The Continental Balance Policy

Whose subordinate was this, and why was he so brave?

The many Jonin present looked up. It turned out to be the young clan head of the Hozuki Clan. Well, that explained it.

The Jonin present knew all about the bad blood between the Hozuki Clan and the Mizukage, so they watched with anticipation, eager to hear what grand theory this newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs would offer.

But what they hadn't expected at all was that the first thing this Kirigakure genius said seemed to be taking the wrong side.

"First of all, I fully support every decision made by the Mizukage. Here, on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Department, I pledge our unwavering support for all of the Mizukage's opinions! Anyone who opposes the Mizukage is opposing the Foreign Affairs Department!"

After all, policies like closing the country off from the outside world only affected ordinary people. For a powerful clan like the Hozuki, if they wanted to secretly keep in touch with the outside world, who could catch them? Such policies only applied to clans without influence or a voice. Even that brainless member of the Kaguya Clan didn't take them seriously.

And the fixed number of Jonin positions was even more laughable. Did not having the title of Jonin mean you weren't a Jonin? And as for the influence that came with being a Jonin, did Kirigakure's foremost clan really lack a few Jonin?

So Hozuki Shingetsu had no reason to oppose Ren at that moment.

However, Hozuki Shingetsu's display of loyalty left Ren puzzled. Could the Hozuki Clan be trying to reconcile with him?

But clearly, Hozuki Shingetsu hadn't stood up just to flatter him.

"Not only should we support the Mizukage's decisions, we should also build on them. We must anticipate the Mizukage's needs and concerns, put ourselves in his shoes, and consider the impact on our village from the bigger-picture perspective. We must promptly identify and address any shortcomings, and faithfully carry out the Mizukage's wishes."

At first, Ren had worn a smile. But the more he listened, the more something felt off. What did "put ourselves in the Mizukage's shoes," "consider the bigger picture," and "address any shortcomings" mean?

"From the Mizukage's policies, I've distilled one central idea: beyond the sea, there are enemies!"

"Objectively speaking, our Kirigakure is constrained by the barren resources and sparse population of our island nation. In terms of hard power, we're slightly weaker than Konoha."

Well, Hozuki Shingetsu was putting it mildly. "Slightly weaker" hardly described it. At this point, just Uzumaki Mito alone, still alive and well, could take on all of Kirigakure.

"So, to defend ourselves against our enemies, we must keep our secrets safe and further improve our strength despite our limited resources."

Ren looked at Hozuki Shingetsu in confusion, unsure what he was getting at.

"So, to address the Mizukage's urgent concerns, our Foreign Affairs Department has devised a policy. I call it... the Continental Balance Policy." Hozuki Shingetsu finally revealed his hand and explained his idea.

Simply put, it meant allying with the weak to resist the strong, preventing any one power from becoming the undisputed ruler of the continent.

The problem was that there was already a dominant power on the continent!

"So, to stand against Konoha, we need to keep stoking other countries' dissatisfaction with it, encouraging them to wage war against Konoha."

Everyone present realized that Hozuki Shingetsu had clearly planned this in advance. It hadn't even been an hour since he'd been announced as head of the Foreign Affairs Department, and he'd already laid out this whole plan. How could it not have been premeditated?

Ren had realized it too. But at the very beginning, Hozuki Shingetsu had invoked his name to set the tone. Since Ren hadn't objected then, he'd already missed the best moment to do so. Unless he was willing to completely break with the man, he'd have to watch him keep putting on a show in Ren's name. But breaking with him over something like this didn't seem worth it.

So, deeply displeased, the Third Mizukage asked impatiently, "Do you have a concrete plan to stir up a war against Konoha?"

Here it came! Everything depended on this!

Hozuki Shingetsu knew they'd reached the crux of the matter, so he quickly replied, "Starting a war against Konoha won't be possible in the short term, but I can guarantee that at least two countries will declare war on Konoha within the next five years."

After all, it was already Konoha Year 33. According to the original story, the Second Shinobi World War would break out around Konoha Year 37—just four years away. If he added a little fuel to the fire, war was bound to break out.

"Five years? That's too long. I want to see results in five months. If you can't deliver, you can stop being Minister of Foreign Affairs. I don't need a department head who only talks big."

Ren didn't understand what Hozuki Shingetsu was trying to do, but he instinctively knew he couldn't let him keep putting on this show. So he changed the terms and gave him a hard deadline.

"Five months? That's far too short. But if the Mizukage allows me to take charge of all publicity for Kirigakure, I'd have the confidence to achieve that goal."

Hozuki Shingetsu looked troubled. After thinking it over for a while, he gave this answer.

"Publicity?"

Ren paused, unsure why Hozuki Shingetsu was so intent on taking charge of that. But with the aim of making things difficult for his opponent, he planned to reject the request.

"I appointed someone your age as Minister of Foreign Affairs because I wanted to groom you. I thought you could spend time with your seniors and gain experience. But instead, you make grand claims and now keep making demands of the village..."

"I think there's nothing wrong with giving young people more opportunities. Besides, it's only publicity! It's just five months, and we'll know the outcome then. Why shouldn't the Mizukage go along with it? After all, even the Daimyo has heard of this young man. Giving him a chance would be a fine thing, wouldn't it?"

To everyone's surprise, the Daimyo's Envoy, who had sat quietly listening and made himself almost invisible, spoke up—and he spoke in Hozuki Shingetsu's defense.

Ren frowned. If anyone else had interrupted him, he'd have sent them to meet the Sage of Six Paths with a Shuriken long ago. But he had to consider the Daimyo's standing, and Kirigakure still needed the Daimyo's financial support. Antagonizing the envoy over such a small matter would hardly be worth it.

"Then you have five months. I expect you to keep your promise and throw Konoha into disarray."

After saying this, Ren walked out of the meeting room with a cold expression. He never would have guessed that the Daimyo's Envoy would speak up for Hozuki Shingetsu.

Of everyone present, probably only Hozuki Zangetsu and Hozuki Shingetsu knew why.

"A million ryo for four sentences. That's expensive! It's enough to buy a third of Asuma!"

Hozuki Shingetsu felt a pang at the expense. But when he thought about how the plan had achieved all its goals, he felt the money had been well spent after all.