Chapter 62 - Chapter 62: It Depends on the Specific Situation, But I Think It's Konoha

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"Why are you so happy?"

"I got my Konoha Green Card."

"And why are you happy?"

"I got the visa officer's approval."

"What about you?"

"Uh, I'm the visa officer."

…

…

After three consecutive days, the visa issuance process was nearing its end.

The number of refugees fleeing from the Land of Water's coastline was dwindling, a sign that astute individuals recognized as an indication that the internal conflict within Kirigakure and the Land of Water was likely drawing to a close.

Those refugees who hadn't received their Konoha Green Cards were starting to feel anxious.

Who had ultimately emerged victorious in this sudden rebellion? The Bloody Mist faction, represented by the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura? Or the rebel forces, led by an unknown figure?

If the Bloody Mist faction had prevailed, it was uncertain whether they would pursue and eliminate the refugees who had escaped the Land of Water and Kirigakure.

Currently, Kirigakure was shrouded in a literal fog, its internal situation impenetrable to any outside forces.

At the Konoha outpost, the ninjas, having mostly completed their tasks, began gathering in small groups to share their opinions on the matter.

For male ninja, conversations inevitably revolved around three topics: women, politics, and military affairs.

Asuma: "It's best if the Bloody Mist faction didn't win. Otherwise, they might launch a fierce retaliation against Konoha… War is truly a hardship."

Might Guy: "It doesn't matter! War is the springtime of youth for the Azure Beast! Ohhhhh!" 

Shikaku Nara:

"It's hard to say. I'd wager that the Bloody Mist faction is more likely to have quelled the rebellion."

"The Fourth Mizukage, the tailed beast, and Kirigakure's elders are all on the Bloody Mist side. It's unlikely that any internal force could overthrow them."

"And haven't you noticed? After all these days, neither we nor Kumogakure have encountered a single refugee from a Kekkei Genkai clan. This indicates that Kirigakure's control over the Kekkei Genkai clans remains intact, and their grip on the village is still strong."

Asuma nodded thoughtfully after hearing Shikaku's analysis. "As expected of Nara-senpai. Your insights have clarified the situation considerably."

Their conversation paused as Gojo Kaigetsu approached. Asuma and Guy rose to their feet, bowing respectfully, while Shikaku nodded in greeting.

"Gojo-sama."

"Yes, you've worked hard~"

Gojo Kaigetsu, with his hands clasped behind his back, appeared to be in high spirits. He casually inquired, "Nara-senpai, how do you assess the completion of the 'Kirigakure Freedom Operation' mission?"

"Hmm… It's been executed flawlessly, nothing to criticize." Shikaku responded sincerely.

Within the village, he was positioned as a staunch supporter of Konoha, representing the various smaller ninja clans aside from the Uchiha and Hyuga.

Regardless of who held the Hokage position, he would dedicate himself to assisting them. He also received orders from the Hokage Advisor. His presence at the Land of Hot Water outpost was at the behest of Homura Mitokado.

Simply put… he was there to find fault.

With an impartial mindset, Shikaku had observed for three days but failed to find any issues. Instead, he found himself impressed by the ingenuity of his junior, Gojo Kaigetsu.

He could nitpick, but looking at the storage scroll overflowing with cash extracted from the Land of Water refugees, any criticism seemed unwarranted.

Apart from the cash, they had also acquired a large number of inexpensive yet skilled laborers and civilian ninja. The optimal utilization of these "production tools" would be discussed at length after returning to the village.

Oh, there had been an envoy from the Land of Hot Water who came to protest. However, protests… without the corresponding military strength to back them up, were utterly meaningless.

Advisor Gojo had once said: "Truth only exists within the blast radius of an explosive tag."

Every time Shikaku recalled those words, he found them to be incredibly profound.

In the past, under the Third Hokage's rule, Konoha might have taken the opinions of these smaller nations and villages into consideration. But now, they only needed to cast aside "etiquette," "protocol," and "decorum" and stand tall with pride.

Gojo Kaigetsu said with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Nara-senpai, your clan specializes in raising nin-deer, correct?"

"Indeed, Gojo-sama. Is something the matter?" Shikaku had a bad feeling. It was common knowledge that when Advisor Gojo inquired about matters unrelated to work, it meant you were being targeted.

