Chapter 171: Obito Goes After Yagura

"Is that so."

Yagura did not refuse further but asked, "Ao, is there anything lacking in the forge department right now? If there is, tell Soma not to be polite and just ask directly."

"I will try to meet all the needs as much as possible."

Since the ninjatō has already been forged, this process is actually also a way to win people's hearts.

Take the Blade of Destruction this time, for example.

If the ninjas line up to go to Forging Island, compete and get selected, and then obtain the right to use the Blade of Destruction,

they will remember the favor of the forging department and Soma more.

But if Yagura distributes it, then the ninjas who get the right to use the Blade of Destruction will remember Yagura's favor more.

According to the previous practice, the ninjatōs were all arranged by the forging department.

This tradition was established by the Third Mizukage.

Therefore, Yagura will not break it.

Yagura knows very well the importance of Soma and the forging department to Hidden Mist Village.

Having just taken over as Mizukage, if he were to confront Soma, he is not confident that the people in the village would stand by him.

Juzo, Ao, Fuguki, Raiga, Kisame...

And the medical department led by Mayuko Ringo.

And the Kaguya Clan.

Even many ninjas and ninja families who desire to obtain Zanpakuto.

Apart from the Hozuki Clan,

it can be said that Soma's connections in Hidden Mist Village are already extensive.

Even the Genji faction is close to Soma.

Yagura heard a rumor that the Genji faction wants Terumi Mei to become Soma's wife.

In the future, Soma will be the Great Blacksmith of Hidden Mist Village,

a position above everyone else.

Terumi Mei will be the Mizukage of Hidden Mist Village.

With Mei as his wife, they could undoubtedly lead Hidden Mist Village to great heights.

If Soma had ambitions for power, Yagura might be wary.

But the Genji faction's idea is just a thought for now.

Even if they want Terumi Mei to become the future Mizukage, that is a long way off.

Additionally, Kisame's current performance is exceptionally excellent.

It is still uncertain whether Terumi Mei can become Mizukage in the future.

As long as Soma has no ambitions for power and does not threaten his position and authority,

Yagura would have to be out of his mind to deal with Soma.

Unless Yagura has already secured his position as Mizukage, and Hidden Mist Village has no external enemies, and Yagura has no other pursuits, he might consider suppressing Soma for reputation reasons.

A king targets meritorious old ministers only after the country is stable and ready to be passed on to his descendants.

The current Hidden Mist Village is far from this situation.

Moreover, ninja villages are different from kingdoms.

There is no tradition of passing the leadership from father to son in a ninja village.

Even in the much-criticized Konoha, this isn't entirely the case.

First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.

Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

Fifth Hokage, Tsunade.

Fifth and a half Hokage, Shimura Danzo.

Sixth Hokage, Kakashi.

Seventh Hokage, Naruto.

Seventh and a half Hokage, Shikamaru Nara.

There isn't even a consistent sensei-student relationship between them.

Hidden Mist Village is even more so.

In this situation, Soma voluntarily relinquished the distribution rights of the Great Grade Sword, and Yagura is somewhat grateful for this.

But for Soma, his time is already very tight.

Researching and improving forging techniques, acquiring materials, gaining reputation, and improving personal strength.

Soma still pays attention to the users of Zanpakuto.

He doesn't care about the users of the Great Grade Sword.

Even if Soma does not participate in the selection process for the Great Grade Sword users, the ninjas who obtain the right to use the Great Grade Sword will still be grateful to Soma.

It can be said that giving up this matter won't cost Soma much in terms of public favor.

Yagura, on the other hand, can gain more public favor.

But in this way, Yagura also becomes part of Soma's network of influence.

In other words, in this respect, Soma's status has already surpassed that of the Mizukage.

"Alright, Mizukage-sama, I will report to Soma."

Watching Ao leave, Yagura looked at the Blade of Destruction in his hand and decided to plan carefully.

He couldn't just casually hand over the Blade of Destruction.

It needed to be presented with a sense of ceremony.

Only then would the ninjas who obtained the right to use it understand the value of this opportunity and be more grateful.

Not long after Ao left, Soma saw the number in his reputation column jump suddenly.

It went from over 2400 to over 2500.

"Is this brought by the Blade of Destruction?"

Ao returned to Forging Island and reported to Soma.

Soma then knew that the more than 100 reputation points increase just now was provided by Yagura and the nearby ANBU ninjas.

When the actual users appear and go to the battlefield, it will definitely bring another wave of reputation increase.

"Before, I was struggling between twenty consecutive draws and thirty consecutive draws."

