Gathering, Kirigakure Internal Strife

"Good, very good. Let's have a proper drink tonight."

Uzumaki Ashina suggested, dragging his weary body.

Everyone present happily accepted the proposal.

Evening.

The people present were drinking with great enthusiasm.

Tsunade was stunned to see Uzumaki Shori leave the dining table.

She turned and chased after him, finding him in the garden gazing at the stars in the sky.

He was the same age as her, yet he could suppress her in strength and had become the Second Uzukage of the Land of Whirlpools.

To deal with Kirigakure, he had even created machines capable of changing the battlefield.

This made Tsunade increasingly curious about Uzumaki Shori, and she wanted to understand him more and more.

"Our genius, everyone is celebrating your invention, so why are you sitting here looking at the stars?"

Bathed in starlight, Uzumaki Shori stared at Tsunade for a long time, causing her to suddenly feel shy.

"The rocket launcher is useful, but this is a battle that will decide the life and death of the Uzumaki Clan. I want to see more of this world; for the remaining time, I can only think about the coming battle."

Tsunade took a step forward. Her grandfather once said that when a person is full of hope while doing something, they need at least one person to applaud and cheer for them.

"It won't be that difficult; we are all here to face it with you."

Uzumaki Shori withdrew his gaze from Tsunade's face, stood up, and stretched.

"Thank you for the encouragement, but don't forget that I am the Second Uzukage of the Land of Whirlpools. When the Land of Whirlpools is in trouble, I will be the first to stand on the front lines."

Tsunade picked up her ninja pouch, took out a specially made "Military Ration Pill," and handed it over.

Uzumaki Shori was full of confusion as he took the medicine.

"Isn't this pill just a Military Ration Pill? We have plenty in reserve; you don't need to give me one separately."

Tsunade rolled her eyes at Uzumaki Shori.

"Do you think I would give you an ordinary Military Ration Pill? This one is specially made; it was used for your father's treatment. Since you are the Uzukage, you cannot fall. I made this specifically for you."

"Let's go, my good Uzukage, let's go have a drink together."

Uzumaki Shori put away the Military Ration Pill and said with a smile.

"Alright. Tsunade, your medical ninjutsu is amazing. Could you teach me?"

"Sure. Once we finish the battle and return, I will teach you without holding anything back," Tsunade said with a smile.

Everyone was still eating and drinking; Jiraiya was bragging to the First Uzukage, and Orochimaru was studying sealing scrolls.

The atmosphere in the Land of Whirlpools was excellent, but in the Land of Water, things were different.

Hozuki Gensei returned via reverse summoning, suffering the impact of spatial energy.

"Pfft!"

A mouthful of blood sprayed from his mouth, and he didn't even have time to rest.

With a "whoosh," a senbon shot out from behind Hozuki Gensei, aimed directly at his heart.

Sensing danger, Hozuki Gensei rolled to the right and quickly turned his head to see who had attacked him.

Suikazan Fuguki stared at him intently.

Seeing his target roll away, he immediately charged like lightning, delivering a low-kick to the other's body.

With a "bang," the body instantly turned into wood.

Hozuki Gensei had used the ninjutsu first and completed the hand seals afterward.

"Substitution Technique."

"Suikazan Fuguki, are you betraying the Mizukage by attacking me?"

The man stared at Hozuki Gensei without speaking, revealing a cruel smile as he performed hand seals.

"Needle Jizo."

His hair launched continuously at the enemy, finally pinning itself into the ground to launch a piercing attack.

Hozuki Gensei had no chakra left; he could only stand there, a look of terror appearing on his face.

Suikazan Fuguki watched as his target was struck down, the Needle Jizo about to pierce through the man's body.

He thought that if he killed this man, the great sword Samehada would no longer be under his control, and he would be able to use Samehada without worrying about it being summoned away.

In an instant, Hozuki Gensei was pinned to the spot by the Needle Jizo. Lying on the ground, Hozuki Gensei wailed in pain, staring at Suikazan Fuguki with eyes full of hatred.

"You don't need to look at me with such hatred. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for holding the control over the great sword Samehada."

"I knew the location of your reverse summoning technique a long time ago. Every time you set off on a mission, I have been waiting here."

"You never returned injured, so I could only wait and wait. Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?"

Suikazan Fuguki bared his sharp teeth, his face twisted into a hideous snarl as he stood over Hozuki Gensei, looking down at him from a height.

He raised his ninja blade and thrust it downward.

With a sharp clang, the edge of the blade snapped.

His expression turned fierce; this was a genjutsu, and the man before him was clearly not Hozuki Gengetsu.

Looking around, he saw Hozuki Gensei kneeling not far away, and right beside him stood the Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu.

Suikazan Fuguki's face paled with terror; he scrambled forward to kneel on the ground, cautiously lifting his head.

"Lord Mizukage, This Humble One was merely sparring with Hozuki Gensei. With the invasion of the Land of Whirlpools imminent, I would never dream of ruining Lord Mizukage's amusement."

The Second Mizukage was usually a warm and hearty man, but he became cold and ruthless when facing battle.

Hozuki Gengetsu stared at Suikazan Fuguki with a mocking smile before stepping forward and delivering a kick.

Suikazan Fuguki was sent flying like a ball, slamming into the mountain face opposite and becoming deeply embedded in the rock, all while watching Hozuki Gensei, who remained kneeling nearby.

"Let's go. Tell me, what formidable experts does the Land of Whirlpools have? The blood in my veins is already boiling."

Hozuki Gensei, still kneeling on the ground, glanced at Suikazan Fuguki, who was still sprawled in the dirt, before hurriedly rising to follow the Second Mizukage.

Suikazan Fuguki crawled on the ground with a face like a vengeful ghost, grinding his teeth in hatred. Hozuki Clan, do not give me a chance; I will certainly repay this debt to you.

He slowly stood up and followed behind the Mizukage, returning to the camp.

"Lord Mizukage, the situation in the Land of Whirlpools has been scouted. Konoha and Sunagakure are in conflict and will not send ninjas to provide support."

"The only ones left who can fight are the six guard captains, the Uzukage, and his son."

"Lord Mizukage, there is no need for you to go; I can lead a squad and wipe out the entire Land of Whirlpools myself."

Hozuki Gengetsu swept a glance at his subordinate, causing Hozuki Gensei's body to tremble. A battle maniac like the Mizukage is waiting for this fight; how could he possibly let me lead the team?

Before long, the Land of Water's assembly camp appeared before them, and the chunin scattered to summon the jonin for a meeting.

Mizukage Hozuki Gengetsu sat upon the Mizukage's throne, watching as everyone gathered: the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, the Yuki Clan, and the many jonin of the Kaguya Clan.

The Mizukage scanned the crowd; the strongest of Kirigakure were all assembled.

"In three and a half days, the combat supplies will arrive and the ten sailing ships will finish their maintenance. At that time, we shall raze the Land of Whirlpools."

The crowd roared in response.

"Raze the Land of Whirlpools!"

Uzumaki Shori also sat upon the Uzukage's throne, observing those present: his father the First Uzukage, Elder Uzumaki Keimei, the six guard captains, Senju Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya.

The strongest of the Land of Whirlpools were all fully assembled.

Uzumaki Shori raised his cup.

"Everyone, in three days, the rocket launchers and three hundred medium-sized ships will be fully assembled. We shall set sail then to defeat Kirigakure."

The crowd roared in response.

"Defeat Kirigakure!"