Fleeing from Konoha-Chapter 542 - 72: Isolation (4)

The purplish-red bewitching eyes and the stitched scar under the left eye all unequivocally confirmed the other’s identity.

Karatachi Yagura.

A trusted confidant of the Third Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village, a well-known figure in the Ninja Realm.

Currently, he is in a cooperative relationship with Hakushi, but both parties have only reached an initial collaboration. For deeper cooperation, it will have to wait until Yagura gains control over the Hidden Mist Village.

After all, although Yagura holds considerable power in the Hidden Mist Village, there are still many restrictions.

For example, the suspicion of the Third Mizukage himself and the Seven-swords Ninja group led by Suikazan Fuguki with the Great Sword Shark Skin, who target Yagura openly.

"How could it be? This is the crucial moment. The Third’s body is deteriorating each day, but he still hasn’t decided on the next Mizukage candidate. Meanwhile, those guys led by Suikazan are stirring up the Blood Mist Policy in the village, keeping me endlessly busy lately."

Yagura took a sip of tea, sighed, and vented his frustration.

"Need some help from my side? For instance, taking care of Suikazan Fuguki for you?"

Dealing with the aging Third Mizukage, Hakushi believed Yagura was capable. However, when it came to Suikazan Fuguki, who was in his prime and commanded a large group, the situation was less straightforward.

"Eliminating him now is meaningless and would only alert the enemy."

Yagura shook his head, a sharp glint in his purplish-red eyes, and said to Hakushi: "I’ve already investigated Suikazan’s Blood Mist Faction; they are backed by the Daimyo of the Land of Water and the nobility. It’s not just about suppressing Suikazan and his group; we also need to sever all the roots that the Daimyo and nobility have extended into the Hidden Mist."

The one country, one village system has various contracts since its formation.

For example, the Daimyo cannot interfere in the Ninja Village’s internal affairs for any reason. The selection of the Kage requires the Daimyo’s approval, but only after an internal election in the Ninja Village.

While the Daimyo can provide input on the Kage’s succession, the ultimate decision rests within the Ninja Village.

Similarly, when a country is in distress, the ninjas of the Ninja Village must provide military support to fend off invaders.

There are many such contracts.

The Daimyo of the Land of Water violated this contract, which is why it has to be done secretly. If exposed, it would destabilize the one country, one village system.

At that time, the other four great nations would inevitably condemn the Daimyo of the Land of Water to ensure the stability of their internal Ninja Villages, making the Land of Water a target.

Yagura intends to use the evidence of the Daimyo and nobility’s meddling in Hidden Mist Village’s internal affairs to make the Daimyo and nobility retreat.

If he can’t make them truly feel the pain, only teaching them lightly, they will undoubtedly return later with various reasons to constrain Hidden Mist Village.

The Land of Water, one of the Five Great Nations, has encountered a dire situation where the Daimyo and the Ninja Village cannot trust each other and cooperate.

To ensure the Hidden Mist Village’s long-term peace and stability in the future, they cannot act too hastily.

The real snake hasn’t revealed itself yet, and revealing your power too early will only make these poisonous snakes hide deeper and expose your reformist stance.

Therefore, even though he knows that allowing Suikazan Fuguki and others to continue wreaking havoc in the Hidden Mist Village will weaken its strength over time, Yagura will pretend not to see it, or even participate, just to wait for the right moment to deliver a fatal blow and root them out completely.

"This will cause severe losses to the Hidden Mist Village."

Hakushi said, frowning.

Yagura smiled and replied, "This is also a kind of cost. Currently, I do have the power to overthrow the Blood Mist Faction, but I can’t reform thoroughly because the real enemy hasn’t shown their hand. I certainly don’t want Hidden Mist to fall into an immense internal conflict and slaughter for the next decades just for a moment of satisfaction."

In the same way, he would choose the method of least sacrifice with the greatest stability.

"How long will it take?"

"No more than three years. Honestly, if it weren’t for your help, I planned to start this year. Now, I just want to play big, to show the Daimyo and nobility the cost of pain."

"That can work. After all, due to the previous war, the other four villages have suffered heavy losses. When we take action, even though the Hidden Mist may fall into a weakened state, they won’t have the capacity to interfere."

Three years or less, possibly a few months, a year, or maybe two years—this time wasn’t particularly long for Hakushi.

Yagura’s proposal was relatively reasonable.

Starting now and failing to root out the evil, leaving the Hidden Mist in long-term chaos, was something neither Yagura nor Hakushi wanted to see.

"The Hidden Rock recently signed a ceasefire agreement with Konoha and withdrew from the stage of battle; now it’s just Konoha and Hidden Cloud still holding on. Who do you think will win?"

Yagura asked.

"Konoha."

Hakushi answered without hesitation.

"Seems like you have a lot of confidence in that Yellow Flash. As far as I know, the Fourth Raikage’s brother has also gone to the battlefield—he’s the Eight-tailed Jinchuriki. With the two of them partnering, the Yellow Flash might not gain much from them."

Yagura had his own intelligence channels and kept close tabs on Hidden Cloud.

"Do you think Konoha will lose?"

Yagura smiled and responded, "No, what I’m implying is that for Konoha to secure victory, they will have to pay a considerable price."

"A crafty answer."

"This Ninja Realm War, though short-lived, has a larger overall scale than the previous Ninja Realm War. The international landscape is likely to undergo significant changes. When do you plan to let the Land of Demons formally intervene?"

Yagura then asked, throwing a probing glance at Hakushi.

Everything about the Land of Demons will eventually come to light; it cannot stay submerged forever.

"I’m contemplating that. I need to find an appropriate entry point."

Hakushi said meaningfully.

Yagura stood up from his seat and said, "Regardless of which country you start with, at that time, the Neutral Country status of the Land of Demons will be revoked. I can guarantee that the Hidden Mist won’t intervene, and with Konoha being the farthest, they will be powerless to act. But the same can’t be said for Hidden Sand, Hidden Rock, and Hidden Cloud. You need to prepare in advance. If things go wrong, it could directly trigger a Fourth Great Ninja War."

"Infiltrating the Five Great Nations is the Hidden Mist’s job; we will handle matters of the Land of Demons ourselves. If you’re uneasy, I’ll provide you with an answer now—this is my decision."

At some point, Hakushi had a Kunai in his hand and then threw it, grazing past Yagura’s ear, making a ding sound as it pierced the wall behind Yagura.

Yagura turned to look, and on that wall was a meticulously detailed map of the Ninja Realm.

The Kunai had struck the precise center of the Land of Wind, the largest territory in the Ninja Realm.

"Pleasure cooperating with you, Mr. Yagura."