"I was considering whether to hold a Blacksmith recruitment event to supplement my reputation."

"But now, it seems that there is no need for a Blacksmith recruitment event. The appearance of the Blade of Destruction can directly push my reputation to over 3000 points, allowing for thirty consecutive draws."

...

"Madara-sama, I got the Executioner's Blade."

Kaguya Neko brought the Executioner's Blade and found Obito.

"The dead Hozuki Clan member was named Hozuki Shinichi."

Obito nodded.

"Well done. Tell me the details."

Kaguya Neko looked at Obito and slowly began to speak, but he didn't reveal everything, only part of the story.

However, that was enough for Obito.

Besides Neko, Obito had other sources of information.

Obito could confirm that the Third Mizukage had truly disappeared, and the Zanpakuto that caused damage to Pain and his Kamui's Dimension was also missing.

"Perhaps using such an attack came at a cost for the Third Mizukage."

"If the Third Mizukage were still around, then it wouldn't be possible for no one in Hidden Mist Village to know."

"ANBU ninja."

"The clan heads of the major ninja families."

"..."

"Even Kaguya Neko infiltrated Hidden Mist Village, killed someone, and stole the blade without any information surfacing."

"So there's no need for me to be cautious anymore."

Obito made a decision.

"Congratulations, you've successfully passed the test. This is the Rasengan Ninjutsu."

Obito threw a Ninjutsu scroll to Neko, along with a token.

"From today on, you are an official member of the Akatsuki Organization. Normally, our members act independently and only gather when there is a mission."

"If you want to use the organization's resources, you can take the token to the Land of Rain."

"Someone will find you."

After speaking, Obito left.

Neko's eyes flickered.

"Land of Rain?"

The Land of Rain is a small country.

Rain Ninja Village is a small ninja village.

However, among the many small ninja villages, Rain Ninja Village is definitely one that cannot be ignored.

This is because Rain Ninja Village produced a top-tier figure.

Hanzo of the Salamander.

He is respectfully known by outsiders as the Demigod of the Ninja World.

The God of the Ninja World is Senju Hashirama.

The fact that Hanzo of the Salamander can be called the Demigod of the Ninja World is enough to show his strength.

Additionally, the title of Konoha's Sannin was given by Hanzo.

As a small ninja village, he boldly initiated the Second Ninja World War.

Even though Hanzo of the Salamander failed, he still gained the respect and fear of the entire ninja world.

"Could it be Hanzo's remnants?"

"Is Rain Ninja Village still harboring ambitions?"

"However, Rain Ninja Village's main enemies are Konoha and Hidden Sand Village."

"If this Akatsuki Organization is indeed Hanzo's remnants, then its existence might actually be beneficial for Hidden Mist Village."

"Orochimaru wants to get information about the Zanpakuto through me."

"So, can I leak Konoha's information to the Akatsuki Organization, and then leak the Akatsuki Organization's information to Konoha?"

"Let them fight each other?"

Neko's eyes lit up, thinking this strategy had a high chance of success.

Suddenly, he started looking forward to his life as a rogue ninja.

Leaving Hidden Mist Village was Neko's own choice.

For the sake of the Kaguya Clan and Hidden Mist Village, Neko willingly made this sacrifice.

However, after leaving Hidden Mist Village, Neko went through a period of confusion.

He didn't know what to do or where to stay.

But now, Neko finally found something he could do for a long time, and a goal.

"Let them kill each other!"

...

The ninjas, under Yagura's arrangement, came to the training ground near the Mizukage's Building.

"Mizukage-sama."

Yagura looked around.

"Everyone."

"The purpose of this event, as you all know, is to select the most suitable user for the Blade of Destruction."

"Before we begin, let me first demonstrate the capabilities of the Blade of Destruction."

Yagura took out the Blade of Destruction.

The next moment, Chakra was infused.

"Flame Burst!"

Immediately, a highly concentrated burst of flame erupted.

Yagura had prepared a metal target.

When the flame hit, the sustained high temperature caused signs of melting on the target's surface.

This is something that ordinary Fire Release techniques cannot achieve.

Nearby ninjas noticed this and showed expressions of surprise.

"Such powerful flames."

Yagura continued, "This is the ability of the Blade of Destruction. Its regular attacks are accompanied by fire damage, and the flames are persistent, which can greatly restrict the enemy."

"And the explosive damage is comparable to high-level Fire Release techniques."

"The materials for the Blade of Destruction are special materials found in the depths of a volcano."

"The Blade of Destruction was crafted by our Hidden Mist Village's Chief Uehara."

"It is the first of the Great Grade Sword series crafted by Chief Uehara."

