Uchiha's personal opinion

Moreover, this time the target is a major ninja village like Kirigakure.

Although Kirigakure suffered several major losses at the hands of Uchiha Tokumitsu, it was still a formidable force, and after its expedition across the sea, it was able to overpower the crippled Kumogakure. Therefore, in the eyes of the various countries of the ninja world, Kirigakure was still the most mysterious and bloodthirsty of the five great ninja villages.

Furthermore, the Uchiha clan became somewhat lax after gaining power in Konoha. Although they dared not do anything like outwardly complying but inwardly resisting, their fighting spirit had cooled down compared to before when they were eager to fight.

Moreover, Uchiha Tokumitsu couldn't openly say that his target was his ancestor Uchiha Madara, who wasn't quite dead yet, otherwise it would be bad if he scared the old bones in the clan to death.

Therefore, after intimidating Konoe Atsushi, the daimyo envoy of the Land of Water, Uchiha Tokumitsu simply instructed his subordinates to inform the Seii 3rd Column stationed in the southern islands to prepare for a naval military exercise in a while.

As for the specific scale of the exercise, that depends on how the Wind and Mist are perceived.

If Kirigakure reacts strongly, then a simple naval review will suffice; if Kirigakure remains indifferent, then Uchiha Tokumitsu might have to try out a landing operation drill.

So, in general, Uchiha Tokumitsu's current strategy is to implement a gradual, salami-slicing tactic against Kirigakure. Whenever Kirigakure relaxes its guard, he will cut a piece of flesh from Kirigakure or the Land of Water.

Of course, to execute the salami slicing tactic, it is necessary to maintain a strong deterrent force, so Uchiha Tokumitsu transferred the first and second divisions of the Red Guards back from the Land of Grass.

……

In the northern mountains of the Land of Lightning, atop a hollowed-out hill, the Third Mizukage's Kirigakure expeditionary camp was brazenly set up in the open.

After losing the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Kumogakure managed to reclaim all its remaining forces after ceding the southern region of the Land of Lightning. However, the lack of high-end combat power put it at a disadvantage in battle. Meanwhile, Kirigakure plundered a massive amount of resources from the fallen northern region of the Land of Lightning. As a result, the morale of Kirigakure naturally soared due to the dual incentives of military achievements and financial gains.

This is why the daimyos' envoy who came to persuade the Mizukage to withdraw his troops and return home to guard against the invasion of Uchiha Tokumitsu was also very unwelcome.

Therefore, the envoy of the Daimyo of the Land of Water did not even get to see the Mizukage, let alone move around in the Kirigakure camp. He was forced to stay in the Kirigakure camp in a state of near house arrest for nearly half a month.

That morning, the daimyō envoy from the Land of Water had just gotten up and was spacing out for a while before preparing to make a cup of tea to continue spacing out when a group of Kirigakure ANBU members walked in from the entrance of the building.

"Lord Mizukage, could it be..."

The messenger was both surprised and delighted.

"The Mizukage will be seeing you around 10 a.m., so please prepare."

The leader of the Misty Shadows unit said coldly, then found a shady spot to rest.

"Okay, okay... I'll get ready right away!"

After being ignored for several days, the daimyo's envoy lost his initial arrogance and hurriedly nodded and bowed, repeatedly agreeing.

The Hidden Mist Anbu ignored him and continued to rest with their eyes closed.

It wasn't until the messenger arrived at the central command tent of Shuiying and saw a familiar face already seated that he came to his senses.

"Minister Tokushi, what brings you here?"

The envoy asked, somewhat surprised.

"By order of His Highness the Daimyo, I have come here to express my condolences to the warriors of Kirigakure under the Mizukage's command..."

With all the high-ranking officers of Kirigakure in the central command tent, Konoe Atsushi couldn't say much, so he just made a few perfunctory remarks.

The envoy realized what was happening and quickly bowed before standing to one side.

As for the old rules such as "as an envoy, one can sit on equal footing with the Water Shadow," they have long been forgotten.

