Dispute (Please Bookmark~ Please Recommend~)

Under the pitch-black night sky, with dense fog filling the air, even the moon's outline appeared hazy.

Whoosh!

The sound of clothes cutting through the air rang out as a ninja wearing a pufferfish mask suddenly appeared in a small courtyard.

"Third Mizukage-sama, Karatachi Yagura requests an audience!"

The Third Mizukage had just taken off his Hokage Cloak and was preparing to rest. He paused, his aged cheeks twitching slightly as he murmured, "What is he doing here so late?"

Though puzzled, he still chose to receive him, because Karatachi Yagura's identity was far from ordinary.

The Karatachi Clan was a small, inconspicuous clan in Kirigakure—so small that it could barely even be called a clan. Their numbers were simply too few, with only one person in each generation.

Yet their existence was vital to Kirigakure, because the Karatachi Clan possessed the power to communicate with the Three-Tails. Their chakra was unique and could control the Three-Tails, which was why every generation's Three-Tails Jinchuriki in Kirigakure came from their clan. (PS: This was the author's own secondary setting based on Yuukimaru from the anime.)

For every village, tailed beasts were strategic weapons of immense importance, and Jinchuriki who could wield their power were naturally indispensable high-end combat forces.

The previous Three-Tails Jinchuriki, Karatachi Yagura's father, was already quite old. Within the next few years, Karatachi Yagura would certainly succeed him as the new Three-Tails Jinchuriki.

Not to mention that Karatachi Yagura had already become a jonin at such a young age. His future was promising.

Thus, he held a high position in Kirigakure.

"Let him in!"

A hoarse reply came from inside the house, and the reporting Anbu quietly vanished.

"Third Mizukage-sama!"

Karatachi Yagura, with green hair and violet eyes, entered the Third Mizukage's home with a solemn expression. A black iron staff taller than he was rested across his back, its head fitted with a hook and a small green flower.

"Yagura, what brings you here so late?"

The Third Mizukage's voice sounded somewhat weary.

After all, among all the Third Kage, he was considered one of the older ones—perhaps even the oldest.

Among the Third Kage of the five great ninja villages, only the Third Mizukage had attended the First Five Kage Summit. The other villages had been represented by either their First Kage or Second Kage.

This showed just how senior the Third Mizukage was.

"Mizukage-sama, something major has happened!"

An exceptionally serious expression appeared on Yagura's childlike face.

"Hmm? What happened?"

Seeing him like this, the Third Mizukage put away his relaxed demeanor and grew grave.

"Today was the Ninja Academy's graduation examination. You remember, don't you?"

"I know. I sent Kuryu to oversee it. What, did something go wrong with the examination?"

Hearing that it concerned the Ninja Academy graduation examination, the Third Mizukage was deeply puzzled. What trouble could a group of trainee genin possibly cause? Was it really worth Karatachi Yagura rushing over with such a solemn expression?

"During today's examination, one candidate killed more than a hundred other candidates by himself, resulting in only two genin graduating from the Ninja Academy this year."

"What?!"

Before Yagura had even finished the first half of his sentence, the Third Mizukage's body jolted. His withered fingers clenched into a fist and slammed heavily onto the table.

"How could this happen? Where is Kuryu? What was he doing?!"

In that instant, the Third Mizukage's aged body suddenly erupted with an astonishing aura, forcing even Karatachi Yagura to take half a step back.

"Kuryu... I don't know either. But Third Mizukage-sama, now that this has happened, our most urgent task is not to assign blame, but to discuss a solution."

Karatachi Yagura calmly offered his suggestion.

"You're right!"

The Third Mizukage calmed down slightly, then barked sharply:

"Kuryu neglected his duty. Send him to guard the northern border as punishment! And what is the name of that boy who did the killing? Send him there too!"

However, Karatachi Yagura did not agree with the Third Mizukage's decision.

"Third Mizukage-sama, I do not think such a punishment is appropriate!"

"Hmm?"

It had been a long time since anyone had openly questioned him like this. The Third Mizukage froze for a moment, then stared at Yagura through narrowed eyes and asked in a low voice:

"What are you trying to say?"

Faced with the Third Mizukage's oppressive aura, Karatachi Yagura refused to yield. He raised his head and said earnestly:

"The Ninja Academy graduation examination was meant to have students kill their companions. Zabuza Momochi, that candidate, did not violate the rules. Therefore, he should not be punished!"

"Did not violate the rules? Hahahaha!"

The Third Mizukage was so angry that he laughed.

"He killed over a hundred trainee ninja from his own class, causing a gap in Kirigakure's new genin this year, and you're telling me he did not violate the rules? That I cannot punish him?"

"That's right! And there is nothing funny about it, because you personally established the rules for the graduation examination."

Karatachi Yagura remained neither servile nor overbearing in the face of the Third Mizukage's questioning.

"Oh, now I understand. So you are actually dissatisfied with the rules I established?"

A chilling gleam flashed within the Third Mizukage's narrowed eyes.

"Yes!"

Karatachi Yagura fearlessly raised his head and met his gaze.

"This rule of mutual slaughter brings no benefit to the village. It will only make companions grow more indifferent toward one another. If it is not changed, something like what happened today could happen again every year! Mist Village cannot bear such losses!"

"Heh heh."

The Third Mizukage laughed without emotion. He abruptly rose to his feet and looked down at Yagura like an old wolf king.

"If it is not changed, it will happen every year? Are you threatening me? Hmm? Threatening a Mizukage who has come all the way from the Warring States Period and endured countless storms?! You little brats who grew up in times of peace have no idea how cruel the Shinobi World truly is!"

"Perhaps we truly do not know, but we would rather go out and experience others' cruelty than die meaninglessly at the hands of our own companions."

Karatachi Yagura did not back down, meeting him point for point.

"Heh, it seems your wings have truly hardened. You have even started trying to teach me how to do things."

The Third Mizukage sneered coldly, turning his back on Yagura and no longer looking at him.

"Leave. I will not change my mind! As long as I remain Mizukage, the affairs of Mist Village will not be yours to decide!"

"I'm afraid that won't do, Mizukage-sama."

A faint, confident smile appeared at the corner of Karatachi Yagura's mouth.

"I have already informed Elder Genji about this matter. The elder has decided to convene a high-level meeting to discuss it, so..."

Facing the Third Mizukage, who whirled around with his eyes wide in fury, Karatachi Yagura gently spoke his final words.

"Please come, Mizukage-sama! Everyone is waiting for you!"