novel-bin Chapter 231 Hokage and Mizukage
Chapter 231 Hokage and Mizukage
With the Third Hokage in front of him and the Fourth Hokage beside him, Kyosuke felt for the first time that he had reached the threshold of Konoha's upper echelons.
Actually, Kyosuke had learned Sage Mode and originally wanted to spar with Minato Namikaze and then get some guidance from him.
However, it is not appropriate to make this request during the mission, so we have to give up on it.
The meeting place between the Hokage and the water spirit was a large ship docked at the pier.
Once aboard the ship, Kyosuke followed the Third Generation into the spacious cabin.
The cabin was undecorated, with only the wooden walls visible on all sides.
Sunlight streamed in through the windows on both sides, making the entire cabin very bright.
"Lord Hokage, thank you for coming."
Upon seeing the Third Hokage enter, the Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, greeted him with the demeanor and tone of a gentleman.
Behind the Water Shadow, on either side, stood Ao and Terumi Mei.
As a guard, Kyosuke remained highly vigilant from the moment he boarded the ship, his small face very serious as he carefully observed his surroundings.
Entering the cabin, Kyosuke looked at the Mizukage, who was about the same height as him, and then at the guards behind the Mizukage. He mentally simulated the start of the battle and how to quickly kill the enemy.
Hmm, it seems Mei Terumi is easier to deal with.
Feeling Kyosuke's hostile gaze always aimed at her vital points, Mei Terumi narrowed her eyes slightly, her eyes filled with murderous intent as she pierced Kyosuke.
Kyosuke glared back without hesitation, his eyes filled with anger and burning with a small flame of revenge.
If you're so capable, then start a fight! It's not like we haven't fought before!
My teammates weren't up to par, so I had to make a strategic shift.
I have two Hokage standing beside me now. Let's fight! I'm not afraid of anyone!
As Asuma's companion, Kyosuke's hostile behavior is actually the most normal; not doing so would be somewhat inappropriate.
Kyosuke admitted that there was some acting involved, after all, he did have feelings for Asuma, but not many.
If Kyosuke were strong enough to crush the Five Kage, he wouldn't mind avenging Asuma. But for now, he can only silently mourn Asuma.
More than anger and revenge, Kyosuke was shocked.
The Mizukage is so arrogant. Ao and Mei Terumi are the murderers who killed Asuma, yet they just stand in front of the Third Hokage like this.
Is this negotiation?
To me, it looks like a protest!
Aren't you afraid that the anger of three generations will overwhelm you and lead you to take revenge for your son?
Kyosuke had to admit that the Mizukage's methods were somewhat advanced, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.
We should maintain a humble attitude and observe how others become "Kage" so that we don't become Hokage ourselves and get fooled by those cunning old foxes.
Kyosuke was just about to start studying when he felt a light tap on his arm.
Kyosuke turned his head and saw that Minato Namikaze was facing him, wearing a reassuring smile.
Minato Namikaze knew about Kyosuke's ordeal and was worried that Kyosuke wouldn't be able to suppress the hatred in his heart, so he comforted Kyosuke in this way.
Kyosuke took the opportunity to back down, his expression softening slightly. It seemed as if Minato's smile had eased some of his hatred, which relieved Minato.
The guards' subtle movements did not disrupt the conversation between the two leaders.
The Third Hokage walked up to the Mizukage, took off the straw hat with the character "fire" written on it, and complained slightly like an old man who had traveled a long way to visit a neighbor: "I'm getting old, and I still have to walk such a long way. It's really unbearable."
After complaining, the Third Hokage smiled slightly and said, "Hehe, but what can I do? It's the Mizukage's invitation. I can't let the Mizukage down."
While speaking, the Third Hokage's gaze remained fixed on the Mizukage, completely ignoring Ao and Mei Terumi behind him.
Hmph, old man, you've dragged out the negotiations for so long, I was a little worried, but now it seems you were just bluffing.