The Jonin in charge of each unit of the Hidden Mist Ninja Army reported on yesterday's battle results one by one, and the Third Mizukage also commented and made arrangements. After more than an hour, the Third Mizukage finally turned his attention to the two envoys from the Daimyo's mansion.

Why does His Highness demand a withdrawal of troops?

The Third Mizukage's voice sounded strangely elusive, but the assembled Kirigakure Jonin all seemed used to it, so Konoe Atsushi didn't think much of it.

"Lord Mizukage, for the sake of peace, please cease hostilities here..."

The envoy couldn't wait to reveal the purpose of his trip.

Upon hearing this, Atsushi Konoe immediately closed his eyes in anguish.

"May I ask, Your Excellency, in the long war between the Hidden Mist Ninja Army and the Hidden Cloud Ninja, who has emerged victorious and who has suffered defeat?"

A Jonin from Kirigakure spoke up, posing a question.

"...The Hidden Mist Village fought bravely and valiantly, winning more battles than they lost, so naturally the Hidden Mist Village had the advantage in this battle."

The envoy understood the meaning behind the Kirigakure Jonin's words, but still answered with a forced smile.

"In the ninja world, there's never a case of a victor slinking away in disgrace!"

The Hidden Mist Jonin immediately scoffed.

"I think some people have accepted bribes from Kumogakure and are spreading rumors to the Daimyo to ruin the village's hard-won victory!"

Another Kirigakure Jonin sneered repeatedly, mocking him mercilessly.

"His Highness only hopes that the warriors of Kirigakure will not suffer too many losses, so as not to needlessly deplete their strength and benefit outsiders..."

The daimyo's envoy continued to try to persuade him earnestly.

But the group of Kirigakure Jonin, who were already blinded by victory and gains, paid no attention to any of this and just sneered at the messenger who was trying to explain.

"Uchiha Tokumitsu harbors wolfish ambitions and his desire to seize Kirigakure remains unchanged. Lord Mizukage must be wary..."

Konoe Atsushi sighed and spoke first.

"The Uchiha's weaponry helped us win the naval battle against Kumogakure!"

The Kirigakure Jonin frowned and said, "Besides, the Uchiha clan and Kumogakure have a blood feud, and we are currently engaged in a fierce battle with Kumogakure. Uchiha Tokumitsu would never break the alliance at a time like this!"

What grudge does the Uchiha clan have against Kumogakure?

Konoe Atsushi immediately asked, "Did you repeatedly defeat the Kumogakure ninja on the battlefield, or did you plunder the Kumogakure's tailed beasts? Or did you force the Kumogakure to cede territory and pay reparations?"

"You're just making excuses!"

The Kirigakure Jonin frowned and reprimanded, "The village's victory was hard-won. It's one thing if you don't contribute to the ninja expedition, but you're even thinking of sowing discord between the village and the shogunate! Do you want to put the expeditionary ninja army to death?!"

"As the victors, the Uchiha clan harbors no hatred towards Kumogakure. It's just that Kumogakure still silently remembers all the misdeeds the Uchiha committed against them!"

Konoe Atsushi raised his head and said loudly, "Kirigakure, like Kumogakure, was attacked by the Uchiha clan. Now, the two victims are fighting each other to the death. Isn't this just letting Uchiha Tokumitsu, who was watching the show, get the benefit?"

"Don't forget, it was the Hidden Cloud Village that planned to take advantage of our chaos and launch a surprise attack across the sea!"

The Kirigakure Jonin were not buying Konoe Atsushi's explanation. "If it weren't for the Mizukage's brilliant and mighty defeat of the attacking enemy, you stray dogs driven out of the Daimyo's mansion would probably be hanging on lampposts by those vicious Kumogakure!"

While Uchiha Tokumitsu was certainly despicable, Kirigakure had been defeated by him before, and he was somewhat apprehensive about facing the shogunate's ninja army, which he remembered as fierce and menacing. In comparison, Kumogakure, whose strength had been severely depleted, was a softer target and easier to defeat.

