The Land of Water, Kirigakure.
A graceful and mature woman, exuding a strong aura, looked at the people in front of her, her body filled with killing intent.
"So, you're saying that Kirigakure has already made diplomatic contact with Konohagakure, and now both Kirigakure and Konohagakure are arguing about it, and I, as the Mizukage, am the last person to know?"
"Do you think that if this kind of news spreads, I won't become the joke of the entire Shinobi World?"
"Tell me, who came up with this joke!"
Terumī Mei was filled with anger.
Yes, this time Kirigakure's strong diplomacy was actually done without the consent of the Mizukage herself.
It was purely done by the people below, using her name to notify Konohagakure.
"Why don't they just take away my position as Mizukage as well?"
Terumī Mei's face was full of anger, and the seductive look on her face disappeared, replaced by a strong killing intent.
'What a joke!'
The essence of a shinobi village is a military organization that requires ninjas to obey orders from their superiors no matter what happens.
And now, as the Mizukage, she can't even control national diplomacy?
No one in front of her dared to bear her anger, they could only bow their heads silently.
"Mizukage-sama, now is not the time to get angry." Ao took a deep breath. "This is definitely not something our people did. As for those separatist guys, they might not be able to do it either."
"I actually think it might be the work of certain individuals." Terumī Mei's anger subsided slightly, her pupils narrowing.
'The man who manipulated the Fourth Mizukage...' She didn't say these words out loud, but everyone understood.
Even though there was severe internal strife within Kirigakure, even if they were political enemies, they would never casually resort to diplomatic aggression.
Moreover, they might not even have the capability to do so!
Only the man who had secretly manipulated the Fourth Mizukage for who knows how many years the opportunity and strength would have to forcefully push for conflict between Konoha and Kirigakure...
Of course, Terumī Mei was well aware of this issue. The real reason she was angry was...
"Even if he can push for this, why haven't our people discovered it?"
Terumī Mei's face was filled with anger. "That's the real problem!"
Having enemies was normal, political enemies causing trouble was also normal, and even powerful genjutsu ninjas causing trouble was normal. But how could a major ninja village like ours not be able to correct this?
Whether it's through early detection or prevention, it could prevent the country from descending into chaos.
However, Kirigakure lacked this ability, or rather, Kirigakure that had been embroiled in internal strife for a long time had gradually lost its ability to self-correct.
"We need to rebuild our ability to self-correct and strike against those who have been allowed to run rampant in this incident!"
"Yes! Mizukage-sama!"
Everyone responded in unison, their faces showing determination.
This time, Kirigakure had truly lost its prestige. To the extent that they were utterly ashamed.
"Mizukage-sama, regarding the negotiations with Konoha..." Ao hesitated and spoke.
Terumī Mei pursed her lips and sighed helplessly. "What else can we do? The entire Shinobi World now knows that our village has lodged diplomatic accusations against Konoha. Can we really say 'sorry, it was a mistake by a temporary worker' and take back what we've said?"
"We can only... accept the consequences."
Terumī Mei's face was filled with helplessness and anger. But there was nothing they could do.
The Five Great Nations were not small countries; they valued their reputation.
Iwagakure had lost a Jinchūriki, and the suspect, Akatsuki, had blatantly left behind evidence. But Tsuchikage Ōnoki did not hesitate to suppress the news. Because he couldn't afford to let everyone know that his tailed beast had been taken away!
The Land of Earth couldn't afford to admit it either!
Similar situations had occurred in Kirigakure before, when their Fourth Mizukage was manipulated by Obito, causing countless internal conflicts among the shinobi of Kirigakure. But even now, with Terumī Mei in power, they had not publicly admitted that their Mizukage had been controlled.
She couldn't afford to admit it either!
Similarly, in this incident, she could only grit her teeth and swallow the bitter fruit...
"Not only that, but we also need to make a show of force." Terumī Mei sighed bitterly. "After all, Ringo Ameyuri really disappeared in Konoha. We must seek justice for the shinobi of our village..."
She looked at the window of the Mizukage's office, the evening sun shining on her face, filled with a deep sense of powerlessness.
"Otherwise, how can we unite the shinobi within the village? How can we maintain the prestige of Kirigakure?"
Terumī Mei didn't want to fight either, but she had to take a stance.
She even personally sent Ao to lead a team to Konoha, despite many seeing him as a mockery to Konoha due to his Byakugan.
But who could know that the reason he chose Ao was actually because he was worried that others would make mistakes, such as falling under that mysterious person's genjutsu?
Of course, the Third Hokage didn't know, but he knew that Konoha was in a state of decline.
Jiraiya was gone, Tsunade, although her location had been discovered, her hemophobia had not improved, and Kakashi had been in a state of decline for too long, lacking the strength to support the situation.
The entire village's Kage-level combat power was only him and Danzo... But every time there was a Great Shinobi War, all four major nations would join forces to attack Konoha!
How could they continue to fight like this?
But just like Terumī Mei couldn't show weakness due to her stance, the Third Hokage, as the leader of the strongest village in the Shinobi World, had no room for retreat in normal times. But at this point in time, when a major war could break out at any moment in the Shinobi World, he couldn't expose any weakness to the outside world!
Otherwise, the surrounding wolves would discover Konoha's weakness and pounce on it, tearing at Konoha's flesh!
