...
Acting Mizukage Karatachi Yagura had once deliberately let Sunagakure's Scorch Release user, Pakura, escape during a mission!
No one knew where this rumor started.
From small roadside taverns to street corners where gossip spread like wildfire, whispers turned into loud discussions among neighbors.
In just one night, the entire Kirigakure was consumed by it.
The Mizukage's office remained silent in response.
But this cold indifference only fueled the rumors, making them spread even further. The voices of dissatisfaction and doubt from the villagers grew louder by the day.
Pakura of the Scorch Release—a hero of Sunagakure, renowned for standing atop the corpses of countless Mist ninja.
And yet, Karatachi Yagura had let her go? Worse, he had likely done so when he had the chance to kill her!
Wasn't that as good as colluding with the enemy?!
How could someone like that be the Mizukage? Would he end up selling Kirigakure out?!
Just as tensions reached their peak, a ship from the Land of Crafts arrived.
The craftsmen and Craft-nin disembarked and settled into a specially designated village near Kirigakure—Swordsmith Village. This only served to further enrage the already restless citizens.
Who were these outsiders, and why were they being granted entry into Kirigakure? Why were Mist ninja protecting them and helping them settle in?
What was the Mizukage's office even doing?
What? This was his decision too?!
"Mizukage-sama, this..."
Watching the growing unrest among the villagers, Ao hesitated, glancing toward Yagura, who remained calm and composed in his seat. "If we continue ignoring this, the situation will only get worse."
Without looking up, Yagura replied, "Ao, if you have so much free time, why don't you help arrange accommodations for the people?"
"Shhh."
Yuki Murasaki shot Ao a glare, signaling him to drop the matter and focus on his own duties. She then glanced at Yagura with a hint of concern.
From the day he took the seat of Mizukage, this child had spent nearly all twenty-four hours of the day buried in work.
Originally, with the first phase of diplomatic affairs settled, Yuki had planned to send Yagura home to share the good news with his family and at least get some rest.
But then, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen arrived, pinning him back to his desk.
After the rumors began to spread, Yagura quickly sent the Seven Ninja Swordsmen on a mission to the Land of Fire.
With those who knew the truth about Pakura now out of the village, speculation only ran wilder. This move only added fuel to the fire.
The rumors left Yagura stuck in his office, unable to take even a moment's break.
Then, the arrival of the Craft-nin added to the chaos. Organizing food, lodging, and ensuring their protection from angry villagers filled Yagura's desk with even more work.
Yuki Murasaki took charge of revising and correcting official documents—Yagura's reports were often too straightforward, sometimes overly simple.
She also provided guidance where necessary. Despite her young age, she had led her clan for years and was far more familiar with Kirigakure's intricate affairs than Yagura.
Because of this, she had access to all the documents Yagura approved.
And among them...
Recalling the secret diplomatic messages she had sent to Sunagakure and Konohagakure, Yuki Murasaki couldn't help but shudder.
...
The Kirigakure-Sunagakure Non-Aggression Treaty.
Once this diplomatic document reached the Suna envoy, it was immediately transported to the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, using the highest-level confidentiality and urgency protocols.
At the same time, Kirigakure's messenger embarked on a secret journey to Sunagakure, carrying the original treaty and traveling at top speed.
Upon receiving the document, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa urgently gathered Sunagakure's highest-ranking advisors, including Elder Chiyo and Ebizō.
"Kirigakure has accepted our proposal and agreed to sign this non-aggression treaty with our village," Rasa announced, struggling to suppress the tremor in his voice. "The treaty states that from the date of signing, both Kirigakure and Sunagakure will refrain from any acts of aggression against each other. Neither side may launch military offensives, and if one is attacked, the other is prohibited from aiding the aggressor nation."
He took a deep breath before continuing, "Kirigakure is also willing to provide and sell us various supplies to aid in avenging the Third Kazekage—including military rations, uniforms, medical herbs, iron ore, ninja tools, and even labor for weapon manufacturing."
Before he could finish reading, someone burst out in excitement.
"What's going on? Kirigakure suddenly changed its stance! Are they siding with us?!"
"This is amazing! With Kirigakure's support, we can finally take revenge for the Third Kazekage!!"
"Damn Konoha! We'll make them pay in blood!"
"Silence!!"
Elder Chiyo's authoritative voice rang out, immediately suppressing the clamor in the room.
"What kind of nonsense is this? Do you think good fortune just falls from the sky? If it does, go find some and bring it to me."
Her sarcastic remark instantly deflated the Sunagakure officials' overconfidence.
The benefits were clear—but now came the conditions.
A senior advisor from Sunagakure's council turned pale.
"Kirigakure insists that all payments for these supplies must be made in gold or cash."
Rasa's face darkened further.
Even before he took office, the Third Kazekage had privately instructed him to extract gold from the sands to fill Sunagakure's financial gaps. After inheriting the title, he had continued the practice.
Yagura and the elder advisors of Kirigakure had clearly anticipated this. Sunagakure had nothing else of value to trade.
Still, if that was merely painful, then the next condition was deadly—literally.
"Kirigakure demands that we hand over Pakura—the Sunagakure Jonin responsible for killing countless Mist ninja and obstructing peace between our villages—as a gesture to pacify public sentiment."
The room fell into silence.
Finally, a Sunagakure envoy, freshly returned from Kirigakure, stood up.
"If I may speak, my lords. You may not be aware of this, but a rumor is currently circulating in Kirigakure..."
He recounted what he had seen and heard while in the Mist village.
"The acting Mizukage appears to have been completely trapped within the Mizukage's office."
As he finished, the dim, overhead lighting cast long, stretching shadows around the meeting room.
"It seems that Kirigakure still holds deep resentment toward us. That Mizukage is truly incompetent—allowing such rumors to run rampant in his own village."
"Indeed. And they have made it clear—this condition is non-negotiable. Completely unreasonable."
"But we are on the verge of war with Konoha. We can't afford delays. Right now, we must do whatever it takes to secure Kirigakure's support."
"For the village... Pakura must be sacrificed."
Newly appointed and not yet hardened by years of rule, Rasa turned toward Elder Chiyo for guidance.
Chiyo closed her eyes in deep contemplation. After a long sigh, she looked at Rasa and shook her head.
Seeing her response, Rasa's expression darkened further.
Still young and impulsive, he had yet to become the ruthless leader who would one day see his own son as a mere tool of war.
But given the current state of Sunagakure, he had no choice but to concede.
"There's no other way. We have to agree to Kirigakure's terms."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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