"The disappearance of Third Mizukage is a good thing for our Hozuki Clan."
"This guy keeps promoting the concepts of Zanpakuto and Shinigami Squad, all to suppress our Hozuki Clan. I wonder how many resources he secretly sent to Soma."
"That's why Soma is able to create those Ninjato."
"Now that Third Mizukage has disappeared and Soma lacks resources, he certainly won't be able to produce as many Ninjato."
"He won't be able to continue targeting us."
"We can proceed according to our own plans."
Upon hearing this discussion, a member of the Hozuki Clan hesitated for a moment.
"But will Third Mizukage's death cause turmoil in the village? Will Konoha and Hidden Sand Village seize this opportunity to launch a strong attack on our Hidden Mist Village?"
"Don't worry, Yagura has returned. With Yagura's abilities, he is capable enough to succeed the position of Mizukage."
"Indeed, with Yagura taking over as Mizukage, the situation in Hidden Mist Village can stabilize."
"Moreover, the relationship between the Karatachi Clan and our Hozuki Clan is fairly good. Yagura taking on the role of Mizukage is a better thing for us Hozuki Clan than Third Mizukage."
A young man spoke loudly, "We need to tell Yagura the true identity of that Blacksmith."
"Selfish and narrow-minded, making Ninjato without considering the village's situation but deliberately targeting our Hozuki Clan, not considering the village at all."
"Yes, we must expose his true identity. Such a person doesn't deserve to receive so many resources."
"We are the future of the village."
The multitude of discussions made Hozuki Kazuhiko feel a headache.
"Stop!"
Everyone quieted down and looked at Hozuki Kazuhiko.
"Clan Head."
Hozuki Kazuhiko looked around and said, "The disappearance of Third Mizukage is a fact. There's no need for us to discuss it further."
"Third Mizukage hasn't been favorable to our Hozuki Clan. However, discussing him in his absence will only bring us a bad reputation."
"It's fine to discuss privately, but don't say it in front of outsiders."
"Yagura's succession to the Mizukage position has already been confirmed."
"In that case, we can proceed better with our original plans."
"We can inform Hozuki Izumo to return."
"No need to waste time."
"Next, our Hozuki Clan will fully engage in special training."
"As the leader changes, so do the followers. With Third Mizukage missing, Yagura is about to take over. Some feel sorrowful, while others are excited beyond measure."
"Both Third Mizukage and Yagura have their own factions."
"In addition to the Hozuki Clan, the Hoshigaki Clan is also pleased with Yagura's upcoming appointment."
"This is because the marriage between Hoshigaki Kisame and the daughter of the Karatachi Clan has already been confirmed."
...
"Depart!"
Soma silently recited a sentence in his heart, then left the Dungeon Instance and returned to Forging Island.
The moment he arrived, Soma closed his eyes and silently sensed the energy within his body.
"Sure enough, it's gone."
Soma revealed a somewhat disappointed expression.
In Peach Hermit's Dungeon Instance, Soma learned Peach Hermit's Senjutsu and gained divine power. However, after returning to Forging Island, he found that the divine power within his body had disappeared.
"But this is normal."
"If it were so easy, I could bring the power systems of other worlds into this world."
"Then, there would be no need for so much forging."
"Just stay in a suitable instance and don't leave."
"This system shouldn't be called the Blacksmith System, but rather the Dimensional Connection System."
"But..."
Soma wasn't completely disappointed either.
Because after learning Peach Hermit's Senjutsu, Soma discovered that the energy absorbed by Peach Hermit's Senjutsu was quite similar to the natural energy he felt deepest within Forging Island.
In other words, using Peach Hermit's Senjutsu method might also be applicable to harnessing natural energy.
"Now, let's give it a try."
Soma gathered the materials from Peach Hermit Garden Box and proceeded to the deepest part of Forging Island.
A wave of heat rushed over him.
Soma stopped on the platform, closed his eyes, and focused intently.
"Indeed, it's quite similar."
"There are subtle differences."
"But, just like Water Release Chakra and Fire Release Chakra."
"Different attributes, but both are Chakra."
"Peach Hermit's Senjutsu also absorbs natural energy."
