"No, apart from the absolutely trusted Elders, do not tell anyone else."
"Genji, this is a life-and-death crisis for our Hidden Mist Village."
"I've already reached this point, now it's up to you."
"You must ensure that our Hidden Mist Village gets through this difficult time."
Genji opened his mouth, wanting to say something. However, after thinking carefully, he realized that in this situation, the Third Mizukage's decision was the most rational.
This is very unfair to Yagura. But it is the best choice for the Hidden Mist Village.
For the sake of the village, Yagura must be sacrificed. For the current Hidden Mist Village, stability is more important than anything else. Not a bit of risk can be taken.
"Alright, Mizukage-sama, I will proceed with the arrangements."
"I won't tell anyone that your soul is still here, Mizukage-sama."
"Instead, I'll handle the following matters as if you, Mizukage-sama, have disappeared."
"The information about the four Konoha Ninjas and the Genjutsu you were under, Mizukage-sama, I will pretend not to know."
Genji left. The Third Mizukage also fell into a deep sleep. The phantom disappeared, and the soul entered the Skeleton Emperor. Soma left the empty forging room.
"Soma."
Outside, only Ao remained. The two Ninjas that Genji had brought along had already left with him. Soma glanced at the semi-transparent screen in front of him. The number in the reputation column had risen to over 1500. Clearly, more people had learned about the Skeleton Emperor's abilities during this time. It could have been White Zetsu or members of the Akatsuki Organization.
"Speaking of which, I wonder how many members the Akatsuki Organization has now."
Before those most famous members, the Akatsuki Organization actually had other members. They were just slowly phased out.
"I didn't expect Obito to be so eager for revenge on behalf of Rin."
"In an instant, the entire situation in the Hidden Mist Village changed."
"Even the entire ninja world."
"Due to the appearance of the Skeleton Emperor, the situation in the Hidden Mist Village will be very different from the original storyline."
"The Third Mizukage is dead, yet still alive."
"But the Third Mizukage has completely misjudged the situation with Obito."
"All the blame has been placed on Konoha."
"However, with the plan set by the Third Mizukage, the situation in the Hidden Mist Village shouldn't be worse than in the original storyline."
"If I reveal the real information now, no one will believe it."
"I just don't know how this change in situation will affect my reputation collection."
Soma was somewhat worried.
"If I had enough strength, I wouldn't need to worry so much."
The successive victories of the Hidden Mist Village have raised its overall morale.
Facing Konoha and the Hidden Sand Village, it seems to have gained the upper hand.
For a while, everyone in the Hidden Mist Village became somewhat complacent and careless. Soma knew that there would be extremely strong enemies in the future, both for the Hidden Mist Village and the entire ninja world, enemies that could threaten his life. But he also relaxed a bit because of these recent victories. Now, Obito's sudden revenge made Soma feel a sense of urgency.
"The Third Mizukage and Genji have pushed everything onto Konoha."
"What Madara did, what Obito did, it's all the same."
"So they made such a plan for the future of the Hidden Mist Village."
"But I know the truth. Konoha isn't really something to worry about."
"What I need to worry about is the danger of Obito targeting me."
"Next, Obito will definitely come back to the Hidden Mist Village."
"Apart from controlling the future Fourth Mizukage, Obito hates the entire Hidden Mist Village, so he will definitely target me, the Blacksmith of the Hidden Mist Village."
"After all, I can make the Hidden Mist Village stronger. However, he probably won't use the same approach as he did with the Third Mizukage."
"My location on Forging Island is not at the village's edge. The surrounding defenses are very tight."
"And Ao-senpai is also on Forging Island. The presence of the Byakugan is something Obito is definitely aware of, so he won't come easily."
"He won't even dare to let the controlled Fourth Mizukage come easily. Most likely, he'll use indirect methods to deal with me."
Soma's eyes flashed.
"As long as Obito, Nagato, and Konan don't all come to Forging Island to attack me simultaneously, I don't need to be too concerned about other means."
"The chances of something threatening my life are low; it will mostly just cause trouble for me."
