Yagura Karatachi Expresses His Regret

"Lord Shingen has quite the imposing presence; it reminds me of an old friend."

"Elder, you flatter me too much. I am no match for Chief Ban."

The mere mention of this name seemed to possess some kind of magic, causing everyone present to freeze in shock.

In the ninja village era, when ancestors were mentioned, Senju Hashirama was the embodiment of light and hope, while Uchiha Madara was the embodiment of power.

Even though he is an "ancestor," even if he is not Leaf Village ninja, people who know a little history will feel a sense of longing upon hearing his name.

This name is just so captivating.

Of all those present, Genji was the only one who had actually seen Uchiha Madara in person.

He still remembered how he felt when he heard from the First Kage that the Kazekage had made that request at the Five Kage Summit after the first summit.

It was only because Uchiha Madara was already dead by then that he seriously doubted Kazekage would still dare to be so reckless.

If Uchiha Madara hadn't fallen out with Senju Hashirama, it wouldn't have been Senju Tobirama who accompanied Senju Hashirama to the meeting.

Kazekage probably won't even finish a single sentence before he has to ascend to heaven.

He couldn't help but chuckle when he heard Uchiha Shingen say that he couldn't be compared to Uchiha Madara.

"Lord Shingen, you've misunderstood. I wasn't referring to that person," Genji said with a smile, swallowing back the question he had originally intended to ask.

It really looks like it.

There's no need to ask; they're all dead now, and this old man shouldn't be reminiscing.

"I, on behalf of Kirigakure, express my gratitude for your willingness to stay for so many days, and I hope for a good outcome today."

"Of course, peace is the most important thing." Uchiha Shingen reached out and, amidst the tense expressions of the elders, took Genji's arm. "Let me escort you in. You are a treasure of Kirigakure, I hope you won't think I'm doing something unnecessary."

"Hahahaha." Genji laughed heartily. "Oh dear, getting old is no good. I'll have to trouble you, Lord Shingen."

At this moment, the Hidden Mist Village ANBU the entrance had already made way, but with a Genji present, no one dared to be the first to walk in carelessly.

The Hidden Mist Village Clan was indeed unhappy with Karatachi Yagura, but they were still quite obedient to Genji.

There's no way around it; his seniority is too high, even ninjas are ranked by seniority.

Every single one of them had a connection with Genji.

This is a living ancestor.

Seeing Uchiha Shingen help Genji enter the room, the others slowly followed.

However, when passing by the guards in the ANBU, they were mostly arrogant and haughty, looking down on everyone.

Once they were all inside, some of the Hidden Mist Village ANBU immediately closed the gate and began casting Sealing Jutsu on it.

The other group split up and headed to their designated locations.

There, the Mist Ninja Army, loyal to the Mizukage, was ready to go.

Chapter Sixty-Seven: Karatachi Yagura expressed his regret.

The doors to the council chamber swung open with a bang, and a group of people filed in.

Leading the way was Uchiha Shingen, who supported Genji as they walked in.

"Shingen- kun, this is enough," Genji said kindly, patting Uchiha Shingen's arm affectionately.

Judging from their expressions, anyone who didn't know better would think they were close friends despite their age difference.

"Okay, take care." Uchiha Shingen released his hand, looking every bit the respectful young man to his elders.

Genji gave him a deep look, then walked to his seat and sat down.

Uchiha Shingen and Uchiha Shisui walked to the other side and sat down in their respective seats.

It must be said that the defining characteristic of the Mizukage Building is that everything is prominently displayed as a large building.

Today's meeting room has a table that is much larger than the one the day before yesterday.

The chairs representing the Hidden Mist Village faction were packed full, with several rows extending from the table behind them.

On the other hand, there are only two people representing Leaf Village.

However, there were also several rows of chairs placed at the back.

More and more members of the Hidden Mist Village faction entered.

Hozuki Guiyue was among them. He first gave Uchiha Shingen and Uchiha Shisui a friendly smile, seemingly expressing the hospitality of Kirigakure in a normal way.

When he approached Genji, he became much more formal, bowing respectfully before sitting down in his seat. The other ninja representatives did the same.

Before long, all the chairs were occupied, except for the main chair prepared for Karatachi Yagura, which remained empty.

Uchiha Shingen and Uchiha Shisui were surrounded by people, appearing as if they were encircled.

Genji silently observed the expressions of the two boys.

Such a large difference in numbers is abnormal at any time and will put a lot of pressure on the side with fewer people.

In his eyes, although Uchiha Shisui appeared calm, he was actually quite nervous.

This tension wasn't due to fear or other emotions, but rather an instinct of a ninja.

That's normal.

Uchiha Shingen, who was known as the White Ghost, was genuinely not nervous at all.

Genji hadn't seen someone like this in a long time, and he made his most basic judgment.

The White Ghost of Leaf Village is not only strong, but also has an exceptionally strong mentality, far surpassing Body Flicker Shisui.

Honestly, at this age, she shouldn't have such strong mental control.

Only those who have emerged from bloodshed and turmoil possess this kind of composure.

The Genji could only attribute this to the fact that the Leaf Village 'White Ghost was born with a strong bloodlust and the ability to take on a thousand men single-handedly, so he was extremely confident in his own strength and genuinely disregarded this so-called pressure.

The Uchiha Clan truly a place where many talented individuals emerge...

Genji felt a deep sense of regret, because Kirigakure did not have such a young man.

