There's No Saving This

Uchiha Shingen turned and disappeared from the spot.

Go to hell.

Walls aren't for climbing, they're for holding onto.

His figure appeared on the rooftop, Uchiha Shingen saw Karatachi Yagura was also dressed in black.

This is outrageous! This group is actually wearing counterfeit Leaf Village ANBU uniforms. Uchiha Shingen Karatachi Yagura noticed at least a dozen flaws in Yagura's clothes.

"Mizukage, what are you doing?"

"It's always better to be careful." Karatachi Yagura, looking at Uchiha Shingen's outfit, also felt a bit of a headache. "Where did you find this outfit? Our clothes were altered during the Third's time."

"Mizukage, your outfit is from the previous version..."

There was a brief silence between them, after which Karatachi Yagura spoke first.

Are there any other villages?

"Have..."

"Lend me one, I'll return it to you after I'm done."

"No need. I'll send you a specially customized complete edition of the Ninja World, including content from small ninja villages, as well as some from wiped-out organizations, so there's no way to verify the facts."

"I feel so bad that you've gone to so much trouble."

"We're all on the same side, no need for formalities."

Uchiha Shingen pulled out a scroll and threw it over.

Karatachi Yagura reached out and caught it, then happily tucked it into his arms.

He felt he had found the right person; their professionalism was spot-on!

"Follow me," he said, then jumped off the building first, disappearing into the darkness.

Uchiha Shingen activated his Sharingan and followed.

The two quickly left the area of Mizukage Building. As the biggest local strongman, Karatachi Yagura was extremely familiar with the streets and alleys of Kirigakure, and knew all the village's sentry posts and patrol routes like the back of his hand. The journey was very safe and smooth.

Karatachi Yagura turned into a small alley, walked to a low house, and knocked on the door a few times in a specific rhythm.

The door creaked open, and a middle-aged man stood in the doorway. He didn't immediately move aside when he saw Karatachi Yagura.

His gaze was fixed on Uchiha Shingen behind Karatachi Yagura.

"We're on the same side," Karatachi Yagura said.

The middle-aged man then stepped aside.

The door was a bit small, so Uchiha Shingen had to crouch down slightly and squeeze inside.

The furnishings inside were rather old. When the middle-aged man went into the inner room and came out again, he led a boy out.

Karatachi Yagura removed his mask, and the boy saw his face clearly, a hint of joy on his face.

"Shingen- kun, this child is Shiro." Karatachi Yagura patted the boy's head and said to Uchiha Shingen.

The boy glanced at Uchiha Shingen, then, somewhat frightened, hid behind Karatachi Yagura.

Uchiha Shingen removed his mask.

"Hello, Bai," he said in a friendly manner.

"Hello... you..."

Seeing the distrust in Haku's eyes, Uchiha Shingen didn't care.

He had seen that look in his eyes many times before.

Shiro's trust in Karatachi Yagura was more surprising to him.

"Mizukage, you're quite skilled at taking care of children."

"Fortunately, I used to have more free time, so I could spend more time at home with my son." Karatachi Yagura recalled her time raising her child with a touch of emotion. "Shingen- kun, are you married?"

"No."

"Get married sooner rather than later, have children sooner rather than later, otherwise you'll suffer a lot."

I'm teaming up with you to kill someone, and you're telling me we should get married soon?

Uchiha Shingen ignored the other's question and asked, "Did the Mizukage bring me here just to see this child?"

"It's safer here," Karatachi Yagura said. "Shingen- kun, let me double-check, do you and Shisui -kun agree to the conditions I proposed earlier?"

"Yes, I agree in principle. As for the specifics, we will return to the village and report to the Hokage after this is over, and then we will formally sign the contract."

"Actually, there's no need for all that trouble. Once this is over, I'll set off with you to Leaf Village to sign the contract with the Hokage." Karatachi Yagura was quite satisfied. "As a fellow Fourth Hokage, I've never even met the Fourth Hokage in person."

After considering it for a moment, Uchiha Shingen realized that although it was somewhat hasty, it did demonstrate the sincerity of both sides.

"Mizukage is so magnanimous." He gave a thumbs up.

"Shingen -kun is truly capable; he is decisive and efficient in his work. I look forward to our future collaboration."

"When will you make your move? How will you make your move?"

"The date remains the same, still the day after tomorrow," Karatachi Yagura said. "The day after tomorrow, I will invite you and Shisui -kun to discuss the agreement again, and I will invite the leaders of the Hozuki Clan and their important allies to attend."

"Take action at the meeting?"

"No, we'll deal with your clansmen first." Karatachi Yagura shook his head. "Your clansman is using the alias 'Tobi.' I've appointed him as the leader of the ANBU and given him control of the Kage Guard. The Hozuki Clan wants to expose my being controlled, so they will also attack your clansman and the forces he controls."

"Lord Mizukage seems to have a good understanding of the Hozuki Clan's plans."

"The Hozuki Clan's goal is to become the Mizukage's family. Even if they rebel, they won't directly attack the Mizukage himself. Shingen- kun, you should go back soon, lest the Hozuki Clan find out you're not here."

"It's okay, Sakurako will cover for me."

"That's for the best. Shall we talk to this child for a bit?" Karatachi Yagura, looking at Shiro.

Hearing his sister's name, Bai looked at Uchiha Shingen with curiosity.

"It's not the right time yet, let's talk about it after this is over, but..." Uchiha Shingen walked up to Haku, squatted down, and extended his hand. "Haku, can we shake hands?"

