Chapter 124 » It's Time for the Entire Ninja World to Choose Sides! Yusuke's Impending Visit to Konoha!

Time passed both slowly and swiftly. In the blink of an eye, more than a month had gone by.

During this time, Yusuke had invested considerable effort with Kushina. Every day, he tirelessly taught her what he considered "the good things in life", insisting that learning to use one's body was also beneficial for the soul.

Although Kushina wasn't particularly enthusiastic about these lessons, under his persistent pressure, she could only grit her teeth and force herself to learn.

Even when she was astride him, her nails dug into his chest in a act of defiance. Her grip, which she believed might cause him pain, actually provided an unexpectedly pleasurable sensation.

Regardless, she was learning more and more, angrily carrying out each of his commands.

"Mikoto-nee, now I finally understand why your skin is so radiant..."

In the dead of night, Mikoto visited Kushina's room.

At this moment, Kushina was biting her lip, uttering words that made her feel deeply embarrassed. It seemed only in front of her dear sister could she express certain truths, even if just a little.

"I told you before." Mikoto whispered softly into her ear, "Although it's unfair to us, not struggling actually makes life a bit more bearable."

They rarely got together like this nowadays. Usually at this hour, Yusuke would arrive after visiting Mikoto's room. That man seemed to make rounds to each of his women, checking if their skills were still up to his standards, before departing after a few hours.

"But... but..." Kushina stammered, her heart still seething with anger.

Even though more than a month had passed, she couldn't bring herself to accept the situation.

Mikoto, well aware of Kushina's stubborn nature, understood that such feelings could only change gradually over time.

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Inside the Mizukage's office, Yagura was slowly reporting to Yusuke the information they had gathered during this period.

"Based on our observations this month, we have discovered that Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Konohagakure, and the Land of Iron have formed a complete alliance. Moreover, they have absorbed ninjas from nearly thirty surrounding small countries. Initial estimates suggest they have formed a military force of close to 350,000 people."

"Among them, Suna has about 20,000 ninjas, Iwa has slightly more at close to 40,000. We roughly estimate that if Konoha completely mobilizes all their clans and civilian ninjas, they could likely field over 20,000 people. Add to that the Land of Iron, a samurai country that hasn't experienced any major wars in the past few decades. Although they might not be very strong in terms of combat power, they have an absolute advantage in numbers. They can mobilize about 50,000 samurai!"

Yagura said gravely, "Just these four countries combined have about 130,000 to 150,000 ninja troops. Then add the thirty-odd small countries and small ninja villages they've absorbed. 350,000 people should be more than enough."

Yusuke nodded lightly, then said with some disappointment, "Only 350,000 people? I'm disappointed."

"Uh..." Yagura, hearing this, couldn't help but widen his eyes.

This was 350,000 people! Not 35,000 people. After all, currently, Kirigakure, counting all their ninjas, at most had just over 30,000 ninjas.

"350,000 people? Among them, 250,000 are mere paper tigers — not worth mentioning!" Yusuke analyzed calmly, "The remaining 100,000? Still paper tigers! Our Half-Kage Ninja Corps, spread across the battle lines, can easily withstand 30,000 to 50,000 of their elite ninjas. And I only used 500 Half-Kage ninjas."

He continued, "Plus, we have 10,000 Cursed Seal ninjas. Each can take down five opponents easily. That's another 50,000 of their ninjas matched. We still have about 20,000 ninja troops left. The other side? Only 200,000 scattered troops remain — those from surrounding small countries and the Land of Iron's samurai. Can they compare to our well-trained Mist Shadow Assassination Corps? One against ten, easily handled."

{T/N: To facilitate understanding, there are three Combat Corporations: H.K.N.C. (Half-Kage Ninja Corps), C.S.N.C. (Cursed Seal Ninja Corps) and the regular ninjas of M.S.A.C. or ANBU (Mist Shadow Assassination Corps). Other ninjas like Kisame, Mangetsu, Mei and the Seven Swordsmen do not fall into these categories and are counted separately.}

Yusuke sneered, "Yagura, do you think the other side still has a chance of winning?"

"Looking at it this way..." The Mizukage scratched his head, "It seems they really don't have much chance..."

Hearing this, Yusuke continued to smile leisurely.

"As for high-end combat power, the other side has barely enough to count on two hands. Konoha: Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura? Add the somewhat formidable Uchiha clan. The remaining clans with their secret techniques? Not worth worrying about. In Suna, at most we can count Rasa, the Kazekage, as slightly strong. Iwa's ninja combat power is generally higher, but still not enough. Throw in the Tsuchikage, that Onoki of Both Scales, and all their Tailed Beast powers."

He shook his head, "Even if all added together, it still wouldn't amount to much!"

"Yagura, issue an announcement effective immediately. Surrounding countries willing to join the Land of Water can do so unconditionally. Make it clear that it's voluntary — as long as they choose to join the Land of Water of their own accord, they'll receive our protection." Yusuke instructed.