So, he changed his usual weakness, spoke with strong words, had a direct attitude, and his voice was resolute, winning the support of many Konoha shinobi.
But in practice, he forcefully suppressed Hyūga Hiashi's demand for 'Kirigakure's Byakugan'.
It is said that Hyūga Hiashi was so angry that when he returned to the clan compound, he scolded the Third Hokage all night.
Of course, Terumī Mei was also similar. Kirigakure, which had just emerged from internal turmoil, needed recovery, not another war.
Before sending Ao on a mission, she even reminded him that at a critical moment, he might need to sacrifice himself for the village.
In other words, she had already prepared herself mentally to give the Byakugan to Konoha.
It could be forcefully demanded by Konoha, or it could be secretly taken by a Konoha shinobi. But they must exercise restraint!
As a result, the Third Hokage and Terumī Mei were both afraid of the consequences, but the negotiators on both sides were becoming more and more aggressive. Today, you threaten war, and tomorrow, I say I won't hesitate to pay any price.
Unfortunately, after all the threats from both sides, the declaration of war remained only on their lips.
Even Ameyuri who knew the internal situation of Kirigakure thought that Terumī Mei probably wanted to take advantage of the current situation in the Shinobi World and blackmail the Third Hokage.
After all, her letters had been returned to the village. If she really wanted to find her, she would have contacted her a long time ago.
Natsuo of course didn't care about all this and continued with the task of reviving the Uchiha clan.
Several wives were pregnant, and several wives gave birth.
Another piece of good news was that Tōno Katasuke had developed a wireless paging system based on the principles of radio already discovered, combined with Land of Snow technology.
Actually, it's not difficult. In the 'Naruto Series' when Naruto had just graduated, he used a radio while catching cats with Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi. Now, Tōno Katasuke has just deepened it a bit.
There are many technologies that are slowly developing in the Shinobi World, but these technologies are not prominent. Many shinobis seem to ignore them as if they couldn't see them.
But does Natsuo still not know the benefits of communication devices, even though others don't know? He immediately ordered the Uchiha Chamber of Commerce to start building communication base stations and asked Tōno Katasuke to continue the research, hoping to further develop the wireless telephone.
Anyone knows how profitable the communication business is.
"This can create wealth for my Uchiha business empire!" Natsuo exclaimed.
'Money is power!'
Natsuo believes that if he directly throws one trillion to Kakuzu, even if he has to risk his life, he can clean up and send Konan over!
On the other hand...
"Lady Tsunade, we found the appearance of Uchiha Natsuo, and it's exactly the same as the one we saw!" Shizune took out two portraits and looked up. "I think the Natsuo we saw might be the current Uchiha clan leader, Natsuo!"
"But speaking of which, Lady Tsunade, why did you suddenly want to find Natsuo? Are you short of money and want to borrow from him?"
Tsunade: "..."
Although she and Shizune were both drunk, can a Kage-level and an ordinary ninja sober up at the same speed?
She rushed out to chase and kill Natsuo, and Shizune hasn't woken up yet!
And after waking up...
She couldn't possibly tell Shizune about the situation. She can only say that she wants to borrow money from him.
Well, after borrowing money, she can kill Natsuo. Not only will it ease her anger, but she won't have to pay the money back.
After understanding that she only wanted to borrow money, Shizune's spirits lifted, and she became motivated. "That's right, we saved his wife's life, he should lend us more!"
"Then, Tsunade-sama, should we return to Konoha?"
"No, it's probably not Natsuo we ran into." Tsunade hesitated for a moment and said: "You also know how promiscuous Uchiha Natsuo's life is. He has so many children, how can he be so strong?"
"He probably just borrowed Natsuo's appearance from Konoha Village..."
"Hoping to confuse us?"
Shizune nodded in agreement.
Children don't lie, and as a medical-nin, Shizune also understood how much effort it takes to conceive a child.
With so many children, how could there be time for training? So, he definitely can't be that strong!
"Then, Tsunade-sama, where should we look for clues?" Shizune frowned. "Both of them are Kage-level, so if they run away, we won't be able to find their trace in a short time."
Natsuo and Ameyuri were able to follow Tsunade because Shizune, this weakling, was holding her back. But it would be difficult for Tsunade to chase after Natsuo.
Jiraiya chased Orochimaru for many years and never caught up, let alone Natsuo.
"Then let's start with the woman!" Tsunade thought for a moment and said: "That woman should be Ringo Ameyuri, the kunoichi who disappeared in Konoha Village some time ago and caused the conflict with Kirigakure."
"Thinking like this, they might be Kirigakure shinobi!"
The idea is reasonable and well-founded.
Shizune nodded in agreement. "Then, Tsunade-sama, should we go to Kirigakure?"
"Yes!" Tsunade nodded firmly; her eyes filled with anger.
She, Tsunade, has never suffered such a loss in her life!
"Kid, I'll make you know the consequences of offending me..."
Tsunade clenched her teeth and made a grinding sound, as if she wanted to bite something.
And at this moment...
Suddenly...
Tsunade inexplicably felt a bit nauseous and vomited a few times.
"Tsunade-sama, are you okay? Have you gotten sick?"
"It's nothing, it's probably just a problem with what I ate recently... Come on, let's go to Kirigakure!"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama!"
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