"You mean...that's what you're saying?"

"Little mouth!"

Uchiha Sho's face darkened instantly; he really didn't want to talk to this guy anymore.

He had originally planned to teach the other party how to act so that he could play the hero twice and quickly win over Mei Terumi.

In retrospect, it seems that instead of wasting time talking, we should talk about things that are easier to do.

Why didn't this guy or Naruto learn or inherit some of Minato Namikaze's strengths?

"Now that you've taken control of the Mizukage, give me the action plans for the Anbu and the other ninjas. I'll find a time to expose them, and then we'll see what happens between us."

"okay, I get it!"

Obito nodded.

"You still haven't told me your other purpose for coming to the Land of Water, is it for Konoha's purposes?"

"Of course, it's for those bloodline ninja clans. Someone is spending a lot of money to 'buy' them."

Uchiha Elephant rolled his eyes and glared at Obito.

"It's all because of you that you caused such serious damage to Konoha. Konoha's reconstruction requires a lot of money, forcing me, the Hokage, to personally step in and earn the money..."

"Is that right?"

Upon hearing this, Obito scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.

……

The next day, the thick fog still enveloped Kirigakure, and the damp, cold air seemed to seep into one's bones.

Under the secret guidance of a trusted ninja under Master Yuan, Uchiha Xiang and his two companions left the trading post and, like drops of water flowing into the ocean, silently traversed the maze-like alleyways and abandoned pipes.

Ultimately, they were led into a huge cave hidden near an underground waterworks hub.

The cave was damp and dark, with only a few dim oil lamps providing a faint light, barely illuminating the faces gathered there.

Every face was etched with exhaustion, despair, and deep-seated hatred.

The head of the Kaguya clan, a middle-aged man with gray hair and eyes as fierce as a wounded beast, with veins throbbing beneath his forehead guard.

The representative of the Snow Clan, a middle-aged woman with a cool temperament but an unyielding sorrow between her brows, unconsciously had tiny ice crystals forming on her fingertips.

There were also several other leaders of minor bloodline clans, who huddled together, their wary and suspicious gazes like tangible needles piercing the three "Konoha Anbu" members who had entered.

The air was so heavy it felt like you could wring water out of it.

"Elder Yuan's token is here,"

A trusted ninja of the Yuan Master stepped forward and displayed a jade tablet engraved with water ripples to the crowd. His voice echoed deeply in the empty cavern.

"These are envoys from Konoha, sent by the Fifth Hokage to guide your clansmen away from this... hell."

"leave?"

The Kaguya clan chief suddenly took a step forward, her voice hoarse, filled with barely suppressed rage.

"Easy for you to say!"

What can we do about our blood feud?

Did those children who died at their graduation ceremonies, those clansmen who died in the purges by the secret police, shed their blood in vain?!

What can Konoha give us?

A safe doghouse?

Or was it charity food?

"Clan Chief Kaguya!"

The woman from the Snow Clan frowned and spoke in a low voice, but an inextinguishable flame burned in her eyes as well.

"Emissary from Konoha, please forgive his agitation. But please tell us, what else can Konoha do besides taking away our elderly, weak, women, and children?"

Those of us who remain are destined to unleash a bloodbath and fight for justice with our lives!

Does Konoha dare to interfere in Kirigakure's internal strife?

"Can the Hokage's guarantee really fall on the shoulders of us 'rebels'?"

The questioning was like a cold stone, crashing onto the floor of the cave.

Kakashi and Shisui stood silently behind Uchiha Zō, their eyes sharp beneath their masks, their bodies poised to explode at any moment.

They could sense the almost desperate resolve emanating from these bloodline ninjas, a powder keg that could explode at any moment.

Just then, a clear, cool voice with a powerful penetrating force rang out at the entrance of the cave, instantly drowning out all the commotion:

"I'll provide the guarantee from Konoha!"

Everyone turned around abruptly.

Mei Terumi's figure appeared at the boundary between light and shadow at the cave entrance.

She changed into a dark blue outfit that allowed her to move around easily, which accentuated her agile figure. Her long hair was neatly tied back, and the blue phoenix hairpin in her hair was still eye-catching.

She walked step by step, her high heels clicking clearly and steadily on the cold, wet rock, as if striking the hearts of everyone present.