"Lord Mizukage, fellow Jonin...please hear me out."

Konoe Atsushi took a deep breath and said loudly, "The Tokugawa Shogunate intends to cut off the western sea route and sever the connection between the headquarters and the expeditionary force. Their intentions are sinister, and we must be on guard!"

Even so, the Kirigakure Jonin remained dismissive, believing it to be nothing more than a ruse by the Daimyo nobles to trick him into ceasing hostilities and withdrawing his troops.

Let's stop here!

The Third Mizukage tapped the table, silencing the group of Kirigakure Jonin who were rebuking him, and then turned his gaze to Konoe Atsushi, whose face was beaming with joy.

"The Clouds will not surrender, the Mist will not withdraw its troops."

The Third Mizukage said, "Since Kumogakure can kneel before Konoha and Iwagakure, then he can also surrender to Kirigakure; otherwise, this war is not over!"

"That's right!"

The group of Kirigakure Jonin all nodded in agreement.

"However, Uchiha Tokumitsu must also be wary of..."

Under the expectant gazes of Konoe Atsushi and the messenger, the Third Mizukage pondered for a moment before saying, "Biwa Juzo!"

"exist!"

The burly Pipa Juzo stepped forward.

"Go to the Shogunate to discuss the next batch of arms purchases, and while you're at it, sound them out."

"All other units, continue with your assigned combat missions!"

The Third Mizukage shouted.

"As ordered!"

The Hidden Mist Jonin all agreed and then instantly disappeared.

After everyone had left, the Third Mizukage walked up to Konoe Atsushi and the messenger, and said coldly, "Does the Daimyo still believe that this is an era where a single order can command ninjas to risk their lives?"

"Go back and report to His Majesty, times have changed!"

"If you want the ninja village to obey, you'll have to pay more!"

……

After arranging the various ninja forces that were to participate in the naval exercises, Uchiha Tokumitsu returned to his residence to continue his meditation.

After several days of integration, the injected "sacred particles" have been completely integrated into the body, and apart from the overall improvement in physical condition, there are no abnormalities in the body.

"White Zetsu is truly a treasure trove..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu couldn't help but sigh.

It's a pity that only one has been captured so far, otherwise Uchiha Tokumitsu would have planned to give it a few more injections.

Moreover, if more White Zetsu were used for research, it might be possible to develop cyborgs similar to Space Marines from the Warhammer world.

Thinking of this, Uchiha Tokumitsu wanted the old and immortal Uchiha Madara to be buried as soon as possible.

After taking a sip of tea to calm his mind, Uchiha Tokumitsu entered into meditation and introspection.

This is also a new ability gained after injecting "divine particles". After entering a meditative state, one can more intuitively feel the changes in the body through consciousness and repair the injuries and defects of the limbs through chakra with regenerative power.

This has become a daily routine for him recently. Through meditation and introspection, Uchiha Tokukō has been repairing various hidden injuries in his body with greater precision, restoring his limbs to their most perfect state.

The most obvious effect of regeneration is naturally seen in the eyes.

The Sharingan, which had been weakened to near 300 degrees of myopia due to excessive consumption of its eye power, has been restored to its most perfect state. Even the eye power that could only be sensed and used in the past is slowly increasing under the stimulation of the regenerative power.

Given time, Uchiha Tokumitsu might be able to use the Susanoo Armor as a regular fighting technique, and at that point, there will be very few people in the ninja world who can stop him.

In addition, the power of the Flame Release, formed by the fusion of Yin Release and Fire Release chakra, has increased somewhat, and both the fusion extraction and external casting are much smoother than before.

"Firelight Venerable!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu silently recited the command, and then a flaming dragon emerged from his arm, its body circling around him.

"Flame Release: Plain Burning Technique!"

Uchiha Tokugaku casually formed hand seals, and a purple flame of fire ignited on the body of the Firelight Lord.

Like adding fuel to a fire, the body of the Fire God became more realistic as the flames of the Flame Release burned, and the details on the dragon horns and scales became even more lifelike.