bookbashuk Chapter 125 Why is the Mizukage plotting a rebellion?
Chapter 125 Why is the Mizukage plotting a rebellion?
Chapter 125 Why is the Mizukage plotting a rebellion?
Three days later, at the Water Shadow Building.
Water Shadow Office.
The follow-up matters regarding the execution of the pufferfish demon have been basically handled.
As Teruhiro Karatachi had predicted, the Third Mizukage approached Makoto Karatachi regarding the handling of Samehada.
Push the door open and enter.
The lighting inside the Water Shadow office was dimmer than in the hallway outside.
The huge floor-to-ceiling windows were half-covered by heavy, dark blue curtains, with only a few sparse rays of sunlight squeezing in through the gaps, casting dappled shadows on the gleaming wooden floor and the desk piled high with scrolls.
The air was filled with a faint scent of ink and the aroma of old paper scrolls.
The Third Mizukage, possessing the desk, was examining a document.
"You're here, Makoto."
Hearing the door open, the Third Mizukage looked up at the Mizukage, the Hero of the Mist, and a smile appeared on his old face: "What do you think of the handling of the pufferfish matter? No need for formalities, sit down and let's talk."
Gouju Cheng bowed slightly and sat down as instructed, adopting a relaxed posture.
"Excellent. The evidence was conclusive, and the swift execution did not cause much of a stir, nor did it deter those with ill intentions."
"It's not as good as you say. A traitor has appeared in the village, and it almost caused a major disaster, especially for you—" The Third Mizukage sighed softly, "But now that guy has been brought to justice, there are still some problems he left behind that need to be dealt with."
"For example—Samehada."
"As one of the Seven Ninja Swords, Samehada is not only a powerful weapon, but also a symbol of Kirigakure's martial prowess and heritage. It cannot remain sealed in storage forever; it needs a new master."
"You are the captain of the Mist Blade Squad, and you already possess four ninja swords. Moreover, you have made great contributions this time. Whether it is your strength, prestige, or loyalty to the village, you are more than qualified for this position."
The Third Mizukage looked at Makoto Karatachi and smiled, "I remember you don't have a suitable weapon yourself, but I'm not sure if you're comfortable using Samehada, so I won't presume to help you."
"The right to dispose of this Samehada is yours. Whether you use it for yourself or for something else is entirely up to you."
As Mizukage spoke, he took out a long, specially made sealing scroll from under the table and pushed it in front of Makoto Karatachi.
Makoto looked at the scroll containing Samehada sealed in front of him, but instead of taking it immediately, he looked up at the Third Mizukage.
"Lord Mizukage, is it appropriate to entrust me with the disposal of Samehada? After all, it is one of the Seven Ninja Swords, and according to convention, the Mizukage or the elders should discuss and decide on the new wielder."
"Routine is routine, but these are extraordinary times."
The Third Mizukage picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "The Seven Ninja Swordsmen have scattered, and a new group of ninja swordsmen has yet to be formed. The betrayal of the Fuguki has further disgraced the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Yet your Mist Blade Squad has demonstrated potential and achievements surpassing those of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen during this time."
"Entrusting the sharkskin to you is both a reward for your achievements and a sign of our trust in you to find it the most suitable owner, or—the most suitable purpose."
He paused, then looked at Gouju Makoto: "What, you're afraid to answer?"
Goji Makoto smiled and reached out to pick up the heavy seal scroll.
"Lord Mizukage is too kind. What would I, Makoto Karatachi, dare not do?"
He weighed the scroll in his hand.
Each of the seven Ninja Swords is different, and each has its own unique characteristics.
For example, the Executioner's Blade can absorb blood and repair itself, the Exploding Blade can explode infinitely, and Samehada is a living ninja sword that can devour chakra!
"Tell me your thoughts," the Third Mizukage said, looking at him with interest. "Do you plan to use it yourself, or give it to someone else?"
"The characteristic of Samehada is that it absorbs chakra and can feed it back to its wielder." Makoto Karatachi pondered for a moment. "My fighting style—to be honest—doesn't rely much on weapons, but rather on bloodline limits and tactics. Samehada might not be able to reach its full potential in my hands."
"but----"
He then changed the subject: "There is someone in the Mist Blade Squad who would be very suitable for it."
"Oh?"