"As long as Obito remains rational, he won't bring Nagato to directly assault the Hidden Mist Village."
"If the Tailed Beast Collection Plan is exposed too early and Nagato's abilities are revealed, it will be much harder for Obito to complete the Eye of the Moon Plan."
"Additionally, Mizukage-sama's final strike after his death will surely make Obito wary. I should have time to improve my strength."
Regarding strength, Soma is very clear about what he lacks. Abilities, techniques, Ninjutsu... Soma does not lack these.
The only thing missing is basic attributes. The Lottery can provide random attribute points.
These random attribute points can enhance Soma's basic attributes.
Previously, the key factor that allowed Soma to quickly rise from Chunin to the level of Special Jonin was the basic attribute points obtained from the Lottery.
After being promoted to Special Jonin, Soma has already done two ten-draws and one twenty-draw in the Lottery.
He has gained more than thirty random attribute points.
"In fact, Taijutsu training, Ninjutsu training, and even forging can all enhance my basic attributes. With the help of random attribute points, I am not far from reaching Jonin level."
"If my judgment is correct, another forty or so random attribute points should be enough to raise my basic attributes to the Jonin level."
"At that time, my overall strength won't be considered weak."
"Overall strength: Jonin."
"Combined with Pioggia, I'll be even stronger than an ordinary Jonin."
"Diving into the water, not even Obito could do anything to me."
"After all, a significant part of Obito's strength lies in his intelligence."
"Without the advantage of intelligence, Obito's strength would be greatly diminished."
"And I know the specifics of Obito's abilities."
Soma organized his thoughts.
His gaze fell once again on the semi-transparent panel in front of him.
"Reputation has already reached 1600, not far from 2000."
"I hope next time I can draw a better ninja tool blueprint."
"If I can eliminate this interference with my reputation collection, it would be even better."
...
Land of Fire.
Battlefield.
Hidden Mist Ninja camp.
A small team of Ninjas quickly entered the tent.
"Yagura-sama."
"What is it?"
Despite his age, Yagura still maintained a small stature, looking like a teenager. Even when he tried to be imposing, he didn't have much deterrent power. However, the Ninjas of Hidden Mist Village knew Yagura's strength, methods, and character, so they were very mindful of their attitude when facing him.
People who lack something tend to be more sensitive about it. For instance, Yagura, because he didn't look big enough, hated being underestimated and treated like a child.
"Yagura-sama, something major has happened in the village. Mizukage-sama has disappeared."
Yagura's expression changed suddenly.
"What do you mean?"
"We don't know exactly. It seems that an intruder appeared in the village. After Mizukage-sama ordered the ANBU Ninjas to impose a lockdown, he went missing. It's very likely that something has happened to him."
"Don't talk nonsense!"
"Yagura-sama, it's true. I am here under Genji's orders. Mizukage-sama is missing. The village's Ninjas have been searching for a long time but have not found any trace of Mizukage-sama."
The Ninja below said, "Therefore, Genji-sama sent me to the battlefield."
"He wants you, Yagura-sama to issue orders to stabilize the battlefield situation and retreat to a safe area. Yagura-sama, you need to return to the village as quickly as possible. The village needs you."
"Hidden Mist Village cannot go a day without a leader."
"After Mizukage-sama's disappearance, only you, Yagura-sama, are qualified to succeed as the Mizukage."
Yagura frowned deeply.
Hearing the Ninja's words, Yagura knew it couldn't be false.
The Third Mizukage had indeed gone missing.
Yagura's feelings became complicated.
On the one hand, with the Third Mizukage missing at this critical time, Yagura knew that no one but himself could succeed as Mizukage.
The former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were not an option.
Even the current Biwa Juzo and others were still not enough.
Genji, being too old, would not make much sense to succeed as Mizukage.
Yagura eagerly desires the position of Mizukage, not just for himself but also for the village.
Yagura does not fully agree with Third Mizukage's policies, including but not limited to the Bloody Mist.
