Reopening Negotiations

The atmosphere in the Mizukage's office was like the dead silence after a storm, oppressive enough to suffocate. The Third Mizukage's violent killing intent had not completely dissipated, like a volcano on the verge of eruption. Yet deep within his scarlet eyes, there was inevitably a trace of coldness and struggle forcibly instilled by reality.

Elder Genji's aged yet steady voice rang out like an alarm bell, echoing again and again in the ears of the Mizukage and every senior official, drowning out the fury of pure vengeance.

"Mizukage-sama, everyone," Genji said, his gaze sweeping across the grim-faced senior officials before finally settling on the Third Mizukage. "Please calm down and take a careful look at the situation Kirigakure is facing now."

He raised a withered finger and listed them one by one. Every point was like an icy needle piercing Hidden Mist Village's already battered pride:

"First, the surprise attacks on Konoha. We tried twice. Once, we were repelled by Shisui Uchiha, 'Body Flicker Shisui,' and his forces. The other time, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were nearly wiped out by Might Duy, the 'Azure Beast of Konoha.' We returned empty-handed and lost all face."

"Second, the raid on Sunagakure. We thought we could take advantage of their recent defeat, but what happened? Ao's unit was stopped in the desert by Pakura's Scorch Release and could not advance an inch. The main force led by the newly formed Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was struck in East Sea Bay by an unknown young puppeteer wielding strange puppets. Three men were killed on the spot, and they fled in defeat!"

"Third—and this was the latest and heaviest blow!" Genji's voice suddenly rose, filled with grief and indignation. "Azure Reef Island, one of our own key strongholds and