"It is suitable for ninjas skilled in assassination and those with a talent for Fire Release."

"Next, I will arrange for ANBU ninjas to test everyone in these two areas."

"Start!"

Under the direction of the ANBU ninjas, everyone stepped forward in turn.

The ninjas who had not yet been tested began to discuss among themselves.

"Great Grade Sword? Not a Zanpakuto?"

"Maybe it's not as good as a Zanpakuto?"

"But it should be stronger than a Skillful Grade Sword. Skillful Grade Swords don't even have names."

"Getting recognized by a Zanpakuto is incredibly difficult. So far, those who have been recognized by Zanpakuto are either geniuses or top-tier ninjas with extraordinary strength."

"Having the opportunity to obtain a Great Grade Sword is already satisfying."

"It's no worse than the Seven Ninja Swords."

Some people mocked the Hozuki Clan again.

"Now the Hozuki Clan wants to compare the Seven Ninja Swords with Zanpakuto."

"But it seems that the Seven Ninja Swords are at most on the level of Great Grade Swords and cannot compare to Zanpakuto."

"Kisame's performance is something that no Seven Ninja Swords can achieve."

Yagura observed the ninjas' reactions and listened to their low murmurs, nodding in agreement.

"Currently, Hidden Mist Village's enthusiasm for Ninjato has surpassed even the peak period of the Seven Ninja Swords."

"Soma's crafted Ninjato will only continue to increase."

"While Zanpakuto is hard to say, Great Grade Sword and Skillful Grade Sword, especially Skillful Grade Sword, are basically not difficult for Soma."

"Among the Skillful Grade Swords, the Broad Sword was recently revived into a Stable Rock Style faction by Hoshigaki Ryukame."

"In the future, the strength of Hidden Mist Village will continue to grow stronger."

"Although the forces that caused the Third Mizukage's disappearance cannot be underestimated,"

"as long as Hidden Mist Village is given enough time, we will definitely be able to resolve it."

"Steady progress might even allow Hidden Mist Village to achieve the grand feat of unifying the ninja world in the future."

Thinking of this, Yagura's heart warmed.

"If I can achieve such a feat during my tenure, I will become the greatest Mizukage of all time, and no one will be able to question me."

"Aside from the Ninjato crafted by Soma, the cultivation of talent within the village is also crucial."

Yagura knew that, despite succeeding as Mizukage, many within Hidden Mist Village had opinions about him.

Some felt their contributions were not sufficiently recognized.

Some felt their strength was only at the bottom among Kage-level ninjas.

Aside from a Water Mirror Jutsu, they had no notable techniques to showcase.

"Water Mirror Jutsu is indeed very powerful."

"But it requires an extremely high amount of Chakra."

Yagura recalled that when he faced Orochimaru last time, Orochimaru used Summoning Manda to significantly limit his Water Mirror Jutsu.

"If I had more Chakra, my strength would be greatly enhanced."

"Perhaps I could choose to become a Jinchuriki?"

"Combining the Chakra of a Tailed Beast with Water Mirror Jutsu."

"At that time, how many people in the ninja world would be my match?"

"Just in time, the previous Three-Tails Jinchuriki has already died."

"When the Three-Tails is revived, I could do just that."

The more Yagura thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

Yagura wanted to prove himself to those who thought he was not fit to succeed the position of Mizukage.

"Mizukage-sama, the winner has been decided."

The voice of the ANBU ninja brought Yagura back to his senses.

"Who is it?"

"Kohachi Kuriarare."

"Let him come up."

"Yes, Mizukage-sama."

Under the gaze of the crowd, Kohachi Kuriarare approached Yagura.

"Mizukage-sama."

"Kohachi Kuriarare?"

"Yes, Mizukage-sama."

"Kuriarare Kushimaru, what is your relation to him?"

"He is my uncle."

"Good, good."

Yagura patted Kohachi Kuriarare on the shoulder.

"From today, you will be the user of the Blade of Destruction. I hope you will use it well and become a powerful ninja like your uncle Kuriarare Kushimaru."

"Yes, Mizukage-sama."

The crowd below showed expressions of envy.

Kohachi Kuriarare, holding the Blade of Destruction, was very excited.

Yagura was pleased with the crowd's reaction.

No one noticed, in a dark corner, a figure was watching Yagura.

Complex patterns slowly rotated in his eyes.

"Yagura..."

"It is time to carry out my plan."

"But it's too crowded right now."

"After Yagura is alone, I will use my Genjutsu."

"In that way, I will be able to control the entire Hidden Mist Village without anyone noticing!"

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