Even before officially succeeding as Mizukage, Yagura has been contemplating in his mind what reforms he would implement for the village and how the village would change under his leadership.
However, Third Mizukage's sudden disappearance was too abrupt and unexpected.
He disappeared suddenly without any signs, much like the Third Kazekage of Hidden Sand Village.
"It's too difficult to make a village's Kage vanish like this in a major ninja village."
"Who could accomplish such a thing?"
But Obito, Nagato, and Konan are not ordinary individuals.
In the original storyline, Nagato nearly single-handedly brought down the entire Konoha.
Obito orchestrated the Nine-Tails incident, leading to the deaths of Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze, and bringing about Naruto Uzumaki's tragic fate.
As long as Third Mizukage lets his guard down even slightly, the probability of being killed by Obito and his companions is quite high.
In the original storyline, Obito, accompanied by Nagato and Konan, came to Hidden Mist Village and used methods to lure Yagura to the outskirts, directly gaining control over him.
Yagura was deeply concerned about the village's situation.
"I understand," Yagura said quickly.
Soon after, Yagura made arrangements for the frontline. Before long, Fuguki and Raiga both arrived before Yagura.
"Fuguki, Raiga," Yagura addressed them.
Yagura explained the disappearance of Third Mizukage.
"What?" Both of them were astonished.
But compared to Fuguki's concern, Raiga's reaction was less apparent.
Despite losing Samehada, Fuguki remained loyal to Third Mizukage.
However, Raiga's attitude toward Third Mizukage had already changed.
"Fuguki, I'll leave the frontline to you after I depart. You can appropriately retract the battle lines, but don't retreat too obviously, or Konoha will surely suspect that something is wrong with us."
"After returning to the village and stabilizing the situation, I will give you new orders."
Fuguki nodded. "Yes, Yagura sama."
Fuguki then looked at Raiga. "Raiga, the Land of Fire front line will rely on you and me."
"You can count on me, Yagura sama."
On the other side, a team of ninjas also approached Juzo.
Two battlefronts: Yagura leading the Konoha side, and Juzo leading the Hidden Sand Village side.
"What?" Juzo was shocked upon hearing the news. Besides worrying about Third Mizukage, he was also concerned about Soma's situation.
"Is there anything wrong with Forging Island?"
"No."
Juzo breathed a sigh of relief.
"What are Genji-sama's orders?"
"To tactically withdraw, stabilize the situation, and avoid arousing suspicion from Hidden Sand Village."
"Understood."
The entire Hidden Mist Village immediately entered a state of tension.
But it's better than Hidden Sand Village.
After the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, Hidden Sand Village fell into chaos directly. It took a long time to stabilize the situation, and only recently did Rasa succeed to the position of Kazekage.
In contrast, Hidden Mist Village's handling of the situation was much more reasonable. Initially, Genji, a senior elder with real power, stepped in to stabilize the village. Immediately after, Yagura was called back to assume the position of Mizukage.
On the battlefield, Fuguki, Raiga, and Juzo were tasked with stabilizing the situation.
Once Yagura returned to Hidden Mist Village and formally assumes the role of Mizukage, overall, the village's strength hasn't declined much. It lost a Kage ninja, but it still has other resources.
Much of this situation has been influenced by the emergence of Soma. Of course, this is how it appears to many who are unaware of the true facts.
Third Mizukage and Genji are concerned and wary of Konoha as the Third Mizukage speculated.
Soma, on the other hand, is concerned about members of the Akatsuki Organization like Obito.
The patrol frequency of the Guard Team on Forging Island has increased.
Ao has increased his workload. At regular intervals, he observes the entire Forging Island with his Byakugan.
Fearful of any invaders sneaking in.
Daida hasn't fully recovered, but he has returned early from the Medical Department to the Forging Department.
A figure arrived at Forging Island.
"Chief Uehara."
"Genji Senpai."
Soma, accompanied by Genji, went towards the depths of Forging Island.
They haven't reached the deepest part, but compared to the previously vacant forging rooms, it is much more secretive and the temperature was high.
---
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