Haku looked at Uchiha Shingen, hesitated for a moment, then reached out her small hand and placed it on Uchiha Shingen's palm.

"Do you know my sister?" he asked.

"Yes, we know each other, we're good friends." Uchiha Shingen smiled and withdrew his hand.

He nodded to Yagura, connected the Flying Thunder God Karatachi Yagura to his clone at the Guest House, and used Ninjutsu to leave.

Chapter Sixty-Three: Hopeless

After activating his self-created "Flying Thunder God Shadow Shift," the environment around him changed, Uchiha Shingen found himself lying in bed.

What's even more outrageous is that Sakurako was also on the bed, completely naked, hugging him and blinking as she looked at him.

Uchiha Shingen was completely bewildered. What kind of plot was this?

Why is he lying in bed with Sakurako like this?

The cricket's Shadow Clone actually escaped?

The next moment, the Shadow Clone's memories came back to him, and he understood.

"Knock knock..." Another knock came at the door. "Lord Shingen, are you ready yet?"

Upon hearing this voice, Sakurako unconsciously hugged herself tighter.

Hey lady, you're naked right now, so watch your movements.

"Excuse me, Lord Shingen, it's urgent, I'll come in first." The sound of the doorknob being turned rang out.

In the blink of an eye, Uchiha Shingen wiped himself down.

He activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, and his clothes vanished completely.

That's great, now we're naked twice.

The performance of this play seemed a bit rushed.

Then he pulled the blanket up, covering both of their bodies completely.

The door opened, and a member of the Hozuki clan whom I had seen at the banquet opened it. He had only poked half his body in when he saw the two people wrapped up tightly on the bed. He immediately turned around and said to the person behind him, "Wait outside."

Turning back, his gaze focused on the floor.

"Lord Shingen, the elders do have something very important and urgent to discuss. Could you please go and meet with them now?"

"So urgent?" Uchiha Shingen displayed the perfect attitude of a sleepyhead. "Can't it be after tonight?"

He moved his hand under the covers, and the covers visibly stirred.

But actually, it was he who patted Sakurako's arm; he believed this girl would get his point.

The clever girl made soft, whimpering sounds.

Nice! Enjoy the collaboration!

"I'm so sorry, the elders are in a hurry and said it would be too late to talk again tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll get up now. Wait for me to change my clothes."

"Okay." The Hozuki clan member lowered his head, shrank back halfway, and closed the door.

The Hozuki Clan was doomed; their actions had been perfectly predicted by Karatachi Yagura.

Uchiha Shingen got out of bed, but out of consideration for his partner, he didn't kick the blanket off with his bare hands as he usually did when he got up.

He even helped Sakurako cover herself with the blanket.

Then he went into the dressing room and changed into his original Konoha Ninja uniform.

When she came out again, Sakurako, wrapped in a blanket, sat on the bed watching her.

Uchiha Shingen gestured for her to be quiet, walked up to her, leaned close to her ear, and said, "Just pretend to be asleep. Don't make a sound until I get back."

Sakurako nodded and obediently went back to bed.

Uchiha Shingen gave her a thumbs-up, then turned around, walked to the door, and opened it.

The Hozuki clan members stood outside the door, accompanied by several others.

"Where's the room key?" Uchiha Shingen asked.

The Hozuki clan member handed it over, Uchiha Shingen took it and locked the door.

"How many keys are there?" he asked.

"Don't worry, Shingen, no one will go in without your permission."

"You just came in. Give me the keys later; it's a matter of principle."

"Understood, don't worry." The Hozuki clan member felt relieved.

I never expected the White Ghost to be so lecherous and possessive; this is wonderful.

Sakurako isn't actually the best; her clan and allies have no shortage of all kinds of women.

There are simply too many ninja clans in Hidden Mist Village, and there are generally more women than men. As a result, there are a lot of girls of marriageable age in each clan, but they cannot marry ninjas from non-ninja clans. Therefore, every marriage alliance is a war.

The man looking to marry also has a headache, because he can be overwhelmed by the choices.

This is something that's really hard for one person to handle alone.

Therefore, in Hidden Mist Village, ninja clan marriages are a delicate matter. Hidden Mist Village clans are adept at precise positioning and perfect matching, taking into account both the needs of the clan and the personal preferences of the individuals.

They are professionals in this field! Please do not doubt their professional competence!

The Hozuki clan members thought that his sister was actually quite suitable, and they could find some time to organize a dinner party for her.

"Go, collect all the keys, don't leave a single one behind. Also, when Shingen is not here, no one is allowed to approach this room. Violators will be severely punished according to clan rules. This is the elder's order." The Hozuki clan member first instructed the servant, then said eagerly to Uchiha Shingen, "Lord Shingen, please come with me."

"Yes, thank you."

Following the Hozuki clan member, Uchiha Shingen walked through the winding passages and entered a room.

The room was small and dimly lit. The walls and ceiling were covered with luxurious animal hides, which felt as soft as the most expensive carpets when stepped on. The hides were laid out thickly, one on top of the other, making it feel like a bed. The room was sparsely furnished, with a round table in the center where several people were already seated.

"Shingen- kun, you're here." Hozuki Guiyue, sitting inside, waved with a smile. "I'm really sorry to bother you so late, but unfortunately time is of the essence, so we have to discuss this."

"Uncle Guiyue, staying up late isn't good for your health." Uchiha Shingen walked over and sat down in a chair. "Shisui didn't come again this time?"