"How about we make a bet? I hold a different opinion regarding your earlier statement about the Bloody Mist faction's victory."

"The wager will be ten pairs of top-grade nin-deer antlers. If I lose, I'll use my authority to exempt the Nara clan from taxes. What do you say?"

Could he really say such things so casually?

Shikaku felt speechless. He restrained himself and replied, "Let's not do that. If Gojo-sama wins, I'll gift you ten pairs of top-grade antlers in the name of our clan. If you lose, consider it a favor owed to the Nara clan."

"Alright, deal!"

Nara clan's top-grade antlers offered numerous benefits, especially for kunoichi, for reasons best left unsaid. 

Even ordinary antlers produced by the Nara clan fetched over a million ryō on the Konoha market and were often unavailable due to high demand. They were considered rare treasures.

The prospect of obtaining ten pairs of top-grade antlers as a bonus filled him with a slight sense of glee.

"I'm curious to hear your insights, Gojo-sama." Shikaku said with a hint of curiosity.

He wasn't bragging, but in Konoha, he might be an average Jonin in terms of ninjutsu, but when it came to intelligence, he was second to none.

With Kirigakure currently in a state of complete isolation, his conclusion was based on the best possible deduction from the available intel.

Namely-

[The Bloody Mist faction, led by the Fourth Mizukage Yagura, has suppressed the rebellion and retains full control over Kirigakure. Soon, news of renowned Kirigakure ninja defecting and becoming missing-nin will surface.]

"Ahem, I believe… the Bloody Mist regime has been overthrown." Gojo Kaigetsu declared confidently.

"That's impossible." Shikaku immediately dismissed Gojo Kaigetsu's conjecture.

He paused, as if contemplating how to subtly enlighten Gojo Kaigetsu. "I must admit, Gojo-sama, your experience in internal affairs is extensive, but in the realm of military matters, you still have much to learn."

"The Bloody Mist faction, led by Yagura, commands over half of Kirigakure's military might. Excluding those who defected, remained neutral, or were on the fence, the rebel forces are extremely limited."

"Of course, I'm aware of that."

"Then why…"

Gojo Kaigetsu smiled without elaborating. Shikaku was indeed intelligent. If not for him, Gojo Kaigetsu, this rebellion would have been brutally suppressed without causing a ripple.

However, because of his presence, like a butterfly flapping its wings, the timeline had undergone a subtle yet significant shift.

The still-unknown truth within Kirigakure was as follows:

[Through the 'Kirigakure Freedom Operation,' you've plundered a large amount of wealth from Kirigakure and the Land of Water… Prosperity +66]

[Danzo Shimura, leading Root, has retrieved the Kekkei Genkai ninja Kimimaro and Haku from Kirigakure. Prosperity +100]

[The Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, has taken control of Kirigakure and quelled the rebellion, formulating policies towards Konoha. Prosperity +33]

'You sly dog, Danzo! As expected of the Darkness of the Shinobi World!'

Gojo Kaigetsu felt genuine admiration upon receiving the intel.

That old fox, Danzo. Minato had merely mentioned it casually, and he actually led Root ninjas into Kirigakure to abduct the Kekkei Genkai ninjas.

He truly was willing to sacrifice everything for Konoha.

Of course, it wouldn't do to let Danzo take them back to be trained as Root ninjas.

Kimimaro and Haku, who were currently around one or two years old, if nurtured properly, would become high-level assets for Konoha in the future. Gojo Kaigetsu had already made preparations to snatch them from Danzo's clutches.

As for the last prosperity log entry, why had it increased?

Before detailed intel reached Konoha, Gojo Kaigetsu could only offer a simple conjecture:

The relationship between elders, advisors, and the Kage was inherently adversarial.

When they shared the same views, governance would be smooth, and policies could be effectively implemented. However, when their opinions differed, they would hinder each other, significantly impeding the village's development.

Konoha had experienced such a situation in the past, but it paled in comparison to Kirigakure.

In Kirigakure, Mizukage came and went like flowing water, while the elders remained steadfast like iron. Three Mizukage had already been replaced, yet the elder, Mei Terumi, still stood strong. The Mizukage was the public face of Kirigakure's military might, while Mei Terumi was the true leader behind the scenes.

