Kirigakure of the Land of Water!

The Kirigakure in the Land of Water.

The Kaguya Clan's territory is nestled among cold, damp stone forests. Unlike Konoha, it lacks the ever-bright sunshine and is perpetually shrouded in a hazy smog. At this moment, patrolling Kirigakure Anbu Ninja constantly roam the area outside the Kaguya clan's territory, keeping a close watch on this bloodline ninja clan that possesses the Shikotsumyaku) Kekkei Genkai Clan.

In the Assembly Hall of the Kaguya Clan, a letter of visit from the Konoha Hyuga Clan Konoha lay open on the table. The handwriting on the letter was gentle and clear: The Hyuga of Konoha, remembering the old friendship of their ancestral lineage, has specially dispatched Kirigakure Shizuya Hyuga to pay a visit Hyuga the Kaguya Clan and reminisce about old times.

Kaguya Masao Kaguya Clan, gently stroked the edge of the letter, his brow furrowed. "The Hyuga Clan... their genealogy records that we were once of the same bloodline as them."

At this moment, an elderly Kaguya Elder in a deep voice, his tone full of vigilance. "Clan leader, something is definitely amiss. What time is it now? Ever since the Third Mizukage implemented the so-called Blood Mist Policy, all the bloodline clans in Kirigakure are being closely watched. Our every move is under his watchful eye."

"But just at this time, the Hyuga Clan of Konoha sent a letter of inquiry. Who knows what they're up to?"

As the words fell, a younger member of the clan beside him clenched his fist, his eyes filled with long-suppressed resentment. "But those are the Hyuga! They are like us, descended from the same ancestors of Hamura. Our Kaguya Clan now endures the Mizukage's suspicion daily; the slightest misstep could bring annihilation upon the entire clan. Konoha is now Shinobi World at the Five Kage Summit. If, at this moment, one of our own clansmen were to reach out to us..."

Upon hearing this, the entire Assembly Hall fell silent. Many clansmen lowered their heads. Over the years, they had witnessed too many bloodline families being purged by the Third, and they had long harbored resentment towards this.

That old man is simply retaliating against them because he harbors resentment towards them for supporting Hozuki Gengetsu in becoming the Second Mizukage!

But the Third Mizukage also controlled all the ninja in Kirigakure. How could their clan possibly stand against him?

After a moment, Kaguya Masao slowly raised his head and said in a deep voice, "Of course I know that Hyuga and Kaguya belong to the same source, but so what? Hyuga is Hyuga, Kaguya is Kaguya. They have their lives, and we have our circumstances!"

He paused slightly, gazing out the window at the ever-present, perpetually thick mist, and slowly began, "This letter of inquiry, seemingly a visit to relatives, is in reality nothing more than a choice presented to us by Konoha!"

"I doubt the Third Mizukage would be happy to see Konoha people stepping into Kaguya's clan territory, much less want us to get involved with the Kaguya Hyuga. But do we have a choice?"

"Yes, if we don't see them, it's tantamount to rejecting Konoha's goodwill and losing this opportunity to escape from prison; but if we do see them, the Mizukage will definitely see us as a threat, and their surveillance of us will likely intensify." Elder Kaguya sighed softly, her expression grim.

Upon hearing this, Kaguya Masao continued, "Furthermore, the letter also stated that, in addition to Shizuya Hyuga, the team is led by a ninja named Orochimaru. This Orochimaru is a genius ninja known as one of the Konoha Sannin Orochimaru, and his strength is unfathomable!"

At this point, Kaguya Masao slowly rose, gently folded the letter of visit, and said in a deep voice, "In that case, pass on my orders to prepare accommodations for our guests. Since they are from the same clan, how can our Kaguya Clan refuse to see them?"

"However, everyone must remember to be careful with their words and actions during the meeting; and immediately send someone to deliver this letter to the Third. We cannot, and should not, hide this matter!"

Everyone knew that this invitation from Konoha had pushed the Kaguya Clan to the brink of disaster.

--

Mizukage Building.

Inside the Mizukage's Office, the Third Mizukage was hunched over his desk, intently examining a scroll.

Just then, a Kirigakure Ninja hurried in, bowed, and placed the letter of greeting from Konoha on the table, whispering, "Lord Mizukage, this is a visiting card from the Hyuga Clan of Konoha, addressed to the Kirigakure Kaguya Clan."

Upon hearing this, the Third Mizukage immediately accepted the visiting card and quickly flipped through it. When he saw the signature at the end of the letter, he slammed his hand on the table, his expression turning cold and stern. "What? Konoha is sending a visiting card to the Kaguya Clan within Kirigakure's territory without going through me, the Mizukage of Kirigakure?"

He gripped the letter tightly, his voice urgent and angry. "This is the Land of Water! It's Kirigakure, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages! What exactly does Konoha want? What does Kagami Uchiha want?"

Then his chest heaved violently. After a long pause, he sneered, "Heh... Does he really think that just because of a so-called Five Kage Summit, or that nonsensical Shinobi Federation, the Shinobi World will be ruled by Konoha alone? That everyone will have to do what he says? He's courting death!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Third Mizukage suppressed his anger and shouted in a deep voice, "Someone, immediately summon Kaguya Masao, the head of the Kaguya Masao Kaguya Clan, to me. I want to ask him everything in person!"

"Yes!" The ninja waiting outside the door quickly bowed his head and accepted the order.

Shortly after, Kaguya Masao, strode into the office.

Just as he was about to bow in greeting, the Third Mizukage, Unnamed, suddenly looked up, his cold eyes fixed on him, and his voice was icy and piercing. "Kaguya Masao!"

"When did you secretly get involved with Konoha?"

The questioning voice exploded in Kaguya Masao's ears like a thunderclap, followed by a chilling killing intent locking onto his entire body.

Upon hearing this, Kaguya Masao's body stiffened abruptly, his expression instantly turning panicked. He hurriedly waved his hands and bowed, protesting, "Innocent! Mizukage- sama, I have absolutely no intention of colluding with Konoha! My Kaguya Clan has guarded Kirigakure for generations, and we have always been loyal to the Land of Water and Kirigakure!"

"It was a letter of inquiry sent unilaterally by the Hyuga Clan of Konoha. The moment I received the news, I immediately handed over the letter. I was completely open and aboveboard, without a single selfish motive!"

Seeing this, the Third Mizukage stared intently at him, scrutinizing him for a long time before letting out a cold snort and suppressing some of his killing intent.

He looked at Kaguya Masao and said in a deep voice, "Hmph! At least you have some self-awareness and didn't dare to act on your own without my knowledge."

"In that case, what do you plan to do?"

Kaguya Masao immediately responded respectfully, "The Kaguya Clan will obey the Mizukage's orders!"

Upon hearing this, the Third Mizukage's expression softened slightly, and he said in a somber tone, "Heh... If you don't seize a gift from heaven, you'll only suffer the consequences."

"Since the Hyuga's Byakugan bloodline has been delivered right to our doorstep, there's no reason for Kirigakure not to take it."

"What do you say, Chief Masahiro?"