"This is the foundation of our cooperation. Even if you Hidden Mist regret it later, the price you pay will be as heavy as ours. Only by doing this can we cooperate without reservation, because we are a community linked by destiny, sharing in glory and in downfall."
"I will not accept this! If so, we will immediately terminate the cooperation!"
The person seemed genuinely enraged, extremely displeased with Hakushi's attitude.
"It's too late. You've already learned some of my plans, if you terminate the cooperation now, the predicament Hidden Mist currently faces will be known to all countries, and what happens then doesn't need me to deliberately explain."
"... Are you threatening me?"
Confronted by the person's anger, Hakushi shrugged indifferently.
Since ancient times, it's been easy to invite a god and hard to send one away. Since you've invited him, you must give him a satisfactory result.
You have a hold on his lifeline, and he has a hold on yours.
In this aspect, Hakushi could threaten Hidden Mist.
"Please don't think of it like that. I'm here with sincerity to cooperate with you, sir."
Hakushi smiled.
"..."
Honestly, as one of the top officials in Hidden Mist, he never thought there would be a day he'd desperately curse for someone's death.
As a high-ranking member of Hidden Mist, he's being counter-threatened by a mere Renegade Ninja... what is this?
He felt stifled beyond words.
"Anger won't solve anything; your emotions are too easily agitated. Do you want to step outside, have a cup of tea to calm down, and slowly have a chat over some food?"
"Can I kill you right now?"
The person took a deep breath, wishing he could bite a piece of meat off Hakushi.
"You're joking, sir. A sincere and open cooperation is the foundation for achieving mutual benefit. After all, as a Renegade Ninja, I naturally have to consider the future of my family and subordinates; being cautious is no big deal, right? In fact, not being able to guarantee the safety of us renegades is precisely due to your negligence, which caused this, didn't it? I don't need a partner who might betray me at any time."
"... I need to think about it."
After all, Hakushi's proposals strongly conflict with the broader environment of the Ninja Realm.
An error could cause Hidden Mist to fall and shatter.
"Of course, it must be carefully considered. I look forward to our next meeting."
Seeing his goal was achieved, Hakushi didn't rush to press the person to make a decision at this time.
"No need to see me off."
Hearing the person's fury behind him, Hakushi smiled indifferently and walked out of the dimly lit room.
Outside, Ruri and Ayane were waiting for him.
"What did he say?"
"It's progressing smoothly for now. At worst, he doesn't dare disclose our location. Moreover, his influence is weak now, and the forces he can rally within Hidden Mist are very limited. This makes for a perfect entry point."
It's not guaranteed he would agree, it depends on how much reform he wants to implement within Hidden Mist.
If he only wants to end the Blood Mist's reign, after a few years of cooperation, he'll part ways with him, once Hidden Mist's strength is recovered, without worrying about retaliation, he'll disclose their location.
But if he wants to completely eradicate the fundamental flaws of Blood Mist and prevent such events from recurring, it would naturally be a win-win situation for Hakushi.
He can fully assist the other party to ascend to the Fourth Mizukage throne, forming a community tied by fate within a few years.
For this, Hakushi needs to prepare for both possibilities.
◎
In the darkness.
Kuraki Jonin was conversing with someone.
"Forget about Ringo Ameyuri for now, you and Chukichi should abstain from any impulsive actions. If you come back now, you will inevitably be monitored. If it exceeds their tolerance, Medical Ninja and Perception Ninja won't necessarily be your lifeline."
The person in the darkness warned Kuraki Jonin.
"Yes, sir. Chukichi and I will be mindful of this."
"Recently, others' activities should also be quieted; the most important thing now is to accumulate strength; it's not the best time to act."
Despite the strong desire to swiftly end the Blood Mist's reign, the Blood Mist Faction holds the legitimate title of Third Mizukage, neither power-wise nor reputation-wise does the reform faction have the upper hand.
Overthrowing the Blood Mist's rule is not a matter of overnight change.
"Understood."
"Additionally—"
At this point, the person in the darkness suddenly shivered.
"What's wrong, sir?"
"Nothing. That's all for today, you may leave now."
Kuraki Jonin felt inexplicably that this "sir's" tone had become exceptionally irritable, as if he had encountered something extremely infuriating.
"Then I will leave, sir."
After Kuraki Jonin departed, the person in the darkness exhaled heavily.
"Chi...ba... Ha...kus...hi! I remember you!"
The tone unmistakably carried a hint of gritting teeth.
Speaking, he walked in the darkness, pushing a door open, walking along a dim path.
Arriving at the innermost room, he opened his mouth to the darkness inside, "Send five skilled in political affairs to the Land of Demons; don't let the Blood Mist Faction notice. I need all information about that country. Once there, someone will arrange what they should do. Dismiss."
In the darkness, only the sound of silhouettes moving was heard, then quickly fading into nothingness.
"To end the one-country-one-village system created by the God of Ninja, let's see where your confidence stems from, Chiba Hakushi!"