"Greetings, Master Yuan."
Both Sakumo Hatake and Baki bowed deeply. Following their lead, Hidan and Fugaku Uchiha also performed a respectful bow.
Ahead of them, the grand throne remained vacant, but slightly below it sat a massive wheelchair padded with thick cushions. Occupying the wheelchair was an elderly man dressed in a brown robe—the Master Yuan of Kirigakure. His face was gaunt, his mouth crooked, and his eyes drooped. His right hand trembled intermittently, a clear indication of the stroke that had afflicted him.
Behind the wheelchair stood a towering, burly man with a mountain-like physique. His cheeks bore two purple stripes, and his bearded face exuded a simple, honest demeanor. On his back were two massive spiked clubs, marking him as a clear expert in wielding heavy weapons.
On a tier below the wheelchair, Yomei and Yagura Karatachi stood on opposite sides. Beside Yomei was Siren, carrying a long sword, with eight masked ninjas in brown robes lined up behind him. These were evidently the Eight Guardians under Master Yuan's command.
On Yagura's side were seven ninjas of varying appearances. Among them, the most striking figure was an old acquaintance—Kisame Hoshigaki, wielding uniquely shaped blades. They were likely the newly formed Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, led by Yagura. However, four of their famed swords had been confiscated by Jinghang, leaving the newcomers to use substitutes, which somewhat undermined their reputation.
"Ku-ma... Yu-an... Dao... Er-lai... Xi-ku..."
Master Yuan strained to utter these garbled words, his crooked mouth quivering as if the effort had drained him entirely. He slumped back into his seat, utterly exhausted.
Sakumo Hatake and Baki exchanged glances.
What an actor!
"Master Yuan is not in the best of health and finds it difficult to express himself. I will convey the rest of his message on his behalf," the burly man pushing the wheelchair declared loudly.
The large man leaned close to Master Yuan's ear. The elder mumbled unintelligibly, his words incomprehensible to anyone else in the room. After a moment, the burly man straightened up and announced:
"Master Yuan says he has read the letters from the Hokage and the Kazekage. Kirigakure is eager to participate in the upcoming Five Kage Summit. However, both the Mizukage and Master Yuan himself are gravely ill and unable to attend."
Sakumo Hatake bowed once again toward Master Yuan and replied, "There is no urgency. After all, the summit is still a year away. The Mizukage's condition may improve by then. If not, Kirigakure could send a representative instead."
Hearing this, Yomei's eyes flickered, and he gave a light cough. One of the Guardians behind him stepped forward and said:
"The envoy's suggestion is reasonable. Such an important event as the Five Kage Summit cannot be delayed. The Mizukage has been in a coma for over a year now, and it is uncertain if he will recover in time. In my opinion, since the affairs of the village are currently managed by the Grand Senior, it would be fitting for Lord Yomei to attend the summit as Kirigakure's representative."
"Outrageous! How dare you curse the Mizukage! Cao Cang, are you seeking death?"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, Yagura pointed angrily, his baby-faced expression twisted in fury.
"Hmph! I'm merely stating the facts. In my view, this is an opportunity to let the Third Mizukage retire and recuperate, avoiding further delays..."
"And then nominate Lord Yomei as the Fourth Mizukage?"
The cold voice came from a petite woman standing beside Yagura—Yuri Lin.
"I see no reason why not!"
This time, it was Siren, the Fourth Guardian, who spoke up.
"Arrogance!"
"Preposterous!"
The tension in the Mizukage Hall escalated instantly, with both sides poised for conflict.
"Clang!"
Amidst the standoff, an incongruous metallic sound rang out, drawing everyone's attention.
"My apologies. I was in a hurry this morning and didn't secure my sword properly. Please, carry on."
Sakumo Hatake bent down apologetically to pick up his fallen blade.
"How disgraceful to argue in front of two envoys!"
The reprimand came from the burly man serving Master Yuan—Ao Peng, the Second Guardian.
Hearing this, Yagura shifted his gaze away from Sakumo Hatake and glanced, almost absentmindedly, at the young attendant standing beside him. In that fleeting moment, Yagura found himself captivated by the boy's blood-red eyes.
In a split second, time seemed to freeze, and space appeared to warp. Yagura felt as though he were plummeting into an abyss, suddenly finding himself in a pitch-black room devoid of light or sound.
"This is genjutsu!"
Yagura immediately realized the situation. The boy had cast a genjutsu on him.
Had Jinghang been present, he would have exclaimed loudly, "Isn't this just a knockoff version of Tsukuyomi? No wonder Fugaku Uchiha's son turned out so incredible!"
"There's no need to be alarmed. This is indeed genjutsu. Given the many eyes and ears in Kirigakure, this is the safest way for us to converse."
Yagura turned sharply, only to see a pair of blood-red eyes glowing in the darkness. Regaining his composure, he replied, "Time here moves differently from the outside world, doesn't it?"
"Correct. One second outside equals a day in here. However, my abilities are limited; I can only maintain this for two seconds, and the range is confined to this small space."
"So, within this little black room, you can do whatever you want for two days?"
"In theory, yes. But only on a spiritual level. Of course, if your genjutsu skills surpass mine, that's a different story."
"I see. I never expected Konoha to produce someone like you."
The initial glance had lasted at least half a second, meaning they could converse for another half-day. There was no need to rush.
"My purpose here is merely to serve as a messenger between you, Sakumo Hatake, and Master Yuan. I've already spoken with Master Yuan."
"And what is his opinion?"
"His opinion is—yield."
"Yield?"
"Yes, yield the Mizukage position to Yomei."
Yagura fell silent. He was no novice to the ways of the world and understood that Master Yuan must have his reasons for such a decision.
"Master Yuan intends to show weakness?"
"Exactly."
The blood-red eyes bobbed slightly, as if nodding.
"Master Yuan believes that Yomei's faction is currently too powerful. Any direct confrontation would result in certain defeat. By showing weakness and yielding the Mizukage position, Yomei would lower his guard, giving us a chance to strike."
"Sigh, it won't be that simple. Setting aside his subordinates, Yomei's personal strength is unmatched in Kirigakure. Neither I nor my men are his equals."
"What if you had Sakumo Hatake on your side?"
"Even then, it might not be enough."
"And if the Third Mizukage were to join us?"
"Hmm. I understand. You believe you can break the genjutsu afflicting the Mizukage. But after being in a coma for over a year, his physical condition has likely deteriorated significantly. It would be difficult for him to return to his prime."
"You're not worried about Yomei; you're worried about the Six-Tails."
Fugaku's words were spot-on.
"Indeed. Years ago, I sparred with him. Without using the Six-Tails' power, we were evenly matched. But once he entered his tailed-beast state, I was completely outclassed."
"Last night, we communicated with Sunagakure. They seem to have a method for dealing with jinchūriki."
"Oh? What method? Sealing techniques?"
"I'm not sure. They didn't disclose specifics, likely due to the sensitive nature of the information. However, judging by their strength and demeanor, they don't seem to be bluffing."
"If the Six-Tails can be restrained, then this battle becomes winnable."
"I'll follow up with Sunagakure later. For now, there are two things we need to do."
"What are they?"
"First, I need to meet the Mizukage and attempt to break the genjutsu."
"That can be arranged immediately."
"And second, once you leave this room, you'll need to..."
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