Shaoyu is like a ghost blending into the night. With his thorough knowledge of Kirigakure's defense and his extraordinary movement skills, he has avoided all open and hidden posts.
Quietly walking through the intricate streets and sewers, I finally came to a secret independent house located on the edge of Kirigakure, close to the abandoned dock area.
From the outside, the house looks unremarkable and dilapidated, as if no one has lived in it for a long time.
But Shaoyu knocked lightly on the door, three long and two short, and the wooden door slid open a gap silently.
He stepped in and the door closed immediately, cutting off everything from the outside world.
There were no lights in the room, only a few thick candles were burning on a simple wooden table in the center of the room. The dim and dancing Kakko illuminated the four figures sitting around the table, as well as the solemn and slightly awe-inspiring expressions on their faces.
When Shaoyu's figure walked out of the shadows and the candlelight illuminated his stern profile, the four people at the table stood up almost at the same time, bowed slightly, and spoke respectfully in lowered voices.
"Shaoyu-sama."
These four people are clearly the current patriarchs of the four strongest and most prominent families in Kirigakure, except for the Mizukage family.
The initial contacts and collaborators of Mizunotsuki Shigure, Shaoyu.
The father of Terumi Iroha, Mei Terumi, is a middle-aged man with an elegant face but sharp eyes.
He looked at Shaoyu with the most complex eyes. He knew that the true face of the young man in front of him was definitely not the gentle and tough medical ninja in his daughter's eyes. He had deceived his daughter.
But he also knew that under Third Mizukage's Blood Mist Policy, Terumi Clan was already exhausted. The guy named Uchiha Shaoyu in front of him might be the only chance of survival.
Shaoyu strictly ordered him not to reveal anything to Mei Terumi. Although he was unwilling to do so, he could only comply after weighing the pros and cons.
Kaguya Momotaro, a tall, middle-aged man with a rough face and a militant and crazy light in his eyes.
Kaguya Clan is war-loving, but is extremely dissatisfied with Third Mizukage's policies against blood families in recent years, especially those that restrict their fighting instincts.
The absolute power displayed by Shaoyu directly made them surrender.
Hozuki Suichu, the patriarch of the Hozuki Clan, was initially skeptical about Shaoyu's contact, but Shaoyu finally "persuaded" him.
"Everyone, I've been waiting for a long time."
Shaoyu walked to the main seat and did not sit down. He just glanced at the four people with his eyes that seemed to be dancing with cold flames under the candlelight.
His voice was calm, but had an undeniable tone, which was completely different from "Mizunotsuki Uha".
"I think everyone already knows the fate of the Kurosuki Clan."
The atmosphere in the room suddenly dropped to freezing point. Kaguya Momotaro slammed his fist on the table, and the wooden tabletop groaned under the weight, and he growled.
"That old madman! Today he is the black hoe, and tomorrow he might be our Kaguya Clan! Lord Shaoyu, how long should we endure it?!"
"Chief Momotaro, please be patient."
Hozuki Suichu spoke sadly, leaving invisible water marks on the table with his fingers.
"Mizukage's butcher's knife has been raised. Being impatient will only make him fall faster. Master Shaoyu summoned us, so he naturally has some concerns."
Terumi Iroha took a deep breath, suppressed his worries about his daughter and anxiety about the situation at hand, and looked at Shaoyu.
"Sir Shaoyu, Mizukage's move is clearly a further shock and test. He is purging the small clans not only to weaken the potential for connection, but also to observe the reaction of the big clans like us. Is it time for us... to take action?"
Mizunotsuki Shigure also looked at Shaoyu with burning eyes. He was the first to come into contact with Shaoyu, and he knew full well what terrifying power and layout this seemingly young man held in his hands.
He said solemnly.
"Sir Shaoyu, according to the previous plan, some channels and materials are already in place. We are just waiting for your order."
"Everyone," Shaoyu's voice sounded particularly clear in the flickering candlelight.
"About the incident of the Kurosuki Clan and the crazy purge of Mizukage, it is certainly outrageous, but..."
His words made the four clan leaders freeze and their eyes focused on him.
"Being blindly confrontational and eager for success will only make us the next target, playing into the hands of Mizukage."
Shaoyu's eyes slowly swept across the crowd.
"We need deeper patience and a longer-term perspective."
He paused slightly and his tone became determined.
"According to the intelligence and judgment I have, at most two years, the entire Shinobi World will inevitably be involved in a conflict that is far larger than Second Shinobi World War."
"At that time, no matter Konoha, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, or Kirigakure, it will be difficult to survive alone."
"Battle?!"
Mizunotsuki Shigure took a deep breath, Hozuki Suichu's eyes flashed, Kaguya Momotaro showed a bloodthirsty and excited expression, and Terumi Iroha frowned.
"Not bad."
Shaoyu affirmed.
"Conflicts have been building up for a long time, and the competition for interests has become fierce. War is an inevitable outlet. And for us, this upcoming war will be a God-given opportunity to subvert the rule of Mizukage and end Blood Mist Policy!"
"So," Shaoyu said.
"Our next strategy is: show weakness, hide the front, and let Mizukage lead the charge!"
"Showing weakness?"
Kaguya Momotaro mumbled with some dissatisfaction, he was more eager to fight on the battlefield.
"Yes, showing weakness."
Shaoyu looked at him with burning eyes.
"Not only Kaguya Clan, but the four of you, in the past two years, must try your best to appear obedient, harmless, or even appear to be damaged and unusable."
"When family ninjas perform tasks, they can appropriately increase the injury rate, reduce the mission success rate, and lose in competition within the village, creating an atmosphere where they gradually languish under high pressure and find it difficult to take on big responsibilities."
Hozuki Suichu immediately understood the meaning and smiled coldly.
"Wonderful! Let the old guy feel that we have been overwhelmed by him and have lost the threat. In future wars, he will naturally rely more on his direct troops to compete for military exploits and benefits, and use us as logistics or second-line troops."
"That's right."
Shaoyu said in a deep voice.
"There is a war outside to restrain Mizukage's energy, and with our accumulated strength and sudden attack inside, Mizukage's rule will collapse in an instant under internal and external difficulties."
"At that time, everyone here will be our Kumogakure's hero."
Shaoyu These last words were like pouring a ladle of oil on the burning pyre, making the flames in the eyes of the four clan leaders burn even more intensely.
To overthrow the Mizukage regime and then join Kumogakure is the ultimate goal that they have already reached a consensus with Shaoyu, and it is also one of the fundamental reasons why they dare to stake the fate of the entire clan.
Kirigakure's Blood Mist Policy has long made them despair. Instead of being precarious under this crazy Mizukage, it is better to join another employer. Kumogakure, who has shown strong strength and open attitude, is undoubtedly the first choice.
At this moment, Shaoyu once again clarified this focus and gave the most direct benefit commitment.