Her gaze swept over the bloodline leaders, finally settling on Uchiha Sō.

His gaze was complex and unfathomable, carrying a sharp edge as if he had just seen through the truth, and a hint of suppressed embarrassment and annoyance after being "reminded" by Master Yuan...

Subtle scrutiny.

"Terumi Mei-sama!"

The master's trusted ninja immediately bowed.

"Miss Ming..."

The woman from the Snow Clan nodded slightly.

The Kaguya clan leader stared at her, her eyes still fierce, but her violent aura subsided slightly.

Mei Terumi walked to the front of the group, standing a few steps away from Uchiha Sō, forming a subtle side-by-side position.

She didn't look at the "Anbu" beside her, but stared intently at the Kaguya clan leader and the others.

"The Hokage's guarantee is not just empty talk!"

The draft of the trade routes and most-favored-nation treatment he promised has already been reviewed by Elder Yuan Shi!

That is the future path to survival for the Water Kingdom!

The safe relocation of your people was one of the cornerstones that opened up this path to survival!

Her voice carried an undeniable power:

"Leave your strongest forces behind and follow us!"

Your blood feud will not be avenged in vain! Because this time, our goal is not to survive, nor to escape—”

She abruptly raised her hand, pointing outside the cave, as if pointing to the heart of the village shrouded in the thick fog and the shadows of the water-reflected building; each word fell like an icicle:

"It's the end! The end of this damned 'Village of Blood Mist'!"

End the puppet Mizukage who is being manipulated by the mastermind behind the scenes!

Let Kirigakure return to our own hands!

"As for Konoha's sincerity..."

Mei Terumi finally turned her head, her gaze falling obliquely on the masked face of Uchiha Elephant beside her. Her red lips curved into an extremely complex arc, carrying three parts provocation, three parts inquiry, and a strange radiance that even she herself did not notice.

The voice wasn't loud, but it clearly penetrated Uchiha Sō's ears, carrying a hint of mockery that only he could detect.

"...Isn't this 'Anbu leader,' or rather, the Fifth Hokage who personally infiltrated this place and risked his life, the greatest expression of sincerity?"

For someone he 'admires,' the Hokage really goes to great lengths...

He devoted himself wholeheartedly to the cause.

boom!

Upon hearing this, the cave fell into a deathly silence!

The eyes of Kaguya Clan Chief, the women of the Yuki Clan, the other bloodline leaders, including Genji's trusted Jonin, all widened instantly, their incredulous gazes fixed on the silent "Anbu"!

The mask concealed his expression, but his tall and straight figure seemed to rise suddenly the moment Mei Terumi revealed his identity, exuding a terrifying aura of unwavering power and complete control!

An invisible pressure spread like a tide, making it hard to breathe.

The Fifth Hokage!

Heavenly Master!

Uchiha Elephant!

He was right here!

The shockwave swept through the entire cave like a real shock wave.

The rage and doubt in Kaguya's eyes froze instantly, replaced by incredulous horror.

The aloofness of the Snow Clan woman was shattered, her face filled with astonishment.

The leaders of those smaller tribes instinctively took a half-step back, their eyes filled with awe and fear as they looked at the masked man.

Kakashi and Shisui tensed their muscles instantly beneath their masks, their Sharingan silently activating in the shadows as they vigilantly scanned the reactions of everyone around them. Chakra flowed silently within their bodies, ready to deal with any possible loss of control.

"Humph."

A low hum broke the suffocating silence.

The voice came from Uchiha Sho, emanating through that cold mask, carrying a composure that only made him more at ease after being exposed, even...

A faint, almost imperceptible smile.

He neither denied nor explained; his soft hum, like a heavy hammer of acquiescence, completely confirmed Mei Terumi's accusation.

He slowly raised his hand, his movements steady and powerful. A faint glint of chakra flashed at his fingertips, and a scroll appeared out of thin air in his hand.

The scroll was made of specially made tribute paper from the Land of Fire, with golden flame patterns embossed on the edges. In the center of the scroll, a scarlet, intricate "fire" character seal, radiating a powerful chakra mark, instantly captured everyone's attention like a burning brand!

That represents the will of the highest authority in the Land of Fire!

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