"It's been a long time coming. Those small countries on the periphery have been under immense pressure. They face two choices: either join Konoha's alliance and unite against our Kiri, or align with our Mist Village to confront the Leaf's grand coalition. I prefer to be fair — let them decide for themselves. It's time for the entire ninja world to pick sides."

Yagura, upon hearing this, nodded eagerly and exclaimed, "Yes!"

He had been itching to do this for some time. After all, two months ago, when the Leaf Village began aggressively absorbing nearby small countries, he had wanted to take action. However, having received no response from Yusuke, he hadn't dared to issue such an order on his own.

Was the moment for action finally at hand?

"You'll need to be extra vigilant for the village during this period. I'm going to be away for a while." Yusuke said, standing up and walking over to Yagura. He lightly patted his shoulder.

"Leave the village? Where to?" Yagura inquired immediately.

"Doesn't Konoha enjoy forming alliances? Perhaps I should go and join in the fun. Who knows? I might even reap some benefits." Yusuke replied with a slight smile.

"Then you must take Mangetsu and Kisame with you." Yagura insisted.

"Do you really think the Leaf poses a threat to me?" Yusuke waved his hand dismissively, "Very well. Who knows? If I'm in a good mood, I might just wipe out Konoha while I'm there. Now, go prepare what I've arranged."

With those words, he rose into the air directly from the window and flew away.

In the office, only Yagura's shocked gaze remained.

"In a good mood... Wipe out the Leaf while at it?!" He swallowed hard.

This was too ruthless, wasn't it? Moreover, he had a feeling that Yusuke would really wipe out Konoha in passing...

Taking a deep breath, he came back to his senses. He immediately began to arrange the things he had been instructed.

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The next day, early morning.

Yusuke had the Mizukage, in his official capacity, announce one thing to Konohagakure: he would personally visit them.

After this news was released, the entire ninja world was in an uproar!

Yusuke Kamizuki is going to visit the Leaf Village? What's the purpose? No one knows. After all, no one can fathom his intentions!

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Inside Konoha, in the Hokage's office, tension hung in the air.

Hiruzen was already in a state of anxiety, his face etched with worry.

"What should we do? That Yusuke Kamizuki is coming to visit us. If he takes the opportunity to retaliate against the Leaf Village, can we withstand it?" He was nearly beside himself after receiving this news in the morning.

As the Hokage of Konohagakure, Hiruzen knew that if Yusuke really came, he would have to receive him — both out of duty and propriety.

But he was afraid! The information they had gathered about Yusuke's strength was terrifying enough!

"Sarutobi! You are the Hokage of the village! Are you this frightened by such a small matter?" Danzō, sitting to the side, narrowed his eyes and scolded.

"Small matter?" Hiruzen's face darkened, "Why don't you do it then? You go and receive Yusuke Kamizuki."

"Me?" Danzō's eyebrows twitched violently. He said in a low voice, "I'm not the Hokage."

'Now you remember that! If you had vacated the position earlier, perhaps things wouldn't have come to this.' This was all passing in Danzō's mind.

Hiruzen let out a heavy snort.

"What do you all think about this?" He pinched his already furrowed brow, then looked towards the others in the office.

"He's coming. We have no way to stop him."

The head of the Hyūga clan, Hiashi Hyūga, was present, along with the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, Orochimaru, and Fugaku Uchiha. Jiraiya had already departed for Mount Myōboku to persuade the Great Toad Sage.

Hiashi spoke gravely, "Since Yusuke Kamizuki dares to announce his visit so openly, he probably won't make a move against us. After all, if he wanted to attack, he wouldn't need to be so ostentatious."

After hearing this analysis, Hiruzen calmed down a little.

"However." Shikaku Nara, sitting to the side, frowned and said, "Yusuke Kamizuki's temperament is unpredictable. If there's even a slight provocation, and he suddenly loses his temper... we'll have no way to handle it. So, I have a suggestion."

"What suggestion? Quickly, tell us." Hiruzen immediately asked.

"Welcome him! And if he makes any excessive demands, even if it hurts our village to the bone, we must agree to them." Shikaku said gravely, "He must have caught wind of our alliance and wants to use this visit to find an excuse to cause us trouble. So, after he comes to Konoha, he will definitely make unreasonable demands. If we show even the slightest dissatisfaction, he can seize the opportunity to directly cause trouble! As long as we can send him away this time... then, in an instant, our great ninja alliance will immediately deploy troops to the Land of Water and engage them in a decisive battle!"

Hiruzen took a deep breath. "Are we going to initiate the decisive battle so soon?"

After all, they had planned to prepare thoroughly for it.

"It's not that we want a decisive battle... But Yusuke Kamizuki is forcing our hand. We have no other choice." Shikaku said with a bitter smile.

"Very well!" Hiruzen gritted his teeth, "Everyone, this time... please, remain calm. And... Clan Head Fugaku. For the greater good! You must endure! Endure!"

He turned his gaze towards the Uchiha leader, who sat across the conference table.

Fugaku had been silent since the start of the meeting. His arm had fully recovered. After a long moment, he slowly raised his head, his face pale and bloodless.

Finally, he said coldly, "I understand."

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