An old-guard Jonin from Kirigakure, once a follower of both the First and Second Mizukage, was Kiyoichi and Kei of the Demon Yuzu clan.
“You shouldn't be worrying about whether Konoha will send someone, but rather whether Konoha's people can even get in. The Mizukage has significantly strengthened border defenses recently,” a burly, thirty-something man said, his domineering gaze filled with ambition. He was Biwajima Sakumo.
“Hmph, if Konoha's ninja can't even enter the Land of Water, then we should seriously reconsider whether they're even qualified to cooperate with us.”
The only woman in the room, Kirigakure Jonin, Samehada Raiha, had obvious curves and delicate features. Her narrowed, phoenix-shaped eyes flashed with a sinister and ruthless light.
“Are we really going to betray the Third Mizukage by doing this?”
The last figure, sitting in the corner, spoke with hesitation.
“Ao Buta and Ichiro, it's not too late to regret it,” Samehada Raiha said, crossing her slender, jade-like legs, a sneer on her lips. “But you need to understand that even if we don't resist, that bastard the Third will never let our clans go.
He wants to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys, to intimidate the Hozuki and Hozuki clans. We are the best monkeys in his hands.”
“Hmph! The Third Mizukage's ‘Bloody Mist Policy’ increases the weight of civilian ninja, indirectly weakening the power and status of us clan ninja. Large clans like the Hozuki and Hozuki don't care, but for the clans of those present, may I ask if your clan's ninja have been decreasing in recent years?
Our say in the village is almost lost. Those civilian ninja can directly ignore us when they see us. Can you tolerate this situation?” Biwajima Sakumo folded his arms, his face full of resentment.
“Enough! Since everyone has come, you must have already made your decisions. Now is not the time for discouraging words. We have no turning back.” Kiyoichi and Kei of the Demon Yuzu clan spoke calmly, and the others fell silent.
As the oldest Jonin, he was the most senior in the room and his words carried the most weight.
“Since the Third doesn't want our clans to continue to exist, if we don't resist in the end and let him slaughter us, we'll be letting down the ancestors who worked so hard to maintain the clan to this day.”
After Kiyoichi and Kei finished speaking, he closed his eyes.
The atmosphere inside the attic became somewhat stagnant.
Suddenly.
Strands of black sand slowly flowed in from the gaps in the doors and the holes in the windows.
Sensing the abnormality, the five people in the room simultaneously looked at the black sand with vigilance.
“It's Iron Sand,” Fuefuki Mubu said.
Then they saw the Iron Sand gather and condense, slowly constructing a human figure.
It was Kazeoki!
Kazeoki's face wore a smile as his eyes swept across the room, pausing for a second on each person. “Everyone, am I not late?”
Which big brain came up with this genius idea?
Chapter 156: Reward
“‘Spear of Judgment’ Sarutobi Hizane!” Biwajima Sakumo said in a deep voice, his body involuntarily tensing up.
“Oh? You recognize me?” Kazeoki raised an eyebrow.
“I didn't expect Konoha to actually send the famous ‘Spear of Judgment’. I am somewhat surprised,” Kiyoichi and Kei said.
“This old gentleman is…”
Kazeoki shifted his gaze.
To be honest, he was slightly disappointed because he didn't see any familiar ninja at first glance.
Not Yagura Karatachi, not Mangetsu Hozuki, and certainly not Mei Terumi.
Come to think of it, if it were them, they wouldn't have come up with such a “smart” idea.
“I am Kiyoichi and Kei of the Demon Yuzu clan. The other four are Fuefuki Mubu, Biwajima Sakumo, Samehada Raiha, and Ao Buta and Ichiro. All are heads of their respective clans, and all are Jonin,” Kiyoichi and Kei introduced.
Kazeoki pursed his lips and nodded.
Five small clans, and all five are Jonin or Elite Jonin. If you add the ninja from their respective clans, it is indeed a considerable force.
The number of ninja in Kirigakure is unknown, but it is estimated to be about the same as Sunagakure.
The Third Mizukage's Bloody Mist Policy, while weakening the influence of various clans in Kirigakure, also improved the quality of Kiri ninja to some extent. But undeniably, Kiri ninja absolutely cannot appear on a large scale.
Five Jonin, if each of their clans only has ten ninja, that adds up to fifty ninja, which is a considerable force within Kirigakure.
If fifty ninja were to suddenly launch an attack from behind when Kirigakure is at war with the outside world, the impact would be significant.
It could even sway the outcome of a war.
“So, gentlemen, who can take responsibility?” Kazeoki asked.
Hearing this, the gazes of the others fell on Kiyoichi and Kei at the same time.
Kiyoichi and Kei smiled, leaning on his cane. “Then I will represent everyone and have a good chat with the ‘Spear of Judgment’ about our needs and what we can offer.”
The others didn't say anything more.
These small clans must band together to develop within Kirigakure, and Kiyoichi and Kei, the oldest and most experienced, became the spokesperson for the others.
“Cough.” He coughed lightly. “Since Konoha has sent the ‘Spear of Judgment’, it shows how much they value us. I won't beat around the bush. Our request is simple. We hope Konoha can help us get rid of the Third Mizukage!”
Saying “Third Mizukage” resolutely showed how determined they were.
“You guys really dare to say that,” Kazeoki clicked his tongue, wanting to give them a thumbs up for their bold behavior.
A group of people wanting to get rid of their own village's Kage, what were they thinking?
“Before that, I have a question that I hope the old gentleman can answer for me.”
“I will not hide anything,” Kiyoichi and Kei said, appearing very polite and amiable.
“Who came up with the plan for this alliance and contacting Konoha?” This question made Kazeoki very curious.
Kiyoichi and Kei's expression froze.
After a moment, he said awkwardly: “It was me.”
As expected of “old man,” he was a big brain.
“Oh, then do you think, with the Third Mizukage not leaving Kirigakure, how can we get rid of him? Or to put it another way, if we were lucky enough to help you get rid of the Third Mizukage, what kind of reward do you think you can offer to pay for this kind of mission?”
Are you kidding me?
Kill the Third Mizukage?
Assassinate a village's Kage?
Who can afford that kind of reward?
