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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 secutive days, the visa issuance process was nearing its end.

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

  Thees 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 fa, represented by the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura? Or the rebel forces, led by an unknown figure?

  If the Bloody Mist fa had prevailed, it was uaiher they would pursue and elimihe refugees who had escaped the Land of Water and Kirigakure.

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

  At the Konoha outpost, the ninjas, having mostly pleted their tasks, began gathering in small groups to share their opinions oter.

  For male ninja, versations iably revolved around three topics: women, politics, and military affairs.

  Asuma: “It’s best if the Bloody Mist fa didn’t win. Otherwise, they might unch 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 fa 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 uhat any internal force could overthrow them.”

  “And haven’t you noticed? After all these days, her we nor Kumogakure have entered a single refugee from a Kekkei Genkai . This indicates that Kirigakure’s trol over the Kekkei Genkai s remains intact, and their grip on the vilge is still strong.”

  Asuma houghtfully after hearing Shikaku’s analysis. “As expected of Nara-senpai. Your insights have crified the situation siderably.”

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

  “Gojo-sama.”

  “Yes, you’ve worked hard~”

  Gojo Kaigetsu, with his hands csped behind his back, appeared to be in high spirits. He casually inquired, “Nara-senpai, how do you assess the pletion of the ‘Kirigakure Freedom Operation’ mission?”

  “Hmm… It’s beeed fwlessly, nothing to criticize.” Shikaku responded sincerely.

  Within the vilge, he ositioned as a staunch supporter of Konoha, representing the various smaller ninja s 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 prese the Land of Hot Water outpost was at the behest of Homura Mitokado.

  Simply put… he was there to find fault.

  With an impartial mi, Shikaku had observed for three days but failed to find any issues. Instead, he found himself impressed by the iy of his juniojo Kaigetsu.

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

  Apart from the cash, they had also acquired a rge number of inexpe skilled borers and civilian ninja. The optimal utilization of these “produ tools” would be discussed at length after returning to the vilge.

  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.

  Advisojo had once said: “Truth os withi radius of an explosive tag.”

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

  In the past, uhe Third Hokage’s rule, Konoha might have taken the opinions of these smaller nations and vilges into sideration. But now, they only o cast aside “etiquette,” “protocol,” and “de” and stand tall with pride.

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

  “Indeed, Gojo-sama. Is something the matter?” Shikaku had a bad feeling. It was on knowledge that when Advisojo inquired about matters uo work, it meant you were being targeted.

  “How about we make a bet? I hold a different opiniarding your earlier statement about the Bloody Mist fa’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 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 . If you lose, sider it a favor owed to the Nara .”

  “Alright, deal!”

  Nara ’s top-grade antlers offered numerous bes, especially for kunoichi, for reaso left unsaid.

  Even ordinary antlers produced by the Nara fetched over a million ryō on the Konoha market and were often unavaible due to high demand. They were sidered 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 sed to none.

  With Kirigakure currently in a state of plete isotion, his clusion was based on the best possible dedu from the avaible intel.

  Namely-

  [The Bloody Mist fa, led by the Fourth Mizukage Yagura, has suppressed the rebellion aains full trol over Kirigakure. Soon, news of renowned Kirigakure ninja defeg and being missing-nin will surface.]

  “Ahem, I believe… the Bloody Mist regime has beehrown.” Gojo Kaigetsu decred fidently.

  “That’s impossible.” Shikaku immediately dismissed Gojo Kaigetsu’s jecture.

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

  “The Bloody Mist fa, led by Yagura, ands over half of Kirigakure’s military might. Excluding those who defected, remained ral, or were on the fehe rebel forces are extremely limited.”

  “Of course, I’m aware of that.”

  “Then why…”

  Gojo Kaigetsu smiled without eborating. 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 fpping its wings, the timeline had undergone a subtle yet signifit shift.

  The still-unknown truth within Kirigakure was as follows:

  [Through the ‘Kirigakure Freedom Operation,’ you’ve plundered a rge 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 trol of Kirigakure and quelled the rebellion, formuting 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 mentio casually, aually led Root ninjas intakure 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 bee high-level assets for Konoha iure. Gojo Kaigetsu had already made preparations to snatch them from Danzo’s clutches.

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

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

  The retionship between elders, advisors, and the Kage was ily 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, signifitly impeding the vilge’s development.

  Konoha had experienced such a situation in the past, but it paled in parison takure.

  In Kirigakure, Mizukage came a like flowing water, while the elders remaieadfast like iron. Three Mizukage had already been repced, 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 ses.

  Under such a distorted system, the Kage’s severe injury and a wouldn’t impact the vilge’s operations as drastically as it would in other vilges.

  It might even solidate Mei Terumi’s power, allowio establish Kirigakure’s fn policies.

