermination. It is truly lamentable! Years from now, future generations will only be able to stand before the ruins of Uzushio Village and mourn the Uzumaki Clan's past glory. I imagine that might offer the Daimyo some comfort, no?"

"But do not worry, Daimyo. In the future, I will specifically make a film to commemorate the Uzumaki Clan's former glory. It will be called Lost Uzumaki Clan. What do you think?"

His repeated verbal attacks left the Uzumaki clansmen present red-faced, and they soon began to fly into a rage from humiliation.

"You brat, do you think the Uzumaki Clan's swords are not sharp?" Hearing this, the white-haired Uzumaki Elder viciously smashed the teacup in his hand onto the ground and pointed directly at Hozuki Shingetsu.

At the sound of the cup shattering, numerous Whirlpool Ninja appeared from downstairs, drawing their ninja blades and surrounding Hozuki Shingetsu and the other two. They only awaited the Uzumaki Elder's command to rush forward and hack the three of them into minced meat.

"My sword has not yet been found wanting either!"

Hozuki Shingetsu wore a contemptuous expression as he held his ninja blade diagonally toward the Uzumaki Elder.

The atmosphere in the Tenshukaku had reached its limit. Battle could erupt at any moment.

Celebrating my successful master's thesis defense!