"Kisame Hoshigaki." Makoto Karatachi grinned. "That kid already has an astonishingly large amount of chakra, known as the tailless tailed beast. If he were to be paired with Samehada, a sword that can devour chakra and replenish itself—tsk tsk, the image is too beautiful for me to imagine."
A hint of surprise flashed in the Third Mizukage's eyes, then he nodded thoughtfully.
"Kisame Hoshigaki—indeed, his chakra nature is a good match for Samehada. Moreover, he comes from the Hoshigaki clan, and his loyalty and strength have been tested."
"However, I remember you already gave him the Bakuto, right? This time, give him Samehada, and where's the Bakuto?"
"The Explosive Blade is a blade that is perfectly combined with explosions. It is very difficult for ordinary people to unleash its full power. I will select a group of elites to see who is the most qualified and suitable before considering who will receive the Explosive Blade."
Makoto Kuraki shrugged: "After all, the ninja sword represents the Ninja Swordsmen, so it's better to have fewer but better ones."
"Alright."
The Third Mizukage nodded, seemingly having thought of something, and looked at Makoto Karatachi with a half-smile.
"However, if you calculate it this way, besides Juzo and Raiga, you now have the other five ninja swords in your hands. Are you feeling any pressure?"
"There's definitely pressure, but so what?" Makoto Karatachi snorted lightly. "What Kirigakure needs right now is a benchmark that can fight, dares to fight, and can win battles. The stronger the Kirigakure Squad is, the greater its deterrent effect on Konoha, and it will also serve as a deterrent to those wavering people in the village."
"Besides, the pufferfish demon is dead, and the old era of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen has turned a new page. Thanks to the Mizukage and the village's trust, what does any pressure matter!"
"Haha, great!"
The Third Mizukage, seeing the undisguised sharpness and confidence emanating from the young man before him, couldn't help but laugh and nod.
"Well said! You truly deserve to be called the Water Shadow Blade who single-handedly defeated Konoha, the Hero of the Hidden Mist. Let's do as you say."
"Thank you, Lord Mizukage."
Makoto Karatachi put away the Samehada seal scroll, but before he could leave, the Third Mizukage spoke again.
"In the battle between Kazama and Kazuya, although Minato Namikaze, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and Danzo Shimura were still alive, you still achieved a decisive victory for us."
"Moreover, just yesterday, an envoy from Konoha secretly arrived in Kirigakure."
Gouju Cheng's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
A secret envoy from Konoha has arrived?
Peace talks?
"Konoha—does it want peace talks?"
"It's not formal peace talks, just a probe," the Third Mizukage said calmly. "They brought a personal letter from the Hokage, expressing their desire to end the pointless attrition on the Eastern Front and seek a peaceful solution."
"What do you think?" Makoto Goji Bean asked directly.
The Third Mizukage remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "The Third Shinobi World War has dragged on for so long, and all the major nations have suffered heavy losses. Although Konoha has a deep foundation, it is under immense pressure to fight on three fronts simultaneously in the east, west, and north. While Kirigakure has achieved some victories, we have also paid a considerable price."
"From a rational perspective, now is a good time to negotiate. We can use our battlefield advantage to negotiate relatively favorable ceasefire terms, such as border territories, war reparations, and trade preferences."
Gouju listened attentively without interrupting.
He knew that there was definitely a "but" to be said about the Water Shadow.
As expected, the Third Mizukage changed the subject.
"However, I don't intend to talk about it now."
"Konoha is only feeling the pressure, but it hasn't reached the point of being crippled yet. Their proposal for peace talks is more about temporarily stabilizing us so they can free up their resources to deal with Iwagakure on the western front or Kumogakure on the northern front."
"Once they've dealt with the threats from other directions and recovered, they'll inevitably turn their attention back to Mist Village. At that point, the advantage we gained with our blood will likely vanish completely."
"So, my thought is—"
The Third Mizukage's voice was deep and powerful: "Keep fighting!"
"Furthermore, we must intensify our offensive! While Konoha is currently overwhelmed and struggling on three fronts, we should concentrate our forces to secure several crucial victories on the eastern front, or even strike at the heart of Konoha, crushing their hopes and shattering their illusions!"
"Only when Konoha truly realizes they can't gain anything on the eastern front and will only continue to bleed out will they show genuine sincerity in negotiations. At that time, the benefits we, Kirigakure, can secure will be several times greater than they are now!"
The Third Mizukage slowly opened his eyes, which were usually half-closed as if he were dozing off, revealing a sharp look.
