The Decapitating Carving Knife was seized from the previous Sword Master, and now that someone has challenged him, he has no reason to shy away from the battle.
This Jonin of the Hidden Mist named Momochi Zabuza is indeed courageous.
"As long as you have no objections. However, Jonin Zabuza is very strong, and I look forward to your duel. The duel will take place in three days."
In such matters, Yagura showed no favoritism towards either side.
Although Juzo is an elder of the village, there will come a day when the Decapitating Carving Knife in his hands will be taken by another.
The replacement of old with new is a natural law.
Just like his position as Mizukage, it will eventually be passed to the next generation of Mizukage.
"Yes. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Hmm, go ahead, call over Chiba Ichihime, it's time for her to leave the Hidden Mist Village. Keeping her here any longer worries me that something might happen."
Juzo nodded and walked out of the office.
◎
Next, there are many matters to handle in the Land of Demons.
They need to submit diplomatic letters to the Land of Fire and send a delegation to visit Konoha to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.
Now, the renegade ninjas of the Land of Demons have been 'released' by Konoha, and they cannot operate in the old renegade ninja ways anymore. They must play by the rules in this game.
Moreover, a ceasefire and compensation agreement needs to be signed with the Hidden Sand Village in Kazami City within the Land of Wind.
The land 120 miles north of Kazami City will entirely belong to the Land of Demons.
They have also secured a thirteen-year garrison right in Kazami City.
Therefore, the agreement does not require any compensation from the Land of Wind, as long as the past debts are repaid with interest promptly and in full.
The remaining matters can be deferred without urgency.
In the office, Hakushi was seated at his desk, beginning to handle the paperwork concerning negotiations with the Land of Fire and Konoha.
The main purpose of this visit to the Land of Fire and Konoha is to fulfill the contract.
After all, the demands on the Land of Fire and Konoha to lift their renegade ninja status, to assist the Land of Demons at the Five Kage Summit for an advantage, and the final transaction—to reclaim the Uchiha Clan's heritage of Konoha—must be fully executed.
Once completed, the Land of Demons will release Jiraiya and fulfill the agreement.
Honestly, Jiraiya is not much of a threat; although his Immortal Technique is strong and the two Great Sages he summons from Mount Myoboku seem quite powerful, the slow initiation time and the restriction that the two Great Sages cannot leave Jiraiya's body make his Sage Mode full of flaws.
Furthermore, with Akago's ability, to a certain extent, it can restrict Jiraiya's Sage Mode, forcibly disrupting the 'balance' between Jiraiya and the two Great Sages, preventing Jiraiya from entering Sage Mode.
Therefore, keeping Jiraiya serves another purpose.
Due to Jiraiya's connections, the truth of Orochimaru will inevitably come to light sooner or later.
In that case, Nagato's identity might also be exposed.
Creating direct conflicts between Konoha and the Akatsuki might also be a feasible strategy.
In the current situation where Nagato's exact power is uncertain, letting Konoha test it out is a viable approach.
For now, the focus is on sending a delegation to the Land of Fire and Konoha. The task of receiving the Uchiha Clan's heritage will be handled by Ruri.
As such, the delegation to the Land of Fire and Konoha will be led by Ruri.
After handling this paperwork, Hakushi leaned back in his chair, letting out a long breath.
"Next..."
Just then, a barely audible sound came from the direction of the window, prompting Hakushi to turn his head.
At the moment he turned, with the sound of the air vibrating, a sword wind thrust towards his neck.
With no movement, the Shadow Dancer's Shadow Blade emerged from the shadows, solidifying.
Under the sword wind's assault, a visible gap appeared on the solid Shadow Blade, barely blocking the sword wind, forcing the assailant to retreat to a relatively safe distance from Hakushi.
The Shadow Blade then repaired the gap and split into four, slashing towards the assailant's limbs.
"Stop."
Hakushi's voice came, and the Shadow Blade ceased its attack, slowly retracting into the shadow.
Hakushi looked towards the assailant, a twelve or thirteen-year-old young girl dressed in black tight-fitting attire, adorned with some subtle blue and purple lines.
Her long, jet-black hair, youthful yet slightly beautiful with a stern demeanor, sparkled in her pitch-black eyes, resembling unmelted ice and snow, carrying a hint of coldness.
Facing this girl, Hakushi's mind drifted back over twenty years, to when he first saw Ruri at the Konoha Ninja School.
Her demeanor and expression were very similar to that of this girl's.
A sword sheath hung at the girl's waist, and in her hand was a drawn blade, sharp enough that even from a safe distance, Hakushi could feel its sharpness, causing his eyes some discomfort.
Hakushi looked helplessly at the girl who attempted to 'assassinate' him, and said, "There's no need to greet me in such an exaggerated manner upon your return, is there?"
This girl was his and Ruri's daughter, Chiba Ichihime.
As a 'foreign student' sent to the Hidden Mist Village to study from the Land of Demons, the time for completion is about now.
"But it still didn't pose a threat to you, did it?"