Shuiying smiled, but quickly began to analyze the situation in her mind.
The reason I brought Ao and Mei Terumi along this time is to verify whether the Hokage really doesn't care about peace.
If the Third Hokage didn't care much about peace, he would definitely target Ao and Mei Terumi.
The more resolute the attitude of launching an attack, and the more embarrassing the situation becomes, the less the three generations care about peace.
Conversely, if the Third Hokage desires peace, then even if he hates Ao and Mei Terumi, he will pretend not to care.
The Mizukage will also choose different countermeasures depending on the situation, trying to secure more benefits for the Mist Ninja.
Seeing that the Third Hokage seemed indifferent to the death of his son, the Mizukage began to push his luck.
"Lord Hokage, the war between us is not in our interest and will only give others an opportunity to take advantage of it. For example, I have received intelligence that Sunagakure is constantly accumulating war supplies and seems to be preparing to make a big move against Konoha."
After threatening the Third Hokage and seeing that his expression remained unchanged, the Mizukage continued, "We have no designs on the Land of Fire. We only wish to acquire the Land of Waves and the surrounding islands to facilitate our fishermen's fishing. If you agree to this, we can immediately achieve peace and stop this pointless killing."
The Third Hokage didn't believe a single word the Mizukage said.
It is currently the Ninja World War, and all the ninja villages are desperately accumulating war supplies. The fact that Sunagakure is doing this does not necessarily mean that it is going to launch a large-scale attack on Konoha. It may be for defense, or to attack other ninja villages.
As for handing over the Land of Waves and other islands to the Mizukage, that's even more impossible.
To obtain these places, countless Konoha ninjas died on the battlefield. For the Mizukage to want to return with just a word is simply wishful thinking.
If the third generation dares to agree, they will be retired tomorrow.
Moreover, those islands are close to the coastline of the Land of Fire. If they fall into the hands of the Mist Ninja, it will greatly increase the defensive pressure on the Land of Fire and Konoha.
Furthermore, losing these islands would deal a fatal blow to the Land of Fire's maritime and fishing industries, impacting its economy.
As the Land of Fire's economy declines and the Daimyo's income decreases, their financial support to Konoha also decreases.
Moreover, those merchants are important customers of Konoha. If they run out of money, Konoha will lose a number of high-quality customers, and its revenue will continue to decrease.
If Konoha lacks funds, its fighting capacity will decline, and that will be the real disaster.
The third generation was fully aware of this, so they chuckled and retorted.
"Hehehe, Lord Mizukage, I believe this is a misguided war, and we should correct it as soon as possible. How about this, we each withdraw our troops and return to the pre-war state, so that neither of us will suffer losses."
Upon hearing the Third Hokage's words, the Mizukage almost rolled his eyes.
Returning to the pre-war state?
No one loses out?
fart!
You, the Land of Fire, occupy the most fertile land, so naturally you feel that everything is fine. You look down on our barren island, the Land of Water.
As long as you preserve everything you have, it will be a victory for you!
But what about us?
We suffered heavy losses in this war, and if we don't gain anything, given the resources of the Water Kingdom, it's uncertain how many years it will take to recover our strength.
The longer it drags on, the greater the gap will become between Kirigakure and Konoha.
This is determined by national resources and is not subject to human will.
The reason why the Mizukage was so eager to launch a war, attacking the Cloud Ninja first and then the Leaf Village, is simply because time is not on the side of the Land of Water.
Even the most impoverished countries on the continent have many avenues for expansion.
The Land of Water is surrounded by oceans, leaving it with no direction for expansion. That's why it's so eager to occupy a piece of land on the mainland, thus breaking the deadlock.
Otherwise, the Mist Village would only be able to watch helplessly as other ninja villages continued to develop, while they themselves would be trapped and die on the island.
Until one day in the future, the Mist Village will be completely outmatched and eventually wiped out by other ninja villages.
Time is cruel; it has already devoured many ninja villages and wouldn't mind adding another one.