"And you, Makoto, you and your Mistblade squad will be the sharpest blade on this dagger!"
"At that time, I will need you to continue penetrating deep behind enemy lines, or even directly infiltrate Konoha's main village, to create greater chaos, tie down Konoha's energy and forces, and create opportunities for the main battlefield!"
After listening to the Third Mizukage's entire strategy, Makoto Karatachi frowned slightly.
He did not immediately express his opinion, but remained silent for a moment before finally shaking his head.
"Lord Mizukage, I understand your strategic intentions. But—"
"But what?" The Third Mizukage looked at him.
"However, I think that if we continue to fight at this high intensity, even if we achieve some tactical victories, in the end we will probably be the ones who deplete our own strength."
"Oh?"
The Third Mizukage was not angry; instead, he showed interest.
"War is fought based on comprehensive national strength. Konoha is vast and rich in resources, has a large population, and a mature ninja village system. Its war potential far exceeds that of Kirigakure. They can fight on three fronts, and although it is difficult, it is not unsustainable."
"And what about us, Kirigakure?"
"Isolated overseas, with limited resources, its population and number of ninjas are far inferior to those of Konoha."
"The longer this war lasts, the greater the drain on our national strength will be. Even if we gain some advantages on the battlefield, the long-term war losses will severely slow down the development of Wuyin, and may even damage its very foundation."
"The longer the war lasts, the more exhausted the ninjas and civilians in the village become, and the deeper their aversion and fear of war grows. The families of the fallen, the wounded ninjas, the bankrupt merchants—these grievances and resentments will continue to accumulate."
"You should understand these principles, right?"
After listening to Makoto Karatachi's long-winded explanation, the Third Mizukage's smile completely vanished.
A brief silence fell over the office.
After a long silence, the Third Mizukage slowly spoke.
"Makoto, I have considered the things you mentioned. But you must understand that as the Mizukage, I have to consider not only the present of Kirigakure, but also its future."
"Konoha is the biggest mountain standing in our way. This Shinobi World War is a golden opportunity for us to weaken Konoha, expand Kirigakure's influence, and gain more living space. If we miss it, who knows when we'll get another chance like this."
"War inevitably involves sacrifices and losses. But for the sake of Kirigakure's longer-term future, some costs must be paid."
""
"Even if the price is the collapse of the Hidden Mist Village, and the end of the future?!"
"I'm doing this for the future of Kirigakure!"
"But your decision now is an act of giving up, an act of destroying the future of Kirigakure!"
"presumptuous!"
The Third Mizukage roared, his eyes fixed on Makoto Karatachi: "Makoto Karatachi, watch your words! I have served Kirigakure for decades, and everything I have done is for the village! Are you questioning my judgment, or my loyalty to Kirigakure?!"
A terrifying pressure of chakra erupted from the Third Mizukage as if it were a tangible force, instantly shattering the previously peaceful atmosphere.
The air in the office seemed to freeze, and the temperature plummeted.
The fog-covered map hanging on the wall trembled slightly, and the documents on the table moved automatically without any wind.
This is the aura of a Kage-level powerhouse!
Even though the Third Mizukage lived a secluded life and seemed gentle, his true strength and authority were far more than they appeared on the surface, which allowed him to sit in the position of Mizukage and rule over the Blood Mist Village for decades!
Gouju Cheng felt a heavy, mountain-like pressure coming at him.
But Gouju Cheng did not back down in the slightest.
Instead, he straightened his back and met the Third Mizukage's gaze without flinching.
"Lord Mizukage, I have never questioned your loyalty to Kirigakure."
Gouju Cheng's voice was calm, yet every word was clear.
"You say you're considering the future of Kirigakure, but your so-called future is to let Kirigakure's younger generation continue to bleed on Konoha's battlefields, and let Kirigakure's national strength shrink continuously in this endless war of attrition?"
"You say this is a golden opportunity to weaken Konoha and expand Kirigakure's living space. But have you considered what will happen when Kirigakure's elite die on the land of Fire, when the village's economy collapses due to prolonged war, and when the people lose faith in the ninja village—how will we face the future?"
"At that time, we won't even need Konoha to attack; we'll collapse from within!"
"Nonsense!"
The Third Mizukage slammed his hand on the table, instantly cracking the sturdy wooden surface.
A flash of annoyance crossed his eyes.