Soma attempted to use the Senjutsu he learned from Peach Hermit to absorb the surrounding natural energy, but instead of directly absorbing into his body, he controlled it on the surface.
A sensation of burning heat arose.
Soma felt his skin searing.
"Hiss!"
"It seems I can't absorb it directly using Peach Hermit's Senjutsu method."
"I must make certain modifications."
If it were Soma from a year ago, he would have considered this extremely dangerous and impossible to accomplish. But now, Soma has already attempted similar tasks many times. With just the name "Chakra Smelting Technique," he can rely on his own Forging Technique, the enhancements obtained from God's Hand by binding with Forging Island, and he explores mastering it.
There's also the Breathing Forging Method. Soma developed it based on his imitation of the Breathing Technique from Demon Slayer techniques and observations of water states in the natural world, with only the name "Breathing Forging Method" to go on.
Senjutsu poses much greater risks. The difficulty may also be greater. However, Soma has more conditions in his favor.
"The natural energy here is quite rich."
"Now that I've learned Peach Hermit's Senjutsu, I can use it as a reference."
"By slowly experimenting, there's definitely a possibility of learning it."
"Furthermore, I am currently unable to absorb these natural energies, but it might be possible to apply them to the Earth Core Polishing Technique. If successful, I can compensate for the deficiencies in my Forging Technique."
"To elevate my Forging Technique to an excellent level."
Soma returned to his forging room.
"However, before researching and developing the Earth Core Polishing Technique, I need to first create the Peach Hermit Garden Box."
"It's late today; I'll rest for the night and study it tomorrow."
But just as Soma returned to his room to rest,
A figure hurriedly approached.
"Soma."
"Ao-senpai?"
"Elder Genji is here."
"Elder Genji? Alright."
Soma closed the door and went out.
This time, Genji came alone.
After multiple interactions, Genji had no reservations about Forging Island anymore.
Moreover, the news that the soul of Third Mizukage is still alive cannot be known by anyone other than Third Mizukage, Genji, and Soma. It must be kept absolutely confidential.
Therefore, when coming to Forging Island, Genji also wanted as few people as possible to know about it.
Soma and Genji arrived in front of the Skeleton Emperor.
Ao was guarding outside.
The shadow of Third Mizukage appeared.
"Mizukage-sama."
"Genji, is there something important?"
"Mizukage-sama, tomorrow, Yagura will officially succeed to the position of Mizukage."
"Has he grasped everything he needs to? Does he understand everything he should?"
"Mostly."
Third Mizukage nodded.
"It seems that Yagura indeed has the ability to succeed as Mizukage."
"When Yagura assumes the position of Mizukage, announce the news of my disappearance. With a Mizukage in place, Hidden Mist Village will remain stable. Our only concern should be the actions Konoha might take against us."
"We don't know when Konoha will strike against Hidden Mist Village again."
"Soma, have Ao keep a close watch on Mizukage's Building and Yagura's situation at all times. We must be in control of the situation at the first sign of action from Konoha and respond accordingly."
Soma nodded.
"Mizukage-sama, rest assured, I have already spoken to Ao-senpai about this."
"Konoha must have a big conspiracy," said Third Mizukage with a serious expression. "Unfortunately, we don't have much intelligence or evidence. Otherwise, we could unite with other ninja villages."
"Whatever we say now, other ninja villages won't believe us."
"Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe Konoha could hide so deeply."
Third Mizukage mistakenly believed that Uchiha Obito and his group were conspiring with Konoha, which made him extremely wary of Konoha. However, Third Mizukage was unaware that Uchiha Obito also harbored deep fear of him.
The next day, a grand ceremony for the succession of the Mizukage was held in the central square. Yagura stood at a high place.
Soma also arrived.
As one of the Elders of the Hidden Mist Village, Soma naturally had to be present.
Ao, Genji, Kaguya Masui, Hozuki Kazuhiko...
Except for the ninjas who couldn't return from the battlefield.
"From today onwards, I am the Fourth Mizukage!" Yagura announced.
Yagura was dressed in a green outfit with a blue Mizukage hat on his head. His face looked young but determined.
Soma glanced around. Most of the Hidden Mist Village residents were bewildered by Yagura's sudden succession as Mizukage. It was too abrupt, with no prior brewing process. How did Yagura suddenly become the new Mizukage? What about the previous Third Mizukage?