  Uhese 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 maniputed by genjutsu had been exposed, leading to his death or severe injury, rendering him uo govern Kirigakure.

  The vilge’s loss of a Kage-level powerhouse forced Mei Terumi to seek amicable retions with other vilges, ending the Bloody Mist rule and halting the internal strife.

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

  A shrewd politi 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 thh uanding of Kirigakure’s military strength. However, I possess a deeper uanding of the mi of their politis. Let’s wait and see!”

  “It seems… Gojo-sama is quite fident 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 take. We’ll return ale the rewards for the ‘Kirigakure Freedom Operation’ mission.”

  “A mountain of troublesome tasks awaits us.”

  …

  …

  *Kirigakure*

  The Elder cil Hall was shrouded in silehe chair symbolizing the Mizukage remaiy, 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 Aht eye had been repced with a “trophy” obtained from a battle against the Hyuga during the Third Shinobi World War. Blood now trickled from beh his eyepatch, indig a signifit injury.

  “Yes, Mei-sama.”

  “The rebellion sisted of two main fas. The first was the ‘Kekkei Genkai Rebellion,’ led by the Kaguya d joined by other Kekkei Genkai s. They have all been annihited. However, during the flict, an uified anization abducted one child each from the Kaguya and Ice Release s.”

  “The other fa… sisted solely of the former elite Jonin, Kisame Hoshigaki. He unched a surprise attack, severely injuring the Fourth Mizukage, and has since defected, being a missing-nin.”

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

  Upon hearing Ao’s final report, Mei Terumi’s grip oaff tightened. She let out a cold snort. “A Kage being trolled for so long… This information must be kept strictly fidential, cssified as a top-secret matter. It s Kirigakure’s reputation and influen the shinobi world.”

  “Who was trolling him?”

  “Currently unknown.”

  “We must mobilize all resources to find the missing Kaguya and Ice Release children. We ot allow Kirigakure’s Kekkei Genkai to fall into outside hands. It would bee a future threat to our vilge.”

  The cil hall fell silent once more. After a long pause, someone spoke. “With our medical expertise in Kirigakure, ’t we restore Yagura’s sciousness?”

  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 uhe 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 only maintain his basic life funs with the Water Healing Teique. If we want to fully heal the Fourth Mizukage… I’m afraid only one person iire shinobi world do it.”

  “Are you referring to… Tsunade?”

  “Yes, Mei-sama.”

  “Where is Tsunade currently?”

  “The test intel indicates that she left Konohagakure and is wandering within the Land of Fire. If we want to tact 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 intelligework to other nations.”

  Mei Terumi narrowed her eyes, remaining silent.

  At this moment, she must have truly regretted her past as. If she hadn’t tacitly approved of the Bloody Mist policies of the Sed and Fourth Mizukage, leading to the deaths or defes of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and the annihition of Kekkei Genkai s, Kirigakure wouldn’t be so weakened.

  Seeierumi’s silence, Ao tinued his report. “Furthermore, while our internal flict was raging, Konoha and Kumogakure established outposts in the Land of Hot Water, taking advantage of the chaos to absorb resources ah that rightfully beloo the Land of Water and Kirigakure.”

  “How should we respond to this?”

  For a vilge 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 vilges in the shinobi world.

  Ireme cases, they might even be excluded from the “Five Great Shinobi Vilges” in public opinion, being the “Freat Shinobi Vilges.”

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

  For instahey could issue a statement g that, upon iigation, the internal flict was instigated by external forces. Kirigakure could easily shift the bme for the rebellion onto Kumogakure and Konoha, who were taking advantage of the situation. They could evehis as an opportunity to un attad extract bes from Konoha and Kumogakure.

  However, the current Kirigakure cked a Kage with a tailed beast sealed within them, as well as ae 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 bo, sisting 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 vilge’s destru by ung 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 day or two. With such a otion, the other vilges 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 rea of ive sequehat Kirigakure couldn’t afford. For instahey might see a decrease in issioned missions from ts, reduced iments from merts, 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 nothi.

  Mei Terumi tapped her staff rhythmically, sighing. “At this point, we only choose one vilge to ally with and her.”

  “Ao, in your opinioween Konoha and Kumogakure, which vilge should we side with?”

  Ao immediately uood.

  This was undoubtedly a promise, a way to avoid exposing Kirigakure’s weakeate while not antagonizing both sides.

  “In this situation, we should ally with the stro vilge.”

  Ohe 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 vilge other than Kirigakure and Kumogakure.”

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

  A sudden realization dawned oerumi, broadening her perspective. “Allying with Konoha has another advantage. We issioo 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 smmed her staff, defining the nature of the “Kirigakure Freedom Operation.”

  ...

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