"Lord Mizukage has arrived!" the ANBU at the door suddenly announced.

Except for Genji, everyone else stood up.

Uchiha Shingen and Uchiha Shisui also stood up.

Regardless of anything else, this is nominally a formal signing, and as one of the Five Kage, such etiquette is expected.

It's not about privilege, it's about attitude. When a ninja doesn't even bother with the superficial formalities, there's only one situation.

Fight to the death.

If Namikaze Minato didn't receive the pomp and circumstance befitting the Five Kage in such a situation, it could be interpreted as the opposing side intending to target Leaf Village and harboring deep malice.

Karatachi Yagura, walked in.

Compared to that day, he not only wore the conical hat that signified his identity Mizukage, but also carried his personal weapon.

It was a rod-shaped weapon with a hook-like tip, made entirely of metal.

Only then did Genji, leaning on his cane, slowly try to stand up.

"Elder, there's no need for that." Karatachi Yagura walked over and helped Genji sit down again.

The elders all wore smiles.

Although they had already decided to stand with the Mizukage, seeing how much the Mizukage respected Genji, they felt at ease.

After all, Karatachi Yagura been acting like he's taken the wrong medicine these past few years.

If Ao hadn't come back that day and patted his chest, saying that Karatachi Yagura hadn't changed and wasn't being controlled, they really wouldn't have believed him.

However, one key figure is still missing.

Without him, this play has no main character.

"Lord Mizukage, where is Lord Tobi?" someone couldn't help but ask.

That was a representative of the ninja clan.

Karatachi Yagura ignored him; starting today, he no longer needed to act.

He sat down in his seat and smiled at Uchiha Shingen and Uchiha Shisui.

"Lord Shisui, Lord Shingen, we have drafted a new agreement. You may take a look."

Karatachi Yagura clapped his hands.

An ANBU placed the two agreements in front of Uchiha Shingen and Uchiha Shisui respectively.

After glancing at it only once, Uchiha Shingen stopped looking.

"Mizukage, is this agreement different from the one from the day before yesterday?"

"No." Karatachi Yagura shook his head, his expression still amiable. "This was strongly requested by our ANBU chief. He conducted a detailed investigation of both our countries and believes this agreement is the most suitable."

"I see." Uchiha Shingen paused to think. "In that case, we'd like to invite the head of the ANBU to attend. Since he was the one who drafted the agreement, the relevant clauses need to be discussed together."

"No problem." Karatachi Yagura nodded and instructed the ANBU beside him, "Do as Shingen- kun says, go and invite Minister Tobi to the meeting."

"Yes, Lord Mizukage," the ANBU replied and left the council hall.

The room fell silent. After the name "Tobi" was uttered, everyone seemed to fall into an eerie silence.

Only two people present seemed oblivious to the atmosphere.

"Shingen- kun, you won't refuse without any discussion this time like last time, will you?" Karatachi Yagura said with a smile. "That won't do."

"No, after all, signing a contract involves negotiation. Since Hidden Mist Village is so insistent, then we can only discuss it slowly on this basis." Uchiha Shingen seemed quite helpless.

It was almost as if they were saying, "Lord Mizukage, you're so mischievous!"

Everyone present knew the inside story, and upon seeing this scene, they felt...

These two are really getting into their acting.

Footsteps could be heard outside the door.

Everyone turned their heads at the same time and looked towards the door.

Amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, the ANBU appeared at the doorway, but he was all alone.

"What happened?" Karatachi Yagura, his expression unchanged. "Where's Minister Tobi?"

"Lord Mizukage..." The ANBU seemed somewhat hesitant to speak.

Suddenly, the space around him distorted, and a figure emerged from the distorted space.

"I'm here, Lord Mizukage."

"Oh, Tobi, you've finally arrived!" Karatachi Yagura seemed very happy. "Come, let me introduce you to the envoy from Leaf Village."

"No need, Mizukage- sama, we're old acquaintances." Uchiha Obito coldly glanced at his two former clansmen who were smiling at him from their seats. "Leaf Village's White Ghost, how dare you sit here?"

"Yeah, that's why I'm still sitting here," Uchiha Shingen said with a chuckle.

The council chamber was completely silent; some people's palms were already sweating.

Hozuki Guiyue suddenly stood up, pointed at Uchiha Obito, and shouted, "Tobi, in front of the Mizukage, watch your manners! Are you trying to sow discord between the village and Leaf Village?"

"Trash." Uchiha Obito chuckled contemptuously, not even glancing at Hozuki Guiyue.

Space distorted once more, and this time he appeared beside Karatachi Yagura, seemingly unintentionally placing his hand on Karatachi Yagura's shoulder.

"Mizukage, Leaf Village has no sincerity whatsoever. Let's just take them down."

"Since Tobi has said so, let's do it this way." Karatachi Yagura nodded, as always, obedient to Uchiha Obito.

Uchiha Obito and was about to unleash another attack on Uchiha Shingen when he suddenly heard Karatachi Yagura speak again.

"Oh, right, Tobi, there's one more thing."

"Mizukage, can we take care of business first?" Uchiha Obito said impatiently.

In the past, he might have been more restrained, but in his eyes, everyone present, except for Uchiha Shingen and Uchiha Shisui, was just a bunch of worthless trash. Since everyone here was going to die anyway, he couldn't be bothered to care.

The ninja clan must be killed, and so must that old geezer, Genji.

Just shift the blame to the two people in front.