After arriving in Kirigakure and attending the funeral of the Third Mizukage, the diplomatic envoys of the Four Great Nations spent several days indulging in food and drink at the village's guesthouse.
On the day Yagura returned to Kirigakure, they immediately submitted a formal request to the diplomatic department of the Mizukage's office, seeking an audience with the Fourth Mizukage.
Their request was denied under the pretext that the acting Mizukage was still holding vigil for the late Third Mizukage.
However, the diplomatic department did inform them that the vigil would conclude in three days, after which the acting Mizukage would receive them.
In the meantime, Kirigakure's diplomats continued their hospitality, ensuring the envoys were well-fed and comfortable.
Of course, they weren't just idly feasting. Their true mission was far more critical—to probe the Fourth Mizukage's stance.
Since they couldn't meet him directly, they had to seek information through other channels.
Fortunately for them, Kirigakure hadn't imposed a strict information lockdown on the matter.
News of Yagura's return spread quickly, and for those with keen eyes and ears, certain details weren't hard to uncover.
Karatachi Yagura had been sent away to the Land of Artisans under the pretense of a mission due to disagreements with the Third Mizukage regarding the Third Shinobi World War.
It didn't take much effort for the envoys to piece together the story.
The result? Konohagakure was elated, while the other three nations were left furious, uneasy, and shocked.
Karatachi Yagura was actually in favor of Konoha's stance!
It was precisely because of his pro-Konoha position—one that directly opposed the Third Mizukage's support of Sunagakure and the other three nations—that he had been sent away.
The envoys wasted no time in relaying this intelligence back to their respective villages.
Before they even received responses, three days had passed.
Yagura's period of mourning ended, and his first meeting was with the envoy from Konohagakure!
This sent the envoys from the other three nations into a full-blown panic.
Urgently, they rushed to report this troubling development to their villages.
...
Inside the Mizukage's office.
Apart from Yagura and Elder Genshi, two other individuals were present—Yuki Murasaki and Ao, standing behind the Mizukage and the elder, respectively.
Ao's role required no explanation—he was Elder Genshi's assistant and bodyguard.
Yuki Murasaki, however, had been personally invited by Elder Genshi to assist Yagura.
A striking kunoichi with the rare Ice Release, she was just past her thirties but had already assumed the role of clan leader for the Yuki clan. Her combat prowess and administrative capabilities were both exceptional.
With her help, Yagura had managed to clear a backlog of unresolved governmental affairs left by the late Third Mizukage over the past three days.
Having worked tirelessly for three days and two nights, he finally took a brief rest before today's diplomatic meetings.
Even with layers of concealer, the dark circles under his eyes remained visible. Raising his hand slightly, Yagura spoke in a somewhat fatigued tone: "Welcome, envoy from Konoha. I apologize for not receiving you sooner. Please, have a seat."
The Konoha envoy was an unfamiliar face. Yagura had no recollection of this individual, nor did he find their name particularly important.
"Thank you, Mizukage-sama."
The meeting went surprisingly well.
Yagura spoke fondly of his experience during the Chūnin Exams in Konoha, openly admiring the village's prosperity and expressing a desire for Kirigakure to follow a similar path.
The Konoha envoy responded humbly.
Yagura then stated with conviction that he did not believe Konoha was responsible for the death of the Third Kazekage. He spoke so sincerely that even the envoy was moved—though he himself harbored some doubts about the truth. After all, how could a mere envoy truly understand the decisions made by those at the top?
Summarizing his stance, Yagura declared his belief that Konoha would undoubtedly defeat the "evil and weak" Sunagakure and clear its name.
This statement greatly pleased the Konoha envoy. A perceptive Mizukage indeed! He was absolutely right—how could Konoha possibly lose to such a bunch of past failures?
Yagura's approval was evident, and he subtly mentioned that Kirigakure was currently in dire need of food supplies, livestock, and medicinal herbs. He hoped Konoha could provide them, offering to purchase them at prices higher than Konoha's domestic market rates.
The Konoha envoy readily agreed, promising to report back to the Third Hokage immediately. The final decision would rest with him.
Yagura acknowledged this and expressed his anticipation for a favorable response from the Hokage.
The meeting concluded. At long last, after days of uncertainty, Kirigakure had achieved a positive diplomatic outcome.
The Konoha envoy left in high spirits, barely stopping short of dropping to his knees and proclaiming Yagura a saint!
...
Yagura proceeded to meet with the envoys from the other three nations one by one.
Their reactions upon leaving the Mizukage's office spoke volumes. The ashen faces of the three envoys stood in stark contrast to the Konoha envoy's rosy-cheeked enthusiasm.
On July 13th, the first diplomatic meeting between the acting Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, and the foreign envoys concluded. The envoys swiftly relayed their respective messages of triumph or disaster back home.
The atmosphere in the Hokage's office was celebratory, almost as if they were ready to put up lanterns and throw a feast!
"Konoha is blessed!"
Meanwhile, the desks of the Third Tsuchikage and the Fourth Kazekage were nearly in pieces.
"Damn Kirigakure! Backstabbing traitors! They've become Konoha's lapdogs!"
The Third Tsuchikage was so furious that he nearly declared war on the spot. If not for his son, Kitsuchi, and his disciple, Akatsuchi, holding him back, he might have actually attempted an invasion.
But Kirigakure was no Sunagakure. A vast ocean separated them.
Moreover, Kirigakure's strength remained intact, and Iwagakure lacked recent intelligence on them. Invading across the sea? That was nothing short of suicide.
...
In Kumogakure, the Third Raikage frowned upon receiving the news, his expression darkening.
Unlike the increasingly frustrated Third Tsuchikage or his own hotheaded son, the Fourth Raikage, the Third Raikage was far more pragmatic.
His concern wasn't whether Kirigakure would join the war, but rather the consequences of Kirigakure siding with Konoha.
If it was just the usual three-against-one dynamic, things were manageable.
But if it turned into three-against-two—with the two being Konoha and Kirigakure—then things became much more complicated. Especially since Konoha was already the strongest of them all.
Perhaps Kirigakure was merely trying to extort better terms?
If that was the case, they had miscalculated.
"Kumogakure will not entertain any negotiations!" the Third Raikage declared. "If they want something, they can take it by force!"
...
Back in Konoha, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, received the diplomatic letter from Yagura.
It was a mix of diplomatic pleasantries and demands.
In summary: "The Third Mizukage's decisions were his own. I, the Fourth Mizukage, have no involvement. Kirigakure holds no grudge against Konoha. Our friendship is long-standing..."
Of course, there was also a list of requested resources—grain, livestock, medicinal herbs…
Hiruzen chuckled. "No problem. Give them what they want."
As long as Kirigakure didn't actively join the war against Konoha, that alone was a victory.
Reading Konoha's warm diplomatic response, Yagura chuckled softly from his seat.
"Heh..."
For their sake, he hoped they never uncovered the truth about the Third Kazekage.
At least, not yet.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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