Under such a distorted system, the Kage's severe injury and coma wouldn't impact the village's operations as drastically as it would in other villages.

It might even consolidate Mei Terumi's power, allowing her to establish Kirigakure's foreign policies.

Under these circumstances, while they might not seek immediate revenge against Konoha or Kumogakure, it shouldn't result in an increase in Konoha's prosperity.

Gojo Kaigetsu could only assume that perhaps the truth about the Fourth Mizukage being manipulated by genjutsu had been exposed, leading to his death or severe injury, rendering him unable to govern Kirigakure.

The village's loss of a Kage-level powerhouse forced Mei Terumi to seek amicable relations with other villages, ending the Bloody Mist rule and halting the internal strife.

And the natural partner for such an alliance would be Konoha. As for Konoha exploiting Kirigakure and the Land of Water, and Danzo abducting the Kekkei Genkai ninjas…

A shrewd politician would choose to temporarily set aside genuine animosity and embrace a facade of peace!

But it didn't matter. Even if it was a facade, Gojo Kaigetsu would make it a reality!

"Nara-senpai, you have a thorough understanding of Kirigakure's military strength. However, I possess a deeper understanding of the mindset of their politicians. Let's wait and see!"

"It seems… Gojo-sama is quite confident in this wager." Shikaku couldn't help but chuckle and rub his forehead. "You firmly believe you'll win."

"Of course, I will."

"It's about time. Tonight, order the ninjas to pack up all the resources we can take. We'll return and settle the rewards for the 'Kirigakure Freedom Operation' mission."

"A mountain of troublesome tasks awaits us."

…

…

*Kirigakure*

The Elder Council Hall was shrouded in silence. The chair symbolizing the Mizukage remained empty, and many familiar faces were missing from the elders' seats, creating a sense of emptiness.

While the rebellion had been quelled, Kirigakure had suffered heavy losses.

Mei Terumi, leaning on her snake-shaped staff, sat at the head of the table and broke the silence. "Ao, report on the current situation in Kirigakure."

Thirty-year-old Ao's right eye had been replaced with a "trophy" obtained from a battle against the Hyuga clan during the Third Shinobi World War. Blood now trickled from beneath his eyepatch, indicating a significant injury.

"Yes, Mei-sama."

"The rebellion consisted of two main factions. The first was the 'Kekkei Genkai Rebellion,' led by the Kaguya clan and joined by other Kekkei Genkai clans. They have all been annihilated. However, during the conflict, an unidentified organization abducted one child each from the Kaguya and Ice Release clans."

"The other faction… consisted solely of the former elite Jonin, Kisame Hoshigaki. He launched a surprise attack, severely injuring the Fourth Mizukage, and has since defected, becoming a missing-nin."

"Furthermore, during the treatment process, I discovered that the Fourth Mizukage was under the influence of genjutsu, having been controlled for a prolonged period. I have now dispelled it with my Byakugan."

Upon hearing Ao's final report, Mei Terumi's grip on her staff tightened. She let out a cold snort. "A Kage being controlled for so long… This information must be kept strictly confidential, classified as a top-secret matter. It concerns Kirigakure's reputation and influence in the shinobi world."

"Who was controlling him?"

"Currently unknown."

"We must mobilize all resources to find the missing Kaguya and Ice Release children. We cannot allow Kirigakure's Kekkei Genkai to fall into outside hands. It would become a future threat to our village."

The council hall fell silent once more. After a long pause, someone spoke. "With our medical expertise in Kirigakure, can't we restore Yagura's consciousness?"

Ao remained silent, thinking to himself, 'Don't you know the level of medical care we have in Kirigakure? For incurable injuries, we usually just toss them into the sea for the sharks to heal.'

"Lord Yagura has been under the influence of genjutsu for a long time, leading to instability in his tailed beast chakra. Coupled with the severe injuries from the surprise attack…"

"Currently, we can only maintain his basic life functions with the Water Healing Technique. If we want to fully heal the Fourth Mizukage… I'm afraid only one person in the entire shinobi world can do it."

"Are you referring to… Tsunade?"

