Chapter 14

"Hmm, the aura of the sea breeze is truly invigorating," Hōzuki Gengetsu remarked, standing on the shore and gazing into the distance.

Behind him stood Yuki Kuchiki, alongside seven youngsters carrying seven distinct ninja swords.

"Mizukage-sama, the ten thousand-strong Shinōbi army and fifty battleships are prepared to set sail at any moment," Yuki Kuchiki informed Hōzuki Gengetsu with utmost seriousness.

This formidable force formed the bedrock of Kirigakure, dominating the vast ocean and establishing an indomitable foundation.

Even the renowned Senju Tobirama, hailed as the Water God, would find it futile to engage them directly at sea. After all, the Water God was merely that—a god of water, not an invincible deity of the seas.

"Instruct all Shinōbi to prepare for boarding the ships, and let us vanquish Uzu no Kuni in battle. How dare a mere Shinōbi clan aspire to establish a nation? Let us show the might of the Five Great Ninja Villages!" Hōzuki Gengetsu declared ruthlessly and passionately.

A cold smile crept across Yuki Kuchiki's face as he stood behind him, while the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist wore even more sinister grins.

Uzu no Kuni would soon face the full brunt of their wrath—a resounding slap to the face of the Five Great Ninja Villages and the Five Great Countries. And among them, the most resounding slap would be delivered by Kirigakure and Mizu no Kuni.

After years of bitter conflict, the Mizu no Kuni Daimyo and the Shōdai Mizukage had conquered countless islands, established thriving towns, and tirelessly worked towards the formation of the Five Great Countries.

Among them, countless interests and influences have become intertwined. Uzu no Kuni, the oceanic country, is home to Uzushiogakure, a clan that occupies a vast island abundant with natural resources. Within this clan, a small Shinōbi village has been established.

In the past, the existence of Uzushiogakure was shielded by Senju Hashirama, leaving others too afraid to voice their concerns. Later, when Uzumaki Mito and the Senju Clan held considerable power, they could convince Konoha to send troops, thus silencing any objections.

But now, oh ho, Konoha has become a chaotic mess on its own. Do they even have the capacity to care about others?

You naughty little girls who have not witnessed the ravages of war, be prepared to experience the might of your Kirigakure uncle.

"Kuchiki, dispatch our Sensor Shinōbi and Scout Shinōbi. Also, send someone to the border of Kaze no Kuni to assess the situation. It's highly likely that the troublemakers will come from there—the group of sand dogs."

Hōzuki Gengetsu, though arrogant and self-assured, knew the importance of maintaining vigilance. While he outwardly chuckled, deep inside, he was making ruthless preparations.

"Yes, Mizukage-sama," Yuki Kuchiki replied respectfully before retreating.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who stood behind them, had thoughts they wanted to express but chose to keep silent. After all, their seven ninja swords were all crafted by others and passed down from Hōzuki Gengetsu himself. Considering this, it was best not to challenge the boss's words.

Hōzuki Gengetsu, being a skilled Sensor Shinōbi himself, understood the need for caution as a Kage Level shinobi. He could sense the changes in the group of individuals behind him, and that only heightened his wariness.

He sighed inwardly. These individuals were the cream of the crop, already reaching a level comparable to Quasi-Kage with the addition of their ninja swords.

However, these sand sculptures never seemed to consider the reason behind mass-producing "Quasi-Kage." Their own Kirigakure and peak strength were clearly not sufficient.

If they had enough strength, why go through all this trouble? It would be more beneficial to keep them within their own ranks and promote them from within.

External forces were just that—external. It was not wise to rely solely on them.

Yuki Kuchiki returned swiftly, showcasing his speed. As the designated successor, he possessed the required strength and temperament.

With Yuki Kuchiki's return, Hōzuki Gengetsu felt a sense of stability. He waved his hand, signaling for the Shinōbi to board the ship quickly.

All the necessary preparations had been made. The spies had been deployed, and everything was in place.

He could no longer afford to be cautious.

......

Meanwhile, at the border of Kaze no Kuni, there was a coastal city.

This city stood as the only urban center within Kaze no Kuni. Its proximity to the sea had contributed to its relative economic prosperity, making it an important town within the nation.

At this moment, within the Sunagakure residence in the city, Ebizo and Bunpuku faced each other.

"How is it? Can you sense any signs of Kirigakure nearby?" Ebizo inquired, while Bunpuku remained silent, engrossed in processing the information.

Utilizing their sensory abilities, the Sunagakure Shinōbi specialized in manipulating sand, each following their assigned orders.

Bunpuku, supported by the formidable power of Shukaku, possessed incredible endurance. His unique advantage was leveraged, surpassing the capabilities of multiple individuals combined.

"The sand informs me that there is no unfamiliar Chakra in the vicinity, but the wind indicates an air saturated with a solemn killing aura," Bunpuku calmly reported, devoid of any emotional attachment.

"As Kazekage-sama puts it, when science combines with metaphysics, and information combines with sensory perception, the accuracy rate rises by 90%," the young Ebizo added with a smile.

Despite his cheerful demeanor, Ebizo was deeply serious.

"Elder-sama, the final decision rests with you. My responsibility is to ensure your safety," Ebizo teased, although Bunpuku disregarded it.

Bunpuku was Hitoshi's staunchest supporter within Sunagakure, offering unconditional support.

Hitoshi had granted him freedom, instilled faith in him, and provided Shukaku with a nurturing environment.

Under Hitoshi's leadership and Shukaku's cooperation, the acceptance of Shukaku and Bunpuku within Sunagakure had reached significant levels.

From the evolution of a mere sand demon to the Guardian God of the sands, Shukaku exuded a subtle aura of purpose.

"Well then, the two of us shall prepare for our mission to Uzu no Kuni—a noble endeavor in the face of Mizu no Kuni and Kirigakure's mission," Ebizo declared, his eyes gleaming with resolve.

In a split second, Ebizo comprehended the situation and formulated an operational plan.

Weaker nations lack diplomatic leverage. For the people of Uzu no Kuni, Kaze no Kuni's courtesy is seen as a saving grace.

Being a Kage Level and Quasi-Kage expert already places immense pressure on Mizu no Kuni, Kirigakure, and even Kaze no Kuni.

The treaty negotiated between Hitoshi, Wu, and Sarutobi Hiruzen has garnered attention throughout the Shinōbi World, thanks to the efforts of interested parties.

Ebizo, along with the Sunagakure think tank, understood the underlying motives behind this treaty. It was a double-edged sword that could be wielded to their advantage.

"Understood. If I discover anything, I will promptly inform you," Bunpuku reassured, bringing his hands together, bowing slightly, and making his exit.

Ebizo observed Bunpuku's departure with satisfaction. Since Bunpuku had become a formidable asset, Sunagakure had cursed their previous ignorance countless times.

To have such a valuable asset, all they needed was to place sufficient trust and honor upon him. Why had they been so foolish in the past?

Sunagakure was strong, so why couldn't they maximize their interests?

After concluding his interactions with Bunpuku, Ebizo often vented his frustrations toward the previous generation of senior Shinōbi. They were short-sighted, truly short-sighted.

Returning to his quarters, Bunpuku descended into a deep state of meditation, entering his inner consciousness.

In the realm of Birds, Speech, Flowers, and Fragrances, a small mountain peak stood proudly, adorned with a modest temple. Bunpuku materialized before the temple, assuming a cross-legged position.

He sat in profound silence, chanting softly.