"Makoto Karatachi, do you think that just because you won a few battles in Kazama and Yagaya and killed a few Konoha Jonin, you're qualified to stand here and give me pointers on how to be the Mizukage?"
"War is a matter of life and death! If we don't take advantage of the enemy's weakness and relentlessly pursue them, are we going to wait for them to recover and attack us again?"
"The Hidden Mist ninja never fear sacrifice! For the honor and future of the village, even shedding the last drop of blood is an honor!"
"But glory can't put food on the table!" Makoto Karatachi raised his voice, his eyes sharp as knives. "Dead ninjas can't be brought back to life! Their families need to eat, their villages need to develop, and their next generation needs to be raised! All of this requires resources and a peaceful environment!"
"I understand the saying 'One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand,' but if those bones represent the very foundation of Kirigakure, then what use is the general's success? It's nothing but a castle in the air, easily toppled!"
The argument between the two intensified, their clashing ideas resonating like swords clashing in the quiet Shuiying office.
The Third Mizukage's expression grew increasingly cold.
That's enough.
"That's enough, Third Hokage!"
Makoto Karatachi stared intently at the Third Mizukage before him, his blood-red Mangekyou Sharingan suddenly appearing: "I don't deny that you took over Kirigakure after the Second Mizukage's sacrifice, turning the tide and saving the collapsing empire. That was indeed your achievement."
"But achievements don't guarantee eternal glory. If you insist on leading Kirigakure to an endless abyss of darkness—then I will have no choice but to defy authority and reclaim the village from you and the guy behind you!"
"Wh-what?!"
Seeing the bloodshot in Makoto Karatachi's eyes, the Third Mizukage's heart skipped a beat, and his gaze turned cold: "Makoto Karatachi, do you want to rebel?!"
"It's you, Mizukage, who's rebelling!"
Genjutsu: Sharingan!
The vast power of his eyes poured out without reservation at this moment, directly impacting the mind of the Third Mizukage.
Since words have failed to communicate, let's resolve this in the most direct way possible!
"I'm so glad I found you, Goji Berry! Ahhh!"
The Third Mizukage froze abruptly, and before he could utter a furious rebuke, he clutched his head in excruciating pain.
at the same time.
Inside the dimly lit underground cave.
Madara Uchiha, who was lowering his eyes and imparting knowledge of Yin-Yang Release to Obito, suddenly let out a muffled groan, and his aged and hunched body trembled abruptly.
Fortunately, Bai Jue, who was standing nearby, reacted quickly and helped up the person with the age spot.
"It seems you're about to reach your limit."
Obito frowned slightly and looked him up and down: "That's true. If you think about it carefully, you're almost seventy or eighty years old."
Even disregarding the Warring States period, the average age of ninjas during the ninja village era was only around thirty.
There were very few truly elderly ninjas; most were ordinary people far removed from war.
As for someone like Madara Uchiha, he's practically a living fossil among ninjas!
"—Don't joke around, this isn't due to physical reasons."
The man with the age spots took two deep breaths, his eyes turning slightly cold: "So you were discovered? That kid was pretty quick."
"Although we've made preparations to relocate to Sunagakure, it won't be that easy to take Kirigakure from me!"
"Aaaaaah!"
A piercing scream came from the Third Mizukage's mouth.
As the Mangekyou Sharingan clashed repeatedly with the ocular power in his mind, the Third Mizukage felt as if his head was about to be torn apart.
But not long after, a vast, ancient, terrifying eye power, filled with endless coldness and a desire for control, suddenly erupted from his body!
The Third Mizukage's screams abruptly ceased.
His expression, which had been contorted in pain by the illusion of Makoto Karatachi, froze instantly.
All the emotional fluctuations—anger, pain, struggle—vanished completely in an instant, leaving only an absolute calm, like a deep pool or an ancient well.
No, it's not calm.
It is empty.
Those eyes, which once belonged to the Third Mizukage, had now lost all their luster, resembling two bottomless black vortexes, within which a pair of blood-red, three-tomoe Sharingan eyes silently rotated.
The Third Mizukage remained silent, but the aura of chakra emanating from him intensified.
"Has it been completely controlled?"
Gouju Cheng's eyes were cold and sharp. Without the slightest hesitation, his eyes suddenly transformed into a kaleidoscope of divine power.
Accompanied by an indescribable, terrifying suction force, he and the Third Mizukage in front of him were sucked into the Kamui dimension.
"I won't let you continue to ruin Kirigakure, Third Hokage!"