"Yes, Mei-sama."

"Where is Tsunade currently?"

"The latest intel indicates that she left Konohagakure and is wandering within the Land of Fire. If we want to contact her to treat the Fourth Mizukage… we'll have to reach out to Konoha officials."

"With our current strength, it's difficult to extend our intelligence network to other nations."

Mei Terumi narrowed her eyes, remaining silent.

At this moment, she must have truly regretted her past actions. If she hadn't tacitly approved of the Bloody Mist policies of the Second and Fourth Mizukage, leading to the deaths or defections of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and the annihilation of Kekkei Genkai clans, Kirigakure wouldn't be so weakened.

Seeing Mei Terumi's silence, Ao continued his report. "Furthermore, while our internal conflict was raging, Konoha and Kumogakure established outposts in the Land of Hot Water, taking advantage of the chaos to absorb resources and wealth that rightfully belonged to the Land of Water and Kirigakure."

"How should we respond to this?"

For a village to be exploited by external forces during internal strife was an undeniable humiliation. If they didn't react, they would undoubtedly be looked down upon by all the villages in the shinobi world.

In extreme cases, they might even be excluded from the "Five Great Shinobi Villages" in public opinion, becoming the "Four Great Shinobi Villages."

Typically, when faced with such a situation, villages would adopt different policies based on their strength.

For instance, they could issue a statement claiming that, upon investigation, the internal conflict was instigated by external forces. Kirigakure could easily shift the blame for the rebellion onto Kumogakure and Konoha, who were taking advantage of the situation. They could even use this as an opportunity to launch an attack and extract benefits from Konoha and Kumogakure.

However, the current Kirigakure lacked a Kage with a tailed beast sealed within them, as well as an elite Jonin like Kisame, whose strength rivaled that of a Kage.

Could they do such a thing? Would they dare?

Kumogakure had the formidable A-B Combo, consisting of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and the Fourth Raikage, along with the hidden Two-Tails Jinchuriki.

As for Konoha, it went without saying that they were beyond Kirigakure's reach at this stage. Unless… they were prepared to abandon their authority and risk the village's destruction by launching a desperate retaliatory attack.

But Kirigakure losing face was their own problem; the seat of power, however, was a tangible asset.

"Konoha… and Kumogakure, have they issued any official statements?" Mei Terumi closed her eyes in anguish, forced to accept this humiliating situation.

"Not yet, but it should be within the next day or two. With such a commotion, the other villages must have noticed." Ao said with a wry smile.

They seemed to be caught in a dilemma.

Issuing a strong statement would lead to a battle they couldn't win.

However, not issuing a statement would trigger a chain reaction of negative consequences that Kirigakure couldn't afford. For instance, they might see a decrease in commissioned missions from clients, reduced investments from merchants, and dwindling funds, potentially leading to an inability to even procure essential war supplies.

Sunagakure was also impoverished, but they could still rely on their past "gold dust" reserves. Without external resources, Kirigakure would truly have nothing left.

Mei Terumi tapped her staff rhythmically, sighing. "At this point, we can only choose one village to ally with and condemn the other."

"Ao, in your opinion, between Konoha and Kumogakure, which village should we side with?"

Ao immediately understood.

This was undoubtedly a compromise, a way to avoid exposing Kirigakure's weakened state while not antagonizing both sides.

"In this situation, we should ally with the strongest village."

Once the topic was raised, the remaining elders engaged in a heated discussion.

"Hmm, Konoha, I think."

"It depends on the specific situation, but I believe it's Konoha."

"It should be Konoha, right? If we don't factor in Jinchuriki and the Sannin, the answer might be different."

"Let's choose a village other than Kirigakure and Kumogakure."

"Then… we should definitely ally with Konoha and issue a strong statement against Kumogakure!"

A sudden realization dawned on Mei Terumi, broadening her perspective. "Allying with Konoha has another advantage. We can commission them to find Tsunade and treat the Fourth Mizukage."

"Expedite this matter."

"This alliance is only temporary. When Kirigakure rises to greatness once more, we will settle the score with Konoha!"

Mei Terumi slammed her staff, defining the nature of the "Kirigakure Freedom Operation." 

...

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