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JST Chapter 163: The Third Mizukage's Gamble
🕑 Added 2025-01-14 04:44:01 +0000 UTCGenerally speaking, calling the Third Mizukage the strongest Mizukage is not an exaggeration.
He is like an amalgam, a compendium of all the most advantageous jutsu of Kirigakure.
Although, currently in the shinobi world, it seems that the third generation Kage of each village have a reputation for being 'the strongest'.
Kazuki raised a question: "What if, in front of the Kirigakure shinobi, he were to kill the Third Mizukage in the ocean using Water Release ninjutsu? What would be the result?"
Mei smiled helplessly. "If that's the case, you can prepare to organize the Mizukage succession ceremony."
Kisame and Zabuza scratched their heads, feeling helpless.
Somehow, no matter how wise or powerful Kazuki was, he was still a young man with a certain inclination to daydream. Killing the Mizukage in the ocean… it was just too far-fetched an idea.
But, not wanting to disappoint him, Kisame allowed himself to imagine the scene and smiled widely as he said: "The Uchiha clan's clothing is dark blue, just like the Mizukage's ceremonial robe. They would really match well!"
Zabuza, however, frowned and said in a serious tone, "Kazuki-sama, I understand that your mastery of conventional Water Release is impressive, but the Third Mizukage's jutsu control entire expanses of water. They are extraordinarily powerful."
"In any case, although it sounds good in theory, this is something that should only remain in your imagination."
Zabuza, with his upright character, seemed like a loyal minister who tried to dissuade his leader, even in the face of difficulties.
Kisame nodded. "Kazuki-sama, I agree with Zabuza."
Mei and Jinzaburo also supported the idea that Kazuki should abandon that plan and not try to risk facing the Mizukage in an environment that did not favor him.
Kazuki, however, smiled. "Understood, I appreciate your concern. Now bring me those two ninja swords. I have an idea."
"Does anyone know the passwords for Kirigakure's secret messages?" Kazuki pondered for a moment before adding, "Although I could also use normal text, encrypted messages are much more convincing."
Miru raised her hand high and whispered: "Kazuki-sama, I am part of the Intel Cypher Division."
"Excellent. You have made a great contribution. When we return to Konoha, I will reward you and Kisame with a house in the Uchiha clan district."
Miru's face instantly turned red, and she waved her hands nervously. "Me and Kisame-san are not, we're not…!"
Kisame's eyes also widened in confusion. What did this have to do with him? However, his blue skin took on an unexpected reddish hue.
"Kisame, why is your face red?" Zabuza asked maliciously.
Kazuki handed the swords Shibuki and Nuibari to Miru. "Use some of the blood from the handle to write this on the blade:
Konoha has set up booby traps in the forest. We encountered an ambush, but their force seems weak. They have only used an excessive amount of ninja tools to delay us.
I recommend a group attack. A small squad using Water Release ninjutsu can clear the way and directly break through their defense lines.
There are Uchiha shinobi on this battlefield. Ordinary shinobi will have a hard time facing them; support from elite shinobi is needed."
Miru nodded seriously and wrote down the words using Kirigakure's special passwords.
A group attack by Kiri would allow Konoha's air units to unleash their full destructive power. That was the difference between the strategic capabilities of both villages.
Kazuki did not plan to confront the Third Mizukage on land. His intention was to take the battle closer to the coast, where, while the Kiri-nin were retreating under bombardment, he could defeat him directly with Water Release.
This was not only a show of personal strength, but also a declaration of superiority.
With the Uchiha clan involved in the battle, Kazuki was certain that the Third Mizukage could not sit idly by.
Kazuki took the two ninja swords, his eyes narrowed. With precise movements, he broke the seals on the swords, and the counter-summoning seal was activated, returning to Kirigakure. It looked identical to the information transmission that Kushimaru and Jinpachi had managed to send at the cost of their own lives.
Kazuki formed a seal with his hands, establishing contact with the Tobirama Flying Fortress waiting in the sky.
"The bombing unit is on standby. When I issue an order, I need you to arrive within fifteen minutes!"
Kisame and the others' eyes met, full of bewilderment. No one dared to speak.
...
The coastline of the Land of Fire.
On the endless sea, countless speedboats and warships are running on it, all with flags representing the Kirigakure.
