Three Great Mist Families

"The Three Great Mist Families, Hozuki, Terumi, and Kaguya, along with more than a dozen other smaller clans. I can't speak for the others, but the Kaguya Clan is generally dissatisfied..."

"There's a subtle, other kind of emotion being conveyed by the Hōzuki Clan..."

These well-informed merchants did not disappoint Kato Osamu. Although they did not reveal too much detailed information, some rumors could be exchanged as a form of information exchange.

"Perhaps we can start from within Mist Shinobi and have these clans put pressure on the Mizukage..."

The heated discussion was abruptly interrupted by a sudden voice, and then fell silent. Kato Osamu glanced at the wealthy businessman who had spoken, a subtle, dark blue light flashing in his eyes.

After looking around, these old foxes probably already knew what to do. However, the Mist Shinobi's strength far surpassed theirs. Exchanging information over casual conversation was nothing, but no one dared to be so direct.

It's perfectly acceptable to make a false claim like appealing to a powerful daimyo, and even if Karatachi Yagura heard it, he wouldn't care. However, if the idea of instigating the major families were to become known, it would be a serious matter.

"Oh dear, an old friend is coming to visit today, how could I have forgotten? Gentlemen, I shall take my leave now!"

"Come along, come along, let's grab a drink..."

"But I sat by the window today and got a bad headache... I must take my leave now..."

Kato Osamu blended into the crowd and left the private room, only to see everyone walking briskly and hurrying away, a smile on their face.

There's no need for any further action. These people will create Mist Shinobi in Kirigakure for their own benefit, making it easier for them to enter and leave the village, unless Karatachi Yagura uses ruthless methods to suppress all dissent.

But that doesn't seem very practical...

"Let's go..."

"..."

The three men, who had been sitting idly in the hall waiting, were already extremely bored. Kato Osamu's order that they not speak made them even more uncomfortable. Fortunately, after half a month, they had roughly adapted to this 'mute' life. Although there was a hint of complaint in their eyes, they obediently nodded and followed behind Kato Osamu.

"Teacher Xu! When are we going to Mist Shinobi?"

As soon as he got back to his lodgings, Iruka couldn't wait and immediately asked questions.

Kato Osamu smiled slightly. He had already gathered the intelligence and had a legitimate reason to follow the caravans of these wealthy merchants and blend in with them to safely reach Mist Shinobi. He would even be treated as an honored guest, and any slightly outrageous actions would be met with hostility. So, there was no point in staying here.

"When? Today!"

Just glancing at the three people in front of him, Kato Osamu seemed to be lost in thought, a thoughtful look creeping into his eyes.

Uzuki Yugao and Iruka were taken aback, but their faces instantly lit up with excitement. Although entering Kirigakure would be fraught with danger, it was still better than doing nothing for the past two months. However, Itachi Uchiha's eyes held a strange look as he intently observed Kato Osamu's eyes, and he couldn't help but frown.

"Has the selection of the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen been completed?"

Karatachi Yagura raised his head from the piles of documents, slowly stretched, and focused his gaze on Kiriya Shun beside him. As his most trusted subordinate, Shun might not be the strongest in combat, but he was the one in the entire Kirigakure who understood him best and could comprehend his thoughts.

"Not quite right yet..."

Kiriya Shun frowned slightly, a hint of apology in his eyes.

"Yagura, there aren't many qualified candidates, and most of them are scions of the three major families..."

"The three major families..."

Karatachi Yagura didn't ask any more questions. He knew what the three major clans represented in Kirigakure. They were not only the backbone of Mist Shinobi's fighting force, but also Mist Shinobi largest power. Ordinary ninjas, without any special opportunities, could hardly compare to them.

Not a single one?

However, Yagura was still somewhat unwilling to give up...

"Um..."

After Kiriya Shun slowly uttered a name.

"Zabuza Momochi..."

"Although he comes from a small family, he is not a bloodline family and his ties with the three major families are not very Zabuza. Moreover, although Zabuza has the title of Demon, he is actually a man of great ambition who deeply loves the Land of Water."

"Then..."

"Hmm... Shun, I know about that... Let me think about it some more..."

Karatachi Yagura's baby face showed no trace of childishness; instead, his brows were deeply furrowed. He hadn't expected Mist Shinobi to have fallen to such a state that not a single commoner ninja could bear those large swords.

"Perhaps... the problem isn't with them, but with the three major families..."

"You mean..."

Kiriya Shun's words made Karatachi Yagura frown even more deeply. Had the three major families really become so rampant?

"The Kaguya Clan has been quite restless lately..."

Kiriya Shun said nothing more. Although he was a confidant of Karatachi Yagura, he understood that some things could only be decided by the Mizukage. He could do his best to make decisions, but he could not overstep his bounds.

"Alright, I understand. Zabuza Momochi, is it? I hope he can live up to this Kubikiribōchō..."

"Yes, Yagura..."

Rubbing his Karatachi Yagura stood up. Although he believed he was capable of the position of Mizukage, he had become the village's kage without much trouble, thanks to the favor of the three major families.

He knew the demands of the three major families, hoping that his rise to power would gradually abolish the policies within the Blood Mist and reverse the demonization of the Kekkei Genkai.

He had thought the same way back then, but now, looking at the constant stream of intelligence reports, he felt an increasing loathing for the three major families.

It's not that he's ungrateful; it's just that his position is different, and so is the view he sees.

The Bloodstained Ninja was innocently implicated. He knew that countless people had died in Mist Shinobi, and he understood that. But all of this seemed to pale in comparison to the growing power of the three major clans, who now jointly controlled all the discourse power in Mist Shinobi. The three major clans had long since become too powerful to Mist Shinobi.

If it weren't for the Blood Mist Policy, this position would probably never have been given to a mere commoner like him.

"A nation must never allow its people to be controlled by families, thus completely blocking all avenues for upward mobility; if this continues for too long..."

"Those Mist Shinobi will perish! Those Land of Water will perish!"

"To gradually eradicate the three major families, the intensity of the Blood Mist Policy still needs to be increased!"

His tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed, and Karatachi Yagura focused his gaze on the file left behind by Kiriya Shun.

Zabuza Momochi... He didn't know whether he should trust this man...