"Mizukage-sama, have you really decided to do this?" An Anbu ninja stood beside Mei Terumī, speaking respectfully. "But if this happens, most people in the village will definitely not agree."
"The Land of Water cannot continue to delay any longer. Konoha has already completed its revolution..." Mei Terumī sighed, rubbed her forehead, and spoke with a helpless expression. "If things continue like this, the gap between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water will inevitably grow wider and wider."
"But once Kirigakure loses its power," the Anbu ninja hesitated before speaking, "the people from the Daimyō's court will definitely carry out a purge against the ninja of Kirigakure then!"
The Daimyō of the Land of Water viewed their group of ninja as a hidden danger hindering the country's development. No matter how well-behaved and law-abiding they were, they definitely could not gain recognition from the Daimyō's court, because...
The threat posed by the ninja village was simply too great!
"Even if we disperse everyone to various locations according to your method, the connections between the various clans have existed since ancient times. The Daimyō's court will not let the ninja of Kirigakure off so easily."
"I know this too, but after the previous wars..." Mei Terumī leaned back in the Mizukage's chair, her face wearing an expression of helplessness and exhaustion. "Kirigakure has already fallen behind the other ninja villages!"
If the struggle continues like this...
Kirigakure and the Daimyō's court are bound to inflict heavy losses on each other. By then, those small ninja villages watching covetously from the sidelines would definitely emerge to take a bite or two. Furthermore, of the two Tailed Beasts introduced from the Shinobi World's God back in the day, one is already at the Uzushiogakure Sea Amusement Park, and the other...
Has still not been found to this day!
Without a ninja population and powerful individuals matching the Five Great Shinobi Countries, and even the Tailed Beasts that deter other villages and the village treasures—the Seven Ninja Swords—are gone...
It can be said that from its founding until now, Kirigakure has never faced such a critical situation.
Now, either continue maintaining the ninja village system and let Kirigakure recuperate. This way, perhaps after a few more years, Kirigakure will still be one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Otherwise...
Kirigakure is bound to become dust of history, disappearing from the shinobi world, and the Land of Water might also never recover from the internal strife because of this!!!
Now is a critical moment of era transformation. No one can clearly see how the future will change. Only by firmly grasping the trends of the times can one possibly continue to grow stronger!
And...
For both Kirigakure and the Daimyō's court to avoid war and preserve their strength is the only thing they can achieve now.
The Daimyō's court needs to maintain its authority, while Kirigakure will inevitably hinder the reforms in the Land of Water. It can be said it is precisely because...
Uzushiogakure gave a push from behind that the Land of Water's Daimyō's court had the opportunity to embark on that path filled with red.
Otherwise, what basis would the Daimyō's court have to be evenly matched with Kirigakure?
Mei Terumī shook her head and closed her eyes...
"I have already communicated with the Daimyō's court. As long as they let the ninja of Kirigakure leave, Kirigakure will definitely not obstruct any actions of the Daimyō's court anymore!"
"But where can Kirigakure go?" The Anbu ninja sighed and spoke helplessly. "No matter where you go, it is the territory of the Land of Water."
Become rogue ninja?
If so, many people would definitely disagree.
"I have thought about this too." Mei Terumī took the Uzushiogakure newspaper beside her and placed it over her face. "I plan to use the Three-Tails in exchange for Uzushiogakure's protection. At that time, we will officially announce Uzushiogakure's ownership of the Three-Tails using Kirigakure's official identity!"
"Mizukage-sama, you intend to..." Hearing Mei Terumī's words, the Anbu ninja was immediately startled and said in surprise, "Will Uzushiogakure agree?"
Ninja have always taken from each other. Since the Tailed Beast was taken by Uzushiogakure, it belongs to Uzushiogakure. What use is issuing a statement from us?
If we don't issue it, would Uzushiogakure return it?
"They will!" Mei Terumī's lips curved slightly upwards, revealing a meaningful smile. "Although I don't know what that Uzushiogakure Daimyō wants to do, but..."
She paused...
"Judging from his constant promotion of Uzushiogakure's 'righteous' stance..."
"What he seeks is no small matter!!!"
Therefore, if there is a legitimate reputation involved, Uzushiogakure would definitely be willing. From the past few years, it appears that although Uzushiogakure has always been doing bad things, no matter what they do, they always find a righteous slogan. This might just be them cherishing their reputation, but...
Since the turmoil began in the shinobi world during this period, those destitute civilians, wanting to survive, all choose to go to Uzushiogakure first. This shows that everything Uzushiogakure does is purposeful!
"Later, I will discuss with the ninja in the village. If they are unwilling, they can also stay in the Land of Water. Once the number of ninja is reduced to a certain extent, the Land of Water's Daimyō will definitely not keep the ninja of Kirigakure in mind anymore."
And now...
Mei Terumī stretched, opened her eyes, sat up straight, and murmured helplessly, "Only Uzushiogakure dares to recruit ninja from other villages in large numbers."
This is the confidence borne from having peak strength in the shinobi world!!!
The Uzushiogakure Daimyō is simply not afraid of anyone causing trouble within Uzushiogakure. Especially after the last war, everyone knows that Uzushiogakure does not rely solely on Uzumaki Jun as a single powerful individual!
This is also the reason she believes Uzushiogakure would not resort to underhanded methods. First, for the sake of reputation, and second, possessing absolute strength. However, she imagines that necessary restrictions would still be placed on them by Uzushiogakure.
"Let's go!"
Her gaze sharpened...
"The ninja in the village have probably all gathered by now, I expect."
...
Iwagakure...
"Unacceptable~" An old man with grizzled beard shook his head, looked at the Tsuchikage who had also aged somewhat, and sighed. "The Daimyō's demands are something we simply cannot agree to."
He actually wants Iwagakure to hand over the authority governing the ninja to the Daimyō's court, demands that we disband the Council of Elders, and hand over the secret techniques of all clans. This is simply looking down on Iwagakure!
You must know...
Most of us old guys have experienced the First, Second, and Third Great Shinobi Wars. There are even some who fought alongside the First Tsuchikage. How can we hand over power just because of a mere sentence from someone else?
Even if it's the Daimyō, it's impossible!!!
Furthermore...
Only ninja can possibly control ninja. Without absolute strength, how can you make the ninja below obey?
Rely solely on that joke of a Uzushiogakure law?
Hah!
If the Uzushiogakure Daimyō didn't have absolute strength, let's see who would follow the rules he set?
And...
To have us witness Iwagakure's rise, and then watch Iwagakure's demise, that would simply be the death of us!!!
"The rules set by that Namikaze Minato are still more suitable for our Iwagakure." An elder past middle age looked meaningfully at the Tsuchikage and said. "Simply changing the name of the ninja village allows one to gain even greater power!!"
Although Konoha did indeed become an ordinary village, and ninja began to emerge from Konohagakure, going to various places throughout the country, but...
Looking at the authority, isn't the Prime Minister essentially the Kage?
He even holds more power than the Kage!!!