However, there wasn't much opposition to Yagura's succession as Mizukage. His qualifications, strength, and accomplishments were already sufficient.
Under normal circumstances, the Third Mizukage would have retired in a few more years, and Yagura would naturally succeed as the Fourth Mizukage.
"Ao-senpai, have you noticed anything unusual?"
Soma looked over at Ao.
Ao shook his head. "No abnormalities."
After the Mizukage succession ceremony concluded, Yagura officially assumed the position of Mizukage. He took over all responsibilities previously held by Third Mizukage, ensuring that the operation of the Hidden Mist Village was unaffected.
It wasn't until this moment that the people of Hidden Mist Village learned about Third Mizukage's disappearance.
"Third Mizukage disappeared?"
"How did it happen?"
"Is it similar to what happened to Third Kazekage?"
"Which ninja village did it?"
"Konoha? Hidden Cloud Village? Or Hidden Rock Village?"
A disappearance in the ninja world typically implied death, as it was unlikely for someone to vanish without a trace. However, without finding a body or identifying the perpetrator, they referred to it as a disappearance.
In the realm of ninjas, a missing ninja was almost always presumed dead. However, who could have done it?
Killing a Mizukage within the confines of the Hidden Mist Village was unimaginable.
If we must mention it, only a few Ninja villages of the same level as the Great Ninja Villages can achieve this.
"We are currently only at war with Konoha and Hidden Sand Village."
"Most likely, it was done by Konoha."
"Hidden Sand Village doesn't have the strength for this!"
Upon hearing such remarks, Hidden Sand Village was initially a bit pleased because the Hidden Mist Village people did not suspect them. But after hearing the latter part of the sentence, they became furious and started cursing at Hidden Mist Village.
This was completely looking down on them.
"We Hidden Sand Village don't have this strength?"
"You're underestimating us Hidden Sand Village too much."
"Our Puppet masters can assassinate anyone easily."
Rasa frowned.
"First, it was our Hidden Sand Village's Third Kazekage, and now it's Hidden Mist Village's Third Mizukage."
"Both disappeared suddenly without a trace."
"Perhaps it is possible that the culprit is the same person."
"What is their goal?"
Rasa cast a suspicious glance towards the Land of Fire. Rasa was unclear about Konoha's purpose in targeting Hidden Sand Village. However, right now, it seems most likely that Konoha is targeting Hidden Mist Village.
With the emergence of Zanpakuto and the Shinigami Squad, Hidden Mist Village's advantage over Konoha has gradually been established, with several consecutive victories clearly demonstrating this situation. In this context, for Konoha to solve the problem by assassinating the Third Mizukage is indeed a good choice.
"So, was the Third Kazekage also assassinated by Konoha?"
Not just Hidden Mist Village and Hidden Sand Village, even Konoha's people thought Konoha had assassinated the Third Mizukage. Danzo's eyes flickered.
"No wonder the Hidden Mist Ninja retreated and pulled back the front line recently. It turns out Yagura left to return to Hidden Mist Village to succeed as Mizukage."
"The Third Mizukage disappeared, most likely dead. Could it be Orochimaru's doing?"
Danzo thought of a possibility. After all, Orochimaru had suffered a major defeat when facing Fuguki and others before. Even Manda had lost a segment of its tail. This was a great humiliation for Orochimaru.
It was highly likely that Orochimaru would seek revenge. Additionally, this would indeed benefit Konoha.
Not only did Danzo speculate this, but Hiruzen also suspected Orochimaru. Just as Orochimaru had recently mentioned leaving the village to find Kaguya Neko, news of Third Mizukage's disappearance reached Konoha.
The movements of Konoha's top ninjas Minato and Jiraiya were clear on the battlefield. Hiruzen was in Konoha himself, while Tsunade lingered in the gambling dens. Orochimaru was the only one whose whereabouts were uncertain.
If Orochimaru hadn't returned yet, Hiruzen would have to make a statement: Third Mizukage's disappearance was Konoha's responsibility!
If Orochimaru was indeed behind Third Mizukage's disappearance, it would greatly boost Konoha's prestige.
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