After the swords Nuibari and Shibuki were summoned back to Kirigakure with key information, it immediately caused a sensation.
Kirigakure's elite scout troop had been completely wiped out by Konoha's booby trap formation. Even two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and two promising talents, such as Kaguya Jinzaburo and Terumi Mei, were killed in combat.
The loss is heavy.
However, all was not lost. The information engraved on the swords excited the Third Mizukage.
Although geniuses from the village had been lost, a major weakness of Konoha had been revealed: the forces on the front lines against Kirigakure were mostly from the Uchiha Clan.
The Uchiha clan was at a total disadvantage against the Kiri shinobi.
The Third Mizukage smiled just by seeing this information.
"What a familiar feeling…" he muttered to himself.
Attacking shinobi clans that didn't obey was always a perfect justification in times of war. And the tense relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha's higher-ups was a topic everyone was aware of.
The Third Mizukage who implemented the Blood Mist actually felt a sense of mutual appreciation with Sarutobi Hiruzen at this moment...
He should learn this method of persecuting the disobedient shinobi. He just blindly launched a purge, which made him seem a little irritable and not smooth enough.
"Trap Disarming Squad! Clear the way for the rest of the troops using Water Release, no matter the cost!"
After getting off the boat, the Third Mizukage had a gloomy face and shouted: "For the honor of those who sacrificed their lives for the village, and every shinobi fallen at the hands of Konoha… We will not waste the information we gained with their lives! Let us break through the defense lines with lightning speed and attack their main base with everything we have!"
"In this battle, I will fight on the front line with you all!"
The Third Mizukage roared in fury, motivating the gathered troops.
It didn't matter if the Uchiha clan was at a disadvantage or if Konoha had enough troops. If he won this war, his reputation, his authority, everything would skyrocket.
To the Third Mizukage, this was as if Sarutobi Hiruzen was having an indirect conversation with him...
The Third Mizukage needed a crushing victory, while Hiruzen needed to eliminate the Uchiha clan. Both goals were perfectly aligned...
From this point of view, it fit perfectly with the information transmitted through the Ninja Swords of the Mist: Konoha's defenses were sparse and led primarily by the Uchiha.
The Third Mizukage has no doubts about this information.
It had been transmitted through the counter-summoning technique and was encoded with Kirigakure's signature ciphers. There was no way it could be fake.
Unless the Intel Cypher Division or the members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had betrayed the village…
But how is this possible?
The Third Mizukage was a little emotional, the Hokage was still cruel enough.
Even in the face of such a huge threat that endangered the entire village, he still resorted to ruthless tactics for their internal struggles.
No wonder, despite having so many shinobi clans, Hiruzen managed to maintain such a firm grip on Konoha. He definitely possessed extraordinary qualities…
The Third Mizukage waved his hand and raised the ninja sword in his hand high: "In Kirigakure, blood debts are paid with blood!"
"In Kirigakure, blood debts are paid with blood!" The Kirigakure shinobi shouted, and their morale continued to rise.
Although the village was facing internal problems, under external pressure, the Mizukage's words united the hearts of his people again.
...
Meanwhile, amidst the Kirigakure troops, the elders of the Terumi and Kaguya clans exchanged glances.
Compared to others, they knew some inside information...
In the past, Terumi Mei and Kaguya Jinzaburo had tried to convince them about the existence of a strange Uchiha in Konoha.
A ninja who possessed the Shikotsumyaku of extremely high purity, along with the Kekkei Genkai of Boil Release and Lava Release, someone who seemed more like a Mizukage than the Mizukage himself.
At that time, the elders had dismissed the information as an excuse from the young people after failing a mission.
However, after receiving news of their deaths in combat, they began to consider a much more disturbing possibility…
Could it be that what they said was true?
Perhaps their supposed death was, in fact, another incident like Fuguki's, intended to cover up an attempted defection to Konoha.
Although there were aspects that did not fit, the elders, out of caution, gave instructions to their clans: Fall back in formation. Do not rush. Observe and act according to the circumstances.
If Mei and Jinzaburo had really defected, there must have been sufficiently convincing reasons behind it.
The Third Mizukage looked at this scene and sneered. 'As I expected, these shinobi clans will never be completely reliable. Even in such a favorable battle, they still hesitate.'
At his order, the army set off and quickly advanced towards the mountains and minefields defended by Konoha...
