Loyal and Cunning

Ao and Suikazan Fuguki entered the Mizukage's Office. The Mizukage Karatachi Yagura, who was sitting in his high seat handling government affairs, didn't even look up and continued working on his duties.

After entering, Suikazan Fuguki said, "Mizukage, the person has been brought." He then withdrew. Upon hearing this, Karatachi Yagura nodded slightly and continued with his official duties without further ado.

Ao didn't dare to speak. He stood there, very reserved. After about twenty minutes, Karatachi Yagura put down his pen and stretched. Ao reacted quickly, picked up a disposable cup, filled it with water, and then bowed respectfully as he handed it to him.

"Oh? Thank you!" Karatachi Yagura smiled, picked up his cup and drank the water in one gulp, then gestured for Ao to sit down.

Ao nodded, then carefully lifted a stool and placed it opposite the Mizukage's desk. He then sat down quietly, staring at Karatachi Yagura, not daring to move.

Karatachi Yagura smiled. This green one was very green, you could even call him a child. Although he knew how to be low-key and conceal his talents, he was still too naive in front of important people and leaders.

"Blue, right? That's your name?" Karatachi Yagura asked knowingly, his eyes fixed on the man before him, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Mizukage... I, I am Ao." Ao's voice trembled slightly. This was the first time he had ever met such an important person. He used to think that Jonin was already quite remarkable, but he never expected that it would happen today, right now.

He met the highest leader of Kirigakure, the common commander of all Jonin, the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura.

"Don't be nervous, little one. I'm not much older than you, no need to be so reserved." Karatachi Yagura and smiled. "I heard that you stole a Byakugan from the Hyuga Clan on the battlefield in Konoha."

Recalling Suikazan Fuguki's words, Ao immediately nodded, his expression serious, and said, "That's right, Mizukage- sama, I did indeed obtain a Byakugan from the Hyuga Clan, and I had it transplanted some time ago."

After saying that, Qing removed the blindfold, revealing a formidable Byakugan. Karatachi Yagura looked at it and nodded, "Well done. After obtaining the Byakugan, you didn't flaunt it, but instead chose to leave the scene immediately to have the transplant done."

"Ao, I would like to ask you to become the head of the intelligence group of Kirigakure. You will be responsible for gathering intelligence for Kirigakure, ensuring that Kirigakure receives accurate information, and ultimately achieving victory in the war." Karatachi Yagura cut to the chase, directly appointing Ao, who had received the Byakugan, as the head of the intelligence group.

Ao was calm inside, but outwardly he was extremely shocked. "Mizukage -sama, this intelligence group leader, I, can I really do it?" His voice trembled slightly, and his performance satisfied Karatachi Yagura.

"Of course, Ao. Even if you didn't get this Byakugan, even if you were just an ordinary Chunin, based on your personality and abilities, I would still promote you to head of the intelligence team." Karatachi Yagura smiled.

Ao appeared deeply moved, but in his heart he thought something else entirely. "Heh, if he hadn't received Byakugan, would Karatachi Yagura have even looked at him? He didn't believe it. Some things are best left unsaid."

"Lord Mizukage, Ao will do his utmost to contribute his strength to the intelligence of Kirigakure. Ao is absolutely loyal to Lord Mizukage!" Although Ao was young, he was not stupid. He knew that he was chosen because of the Byakugan.

As for what the leader says, just listen to it, but you know the truth in your own mind.

Upon hearing Ao's statement, Yagura burst into laughter. "Ao, what are you saying? As a member of Kirigakure, even I, the Fourth Mizukage, am loyal to Kirigakure and to its people." He Karatachi Yagura and patted Ao on Kirigakure shoulder.

Ao suddenly realized, but her face showed some hesitation, which Karatachi Yagura noticed.

"Ao, if there's anything you don't understand, just say it. If there's anything you can't do, just ask. As the Mizukage of Kirigakure, I'll never hide anything I know from you!" Karatachi Yagura said with a smile, looking at Ao as if he were his most trusted confidant.

The original Ao might not have been worth noting, but the current Ao, who plundered the Hyuga Byakugan on the battlefield of the Third Shinobi World War, escaped the purge of Konoha, and transplanted it into himself, thus obtaining the Hyuga Byakugan's bloodline limit, is different now.

Karatachi Yagura intends to groom Ao as his confidant, so naturally he will have more patience and goodwill towards this young man and be willing to answer his questions.

"Mizukage, you have devoted your entire life to Kirigakure. I have always felt that to be loyal to you is to be loyal to your cause, to be loyal to Kirigakure, and to be loyal to the people of Kirigakure!" Ao's words were filled with three parts determination, three parts seriousness, and four parts admiration!

The Mizukage startled the Karatachi Yagura. He suddenly looked at Ao, his eyes welling up with tears. However, he was the Mizukage, and he couldn't cry. But today he knew that Ao understood him, that Ao truly understood him.

He understood him better than any other ninja, elder, or commoner; he was his confidant!

