Karatachi Yagura's arrival naturally interrupted their sparring session.
"Lord Yagura."
After exchanging greetings, Yagura did not beat around the bush and immediately voiced his troubles.
"You want to temporarily divert Konoha's attention and buy Lord Sengetsu and the others time to withdraw safely? And you can't let Konoha's ninja tie you down and turn it into a prolonged battle?"
Araki stroked his chin. "The Hidden Mist Technique..."
"That won't work. What they did will inevitably provoke Konoha's full-scale pursuit, and there will certainly be Byakugan users from the Hyuga Clan among them. The Hidden Mist Technique is useless against them."
Before Araki could finish, Karatachi Yagura rejected the suggestion. He had clearly considered that point already.
But how could Araki not know that the Byakugan countered the Hidden Mist Technique? He had not finished speaking.
"The Hidden Mist Technique alone won't work, but what about a Mirage?"
"A Mirage?"
Karatachi Yagura froze. "You mean the Second Mizukage's..."
"That's right. The Second Mizukage could work with his summoned beast to cast an illusory mist that covered the entire battlefield. It should be no problem using it to lure away Konoha's pursuers, right?" Araki nodded.
"But... Sengetsu once told me that no one in the Hozuki Clan has yet been able to summon that creature. Could it be..." He turned toward Hozuki Mangetsu. "Mangetsu, did you succeed?"
"No, I haven't. I haven't tried yet."
Hozuki Mangetsu first shook his head, then smiled proudly. "But I'm confident I'll succeed!"
This was the confidence of Mist Village's greatest prodigy!
"Then we shouldn't delay," Yagura decided immediately. "Mangetsu, try signing the contract right now. Then cooperate with the Anbu and receive Sengetsu's group as they withdraw from the Land of Fire!"
"Alright!"
After Karatachi Yagura hurriedly departed, Hozuki Mangetsu went into the inner room