Karatachi Yagura turned around, raised his head, and feigned aloofness. "You're probably just saying nice things to fool me, aren't you?" His voice trembled slightly.

Ao understood, but instead of continuing to praise him, he said very sincerely, "Lord Mizukage, everything I've said is true. If I'm lying, then let me..."

"Alright! Ao, I understand your intentions. As for making oaths, forget about it. By the way, I have a Nintaijutsu here called Coral Palm. I will pass it on to you today. I hope you will work hard and not let me down." After saying that, Karatachi Yagura took out a scroll from somewhere and threw it steadily to Ao without turning his head.

Ao caught the scroll, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Lord Mizukage, Ao will certainly live up to your expectations!" After saying that, he put the scroll away.

Karatachi Yagura nodded. "I believe you. Alright, you can go now. Bring in Suikazan Fuguki."

Ao said, "Yes!" After saying that, he slowly retreated. Karatachi Yagura heard the door close and let out a sigh of relief. "The livelihood and future of tens of thousands of people in the entire village rest on my shoulders. I haven't heard such words in a long time!"

Before he could finish his thought, the door opened again, and this time it was the tall and imposing Suikazan Fuguki entered! He stared at Karatachi Yagura's retreating figure, suddenly lost in thought.

Then, realizing what he had done, he bowed and said, "Suikazan Fuguki greets Lord Mizukage!"

The voice of Suikazan Fuguki rang out, bringing Karatachi Yagura back to his senses. He slowly turned around, having already suppressed the emotion he had just felt.

He returned to his seat, narrowed his eyes, and said, "Xiguashan, sit down."

Suikazan Fuguki nodded and then sat down in the spot where Ao had just been sitting.

Karatachi Yagura didn't speak; his right index finger rhythmically tapped the solid wood table.

"How's the investigation going? Is there anything wrong with Ao?" Although Karatachi Yagura had a very good impression of Ao from their conversation, as the village's Kage, he couldn't be too sensitive; rationality was the only option.

"Mizukage Lord Mizukage, it has now been ascertained that Ao's background is innocent; his family has been from Kirigakure for generations, and there is no possibility that he is Konoha spy." Suikazan Fuguki had just gone out to do this.

Because his abilities and cunning far surpassed those of ordinary people, he was able to be highly valued by the Mizukage Karatachi Yagura.

Karatachi Yagura knew that such a person had to be guarded against; he was a double-edged sword. If used well, he could help his rule; if used poorly, he could harm him or even leave evidence against him.

But what time is it now? It's the time when Uchiha Kō supreme over a generation! When everyone else has to act according to Konoha's wishes! Does character matter now? No! As long as he can bring benefits to my rule and Kirigakure, then I will give him an important position.

Upon hearing Suikazan Fuguki's report, Karatachi Yagura visibly smiled and nodded. "Alright, I understand. Suigetsu, I'll have to trouble you a bit more to teach that kid how to manage the intelligence department and how to gather intelligence."

Suikazan Fuguki's eyes widened. The intelligence department, that kid, he was assigned to the intelligence department. But then he suddenly realized something. Right, that kid got Byakugan, so it's normal for him to be sent to the intelligence department.

After all, that kid's Byakugan are excellent for gathering intelligence and scouting terrain, but that kid...

Although Suikazan Fuguki felt that Ao wouldn't be able to affect his position, he was still worried about the possibility of something going on, so he decided to find out what the Mizukage had said to him.

Did you see how happy and obvious Yagura, Karatachi Yagura current Mizukage, was when he heard that Ao's family background was innocent?

However, it didn't matter, Suikazan Fuguki thought. If that kid didn't hide anything from him at the time, it would mean that the kid was self-aware and knew what was good for him. He naturally wouldn't mind helping him out.

If that kid stammers and tries to fool or appease him with ambiguous words, forget about teaching him the skills the intelligence department should have. If I don't teach him a lesson, I 'Suikazan Fuguki change my name to something else.

However, at this moment, in the Mizukage's Office, in front of Karatachi Yagura, he naturally couldn't reveal these thoughts. He bowed respectfully and said, "Yes, Mizukage- sama, I will give that young man named Ao some extra 'attention'."

Suikazan Fuguki's voice was calm and deep, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts.

Karatachi Yagura nodded. "You may leave now. Also, thank you for your hard work. Go to the treasury and take 300,000 taels of silver as your bonus for this period of time." Karatachi Yagura smiled and then closed his eyes.

"Yes!" Suikazan Fuguki laughed. Tsk tsk, it feels really good to be valued by the Mizukage. This is just a small matter, which is the duty of all ninjas, but the Mizukage- sama is giving him an extra reward!

After Suikazan Fuguki left the office, Karatachi Yagura's smile quickly faded. He muttered, "Greedy? Greedy is good! I'm afraid you don't want anything, you're not greedy for anything. If that happens, I'll start to suspect that there's something wrong with you."

6000 words, political intrigue.

You need to use your brain a little.

And then...

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